Chapter One: The Debut

Before I knew it, the cherry blossoms had fallen from the trees and April was nearing its end. The chill in the air vanished completely, and the weather turned mild.

Thanks in large part to the Kokonoe sisters and their scheming, we had successfully won the Salon Struggle against Lady Asuka, allowing Lady Kagura to remain in charge of the Sky Salon. This meant today was a day like any other. The Sky Salon was full of elegant young ladies—celestials, as all members were called—drinking tea and enjoying a pleasant chat.

The one difference was the arrival of a new member.

“Good day, everyone. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Kirara Hoshino. I look forward to serving you.”

Bowing her head and sounding uncharacteristically nervous and formal was my classmate, Kirara. After begging to be Lady Kagura’s Seraph, she had finally been deemed worthy during the Salon Struggle and awarded an exclusive contract as a result. However, she’d also made quite a scene with all her pleading, which came with a risk of encouraging copycats if she was made a Seraph right out of the gate. Lady Kagura had made her an Exousia instead, essentially one rank lower than a Seraph.

Though Seraphs were essentially guaranteed a job as a maid after graduation, Exousias were only contracted for the duration of their time at the academy. Of course, that didn’t mean they wouldn’t be hired. In fact, it was common for an Exousia to carry on working for the lady she served at school and to be given a place in her household staff. The Exousia rank was generally for cases where a lady had developed an interest in a particular maid and wanted to keep her from being snapped up by someone else, but hadn’t decided for sure whether to hire her or not.

Kirara’s situation was a little different, however.

“As you all know, Kirara is currently serving as my Exousia, but feel free to treat her just like a Seraph. I plan to change her contract when the time is right.”

Lady Kagura’s announcement to everyone emphasized the fact that it was just a matter of confirming Kirara was right for the job. Essentially, it was already a done deal that she’d become a Seraph. All Lady Kagura needed to do was make the final call. Kirara was also dedicating herself body and soul in order to become her Seraph as soon as possible.

The Kokonoe sisters stood up as if to take over where Lady Kagura left off and positioned themselves on either side of Kirara.

“So, shall we introduce all the Sky Salon members?”

“You’d better remember all their names! No getting them mixed up!”

“Yes, please, go ahead,” said Kirara.

The twins’ expressions were slightly more serious than usual. Maybe it’s because they’re taking her under their wing, I thought. They’re showing their more experienced side. I wish they’d hold off on all their mischief and sexual harassment the rest of the time, too. I know I’d have a little more respect for them!

“I guess you don’t need an introduction from us and Lady Kagura.”

“Still, we should tell you to come to us with any questions you might have. We’ll be happy to answer—if we feel like it!”

“Okay!” Kirara said shrilly, suddenly jerking her back straight. This was not due to nerves, but because Music Ayaka had run a finger along her back.

And here I was thinking they’d turned over a new leaf.

They giggled to each other, apparently quite pleased with themselves. With their narrowed eyes, they resembled two cunning foxes. Kirara may have achieved her dream of serving Lady Kagura, but I found myself feeling sorry for her now that she was the Ayakas’ plaything.

When they acted like this, I always wished the other Sky Salon members would step in. Instead, they barely even seemed to notice. At first I’d thought this was because they were the Seraphs of Lady Kagura, the salon’s leader, but it had soon become clear that the other girls actually enjoyed the spectacle. Even when the twins’ mischief went a little too far and caused a major distraction, they didn’t really mind. They were happy watching over it all from a distance, as the name “celestials” implied.

The only one who seemed to actually get annoyed was Lady Kagura, and only if she herself was the target. Even then, it never looked like she was genuinely upset about it. Clearly there was a kind of trust between master and servant that I didn’t fully understand yet.

After continuing to laugh for some time, the sisters got back to work. “Anyway! Let’s go around the table.”

“If it’s all right with everyone, we’ll just tell you their names ourselves.”

“First is Himeko Amanotsuka.”

“As you know, Lady Himeko is a member of Amanotsuka Academy’s founding family and is currently serving as the deputy chairman of the board.”

“In a school full of elite young ladies, she stands head and shoulders above the rest.”

Himeko smiled kindly in an effort to reassure Kirara. “Glad to have you with us!”

“Glad to be here,” Kirara replied awkwardly.

The twins proceeded with the introductions.

“Next up is Lady Himeko’s Seraph, Misaki Hotaru.”

“She achieved the spectacular feat of becoming Lady Himeko’s Seraph on the first day of school, so we all have high hopes for her.”

“Since you’re both first years, I’m sure you’ll be the best of friends!”

Not expecting to be introduced, I blurted out a “Huh?”

Kirara was my classmate and my roommate, so it seemed completely redundant. And what was that about high hopes for me?

I was so flustered that I couldn’t manage much more than repeating my own name. “Yes. Misaki Hotaru. Pleased to meet you.”

Sure enough, Kirara looked at me with pitying eyes. Even without a word, I could tell she was thinking, What the hell is this girl doing?!

The snorts in response came not only from the Kokonoe sisters, but some of the others present as well. I groaned in embarrassment as my face started to burn.

“Now, next to Lady Himeko is a second-year Societal Arts student, Sumire Miyamori.”

“Her father is a member of parliament.”

“Lovely to meet you,” said Lady Sumire. Her smile had the caress of a warm, gentle breeze. Lady Sumire was known for being a kind person, and I’d heard her described as the Sky Salon’s conscience. She was also sometimes called the “spring fairy.” Her hair hung in loose curls to her waist, underscoring her fairy-tale aura. Standing beside her made me feel like I was being lured into a pleasant sleep.

“Lady Sumire’s Seraph is Mihaya Suzunone, second-year Domestic Arts.”

“Mihaya has an incredible singing voice. Hopefully you’ll have a chance to hear her sing.”

“Hello,” said Mihaya.

She had an amiable air about her but also seemed somehow ephemeral. It made for a strange combination. I suspected that was because her usually cheerful disposition would never make you guess she had such a striking and delicate singing voice. I’d heard her sing for Lady Sumire before, but only from a distance. It was enough to stop any conversation and make everyone focus on listening only to her.

Whether she sang a sad song that tugged at the heartstrings or a happy tune that warmed the heart, Mihaya’s voice was enough to immerse you in the feelings of the melody. Her music resonated in the soul. One listen was guaranteed to make anybody her captive.

These two exquisite young ladies were famous at the academy for being a soothing sight. Seeing them together was said to make you happy all day, and hearing Mihaya sing on top of that was rumored to mean your wishes would be granted. That was what the girls whispered around campus, at least. What I knew for sure was that seeing them was a joyous occasion. It was no wonder that rumors had begun to spread about them having a power beyond that.

“Next is Saeko Houjou, third-year Societal Arts.”

“She’s the daughter of the president of Houjou Bank.”

The corners of Saeko’s mouth lifted into a slight smile. She looked like a carnivorous creature licking its lips as it stalked its prey.

“If you’re having money troubles, come to me anytime. I’ll be glad to take care of you.”

Although she said this in the most neutral tone in the world, a chill ran down my spine. Lady Saeko was the type of person I didn’t want to go anywhere near. This applied to the Ayakas, too, but my reasons were different. It would have been rude to say so aloud, but Lady Saeko’s personality was kind of intense. Where the twins were mischievous, Lady Saeko was flat-out cruel. Word around the academy was that the S in Saeko’s name also stood for “sadist.”

She showed her own Seraph no mercy either. For me, it was better to let sleeping dogs lie and keep well away from her. I knew she wasn’t a bad person, but I wanted to avoid doing anything that might set her tyranny on me.

