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“So, any idea why Dia-san called us here?” Riko asked Chika and You. The members of Aquors (minus Dia and Ruby) were waiting in the clubroom. Mari and Yoshiko were practicing dramatic poses for Guilty Kiss , while Kanan and Hanamaru were talking about a book on the ocean they were reading.
"Nope!" Chika replied happily as she popped an orange slice into her mouth. "Must be really important though. I heard Dia-san talking about blowing up a poster."
"Somethings tells me it has something to do with μ's," You said. "I can't imagine Dia getting this excited over anything else."
While all the members of Aquors were fans of the past idol group μ's in one way or another, the Kurosawa sisters were probably the biggest fans of all of them. Dia especially was rather fanatical, whether it be correcting any incorrect facts about them or trying to recreate their training schedule.
Speaking of which, Dia and Ruby finally arrived. "Everyone, I'm glad you are here," Dia formally began. "I'm sure you are wondering why we have called you here today…"
"Something to do with μ's, right?" Kanan asked playfully
"Oh, does it involve Elichi~" Mari cooed, knowing the not-so-secret fan crush Dia had on Eli.
Dia leveled a glare at both of her childhood friends. "Yes, μ's is involved. No, Elichi, sadly, is not involved." She cleared her throat. "You see, Ruby and I were researching the legendary idol group…"
"And that's when we found out something super important!" Ruby chimed. "Kotori Minami, one of the first three members, was a maid!"
The other members looked at the sister in confusion. "You mean… she worked as a maid, Zura?" Hanamaru asked.
"O-oh!" Ruby asked. "I mean that when she was in high school, Kotori-chan was secretly working as a maid in Akihabara, under the title of Minalinsky!"
Yoshiko leaped out of her seat, hands slamming against the table. " The Legendary Maid Minalinsky!" She had to pause to shake her hands free of the sting from slamming them against the plastic surface before continuing. "She is a recent legend of Akihabara, famed for her kindness and diligence while hiding her identity! To think that she and Kotori were one of the same…"
"Wow, you really know another about them, Yocchan?" Riko remarked.
"Fufufu~" Yoshiko held a hand over her face as she entered her Fallen Angel state. "Why, of course~, A Fallen Angel must be up to date with all the secrets in the den of sin known as Akihabara~"
"Ahem," Dia cleared her throat. "Anyway, after learning more about such a beacon of fashion and grace, Ruby and I also discovered that two of her fellow idols, Honoka Kosaka and Umi Sonada, also spend a day as maids with her. As such, I suggest a unit bonding activity where we shall work a day as maids in Akihabara just as they have!"
"Huh, I figured you just signed us up already, Dia-chan~" Mari teased. "After all, you'd jump to follow μ's footsteps~"
Dia huffed. "You know how much scheduling and coordinating it takes to request a temporary position. I can't just sign us up until I have your confirmation."
"Well, you already got my vote!" The blonde chimed, with Kanan nodding next to her.
"Count me in too."
"Oh, maids got some pretty cute uniforms!" You proclaimed. "I want in too!"
"Oh, it sounds like a dream, zura! I want to try as well!" Hanamaru replied.
"Thank you, Hanamaru-chan!" Ruby added, then turned to the other first-year. "What about you, Yoshiko-chan?"
"It's Yohane!" The dark-haired girl squeaked. "And, um, yes! This Fallen Angel shall play the role of a serving wrench for now!"
"I-I never tried serving before," Riko muttered. "But I don't mind trying it out."
"Being maids sounds pretty fun!" Chika said. "Alright, then let's Aquor go and be maids! Oh!" She perked up in excitement. "Maybe we can meet Kotori-chan as well!"
"Not to burst your bubble, Chika, but I can't see that," Kanan gently replied. "Kotori these days works hard as a fashion designer. Can't really see her dropping by a random maid Cafe just for us."
"It's not a random maid Cafe! I specifically picked the same cafe that Kotori worked at as Minalinsky!" Dia argued
"Oh, guess your right," Chika deflated a bit, before bursting back up. "It's okay! We'll get to have plenty of fun as maids! Right guys?"
"Right!"
One week later, the time had come for Aquors to head to Tokyo. They made it to the cafe twenty minutes before they scheduled (since Chika, Dia, and Ruby were too excited to slow down). The girls met up with the manager, who was delighted to have a rising idol group work for them for a day.
"Aquors is rising pretty high in the ranks," the manager. "So it could be a bit busier than usual."
