I had been invited for a midday drink, which led me to Vanessa-san’s Room. I’d been here several times before, so it wasn't a particularly novel experience, yet seeing the private side of Vanessa-san in such a neatly organized space always left me with a sense of surprise.
"I think this every time I visit, but your room is incredibly tidy, Vanessa-san."
"Mm... Well, I simply hate living in a messy or dirty room. Besides, given my profession, cleaning is one of my strong suits. Anyway, Kaito-kun, just sit wherever."
One tended to forget due to her slovenly private life, but Vanessa-san was the Head Maid of a Ducal House. Naturally, her domestic skills were top-tier.
Plus, she didn't ramble on about incomprehensible things like Maid Power or Maid Spirit, which made me feel she was a genuinely excellent professional. Though, in this world, the "proper" maids were the ones who actually used terms like Maid Power...
As these thoughts crossed my mind, Vanessa-san gestured for me to sit on the sofa before heading toward a Box-shaped Magic Tool—one that functioned much like a refrigerator.
"Beer is fine, right?"
"Yeah, no problem—wait, what?! V-Vanessa-san?! What do you think you’re doing?!"
"Eh? No, I'm just getting the beer ready..."
"Not that! Your bottom! Why did you take off your hot pants and strip down to your underwear?!"
It was so sudden I was caught completely off guard. I had been looking at her as she opened the fridge to grab the beer, idly noting that it seemed to contain nothing but alcohol, when her hot pants suddenly vanished. I was left staring directly at her black underwear and her shapely, beautiful buttocks.
"...Well, hot pants are cramped when you’re trying to enjoy an Evening Drink. Besides, I’m usually dressed like this when I’m relaxing at home."
"That’s not the point! I’m right here!"
"I don't mind since it's just you... Ah, well, if it bothers you that much, I'll just make the shirt bigger. Here, like this."
True to her usual low-energy demeanor, the hem of her T-shirt immediately stretched down to her knees. It was still a somewhat questionable look, but... well, I suppose it was better than the alternative.
Vanessa-san then grabbed several bottles of beer and a Wind-manipulating Magic Tool for Cigarettes before sitting on the sofa opposite me and lining the bottles up on the table.
"I’ve got the snacks I just bought..."
"Oh, Dried Squid... You certainly have a lot of variety."
"It’s simple, but nothing beats this when you’re drinking. Plus, there’s no cooking required, so it’s easy."
There was whole Dried Squid, Shredded Squid, and what looked like octopus and some kind of fish... Stingray Fin, perhaps? Regardless, the variety and volume were impressive. She clearly intended to settle in for a serious session.
She had brought over four bottles of beer without a second thought; the fact that all four were on the table from the start suggested she planned to maintain a brisk pace.
"Here’s your glass, Kaito-kun."
"Ah, thank you."
"Sorry if I spill any~"
Vanessa-san handed me a glass and then proceeded to flick the cap off the beer bottle with her thumb before pouring. Watching her remove the cap so effortlessly with her bare finger, I was reminded that she truly was a Superhuman Named Maid.
"Well then, cheers~."
"Cheers."
"...Ngh... Pwah! Nothing beats a cold beer. Oh, Kaito-kun, help yourself to the snacks."
After our glasses lightly clinked, she drained her beer in a single go, a blissful smile spreading across her face as she popped a piece of Atarime into her mouth. Was this really the Head Maid of a Ducal House? She looked exactly like a middle-aged man enjoying his weekend.
"This beer has a surprisingly crisp finish."
"It’s good, isn't it? One of my favorites. I can’t remember where they sell it, though..."
"Wait, really?"
"Yeah. Basically, if I see it, I buy it and toss it in the cooling Magic Tool, so I never remember the specifics. Oh well, cheap booze is fine as long as it tastes good."
As she spoke, she put a cigarette to her lips and lit it with a motion as natural as breathing. Thanks to the Magic Tool, the smoke didn't drift my way, but despite the sun being high in the sky, her vibe was that of someone settling in for a long night of drinking before a day off.
I didn't mind the drinking, but I really wished she wouldn't casually prop her legs up on the sofa. I wanted her to realize how precarious her current outfit was... though in her case, she probably realized it and simply didn't care.
"You really do love your beer, Vanessa-san."
"I like it ice-cold. And I prefer lager over ale—I’m a fan of the bitterness."
"I’m the same way. When it comes to beer, I prefer lagers too."
"We’re on the same page, then. And like I thought, cheap booze is best because you don’t have to worry about the formalities. I mean, expensive wine is delicious and all, but it demands a certain level of dignity, you know? You can’t just kick back and gulp it down."
"That’s true. Wine has such an elegant image that I feel like I have to mind my posture a bit when I drink it."
"Exactly! That's why I like alcohol you can just drink sloppily. We really are a perfect match, Kaito-kun. Want a kiss?"
"Are you drunk already?"
"I’m trying to get there, but I’m not quite there yet~"
Even with her languid atmosphere, Vanessa-san’s happy chuckles made her feel like a very approachable person. She may have been a "trashy adult," but she definitely gave off the strong vibe of being an Easy-to-talk-to Older Sister.
Serious-senpai: "...It’s that, isn't it? She’s using that easygoing atmosphere as a smokescreen, but her affection for Kaito is actually through the roof... I know it. I'm an expert on this!"