Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Maid Outfit
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“Huh?”
Friday evening. Si-eun came home from school and let out that surprised sound.
The reason was simple.
“Looks like the furniture arrived.”
While Si-eun was away at lectures until late afternoon, the ordered furniture had been delivered and set up. Of course, not by me—the guy who came with it had taken care of everything.
“I realized I hadn't decided where to put it all, so I had them install it roughly in decent spots. That okay?”
“Yeah. Looks fine.”
It didn't stray too far from Si-eun's planned layout. A relief.
Soon, Si-eun turned to me and spoke up.
“Besides, I'm just borrowing this place for a bit anyway. Better to arrange it how the owner wants.”
“Well, yeah, I guess.”
Not sure if 'borrowing' quite fit, but the house and furniture were mine. In principle, it made sense for me to decide.
As I nodded along, Si-eun plopped down on the new bed.
She pressed down on the mattress with her palms a few times while sitting.
“Hee hee, it's so fluffy.”
She looked up at me with sparkling eyes.
Si-eun had stubbornly refused at first, insisting she could sleep on the floor. But people always prefer comfort in the end. No exception for her.
“Since I was buying anyway, I figured I'd go for something good.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
She gave a sassy reply, but her reaction told me I'd chosen well.
For a while after, Si-eun kept sitting and lying on the bed, savoring the fluffiness.
Bouncing around with glee, she looked like a kid jumping on a trampoline.
Eventually, she checked out the dresser, then the chair, and the desk, before meeting my eyes.
The usual confidence was gone from her gaze.
“Thanks.”
I could read a hint of guilt in her grateful eyes.
She was quick to snap with anger or irritation most times, but awfully timid when receiving kindness. Even when I'd brought up the furniture, she'd hesitated forever before finally saying thanks.
We hadn't known each other long, but this seemed like Si-eun's true nature.
She wanted to give only as much as she received and get paid only for what she worked. Not exactly calculating—more like she couldn't stand owing anyone.
But that attitude made me uncomfortable instead. I scratched my head, even though it didn't itch.
“It's just a loan. Don't sweat it.”
“...Okay.”
Si-eun tilted her head and smiled. Her face still held a trace of guilt, but there was nothing to be done about that.
Hmm.
The mood had softened, so it was time to bring out that.
“Actually, that arrived with the furniture.”
Si-eun blinked. “That?” She looked totally puzzled, like question marks were floating by her head.
To her, I held out that.
“Here.”
At the same time, shock washed over Si-eun's face.
“This is...”
No wonder. Because what I'd handed her was...
“A maid outfit?”
“Yeah.”
“You say 'yeah' so casually?”
“I called it a maid outfit, so I answered accordingly.”
“No, that's not what I—ugh!”
Si-eun trailed off in frustration.
But this was payback for teasing me last week. No backing down now. Only seeing her in the maid outfit and teasing her back would complete my revenge.
Her face filled with complaints in an instant. The soft mood from moments ago vanished as she scowled and pouted.
“Do I really have to wear it?”
“You don't want to?”
“Wouldn't that make you happy?”
“Maybe.”
“No way!”
But life doesn't let you do only what you like. I silently held out the maid outfit, and Si-eun looked on the verge of tears.
“Ugh, seriously.”
“What's the big deal? It'll suit you.”
“Shut up...”
Grumbling all the while, she finally took it.
“I guessed the size since you wouldn't tell me. You're not going out in it anyway, so it doesn't have to be perfect.”
“Fine...”
A resigned mutter. Or was it even a response? Hard to tell if she was listening. Her eyes were half-dead already.
In that state, she took a few deep breaths and spoke.
“I'll change, so get out for a bit.”
“Okay.”
I left her room obediently and closed the door. A soft sigh came from inside.
I hadn't noticed since I stayed holed up in my room, but the soundproofing here wasn't great. Better be careful.
Then came the rustle of fabric, a zipper, clothes hitting the floor. Followed by a little “Mm...” and another zipper.