"Don't worry, we can handle it!" Chika proclaimed as the full-time employees handed the girls their uniforms. The cafe's uniform consisted of a short-sleeved and white-cuff black dress with a skirt reaching down to the ankle, along with a white apron going from the dress's collar to halfway between the knees and ankle. A black string tie was around the neck, and a white frilly headband was over their head.
"Well, it not as revealing as I feared," Riko admitted. "Still… it seems a bit much."
"Ah, don't sweat it, Riko-chan," You encouraged. "You look great."
"Thank you, You-chan… wait," she raised an eyebrow. "Are you saying that just because I'm wearing a maid uniform?"
"Ahahaha, a bit~" She admitted sheepishly.
"Mmm, I think there's something tight with mine," Mari muttered as she struggled to zip her dress. "Neh, Kanan-chan~ My dress doesn't make her boobs too big, right?"
Kanan shook her head. "They seem fine. Let's ask the manager for a bigger dress."
"And ask for you to get a tinier dress~" the blonde suggested.
"Nice try, but you'll have to wait to enjoy them~" Kanan quipped, tapping on Mari's forehead.
"Awww~
"That's enough you two!" Dia scolded. "Remember, for the next four hours, we shall not be school idols. We shall be maids, dedicated to the craft of service and politeness! So be as prim and proper as Kotori-sama was! And no hijinks from any of you!"
"...Dia-san, you're the one being the loudest," Riko dryly said, causing the older girl's face to turn red.
"Dia-san's right!" Chika said. "We got a lot of work cut out for us, so let's do our… Rubesty~ " She copied Ruby's signature call, who giggled as she did the same. "And be the best maids we can be!"
The other idols nodded. After all, that was why they were here, to have some fun being maids like Kotori-san.
"Welcome back, master~!" Chika chimed, refined and proper as she arrived at a table, where a pair of Aquor fans were waiting. "What shall I get for you~"
"Ahh! C-Chika-chan!" One of the girls blushed. "It's so great to see you!"
Chika giggled. "Thank you, master~ Shall I start with getting you something to drink?"
"O-oh, right!" The girl stammered. "I'll have a cappuccino!"
"I'll have a soda, Chika-chan," the other girl said casually.
"Of course, I shall deliver it to you." Chika bowed before heading out.
"Wow, you're a natural at this," Riko said after serving another table.
"Of course~!" Chika huffed in pride. "Sometimes I help my family at the inn, so I know a thing or two about serving customers," she giggled. "Though I'm sure that You-chan got me beat in popularity~"
She pointed at another table, where a pair of fans had hearts in their eyes as You served their parfaits. "Here you go, master~ A scrumptious parfait made with love~"
"Ah, thank you, You-chan~!" The two swooned.
"Yeah, well You-chan is already popular," Riko remarked.
"Riko-chan is popular too," Chika said, pointing back at Riko's table where her customers were happily waving.
"E-eh! Me, popular?!" Riko blushed. "I-I mean, not that I mind! B-but I can’t be that popular, right!” Chika giggled as her friend got flustered in embarrassment.
"Here you go, master~," Yoshiko chimed as she served them a warm omelet.
"Wow, she's so dignified," Hanamaru gasped in awe. She knew her childhood friend could be pretty eccentric (hence why Yoshiko requested her to help curb her Fallen Angel antics on occasion), but Yoshiko was able to act so refined and polite. Maybe things will go well…
"Thank you, Yohane-sama!" A young boy proclaimed. "Your little demons are eternally grateful for your kindness!"
Just as Hanamaru predicted, this spurred Yoshiko's chuunibyou side. "Fufufu~ Of course, and as a tribute, allow me to bestow a mighty spell to improve its flavor!" She grabbed a ketchup bottle and then squeezed as she wrote a long sentence on the omelet.
Of course, all the ketchup caused the omelet to collapse under its weight. Even her spell became illegible as the strain of ketchup seeped into each other.
"I think your spell needs work, Yoshiko-chan," Hanamaru remarked.
"It is Yohane, Zuramaru! Yohane!"
“Here’s your drink, maser~,” Kanan chimed as she handed her customer a cappuccino.
“Ah, thank you Kanan-chan~,” the college student cooed. She beamed as she saw a cream shape like a rudimentary dolphin. “Oh, it’s your symbol animal!”
“Hehe, figured I add my own touch to it,” Kanan chuckled, before rubbing the back of her head. “Though I’m not much of an artist…”
“No, it’s perfect!” the woman argued, taking a picture of the drink. “A drink made by Kanan-chan is a drink from a goddess!”