“And this is Lady Saeko’s Seraph, Matsuri Kusakabe.”

“She’s the most senior Seraph out of everyone in the Sky Salon.”

Although Matsuri was a third-year student, she bowed her head deeply before Kirara. In response, Kirara uttered a timid, “Yes, erm, nice to meet you.”

Where I’d have expected an older student to be a little more confident, Matsuri came across as faint of heart, like she was always scared of something.

I mean, thinking about her mistress’ personality, she would turn out like that. Unless she was like that all along.

This would, again, have been rude to say out loud, but Matsuri never looked all that bothered by Saeko’s harsh treatment. In fact, she seemed to accept it and take it in her stride. The rumor mill had a thing or two to say about her, as well—the M in Matsuri’s name secretly stood for “masochist.”

In a way, I guess it’s the ideal master-servant relationship.

“Finally, Inaho Narukami, second-year Societal Arts...”

“And her Seraph, Haruka Oze.”

“Hey there, Ricey,” said Lady Inaho.

“Huh?” said Kirara, frowning in confusion at this strange nickname. “What do I have to do with rice?”

As I watched, similarly baffled, Haruka whacked Lady Inaho on the head with a small paper fan. Despite having been assaulted by her Seraph, Lady Inaho looked very satisfied.

“Basically, there’s a kind of rice grown in Hokkaido called Kirara 397. That’s what you reminded me of.”

Everyone around the table heaved a soft sigh. The twins explained the background while pressing their hands to their foreheads.

“Oh yeah, Lady Inaho’s family runs a large-scale farming operation, growing crops and raising livestock all over the country.”

“They even supply a lot of the ingredients the academy uses.”

Lady Inaho was really into her jokes. She sometimes came out with one-liners or acted like a comedy duo with Haruka. Above all else, she loved entertaining people—if “entertaining” was the word for it. She didn’t seem to care all that much if her jokes landed or not, but the listeners were always too polite to say anything anyway.

“That’s every last member of the Sky Salon.”

“You’re a member now, too, Kirara, so you’d better conduct yourself in a way that doesn’t besmirch the name ‘celestial.’”

Appearing more nervous than ever, Kirara nodded and said, “I’ll try.”

A different mistress meant different expectations. Himeko had never said a word to me that I’d have called ‘strict’ or ‘harsh,’ but it looked like Kirara’s life would be more of a struggle.

Lady Kagura clapped her hands together. “Why don’t we get started right away? I have a job for you.” She gestured to the Kokonoe sisters, giving them some kind of signal, and continued, “We received some first flush tea from Inaho, so we’re going to share some with the other salons. I’d like you to deliver it.”

Lady Inaho’s farming operations were extensive, covering all kinds of different produce. This included fruits and vegetables, livestock, and even tea, as Lady Kagura had mentioned here. Apparently, the only thing they didn’t farm was seafood.

The twins left and soon returned with several wicker baskets containing drawstring pouches with floral patterns. I assumed the pouches were filled with tea leaves.

“Here you go!” said the twins.

Lady Kagura instructed, “Please take these to the Paradise Palace, the Blossom Bower, Anna’s Abode, and Lady Angelica in the courtyard. Also the news crew, and Minako from the volleyball club. I have a message to pass on to Minako, too.”

“Right. Yes. Got it.” Kirara hurriedly jotted down all these people and places in the note pages of her student planner.

Personally, I still hadn’t learned where every class was yet, let alone where all the different salons were. I hadn’t even heard of some of them. I patted my chest in relief that it wasn’t me who had to do all this delivery work.

Then Himeko chimed in with, “Misaki, I believe I have a job for you as well.”

“Really?” I replied warily.

“Yes. You can go with Miss Hoshino and take care of it along the way.”

I guess if my mistress asks me to do something, I can’t exactly say no. That’s why she has a maid—a Seraph, no less.

“I also want you to take some tea to my sister, Shion, at the Mauve Manor.”

“Wow, I didn’t know you had a sister.”

“Well, she’s not actually my real sister. We’re not related by blood. We played together a lot as children, and she was like an older sister to me, so I still call her that.”

“Fair enough.”

I wonder what Himeko was like as a kid. I bet she was totally adorable. Maybe I can get her to show me some photos.

I opened up my own student planner. “Right, um, Lady Shion at the Mauve Manor. Where is that, exactly?”

But before Himeko could answer, we were interrupted by two voices with additional requests: Lady Sumire and Lady Saeko.

“Himeko! Himeko! Can I ask a favor of Misaki too?”

“Perhaps I could also make a request of her, if you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind at all,” replied Himeko.

“Phew,” said Lady Sumire. “Hope that’s okay, Misaki! Sorry for the extra work!”

“That’s all right.”

Lady Sumire’s smiling face was hard to say no to.

“I’m sorry to add more to your plate as well.”

“Uh, that’s fine! No problem!”

Lady Saeko’s smile was just as hard to say no to, but for very different reasons. I felt an intense urge to agree immediately for fear of what might happen to me if I didn’t. Though she appeared happy, her eyes hid a murderous glint. It reminded me of a bird of prey about to swoop down.

Lady Sumire added another two stops on my delivery route, and Lady Saeko added three. I scribbled them all down.

There are way more salons than I thought. If each salon is like a different faction, it makes me wonder if sharing things with them is really because they’re all friendly and get along, or if it’s a preventative measure to stop them from falling out. After what just happened with Lady Asuka, I bet Lady Kagura’s extra concerned about smoothing things over right now.

I whispered to Kirara, “Do you actually know where all these places are?”

She stared at her notes with a troubled expression. “Uhm, sure. About half of them, maybe.”

Even Kirara, who seemed to know everything about the school, still didn’t know where each and every salon was. For me, there was no hope at all.

“Don’t worry,” said Lady Kagura reassuringly. “We’ll send someone with you to help this time. Just make sure you remember the salons’ locations and leaders for the future.”

“Right!”

“Thank you!”

Lady Kagura looked around the table. “Now, who should I ask?”

“Us! Pick us!” Lady Inaho leapt up from her chair, grabbing Haruka by the wrist and throwing both arms into the air as if to volunteer the two of them. “Me and Haruka will show them around!”

“Certainly, if you’re all right with that.”

“We’re on the case!” She pounded her chest with a proud smirk.

“Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands. You too, Haruka. I appreciate the help.”

“You’re more than welcome.” Haruka placed a hand on her chest and bowed deeply, even bending her knees a little.

Every single movement she made was exactly right. Combined with her tall stature, it made for an impressive sight.

She really looks like a pro. I wonder if I’ll have it all down by the time I’m in my second year. I guess not, knowing me.

“Let’s head off, then! Just follow us!”

Inaho turned, ready to go. In unison, Kirara and I said, “Coming!”

We divided up the baskets between us and received some last advice from our mistresses.

“Misaki, don’t forget to introduce yourself politely to everyone.”

“Make sure you get all of the little details right. In particular, don’t forget about the message for Minako.”

I felt like a child being sent out on an errand alone for the first time—which was not too far from the truth.

“Don’t worry,” I told Himeko. “I’m still learning, but I wouldn’t do anything to embarrass you.”

Kirara looked at Lady Kagura and said, “You can have faith in me. I’ll do everything I can to meet your expectations.”

This was just a simple delivery job. It didn’t require all that much effort, and I didn’t think there was that much room to mess it up, either. Still, we were representing the Sky Salon. For Kirara, it was also a first step in the road to being promoted to Seraph. I had to do whatever I could to help her get there.

