Ravished by the Cute Maid (2)
I got in the car and, entrusting my body to Ha Yu-ri's smooth driving, stared blankly out the window at the passing scenery. But then...
"Whoa, that house is seriously pretty and awesome, Yu-ri."
"Which house are you referring to, Master?"
"Huh? That one. The three houses lined up side by side..."
I pointed at the townhouses visible in the distance. They were called townhouses, but there were only three in the whole complex, which made them look all the more luxurious.
"That's the house assigned to you, Master."
"What...?"
"We're heading there right now."
"Wh-what do you mean...? That's my house?"
I'd been imagining something like an apartment or a villa... but that townhouse was my home?
Ha Yu-ri nodded while gripping the steering wheel.
"Yes. The residence assigned to you is a small-scale luxury townhouse."
She said it so casually that it all started feeling unreal.
"...Small-scale?"
"It's different from a typical townhouse complex."
Ha Yu-ri calmly continued her explanation.
"This complex consists of just three houses—a private residence. Access from the outside is strictly controlled, and resident identities are managed directly by city hall and the administrative offices."
"They manage it... directly...?"
"Yes, because it's designed with security and privacy protection as the top priorities."
I looked out the window again. The three houses stood side by side, but each had a wide yard and plenty of space between them. The exteriors had a unified look, yet each subtly exuded its own personality.
"It doesn't look like a normal person's house..."
"As a transmigrator and an immigrant, you deserve these benefits, Master."
The car entered the complex entrance, where a low fence and an automatic gate came into view. Ha Yu-ri lightly operated the car key, and the gate opened silently without a sound.
"Whoa..."
A gasp of admiration escaped me naturally. Once inside, almost no outside noise could be heard. There was a lawn-covered garden, well-maintained walkways, and soft lighting placed in front of each house.
"The place assigned to you is the middle house, number 2."
"...Here?"
"Yes. There's already residents in the left one, number 1, and the right one, number 3."
People already living there...?
The car pulled up in front of number 2. From the front, it looked even bigger. A refined, upscale two-story detached house that seemed way larger than a whole apartment floor.
Ha Yu-ri got out first, picked up the bags from our shopping, and opened my door.
"We've arrived, Master."
Gripping the handle of my suitcase, I stood there for a moment, looking up at the house.
"...Is this really where I'm going to live?"
"Yes. This will be your residence starting today."
As we stood in front of the entrance, the panel beside the door lit up softly. Ha Yu-ri placed her hand on it, and with a confirmation beep, the door unlocked.
"Access permissions are set only for you and me."
The moment we stepped inside, warm lighting illuminated the spacious, pristine interior. Wood-toned floors, high ceilings, sunlight streaming in through large windows.
"Ughhh..."
Words failed me.
"The first floor has the living room and kitchen. The second floor has the bedroom and private spaces. Any furniture or items you need can be requested later and provided immediately."
Ha Yu-ri stood naturally beside me as she spoke.
"I'll unpack your luggage. Feel free to rest for a bit, Master."
I stood in the entryway, still wearing a dazed expression as I looked around the house.
Isn't this house... way too nice? Like, excessively so?
"...Yu-ri."
"Yes, Master."
"Do you think I can really live well here?"
Ha Yu-ri looked at me for a moment, then smiled very softly.
"I'll help make sure you can, from right by your side."
Her words put me a little at ease.
When we entered the kitchen, Ha Yu-ri adjusted her apron again and began taking out the ingredients from the shopping bags one by one.
"You said you were hungry, Master, so I'll quickly make something with pork shoulder."
"Oh, meat."
I approached excitedly at the sight of the meat, and Ha Yu-ri nodded.
"Pork shoulder doesn't have too much fat, so it's great for grilling or stir-frying. Today, I'll stir-fry it with some vegetables."
Her words were measured, but her movements were swift. She took out a knife, placed it on the cutting board, and handled the meat with surprisingly skilled hands.
"Yu-ri, you cook really well."
"Maids receive basic culinary training."
She said it like it was the most obvious thing, but I could see her ears turning slightly red.
...Cute.
I stood beside her for no reason, watching her slice the meat, and said,
"Can I help with anything?"
"Ah, Master..."
"Want me to chop the onion?"
"...Master."
Ha Yu-ri paused for a second, then nodded cautiously.
"Then... could you handle one onion? Take your time."
"Okay."
I confidently picked up the onion.
...And a few seconds later.
"Ow, it's spicy."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"Master, you should hold the knife like..."
"Like this?"
"No, that's even more dangerous...!"
Ha Yu-ri hurried over and took the knife from my hand.
"Are you okay? You didn't cut yourself, did you?"
"Yes, I'm fine. But..."
She looked at the onion and let out a small sigh.
"...The shape is a bit... freeform."
"That's its charm."
"...Yes."
She replied, but her expression showed zero agreement.
Ha Yu-ri turned back to the meat, slicing the pork shoulder into bite-sized pieces and sprinkling it lightly with salt and pepper.
"I'll sear the pork shoulder over high heat first."
"Why?"
"To lock in the juices."
"Ah, got it."
The frying pan heated up, and when the meat went in, a sizzling sound filled the kitchen. The aroma hit hard.
"Whoa... the smell is insane."
