Chapter 48: A Maid’s Confession and a Stolen Kiss

Ahrin positioned herself with her knees on either side of Sayo’s hips, her hands planted on the floor beside Sayo’s head, and her face hovering just above Sayo’s, their eyes meeting. It was, simply put, the position one would take right before… well…

“Ahrin…? Th-this is… um… a massage position, right?”

Sayoreinne’s usual poker face failed her. Her voice trembled, and she stuttered.

Ahrin hadn’t learned any special massage techniques during her brief training at the Marquisate. All she knew were basic massages—rubbing and kneading shoulders, necks, and arms.

“My Lady.”

Ahrin’s voice was soft and delicate, unlike her usual cheerful tone. It carried an undercurrent of anticipation, a sense that something was about to happen. Sayo wasn’t sure what that ‘something’ was, but she felt she needed to say something. She opened her mouth, but her mind blanked, and she could only utter a soundless gasp.

Ahrin’s flushed face, her warm breath, her affectionate gaze… it was all unfamiliar, unlike anything Sayo had seen from her before. It was unsettling, yet… this different side of Ahrin stirred something within Sayo, a flicker of excitement.

‘No, that’s not right. Get a grip. I need to calm Ahrin down.’ Sayo didn’t understand this sudden shift in atmosphere, so she needed to talk to Ahrin. She took a deep breath and spoke.

“Ahrin?”

“Ahrin?” Ahrin’s heart pounded in her chest. She found herself practically straddling Sayo, as if about to pounce. She couldn’t tell if her racing heart was from excitement or anxiety over her impulsive action. Her face burned, her mouth dry, and her hands trembled.

Ahrin waited for Sayo to speak, her gaze fixed on her mistress, her lady. ‘Is she flustered by my unusual behavior?’ Sayo’s disheveled appearance and the way she’d stuttered earlier were… cute. It was endearing to see this unguarded side of the lady who always presented herself with such grace, elegance, and beauty. A small smile touched Ahrin’s lips.

“Um… If you’re uncomfortable, you can get off. This position is a bit awkward for both of us…”

Ahrin had no intention of moving. In fact, she was a little annoyed. She’d seen Sayo hug, nuzzle, and embrace other girls at the academy, yet Sayo seemed to reserve such intimate contact only for them.

Ahrin knew there was a difference in their social standing and that Sayo likely didn’t mean to exclude her, but she couldn’t suppress the bubbling resentment within her.

Ahrin knew she shouldn’t be upset or jealous of Sayo’s interactions with her friends. She should be happy that Sayo, who had been so lonely at the academy, had found such precious friends. Good things happening to the kind and gentle Sayo were good things for Ahrin too. And she had thought that way, at least until recently.

When had she started disliking seeing Sayo with her friends? She couldn’t remember. Perhaps she’d been feeling this way all along but hadn’t realized it, and now the accumulated emotions had finally surfaced. And what were these accumulated emotions, these negative feelings? She didn’t need to think hard; the answer was obvious.

Jealousy. Ahrin couldn’t think of any other explanation.

Despite the impulsiveness of her actions, being this close to Sayo, looking into her eyes, and contemplating her feelings, Ahrin began to understand the nature of her affection for Sayo. There was only one reason to be jealous of Sayo’s friends.

Because she loved Sayo. That was the only explanation.

When had she started harboring these feelings for the girl lying beneath her? What had triggered them? These questions arose, but they weren’t important right now. Her focus should be on the girl in front of her.

The most intimate contact Ahrin had been allowed was touching Sayo’s shoulders. They’d made some progress recently, holding hands while walking, but it paled in comparison to the intimacy Sayo shared with her friends. Sayo had initiated some close contact herself when she’d been feeling insecure, but that had stopped abruptly.

So, Ahrin thought, ‘I want to feel Sayo’s soft skin, her warmth.’ At the same time, she felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. These thoughts and desires were unlike anything she would have considered before.

“My Lady, would it be alright?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I don’t want to lose you to anyone else.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but… you’re being a bit strange, Ahrin.”

“No, I’m just the same as always.”

“…You can’t say that if you look at yourself right now. I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but please calm down.”

“…”

“Let’s calm down and talk, okay? Did something bad happen to you, Ahrin?”

“No, nothing like that.”

“Or… are you upset with me about something?”

“That might be… closer to the truth.”

‘Huh?’

Sayo was taken aback. She thought she’d been treating Ahrin well, so this was unexpected. ‘Well, I haven’t been paying her much, and I haven’t really been paying attention to what she does or what she wants…’

‘Is that the problem? I thought I should be more considerate and treat her better, since I’m all she has, but I haven’t been doing that.’ Thinking she must have done something terribly wrong to make the usually quiet Ahrin act this way, Sayo began to apologize.

“I’m sorry, Ahrin. I’ll… Mmmph?!”

Ahrin’s index finger pressed against Sayo’s lips.

“It’s okay.”

Ahrin cupped Sayo’s cheeks in her hands. And then…

“…!”

Soft lips met soft lips. For a moment, Sayo couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Then, confusion flooded her mind.

‘Suddenly… what? Girls… no, I’m a man, so it’s okay… no, that’s not the point! Why… why is this happening?!’ Even in her confused state, the kiss… wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, this first kiss, regardless of the circumstances, felt incredibly good. Perhaps that’s why, despite her mind screaming at her to push Ahrin away, her body remained still, accepting the kiss. A pleasant dizziness washed over her.

Their lips parted after what felt like an eternity but was probably only twenty seconds.

“My Lady…”

“Ahrin, why…?”

Sayo, her mind still hazy, tried to ask for an explanation, but Ahrin silenced her with another kiss. This second kiss, less shocking than the first, allowed Sayo to savor the sensation.

‘Mm…’

As she’d initiated the kiss, Ahrin had been prepared for Sayo to push her away, to yell, to insult her. It was a bold move, and Ahrin deserved whatever reaction came her way. It had been a terrifying prospect, but Ahrin couldn’t resist.

She knew this was unlike her, but she remembered a phrase she’d heard once: ‘Love changes people.’ If that was true, then her change, brought on by the realization of her love for Sayo, was inevitable.

This kiss lasted a full minute. Ahrin didn’t know how to do anything more than simply press their lips together, but the feeling was blissful and fulfilling.

Having satisfied her desire, Ahrin finally came to her senses, looking at Sayo’s flushed face and slightly parted lips. She realized she was still practically sitting on Sayo’s thighs.

“M-My Lady! I-I’m so sorry…! Ouch!” As she scrambled to get off Sayo, Ahrin landed hard on her bottom, her face burning crimson. Pain, anxiety, guilt, and a myriad of other emotions welled up, bringing tears to her eyes.

Sayo slowly sat up, looking at the distraught Ahrin. “So… so, this is…”

Seeing Ahrin on the verge of tears, Sayo couldn’t bring herself to scold her. After all, Sayo had… enjoyed it too. She wasn’t angry, just curious as to why Ahrin had suddenly done this. Looking at Ahrin’s face, the memory of the kiss flashed through Sayo’s mind again, sending a fresh wave of heat to her cheeks.

“I’m fine. I’m tired, so I want to shower and rest alone. Could you come back tomorrow?”

“Sniff… O-okay…”

Ahrin, barely holding back her tears, couldn’t bear to look at Sayo any longer. She mumbled a reply and hurried out of the room.

“Sigh…”

‘Clear your mind. And get some sleep.’ Sayo decided to leave this complicated situation for her tomorrow self to deal with.