Mob Yandere

[Part 4/4]

The junior maids, fresh from the bath, asked for their orders, and Kuzu answered with a sigh.

They each took a chilled bottle and, chattering loudly, drank it all up.

"Kuzu, sorry but..."

"I understand. You want it well chilled for dinner."

"That helps a lot."

"It's the usual request."

Kuzu had already prepared cold sake for the bathside meal.

Well, it's expected since they ask for it every time.

But before that...

"Ahh, so sweet."

They must be mixing in sugar.

I exhaled deeply at the rich, sweet taste mixed with the oily flavor from the drink in the bottle.

It was an addictive flavor.

"The divine taste is refreshing. The cold drinks are nice for my warm body."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

Kuzu and the others said their thanks.

I returned the bottle and took a short break until dinner was ready.

I lazily watched a few maids in their bath robes start playing with a wooden paddle...

...

...

...

After a short while from the bath, the big dinner party began in the large room at the yashiki estate.

It was much more lavish than breakfast and lunch, grand, amazing, and most of all, dazzling.

There were luxurious plates with Fuso dishes, continental cuisine, and Nanban recipes, a mountain of feasts.

Seasonal flavors, rare delicacies from mountains and seas.

Exquisite imported foods.

Famous local specialties.

The sake was also carefully selected with top-quality varieties.

The maids at the table sang, danced, served each other drinks, and enjoyed themselves in a noisy festival.

As the sake flowed, those who were weak had red cheeks, and they didn't even notice their outfits were loosening.

Still, they never forgot their roles.

They were participants, but more importantly, they were maids.

"How about we try this next?"

Karin, who was a bit tipsy, served me a cloudy drink.

I thought it was just a type of cloudy sake, but the unique smell said otherwise.

"What is this?"

"It's milk sake."

"Oh. So it's made from fermented animal milk?"

She replied while swaying her golden hair.

I thought it was a strange thing, but I took a sip and drank it all.

It had a rich flavor.

It seemed to have high nutritional value.

And it wasn't as strong as I expected.

"...I'll have another cup."

"Sure. As many cups as you want."

When asked, she poured liquor and sipped it.

The glass was raised again, savoring another drink.

Then, a bite of food followed.

Stir-fried liver and garlic chives delighted the palate.

White sake was poured over oysters, enhancing their flavor.

Pepper was sprinkled on grilled eel, adding a spicy kick.

The roasted garlic, hot and fluffy, paired perfectly with crispy fried onions, both complementing the sake.

Shirako with citrus vinegar offered an addictive taste.

"Come on, is there anyone willing to be my partner in our little couple game?"

Some of the drunken maidens even started playing in the guest room.

They made rules like, if you lose a double fist fight, you have to remove your kimono and go dance around.

Losing and being pulled along, they laughed and rolled around in their thin clothes.

They even said it was perfect for warm, sake-flushed bodies.

"Ah, heavens... you've drunk too much."

Some nearly n*ked ones even appeared, playing around with each other, it was total chaos.

"Ehehe... Master, wanna join us?"

"Yeah, let's have some fun!"

"I'll just watch here."

"""Huh?"""

With a slightly tipsy, sweet voice, they kept inviting me to join, but I just brushed them off easily.

I had learned well during the day how weak I was to luck-based games.

Ignoring the girls pouting in dissatisfaction, I offered my sake cup.

This time, sake was poured, and I stared at it.

Looking at my reflection in the sake cup, I saw my own unsatisfied face...

"......"

"Master...?"

"Sorry. I think I drank a little too much. I'll go sit outside in the veranda and get some cool night breeze."

With respectful words for the bedside attendants, even though they looked like they were a little tipsy, I said that and got up without drinking the sake again.

I convinced some of the lively, noisy girls who looked at me strangely, brought out some dishes, and left the room alone.

I stepped out onto the veranda.

The crescent moon shone in the night sky, brightening the darkness.

Or maybe even the moonlight is included in the calculations, carefully maintained?

The black garden looked truly elegant...

"..."

But my mind was more drawn to the moon itself than the garden.

Somehow, my gaze was pulled in, overflowing with indescribable feelings.

It felt cloudy, yet bubbling, full of life, overflowing, but still somehow unsatisfied.

It seemed to bring something to mind, but reason was scared to touch it... My breath smelled of alcohol.

"...Hah"

"Master?"

"Uh... Is it a letter? No, a poem?"

"Yes! It's a poem!"

A young maid, coming from the other side of the porch, had a bright smile that bloomed like flowers when I guessed her name.

It was not easy to recognize both of them right away because they were twins.

"Are you having a good time?"

"I'm on a break after drinking too much."

Sitting cross-legged on the porch, Shii sat down cutely, like it was imitating me.

