Azumanga Daioh Fan Fiction / School Rumble Fan Fiction ❯ Maiden for Hire: School Rumble Style ❯ The Maiden's Day ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2 Yakumo: Maiden for Hire (Part 2: The Maiden’s Day) The next day at school, Tenma was in her classroom, extremely excited over her new Maiden.  She then imagined if she would own one for Karasuma.  As luck would have it, Eri came by and congratulated her. “Tenma, I thank you for owning a Maiden for Hire, but you still owe me for paying her off,” she snuffed, “Even for someone whose sister is injured, you seemed to be regretting that simple situation.” “What situation?”  Tenma glared, “I don’t care if we pay off 2,000 Yen a month, this Maiden works like wonders!” “How so?”  Eri asked. Tenma then explained what the robot Yakumo did yesterday: The Maiden began to work in the kitchen.  She proceeded into making a bento lunch for tomorrow.  She made one for Tenma and one for Yakumo.  She even drew a heart-shaped card on it, showing her loyal service. “Poor Yakumo must be unhappy not going to school,” she thought, “It would seem that I will have to give my entire love to my owners.” She then held up some pink food coloring and began to scrawl on the rice. After she finished dinner, she proceeded to washing the dishes.  Of course, for a Maiden, this was special.  A dishwashing machine, in the shape of a human, washed each dish in 0.4 seconds.  The way she did it, it took her 45 seconds to wash each dish. When she tucked Tenma in, when it was time to sleep, the Maiden proceeded to Yakumo’s room.  She then spoke to her. “Yakumo, listen, I know what you have been through is crucial, but it’s going to be a long service for me,” the Maiden Yakumo exclaimed, “I feel bad about your injuries.  And I promise you, when that cast comes off, I’m gonna be giving you the BIGGEST massage of your life.” Yakumo then stuttered, “Uh, yeah.  By the way, are you and Tenma becoming friendly?  I’m just intrigued, since sis likes you.” “Well, not really,” the Yakumo robot replied, “I may be for guaranteed service, but friendship is beneath me.  You and Tenma are sisters; I cannot wedge myself into your life.” “Are you sure?”  Yakumo asked, “I thought you might be happy with Tenma.” “I am, but she’s somewhat of a weird girl,” the Maiden remarked, “And to tell you the truth… her pigtails are like a magnet for attraction.” She placed Yakumo in her bed and tried to drape the covers over her.  Yakumo began to shove it aside. “Thank you, but I can manage to do it myself,” she said. The Maiden said, “No, I insist.  This is your time off, until this cast is removed.” She draped the covers over and left to the closet.  The Maiden plugged herself in and went inside the closet.  She stood in place and froze with her eyes closed. Yakumo then thought, “Is she taking my life?  No, she’s not.  It’s just a robot.  What am I saying?” “Of course, I don’t think Yakumo is happy with her Maiden,” Tenma continued. Eri smiled, “Typical.  I think maybe you need to check her warranty.” Tenma growled and looked away, “That’s not funny!” Eri slouched down and was upset, “Damn… Tenma’s serious.” “Besides,” Tenma said, “How bad can the Maiden be for Yakumo?” Meanwhile, at Class 1-D, Yakumo and her best friend, Sara Adiemus, were having lunch together. “So, I heard you got yourself a Maiden for Hire, right?” Sara asked. “Oh, yes,” she replied, “But I grow worried about Tenma.” “Why?  She’s just happy for the Maiden,” she said, “And hey, once you can walk again, you’ll be with your sister again.” “Sara, do you think, maybe, that she’ll replace me?”  Yakumo asked. “Huh?  Why?”  Sara asked. “Well, she looked exactly like me, except with blue eyes,” she explained, “I don’t hate her, I just felt happy, since my leg is broken.  Remember what Tenma said:  She and I will own her until I am healed.  But, then I thought… what if we decided to keep her?” Sara shook her head and said, “Oh, Yakumo, you’re being ridiculous.  It’s almost like you’re jealous of her.  She’s not like a washing machine or a toaster oven.  A Maiden is just like us.  If you feel jealous by her, why not explain it to her, just as long as you won’t let her break down.” “Sara, you’re right,” Yakumo smiled, “It seems I was on the wrong end of this deal.  My sister is grateful just for her.  But it seems I just want to know, since I only had her for one day.  However, the minute I own her, I start to get some horrible thoughts.” “Like what?”  Sara asked. “Well… do you think they might… fall in love?” “WHAT?” “No, it’s impossible for a robot girl to fall in love with Tenma.  Besides, she loves Karasuma-Senpai.” Sara nodded.  Yakumo opened the bento box and was about to eat. “Sara, I don’t think I’ll ever understand Maidens just yet,” she sighed. As she held up her chopsticks, she froze up, seeing a pink heart imprinted in her rice.  She saw a note inside and pulled it out. It read:  “To Yakumo, I made it for you, with all my love!  XOXO Yakumo” “It’s addressed to yourself!”  Sara gasped. Yakumo moaned, “No… it’s my Maiden, who created it.” She started to hold in her compressed anger and began to eat. “Uh, Yakumo?”  