Lady Himeko giggled as she adjusted my headpiece. “True, I’m not really worried. I know you’re ready for anything, Misaki.”

“Well, see you later,” I said.

“Bye for now!”

✤

“Let’s visit Nekopeko first!”

“Nekopeko” had to refer to Asuka Nekoyashiki, a second-year student who ran the Paradise Palace. She had a bit of an obsession with the Sky Salon and had recently challenged us to a Salon Struggle, which had almost resulted in her taking over. She had shown open hostility toward Lady Kagura and the Kokonoe sisters, so my impression was that inter-salon relations were in a pretty bad state.

But if Inaho calls her by a cutesy nickname, maybe I was wrong about that?

We descended two floors via the antique elevator, then walked westward along the corridor. At the top of the old school building’s western tower was Lady Asuka’s salon, the Paradise Palace. It was about one floor lower than the Sky Salon, but it seemed to have a special place of its own among the vast array of salons. Apparently there were salons in the eastern tower as well, which were probably also pretty high up in the hierarchy.

“Do you get along well with Lady Asuka?” I asked Lady Inaho.

I felt like I’d started to use a lot of polite and respectful language since starting at this school. It had just kind of happened on its own. The line between lady and maid only reinforced that and pushed me further in that direction. Maybe being a maid was rubbing off on me. The weirdest part was that since starting to serve Himeko, that had begun to feel normal and natural.

To be fair, the Societal Arts students were the ones paying all our living expenses. If not for them, the Domestic Arts students wouldn’t be able to attend at all, so a bit of deference was par for the course.

“She’s my classmate,” Lady Inaho replied.

“Oh, really? So you’re friends?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Errie’s in our class, too.

Errie? That sounded familiar, like it might refer to someone I knew, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

Seeing the frown on my face, Kirara jumped in. “She means Lady Erisu, the owner of Erisu’s École Kitchen.”

“Oh, right!”

That was the place where we’d competed in a battle of table manners for the fate of the Sky Salon. It still seemed crazy to me that a high school student could own a restaurant on school grounds, but hey, Amanotsuka Academy was a different place than the world outside. I had to throw all my preconceived notions of normality out the window.

“If you’re friends with Lady Asuka and Lady Erisu, how come you weren’t asked to join the Paradise Palace? If it’s all right to ask.”

“They did ask me back in my first year, but by then I was already in with Kagu.”

Kagu? She must mean Lady Kagura.

“Plus, they have a strict entry requirement. I’d never, ever, ever get in. Not in a million years.”

“Gosh.”

I couldn’t imagine what kind of condition they’d have that meant Lady Inaho couldn’t get in. She had made it into the Sky Salon, after all.

Unlike the Sky Salon, the Paradise Palace didn’t have an elevator leading directly to it. After we climbed up two flights of stone stairs, Lady Inaho pointed to a door painted pure white. “Here we are!”

I stared up the door. It was easily twice my height. “Wow, it’s huge!”

“Like a big bar of white chocolate,” said Lady Inaho.

“I see what you mean.”

The pattern on the door kind of looked like a chocolate bar as well.

“Haruka, I know you love candy. You can go ahead and eat it.”

“If I ate all that, I’d turn into a chocolate bar, milady.”

“If you were made of chocolate, it would make tea time so easy! Whenever we wanted a snack, we could just take a bite out of you!” She gazed at Haruka, licking her lips.

“That would be rather convenient. I imagine it would go something like this: Lady Inaho, I’ve brought tea for you! Feel free to enjoy me on the side. Oh dear, I tried to bow down but I’m made of chocolate, so I broke in two and died.”

“Haruka, you’re not allowed to die. You’re just chocolate, right? We can stick you back together and you’ll be fine.”

“Oh no, milady! You got me all mixed up! I’ll be known as the bizarre woman with her legs where her head should be!”

The scenario playing out inside their minds had taken quite a twist, but actually, I felt like she’d already become pretty bizarre at the moment she first turned into chocolate. You can’t really stick people back together, but on the plus side, people can’t really turn into chocolate, either!

While I was silently judging them, Lady Inaho suddenly turned to me with expectant eyes. “Misakins, you look like you want to say something.”

I abruptly looked away. “No. Nothing.”

Haruka’s expression was just as expectant. “I know what you’re thinking. You wish you could find out how I taste now that I’m made of chocolate. Go ahead. I don’t mind.”

She reached out with her index finger and pressed it against my lips.

“No thanks!”

I wasn’t about to get dragged into their world of nonsense. “Comedian” was nowhere on my list of ideal jobs.

Actually, if I pulled it off, I bet there’d be good money in that!

Pushing aside the slightly dangerous thought that had crossed my mind, I looked over and saw Kirara’s reaction. She had frozen, unsure what to do. I could definitely relate, since that had been my initial response as well.

“Why don’t we go inside?” I suggested. “We have a lot of other places to go, so we don’t want to dilly-dally.”

“I guess,” said Lady Inaho. “Sure, go ahead and knock.”

“Here goes.”

Awash with relief, I grasped the golden door knocker and banged it twice against the backplate. There was no answer, however.

“Maybe there’s no one inside.”

Lady Inaho shook her head. “Nah, they have to be there. Nekopeko and Errie told me they’d be coming here after class.”

“In that case, maybe they just didn’t hear.”

I was about to knock again when I heard faint voices from the other side.

“Hmm?”

I brought my ear up to the door. There were definitely people speaking, but I could only make out parts of it.

“Certainly, milady. Don’t... about... ing me. You’re welcome to... my... if you want to.”

“That’s not... I intended!”

Is that Mei and Lady Asuka? While Mei’s voice was quite far away, Lady Asuka’s was closer and easier to hear.

As I stood with my ear pressed against the door, Kirara looked at me dubiously. “What are you doing?”

“It sounds like they’re having an argument in there. I’m trying to listen.”

“An argument?” She frowned and followed my lead.

“But I... mistake. I offer my... as compensation.”

“I’m telling... you don’t need to!”

Lady Asuka’s voice grew louder to the point that I could make out virtually every word.

“I wonder what they’re talking about?” said Kirara, straining to hear. “Maybe we should take a peek.”

I considered for a moment, then said, “Yeah, you’re right. Besides, if they are fighting about something, we should probably try to calm them down.”

We nodded to each other, then gingerly reached and grabbed the doorknob. Together, we slowly pulled the door open just a hair and peered through the gap.

An interesting sight appeared before us. We both stared dumbfounded for a moment, then closed the door without a word.

“Well? What’s going on in there?” asked Lady Inaho.

“That’s a very good question,” I replied.

“My eyes might be playing tricks on me,” Kirara added.

We were unable to give a clear answer to Lady Inaho’s innocent question. What we had seen was very strange indeed. Mei was on all fours while a lady with a large purple ribbon in her blonde hair was sitting on her back drinking tea. Next to them, Lady Asuka’s shoulders appeared to be trembling with rage.

“Maybe it was some kind of optical illusion.”

“We’d better look again just to make sure.”

We cracked open the door again and peeked in. Now we could hear their voices clearly.

“I told you, it’s not a big deal!” cried Lady Asuka. “You don’t have to sit on her, Erisu!”

“I’m not that excited about sitting on her either, but if I don’t, she’ll never calm down.”

“Exactly,” said Mei. “Now, milady, you should join her. Think of it as a punishment.”

“I told you, I don’t want to! Besides, it’s not exactly punishment if you enjoy it! What makes you think I’m into sitting on my Seraph’s back to begin with?!”