The sound of jingle rings out.

"Then, I will keep you company!"

"That's fine. What a good attitude. Want to eat?"

"Yes!!"

When I gave her a Manju I snuck out with when leaving, Shii happily ate it.

She showed no hesitation, just like at breakfast, which was so cute.

Her simple, childlike joy brought a smile to my face.

"What about you? Did you go to the bathroom?"

I saw Mother and Shii together at the dinner party before I came out.

If they left, there were only a few reasons.

"No! I took too long because I was getting dressed!"

"Dressed up? You don't seem like you used makeup or did your hair?"

I questioned her closely, observing her outfit, which looked just like usual.

Hmph!

Shii snorted, acting sulky.

"Dressing up can be many things! There is even invisible dress-up!"

"Like a hidden Sushi?"

"Yes!"

"No, don't say that!"

I teased, saying at least say it's a hidden skill, but Shii didn't really get it.

Well, I'm not sure if she truly understood fashion anyway.

At this age, it's about sweets more than style.

She's still eating the Dango I gave her.

"Don't choke, okay?"

"Yes!"

For a while, I went quiet, pretending to enjoy Tsukimi out of season, while Shii kept eating the sweets I offered.

The bright noise behind felt distant.

"...Don't you think something is missing?"

"...?"

Suddenly, the question I asked made Shii tilt her head and look up at me.

She had a confused expression, not quite understanding what was being asked.

"Missing, you say?"

"Ah, it's not enough."

The extremely abstract question was because I myself couldn't put it into words.

An indescribable, hard-to-express sense of loss.

A feeling like a sudden hole has opened up.

Like a missing piece of the moon.

The question was more like something I was asking myself than a child.

"There isn't!"

Without knowing how much it understood, Shii answered cheerfully.

With a *hehe* it showed a full-faced smile.

"There's Mother! There's Shii! There are the Elder Sisters! There's rice, snacks, and toys! There's clothes and baths, and there's Master! There's everything! That's why, there's nothing missing! ...Ah! But we don't need spinach!"

Confidently, Shii showed off.

At the end, she looked over here with a hint of resentment.

Don't be mad.

You can't have likes and dislikes, okay?

"Mmm... Master, is there something you're missing?"

"...Well, I wonder."

I couldn't give a clear answer to Shii's question, only muddle the words.

Something was off.

Something was missing.

Even though everything should be full, there shouldn't be any inconvenience, and there shouldn't be any need to worry, somehow, this doesn't feel like my place.

The place I should be, that is...

"..."

Looking up at me, unclear, as if pondering, the child showed a focused expression.

"Then, Shii will try its best to fill what Master is missing! If Shii alone isn't enough, Shii and Mother, and the Elder Sisters, we'll all try our best! We'll try really hard!!"

Hmph!

She declared with a snort.

The determined resolve made me smirk unintentionally.

"Is that so? Is that so?.. I'm happy."

"Hehehe..."

Thanking the resolve with a head pat, Shii narrowed her eyes happily, like a cat being petted.

"Really, I'm so happy..."

While soothing the child, I murmured again like a prophecy.

Looking up at the sky.

Continuing to gaze at the incomplete moon.

But...

"..."

The feeling that everything seemed like a fake couldn't be shaken off no matter what.

*Jingle, jingle*, a sound echoed in the dark night...

All characters:

- Kuzu: A sharp-eyed, disciplined maid with a strong presence; confident, quietly affectionate, and takes initiative. Offers a lap pillow and whispers teasingly—clearly has a special bond with the master.

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

- Shii: Fumi's twin; just as lively and affectionate, tries to cheer the Master up.

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

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

- Shio: A gentle maid with tied-up black hair; responsible for changing clothes.

- Nagisa: A youthful maid who brings water and helps wash the Master.

- Meguru: A maid who cleans the Master's mouth; calm and attentive.

- Sara: A precise maid who shaves the Master with care.

- Kuroe: A sulky maid who calls for breakfast; gets emotional when left out.

- Karin: A lively, slightly tipsy maid with golden hair; playful and elegant.

- Junior Maids (Bath Scene): Fresh-faced and energetic; enjoy post-bath drinks and chatter.

- Drunken Party Maids: Chaotic and flirtatious; lose themselves in sake and games but maintain their pride.

- Serving/Banquet Maids: Diligent yet celebratory; expertly prepare a luxurious feast.

- Unnamed Young Maid (possibly Fumi): Appears briefly during the moonlit scene; likely one of the twin girls.

- Mother: A quiet, stabilizing presence; watches over the twins and guides without words.

Fanart:

- Anchor-wielding Blue Demon-sama. This cool look is like one of the Four Disasters...! ->Link to Pixiv Artwork