Ultimately, I ended up wearing it.
A maid outfit, of all things!
I fell for Luke’s sneaky temptation, which held my magic as a hostage!
But what could I do?
Circle magic can only be learned from Luke; there are no other places to learn it.
The method of operating a circle cannot be found anywhere else.
In a society where class magic exists, circle magic, which does not fit into the system, is an unwelcome guest, like a ticking time bomb that endangers not only users but also those around them.
Because of that, all the books containing that information have now disappeared, and there’s nowhere to obtain them. Furthermore, disseminating information about circle magic in public places is legally prohibited.
The only information available pertains to how patients of mana accumulation syndrome can manage themselves, and truly practical information for using magic cannot be obtained.
Moreover, it’s rare to find someone like Shirud, who has a circle engraved in his heart, anywhere in the world.
To be a “four-circle” user among those already rare circle patients is exceptionally uncommon in this age.
I don’t know why Luke seems to know so much about such rare and dangerous information…
Regardless of how Luke learned that information, to gain insight into his circle, I had no choice but to rely on him.
As far as Shirud knows, Luke is the only one in the world with five circles.
“Ha.”
Thinking this, Shirud let out a deep sigh and reflected on his face in the mirror.
“Well, I really have to serve like this, huh?”
I said I would do it, but it feels more overwhelming than I thought.
At least, I found solace in the fact that my friends from the baking department will come to help in about an hour, so I just need to endure until then.
Honestly, beyond the discomfort of being called cute, there’s a curiosity about whether this is truly considered cute by others.
I slightly altered my appearance with a polymorph, yet it’s still my face that I’ve seen for a lifetime.
It’s so familiar that I have no way of knowing whether it appears natural or strange to others.
So, I guess I’m feeling anxious…
Well, Luke doesn’t lie, so he must have meant it sincerely, but his perspective can never be an objective measure.
Luke has a habit of genuinely expressing sentiments like “You’re the only one” or “You’re such a precious child” towards boys he doesn’t even like.
There’s a high possibility that even the words saying I’m cute might just be meaningless nonsense he spoke sincerely.
However, since Helena also said “cute,” I can consider it somewhat objective.
Thinking this way eases my anxiety a bit.
At least it means I don’t look strange to anyone.
If it’s not strange, then as long as I don’t do anything odd, I won’t appear peculiar, right?
I keep thinking it’s strange, and it feels like my head might go weird, but anyway, I’m saying it’s not strange.
‘………’
I don’t think my head is quite right at the moment.
“……One hour.”
If I can’t be of any help after suffering such humiliation, wouldn’t all my efforts, including my embarrassment, turn into trash?
I came here to help a friend, not just to experience shame.
So, to ensure that all of this doesn’t turn into pointless suffering, I must do my best.
At least to prevent Luke from later saying he didn’t help me, so he can’t keep his promise.
Clap, clap.
Having slapped my cheeks to regain focus, Shirud earnestly encouraged himself.
If I’m not going to be seen as strange, then I should have confidence.
‘Right, I just have to avoid being seen by people who know me.’
No matter what, I think if this look spreads around the class, I might truly wish to die from embarrassment.
It’s work time now, so I need to move my body.
I think I should hide and run away if someone I know comes in.
——
“I’m back.”
At that time, a girl who had gone out for a brief errand for the manager returned.
The girl’s name is Amy Stella.
She was a cute girl with rabbit ears.
“Oh, you’re back? Did you bring it? Was it heavy?”
Welcoming her cheerfully was Kaila, the head of the baking department.
She originally had the role of serving and attracting customers, but she has now switched to the kitchen to prepare for the upcoming beverage peak time.
“Could you put that over there for now?”
Seeing Amy return, Kaila smiled lightly and pointed to a corner of the kitchen with her chin.
“Yes, I’ll put it here.”
“Thanks!”
Amy came back with both hands full of plastic bags.
And those bags contained pre-fermented dough.
“It was good to make ahead, regardless of what the members said in excitement.”
The advice stemmed from concerns that all the already-made bread wouldn’t sell, but ultimately, my judgment was correct.
The business has been so successful that the bread was sold out more quickly than expected.
This indicates that today’s guests were far more numerous than anticipated, and also that today’s work was quite busy.
