"For now, I don't have any specific tasks for you. Just help out here at Anteiku for the time being—you're already wearing their uniforms anyway."
Once Matsumae and Kanae had recovered enough from their injuries, Byakuya gave them their assignment.
It wasn't really an "assignment" per se—he simply didn't want to leave them with nothing to do.
As for the Akatsuki Organization, Byakuya's original intention was to recruit Matsumae and Kanae to fill the numbers.
But numbers were one thing; these two weren't trustworthy yet.
There was no rush to tell them about the Akatsuki Organization. Better to observe their attitudes first and see if they actually had any value to offer. The last thing he needed was to bring in two traitors and create problems for himself.
The Akatsuki Organization could be built slowly. No need to rush.
"Working here...? Yes, understood."
Matsumae nodded without objection, following the Master's orders completely.
Kanae had also calmed down considerably since earlier. Though she didn't respond verbally, she nodded obediently.
"So we have two new companions, even if they're temporary."
Koma's tone sounded quite welcoming toward Matsumae and Kanae.
"Since you're going to be working here, do your jobs properly. Don't try anything funny."
Touka warned the two women.
She couldn't trust them yet—after all, they'd been fighting each other just hours ago.
"We won't. We are now absolutely loyal to the Master."
Matsumae said immediately.
"Yes. I don't understand what 'funny business' you're referring to."
Kanae said calmly.
"Better be that way."
Touka said nothing more.
From then on, Matsumae and Kanae worked as servers in the café.
This kind of work was second nature to them—they'd been servants in the Tsukiyama household, doing similar tasks every day.
It was even much easier than before, since there weren't nearly as many rules to follow.
Still, neither of them believed this was the extent of what Byakuya would demand from them. They didn't let their guard down.
...
When Anteiku closed for the day, the staff prepared to go home.
Matsumae and Kanae hesitated, uncertain where to go.
Going back to the Tsukiyama mansion probably wasn't allowed. Did that mean they had to go home with the young man?
Byakuya noticed their indecision and spoke up: "You can choose to go back to the Tsukiyama mansion, or you can rent a place nearby. That's up to you. Just be available when I need you."
Byakuya had no interest in restricting their freedom. Besides, the more freedom he gave them, the easier it would be to gauge their true attitudes and usefulness.
"Yes, Master. We understand..."
Matsumae nodded slightly.
But she misinterpreted Byakuya's meaning, thinking the two choices he'd offered were a test—and both were traps.
Since they'd been enslaved, they should have the self-awareness of slaves.
Even when she was merely a servant before, she'd had to attend to the young master and the Master of the house daily. How much more so now that she was enslaved?
Matsumae gave Kanae a meaningful look, hoping she'd understand.
Kanae caught the Head Maid's signal and nodded seriously.
Byakuya assumed they'd return to the Tsukiyama mansion and didn't concern himself further.
But after a while, something felt off. Matsumae and Kanae had been following behind him ever since. Was the Tsukiyama mansion in the same direction as his home?
Yet even after arriving at his front door, Matsumae and Kanae were still behind him.
Only then did Byakuya turn around to ask: "Are you two... planning to come home with me?"
"Yes. Servants should attend to the Master at all times."
Matsumae nodded, her expression neutral.
"You're the one who enslaved us, Master, yet you seem... surprised?"
Even now, Kanae still wasn't entirely comfortable calling this human boy "Master."
Byakuya was somewhat speechless. "Didn't I just say you could go wherever you wanted? But since you're already here, you might as well stay the night."
"My house is fairly large. There are several spare rooms. Make yourselves at home."
With that, Byakuya walked through the front door.
Matsumae's thoughts remained unchanged.
She still believed the Master was testing them and that she had to be careful not to make mistakes.
Kanae thought the same, so she followed Matsumae inside.
"Pardon me, Master, but I need to familiarize myself with the layout of your home."
After entering, Matsumae made her request immediately.
To better serve the Master, she naturally needed to know her way around.
"Same here. I hope the Master will permit this."
Kanae added her request.
"Do as you like."
Byakuya replied casually.
Matsumae and Kanae set off to explore—but almost immediately ran into Rize in the living room.
"Who are you?"
Rize questioned them at once.
Though she'd already caught Byakuya's scent and could guess he'd brought these two strangers home, she didn't know why.
"Might you be the lady of the house? We are the Master's servants."
Matsumae bowed respectfully.
Kanae didn't speak but bowed alongside her.
"The 'Master' you mention—that would be Byakuya?"
Rize didn't deny the "lady of the house" label. Instead, she asked about "the Master."
"That's correct. Amaha-sama is our master."
Matsumae nodded.
By this time, Byakuya had also entered the living room and was immediately greeted by Rize's "gentle" smile.
"Darling, would you mind explaining what this is all about?"
"..."
Byakuya proceeded to explain, giving her the general outline of what had happened.
Meanwhile, Matsumae and Kanae stood silently to the side.
They could tell by scent that the beautiful woman before them was a ghoul. But they had no idea she was the infamous "Binge Eater."
Given that the Master was a CCG investigator, the fact that there was also a ghoul living in his home—and apparently as his wife—astonished them completely.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"