As arguments go, this one was utterly baffling. We had indeed seen what we thought we’d seen, but it still didn’t make sense. We gently closed the door and sighed.

“What now?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.”

Kirara and I looked at each other in stunned silence. This felt like a bad moment to step in, but we couldn’t exactly stand by and do nothing.

“Come on, tell us what’s going on,” said Lady Inaho.

How on earth can I explain that?

Hesitantly, I began, “Well, you see—”

Before I could speak another word, the door was flung open and Lady Asuka appeared with a look of frustration. “What?! Do you need something? We’re kind of busy here.”

Apparently, she’d noticed us.

When she saw who was there, she said, “Oh, it’s Inaho and Haruka—and those first years from the Sky Salon.” She glared menacingly at us. “Here to gloat about what happened the other day? Come to rub it in my face, have you?”

We shook our heads in a mild panic. “No! Not at all!”

“We’re just here on an errand for Lady Kagura.”

“What kind of errand?” She looked suspicious, which was only natural after the shenanigans involved in the Salon Struggle.

Kirara boldly stepped forward. “Lady Inaho provided the salon with some tea leaves, so we’re sharing them. Lady Kagura said to bring some to you.”

Lady Inaho spoke up. “It’s true. We’ve grown a good batch this year. That’s why we’ve enlisted the first years to help us share the wealth.”

“Right, I see. Come in, then.”

Apparently Lady Inaho’s words were enough to convince her.

Resting a hand on my chest in relief, I followed Lady Asuka into the room, as did Kirara.

“Thanks for letting us come in.”

“We appreciate it.”

Inside, Mei was still on all fours with the blonde girl on top of her.

“Can you stop that, please, Mei? You too, Erisu. We have guests. You can just mop up the spillage with a towel.”

Evidently, the blonde girl was Lady Erisu. The purple ribbon in her hair was accompanied by a braid across her head and two accessories that looked like roses. Overall, she had a sweet and lovely appearance. With a height close to Lady Asuka’s, she was like a beautiful porcelain doll.

Lady Erisu silently stood up. Mei did so as well, albeit with a very reluctant look about her.

“If you insist, milady.”

I couldn’t help but ask, “What actually happened here?”

“It’s no big deal. Mei tripped and spilled some tea on the sofa, so she insisted on making up for it by acting as a replacement chair.”

“I see,” I said, not really making sense of this at all.

“Normally Mei takes care of everything without putting a foot wrong, so one little mistake sends her into overdrive. She starts blaming herself way too much.”

Even then, presenting yourself as a chair?! Only one kind of person would ever do that.

I caught myself before actually saying anything, instead emitting a vague grunt in response.

Lady Inaho smiled. “Guess you can’t help it, Meimei. It’s all down to your masochistic tendencies.”

“It’s an honor to receive such praise.”

“You’re happy to be told that?!” I cried, unable to stop myself. Oops.

With a look of glee, Haruka whipped out the paper fan. “Perhaps you need a whack with this as well, Misaki?”

“I absolutely do not!” I replied, brushing her hand aside.

Lady Asuka sighed in irritation and pointed at the sofa. “Shut up, all of you. Just sit down.”

Mei quickly wiped the stain, then put another towel down and rested a cushion on top of it before sitting. Lady Erisu sat down beside her, while the rest of us found available seats. One sofa was colored differently from the others, marking it out as the seat of honor; it seemed to be reserved especially for Lady Asuka.

A short distance away sat a group facing one another over a glass table piled with books. The group, presumably all members of the Paradise Palace, consisted of two Societal Arts students and a pair of Domestic Arts students with shining golden badges on their uniforms. When my eyes met theirs, they smiled and bowed their heads, so I hurriedly responded in kind. The Societal Arts students appeared to both be third years.

“Well, make yourselves at home,” Lady Asuka began. “Welcome to the Paradise—”

“Welcome to the Petite Palace,” Mei interjected.

I blinked. “Huh?”

Starting again, Lady Asuka said, “Welcome to the Paradise—”

“Welcome to the Petite Palace!”

Silence fell for a moment. Though Mei looked perfectly composed, even wearing a grin, a vein throbbed in Lady Asuka’s temple.

What is going on?

“Mei! I told you not to call it that!”

“I’ll never give in, milady. It’s the only accurate way to describe the salon.”

I was surprised to see Mei disobeying her mistress so openly. Until now, she’d come across as completely obedient. This was like a totally different person from the submissive Mei I’d seen during the Salon Struggle.

“This is my salon! I chose the name Paradise Palace, and I won’t hear it called anything else!”

“I fully acknowledge that, milady. The name you chose is the name you chose. For me, though, it’ll never be anything except the Petite Palace.”

Watching with amusement, Lady Inaho said, “I see they’re at each other’s throats again.”

“You mean this isn’t the first time?” I asked.

Mei stepped in to answer. “Allow me to explain. Looking around the salon, is there anything you’ve noticed?”

“Noticed? Well, uhm...” I swiveled my head around. “It doesn’t look any smaller than the Sky Salon.”

Both salons were at the top of a tower, so it made sense that they were about the same size. However, the interior design was a lot fancier here—a reflection of Lady Asuka’s tastes, maybe. The whole room was decorated in pale pink, with ornamental elements of various other colors set into the walls and ceiling.

For some reason, though, there were some items piled up in the corner that looked like gigantic building blocks. The size of them was enough to make me lose all sense of scale. Now that I thought about it, the sofa I was sitting on felt a little on the small side, too.

“There is something off about the scale of everything. It makes me feel like I’m in a fairy-tale cottage.”

Kirara agreed with me. “The sofas and tables are all kind of small.”

“Well observed, both of you. Anything else? Does anything stand out about Lady Asuka and Lady Erisu, for example? All the ladies here have something in common, in fact.”

“Something in common? Huh.” Feeling rude for staring, I compared the two of them. “Their hairstyles are kind of similar, but I guess you don’t mean that.”

“Indeed I don’t,” Mei replied, still grinning.

With a look of great understanding, Kirara said, “Based on your conversation just now, I have an idea. It feels rude to say it, but is it about how tall they are?”

She didn’t even need to clarify that it was about how tall they weren’t before Mei replied, “Exactly! Lady Asuka left me in charge of recruiting members, and all the ladies I invited have a height of four foot nine or less. That’s the long and short of it.”

Four foot nine? That’s pretty short for high schoolers. Lady Asuka and Lady Erisu both look like cute little dolls, so they match the decor quite well. Their height plays a big part in that, I guess.

“So that’s why you call it the Petite Palace,” I remarked.

“All the members Mei brought in fit the mood of my salon really well, so I didn’t pick up on it at first. I can’t believe she used height as the sole criterion! Gah!”

“Oh, but how could I resist surrounding myself with such lovely little things? You’re all so adorable! It just fills me with joy!”

Mei closed her eyes, lost in her own little world. Meanwhile, I laughed awkwardly. Mei’s definitely not who I thought she was. She seemed so pristine and flawless. Who knew she had this fascination with petite girls?

“Is that why you said you’d never be allowed to join, Lady Inaho?”

“Yeah. I’m four foot nine and a half.”

“Half an inch over the limit? That’s all?”

Mei interrupted, “Yes, and how frustrating it is! If she were only half an inch shorter, I’d have done everything in my power to drag her away from the Sky Salon.” She bit her lip as if her frustration was entirely genuine. “If anything happens to make you shorter, let me know right away. I’ll welcome you with open arms.”

“It’s not gonna happen. I’ll only get taller, not shorter!”

