Azumanga Daioh Fan Fiction / School Rumble Fan Fiction ❯ Maiden for Hire: School Rumble Style ❯ The Shy Maiden ( Chapter 11 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Chapter 11
Eri: Maiden for Hire (Part 1: The Shy Maiden)
After school, Harima returned home, to find a giant box in his apartment. Itoko then held up the gift card and showed it to him.
“It seems someone gave you this as a gift, Kenji” she said, “She preferred to be named anonymous. I guess it’s from Tenma.”
“No, she wouldn’t be that picky,” he stated, “I wonder what’s in it.”
“I think you’d be surprised,” she smirked.
He ripped the tape off the box and found out what was in it. As he opened the box, he found what was inside. He started to gasp.
“Wh--, wh--, what the hell is this?” He cried.
Harima saw the object inside the package: A girl, dressed in a gold and red Maiden outfit, with blonde hair, done up in pigtails. And I believe we know what the thing looks like.
“Are you surprised now?” Itoko smiled, “I happened to read the description that was on the box. And I thought maybe I’d give it to you on advance. Also, the girl, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that she’ll pay for all services.”
“What? You mean…” Harima said.
“Yes. She’s a Maiden for Hire,” Itoko smiled.
Harima was stammering, as she read the sheet:
“Congratulations on your Maiden for Hire, model #N1K1M871. Her name is Eri (Hunh, what a coincidence). She is programmed to cook, clean, and everything else, yadda-yadda-yadda. Oh, yes, and she’s here for her guaranteed service.”
“Uh, Miss Itoko,” Harima asked, “Did you take a peek?”
“I told you, it’s Miss Osakabe,” Itoko snuffed.
“Not in here, it isn’t!” Harima shouted.
She let out a glare and he was frightened.
“Right, Miss Osakabe. Just answer my question,” he stuttered.
Itoko answered, “Yes, I did, just to answer.”
“What?” He gasped, “Why the world did you do that?”
“I thought maybe I’d play a trick on you,” she stated, “But it seems that this robot is similar to Miss Sawachika.”
“What is she talking about?” He thought.
“By the way, I’ve manage to look up on some chores for your Maiden to do around the house,” she stated, “I know the place is small, but I guess it won’t be much of a hard job.”
Harima then pulled the Maiden out of her box and stood her in place.
“So, why does Miss Anonymous, which I think it’s Rich Girl, go through the trouble to give me a Maiden for Hire that looks like her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe this robot maid wanted to change you.”
“This is all a scam, isn’t it? I’ll bet Rich Girl, I mean Eri, bought her just to get back at me. She thinks of me as an ape,” he growled.
“This, coming from a delinquent who loves Tenma Tsukamoto,” Itoko sneered.
He plugged her in and was about to find the ON button.
“So, how do you turn her on?” He asked.
Miss Itoko gave Harima the instructions. He read them and tried to find where she must be turned on. He had read that the ON button is located on the back of her neck. Harima was too nervous, since it was from the girl to whom he declared as a devilish girl. He approached her, with her eyes closed and her body motionless, and nervously tried to turn her on.
“I… I can’t,” he thought, “What would she say if she sees me? Eri Sawachika, a.k.a. Rich Girl, is the most snobbish, yet rude girl I’ve ever met. But… a Maiden for Hire version of Rich Girl… is so… OH, GOD! What am I supposed to do?”
He slouched down and was terrified, remembering the many moments he had with Eri, including when she kicked him in the head, danced with him at the Sports Festival, and especially shaving his head. Harima imagined if the Eri Maiden was like Eri, and was injuring him like crazy. Miss Itoko was disgusted by his cowardice; she turned the Maiden Eri on.
“You’re such a coward, Kenji,” she sighed, “What do you have against Eri Sawachika?”
“I’d rather not talk about it,” he groaned.
The Maiden began to shake. She opened her amber eyes and let out a smile. However, her smile turned into a nervous frown. She bowed to Harima and Itoko and began to blush.
“Uh, hello…” the Maiden Eri nervously whispered, “Nice to meet you…”
“Uh, Kenji, is she a defective model Anonymous sent?” Itoko asked.
“Hell if I know,” he said, “I think this Rich Girl double is a nervous wreck. Besides, she sounds just like her, but she looks frightened.”
Miss Itoko introduced herself to Eri, “Good day to you, Miss Eri. I am Itoko Osakabe, a teacher in Yagami High School. This gentleman here is Kenji Harima, a student of mine and my cousin. As of today, Model #N1K1M871, he will be your new user. I thought maybe I’d give you the introductions, since you cannot say anything yet.”
“Wait! This Maiden is mine?!” He cried.
“Isn’t it obvious?” She sneered.
“You could’ve at least asked!!!” He shouted.