"Not yet."
With a focused expression, Ha Yu-ri flipped the meat and added garlic, onion, and vegetables one after another.
I paced around beside her for no reason.
"Is the heat about right?"
"Master, you're too close—"
"Shouldn't you flip this?"
"I'll do it!"
"Ah, sorry."
Feeling like I was just getting in the way, I stepped back, only to creep closer again out of curiosity.
Ha Yu-ri glanced at me and smiled softly.
"Master... it's fine if you rest a little."
"I'm really no help at all. Honestly... I suck at cooking."
"That's not true."
Ha Yu-ri said as she shook the pan.
"Just having you here by my side... makes it plenty lively."
"...What does that mean?"
"Just that."
Ha Yu-ri's face flushed slightly again.
A little later, the stir-fried pork shoulder was plated and set on the table. The glossy meat and veggies blended perfectly, looking appetizing.
"It's ready."
"Whoa..."
I picked up a piece with chopsticks and ate it.
"...It's delicious."
I meant it.
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's home-cooked perfection."
At that, Ha Yu-ri's eyes widened a bit, and she bowed her head slightly. Her ears were red again as she spoke.
"I'm glad."
I looked at the plate and thought.
"Yu-ri."
"Yes, Master."
"Thanks."
Ha Yu-ri paused, her face tinting pink as she smiled very faintly.
"It's just what a maid is supposed to do."
Ha Yu-ri moved the plates to the dining table, and I sat down.
"Yu-ri, aren't you going to sit?"
"If I eat too, there might not be enough."
"Aren't you hungry?"
"No."
"Really?"
"Yes, really—"
Grrrrrrumble~
Ha Yu-ri's stomach let out a loud rumble.
"Pfft... come on, sit. Here, next to me."
I pulled out the chair beside me and patted it, telling Ha Yu-ri.
"M-Master..."
"It's an order. Your master's order. You gonna disobey...?"
I looked at her pretending to be firm, and Ha Yu-ri froze solid.
"M-Master..."
Her gaze darted between the table, me, and the chair several times. Her fingertips clutched the hem of her apron tightly; I could see her at a total loss.
"Nngh..."
After a moment's hesitation, Ha Yu-ri finally nodded very cautiously.
"Understood."
With that, she perched lightly on the chair next to me. Even sitting, her back was ramrod straight, hands neatly folded on her lap.
"Why are you so stiff?"
"...Habit."
"It's your home too."
"...I'll try."
She said that, but tension was still obvious.
Suppressing a laugh, I picked up my chopsticks.
"Alright, let's eat. It's getting cold."
Ha Yu-ri gingerly picked up a piece of meat and took a small bite.
"...!"
Her eyes widened a little.
"...Good?"
"Yes."
Her reply was tiny, but her ears turned red again. It was so cute that I couldn't help laughing.
"See? You were hungry."
"I... think so."
As we ate slowly together, the meat on the plate dwindled. And before long... just one piece left.
I picked it up and...
"Yu-ri."
"Yes, Master."
"Here."
I held up the last piece of meat on my chopsticks toward her.
"You eat it."
"...Me?"
"Yeah. You made it."
Ha Yu-ri looked back and forth between the meat and me, flustered.
"But Master..."
"It's fine. I've had plenty."
After hesitating, Ha Yu-ri finally parted her lips cautiously.
I brought the chopsticks closer, and she took the meat.
"Good, right?"
"...Yes."
Feeling oddly proud, I naturally placed my hand on Ha Yu-ri's head and...
gently stroked it.
Swish— her soft lilac hair brushed against my hand.
"Good girl."
"M-Master."
Ha Yu-ri looked up at me in surprise but didn't pull away. She stayed still, obediently.
"You worked hard, Yu-ri."
Her ears were beet red.
"Pfft..."
Seeing that made me burst out laughing again.
"Yu-ri, you're seriously too cute. I'm so glad you're my maid."
"Eh...?"
With that short sound, Ha Yu-ri's face visibly heated up. At first I thought it was just her ears, but in the next instant, her cheeks, nose tip, even her neck flushed bright red.
"Wh-what do you mean by that, Master...?"
Her voice trembled slightly. She couldn't meet my eyes properly; her gaze wandered over the table before dropping to the floor.
"No, I just said it like it is. You cook well, you're considerate, and your personality seems really kind."
The moment she heard that... Ha Yu-ri froze completely. Her hands were still neatly on her lap, but her fingertips trembled faintly.
"M-Master... saying something like that so suddenly..."
Her face had gone beyond tomato-red; it looked ready to explode.
"I just... did what I was supposed to do, and you say it like that... I don't know... how to react..."
Her voice trailed off smaller and smaller.
Does she short-circuit from compliments? Blushing like this.
Eventually, Ha Yu-ri hung her head low. Through the gaps in her lilac hair, her ears were an unbelievable shade of crimson.
"Pfft... Yu-ri, was it that embarrass—"
"Master."
Ha Yu-ri cut me off, speaking urgently.
"I'm sorry. I got... erect."
"Huh...?"
"I'm sorry. You stroking my head and praising me felt too good... I got erect. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
That's when I finally noticed. The large silhouette lifting up the hem of her maid skirt.
The heavy, heaving shape of it.