Chapter 149 – Close Aide Group Formation Ceremony

“Friends? Even though we’re servants?”

“That’s right. In a sense, we share the same fate, don’t we? I’m the one who’s cared for and protected physically. You guys, I wouldn’t say you protect me socially or financially, but you’re the ones who guarantee my security. It’s complementary, right?”

I offer my own partial answer to the question from one of the girls whose name I only know on paper for now.
But she still looks unconvinced, or perhaps she just doesn’t understand yet.

“Neither of us have anywhere else to go, right? In my case, there’s no place to run, though.”

When I say that casually, the girl’s eyes widen.
It must have been an unexpected point of view. 

If you look at it only as the relationship between employer and employee, master and servant, that reaction makes sense. 

It’s true, but those who possess money or power can’t just surround themselves with people who only flock to them.

At least, that’s what I believe.
Maybe it’s because in my previous life I was just an ordinary nobody, and I think, or maybe I just want to think, that society or an organization can’t exist without ordinary people.

Still, I think it’s okay to believe that much. That’s why I put it into words.

“Because you have no place to run, that’s why you need us?”

(Huh? That’s kind of a weirdly off answer, isn’t it?)

Hearing her response, I can’t help but tilt my head.

I never thought our ways of thinking would be this different, but maybe it’s just me being naive, still clinging to memories and values from the 21st century.
I glance over and see Tokita’s expression shift slightly, it’s a wry smile.

So I just let out a small sigh and decided to compromise.

“Haa… well, that’s fine too. I’ll repeat myself, but I need all of you. And for that, I think it’s better if we build a relationship of trust. So, let’s at least make some effort to get to know each other better, okay?”

“I don’t think we can be friends, but if that’s what you mean, I’ll try.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard, okay? That would defeat the purpose.”

“???”

“Alright, don’t make that face. Anyway, newcomers, introduce yourselves one by one. Shizu.”

“Understood. Then, starting from the right, please stand up, state your name, and say a few words. Begin.”

As always, Shizu gives the command coolly, and the introductions begin one after another.
They’re still just children, so I feel a little sorry for them, but unlike before, the number of people has increased, and my age, circumstances, and environment have changed, so it can’t be helped.

The six who joined are the servant NPCs who appeared in the game ‘Tasogare no Ichizoku’.
Since they were just background extras, they only appeared as blurry figures in the background art, but some of them seem vaguely familiar.

Below are their names and assignments.

Female (Maid and Assistant) – Under Yoshiko’s supervision:
– Dezu Tsuya
– Kumashiro Eiko

Female (Maid and Guard) – Under Mitsuko’s supervision:
– Akebi Saki
– Fujizakura Teru

Male (Handyman and Guard) – Under Teruo’s supervision:
– Kokusenya Hiroshi
– Yakabu Shigeru

They’re all straight out of the ‘Invented Surname’ series.
Their given names are common for this era, which makes them feel oddly out of place. 

It’s safe to assume that all of them were at least granted surnames by the Ootori family.

That’s why, during introductions, they give their names but say nothing about their birthplace or family.
Their self-introductions mostly focus on what they’re good at and their strengths.

As for appearances, none of them stand out too much.
There’s no one like Yoshi-chan, who looks almost albino. 

Well, I’d be pretty shocked if there were.

Still, if I had to point out one thing, both the boys and girls have well-defined features.

Also, while all of them are being reassigned at least from other classes into mine, four out of the six are actually transfer students.
According to their files, some of them, like Teruo when he was recruited, were thoroughly trained in special facilities.

“Alright, since it’s probably hard to remember everyone at once, make sure to keep interacting and sharing information from now on, okay? So, Shizu, will they all be living in the Ootori Academy dormitory?”

“Yes, the six new members will be staying there. However, the three aide candidates will be given rooms within this estate.”

“Oh, so we get to live together!”

As I quietly clap my hands just enough to make no sound, Shizu shoots me a deadpan look.

“Milady, please remember to keep your private and public life separate. Also, during the afternoons when you study or take lessons here at the estate, each of them will be receiving their own specialized training.”

“That’s the same as before then. To help them get used to the mansion?”

I lightly turn my head just enough to glance diagonally behind me so I can see her.
Since she’s standing, I have to look up slightly, which probably makes me look a bit self-important.

“That is correct. It will also help them build relationships with the adult servants who work here, including those who serve directly under you.”

“We’ll commute together?”

“A separate car will be provided. If everyone here were to ride together, we’d need too many vehicles, and it would draw unnecessary attention, so we decided against it.”

“I see. Also, for now, everyone’s either a guard or an assistant, but are the same-age attendants who’ll handle my personal care coming later?”

