'Did I surprise you, darling?' She tilted her head, smiling.
'Yes. You did.'
'Then give me a better reaction than that.'
Marie stood there in a long skirt and a light blouse. It was simple, just like my outfit.
'So how did you know I was here?' I asked.
She placed a finger against her lips.
'A lady has her secrets.'
'Should I be worried that you can somehow track my location?'
'Darling.' She leaned forward, her voice softening. 'Must you ruin our romantic reunion?'
'Romantic?'
She moved her face close enough that I could see the faint amusement in her eyes. For a second, it felt like she was waiting for me to do something.
I didn't know what.
'Anyway.' She pulled back smoothly. 'Where are your friends?'
'They went to the convenience store.'
Just as I said that, they returned with plastic bags in hand. I thought they were buying some snacks, but to me it looked like they bought the whole store.
'Master, we got you—'
Saki froze mid-step.
Her eyes locked onto Marie. Then she pointed like she had spotted an enemy soldier on the battlefield.
'Why is the red-haired girl here?!' Saki pointed.
Several guests in the lobby turned to stare.
Hina covered her face. 'Saki… do you have to yell?'
'But—'
'Hina's right,' I said. 'People are staring.'
Saki deflated.
'… Fine.'
Saki walked over with exaggerated calm, as if she had not just caused a public disturbance.
Then she narrowed her eyes at Marie and rubbed her chin.
'You seem suspicious.'
Marie placed a hand over her chest.
'To think you would forget my name. I'm wounded.'
'Ahh—I didn't mean—'
Before Saki could make the situation spiral out of control, Hina stepped in and bowed.
'Hello again, Marie-san.'
'Greetings to you, Hina-san.'
While they exchanged pleasantries, Eri slipped to my side and opened her bag.
'Look what I got, my servant.'
She immediately began showing me everything inside. With the seriousness of a merchant presenting rare treasures. Kasumi came over a second later and held out a small paper container.
'We weren't sure what you'd want,' she said, 'so we got you this.'
Fried chicken.
I looked at it, then at her. 'I have a feeling Saki chose this for me.'
Kasumi gave a small nod, looking like she was ashamed to rely on Saki.
'So, servant…' Eri reached her hand into the bag. 'Do you have anything that appeases you?'
'No need.' I patted her head. 'I already got what I wanted.'
Eri blinked, then looked up at me again as if checking whether I was serious. When she seemed convinced, the corners of her mouth lifted.
Then Marie stepped closer.
'Can I have a piece too, darling?'
'Darling?' Eri then clung to my arm. 'He is my servant.'
Marie's gaze shifted to her, then back to me.
'When did you become someone's servant, darling?'
'I'm still trying to figure that out myself.'
'My servant was always my servant.' Eri eyed her down.
'And darling has always been darling.' Marie replied smoothly. 'Isn't that right?'
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kasumi watching the two of them in silence, while Saki had somehow acquired popcorn and was already eating it like this was live entertainment.
'At this point, you can all call me whatever you want. I've got too many names to keep track of.'
'Then can I call you rich master?' Saki asked.
'No.'
'How about mean master?'
'No.'
Hina let out a long sigh and stepped between Eri and Marie before either of them could push further.
'Marie-san,' Hina said politely. 'If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing here?'
Marie smiled.
'I came for darling.'
They smiled at each other until Marie broke into a small giggle.
'I'm kidding. Mostly. I told you before, didn't I? I have business in Kyoto.' Her eyes flickered toward me. 'Though, I was joking about wanting to meet darling.'
Eri's grip on my arm tightened.
'My servant doesn't want to see you.'
Marie looked at her.
'Is that so?'
'Yes. So keep your distance.'
Saki crunched more popcorn.
'This is getting good.'
'Saki,' Hina said.
'What? I'm just appreciating the drama.'
Kasumi stood quietly beside me, the plastic bag rustling in her hands. Her gaze moved from Marie to Eri, then to me, like she was trying to figure out the shape of something without saying it aloud.
Hina cleared her throat again, doing her best to drag the conversation back into civilised territory.
'Since you're here for business, are you staying nearby?'
Marie gave a nod.
'At my family's estate.
Saki perked up.
'Wait, you live in Kyoto?'
'My family does, not me. However, I do know my way around Kyoto.'
Eri crossed her arms. 'This lord does not approve of vague women hovering around my servant.'
Marie gave her a smile so gentle it somehow felt sharper than a glare.
'And I do not recall asking for your approval.'
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
'Can both of you not do this here?'
'She started it,' Eri said.
Marie blinked. 'How childish. I merely greeted darling.'
Here we go again.
Fortunately, Hina the saviour of humanity was here.
'We were about to head out after resting a bit. Marie-san, since you know Kyoto, could you offer us some places to visit?'
'Umm…' She tapped her chin. 'Actually, I'm going to a shrine later, would you all want to come? It's quite charming.'
Hina nodded.
'A shrine does sound good to visit for the first day.'
'Do they sell food there?' Saki asked immediately.
Marie smiled.
'Of course. There are nearby shops.'
'Then I'm in.'
Eri narrowed her eyes.
'Are you trying to lure us somewhere?'
I put a hand on Eri's head.
'Eri. You don't need to be defensive. I'll still be here.'
Eri looked up at me. Just like that, some of the tension left her face, replaced by a small, satisfied smile.
Across from us, Marie's smile slipped for only a moment before she smoothed it over again.
'So,' she said lightly, 'are you coming?'
Hina looked around at the rest of us, and one by one, we nodded.
'Yeah,' she said. 'But tonight. We had a rough morning.'
'I see.' Marie took out her phone. 'Then let's exchange contacts.'
Hina had added Marie to the Kyoto group chat.
'See you all tonight.' Marie bowed.
Then her eyes found mine.
'And darling… try not to miss me too much before then.'
After she left, Eri slipped out from under my hand and stepped back.
'Servant. Why did you say that in front of everyone?'
Eri glanced over and saw Saki grinning.
'Because you looked like you needed to hear it.'
Eri opened her mouth, but then closed it. Her cheeks puffed for a second before she looked away with a huff.
'Well… of course this lord did. You are my servant, after all.'
Saki tossed more popcorn into her mouth.
'That red-haired girl totally really got under your skin.'
'As if she could,' Eri said.
'You sure about that?'
'Saki,' Hina warned.
Saki raised both hands in surrender, though the grin on her face did not fade.
Eri turned away, arms folded.
'This lord was merely being cautious.'
Kasumi stayed beside me, quiet as ever, but I caught the faint smile on her lips.
Hina rubbed her temple.
'We still have thirty minutes before check-in. Until then, nobody is screaming. Understood?'
Saki continued eating her popcorn like she wasn't the trouble at all.
I looked in the direction Marie had gone.
'So much for a quiet day,' I said.
Normal was clearly too much to ask for.