The Strict Maid Trainer
From the very moment the broadcast began, Enri had steeled her resolve and forced her energy up. But the instant she heard Ara’s words, she froze in place.
“From the very start?”
“Yes. Now step out of the camera’s view. Quickly.”
“But—”
“Quickly.”
The fox-patterned mask showed not the slightest movement. It wasn’t holding back laughter, nor was it displaying any petty malice. Ara simply stated it as an obvious fact.
The stage had already been set, whether Enri wanted it or not. If she hesitated or showed reluctance now, the viewers would definitely set the chat ablaze with comments about her lacking sense or the stream being boring. Having burned countless broadcasts and evolved through them over the years, Enri knew this fact all too well.
So you want me to go off-screen and start from the very beginning of the broadcast? You’re strict, Ara-ssi. Fine! I’ll do it! I already prepared myself mentally while changing clothes earlier. If you thought I couldn’t handle something as simple as adding “nya” at the end of my sentences, you’re sorely mistaken! I’m a pro streamer who’s been broadcasting for years, after all. I’ve got that level of shamelessness!
Creaking like a broken-jointed doll, Enri stepped out of frame. Then, just as Hwaryeong had done when she first started the stream, she spoke up.
“Hello, everyone. This is Hwaryeong.”
“She’s hiding behind the camera right now. Staring at me like she wants to kill me.”
Enri took a deep breath, forced the corners of her mouth upward, and stepped back into frame. All she had to do was tack “nya” onto the end of her sentences. How hard could that be?
“Hello, everyone! Nice to meet you-nya! I’m Enri-nya! Please take good care of me today-nya!”
She had tried to brainwash herself into thinking it was nothing, but her body betrayed her. Her lips trembled, her cheeks flushed bright red, and her eyes darted around, unable to settle anywhere.
Decay! Why are you watching my stream?! You should be streaming yourself right now! Go do your job!
Enri’s face grew even redder at the realization that a fellow streamer was witnessing her latest black mark in real time. Her expression looked ready to burst if touched. She shot a sideways glare at Ara’s fox mask.
How about that, Ara-ssi?! Are you satisfied now?! Are you happy you’ve given me material that countless other streamers will tease me about for days?!
Ara, having received that sharp look, stared back at Enri without the slightest movement before speaking in a low voice.
“That’s not it, Enri-ssi.”
“What?”
Why?! I did it properly this time! I even tried my best to act cute despite my lips trembling, so what’s the problem now?!
“You’re supposed to be a maid, aren’t you? Who’s the one being served here?”
The moment Enri saw Ara pointing this out in that completely unshaken voice, she realized just how strict the other woman was being. It was exactly like those nitpicky customers in the maid café game who criticized every single action for historical accuracy!
“So, again.”
Ara-ssi. Remember this one thing. Revenge breeds revenge. If you torment me like this, it might feel satisfying right now! But I won’t forget this! Next time, I’ll definitely find a way to torment you in return! I’ll follow your instructions for now, but just you wait. Someday I’ll grab hold of your weakness and inflict an unforgettable humiliation on you!
“M-Master! I’m sorry-nya. Enri-nya will try harder, so please forgive me-nya.”
“Good. That’s more acceptable now.”
“I’m sorry-nya! Master!”
“And I told you to act cuter, didn’t I?”
“Understood-nya! I’ll be cute!”
Watching from behind the camera, Riha quickly covered her mouth and turned her head away as she saw Ara tormenting Enri. If she laughed openly, Enri would definitely grumble about it after the stream ended. Even now, Enri was occasionally shooting sharp glances her way—if she burst out laughing, who knew what would happen?
Aigoo, boss. Why did you have to provoke someone so vicious? If you’d just suggested the roulette and run away, none of this would’ve happened. Why did you pick a fight and create this mess?
“Is a maid allowed to give such a nasty look?”
“I’m sorry-nyaaaa!”
Enri was probably crying inside, but from a broadcast perspective, the scene was entertaining. The strict, solemn, and serious Hwaryeong trying to create a perfect maid without the slightest hint of mockery, and Enri following her instructions even while half out of her mind with embarrassment. A famous streamer wearing cat ears and a maid outfit while cooking was already enough to draw attention, but adding Hwaryeong to the mix made it both visually appealing and genuinely fun.
