“Yes... that truly was legendary.”
This was an excerpt from an interview conducted while tracing the origins of the legendary maid. Maria Bradley, having been the first to recognize her potential and the very first to receive her service, spoke of the legendary maid known as Lily in these terms:
“I understood her potential from the very beginning. After all, she is my Lily-oneesama.”
She spoke with overflowing confidence. Maria seemed delighted as she recounted the tale, as if she were speaking of her own personal achievements.
──How was the quality of the service?
In response to the question, Maria let out a sharp, amused huff.
“The quality of the service? That’s a foolish question. It was the best. The absolute best. Lily-oneesama’s service was... truly the greatest in history.”
Brushing back her pure white hair with a graceful stroke, she spoke with an air of composure.
However, there was an underlying heat to her words—a certain intensity emanating from her. It was behavior quite unlike her usual self.
──The Legendary Maid. We heard you have known of Lily for some time now?
“Of course.”
She puffed out her small chest, acting as though she were the most senior of fans. While there wasn't much depth to the gesture, the feeling that her presence was somehow larger than life was no illusion.
“It was a day in the sweltering heat of midsummer. In front of the venue for the Magics Chevalier, there was a shop that was unusually lively. I decided to drop by on a whim. And then...”
──And then?
“There was an angel. No. Perhaps I should no longer use such words to describe her. Even back then, Lily-oneesama transcended everything.”
Perhaps she was becoming excited, for her breathing grew heavy. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint crimson as she reminisced about the Lily she had met at the Magics Chevalier.
To her, it had been a fated encounter.
She believed that from the bottom of her heart.
──I see. So, what were your impressions of being the very first to receive service on all three days of the festival? Did the quality change from day to day?
“I’d like to say there wasn't any change... but in truth, there was.”
──Does that mean the quality of service declined?
“Idiot. There’s no way that happened. Lily-oneesama’s service only intensified with each passing day. On the final day—it’s embarrassing to admit—I even got a nosebleed.”
Maria was unaware of the underlying circumstances, but Lily had been providing her with an unusually passionate level of hospitality.
While the quality of service typically didn't fluctuate significantly between customers, humans are creatures whose actions inevitably shift when emotions are involved.
The way Lily served Maria was her own form of consideration. One might even call it benevolence—or perhaps even affection. Because Lily treated her with such care, Maria’s adoration only deepened.
──Then we shall end the interview here. Thank you very much for your time.
“It was nothing... just make sure you write about Lily-oneesama properly.”
Maria would later go on to establish the Lily Fan Club... but that is a story for another time.
◇
“Welcome!☆”
After returning to the classroom, I immediately began serving customers. I had drawn quite a bit of attention on my way back to the room, but I didn't mind. If it served as good promotion, I was more than happy.
Then Maria, who had been waiting restlessly for the chance to be served by Lily, entered the classroom alone.
She peered around the room, her head slightly bowed. Her cheeks were flushed red, making me wonder if she was feeling shy.
“Maria-san. It has been a long time.”
“Ah... Y-Y-Yes! It has been a long time! Lily-oneesama...!”
I guided Maria to a seat and spoke to her.
She seemed nervous, so I chatted with her for a bit to help her relax. I knew very well how much effort she had put into coming here all by herself.
“Thank you for waiting all that time for me. I truly appreciate it.”
I gave her a polite, graceful bow.
“Ah...! Um... if it means I get to see you, Lily-oneesama, I’ll wait forever! Oh? But your hair color seems different today...”
“Since it is the Cultural Festival, I am wearing a wig. Is it not to your liking?”
“N-No! I was just surprised because your... your atmosphere is so different from before, but it’s very beautiful! As expected of you, Lily-oneesama!”
This time, our gazes locked firmly. Maria’s eyes were filled with pure sincerity. She had clearly been counting down the moments until she could see Lily again.
“Fufu... thank you. Now then, what would you like from the menu?”
“U-Um...”
The menu.
One might have assumed it only contained the standard items, but that wasn't the case. There was a secret menu that only existed when Lily was on duty. It was the item listed for a one-hour window starting at noon.
“T-This... ‘Moe Moe Omurice Set’? It’s limited to the time you’re here? It even says it's exclusive to Lily-oneesama.”
As expected, she had a discerning eye.
That was a unique menu item I had proposed and implemented myself. I had come up with the idea after studying various texts. For this Cultural Festival, I had asked for special permission to unleash the Lily persona. If I was going to do it, I had to provide service befitting the role.
Amelia had mentioned wanting to try it as well, but the other students had talked her out of it.
This was something only I could pull off.
It seemed the time had finally come to demonstrate my professional skills.
“That is a special menu available only during the hours I am on duty. Would you like to order it?”
“Y... Yes! Please!”
“Certainly.”
After taking the order for the Moe Moe Omurice Set from Maria, I passed it through to the kitchen.
“One Moe Moe Omurice Set coming up!☆”
“Understood...”
“It’s finally happening...”
“Good grief... is it actually going on the menu...?”
Albert and Evi in the kitchen, along with the male students who had rotated in to replace me, began the preparation with somber expressions.
“Alright. It’s ready.”
Albert handed over the omurice and salad. I arranged them on a single plate along with a drink and carried it over to Maria’s table. I had intentionally left the ketchup off for now.
“Thank you for waiting!☆ Here is your Moe Moe Omurice Set.”
“Th-Thank you very much!”
From there, I moved into the explanation of the dish.
“Now then, for this particular menu item... before you begin your meal, I shall cast a spell on it.”
“...A spell? You mean magic?”
“Yes. A special spell to make it delicious.”
After drawing a heart shape with the ketchup, I focused my spirit... and drew my secret weapon.
“Become delicious! Moe moe, kyun!☆”
Bending my slender right leg and lifting it high, I formed a heart with both hands and poured my feelings into the dish. I was certain they would reach Maria.
I felt no embarrassment performing the pose.
After all, I was a professional and a specialist.
This was the Moe Moe Omurice Set I had proposed.
It was a feat only Lily could perform. To succeed, one could not show even a hint of hesitation. It was necessary to commit to the act with absolute sincerity and a dead-serious expression.
“──────────!!”
Upon receiving the "spell," Maria suddenly clutched her nose.
“Are you alright? Do you feel unwell?”
Anxious, I spoke to her, but Maria simply raised a hand to signal for me to wait.
“I-I’m fine, Lily-oneesama. I just... got a little overwhelmed with emotion for a moment...”
“I see. I am glad to hear that.”
“Lily-oneesama.”
“Yes? What is it?”
I offered her a smile.
In this moment, I wasn't Ray White. I was one of the maids, Lily White.
I faced Maria as a maid, hoping that this experience might provide her with some small measure of comfort.
“It’s become a very delicious-looking omurice! Thank you so much!”
Maria bowed her head. I looked at her and spoke.
“I am happy to hear you say that. If you will excuse me, then.”
“Lily-oneesama! I’ll make sure to be first in line all three days! I’ll line up from the early morning! So please, look forward to seeing me tomorrow as well!”
“...Fufu. Thank you, Maria-san.”
As I spun around, my skirt fluttered lightly.
Flashing a brilliant smile at Maria, I moved on to the next customer. For now, things were off to a perfect start.
I intended to keep this momentum going and do my absolute best for the rest of my shift!