“Kenji, it was a gift to you. So technically, she’s yours now.” Itoko smiled.
The Eri Maiden held the fringe of her skirt and was very nervous. She said nothing, but was flushed red in her cheeks.
“Is she shy?” Miss Itoko asked.
“Are you shy, Miss Maiden?” Harima asked her.
The Maiden didn’t respond. She sat down and was scared stiff. Miss Itoko then grabbed a broom and ordered her to clean the room. She nodded and began to work. But she ordered them to leave the room. They left the room, while Eri began to clean. She did it in only 35 seconds. She stepped out to the doorway and called to them. They entered the room and saw its entire apartment completely clean in fast speed.
“I’m impressed,” Itoko smiled, “A Maiden clocked with 65 miles per hour cleaning.”
“I take it that she is the fastest Maid,” Harima griped, “But can she seal the deal?”
“What do you mean?” Miss Itoko asked.
“Well… does it ever… love?” Harima nervously questioned.
The Maiden gasped and turned away.
Itoko sighed and exclaimed, “She would, but you’ll find out soon enough. By the way, I suggest that you stay away from her Pleasure Mode.”
“Pleasure Mode?!” Harima asked.
“Yeah, it’s something you should practice on Tenma, one day,” she suggested, “Your Maiden will explain it to you… if she could speak to you, that is.”
Itoko turned to the Maiden and saw her timid.
“You see what you did?” She scoffed, “You scared her with that remark!”
She approached her and patted her shoulder.
“It’s okay, Eri. We’re among friends,” she added, “Is there anything you need?”
The Eri Maiden then asked, “Um, yes. May I speak with Harima alone?”
“You do that,” Itoko said, “I’ll be leaving anyway. I have to go with Miss Anegasaki for a drink.”
She then informed Harima, “Now, Kenji, promise me you won’t make any moves on her, despite being a robot.”
“Trust me, I won’t,” he groaned, “Why would I, anyway? She creeps me out.”
Miss Itoko left through the front door, as the Eri Maiden approached Harima in a nervous state. She then bowed to Harima and introduced herself.
“Um, we never met,” she said in a shy manner, “I am Eri, your Maiden for Hire, Model #N1K1M871. I am here for your guaranteed service. Please forgive me for earlier. It’s an honor to serve you.”
“Oh, uh, yes, Ric--, I mean, Eri,” Harima stuttered.
He then asked her, “So, are you nervous about your role as a Maiden?”
She nodded.
“Are you shy?”
She shook her head.
“Um, tell me, is this your first time?”
She nodded and replied, “I… I am a new Model. I was tested briefly, but I was declared perfect, after being created for approximately 17 days, 11 hours, and 32 minutes.”
“Seventeen days?” Harima cried, “It took you that long to be created?”
“I’m a custom model,” Eri Maiden responded, “I was created in two days, shipped in an extra two, and was delivered in the remaining thirteen, not counting weekends.”
Harima asked her, “So, what do you find me as: creepy or nice?”
The Maiden said nothing.
Harima asked again, “Okay, uh, let me ask again: do you find me as a creep?”
She shook her head and asked, “Uh, can I have look at your eyes?”
Harima stammered, “Uh, maybe later.”
He then thought if she was like Eri. He knew that Eri thinks of him as a perverted dog, so he tried to hold her hand. However, he was too nervous to grab it. The Maiden noticed it and grabbed his hand.
He gasped, “I knew it!”
But he was wrong. The Eri Maiden held his hand up and placed it on her flushed left cheek on her face. She closed her eyes and felt his warmth. Harima was confused.
“Huh? What’s wrong with her?” He thought.
The Maiden let go of his hand and looked at him. Harima tried to make her respond.
“Eri, uh, can I call you Eri? I know a girl who looks like you, except I’d call her Rich Girl.”
Eri nodded and looked away.
“Damn it, Eri, come on! Can’t you answer me?” He cried, “What’s wrong?”
The Maiden didn’t say a word. She was lost in thought and nervous.
“Um,” she asked, “What is your name again?”
“My name is Kenji Harima,” he replied.
“Ha-ri-ma?” Eri tried to speak his name, “Ha… ri… ma… Ken… ji…”
“Uh, can you just call me Harima? Lots of people call me that.”
Eri nodded and then bowed to him.
“Shall I… um, shall I cook for you?” She asked, “It’s kind of our specialty in our programming, next to cleaning.”
Harima nodded, “Well, okay, but, as long as you improvise. We hardly have anything in the kitchen. All we have mostly is pre-made curry.”
Eri didn’t respond. She was still shy. She walked to the kitchen and began to work. Harima sat down on the table and was concerned about her.
“This is not like Rich Girl,” he thought aloud, “She’s never like her. Could this be... a sign from heaven???”