Watching the two from behind the camera, Riha was certain that editing this and uploading it to MyTube would get solid views.
Thanks to Hwaryeong’s consistent efforts, Enri had been properly corrected. Now she naturally added “nya” at the end of her sentences without even thinking about it.
Boss… at this rate, she might still be going “nya nya” even after the stream ends.
*
After the broadcast had progressed for a while, Enri went into the kitchen and started cooking. As she took out the prepared ingredients, she explained that she would make omurice to fit the maid café theme.
“You’re quite good at cooking, Enri-ssi.”
Ara had thought this ever since they played Dawn Escape together—Enri’s cooking movements showed clear experience. There was no hesitation in her hands. It was hard to believe this was the same person who trembled and did foolish things repeatedly in other games.
“Thanks for the compliment-nya! I naturally got better from living alone-nya! Can’t you cook, Master-nya?”
“Me? I tried a few times before, but I kept failing. I’ve more or less given up now.”
Cooking, huh. There was a time when she had poured her heart and soul into it. Back when she was disgusted by the trashy food of Murim and dug through her hazy modern memories, desperately trying to produce something edible. But all her efforts back then had been futile and empty. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sworn she’d rather eat a pill than that kind of food. After reaching the point where she no longer needed to consume food, she stopped putting anything in her mouth altogether. Upon arriving in the modern era, there were so many dishes with incomparable taste and quality to Murim’s garbage that she no longer went hungry. She ate three meals a day and even pondered how to achieve greater satisfaction. Yet during all that time, she had never considered cooking herself. With just a few taps on her smartphone, countless chefs in the world would prepare meals for her—why would she need to cook?
“That won’t do-nya! Cooking improves the more you do it-nya! Even if you fail, you have to keep trying-nya!”
“I don’t really have any intention of cooking anymore, though.”
“Nya wants to try Master’s cooking-nya! So don’t give up-nya!”
So that’s why you told me not to give up—because of your own desire. The absurdity made her laugh without realizing it.
Very well. Since you’re making me work because of your greed, I’ll grant your wish at least once later. Whether the food will taste good or not, I don’t know.
“Now if I put the egg on top—done-nya! This is Enri-nya’s special omurice-nya!”
Enri held out the plate toward her and declared this. At first, she had been the one blushing and not knowing what to do, but after spending the entire stream adding “nya” to everything, she seemed to have adapted. Now she showed no embarrassment at all. From Ara’s perspective, it was a bit disappointing. She had liked how cute Enri was when she first didn’t know what to do. Now she was no different from usual.
“Enri-nya will draw a picture on top-nya! Do you have a request-nya?”
“Draw a cat.”
“Got it-nya!”
Enri took ketchup from the fridge and carefully began drawing on the omurice. The way she furrowed her brows and concentrated on the drawing was as solemn as an artist facing a blank canvas, but the result on the yellow surface looked like something a five-year-old would draw—completely messy.
“A cat?”
This? How exactly is this a cat? No matter how I look at it, it’s the shape of a human screaming in agony.
“Look-nya! Isn’t it a cute cat face-nya! This is the ear! This is the eye! This is the mouth-nya!”
“Sorry, but even with the explanation, I still don’t get it.”
I don’t understand how those are supposed to be ears, eyes, and a mouth. Haah. Well, the drawing doesn’t matter. As long as the food tastes good, that’s enough. It all ends up the same once it goes in your mouth anyway.
“That aside, give me the proper greeting. Like a real maid.”
And there was something more important left. If you’re a cat-ear maid, there’s something you absolutely must do. I’ve properly educated you on what being a maid means up until now, so I trust you’ll do well, Enri.
“A greeting-nya? Got it-nya!”
She had thought Enri might try to avoid it, but the other woman didn’t back down. Standing boldly in front of her with a smile, Enri spoke.
“Now then, Master! Every time Enri-nya says something, you have to repeat after me-nya!”
“What do you mean by that?”
“In maid cafés, you’re supposed to respond every time the maid speaks-nya! Didn’t Hwaryeong-nya do that too-nya?”