The bar Nao had chosen as their meeting spot was modeled after the lower deck of an old sailing ship. The floor and walls were covered in wooden planks designed to look weathered and aged. There were no windows, so even during the day, the place was only dimly lit, just enough for the people sitting at a table to see each other’s faces.

  For the long-anticipated occasion, Ryūta had put on a black short-sleeved shirt and a pair of dark cream-colored knee-length shorts.

  As the two high school students stepped inside, they headed straight for the counter, where the owner, a middle-aged man with a mustache, dressed in a white shirt, gray vest, and red bow tie, greeted them.

  “Welcome! You’re here for the eight o’clock reservation, right?”

  “Good evening. Yes,” the girl replied, prompting the boy to glance at her in surprise.

  “Reservation?”

  “Yes. I booked the whole place, so it’s just us tonight. Not that it gets much business anyway. We actually did him a favor.”

  “I see...” Ryūta murmured, the realization dawning on him. But the president didn’t let him dwell on it for long.

  “Well then, let’s take a seat,” she said, and the two of them settled on stools at the bar.

  “What can I get you?” the man asked.

  “Vodka,” Nao answered, making the boy freeze.

  “You’re kidding, right? We’re underage. We can’t drink alcohol!”

  “Is that so? And who’s going to stop us? Like I said, the rules are different here,” the girl said with a hint of sarcasm, lowering her gaze. “Besides, you’re going to need it. There’s no way you’ll be able to handle what I’m about to tell you without it.”

  Before Ryūta could respond, the bartender returned with two glasses packed with ice and filled them halfway with the requested drink.

  “Here you go.”

  “Thank you. Now, would you mind leaving the three of us alone?” the president asked, prompting the owner to raise an eyebrow.

  “The three of you?”

  “Leave the bottle,” she clarified. The man smiled and complied.

  After that, Nao turned to the boy and lifted her glass.

  “Let’s drink. Then you can ask.”

  “Do I really have to?” Ryūta grimaced, sniffing the vodka, which made the girl smile as well.

  “I guess there’s no helping it. Could we get a box of orange juice too?” she said, placing the new order. Moments later, it was already on the table.

  Then the boy finally gave in. Though still reluctantly, he took a sip of his drink, chilled and bursting with fruit. As the icy cold trickled down his spine, he spoke.

  “So, I can ask now, right?”

  “Yes. But before we dive into that, I have a few requests.”

  “I should’ve known...” he muttered with a sigh. But before he could slip into sarcasm, he saw something he never expected. Nao was staring at him with clenched fists and a desperate look in her eyes.

  “Alright. I’m listening.”

  From that moment on, he took every word the girl said seriously.

  “First, promise me that you won’t tell Sanae any of what I’m about to share. It would ruin her.”

  “I promise...” Ryūta replied, though a trace of uncertainty lingered in his voice.

  “Second, I want you to believe me when I say that you and I are on the same side.”

  “Alright...”

  His tension mounted with every word.

  “And because of that, I beg you. Don’t hate us for what we did to you.”

  The boy’s jaw nearly dropped. The president, who had always been cold and brutally straightforward with him now sat beside him, trembling and pleading through tears. He couldn’t bear to see her suffer any longer. With a sigh, he looked straight into her eyes, steady and unwavering, and said,

  “I promise I won’t freak out. Whatever it is, I can handle it.”

  Nao wiped her eyes.

  “Thank you.” She took a deep breath and steeled herself again. “Ask me anything.”

  “Alright then... who are you really?”

  “My name is Hoshizume Nao, and I’m the leader of the small group, most of whose members you met yesterday.”

  “What kind of group is this?”

  “We’re a breakaway faction, still fighting to uphold human rights.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I’m sure you’ve heard about the atrocities committed during World War II.”

  “Yeah...” Ryūta nodded.

  “At the time, numerous medical experiments were conducted on those who, for one reason or another, didn’t meet the Nazi ideals. The procedures were brutal and inhumane. Some claim they played a significant role in the advancement of medical science.”

  “Y-yeah, I heard about that,” he confirmed again.

  “And do you know why this city is so far ahead of the rest of the world?”

  “Isn’t it because of the library?” the boy asked back hesitantly.

  “If only that were true...”

  The girl fell silent for a moment, then made another cocktail for the boy and handed it to him. He didn’t ask anything this time. He just downed it.

  “I know Sanae mentioned the dark side of the city to you,” the president began again. “But she has no idea what it is like.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of her ‘accident’ six months ago.”

  “What happened then?”

  “We erased her memories.”