But then he remembered that Eri is a sucky cook, almost as worse as Tenma. He thinks that the robot Eri is the same. But, he realizes that the Maidens are for guaranteed service, which contradicts his thoughts of the real Eri’s culinary disasters.
“What am I doing?” He groaned, “This Maiden is Rich Girl! She’s trying to trick me! That’s right! I remember that static interference on her phone. That was no extra cell phone; that was a robot version of Rich Girl!”
He then thought, after jumping to that stupid conclusion, “Nah. If that Rich Girl Cyborg is here, then the one I ran into earlier was the real Rich Girl. I mean, the Maiden has a plug and a button; plus, she moves mechanically. I guess I was too worried about it. I mean, really! Heh, heh, heh… there’s no way that this robot is Rich Girl in disguise.”
He slouched and was very confused. He shook his head and pounded the table.
“DAMN IT! Rich Girl’s punking me, isn’t she?” He shouted, “What am I saying??? That Anonymous Girl… it’s her!”
Maiden Eri arrived with a bowl of curry, colored in dark brown.
She bowed and said, “Please forgive me, Mister Harima. I followed the instructions carefully. I think I overdid it.”
“Oh, right. No need to apologize.”
Harima then took a bite and was moved. The taste of curry, made by a Maiden, was exquisite.
“My goodness, that was good! Let’s see Karasuma try some Maiden for Hire culinary magic!” He snickered.
The Eri Maiden looked away and was scared. She thought that he may not like her cooking.
“Hey, Rich Gi--, uh, Eri! This food is terrific!” He cried, “You’re a damn fine cook!”
He thought to himself, “I better get used to calling her Eri. I can’t stand that name of hers.”
Eri blushed, but said nothing. She then turned to Harima and bowed. After that, she turned away again. Harima grew rather stern about Eri. He approached her and comforted her.
“It’s okay, Eri. I just gave you a compliment,” Harima smiled.
Eri then asked, “Did you call me Rich Girl again?”
“Yeah, I did, but almost,” he replied, “It reminded me of that girl I mentioned. She loves me, I think, but I’m in love with someone else. Trust me. I won’t say it again.”
Eri began to tear up and sob. Harima then shushed her by rubbing her shoulders.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked.
She stopped crying turned to Harima. She then stood in a nervous state and tried to speak.
“I… I… I…”
Harima then held her hands and tried to help her out. Eri then blushed. But then…
“Harima… I…”
The Maiden kissed Harima. She kissed him for thirty seconds and was beet red.
“Uh, what was that just now?” Harima asked, flushed in smoke.
The Maiden then said in a clearer voice, “I… … … … … …I love you.”
Harima’s eyes bugged out of his sunglasses. He was scared stiff.
“Is… is this for real?” He thought, “This Rich Girl Robot… loves me???”
He fainted on the floor. The Maiden was frightened. She held him up and did CPR on him. It only took her ten minutes to revive him.
Of course, Harima went and knew his Maiden, Eri, for at least a couple of days. In which it only took time to get used to her, Harima tried to remember that this Eri is not Eri Sawachika; he was not afraid of her. All she did was cook and clean for him, but she also does tutoring, which is something he needs, just to stay with Tenma, his crush. Harima was happy for her, though Eri was a bit shyer. Even though the Maiden Eri loved Harima, he never agreed with her about her love life.
But then, that day…
When Harima came home, he found a note from Miss Itoko, on the front door, that said that she and Miss Anegasaki are going to be gone for a whole two months. The note also stated that Eri, the Maiden, will be in his every whim for the time being. Harima was ecstatic that Miss Itoko is gone. Of course, he had a horrific thought that she must’ve reprogrammed Eri. He nervously opened the door and saw Eri, holding a wooden spoon and was smiling. She bowed to him and giggled.
“Welcome home, Harima,” she greeted, “I have been waiting for you.”
“Oh, I see that Itoko gave you a reprogramming, right?” Harima asked.
“No, actually, she told me to let out my words,” she stated, “I’m new to the Maidens for Hire Company in Yagami, but my coping skills need work. I’m just shy when it comes to rugged people like you.”
Harima gasped in shock, “SHE THINKS I’M RUGGED?! Aw, man! This is ridiculous! Why can’t she say it? I’m an ape! A BIG DIRTY APE!!!”
Eri then giggled by his reaction, “But, you’re funny, sometimes. Do you know what else? Your hair and shades are way super hot!”
She gasped and blushed, “Oh, I’m sorry. My Pleasure Mode must be on the fritz. I know you’re about 17, but I can cope with that. If I stay longer, you’ll turn 18 in no time flat.”