Although Lady Inaho still smiled, I could sense the unshakable will behind her reply. Looks like she’s sensitive about her height.

“Can we move on already?” barked Lady Asuka. “This is my salon. I still hate your name for it, but I’ll let you use it here inside the salon if you promise to never, ever use it anywhere else.”

“Very well, milady.” Mei turned to us and said, without a hint of doubt or hesitation, “Then allow me to welcome you once again to the Petite Palace.”

“Argh!” Lady Asuka’s cheek twitched. “Fine, whatever. What were your names again?”

“I’m Misaki Hotaru.”

“And I’m Kirara Hoshino.”

“I’ll try to remember.”

“Thank you!” We both bowed our heads.

Ready to fulfill our original mission, Kirara held out one of the wicker baskets. “As mentioned, we’ve brought you some tea. Here.”

“Excellent. The tea grown by Inaho’s family is always delicious.”

“It’s just as good this year!” said Lady Inaho herself.

“I don’t want to just take your kind gift and send you packing. Why not stay for some tea and cakes?”

“We’d love to,” Lady Inaho replied, “but we have a lot of other stops on our delivery route.”

“Shame. Oh well, never mind. I suppose there’s a bigger priority for today, anyway. I don’t know if we’ll be admitting anyone new in the near future, but I’ll count on your support if we do!”

“No worries!”

What are they talking about? Something about Lady Asuka’s knowing look makes me a little uncomfortable. She didn’t know we’d be coming today, but it sounds like she knows about some greater purpose behind it.

Lady Inaho left no time for us to dig any deeper into this. She rose from her seat and said, “Let’s get going, then.”

All we could do was follow her lead.

However, just as we stood, Lady Erisu raised a hand to stop us. “Oh, one sec. Did you say your name was Misaki?” It sounded like she had something to ask me.

“Yes, that’s me.”

“You’re Himeko’s Seraph, right?”

“I am.”

“Phew, I thought so. Glad to finally meet you! I wanted to say hello.”

“You wanted to meet me? Really?”

“Well, you and Himeko.” Her lips formed into a tiny smile. This sweetness was enough to captivate anyone, not just Mei. “You’re always coming to my restaurant, aren’t you?”

“Oh, right!” She was referring to Erisu’s École Kitchen. “Himeko keeps taking me there, that’s all. I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.”

“Even so, you’re a regular customer. I’m so grateful to Himeko for her patronage—and yours! Only...” Her face clouded over slightly. “My staff are telling me they haven’t seen Himeko as much as they used to.”

“Really? I’m afraid I don’t know how often she was going there before.”

Since becoming Himeko’s Seraph, I’d been visiting Erisu’s École Kitchen with her once or twice a week, but I had no idea whether that was a lot or a little. On other days, we often ate at a restaurant on the first floor of Himeko’s dormitory, Francois Hall. With dishes from France, Italy, Japan, and beyond, there was so much variety there that we were never bored. Apparently, Seraphs and Exousias often cooked for their mistresses as well, although Himeko hadn’t yet asked that of me.

“I knew it would happen as soon as I heard Himeko had chosen a Seraph. I guess it’s not such a big surprise either way. No one wants to go to such an unappealing restaurant.”

“What are you talking about? The food there is absolutely delicious.”

“You don’t have to be nice to me. All the dishes are prepared by my Exousias. I know they’re several rungs lower than professional standard. I’m under no illusions about the quality.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t know the difference myself.”

“Himeko lowering the frequency of her visits is proof on its own. Now that she has a Seraph, why would she need to go there anymore? Besides, you of all people should know how popular it is... or isn’t. You’ve been there and seen how empty it was.”

There was nothing I could say to that. The truth was that there were hardly ever any other customers at Erisu’s École Kitchen. I didn’t know why, but the fact remained that Lady Erisu was right; her restaurant wasn’t very popular.

For me, that’s kind of a bonus, since it means we can eat there without worrying about noise or being rushed out the door. I doubt it would go down too well if I said that now, though.

“Hehe, I suppose I’m putting you in an unfair position. I’m a little overprotective, that’s all.” She cast her eyes downward and showed an impish smile. “Everyone thinks their own baby is the prettiest, don’t they? No matter how ugly it is.”

With no idea how to reply to that, I could do nothing but let out a vague sigh.

“I don’t want to keep you. I’m just glad I got a chance to talk to Himeko’s chosen girl. Hopefully you’ll still come along once in a while. My Exousias are really devoting themselves to their craft, day in and day out. One day they’ll reach a standard that measures up to other restaurants—probably!”

“Yes, uhm, sure thing. I’ll pass that on to Himeko.”

“Thank you for the tea, Inaho. I’ll order some to serve in the restaurant soon as well.”

“Great!” Inaho replied.

Once we had left the Petite—uh, the Paradise Palace—I finally breathed out all the tension that had built up inside me. “Whew. That was intense.”

My forehead had begun to sweat. No matter how cute they appeared, the difference in rank between the young ladies and us commoners was clear. The aura they exuded was palpable.

Inaho explained, “Errie told her maids that if they reached a certain level of success, she’d make them into Seraphs. She’s just a little anxious because they haven’t been all that successful.”

“Oh, I see.” She did say the girls working there were her Exousias. They must be eager to become Seraphs. “You haven’t been there much, right, Lady Inaho?”

This was potentially a rude question, but after what she’d just said, I was burning to know why the restaurant wasn’t more popular. It wasn’t just Lady Inaho. I didn’t recall seeing any of the other Sky Salon members there very often—or at all, in fact. There had to be some reason for that.

“That was Errie’s decision. She said not to go there too much. According to her, it wouldn’t help the staff at all if her friends were just showing up out of pity.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.”

It sounded like Lady Erisu wanted to avoid giving her Exousias any unfair advantages, but she couldn’t help being concerned about them nonetheless.

“Anyway, let’s get moving.”

“Okay!”

✤

Leaving the Paradise Palace behind, we returned to the first floor and exited into the courtyard. There we made our way to a garden terrace situated between the old and new school buildings. This didn’t belong to a salon; rather, it was the place where the student council, led by Lady Angelica, often hung out after school.

I had the impression they were trying to show their faces as often as possible so the other students saw them as friendly and approachable, but it didn’t seem to be going all that well. From what I’d seen and heard, not only the Domestic Arts students but even the Societal Arts students watched them from afar, never daring to come any closer.

Just being in the Societal Arts program didn’t mean any given student was at the top of the pecking order. The only ones who didn’t treat Lady Angelica as untouchable were the salon leaders and the girls from particularly prestigious families. The others, who were attending this school just because their families had a little bit of wealth, kept themselves at a respectful distance.

Sure enough, when we arrived, out of the twenty or so tables arranged on the terrace, there was absolutely no one sitting on the tables next to Lady Angelica’s. It was like a donut-shaped ring of empty seats surrounding the student council.

With a confident spring in her step, Lady Inaho walked right over.

“Excellent seating arrangements as always, Angie.”

“Oh, Inaho,” she replied. “Good day. I see you’ve brought Haruka with you, and... you’re Misaki and Kirara, isn’t that right? Good to see you.”

“Good day,” said Lady Inaho.

After her, the rest of us spoke at once. “Good day.”

I’m surprised Lady Angelica knows who we are. We have met her before, but we’re just a pair of normal Domestic Arts students, right? I didn’t expect her to remember our names.

“They treat you like a zoo animal,” said Lady Inaho.

Lady Angelica wore a bitter half-smile. “I wish they’d just come up and talk to us. They don’t have to be so shy.”

