Dedicated Maid (2)
Joohyuk came out through the back door and followed the path that ran behind the estate.
"Hey. How far are we going?"
"Just come with me. I've got something good to show you."
They hadn't walked far along the path before it opened into a small clearing dominated by a single enormous tree.
"What is this place?"
"My Hideout. I've been coming out here to play by myself since I was little."
For a Hideout, it wasn't much — a scrap of level ground, one great tree, and a swing. That was the whole of it.
"So why'd you bring me here?"
"We already ate. Let's hang out. Right here."
"Huh? What, you want me to push you on the swing?"
"Isn't it usually the other way around?"
Joohyuk caught the swing ropes and beckoned, as if telling me to come and get on.
I went over and sat down.
"You don't have to push, so just stand back a bit."
I worked my legs the way I used to as a kid, and the swing began to move.
"Ah. Now that I think about it, that thing's pretty old..."
"Huh?"
That was when it happened.
With a sharp crack, the thick branch the ropes were tied to snapped clean through.
Shit...!
I was so frightened I let go of the swing and squeezed both eyes shut.
Wait...? Why doesn't it hurt?
When I opened my eyes, Joohyuk had already rushed in and caught me.
"It's been a while since I came out here. I didn't realize the swing was that worn out."
"If that was the case, you could've said something before I got on!"
"Sorry. I was going to tell you while I pushed. I missed the timing."
"Haa... I seriously thought I was gonna die..."
Wait... am I in this guy's arms right now?
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"Hey. Put me down..."
"What was that?"
"Put me down!!!"
I flailed my arms and legs, and Joohyuk carefully set me on the ground.
"Hmm... shame the swing broke, though."
For a second, that made me feel like I'd committed some kind of crime.
"...Sorry."
"It's fine. I should've warned you beforehand. That's on me."
The faintly bitter look on his face bothered me more than it had any right to.
"Then let's just make a new one. Right here. What do you think?"
"A new what?"
"A Hideout! We'll put a swing bench beside the big tree and plant flowers all around it!"
Joohyuk smiled as if he'd been waiting for exactly that answer.
"No taking that back, right?"
"Huh? Yeah... obviously."
What is this? I feel like I just got hooked...
"Then I should order what we'll need ahead of time. What flowers do you like?"
"Hmm... white roses? And violets."
"Got it. I'll have them ready."
"Since we're doing this anyway, let's do it properly! It suddenly feels like we're building a Hideout the way we did as kids, and I'm weirdly excited."
"Pfft. Are you?"
Riding that inexplicable excitement, I pointed to a likely spot beside the big tree.
"Let's put the swing bench here! If we hang it from a branch it might snap again, so it has to stand on its own!"
"All right. If I see a good one later, I'll show you first."
I leaned back against the big tree and sat, and Joohyuk sat down beside me.
"You said you used to play here alone when you were little."
"Yeah."
"Didn't you have any friends?"
"Nope."
"Wow. Poor bastard."
"That was before I met you."
"...Suddenly I feel like someone you ought to be insanely grateful for."
"I am grateful."
"What. Why are you admitting it so easily. That's no fun."
We sat with our backs against the great tree, and a breeze slipped through the leaves.
"Oh... this place is nicer than I thought."
A moment ago I'd been certain the broken swing was going to kill me, but sitting still like this, the wind was cool and the sunlight was filtered just enough.
"Is it even okay for you to bring me somewhere like this?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"You said it's your Hideout. The place you've been coming to alone since you were a kid."
"That's why I brought you."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"I've wanted to bring you here at least once."
"You really are you. Anyway, what even is a dedicated maid supposed to do for a living?"
Joohyuk looked at me.
"Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"Now that I think about it, it's weird. I'm learning cleaning and laundry from Yujin, we all make the meals together, yesterday you dragged me out shopping, and today I'm just out here riding a swing."
I pointed at the broken swing.
"Is this maid work?"
"If I'm the one telling you to do it, then yes."
"...This is one hell of a cushy job."
"You wake me in the morning, and we eat together whenever we can. If I go out and I need you, you come along."
"Hold on. Isn't that just being a friend?"
"A friend who gets paid."
"...That's insanely good."
"You're only figuring that out now?"
Joohyuk let out a small laugh and looked up at the sky.
We sat beneath the tree for a long while after that, trading nothing of any importance.
By the time I noticed, the sunlight had slanted a good deal lower than when we'd first arrived.
I got to my feet, brushed off my skirt, and held a hand out to him.
"We should head in. If Yujin catches us loafing around like this, she'll scold us again for playing instead of working."
"Just being with me already means you're on the clock."
"What kind of logic is that. Come on, let's go."
Joohyuk took my hand and stood.
We must have stayed longer than I'd thought. On the way back, the sky was slowly staining orange.
"I could come back here now and then. The view's nice."
"Right? That's why I made it my Hideout."
"Fair enough. This is Hideout material, all right. Haha!"
The moment I laughed, Joohyuk abruptly whipped his head the other way.
"What. What's wrong?"
"No... it's nothing."
He drew a few deep breaths, then looked back at me.
"Did getting some air outside give you the start of a cold?"
"It's not that. Let's just go."
Without warning, Joohyuk lengthened his stride and took off at a brisk pace.