“Yes. Since you expressed the wish to handle your own personal matters as much as possible, we decided not to assign you a dedicated attendant.”

“Got it. Things are fine as they are anyway. So, is that all for the introductions?”

“Yes. That will be all for today. Next, we plan to have a brief session at the school during the opening ceremony.”

Since I’ve been keeping my head turned slightly to the back to talk with Shizu, my neck is starting to get tired, so I face forward again once I hear her conclusion.
I think I’ll get a massage later, but I don’t let that show on my face and instead smile at the children.

“Understood. Then the six newcomers can go home now. Good work, everyone. The rest, stay here.”

With that, only three of the children remain, the rest leave, and the room is left with the adults.
Then, at a glance from Tokita, those who were standing sat down on the sofa in front of me, where the children had been sitting earlier.

“Alright, sorry to the three of you, but since you’re also aide candidates, you’ll be joining us. Tokita.”

“Yes, Lady Reiko. However, from here on, I believe it would be best to have Sebastian take over my role.”

“I see. You’re right. Sebastian, I’ll leave the proceedings to you.”

“Understood. Then, I shall begin Lady Reiko’s first aide meeting.”

After a respectful bow, he announces in his deep, baritone-like voice, still heavy even when speaking Japanese,

“The topic for today is the confirmation of assignments. While we touched on the broad details earlier when the children were present, let us now review them thoroughly.”

With that, he begins his explanation.

By my side, Shizu remains the closest.
She’s still the only one capable of handling both my personal care and protection.

Assisting her will be Micchan, Nanami Mitsuko, but she’s still treated as a trainee at best.

Teruo-kun also serves as a guard, but rather than being directly assigned to me, he’ll mostly act as a liaison between Tokita and Sebastian, so he’ll likely spend a lot of time working with them.

Yoshi-chan will serve as my strategist, focusing on studying and gathering information.
If she can’t be placed directly under my supervision, she’ll fall under Tria’s command. 

Both of them will also start going in and out of the Ootori Building’s General Research Institute.

Tria and Liz will be working under Sebastian, but since they’ve been sent all the way from America to assist and protect me, they’re expected to stay near me outside of school.

“Understood for the most part. But hey, won’t my room be too cramped when we’re working?”

“We’ve already started preparing an unused room.”

“That’s going to be your room, Sebastian?”

“Yes, it will serve as my office here at the Ootori main estate. Since there’s no need for direct guarding inside the mansion, only Shizu and Miss Sumeragi will be stationed in your room regularly.”

“Then I guess that’s fine. What about the guards?”

“They’ll be engaged in training and skill development in the afternoons, and aside from within the academy, they won’t be attending to you directly except at night or during emergencies.”

“Well, that makes sense. Micchan and Teruo-kun will mostly be acting separately anyway. But I don’t plan on calling anyone during the free time at night. I need to sleep too, and kids need their sleep to grow.”

“Understood. As before, the adult servants will attend to you at night, so there’s no need for concern.”

“No, no, make sure you rest properly. Japan might not have labor laws yet, but adults still need to take their own time for rest and sleep. Otherwise, you won’t be able to give your full strength when it really counts. Lack of sleep is the biggest enemy. That’s why we increased the number of people, right? Am I wrong?”

“You are absolutely correct, Milady. Your consideration is deeply appreciated.”

“Good. Anyway, Sebastian and the others will have a setup similar to Tokita’s, right? Where will you be living?”

“Normally, I would, “

“Ah, separately then. Okay. And Liz doesn’t need to stay in the mansion except when she’s on duty, right?”

Since Sebastian looks like he’s about to insist that he should live in the main house, I cut him off beforehand.
He looks a bit dejected, apparently, he’s happier when he’s allowed to talk more.

“That is correct, Milady.”

“Tria will be with Sebastian, but what about her role as a maid? If it’s just gathering information, she can get it from our General Research Institute, so will she have a different job?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Like the others, I will primarily assist Sebastian, so when working, I will also be assisting you, Milady.”

“Well, that’s to be expected. Now, the three of you, “

“Yes.”

Having finished the exchange with the adults, I turn to face the three classmates, each replying in their own octave.
Micchan is unnecessarily energetic, while the other two look somewhat unmotivated, very much like these three.

“It’ll be tough being surrounded by adults, but since you’re still trainees, Yoshi-chan, you’ll study under Sebastian or Tria, and Micchan and Teruo-kun, you’ll study under Shizu or Liz. But one more thing, “

I pause at the end of my words.
The three of them look puzzled, wondering what it could be, though surely they haven’t forgotten what day today is.

Then, true to form, I give the order.

“You will all participate in my birthday party as it is. Everyone here. Great-Grandfather will also drop by later, so if you haven’t met him yet, make sure to greet him properly.”