"A temporary butler?" Mizuno blinked in surprise. He'd only planned to trade a few Honey Drinks for some quick cash—he hadn't expected McQueen to hit him with a full-blown job offer.
He started to lift his head, then froze. From this angle, looking up would give him a very improper view. Awkwardly, he shuffled backward before rising, then crouched again so he was eye level with McQueen.
Now the two of them were squatting close together, whispering like they were in the middle of some shady back-alley deal.
"This high salary you mentioned… how much exactly?" Mizuno asked quietly.
Normally, he wouldn't take a part-time job for money—it would interfere with his training duties. But right now, he was flat broke. If the pay was good enough, he'd consider anything.
"Hmm..." McQueen tilted her head in thought, then said casually, "How about two million yen per day?"
"T—two million?!" Mizuno nearly fell over.
Two million yen. Even converted, that was around a hundred thousand RMB. How many Honey Drinks would he have to sell to make that kind of money?!
And that was daily pay. A single month of work could buy him an apartment in downtown Tokyo!
Was this really just pocket change for the Mejiro family's eldest daughter? Even hiring a temporary butler, she could throw around numbers like that?
"What's wrong, Trainer Mizuno? Too low?" McQueen tilted her head, misreading his stunned silence.
Of course she knew that salary was ridiculous—but for him, it was worth it. She wasn't hiring him for his nonexistent butlering skills; she wanted the man behind the Honey Drinks, the training genius with unorthodox methods and uncanny insight.
And, if possible, she wanted him closer—close enough to build a relationship the other Mejiro sisters hadn't managed.
An investment, she told herself. A very profitable one.
"If you're not satisfied, I can always increase it," she added smoothly.
"N-no, no, no! That's more than enough!" Mizuno waved his hands frantically.
He was tempted—painfully tempted. But something in the back of his mind screamed caution.
This could easily be a trap.
What if she used the "butler" excuse to lure him into the Mejiro mansion? What if she and her sisters planned to lock him up and drain him dry of Honey Drinks day and night?!
So, before agreeing, he asked the crucial question:
"McQueen-san... what exactly are my duties as your temporary butler? If it involves working inside the Mejiro household, I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
"Ah..." McQueen's ears drooped, and her gaze flicked aside.
Darn it. Why did he have to be so cautious?
She had been planning to lure him to the mansion—lock him in and let her sisters take turns "bonding" with him.
But Mizuno's sharp refusal dashed that plan immediately.
Catching him wouldn't be easy. He was slippery, like an eel covered in honey. She'd have to move carefully, build trust, and wait for the perfect chance.
After a moment's thought, McQueen smiled sweetly.
"No need to come to my house. Just accompany me on my days off and help carry my things."
"Eh? That's it?" Mizuno looked doubtful.
He'd always thought butlers were supposed to manage household affairs, supervise staff, handle accounts... not just carry shopping bags. Why pay him millions for that?
"That's right. Just that simple."
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a thick bundle of cash—at least a million yen—and waved it lightly in front of him.
"If you keep me happy, there might even be a bonus~"
"Even... a bonus?!" Mizuno's eyes went wide, practically sparkling as he stared at the wad of bills.
It looked so generous it almost had to be a scam. Would he wake up tomorrow missing a kidney?
Normally, he'd never stoop for money—but desperate times, desperate measures. Besides, he could always tell himself it was just bending for survival, not bowing.
And the deal was too good to refuse. No mansion. No traps. Just carry her bags and get paid a fortune.
He straightened up with resolve, placed a hand over his heart, and declared solemnly,
"Yes, McQueen-ojousama! From today onward, I shall serve as your personal butler!"
Then, with exaggerated chivalry, he extended a hand to help her stand.
"...Thank you..." McQueen murmured, a bit taken aback, but slipped her delicate hand into his and rose gracefully.
Once she was up, Mizuno clasped his hands before him, bowing slightly in formal butler fashion.
"Well then, Ojou-sama—what would you have me do today?"
"Hmmm..." McQueen tapped a finger against her cheek, pretending to think. But behind that thoughtful pose, a sly smile bloomed across her lips.
Step one of Operation Capture Trainer Mizuno: complete.
Now for step two.
"Then, Butler-san..." she said with a composed smile, slipping her bag off her shoulder and handing it to him.
"Today, you'll accompany me... shopping."