“Come in.”
Si-eun's voice drifted out last.
“Coming in.”
I replied and entered.
And there she was.
A long black dress, a frilly light-colored apron, a white headband adorning her hair.
Si-eun stood with her face flushed red.
“Hmm.”
“Don't 'hmm' me.”
“Ahem.”
“No 'ahems' either...”
Her voice trailed off weakly. She must be mortified.
Surprisingly—or not—the maid outfit suited Si-eun perfectly. Clothes look good on a good rack, as they say. Anything would look fine on her.
Luckily, the size seemed spot-on. The hem length was just right—no worry of it dragging.
“Suits you great.”
I shared my honest admiration. That only embarrassed her more; she let out an “Eek!” and whipped her head away.
Not used to compliments? Her uncharacteristic reaction was pretty fun.
“What even is this...”
She mumbled with her face beet red, shooting me a side-eye that looked misty with tiny droplets.
Maybe I'd gone too far.
Hiring a housekeeper with my money and making her wear a maid outfit, then enjoying her reaction. By normal standards, I'd crossed the line.
“Ah, sorry.”
“Pervert.”
Even my apology got thrown back as an insult.
“I'm not a pervert. Not into that kinda thing.”
“You were enjoying it plenty just now.”
“...”
No comeback for that. Time to change the subject.
“So, what do you think? Like the outfit?”
“You think I do?”
“Maybe.”
“If I...”
She glanced at the mirror on the dresser.
“...don't entirely hate it.”
“What?”
“What? You asked, so why act surprised?”
Si-eun huffed.
“More precisely, it's not as bad as I thought. That's it.”
“Nah, that's surprising enough.”
“What'd you expect me to do?”
“Figured you might rip it up and throw it back.”
“And you handed it over shamelessly anyway?”
She shot me a cold glare like it was absurd, sighed, and continued.
“I did think about it.”
Then she looked down at her maid-clad self.
“But if I think of it as a gift of sorts, I can't just tear it up.”
A gift, huh.
Not my intention, but that's how it landed for her.
Gives only as much as received, expects pay only for work done. With that mindset, she probably treasures anything given in return.
“So? You want me wearing this around the house from now on?”
I shook my head at her question.
“Nah, that was just for kicks.”
It was bought purely to tease her once. No plans to force ongoing discomfort.
“Bought it on a whim 'cause you kept teasing me.”
“You're a jerk.”
“Explains why I got no friends.”
“Good you know.”
Si-eun snickered. Her cheeks still pink, but she'd calmed down some.
“Still think it suits you, though.”
Another honest compliment, and she winced with a “Guh!” But she quickly puffed out her chest and struck a pose.
“Anything suits me.”
“...Yeah.”
Sure, that cocky vibe was much more her style. I didn't hide my wry smile.
She pondered something deeply for a moment. What was on her mind? As I waited quietly, she finally spoke.
“Well, maybe I'll wear it once a week or so?”
“For real?”
“Yeah. Not many chances to try something like this. Can't wear it outside, and once this job ends, not even at home.”
Si-eun twirled, grabbing the frills. She'd been dying of shame earlier, but now it must've looked pretty cute to her.
Soon, she looked up at me with a soft smile.
“Plus.”
“Plus?”
“You said it suits me earlier.”
“Huh?”
I'd said that, yeah. But half-jokingly, to tease. Why was she turning it back on me?
The tables had turned somehow.
“No, I just meant...”
“You wanna keep staring 'cause the maid outfit looks so good on me, right?”
Not waiting for a reply, she brushed past me to the door.
I stared blankly as she glanced back slyly.
A mischievous grin spread across her face.
“Try not to fall for me.”
“What...”
“Off to make dinner.”
She bolted without letting me respond.
She really did whatever struck her fancy. Not the type to just take it lying down.
But what could I do? I'd hired her myself.
No choice but to follow her out, sighing as I went.