“Oh, um, thank you…”
Her customer giggled as she took a sip, savoring the rich flavor the cafe was known for. “Neh… Kanan-chan… if it’s not too much… could I get a… hug…”
“Huh?” Kanan balked in surprise. “You want a hug from me?” She was famous for hugging her fellow idols and on occasion a few fans at their concerts. Still, was it okay to do so while doing it as a maid?
Turning to one of the full-time maids, she felt relieved at the confirming nod. “Okay, master~ One hug coming up!”
The college student squealed in delight, handing her phone to another maid as she and Kanan went to the front counter.
“Alright, now how are you today, master~?” Kanan asked, a playful smile on her face.
The customer giggled as she recognized the call sign from Aquor’s concert. “‘Diving’ Great!”
“Yosh, now give me a hug~,” Kanan pulled her eager customer into an embrace.
“Ahahahahaha~ Kanan-chan’s hugs!” The red-faced woman squealed before fainting from euphoria.
“Oh…” Kanan gulped. “That’s not good.”
"And I'll have a cheesecake with strawberry sauce~,"
" Si, Signorita~" Mari chimed as she wrote down the order, then headed over to the kitchen where Ruby was currently stationed.
"Ruby-chan, we need a mouse's pie in hay juice~"
"H-huh?" Dia gasped as she came with her. "W-what's that? Is that even on the menu?!"
"Oh, it's diner talk," Mari explained. "I learned it at this cute diner I went to when studying abroad. They made the best burgers~," she licked her lips in recollection. "And the waitresses all use these fun phrases when passing them to the cook."
"First off, that is the silliest thing I ever heard," Dia huffed. "And second, you might be the only one here that knows what those words mean-"
"Here you go, Mari-chan," Ruby said, handing her a tray holding a slice of cheesecake decorated with strawberry sauce.
Dia looked flabbergasted at the sight, first checking Mari's notepad to see if that was the actual order (it was), then back between the two girls. "I stand corrected."
"There, there, Dia-chan~" Mari cooed, patting her friend's shoulder.
"Cut that out!" Dia yelled. "We must be professional maids for μ's! Even if Kotori-sama isn't here, how do you think she react if she saw us?"
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, a beautiful woman wearing a white suit and long ash-brown hair was on a phone. "Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that," she said with worry. "Is everyone alright?"
"Thankfully, no one is injured. We were able to evacuate in time," the person on the other side answered. "However, we will have to reschedule the meeting an hour later as we prepare another room. Will that be alright, Minami-san?"
"It will be fine," fashion designer Kotori Minami answered. "I can take the time to explore Akihabara."
"That's right, this was your hometown," her client responded. "Alright, we shall see you at 4:00 pm."
"Thank you~," Kotori answered. After μ's disbanded during her third year, Kotori focused her efforts on fashion and design. Her experience designing her idol unit's costumes helped her get hired by a successful agency, designing outfits for various clients.
"Hmm," Kotori checked the street signs as she recalled a map of Akihabara. "I'm close to my old cafe, and I have an hour and a half… maybe a quick coffee wouldn't hurt."
She went straight to the cafe she once worked as Minalinsky, hiding her identity from the public. It brought back memories of how much fun she had, especially when Honoka and Umi joined her for a day. As she headed over, she found a short line at the front.
"Huh? Is there an event?" She looked at the front window and saw a promotional poster showing the new school idol group Aquors.
"Aquors is here!" She gasped. She and the other members of μ's had talked about them all, being reminded of their younger selves and being quite impressed at their growth.
"Hmm, I bet Nico-chan and Hanayo-chan would like a picture. Honoka-chan too."
She giggled in thought at her childhood friend swooning at the young idols dressed as maids while waiting in line. By the time it was her turn, Chika Takami was the one greeting her.
"Welcome back, master~" Chika greeted with a bow. "I shall be your server, Chika~ Please follow me~"
It seems that Chika didn’t recognize her. Not surprising, given that it's been over five years since she was last on stage. "Thank you, Chika-chan~" Kotori smiled as she followed her to her table. "I will be in your care~"
"Of course, master. What do you like to drink?"
"Just a cup of Earl Gray, please. Plus a spoon of cream and two lumps of sugar."
"Coming right up~," Chika chimed. She left to prepare the woman's drink. Kotori took the time to watch over the other members of Aquors. She saw Ruby blushing like Hanayo as a pair of customers complimented her. She saw Hanamaru trying to reign in Yoshiko from cursing a customer. She spotted Dia bickering with Mari as they served another drink. She found You doing a wall pin at a customer’s request while Riko was watching in awe.
