Welcome Home, Master!
A little while ago, I received a letter from Lydia.
She repeatedly stressed that she was only asking if I happened to have time, and that it was perfectly fine if I didn't...
But Lydia, of all people, said she wanted to talk to me about Ceres.
I knew it had to be serious, so I dropped everything and came straight to the Western Liberators' base.
And there...
Come here, Master!
I found a maid barking orders with all the authority of a commander.
C-Ceres...?
Ah, I got that wrong.
Welcome home, Master!
???
Lydia. You greet him too! Put your soul into it! Capture the Captain's heart!
...come.
I can't hear you.
Don't gawk at me! Not unless you plan on taking responsibility for me for the rest of our lives!
???
I never knew the Deputy Commander was this shy.
How could I not be embarrassed looking like this?
By the way, Captain, what brings you here today?
I came because I got an urgent letter from Lydia.
Eek...?!
She said there was something she wanted to show me no matter what...
C-Captain?!
Wording it like that makes me sound like some sort of deviant!
I see. So your revulsion to the outfit was just an act.
In reality, you couldn't wait to expose yourself to the Captain.
I underestimated you.
As they say, it's always the quiet maid who gets on top first...
There is no such filthy saying anywhere on Lavistar!
And I sent that letter ages ago!
What?! Then you changed into that knowing the Captain was coming?!
I can't even begin to imagine how badly you wanted him to see you.
I still have much to learn. Thank you for this lesson on setting the atmosphere.
That's not it!
And Captain, why did you get here so fast?!
I hurried because I was worried about Ceres.
If things were serious enough for Lydia to ask me for help, I figured something had to be wrong.
But this...
What exactly is going on here...?
Ah. I didn't tell you because I thought you'd worry, Captain, but...
Lately, I keep dreaming about my sister's final moments.
...Are you okay?
Of course I can handle a few nightmares! Showing concern over me? Too soft! Far too soft!
...That's what I would've said before I met you.
I would've blamed the nightmares on my own weakness and done everything I could to hide them.
Ceres smiled, looking as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
But thanks to you, I've learned to look around and see the people beside me.
Their concern is for my sake. So it doesn't bother me.
And so, to free myself from the memories of my sister...
I became a maid.
...Huh?
I became a maid!
...Sorry, but I'm not seeing the connection between those two things.
You don't know, Captain? They say maids can heal any wound.
...That's news to me.
Lydia grabbed Ceres by the shoulders and shook her indignantly.
See?! That book Besta gave you is nonsense!
Now take this thing off!
You can do volunteer work in normal clothes!
Volunteer work?
Ah. I thought helping people who have suffered the same pain as me might help me forget the memories of my sister.
Every Western Liberator who fell in battle must have had family waiting for them.
And to some people, wouldn't the Western Liberators' uniform itself be a painful reminder?
Just as my sister was to me.
I understand the intention, but there's no reason you have to wear a maid outfit.
I was about to nod in agreement when Besta spoke up.
Captain. Take a good look at Commander Ceres and Deputy Commander Lydia.
These two adorable maids are going to serve you!
Wouldn't that cheer up even the most exhausted man?
Ceres had her hair tied up high. Even beneath her usual commanding presence, I'd always thought her delicate features were rather cute.
And now, that very same Ceres was wearing a maid outfit... I had to admit, she looked adorable.
Then there was Lydia. I couldn't even put it into words.
If I described that outfit in detail, the Town Guard would probably arrest me and make me sit down with Annah, so the less said, the better. But that outfit is truly—
Truly what?
Lydia was glaring daggers at me.
Wait, was I saying my thoughts out loud?
Lydia's ears turned bright red as she shouted at me.
Why does the Commander get "cute" while I get arrest-worthy?!
If we're being technical, I'm cute too, aren't I?
A girl calling herself cute is kind of a turnoff.
But the way you're getting oddly jealous is definitely cu—
Shut up!