When I’d met her in the Sky Salon, she’d been surrounded by other big shots, so she hadn’t stood out quite as much. Seeing her here, though, she had a bearing about her that was overwhelming. Standing close to her, I couldn’t stop trembling, struck with the feeling that my soul was going to be absorbed. Her entire presence was totally unlike anyone else’s.

She was a bewitching beauty. I couldn’t think of any better way of describing her. Her looks set her apart from the earthly realm somehow.

“I wonder what I’m doing wrong? Hardly anyone comes and talks to us directly like this. For the most part, the only ones who don’t give us a wide berth are the leaders of other salons.”

She wore a gloomy expression as she complained about this. Apparently, she hadn’t realized that the biggest impediment was how she came across.

Telling her that probably wouldn’t help, though. What can you do about your own aura?

I didn’t think it was down to Lady Angelica alone, anyway. Sitting with her were two other young ladies. One looked like a kindly princess with a tiara at the front of her head, while the other, a girl with red hair, sat in a very improper manner with her legs flung up onto the table. I’d only felt comfortable approaching because Lady Inaho had led the way. If I were on my own, I’d have stayed well away.

The girl with the tiara put her cup down and said, “You should smile more, Angie. That’d help. You always look so prim and proper. All that does is give you more of a distant mystique. Come on! Smile!”

“Like this?” she said hesitantly, turning up the corners of her mouth into a smile that looked like it took a great deal of effort.

“You look like you’re plotting some scheme,” I said.

It was as if she wasn’t used to contorting her face like that. Her expression was not even close to cheerful. It was more like a roguish smirk.

Kirara tugged at my sleeve. “Misaki, you can’t say that!”

Only then did I realize how rude I’d been. “Ack! I’m so sorry!”

“You’re surprisingly savage, Misakins,” said Lady Inaho.

Lady Angelica sighed, defeated. “It’s all right. I’m not capable of a smile that uses all the muscles in my face. I know that.”

The redheaded girl ran a hand through her disheveled hair and bluntly remarked, “What’s the problem? You’re the student council president; you’re supposed to look a bit cold and derisive. Better that than trying to please everyone and ending up looking like an idiot. Everything’s fine as it is. You have plenty of support, and if you get too friendly with the ordinary students, it’ll get in the way when you’re dealing with official business, won’t it? So who cares if they treat you like you’re in a display case?”

Lady Angelica frowned again. “Maybe you’re right, but I still wish I had a bit more of a personal connection with people.”

“Hey, it’s up to you. I’m not going to hold you back.”

The girl with the tiara added, “Indeed. The idea of sitting down with any number of the other students and having a chat over a cup of tea does sound like great fun.”

With a far calmer and more gentle expression, Lady Angelica thanked them both. This must have been subconscious, but it looked like an honest reflection of her inner feelings. If she could show that to the world, I was sure her dream would be well within reach.

She turned to us. “I’m sorry, as soon as you turned up I started complaining about my own problems. I haven’t even asked what brought you all here.”

“We’ve got goods to share, like always. The fresh crop is excellent.”

“Oh yes, I see what you mean.”

For whatever reason, Lady Angelica looked back and forth between me and Kirara.

“Hmm? Oops, sorry.” While she continued to stare like she was sizing me up, I placed the basket of tea on the table in front of her.

Stroking the edge of the basket with a finger, she asked, “Misaki Hotaru, Kirara Hoshino, how are you adjusting to life here?”

I replied, “It’s a lot to get used to, but I’m managing, I guess.”

Kirara said, “I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful school life I’m able to enjoy thanks to your efforts.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. I’m doing what I can to make this academy the best it can possibly be, so I’m counting on your help, too.”

“Right!” we replied together.

“Also, since we’re trying to forge deeper bonds with students from both programs, please don’t be shy. Feel free to come over and talk to us anytime. We’ll be glad to see you.”

“Sure!” we both said, albeit nervously. This was quite an ask.

Sensing our awkwardness, Lady Angelica heaved a mournful sigh.

✤

We entered the new school building and visited the news crew, Anna’s Abode, and some other stops on our list. Then it was back outside to make our way to the Blossom Bower, which was a little farther away. Our errand was going smoothly.

Along the way, one detail that jumped out at me was that Kirara and I were surprisingly well-known. This did make a certain amount of sense. I was the girl who had appeared like a bolt from the blue and been chosen by Himeko, who had been living without a Seraph. Kirara was the girl who had dared to turn the whole process on its head by asking to be a Seraph—not just once, but over and over again. Then the two of us had taken part in the Salon Struggle, which had been filmed by the news crew and broadcast across the academy.

We stood out so much that by this point, there probably weren’t that many students who didn’t know our names. Even the ones who didn’t recognize us at a glance had a look of realization when we introduced ourselves.

Lady Inaho picked up on this as well. “You two are like campus celebrities. That’s pretty rare for Domestic Arts students, you know.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be glad about this. Either way, it was a bit late to be surprised by it. My name had started spreading around the school like wildfire the second I became the deputy chairman’s Seraph.

“Where are we going next, anyway?” I asked.

“We’re off to visit Minnie.”

“Oh yeah, Lady Minako from the volleyball club,” said Kirara, looking down at her notes. “She’s the last one on Lady Kagura’s list.”

Where will we find the volleyball club, I wonder? The playing field? Hmm, no, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone playing volleyball there. They probably meet in the gym.

Speaking her mind, Kirara asked, “How come this time we’re going to meet one specific person? All the others were salons or clubs of some kind.”

“Kagu’s really fond of Minnie. She’s her favorite.”

“Oh, they must be pretty close,” I commented.

Inaho had an awkward look on her face. “Their relationship is a little strained.”

Huh. She made it sound like they were really good friends, but I guess not.

“I don’t mean they’re always fighting or anything. Just that they’re held back by a great deal of politeness and obligation.”

“Politeness and obligation?” Whatever she was talking about, it sounded very fitting for a school full of well-to-do young ladies.

“I think Minnie likes Kagu, too, but it’s not my place or anyone else’s to try and interfere. All we can do is watch and see what happens.”

“Sounds complicated.”

We soon arrived at a place that struck a stark contrast with the rest of the school. The image I had of Amanotsuka Academy—that everyone had, surely—was of a world where elegant maidens spent all their time chatting away, drinking tea, and attending balls. However, this was a very different place indeed. It was a domain where blood, sweat, and tears were the order of the day. This world was one of sporting prowess.

Amanotsuka Academy’s gym was expansive enough for the handball, basketball, and volleyball clubs to all practice at the same time. The sight of all that vigorous athleticism was enough to make me doubt what kind of school this was. Cries of exertion reverberated along with the sound of balls bouncing and footsteps charging across the courts. The cacophony made my heart begin to pound.

“Incredible! I thought sports would be a bit more laid-back at a school full of fine ladies.”

Even someone as woefully uncoordinated as me could tell these girls weren’t holding back. This was practice at a high level.

Lady Inaho explained, “All the sports clubs here are really good. They should be, given the amount spent on facilities and training staff.”

“Right, I see.”

That makes perfect sense. If you can afford state-of-the-art facilities and a top-of-the-line coach, that’s half the battle.

“It also means that girls who want to play sports at a high level end up gravitating toward this school.”

She asked a student nearby, who looked like a team manager, to go and get Lady Minako.

“Are they all Societal Arts students?” I asked.

It was hard to tell, since none of them were wearing the school’s standard gym uniform. Instead, they were wearing club-specific T-shirts or training gear, which didn’t show any distinction between the programs or school years.