It was so fun watching the new generation of idols. It wasn’t just trying to experience what it was like to be a maid. These girls were getting engaged in interacting with their fans and customers.
“Here you go, master,” Chika said as she arrived with the tea, matching Kotori’s order.
“Thank you, Chika-chan~,” Kotori said, slowly taking a sip. “Mmm, as good as I remember~.”
“You came here before, master?” Chika asked.
“I used to be a maid here when I was in high school,” Kotori answered. “Though I had to keep it a secret from my mom, so I went by an alias.”
“Wow… so like a superhero!” Chika gasped in awe.
Kotori giggled. “Something like that. Anyway, Chika-chan. What brought you and Aquors here?”
“Oh, heheh~,” the orange-haired girl chuckled. “Well, we heard a member of μ's was a maid here. So one of us suggested we try being maids here as well. Besides that, it’s really fun serving people in cute uniforms.”
“Happy to hear that. You must really look up to μ's.”
“That’s right,” Chika said, though her smile was a bit somber. “It’s because of μ's that I became a school idol. Seeing a video of them performing with so much confidence and performance was a miracle for me, a sign of what I really wanted to do. However, I wonder if that’s enough. We stumbled more times than μ's did, and I’m not sure we found our own shine…”
“Your shine?” Kotori asked in confusion.
“Something that defines Aquors. Something that doesn’t just set us apart from other school idols, but represents who we are when we’re on stage. I mean, it’s nice we have some fans outside of Numazu, but I’m not sure if we’re shining just enough, especially compared to μ's…”
Chika suddenly felt a hand gently hold onto hers. “Chika-chan, you shouldn’t worry about shining enough against any other idol group. Each one of you is a star unique from everyone else. I bet even the members of μ's are impressed.”
“You really think so?” Chika asked. “Then, does that mean we have our own miracle? What is it?”
Kotori giggled. “Well, it wouldn’t be right to tell you before you realize it. It has to be something that you discover on your own. But when you do, you’ll find what it means to perform as Aquors, just as Honoka-chan and the others did.”
“Wow… alright master!” She eagerly nodded. “I’ll make sure to remember your words!”
Kotori smiled in approval. “I’m happy to hear that. Oh, I should get going.”
“Let me get your check, master,” Chika said. She went to grab a check and pen. Kotori smiled as she accepted the check and signed her name before putting the credit card with it.
“Alright, I’ll just…” Chika was about to take the check and card to process the purchase when she saw the name. “Wait… Kotori Minami… as in…” She looked up at the designer in awe. “As in that Kotori-chan?!”
“Guilty as charged ~,” Kotori giggled.
“Chika-san, what are you doing?” Dia scolded as she came over. “Maids shouldn’t be so loud…” she trailed off when she saw Kotori. “It can’t be… are you really…”
“Onee-chan, what’s wrong?” Ruby asked as she came over, only to gasp in shock. “Is that… is that…”
Kotori smiled as she got up. “You must be Dia-chan and Ruby Kurosawa-chan, right?” She gave them a friendly bow. “My name is Kotori Minami. Thank you for taking care of me, Aquors.”
“K-K-Kotori-sama… is here…” Dia stammered as Ruby muttered incoherently. “PIGGY?!” The sisters cried out at once before fainting.
“Oh dear!” Kotori gasped as Chika screamed and went to check up on them, with You and Hanamaru rushing to join them. “Are they okay?!”
“Don’t worry, Minami-san.” She turned and saw Kanan and Mari coming over. “Dia and Ruby are pretty big fans of μ's. So they’re a bit overwhelmed about meeting you in person.”
“ Si~ Be glad it wasn’t Eli-chan~,” Mari giggled. “Then Dia-chan would have melted into shiny goo~”
“I would have not!” Dia yelled, springing upright to the shock of Chika and You. “Don’t speak slander of me in front of Kotori-sama!”
Kotori giggled. “Goodness~ This brings back memories~.”
“Not quite the service you expected, Minami-san,” Riko chuckled sheepishly as she and Yoshiko joined the rest of Aquors.
“No~,” Kotori smiled. “But you girls are the most memorable maids in my time~. And some of the most memorable idols as well~” She looked fondly as Chika helped calm Dia down while keeping Ruby from fainting again. “You’re all shining as brightly as ever.”