I'd never seen the usually composed Lydia yell at someone like that before.
More importantly, Besta, why did you even bid on something like this?
There had to be other designs!
There was one other outfit, but this was the better option.
Huh? That's your excuse? You could've bid on that other outfit, then!
At the time, I had no idea you would want a maid outfit, Deputy Commander... My apologies.
I keep telling you, I'm not wearing this because I want to!
The fault is mine.
Signature Edition: The Bold Confidence of Nothing Beneath the Apron!
Even I couldn't bring myself to buy that one. If only I'd known it was the one you wanted, Deputy Commander!
Very well! I'll go buy it right now to rectify my mistake! Even if it costs me every last coin I have!
Stop!!!
That made twice I'd seen Lydia scream in one day.
I want to strangle you right now, but you'd probably enjoy that...
So what am I supposed to do to you?
It would be an honor! Please do!
That's exactly why I hate this!
As Lydia growled, I spoke up.
I think it's a good idea.
What?
Oh, I see. A good idea, is it?
I never knew you and Besta were cut from the same cloth, Captain.
After suffering a great loss, people try all sorts of things to keep themselves from sinking into despair.
It can be something simple, like cutting their hair shorter or taking an impulsive trip.
Or something more drastic, like completely changing their look with a bold new hair color.
Besta nodded as she listened.
So becoming a maid could be another way of doing that?
Exactly.
Hmm. It is certainly my first time wearing a maid outfit.
Then I have even more reason to become a maid!
Lydia stared at me with open suspicion.
You're not just making an excuse to see us dressed up as maids, are you?
I'll admit, it's nice seeing you both looking so different from usual.
...!
Hmph. Y-you're honest, at least. Fine. I'll let that slide.
We'll try the volunteer work tomorrow. Once. That's it.
Forget it. Like you said, Captain, I was so embarrassed I thought I'd die at first...
But thinking about how embarrassed I was only made it worse, so I decided to stop thinking about it.
Besides, I made a promise.
A promise?
It's nothing. A promise the Commander and I made back when we were trainees.
I promised I'd go along with the Commander's ridiculous ideas.
As I wondered what kind of promise Lydia was talking about, Ceres nodded.
Ah, yes. You mean the day you cried your eyes out, Lydia.
I remember it clearly.
What? Lydia cried her eyes out?
Lydia's face turned bright red.
Why would you tell them that?!
What happened?! I want to hear this too!
I'm not telling you!
Was it such a passionate night that the details can't even be spoken aloud?!
And were those tears from pain... and pleasure?!
Please, tell me everything...!
Stop imagining weird things!
Lydia tried to lunge at Besta, and Ceres eventually had to step in and calm things down.
I realize it's been a while since the Liberators have seen combat, so perhaps your bodies are itching to fight.
But we'll be busy with maid work starting tomorrow, so let's call it a night.
*Sigh* Tomorrow, I have to walk around town looking like this...
See you tomorrow, Captain!
After Lydia and Besta left, Ceres spoke to me.
It's late. I'll arrange a room for you.
Are you heading back tomorrow, Captain?
...Thank you. I'll show you to the guest quarters.
Ceres led me to my quarters.
This place has changed a lot since the first time I came to the West.
We had more breathing room this time, so we were able to properly furnish the guest quarters.
If you need anything, ask one of the Liberators... No. Come find me.
For as of this moment, I am a maid!
Right.
Then I'm counting on you tomorrow, Captain.
You got it.
And Captain.
Yeah?
Thank you for calling me cute. You're cute too, Captain.
Ceres gave me a thumbs-up.
Uh... thanks?
Ceres smiled and turned away.
As I watched her leave, I thought to myself.
Doing something was better for Ceres than letting herself drown in painful memories.
And the more unconventional that something was, the stronger the change of pace might be.
She had grown so much during the final battle against Olberos, but that growth must have come at a terrible cost.
If there was anything I could do to help her, I would.
With that thought, I settled in for the night.