  The boy was too stunned to speak. Normally, he would have snapped or yelled by now, but he had promised not to. Still, it was hard for him to process. Much to Nao’s surprise, he grabbed the vodka bottle and filled his glass to the brim.

  “Kagayaki, what are you doing? Don’t drink tha—”

  Before she could finish, he threw it back.

  “Oh boy... I think I need to speed this up.”

  “You think...?” he said sarcastically, already feeling the effects. “So why did you erase her memories?”

  “So she could live a normal life,” the girl replied, trying to push Ryūta’s reckless act out of her mind.

  “I see.”

  He smiled faintly, and the president sighed in relief.

  “I have to admit, you’re taking this better than I expected.”

  “I remembered what she said. That her life now is definitely better than it was before the accident. And after spending today with her, I’m sure she’s happy.”

  “I’m glad you think so,” Nao replied with a smile. But then the boy suddenly looked up.

  “Wait... why did you bring up the dark side of the city?”

  “Because we’re all victims of it. You, me, Sanae... and Mafuyu.”

  Ryūta froze. He didn’t even breathe. Slowly, he turned to her, his voice trembling.

  “Did you just say Mafuyu? You do who she is…?”

  “Tell me, how old do you think Sanae looks?”

  “Please, don’t change the subject!” he begged, doing his best to stay calm.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “I’m not. Just answer.”

  “I’d guess... sixteen?”

  “Not surprising. But what if I told you she’s actually going to be only six?”

  “That... that’s impossible…” the boy muttered, his voice trembling.

  “For a naturally born child, yes. But she’s different.”

  “What are you talking about...?”

  In the end, the boy began to lose his patience, coming closer and closer to panicking.

  “She’s a clone. Her original was Kagayaki Mafuyu. Your younger sister.”

  Ryūta said nothing. A moment later, he clutched his mouth and looked around frantically, spotting a glowing sign on one of the doors.

  “Kagayaki...?”

  The girl gently reached out to touch the boy’s shoulder, but he leapt up and ran toward the door.

  A few moments later she found him in the bathroom, kneeling beside a toilet. He was past the worst of it when she crouched beside him and rubbed his back.

  “I’m sorry. That was a lot to take in all at once,” she said.

  “No, I’m the one who should be sorry. I must look pathetic,” he replied, but she shook her head.

  “A lot has happened in just two days. I should’ve waited.”

  “It’s okay. Thanks for telling me. I’ll pull myself together and we can keep going,” he insisted, though it was clear he had reached his limit.

  “No, we’re done for today. Here, wipe your mouth. We’re heading back to your place,” she said, handing him a pink cloth.

  Despite being annoyed with himself, he knew she was right. After cleaning up, he leaned on her for support as they made their way home.

  “Now I get why Shinji’s so into you...” he mumbled, barely conscious.

  “What did you say?” the president asked, as if she hadn’t heard a thing. But that only made things worse.

  “I just asked if this little bathroom adventure might hurt your reputation.”

  “Please... it takes more than that to ruin my rep. Besides, this was the ladies’ room,” she said with a smile.

  Ryūta went pale.

  “Just kill me, now.”

  “Come on, it’s not that bad. It’s just the two of us who know, and with some luck, you’ll forget by morning.”

  “If not, I still have that pill...”

  When they finally made it back to his apartment, he was already unconscious. Nao laid him down on his bed, took off his shoes, and tucked him in. At last, with a tender smile on her face, she whispered goodbye,

  “Get some rest. You’ve earned it. Good night, Ryūta-kun.”

  The sun was shining brightly again the next morning. The boy, however, couldn’t enjoy it. He woke up with a terrible hangover.

  “Ugh... my head...” he groaned, not realizing he wasn’t alone.

  “Good morning, Master,” said a neutral voice next to his bed.

  He opened his eyes and blinked. Turning his head, he saw a girl in her late teens who clearly wasn’t Japanese. She had shoulder-length black hair, blue-gray eyes, and a blank expression. She wore a black maid uniform with a frilly, pale green apron embroidered with red and green designs.

  “Good morning... Wait, who are you? How did you get in here? Did you just call me Master?” he shot up.

  The girl lifted her skirt slightly and bowed.

  “I am terribly sorry for startling you. My name is Ninel Andreevna Volkina. From this day forward, I will be responsible for your care as your assigned personal maid. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  “Likewise— wait, maid? That’s really not necessary. I can take care of myself,” he said in confusion, but the girl insisted.

  “I have no doubt about that. Still, my duty is to listen to your every wish and fulfill it without question.”

  “Every wish?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yes,” the girl replied without hesitation.

  “Hmm... Every wish, really?” Ryūta repeated, still incredulous.

  “Yes.”

