Dark Moon
"I'm checking the bed's performance myself. Just wait a minute. You can only tell if a bed is good after sitting on it for about a minute."
"Is that so? Then I'll sit next to you and check as well."
Yuria sat down beside me. Close enough that our shoulders brushed. Her scent left me lightheaded.
"Master."
"Huh? Yeah?"
"One minute has passed."
Far from going soft, I only grew harder.
"…Hmm. Still can't quite tell about the bed. Better sit for about three minutes."
"Understood. Master, may I lie down on the bed for a moment?"
"Of course. It's the bed you'll be using, after all."
Yuria lay down. This time she stretched out properly. I stole a glance. My eyes drifted to her full breasts before I forced them upward with a stern expression. Our gazes met. She smiled. Something about that smile felt seductive, and I hurriedly looked away. I stayed seated on the bed for a full five minutes like that.
Afterward we went to look at other furniture. And I had to watch her examine each piece in the strangest ways.
Take the chairs, for instance. Most people simply sit down. Yuria first gripped the backrest to test its durability. Then she lightly tapped the armrests before crouching in front of the seat.
"…Why are you crouching in front of the chair?"
I couldn't help asking.
"I'm checking the condition of the seat."
"And? Satisfied?"
"Yes. It's been finished quite cleanly."
The desk was the same. She started by gripping the corners to test the feel, then perched herself right on top of it.
"When I sit like this, my feet just barely don't touch the floor."
"Is that really important for a desk?"
"It is to me. Sitting this way lets me feel how sturdy it is."
"Durability does matter."
Only after buying a wardrobe and an open shelf were we able to leave the furniture store. More than two hours had slipped by. Shopping with Yuria had been bewildering, yet thoroughly enjoyable.
We took a carriage taxi home together.
"So this is…"
"It's a bit embarrassing. An old house. Not big, either. Plenty of things lacking here and there."
"It has a wonderful atmosphere. And a house is only as good as the care it receives."
I opened the black iron gate and stepped inside. Entered the password on the door lock. Click. The door opened.
"Master. Would you teach me the password?"
"I can hardly refuse to tell my own maid."
I was about to say it outright when Yuria pressed herself close against me and offered her ear. After a brief hesitation I whispered quietly into it.
"588274."
Yuria's lips trembled faintly. It looked as though she were holding back a laugh. She couldn't possibly know what the numbers meant, so my breath must have tickled her.
"Think you can remember it?"
"I've already memorized it."
We stepped inside together.
The house was quiet and dark as usual. Click. I flipped the switch and the fluorescent lights came on. With so little furniture or decoration, the place felt cold and spacious. Then I casually turned my head. Yuria was slowly taking in the house with sparkling eyes. Just having her there made the whole place feel warmer.
"The first floor has the kitchen, living room, and utility room. The basement… I'm planning to turn into my workshop."
"May I enter Master's workshop?"
"You'll need to clean it, so yes. Just don't touch anything carelessly. It could be dangerous. Your room is on the second floor—the one across from mine. Same size as mine, so it shouldn't be bad. Bathroom and bath are on the second floor as well."
"Looking at the exterior, it seemed there was an attic too."
"There is. No real use for it, so I've left it alone. If you need it, feel free."
"First… may I unpack and look around the kitchen?"
"Of course. When I moved this time I replaced all the appliances with the latest models."
"I'm looking forward to it."
About an hour later the food and furniture began arriving. People came and went without pause. Yuria received them as a maid. She had claimed no prior experience as a maid, yet she handled people with remarkable skill. There was little need for me to step in. Being a 2-Class knight, she hoisted even the heavy pieces with ease.
Still, standing around felt wrong, so I put the groceries into the refrigerator. The empty 800-liter fridge gradually filled. There was a strange satisfaction in it.
Good thing I bought the latest model after all. Figured it'd come in handy someday.
Once the delivery people had all left, Yuria entered the kitchen.
"Dinner won't take long. Please wait just a moment."
"Take your time. We've got plenty."
I went upstairs so I wouldn't get in her way. I sat in a chair, yet the thought of living in this house with her made it hard to calm the excitement.
Yujin. Get a grip. A maid isn't a slave. You can't treat her carelessly.
I didn't want to treat her carelessly either. And I still couldn't fully trust her. We had only met today. It was a little unsettling how completely unawkward it felt for a first meeting.
Money first. Business plans can wait—I need to start earning. Tomorrow afternoon I'll head over there.
It was something I had been putting off for lack of motivation. Now the motivation was there. I needed money to pay Yuria her wages.
Right. If I'm going to run a business, labor costs are essential.
I was turning over various thoughts when Yuria knocked on the door.
"Master. The meal is ready."
"I'll be right down."
I sat at the prepared table. Yuria stood beside me.
"…Yuria. Can't we eat together?"
"Master. I am a maid."
"Eating alone feels too quiet."
"…Understood. It's too late to prepare my own portion now, so starting tomorrow morning I'll make enough for two."
I nodded.
"Master. The fork and knife should always point downward."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. In Neo London, table manners are taken very seriously. In the past it was common to be insulted simply for lacking them."