Harima sighed, “Eri, I know you find me as a rugged man, but you see I’m not always a great guy. I draw comics, I beat up people, and I even help out with the school. I mean, sure, I can be violent, but I cannot be so hated, though people think I am dirt. And normally, I’d find your remarks about me being a bit nice, but…”
“I don’t care if I am a robot maid,” Eri blushed, “I love you, and it’s not going to change.”
“What kind of a joke is this?” Harima muttered.
Eri hugged Harima tightly and said, “Please… please don’t break my heart. I cannot leave you. My programming is for my Maiden for Hire routines, but… but I must digress. I’ll stay by your side, no matter what.”
Harima then groaned quietly and said, “Yep, it’s official… I’m in hell…”
“Even if you found someone you love, I’ll never let you go; Maiden or no Maiden.” Eri added.
“Help me… please…” He moaned, as he was losing air from Eri’s hug.
At school, Harima was a mess. He did enjoy Maiden Eri, but he was tired out from her love and affection. He fell asleep on his desk and snored. All the while, Tenma, Mikoto, Akira, and Eri were watching on.
“Poor Harima,” Mikoto said, “He must’ve been tired out.”
“Busy with his work, I see,” Akira added.
Eri snickered, “Well, I’ll bet he had another girl with him at all times.”
Mikoto snapped, “That’s not funny.”
“True, but it’s a 50% chance,” Akira stated.
“Seriously, I’ll bet it’s one of those Maidens for Hire,” Mikoto said, “I mean Tenma and Yakumo had one, Hanai had one, Sara had one, even Karin has one. So, why Harima, all of a sudden?”
“Obviously taking advantage of her,” Tenma gloated, “My Maiden almost kissed my sister the minute we finished her services.”
“That is a mere impossibility,” Akira informed, “If Harima even had one, he’d own it for at least one month. He’s so poor.”
Tenma dropped her head in pure disdain, “Speak for yourself…”
Eri then got up and sneered, “Well, at least he’s behaving. Harima did need a tune-up on his sick heart.”
“I agree!” Tenma cheered, “I don’t care if he loves you or Yakumo! That man has to change!”
“So do I.” Mikoto added.
“Leopards like him don’t change spots,” Akira said, “I know Harima is not a pervert, but it could be because he’s a domesticated guy.”
“NO WAY! ALL MEN ARE CREEPS!!!” Eri cried.
She paused and sat down in embarrassment.
“Never mind…” she pouted.
Mikoto and Tenma were confused. They asked each other if Eri was into Harima.
“HEY! DON’T YOU DARE!” She shouted.
Harima woke up to find Eri, the real Eri, by his desk.
“Whiskers,” she asked, “How was your Maiden for Hire?”
Harima gasped.
“I knew it! You sent me her?”
“Yeah, I did. And since you and I are somewhat a couple, which we’re not, I thought I’d give you a steady Maiden with MY natural beauty.”
“Damn, I should’ve known… Why would you do this? You had me fooled.”
“Oh, please. Hanai and Tenma had same Maidens, but with different looks.”
Harima then remembered Miko, the Maiden that Hanai lost recently. But he didn’t know that Tenma had a Maiden of her own…
“Wait! Tenma? She had a Maiden for Hire?”
…’til now.
“Tenma and Yakumo; they bought a Maiden, just to help with Yakumo’s injury.”
Harima just remembered, “Oh, yeah. Tenma’s sister had that bizarre broken leg.”
He grinned, “Oh, yeah, that. What a shame. I didn’t get a picture of her Maiden…”
He then realized that he forgot about Yakumo, the Tsukamoto sisters’ Maiden for Hire. What an idiot! He slammed his head on the desk and groaned. Eri was shocked, but she stepped back.
“And don’t worry about your Maiden’s services. It’s on me,” Eri smiled.
“Rich Girl, just a minute!” He called to her, “I wanted to ask you something.”
“What is it?” Eri asked.
He remembered what happened yesterday, when he heard interference from Eri. He looked away and felt upset. He didn’t bother asking her.
“No, forget it,” he said, “I’d rather not talk about it, anyway.”
“Okay then, see you later,” Eri said.
She left with a smile on her face, as Harima wallowed in disappointment, realizing that he already met with the Yakumo Maiden long ago.
“Why? Why did I forget about Yakumo so soon?” He sobbed.
Outside the hallway, Eri chuckled evilly. What is she up to?
“Okay, Harima, time to see if anything about you is true,” she thought, “I want to know: do you love me or someone else? And don’t you dare say Yakumo.”
She left to go home, smiling her heart out.
Man, I never thought Eri would be THAT evil. And I can tell; I wrote “Tenma the Fairest” long ago.
So, why did she buy that Maiden for our bad boy, Harima, and what sinister plot does she have in store for him?
Find out in the next chapter!