“So now, I’ll go back to making cookies…”
While looking around the cafe for tasks, Amy stopped short.
Because, over at that table, she had accidentally spotted a familiar-looking kid.
“Oh my, you’re so cute! I’ve never seen such a pretty albino before.”
“Right? Can you take a picture with us, just one? How much was it for a photo?”
“Th-thank you. But I don’t take pictures. I’m sorry.”
“Hmm, really? That’s a pity. What about a tasty spell?”
“Uh? Is there such a spell? What kind is it?”
“Hmm? It was written in the menu, wasn’t it? Aren’t you the one who knows it?”
“Aah… if that’s what it is, then I don’t know. Actually, I’m just here temporarily…”
“Aha! So that’s why. I see.”
“You weren’t familiar with the work, right? Sorry, the sisters asked for something strange.”
“Yeah, yeah. So don’t look so down.”
“…Yes, for now, I’ll bring you the tea you ordered.”
“Okay, please!”
Amy watched as the kid served the customers, her eyes darting.
It seemed an unfamiliar sight with a strange face; she couldn’t shake off the feeling that someone kept popping into her mind.
Having silver hair and red eyes is a rare sight unless they’re dark elves.
Therefore, it wasn’t a leap to think of Shirud.
Moreover, they seemed to be around the same age, and oddly enough, the atmosphere or tone reminded her of that boy.
The only problem was, that kid was a boy.
Yet, looking at that kid, there was no doubt that she appeared to be just a cute girl.
That pivotal difference was one factor that kept Amy preoccupied until the very end.
Internally, Amy thought,
‘Could she be Shirud’s younger sister? Or a cousin?’
They look so alike, there must be some connection to Shirud.
It was hard to believe there wasn’t.
However, her shy nature held her back from approaching and asking.
She was already too embarrassed to tend to customers, finding herself working as a baking assistant in the kitchen; how could she possibly approach someone she had never met?
She had even missed opportunities to talk to Luke because she kept hesitating and failing to deliver cookies.
Yet, she was incredibly curious.
‘Who is she? Who could she be?’
Even if she lacked the courage to ask the person directly, curiosity can be an overwhelming impulse.
As Amy was lost in thought, Kaila asked,
“Amy, what’s up? Are you worried about her?”
“Uh? A bit…”
“Haha, really? You don’t seem that close. I thought she was a friend from your class because Luke brought her along.”
“Uh? That girl came with Luke?”
“Yeah, I saw it earlier… Oh, and…”
Kaila lowered her voice and whispered.
“I don’t think she knew the staff outfit was a maid outfit because she got really mad at Luke. Well, luckily it seems they managed to resolve it somehow.”
“Aah…”
Upon hearing that Luke was in the same class and that she had gotten angry at the maid outfit, Amy nodded with a subtle smile.
‘That really is Shirud.’
I immediately understood the situation.
Moreover, Luke must have been playing a prank on Shirud.
Now, another question settled in her mind.
‘But I didn’t expect Shirud to look so good in girl’s clothes. She seems cuter than me…’
It was a little sad, but I had to acknowledge it.
Shirud was undoubtedly cute, even more so than I am as a girl.
Anyway, while my curiosity was resolved, another problem remained.
How should I treat Shirud here?
Amy thought internally while observing Shirud.
‘For now, I should pretend I don’t know her, right?’
It’s bound to be extremely embarrassing…
Thinking that, she resolved to do her best to avoid encountering Shirud in the kitchen.
However, in the end, working in the same place meant they could not avoid meeting.
“Uh… When will the chocolate herb cookies be ready…?”
“J-Just a little bit longer.”
An awkward atmosphere cloaked them, almost painfully stiff.
The two were busy avoiding each other’s gaze, as though following an unspoken rule against making eye contact.
Shirud uttered in a resigned tone, with an expression as if all the white logs had burned out.
“…Please don’t spread rumors in class.”
“Uh…”
Well, I hadn’t even thought of spreading rumors from the start…
Yet, Shirud had a completely deflated expression on his face.
Unable to bear the suffocating silence that had arisen from her own inadequacy, Amy found herself saying something she didn’t have to.
“Th-That’s a cute outfit… It suits you well… You look pretty…”
“…”
Such compliments were not appreciated.