Sara grew concerned. Later that afternoon, Kenji Harima stopped by to do his comic.  As he approached the door, the door suddenly opened.  He took a glimpse of Yakumo in a maid outfit, which in reality, is the Maiden. “Oh, Tenma’s sister,” Harima said, “I’m glad you’re okay.” “Who?”  The Maiden asked. Harima was confused, “Say, I thought you’d be in a cast for a month or so.” The Maiden Yakumo bowed and said, “Oh, I’m sorry.  But Miss Yakumo is currently injured.  I am her Maiden for Hire.” Harima giggled and said, “Oh, quit joking around.  We’re not doing this today.  Besides, I have lots of work to do, before the deadline.” The Maiden was confused.  She then asked why. “Are you feeling okay, Yakumo?”  Harima inquired. The Maiden Yakumo replied, “Yes, I am.  And thank you for concerning my health.  But I am running at 100% efficiency, and I am offered to serve Miss Tsukamoto guaranteed!” “NO WAY!  Tenma is controlling Yakumo?”  He thought, in the wrong way possible, “Tenma’s sister has gone crazy.  What happened to her, and why is she saying that she’s a robot?” “Would you like to come in?”  The Maiden requested. “Oh, sure,” Harima reacted, “Can you show me to the guest room?” The Maiden let Harima in.  As he entered, he found a folded wheelchair and crutches by the entranceway. “Say, do you use these to help you walk?”  He asked. “Oh, you mean Yakumo?  She still does,” the robot replied, “Miss Yakumo needed it to move.  I insisted that she cannot move herself around, or she’ll reinjure herself.” “Huh?  What’s wrong with Tenma’s Sister?”  He thought. For some reason, Harima doesn’t know that this Yakumo is a Maiden.  The real Yakumo had a cast on her left leg, who is currently sleeping in her room. “Shall we begin, Yakumo?”  He asked. “Why do you keep calling me that?”  The Maiden asked. “That’s your name:  Yakumo Tsukamoto, Tenma’s sister,” he responded. The maiden shook her head and thought, “I think he has the wrong idea.  I’ll ask him later.” They sat in a kotatsu.  Harima showed the Maiden what he drew, and he needed some ideas, since Yakumo has helped him before.  But, this was different. The Maiden then replied, glancing at the manuscript, “You have a great comic work, Mister, uh, Hario.” “It’s Harima, actually,” he said, “So I need help fixing this story.  What should you suggest for the hero?” The Maiden kept reading through the manuscript, and didn’t answer.  She was blushing, after reading it, and responded that it was very heavenly. “So, what do you think is missing?”  He asked, “I think I am missing something.” Harima showed the Maiden part of the story.  He said that there’s a part where the boy and his love interest, which looked like him and Tenma, are trapped in a cabin in the winter. The Maiden Yakumo was heartfelt.  She suggested to Harima, “Well, in my opinion, I think it sets up their last moments.  So, the boy gives something warm to his love interest.  Love interest means girlfriend, crush, or admirer.  As she is being bundled up…” She continued on, leaving Harima with a nervous look. “Tenma’s sister is learning well!”  He thought, “And after all that, she’s learning from me about the correct manga scenario.” He smiled and thought, “At least she isn’t nervous this time.” He halted the robot and said, “I think that’ll do.  I only need a little part of it, but, you’re right.  And after she is bundled up, he says something about the girl, conversation ensues, and then the fireworks go off.” “Define fireworks,” The Maiden asked. “Uh, you know… kiss each other?”  Harima replied. The Maiden nodded, “Oh… right.  But, don’t you think that it’s too soon?” Harima replied, “Well, you’re right.  If I add this, I’ll be one page short.” “You could make a huge page with them kissing,” she suggested, “And, on top of that, place a message that reflects around them and the outcome they suffered, only to have it resolved.” Harima was smiling and was ecstatic, “Tenma’s Sister, you’re a genius!!!” “Tenma’s sister?”  The Maiden asked, “Why do you call me by that nickname?” Harima was confused. “Uh, Yakumo?  Are you okay?” The robot Yakumo replied, “I’m fine.  It’s just…” She then started to beep a bit.  She got up and bowed to Harima. “Please excuse me,” she said, “I’ll be right back.” “Did she just beep?”  Harima thought aloud, “I wonder if Tenma bought her a beeper?  There’s just no way that she’s a robot… seriously.” Harima was, of course, wrong.  The Maiden returned to Yakumo’s room and plugged herself in.  She sat down on the floor and closed her eyes. “Recharging commence,” she said. Meanwhile, Harima was rather confused.  He packed up his manuscript and left the table, after waiting ten minutes. “Yakumo sure acted funny today,” he thought, “Maybe she’s improved.  Though, I think her maiden attire and that perky attitude may be a great idea for a new story!  Plus, I think her voice and movements look mechanical.  Oh, well, I’ll call her tonight and we’ll pick it up again tomorrow.” Writer’s note:  “Hey, buddy!  