  A few seconds passed before he smirked and said playfully, “Alright then. Strip down and lie on the bed.”

  He was convinced he didn’t need anyone serving him, so he didn’t care much about first impressions. In fact, he was mentally prepared for a slap so hard he’d bounce off the wall. What he didn’t expect was for the girl to obey without a word.

  Before he could react, she reached back, untied her apron, and let it fall to the floor. She then began unbuttoning her blouse. The boy stared, stunned. But when she started slipping out of her clothes, reality hit him like a brick. He shot up and grabbed her hand.

  “What the hell are you doing?!” he shouted, eyes shut tightly.

  “Fulfilling your order. Or am I not pleasing to your eye?” she asked, sounding confused but still calm.

  “No. I mean, yes… I just— have some self-respect. Do you undress for anyone who asks?”

  “Yes. That is my duty,” she said, and to his surprise, there was even a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

  “You’re seriously a bit off, you know...” Ryūta sighed, clutching his forehead. “Anyway, I was joking! Please put your clothes back on.”

  Once she had dressed again, he opened his eyes and took a better look at her.

  “So...” he began, then hesitated. He had already forgotten her name.

  “Ninel Andreevna Volkina. But if it is easier for you, feel free to call me gryaznaya shlyukha.”

  “I wouldn’t say that’s easier... Is that Russian? What does it mean?”

  “I believe your language would translate it as ‘filthy whore.’”

  “Forget it! There’s no way I’m calling you that!”

  “May I ask why?”

  “I don’t think I should have to explain that.”

  “I am sorry. I do not understand.”

  She looked at him with genuine confusion.

  “That’s your problem,” the boy muttered, then repeated, “Anyway, like I said, I don’t need a maid. So thank you, but you’re free to go.”

  The girl stood silently for a few seconds, as if waiting for him to change his mind. When he didn’t, she gave it one last try.

  “Please, would you not give me a chance? I promise not to be a burden.”

  Ryūta finally began to soften.

  “Why do you want to serve me so badly anyway?”

  She looked him straight in the eye.

  “Because you are different from the others.”

  “How would you know that? You don’t even know me.”

  Then she offered a strange reply:

  “I am not lying naked on your bed yet.” Seeing his surprise, she continued, “You did not abuse your authority. In fact, you rejected me. That proves you are worthy of my service.”

  While the first point made sense to him, the second felt a bit forced.

  “There’s more to this, isn’t there?” he asked, and she lowered her gaze.

  “To be honest... I am scared.”

  “Scared? Of what?”

  “That if you turn me away, I may end up serving someone who sees me as nothing more than something to be used and thrown away.”

  “You mean you don’t get to choose who you serve?”

  “Normally that would not be the case. But my situation is different. I was assigned to you. If you reject me, I may not survive until tomorrow.”

  The words struck the boy like a blow to the chest. He sighed, defeated, and said,

  “Alright. You can stay. But I have two conditions.”

  For a moment, Ninel nearly smiled, but quickly composed herself again, as if showing emotion were forbidden.

  “I am listening,” she said, standing straighter.

  “First, I’m not calling you anything insulting. So we need to figure out what to call you.”

  “Most of my former masters called me Sluzhanka.”

  “That actually sounds kind of nice. What does it mean?”

  “Servant.”

  “What is wrong with you?!” Ryūta snapped again, but this time, she seemed to take him seriously.

  “I am terribly sorry. It will not happen again,” she said remorsefully, but the boy just sighed once more.

  “I’m not mad. I just wish you would value yourself a little more.”

  “Understood.”

  “So?”

  “My grandfather used to call me Ninushka.”

  “Your grandfather? What kind of man was he?” he asked, hoping they might finally get somewhere.

  “He was the best anyone could ever wish for as a grandfather. He always put my well-being first. He cherished me, spoiled me with affection, and showered me with love. When I was with him, I always felt safe.”

  It was then, for the first time since they had met, that the girl smiled.

  “Then I’ll call you Ninush— wait. No. That’s just too early. I’ll call you Ninel-san.”

  “Understood,” she nodded. “And the other...?”

  “What?”

  “The second condition.”

  “Oh, right.” He cleared his throat. “The second condition is, I don’t see you as a maid.”

  “I am terribly sorry, I do not understand.”

  “I’ll treat you as a helper and a friend. If you do something for me, I’ll return the favor. And if you want something, I expect you to tell me.”

  “But—”

  “No buts!”

  “Yes, Master!”

  “And I changed my mind. There’s a third condition. I don’t want to hear the word ‘master’ again. Use my name.”

  The girl looked increasingly confused, and just then, the boy realized something.

  “I can’t believe I forgot to introduce myself... I’m Kagayaki Ryūta.”

