Mob Yandere

[Part 2/4]

Just say 'open,' and it was already prepared.

Steam rose from the freshly cooked dishes laid out.

The morning meal is always colorful, no matter the time.

Today it's white rice, red rice, tea rice, princess rice, 2 kinds of cooked rice, and barley rice.

The ingredients in the Miso soup are wakame and tofu.

The main dish is grilled carp, and the bonito is served with garlic and ginger.

The side dishes are baked rabbit, soaked houttuynia cordata, boiled beans, kinpira burdock, octopus in vinegar, dried daikon radish, vegetable tempura, mentaiko, and thick omelette.

The Tsukemono (pickled vegetables) include turnip, fukujinzuke, eggplant, bamboo shoots, cucumber, greens, mustard greens, and dried plum.

Fruits and sweets are set aside for dessert.

"As always, there's a lot of variety for breakfast... Isn't it a hassle to make so much?"

Sitting down on the cushion, for what felt like the umpteenth time, I gaze at the rich spread set out in elegant bowls and plates and cups, and I can't help but feel it's too much for one person.

I turn to the maid waiting in front and ask.

"There's no need to go to such lengths. Please help yourself to as much as you like of whatever you prefer... If you have any other requests, we can quickly prepare them. Please don't hesitate to ask."

The maid speaks with respect, a phrase I've heard many times before.

They declare it's their duty.

"We'll eat whatever you leave behind!"

"Leave some omelette!"

A lively request echoes from behind.

Looking back, I see 2 of the little rascals sitting properly, waiting early in the morning with their blankets.

They're asking in their usual way.

"Now, now," scold the older maids who were also waiting.

Right next to them, Mio bows her head, looking timid.

"I apologize. They're still lacking in guidance..."

"Don't worry about it. It's good to see them lively, right?"

""Yes!!""

I can't help but smile wryly at their energetic, overlapping replies.

But rather, I find it pleasing.

I forgive the scolders.

...Well.

It's a precious meal.

It is polite to eat before it gets cold.

I take my chopsticks and decide to enjoy the feast.

"Itadakimasu!"

I start with the miso soup.

It was warm, just right.

The flavor of the dashi was great.

I hesitated a bit, then put some barley rice in my mouth.

The soup mixed with it smoothly, going down my throat.

I sighed.

To comfort my mouth that felt empty, I bit into some pickled vegetables.

The salty sea bass is picked apart and eaten.

It was fatty.

It was delightful.

The beans, cooked with mixed ingredients, are nibbled on, followed by a piece of octopus soaked in vinegar.

The crunchy texture is enjoyable.

White rice stuffs the cheeks.

Cold barley tea is drunk.

A slice of bonito, topped with garlic, soaked in soy sauce, is popped into the mouth all at once.

The taste of fresh meat was amazing.

Energy fills the body.

Even though this meal is eaten often, it all felt like too much delicious food.

The best was definitely the thick omelet that the girls asked for.

With strong sweetness, it seemed to have a lot of rich cream instead of oil, and the eggs were a deep yellow mixed with lots of sugar and milk.

The way it was cooked was a skill, rich, fluffy, and moist in taste and texture; it was addictive.

""...""

"...No, you're really staring."

Maybe because it was so delicious, both Fumi and Shii were intensely watching the omelet on my chopsticks.

They swallowed with the first piece, leaned forward for the second piece, and were staring hard at the third piece.

No, no, no, there are still plenty left for seconds, right?

Don't look like that.

""Growl""

"..."

Just as I thought about calming them down, a noise came from a stomach.

It wasn't mine.

It wasn't even from the older maids.

It was 2 young girls laughing to cover it up.

Oh dear, what can I do...

"Here."

"Is it okay!?"

"If it's leftover, then yes."

"Great!"

Shii first, then Fumi responded.

They took the plate of omelet with 2 pieces left... and then offered it back.

"No chopsticks!"

"What do you mean?"

"Ah──n!"

"I see."

The twin sisters opened their mouths wide.

The other maids sighed and apologized.

I happily accepted their request and fed them.

I didn't mind being sweetly relied on.

"Munch munch! Sweet!"

"Hehe, it tastes like Mom!"

The two of them gently touched their puffed cheeks like squirrels and gave their impressions.

I'm glad you're happy.

...Was the rolled omelette today made by Amatsuru?

No good, I still can't tell everyone's taste.

How pathetic.

"Anyway. Do you want to eat too?"

"No, it's fine!"

"Please don't hold back and eat!"

"Shut up. Don't be picky, alright?"

I also offered the soaked greens, but she politely refused with full force.

These 2 dislike fennel.

Don't worry, I'll tell the maid to give everyone a large portion at their mealtime later.

Hehe....

* * *

After finishing the breakfast and having some sweets with warm tea, I went for my daily walk.

I checked around the large yashiki estate and greeted everyone doing chores.