That’s MY job. Making ideas, that is.” As he left, Yakumo woke up.  She saw the robot Yakumo on the floor, by the outlet.  She then remembered that she was to meet up with Harima later.  She looked at the time and noticed that it’s six in the evening.  She gasped and thought that she was to make dinner.  But as she got up, her left leg, still immobilized, was bolted down on the bed. “Was she responsible?”  Yakumo thought aloud, “She wants me to keep myself healthy.  But…” She unbolted her leg, got up with a crutch in her hand, and walked toward her Maiden.  She woke her up. “Oh, hello, Miss Yakumo,” the robot greeted, “How was your nap?” “Was Harima here?”  She asked. “Yes, he was.  It was a funny thing, too,” she replied, “He kept thinking I was you.” “WHAT?”  Yakumo cried, “Why didn’t you wake me up?” The Maiden replied, “Because, he thinks I’m you, so I played along.  I wanted to explain it all to him, but my batteries were running low.” Yakumo sighed, “Well, at least you cheered Harima up.  By the way, did you make dinner yet?” “Give me ten more minutes,” the Maiden replied, “I’m not at 100% yet.” She nodded and said that she’ll be in the kitchen to help.  The robot Yakumo unplugged herself and grabbed Yakumo by the waist. “Let me go!”  She cried, “I have to make dinner!” “Unacceptable!  You need your rest!”  The Maiden sternly remarked, “You mustn’t restrain your injuries like that.” Yakumo freed herself from the Maiden’s grasp and shouted, “STOP IT!  I’m able to do everything myself!!!” The Maiden Yakumo calmed her down and explained: “Yakumo, I know what you’re doing, but under no circumstances that I will let you injure yourself.  We Maidens have been known for working in a 100% function.  Our job is to cook and clean for you, but we Maidens also care for people that are injured.  You, my friend, are one of them.  Yakumo, I cannot let you walk on that broken leg.  Sure, you have a month left, but if you tried to move it, while completing a job for Tenma, you could stay in a wheelchair for life!  And that would simply hurt my circuits, knowing that I let a capable user, with a severe injury, ending up as a paraplegic.” Yakumo started to tear up, “You’re right.  I cannot force myself to be working.  I just needed the rest.  But then, I grew worried about you and Tenma.” “Oh, I guess you find me to be a bother, since I look like you,” the robot remarked. Yakumo sobbed, “Please, forgive me.  I’m sorry.  I just wanted to help my sister.  But, when she found you--.” “YAKUMO!  Is dinner ready yet?”  Tenma cried out. “Oh, please, excuse me,” the robot Yakumo said, “I have to make dinner.  You stay in your room and I’ll bring you your plate.  Believe me, I am grateful.” Yakumo nodded and said, “As long as you can make us happy.  Please don’t overdo your work.” She left to the kitchen and started to giggle. Yakumo began to grow suspicious, “I wonder if she’ll understand how I really feel about Yakumo.” That night, Yakumo was getting ready for bed.  The Maiden came in and wanted to drape the covers over her. “Thanks, but I can handle it,” she said, “Why don’t you go recharge?” “Oh, okay,” the Maiden Yakumo responded. She plugged herself in and began to go to sleep mode in the closet.  Yakumo, however, was worried about her. “Say, Yakumo,” she asked, “Do you think maybe you can sleep with me?” The robot understood what Yakumo said and giggled. “So… is that a yes?” The Maiden, fully dressed in her outfit, slept by her side; Yakumo then smiled. “You know,” the robot stated, “I never had the chance to sleep with anyone.  Sadly, I have a mode that can do that, but it would be wrong.” “Nonsense,” Yakumo replied, “All that matter is that you’re you, and that’s what matters.  Besides, it feels very creepy of you to sleep in a closet.” “Thank you, Ya… ku… Power low; sleep mode/recharging begin.” The maiden clicked her eyes shut and went to sleep.  Yakumo stroke her black hair and said good night to her.  She went to sleep, but with a bit of uncomforting feeling. It’s almost like you’re jealous of her.  She’s not like a washing machine or a toaster oven.  A Maiden is just like us.  If you feel jealous by her, why not explain it to her, just as long as you won’t let her break down. Yakumo placed her hand on her chest and grasped herself.  She was shaking in fear. “Jealous… am… am I jealous of her?”  She whimpered, “I’m… I can’t… I’m not…” She rested her head on the pillow and groaned. “Yakumo… one day, I’ll tell you how I feel…” As she went to sleep, Yakumo’s story of feeling could continue.  How can she say it to her robot double?  And if so, what will happen to their Maiden for Hire? The next morning, Yakumo woke up and found the Maiden asleep, but with her Maiden uniform off.  She was in her underwear.  Yakumo pulled the covers away and saw the Maiden’s body, from head to toe, in her underwear, lace, and stockings.  Yakumo began to grow uneasy and uncomfortable.  The Maiden woke up and saw Yakumo, all frightened. “Oh, good morning, sleepyhead,” she greeted. Yakumo shrieked. “AHHHHHHH!!!” Find out what happens next in the next chapter…