"Oh, right, temporary butler-san..." After handing her handbag to Trainer Mizuno, Mejiro McQueen seemed to recall something.
"Half an hour ago, when you called me, it showed an unknown number. Did you change your phone?"
"Ah, that..." Mizuno slung her handbag over his shoulder and replied honestly, "I accidentally broke my phone, so I can't contact anyone right now. The call earlier—I just borrowed a stranger's phone."
"Oh? You can't contact anyone..." McQueen's ears perked subtly at that detail.
Perfect. If Mizuno Trainer had no phone, then he couldn't call for help. Capturing him would be so much easier.
She smiled innocently. "In that case, how about I buy you a new phone later? I know a shop that sells excellent models. My family owns shares in it, so you can pick whichever one you like."
"Eh? Really? Thank you so much, McQueen-ojousama!" Mizuno bowed gratefully.
He'd planned to buy one after payday, but now his brand-new employer was gifting him one outright. A phone and a job in the same day? Truly, Ojou-sama was a saint.
"Hehe, think nothing of it." McQueen stepped closer, slipping her arm naturally through his and smiling sweetly.
"But first, Butler-san, let's buy some clothes together, shall we?"
"Of course. That's part of my duty," Mizuno replied earnestly.
He noticed her holding his arm, but surprisingly didn't feel flustered. Actually, it seemed... normal?
After all, accompanying an Ojou-sama arm-in-arm was probably one of a butler's duties. He wasn't entirely sure, but he'd seen that kind of thing on TV dramas. Sadly, without a phone, he couldn't exactly look it up right now.
Besides, McQueen had always behaved properly. From his perspective, apart from occasionally inviting him to the Mejiro estate, she'd never shown excessive interest—she probably just saw him as a walking Honey Drink dispenser. So, no reason to panic.
And she'd just become his boss and benefactor. As long as she didn't drag him into Mejiro Mansion or get too touchy, letting her hold his arm was fine.
"Shall we go, then?" McQueen giggled softly, winking playfully.
Her tail swished happily behind her—just out of his sight.
The pair took a taxi to the downtown shopping district and, following McQueen's lead, entered a high-end women's clothing boutique.
"Ding-a-ling~" The bell chimed as they stepped inside.
"Welcome—eh?" The store clerk froze upon seeing McQueen, covering her mouth in surprise. "Ojou-sama..."
"..." McQueen gave the clerk a subtle look—one that clearly meant 'not here, not now.'
The clerk caught on instantly, straightening her posture and smiling as if nothing had happened.
"This beautiful lady and this... gentleman—how can I help you today?" she said politely. For a moment, she seemed unsure about Mizuno's gender, but his height gave it away.
Seeing he didn't take offense, she let out a quiet breath of relief.
"I'd like to privately order some clothes and speak with your manager," McQueen said smoothly, adding a small "phone call" gesture with her hand.
"Of course, right this way please~" The clerk bowed respectfully and led her deeper inside.
"Temporary butler-san," McQueen said softly, turning to Mizuno. "Wait here for a moment, please."
"Sure, no problem." Mizuno nodded blankly.
The quiet exchange between the two women would've been obvious to anyone paying attention—but Mizuno's attention was elsewhere.
Namely, on the row of plush sofas by the wall.
Wow... a place to sit!
He wasn't even tired, but every man who's ever gone shopping with a woman knows the siren call of a clothing store sofa.
Be honest: the moment you enter one of these places, don't you immediately scan for somewhere to sit?
So while McQueen and the clerk slipped into a private room, Mizuno made himself comfortable on the sofa, blissfully unaware of any scheming.
"I'll be right back," McQueen said, seeing him contentedly seated and clearly not planning to run.
Once the door to the small private room clicked shut, the clerk locked it quietly to muffle any sound.
Satisfied, McQueen nodded and pulled out her phone, dialing quickly.
"Hello, Sawada-san? It's Mejiro McQueen. Please dispatch twenty capable Uma Musume maids to the women's clothing store at 14 Central Shopping Street—yes, right now. There are too many girls hovering around him lately, and I'd rather act before it's too late. We're bringing him in... today."
After finishing the call, McQueen smoothed her dress, her smile perfectly calm and elegant.
The clerk unlocked the door, and the two returned to the front of the shop, chatting lightly as if nothing had happened.
Mizuno immediately stood up when McQueen approached, noticing her unusually good mood.
"McQueen-ojousama, you seem really happy. Did something good happen?"
"Mm." McQueen nodded gracefully and sat down beside him. As she did, she slipped her phone neatly into the handbag now hanging from his shoulder.
"I just got a call from home," she said with a demure smile. "It seems the Mejiro family might be welcoming a new family member today~"
"Oh?" Mizuno blinked.
A new family member? Someone having a baby, maybe?
"Well then, congratulations!" he said cheerfully.
"Hehe~ Thank you~" McQueen laughed softly.
Her tail swayed lazily behind her—but inch by inch, it began to curl closer toward Mizuno's leg, ready to claim its prize.