Akira Miyamura twirled the pink feather pen in his fingers, looking down at the ornate — yet just a little tacky — Master Contract Paper.

He paused, then glanced up at Nishikata Naoto across the table, who was still staring at his own paper like it might contain the secrets of the universe.

Miyamura wrote a single word in the signature box: Guest. No fancy titles, no pet names. He slid the pen across the table to Nishikata.

"I'm just here to experience the café," he said. "No weird preferences. Not 'Onii-chan,' not 'Otou-san'… and definitely nothing dangerous."

Not that he knew if they'd actually call him that, but it was better not to tempt fate.

"Miyamura, lemme see what you wrote." Nishikata leaned over.

Miyamura quickly covered the signature with his hand, suppressing a grin. "Later. When the maids call us by it, you'll know."

"…Fine."

Nishikata sighed, wrote something quickly, and handed the pen and paper to the gray-haired, cat-eared maid waiting beside them.

She accepted the sheets with a professional smile, glanced at their "names," and said sweetly, "Please wait a moment. I'll go get the menu now."

"Thank you," Miyamura replied politely.

The maid gave him a final smile before walking away.

When Miyamura turned back, Nishikata was staring at his face.

He touched his cheeks, frowning. "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"No… just thought they'd call us right after we signed." Nishikata shrugged.

"There's no rush." Miyamura's gaze drifted across the café.

Seven maids total, counting the one recruiting customers outside. Hair colors all over the spectrum. Styles ranging from tiny, frilly loli types to mature onee-sans. The one constant? Cat-ear headbands.

Shame there are no tails, Miyamura thought.

"Guest and Master, thank you for waiting."

The gray-haired maid returned, placing a pink-covered book on their table. "This is our menu."

Miyamura didn't react to the address — after all, they were in a maid café.

Nishikata barely noticed either; his eyes locked on the book's thickness. "It's this thick!?"

The maid, clearly used to the reaction, opened the first page. "Only the first four pages are food and drinks. The rest are group photos of all the maids. When you leave, you can also request a commemorative photo with one of us."

"I'll look later," Miyamura said, sliding the menu toward Nishikata.

The maid stepped back, hands folded in front of her apron, waiting quietly.

As Nishikata flipped pages, his eyes widened more and more.

Miyamura smirked. That's the face of someone realizing everything is overpriced.

"Any recommendations?" Miyamura asked the maid.

"Hmm…" She thought for a moment. "You're here for afternoon tea, right?"

"Yeah." Follow current novᴇls on n0velfire.net

"Then I recommend the set with one 魔法药水 (mófǎ yàoshuǐ) and one Sweet Black Heart Cake."

Miyamura blinked. Couldn't she just say 'one drink and one chocolate cake'? This was right up there with 'QQ Milk Tea So Delicious It Makes You Go Mepu.'

Seeing his confusion, the maid added, "It's just one drink and one chocolate cake."

"Alright, I'll have that."

She took a tiny notebook and pen from a hidden apron pocket, jotting down his order.

"Nishikata?"

Nishikata shut the menu with a sigh. "It's all so expensive…"

The same set Miyamura ordered cost 1500 yen. Even with Miyamura offering to treat him, he felt his wallet ache in sympathy.

"Then get the same as me," Miyamura said, handing the menu back.

Once Nishikata nodded, the maid continued writing, then looked up. "What color would you like your 魔法药水?"

"Whatever," Miyamura said with a wave.

"Same," Nishikata added.

"Please wait a moment." She gave them another smile before heading off.

"Miyamura, I forgot to ask…" Nishikata leaned in. "Coming to a place like this — Nishimiya won't get mad?"

"She's out with Takagi and the others today," Miyamura replied. "Besides, we just got tired walking around Akihabara and came in for a break. Nothing happened. And I had them call me 'Guest,' so why would she care?"

"…True." Nishikata nodded, convinced.

"Guest, Master, thank you for waiting."

This time, a blue-haired maid arrived with a tray. In two smooth motions, she set their drinks and cakes on the table.

"Please enjoy." She bowed slightly before walking away.

Miyamura eyed the chocolate cake on its white plate and the bright blue drink in a clear cup. Blueberry, probably. Nishikata's was strawberry.

"I'll start," Nishikata said softly, putting his hands together before eating.

Miyamura, never one for that habit, picked up his spoon and took a bite.

"Welcome home, Master!"

The greetings of the maids rang out again as more customers entered.

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