Chapter 17: A New Campus Life Begins

Doroshi could handle it—she wasn’t entirely defenseless against the maid’s dramatic outburst.
But the other students? They were utterly floored.

Sure, last night she’d told Ren she could talk to her at school, but she never imagined Ren would, the very next morning, loudly call her “Lady Doroshi” in front of so many people.
Worse, the maid threw in an ambiguous line about “tonight at home.”

Okay, fine, Doroshi had given her permission to approach her at school, so it was too late for regrets now.

She noticed the surrounding students’ jaws practically hitting the ground.
After all, in just one day, the stunningly charismatic transfer student had skyrocketed to fame on the school’s online community.
This campus idol, this ultimate beauty, was now, on her second day, addressing someone with master-servant terms and acting downright coquettish.
And the person she was fawning over? Jinzenji Doroshi, the school’s infamous outcast.

This was too bizarre! The onlookers were stunned, unable to process it.
Their minds must be spiraling into cosmic chaos, like the Big Bang itself.

“Farewell, my peaceful campus life,” Doroshi muttered, her eyes dull as a dead fish’s.

That said, seeing the shocked faces of these gossiping pests gave her a twisted sense of satisfaction, lifting her mood considerably.

Taking a deep breath, Doroshi decided to lean into the chaos.
“Let’s go, Ren. Class is starting soon.”

As if pulling off a prank, Ren tilted her head, stifling a giggle behind her hand with a mischievous glint.
“Yes, Lady Doroshi, let’s go.”

Doroshi avoided looking at the crowd’s expressions and grabbed Ren’s wrist.
On this otherwise ordinary morning, the cheerful master and maid duo left a trail of dumbfounded onlookers in their wake.

Holding Ren’s hand, Doroshi skipped into the school building, her face beaming with a joy she hadn’t shown at school in nearly a year.
Ren let herself be led, her mood brightened by Doroshi’s happiness.

“Seriously, Ren, you really let them have it, and it felt good,” Doroshi said, slowing to walk side by side with Ren in the hallway.
“But that tone you used—like you were flirting with me? People are gonna get the wrong idea.”

Reflecting on it, a blush crept onto Doroshi’s face.
Ren’s public “Lady Doroshi” stunt was thrilling, and seeing the crowd’s shock and jealousy was oddly satisfying.
But soon, a wave of embarrassment washed over her.

“Being misunderstood alongside Lady Doroshi is more than I could hope for,” Ren said, leaning closer.
“Human opinions mean nothing to me. As long as you’re happy, Lady Doroshi, I’m fulfilled.”

“Well, thanks, awesome maid.”
Once again, Doroshi felt grateful for Ren.
Looking back, the gloom that had weighed on her heart seemed to have quietly dissipated.

‘Screw it. Starting today, a new campus life begins!’
(Translation: She finally has someone to talk to at school.)

Breathing a sigh of relief, Doroshi felt a newborn sense of contentment.
On second thought, she didn’t need to care about others’ words or worry about misunderstandings anymore.
As long as no one brought up that accident, it was fine.

She didn’t need friends at school.
Having Ren by her side was enough.

Though they’d only spent a short day together, Doroshi was already finding it hard to imagine life without her maid.
Turning to Ren, who was close by her side, she gazed at her earnestly.

‘You said I saved you, but honestly, it feels like you’re the one saving me.’

Sensing Doroshi’s stare, Ren tilted her head.
“Lady Doroshi?”

“Nothing.”

Pushing past thoughts aside, Doroshi and Ren entered the classroom, instantly drawing countless stares.
Unfazed, they headed to their seats, the room falling eerily silent.

The class had just seen Doroshi and Ren walk in, looking awfully close.
The atmosphere felt frozen, but the master-maid duo, in high spirits, ignored it.
They stuffed their bags into their desks, pulled out textbooks, and prepped for class.

Doroshi checked her phone and saw the school’s online community exploding with posts centered on her and Ren.

[Discussion on Kimihiro Ren and That Jinzenji Girl—Forbidden Mysterious Relationship?!]

Floor 234: Anonymous
Post speed’s insane. Gotta jump in quick.

Floor 235: Anonymous
Front row for the daily quest. What’s going on?

Floor 236: Anonymous
This is gonna crush the guys, right? Or maybe the girls too?

Floor 237: Anonymous
Buddy, you’re miles from the front row. Save up for a phone that can snag it.

Floor 238: Anonymous
For the latecomers: it’s about the mixed-race beauty who transferred yesterday, topped the “Most Desired Girlfriend” list in a day—surname Kimihiro.
You know, the red-haired girl with twin tails? She called another girl “Lady” by the fountain!

Floor 239: Anonymous
Just a polite title, right? Shows Kimihiro’s impeccable manners. You guys are overthinking it. Also, the guys making that list? Lame.

Floor 240: Anonymous
Didn’t the girls make a “Most Desired Boyfriend” list too?

Floor 241: Anonymous
But Kimihiro said she’d “make dinner for her at home tonight”!

“Haha…”
Doroshi stared at her phone with dead-fish eyes, dumbfounded by the frenzy over their fountain exchange, mixed with off-topic chatter.
In just minutes, the discussion had reached this volume—clearly just the start.

This would probably spread further, making her, already infamous, even more notorious.
“Whatever, let it explode.”
Doroshi shoved her phone into her skirt pocket, flopped onto her desk, and chose to ignore it.

As she’d said, it didn’t matter anymore.
With Ren’s support, she didn’t need other friends.
Sure, it was a bit selfish.

‘But I’ve got an adorable demon god maid by my side, so who cares about anyone else?’