“A lot of them are, but there are Domestic Arts students mixed in there as well. If they’ve got the skills, their background doesn’t matter. You wanna give it a try, Misakins?”

“No way. I’m terrible at ball games.”

Part of me longed to experience the youthful thrill of chasing after a ball with my teammates, but I knew I wasn’t even close to good enough. The best I could hope for was to stand on the sidelines, cheering them on with all my might.

As I shook my head fervently, the manager returned with a girl who had to be Lady Minako. She wiped her forehead with a towel to mop up the sweat.

“Sorry for the wait! How can I help you?”

Lady Minako was tall, just like Mei, with a dignified appearance and eyes that turned up slightly at the corners. Her arms and legs were toned and slender, as you’d expect from an athlete, while the rest of her had no excess flesh anywhere except her chest and bottom. Her long, ginger hair was tied back with a red ribbon into four ponytails that wavered in the breeze. She was a beauty with a clear and refreshing air about her, like a bright summer’s day.

“Heya, Minnie! Go team!”

As a greeting, it was much less reserved than I was used to hearing at this school.

“Inaho, if I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times. Just because I’m in a sports club doesn’t mean you have to greet me with ‘go team.’”

“Would you rather I said ‘stop team’?”

“No! The team’s fine! It’s not stopping or going!”

“You’re not leaving me with many options here, Minnie. How am I supposed to know what to say?”

“Can’t you just find a normal way to say hello?”

“ආයුබෝවන්‌ සැප සනීප කොහොම ද?”

“What language was that?!”

“Bwah?!” I blurted out almost reflexively.

“Stop speaking Sinhala!” said Haruka, whacking her with the fan.

That retort was probably accurate, but how are any of us supposed to judge? I couldn’t do much except stand there feeling uncomfortable.

“You never change, do you, Inaho?” She sighed, sounding defeated to the point of exhaustion. “Forget it. What brings you here, then?”

“I’m here to share some freshly picked tea along with the Sky Salon’s freshest faces.”

“Oh yeah, Kagura has a new Seraph, doesn’t she?” She looked at both me and Kirara.

Timidly, Kirara said, “Uhm, actually I’m not a Seraph yet. I’m still an Exousia.” She presented the last basket she’d been carrying.

Lady Minako turned her gaze on Kirara. “So you’re the one. It must be tough being Kagura’s maid.”

“Oh, uhm, not really. Lady Kagura is really kind.”

“It’s not her I’m worried about. It’s the Kokonoe sisters.”

“Erk.”

She’s not wrong there. Looks like even Kirara can’t deny it.

No one could deny that the two Ayakas were outstanding maids, but they also loved mean pranks and getting way too grabby. Thanks to them, we were left thinking we’d lost the Salon Struggle when there hadn’t been any danger in the first place—and having their hands all over my butt had become a daily occurrence. Their behavior toward their own mistress, Lady Kagura, was pretty baffling at times as well. It was like they didn’t see her as the one in charge, or even as their equal. Often it was like they were looking down on her. I was always getting nervous that whatever they were doing might genuinely send Lady Kagura over the edge.

That said, they’ve apparently been close since they were kids. Their relationship is probably beyond my comprehension.

“The Ayakas are being very considerate toward me,” said Kirara as if the words were being wrung out of her. “I still have a lot to learn.”

“Hehe. I’m sure you’ll have many trials and tribulations, but Kagura herself is indeed a kind person. Don’t be too discouraged.”

“Thanks, I won’t.”

Although Lady Inaho had told me that their relationship was strained, I didn’t sense any ill will toward Lady Kagura from Lady Minako. In fact, it sounded like she had a great deal of trust in her. What was that about politeness and obligation? I wonder what she meant. Maybe Himeko knows something about it.

“Oh, one last thing.” Kirara looked at her notes, ready to fulfill Lady Kagura’s final request. “I have a message for you.”

“I wonder what it could be.”

“Lady Kagura says: ‘Best of luck in your upcoming practice tournament. I’ll be there cheering you on.’”

“Really? She really doesn’t need to come to a silly little practice tournament. She must have too much time on her hands. Not that I’m complaining! The more supporters we have, the more fired up we’ll be.”

Although she looked slightly troubled, there was still a smile on her lips. Whatever was going on, their relationship definitely was strained to some extent.

“Understood,” said Kirara.

“We’d better get going,” said Lady Inaho. “If we hold up their practice too long, Kagu won’t be happy.”

“That’s rich coming from you. Well, whatever. Thanks for the tea. Say hi to Kagura for me.”

“Will do!”

With a polite goodbye to Lady Minako, who waved us off with a look of exasperation, we made our way out of the gym.

✤

“What did you say your name was?”

As I stood there, pierced by a sharp gaze, a cold sweat found my flushed cheeks. We had reached the greenhouse a short distance from the new school building that was home to the Mauve Manor. As the name implied, it was a beautiful indoor paradise filled with flowers that were all shades of purple.

I’d been taken into one particular section of it, where a curtain of pale purple wisterias hung down from above, blocking off any view from the outside. Directly across the table from me was a lone young lady sitting listlessly with her legs crossed, her elbow on the armrest of her chair, and her face resting in her hand. This was Shion Tsukuyomi, the last person Himeko had asked me to visit. Her deep purple hair looked like it would hang to her waist if she stood. At a forty-five degree angle on her head sat a tiara headband akin to a crown of thorns dotted with rose petals. It glimmered with a dark, metallic sheen. Looking at her, I sensed a similarity to Himeko.

Although our group had arrived at the Mauve Manor together, I’d been led here alone. For whatever reason, Lady Inaho and the others were being entertained by the salon’s members, while Lady Shion and I were alone. It was pretty frightening to be left alone with a third year I’d never met before, especially one from the Societal Arts program.

To be honest, it’s not just that. I think with most other Societal Arts students, I’d be fine. There’s just something about her demeanor that makes me uncomfortable. It reminds me of Lady Saeko and her sadistic aura.

If Lady Saeko was like a hawk watching her prey from above, Lady Shion was like a leopard—a carnivore, stalking and ready to pounce. I could tell at first glance that I was in the presence of a predator. Her languid posture did nothing to disguise the perceptive glint in her eyes. Not a single move from her target would go unnoticed. Those eyes were laser beams, shooting at me with a burning fury. As much as I wanted to stand my ground, I couldn’t help but huddle up to protect myself.

“I’ll ask you again. What’s your name?”

I gulped hard. If I still don’t answer, is she going to rip me to shreds with her sharp claws or bite me with her ragged fangs?

“Misaki Hotaru,” I managed eventually. That was all I could squeeze from my dry throat.

“Ah yes. I’ve heard of you.”

She offered a malicious grin that made my hair stand on end. I was sure she knew who I was without even confirming my name. The look in her eyes told me she had already caught hold of her prey and was merely toying with it.

“Heh. Word is that you and Himeko had an arrangement before you even arrived here, but that has to be a lie.”

A shiver ran through me. Are we busted?

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t try to hide it. If you’re here, I assume Himeko told you a little bit about me.”

“She said that you’re like a sister to her. That you’ve known each other since you were kids.”

“My, how sweet.” Lady Shion clapped her hands in joy, but the smile didn’t find her eyes. “She’s avoided me for a whole year, so it’s good to know she still thinks of me that way. Yes, Himeko and I have known each other for a long time. I know about all her likes and dislikes, about every person she’s involved with, even the location of every mole on her bottom.”