"What a tiresome way to live. I don't particularly want to, but… if I'm going into business I'll have to learn, won't I?"
"Gentlemen of the upper class say that a man without manners is not a man at all. Would it be all right if I taught Master etiquette?"
"I'd almost like to ask you myself."
I put a piece of steak in my mouth.
"……!!"
The universe unfolded before my eyes. Juices burst across my tongue. A sauce that wasn't too strong supported the meat from the side. Entranced, I chewed and swallowed. Ten seconds felt like a full minute.
"Does it suit your taste?"
"…Perfect. This is the first food that's ever satisfied my palate like this!"
"I'm glad."
Yuria smiled softly. Elated, I forgot all about manners and simply cut into the steak. It was the most satisfying meal of my life. Even the nameless wine I drank without thinking was perfect. It paired with the steak as if made for it. The high price was clearly justified.
She remained standing at my side and poured wine into my glass with elegant movements.
Only then did I realize how rudely I had been devouring the steak and let out a sheepish laugh.
"…It's medium. Medium, yet this much juice… Truly impressive."
"The quality of the meat was excellent."
"Did I ever mention that I like medium?"
"…My mistake. I should have asked Master beforehand."
"No. I'm not blaming you. I'm more than satisfied."
Dessert was vanilla ice cream and mango. I had been craving ice cream, so I ate it happily.
The satisfying meal left me in high spirits.
If maids were this convenient and skilled, I would have hired one the moment I arrived in Neo London. …No. Yuria is special. Even a high-end restaurant chef couldn't cook like this.
I set down my utensils.
"Yuria. That was the best steak of my life. The universe practically flashed before my eyes."
"I'm glad you were satisfied."
After heaping praise on her, I rose and went up to my room, giving her space so she could eat at her leisure.
I entered the bathroom and washed. For a moment Yuria crossed my mind, but even so I couldn't ask her to attend me while I bathed.
Eleven o'clock at night.
A problem arose. One of the legs on Yuria's bed had broken. And of all things, the broken piece had lodged itself in the mattress. The bed was unusable.
"I finished getting ready for bed, sat down, and it suddenly broke. It seems a defective product was delivered."
"It's too late to complain to the store now. Use my bed for tonight. I'll sleep on the living-room sofa."
"Absolutely not. How could a maid dare take Master's bed?"
Yuria spoke firmly. I strained to keep my eyes from dropping. She was wearing a sheer black negligee. Looking openly might get me labeled a harassing employer.
Little by little. Just little by little… That protruding bit must be a nipple. I want to touch it.
"…Fine. If that's how you feel, then so be it. Sleep on the sofa."
"Master. A sofa is not a place for sleeping."
Yuria's expression turned serious.
She was right; I had no counterargument.
"…Then what?"
"Master's bed looked quite spacious."
"It's not that big. Super single."
"Plenty large enough for two. Just for tonight, please let me sleep in Master's bed."
I wondered if she had drunk too much wine. Her eyes were clear. She didn't seem drunk.
I turned it over in my mind. Why was she doing this? Because she was crazy for men? Impossible. If Yuria wanted to sleep with me she would have stripped and thrown herself at me, the way Lexy or No. 212 would.
Is she testing me? Seeing whether I'm qualified to be her master…!
Tension rose.
I didn't want to lose Yuria. Her outstanding beauty was one thing, but I especially didn't want to lose a cook who could satisfy my palate like this.
"All right. Tonight we'll sleep together."
"Yes, Master."
And so we lay down in the same bed. Being a super single, it didn't feel particularly cramped. The only problem was that Yuria's presence under the same blanket was so vivid I couldn't fall asleep easily. If I listened carefully I could even hear her breathing.
While my heart pounded, Yuria fell asleep in five minutes as if nothing were amiss. Her steady breathing confirmed it. I was startled by how unguarded she was.
…She was a little careless when choosing furniture too. Maybe it's because she grew up in a knight training academy…?
I turned my head slightly. She was visible in sleep. Her large breasts rose and fell beneath the blanket. A pleasant scent came from her.
Feeling myself harden, I closed my eyes.
I can overcome this trial!
Thirty minutes later I finally managed to shut my eyes.
But the trial was not over. A slight discomfort woke me midway. Yuria was using my right arm as a pillow, leaning against my body as she slept. Her soft, full breasts pressed against my upper body.
I turned my head a little. I could feel her breath. Even her sleeping face was as beautiful as an angel's. After long deliberation I pressed my lips to hers. Afraid she might wake, I didn't dare use my tongue—only brushed my lips against hers.
Then, with lingering regret, I closed my eyes again.
I dreamed.
It was a dream about Yuria. She was naked, wearing a dog collar, and I held the leash as we enjoyed a nighttime walk.
Yuria barked. I stroked her hair with a warm hand. When I scratched under her chin she trembled with a languid expression. And Yuria sucked cock well. As a reward I thrust into her pussy.
"…This is troublesome. At this rate… the request Master gave me…"
"Woof! Woof woof!"
In the happy dream I heard Yuria's voice. It overlapped with the barking Yuria, making it hard to understand.
"Oh, Yuria! My bitch!"
The me in the dream shouted.
…I want to believe I only shouted it in the dream.