"Hey! We're supposed to go together!"
I broke into a run after him.
A short while later we reached the estate's back door, and Yura was there.
"Young Master! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"What's going on?"
"Well..."
Yura leaned in and seemed to murmur something into his ear.
"...Go on in. I'll handle the rest."
"Yes..."
Yura went back inside the estate, and I stole a glance at the shadow that had fallen over Joohyuk's face.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Hey. Sia. Can you do me one favor?"
"What kind of favor makes you look like that?"
"First, let's go to my room."
I followed him inside and down to his room.
The moment the door opened, a sigh drifted out.
"Haa..."
"What. What on earth happened to make you like this?"
"It's my parents."
Joohyuk gave me the short version of what he'd just been told.
"So... they're pressing you to go on an arranged match?"
"Yeah. I'm not even thinking about that. Ha..."
"Well... I get that much. So what is it you want to ask me?"
Joohyuk, who'd been watching my face, opened his mouth with care.
"They said they'll be holding a small party at my parents' house before long."
"And?"
"I was wondering if you could come with me and pretend to be my girlfriend..."
"...What?"
For a second it felt as if someone had cracked me hard across the back of the head.
On what grounds, and as what, am I supposed to pull that off?
"Are you in your right mind right now? You want me to stand in front of your parents and pretend to be your girlfriend?"
"I'm not forcing you. If it's really too much, I'll look for someone to hire for the part..."
Haa... this is driving me crazy. Looking at that face, there's no way I can refuse...
"Roughly when is this party?"
"I'm guessing sometime next week."
"Then can I have a few days to think about it?"
"Sure. Think it over properly, then give me an answer."
"Let me ask one more thing. Once I'm there, what am I supposed to do?"
"Nothing much. Just stay beside me and act naturally, like you're my girlfriend."
"It's not one of those ridiculously grand parties you see in dramas, right?"
"Not to that extent."
"Hoo... all right. I'll think a little more and let you know."
"Thanks..."
For a moment the room went still.
If all I have to do is stay next to him... maybe it doesn't even matter...
Then a knock broke the quiet.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
"Pardon the intrusion."
It was Yujin.
She wheeled a cart in and stopped in front of the sofa.
"Huh? You've already finished getting dinner ready?"
"Yes. My sister told me the young master's expression didn't look good today."
"Yura's sharp about that sort of thing, as always."
"You'll be skipping dinner, then?"
"Yeah. But make sure Sia gets hers."
"I'm aware. That's why I brought it."
One by one, the dishes set out on the table proved to be my dinner, along with a few sweet desserts.
"I'll clear the dishes tomorrow, so please rest at your ease, Young Master."
With that, Yujin left the room.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"Whenever something comes up involving my parents, I usually don't."
"Because of the stress?"
"Something like that... That's why Yura usually just brings desserts and something to drink."
"...That's kind of unexpected. With me, you try to shove food down my throat no matter what."
"Hahaha. That's true too... It's a little early, but eat. It won't taste good once it gets cold."
"Hmm... it's fine if it cools a bit. It really does feel too early. I'll eat later."
"Is it because of me?"
"No. I just had lunch late, that's all."
Joohyuk looked so sunk in himself that I felt I couldn't simply leave him like that, and I made a decision far bigger than the moment deserved.
I went and sat beside him, picked up a fork, scooped up some dessert, and held it out.
"...What are you doing?"
"Eat. I'll... make a special exception and feed you."
Maybe he was startled by what I was doing. Joohyuk stared at me with wide eyes, then took a bite of the dessert I offered.
"...It's good."
"Today, just this once, I'll feed you this whole plate, so cheer up. Okay?"
"Why go that far? Just act the way you usually do."
"You're gloomier than you usually are! Shut your mouth and just eat what you're given!"
Embarrassed for no good reason, I avoided his eyes as much as I could and fed him one bite, then another.
"Thanks. I feel better because of you."
"This is the one and only time. There won't be a next. Got it?"
"Pfft. Yeah. That's more like you."
Only then did Joohyuk smile, and only then did I feel a little of the tightness in my chest ease.
Once the dessert was gone, hunger caught up with me all at once, and I started in on the rice that had already gone cold.
"Want me to feed you too?"
"Shut up. I'll pass on that."
"Pfft. All right. Eat slowly."
Right. If all I'm doing is putting on an act... nothing that bad will happen.
"Hey. Joohyuk. I'll do it. Just for the day of that party."
"Are you really sure?"
"Screw it, I'll give it a shot. But if you pull anything weird, you're dead."
Joohyuk suddenly pulled me into a crushing hug.
"Thank you! Seriously, thank you!"
"...You crazy bastard! Get off!"
I shoved him away with both hands.
"Ah. Sorry, sorry. I didn't even realize..."
"Ahem! Anyway, we'll talk about the rest later."
Flustered by an embarrassment I couldn't quite name, I wolfed down the rest of the food, opened the door, offered a short goodbye, and left.
In that moment Joohyuk was wearing the brightest smile I had ever seen on him.
Back in my room, I washed up quickly and threw myself onto the bed.
"Haa... why did I say I'd do it?"
I yanked the blanket up over my head.
"Ah, whatever! Nothing's gonna happen."
I stopped thinking and forced myself toward a sleep that refused to come.