  “Understood, Kagayaki-sama.”

  “Just Ryūta is fine.”

  “Yes, Ryūta-sama.”

  “No need for the ‘sama.’”

  “Ryūta...” The boy nodded in approval, but a moment later she quietly finished, “...sama.”

  “Whatever, just forget it... Ryūta-sama it is.”

  Though he wanted to keep talking to his new assistant, the hangover was hitting hard again. He had to lie back onto his bed.

  “Are you feeling alright, Ryūta-sama?” Ninel asked, concerned.

  “Not really...” the boy replied, then added silently to himself,

  “It is likely due to the fact that you drank nearly half a liter of vodka in one go. Such quantities are not suitable for everyone.”

  “Yeah, I’ve figured that out by now,” the boy muttered, holding his head.

  “If you will allow me, I can prepare a remedy that should ease the symptoms within an hour,” she offered.

  “There’s a cure for this nightmare?” Ryūta asked dramatically. The girl nodded.

  “Yes. It smells and tastes awful, but it is made entirely from herbs, and is guaranteed to work. It is a family recipe,” she added with a faint smile, one of the few she’d shown during their conversation, and all the more comforting because of it.

  “Alright, I’m counting on you.”

  “Understood. I will get started right away.”

  With that Ninel walked into the kitchen, and the boy followed her. She had already gathered all the necessary ingredients, clearly anticipating the condition her new “master” would be in.

  It didn’t take more than twenty minutes before Ryūta was handed a cup of the still-steaming brew, which had cooled just enough.

  “Here you go. Please, have it,” the girl said in the same indifferent tone, one that left the boy feeling slightly uneasy.

  “Are you sure this will work?” he asked.

  “I am absolutely certain.”

  Though he wanted to believe her, the previously mentioned taste and smell weren’t exactly encouraging, especially once he experienced them for himself. Still, he mustered up the courage, pinched his nose, and, eyes watering, downed the concoction in one go.

  Another fifteen minutes passed, and he began to feel the effects. The nausea disappeared completely, and the headache began to ease.

  “This is incredible. I feel better already,” Ryūta said, visibly impressed.

  “I am glad I could help,” Ninel replied with a faint smile.

  “There’s just one problem left,” he said, frowning.

  “What is that?”

  “I have absolutely no idea what happened last night.”

  “I am really sorry, but I do not think I can help you with that,” she said quietly, her expression dimming. The boy was quick to reassure her.

  “Don’t worry, you’ve already done more than enough. I’ll try to figure it out another way,” he said, pulling out his phone and dialing Nao’s number.

  It took about half a minute for her to pick up.

  “Hello? Ryūta-kun? How are you doing?” she asked.

  “Thanks, I’m getting better,” the boy replied.

  “So her remedy worked.”

  “Yeah. Wait, how did you know? And who even is this girl?” Ryūta asked, clearly confused.

  “Doesn’t ring a bell?” she responded, mirroring his puzzled tone.

  “Ring a bell about what?”

  The president let out a sigh.

  “What’s the last thing you remember?”

  “I was about to go to bed when you showed up. Then we went down to a bar and started drinking.”

  “And after that?”

  “Blank... total blackout.”

  “Hmm...” Nao paused, thinking for a moment. “Alright, I’ll tell you what happened. After a few rounds, you started gushing about how much you love maids. So I suggested a bet.”

  “What?!” the boy burst out. Even Ninel couldn’t ignore his reaction.

  Though she stayed silent, her expression turned quizzical as she looked at him.

  “I said that if you could drink more than I could, I would get you a maid who would fulfill your every wish. You got so excited, you chugged down a full glass of sixty-percent vodka in one shot. Most of it came right back up before it could knock you out, but the bet was about how much you drank. So, congratulations! You won yourself a maid.”

  “No way that actually happened! I’ve never even been into maids!” he shouted again, making his new assistant’s face visibly fall. “Ninel-san, I didn’t mean it like that! Don’t take it personally!”

  “Well, that’s what happened. Anyway, I’ve got to go now. Have fun with her... just don’t have too much fun. School’s tomorrow, you know.” With that, Nao hung up. A moment later, under her breath, she added grimly, “I’m sorry, Ryūta-kun. It seems like you’re not ready for the truth yet. But don’t worry. Sanae and Mafuyu are safe, so you’ve got plenty of time to get stronger and focus on more important matters.”

  “What the— What is even going through her hea— Huh? What is this?” the boy muttered, just as a notification flashed across his screen:

  “1 missed call: Aizawa Yumiko”

  If you enjoy my story and would like to read some extra side stories, please check out my Patreon page! ??