Because I still haven't memorized everyone's faces and know the estate well.

"You don't have to worry about that."

The bell rang with a chime and a voice was heard.

I turned my gaze to the maid standing nearby.

There was a sharp-eyed girl with a strong presence.

She is Kuzu, who is accompanying me on this walk.

It was when we finished walking around the west garden and were about to go to the south side's pair of buildings.

"That's not so easy, right? If you don't call me by my name when you call out, I won't know it's you."

"Just point and say, 'Hey, you,' when you call me."

She offered politely with a bow.

The bell chimed again.

I wonder if that sound, which I hear often, is something popular among the maids?

It's the sound of a bell or a small ornament shaking.

But where is it decorated... no, that's not it.

"Isn't your attitude a little rude...?"

Kuzu's suggestion seemed to ignore her feelings and sounded condescending.

Isn't it too aggressive and rude for her to say that?

"Is it rude for us to call you 'Master'?"

"No, that's..."

"It's the same thing. Think about your position. We can't let everyone misunderstand. There are proper ways to call each other. The hierarchy must be clear to keep order."

"Order, huh..."

Cling! The sound echoed. Kuzu said something, but I didn't understand.

Did she mean my work is sloppy?

Or... But, I couldn't imagine she, who always works sincerely, would become careless.

"Well, the relationship between the top and bottom... If we all work together and live together, that's enough."

If anything, I felt a sense of loss, or perhaps emptiness, because I didn't have a clear role like everyone else.

I should have felt that way.

Not having anything to do, nothing to focus on, means I have nothing to rely on.

It's like grasping at clouds, no, it's not even clouds.

Trying desperately to grasp something without even knowing what it is... it almost makes me feel irritated.

"If that's the case... I think it would be good for you to have a hobby."

"Hobby?"

I stopped and looked at her, Kuzu, who was thinking with her hand on her mouth.

"Yes. If you can have something fun that you can immerse yourself in without looking to the side, I think you can forget the feeling you have now."

"Immerse myself, huh... Work won't do?"

"I said it earlier, but please be aware of your position. We will lose our place. Are you denying our reason for existence?"

"It's not like that..."

I was confused by her slightly accusatory tone.

Because she is always humble.

"Then please have something you enjoy. I don't say one thing. Rather, it helps us if you have a variety of things. If there is no work, we don't need people, right?"

"Is that so?"

"That's how it is."

I seemed to understand, but I didn't seem to understand, and I felt like I was being skillfully persuaded, but it was childish to rebel here.

Hobby, hobby...

"It's an irrelevant question, but... What do you think is good?"

"Are you asking me? Hmm..."

It was a truly irrelevant, and in a way, carefree and shameless question, but Kuzu didn't show any sign of displeasure and thought seriously while looking down.

"You are not in good condition yet. It would be better to avoid things that could affect your health. ...Something you can do indoors would be good, wouldn't it?"

Kuzu answered thoughtfully, taking care of my body.

Then, after locking eyes again, she continued like an idea just struck her.

"Right now, I am enjoying poetry and books. We create and critique together, improving our skills... Would you like to take a look?"

"Creating, huh..."

I frowned at her kind suggestion.

It was the embarrassment of showing my creations.

Seeing my work criticized due to different tastes really stings.

Especially since, as Kuzu said, our positions are different.

"You know, you don't have to create. Just reading and enjoying the works is fine. If you enjoy it, Master, that makes us happy. Your feedback is also something we can learn from."

"Hmm... I'll think about it. Is there anything else?"

Putting aside Kuzu's suggestion for now, I asked for more opinions.

I'm bothering everyone, after all.

I shouldn't just jump on the first idea.

"Well... how about board games? It seems fitting for a gentleman's enjoyment."

"Board games..."

That idea, that word, struck a chord with me.

This sense of nostalgia...

"That could be good..."

"Then let's go right away!"

Almost like a whisper, a sound like bells chimed.

In the next moment, Kuzu's face was right beside me.

She hugged me from the front, a joyful smile on her face as she looked up, urging me.

The sweet smell of her fragrant hair tickled my nose, and I felt an indescribable feeling from her delicate, soft body through her clothes.

No, this is...

"...?"

"Haste makes for good. Enjoyment comes quickly, and that colors our lives. Your joy, Master, is our joy. Come on! I'll guide you!"

"Huh? Ah, um..."

I felt a strange sense of discomfort.

As she gently guided me with her arms around me, I couldn't react properly and just went along with it...

...

...

...

- Fumi: One of the playful twin girls; energetic and sweet.

- Shii: Fumi's twin; just as lively and affectionate.

- Mio: A timid maid; often apologizes for the twins' behavior.

- Kuzu: A sharp-eyed, disciplined maid with a strong presence; philosophical and caring.

- Amatsuru: Possibly the cook who made the beloved omelet; not directly shown.