“So do I, actually,” I half-whispered. Despite interrupting, my voice had naturally taken on a meek and quiet tone.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Anyway, that’s why I was a tad surprised when you appeared in her life out of nowhere. It doesn’t bother me, however. I see it as good news that she finally has a Seraph.”

I remained silent.

“Well? Has Himeko finally changed her mind about all that?”

“Huh? I’m not sure what you mean.”

By the time I realized what a dangerous reply that was, it had already slipped out. In an instant, Lady Shion’s mood darkened. The air turned chilly and the smile disappeared from her face. I found myself mercilessly choked by the suffocating pressure she exuded.

“If she has a Seraph, that means she must have become more enthusiastic about the idea. But if so, why did she choose you of all people?”

Eek! Her eyes! They’re downright terrifying!

I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. If I told her that, to Himeko, I was only a stand-in Seraph, I didn’t think I’d make it out of there alive.

“Well, I only just became her Seraph, so I don’t have a full understanding of the situation yet. I can’t tell you if Himeko is ‘enthusiastic’ as you say, because I simply don’t know.”

“Hmph. That’s fine.”

It doesn’t sound like it’s fine.

“Why did she choose you as your Seraph, then, if you know so little about her circumstances?”

I could have cried. How am I supposed to answer that? I can’t just blurt out what really happened. It’s even harder with her glaring at me like this!

Instead, I replied, “Is it that weird to be chosen as a Seraph without knowing all about my mistress’ circumstances?”

“That depends. For another mistress it might be normal, but for Himeko, acquiring a Seraph has a special meaning.”

Saying that didn’t really help. Himeko hadn’t told me her reasons, so I didn’t know anything. That’s what I wanted to say, but what came out was, “The reason she chose me is...”

“Yes?”

“Strictly confidential!”

I couldn’t tell her the truth, but I couldn’t lie either. The only option left was to say nothing. I shut my eyes tightly and waited for Lady Shion’s response. The silence went on for an eternity as I wondered what was going through her head.

Eventually, I heard a small sigh, followed by a chuckle. “All right, then. If you don’t want to tell me, I’ll forgive you, just this once.”

I gasped. Did I do it? Did I actually get through this?

“That doesn’t mean this is over. I know there’s more going on here.”

I knew it, I thought with a groan.

“I don’t know what Himeko’s intentions are, but if she has a Seraph now, that means something has changed about her mindset. Sending you to meet me has to be part of that. As such, I’ve decided to wait and see just a little bit longer. Tell Himeko, though, that I am not a patient woman.”

“Yes, understood,” I murmured.

It almost sounded as though Himeko and Lady Shion had some kind of agreement—and that Himeko was the one who had to follow through on it. Lady Shion seemed to be waiting for Himeko to do something, but I couldn’t even guess what.

“I won’t forget about you, either.”

“You won’t?”

“Now that you’re her Seraph, both of you are in the same boat. Keep that firmly in your mind as you serve her. If you do anything to hurt my cute little sister, you’ll have me to reckon with. Do you understand?

Ack! Now she’s smiling from ear to ear, and that makes it ten times worse! I’d rather she did just forget about me!

Agreeing to be Himeko’s Seraph was starting to feel like a big mistake.

“Hehe. Aoi, my guest is leaving now. Please present her with a parting gift.”

“Yes, milady,” came a sudden voice from behind me.

“Wha?!”

I turned and saw a maid holding a large bouquet of roses. Weren’t we alone? Where did she come from? From her golden badge, I assumed she was Lady Shion’s Seraph.

“Here you go.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

Despite my shock, I graciously accepted the bouquet. The roses were deep purple, with a suitably deep and fragrant scent that tickled my nostrils. I never knew roses could be this beautiful.

Smiling meaningfully, Lady Shion stood from her chair.

“In the language of flowers, Intrigue cultivars symbolize pride, elegance, and a throne. I thought they might suit Himeko right now.”

As I watched her leave, I could feel the palm of my hand growing damp with sweat where it held the roses.

“That was terrifying,” I said to myself, just barely managing to avoid crumpling to the floor. I finally rejoined Lady Inaho and the others and began the journey back to the Sky Salon.

✤

When we got back to the Sky Salon, I clung to Himeko in tears. “I thought she was going to eat me alive. Gobble me up!”

Himeko pulled a face. “Okay, I get it already. You don’t have to keep repeating it.”

“I swear I saw my life flashing before my eyes. At one point, Lady Shion’s mood took a turn for the worse. She seemed really angry and said she wouldn’t forget about me. I feel like I’m about to say goodbye to my happy high school life.”

“Oh, she said she’d remember you? How kind of her!”

“That’s not how she said it!”

Just thinking about it made a cold sweat come over me. In my mind’s eye, her smile was so ferocious, it was like I was being savaged by the fangs of a saber-toothed tiger. I still felt like she was lying in wait, ready to hunt me down. Once she had me in her sights, there was no escaping—not ever.

However, whether Himeko had taken in my feelings or not, she herself had an unruffled expression. “It’s fine. Her remembering you was the point.”

“What do you mean?”

“Misaki, have you ever heard of a ‘debut’?”

“Uh, I do remember my classmate mentioning something about that. She gave me a basic idea of what it is, but I don’t know the details.”

“When someone joins a salon, there is an event called a debut to introduce them to the members of other salons and make sure they know the new girl’s name and face. In the Sky Salon, when the new member is a Societal Arts student, we reserve a venue and throw a party, but if it’s a Domestic Arts student, we send them out to introduce themselves. Everyone you met today knew all about that, so if they remember you now, it was a great success.”

“Huh, really?”

I felt ready to slump over. Now that I thought about it, there had been a lot of people with weirdly knowing expressions.

“You could have told me that in advance.”

“Hehe, sorry. I just thought it would be better to keep it a secret. It adds a touch of suspense.” She put a hand to her mouth and giggled. “So, what else did Shion say?”

“Let me think. She asked if you’d finally changed your mind and become enthusiastic about having a Seraph. When I told her I didn’t know, she looked pretty angry.”

“Oh dear. That’s my fault, I’m afraid.” Himeko frowned and hung her head slightly. When I didn’t respond, she added, “Aren’t you going to ask for details?”

“I am really curious, but it feels too soon to start asking questions. It’s like, even if you tell me the reasons, I wouldn’t have the first clue what to do about any of it.”

“I see.”

“But let’s say I thought really, really hard about it, and decided based on more than just curiosity—would you tell me then?”

“I’ll tell you anytime. You’re playing along with my own self-indulgent plan, so you have a right to ask. I’d gladly tell you everything—about why Shion said that and why I didn’t want to have a Seraph.”

“I appreciate it. I still don’t want to ask just yet, though.”

“Really? Why not?”

“I get the feeling it would only spell more trouble for me. I want to leave it until I’m sure I want to know.”

She cheered up slightly. “Heh, I see your point. It would make you the keeper of a closely guarded secret.”

“Exactly. Now, what shall we do with these?”

I held up the bouquet of roses from Lady Shion.

“I’ll take care of those. I see they’re still as magnificent a color as ever.” She took the flowers from me and drew them up to her nose. “They smell wonderful, too. Why don’t we put them on the table?”

As she spoke, she spun on her heel and began walking. Her nonchalant pace suggested there was nothing out of the ordinary at all.

“Over here, Misaki. We have tea and snacks all laid out, including your beloved donuts, of course! While we eat, you can tell me more about today.”

“Sure! It was a lot of work, to be honest. When we got to the Petite—uh, Paradise Palace—it looked like Mei was...”

Following her to the table, I began telling her all about my other visits that afternoon.