I’d given Kuro some of the tea leaves Nebula made as a gift for Ein, and it seemed she’d taken quite a liking to them—enough to ask for more. However, Ein clearly understood that Nebula, not I, was the producer, so she asked me to introduce them so she could negotiate for a supply directly.
From the sound of it, she wanted to receive the leaves on a regular basis. I wasn't sure how Nebula would respond, but I told Ein that I had no problem making the introduction.
That brought us to today, when Ein arrived at the house for their first face-to-face meeting. Nebula was social and reliable, and Ein was a composed, professional woman as long as the topic didn't drift toward maids, so the introductions went off without a hitch.
Since the opportunity had presented itself, Nebula decided to brew some tea using her own leaves. Despite her small stature, her movements were fluid and practiced. As she served the tea, a look of genuine astonishment crossed Ein’s face.
"...Magnificent. Her movements, her technique, the flavor of the tea itself... everything is so refined as to be beyond reproach. You possess a marvelous talent; you must certainly become a mai—no, excuse me, that was uncalled for."
"Hmm? What were you about to say?"
Given the context, I assumed she was about to suggest Nebula become a maid. It was rare for Ein to cut herself off like that when it came to her obsession, so I reflexively asked for clarification.
Ein wore a contemplative expression for a moment before explaining.
"No, the potential I sense from Nebula-sama is tremendous. I felt a talent that, should she ever walk the path of a maid, might one day even surpass my own. I was about to invite her to join our ranks. However... though it is a rare case indeed, Nebula-sama is fundamentally unsuited to the role."
"Unsuited? Why is that?"
Nebula was an attentive, good girl, and she possessed skills that both Illness and Ein recognized. If anything, I thought she was perfectly suited for it.
"The reason is simple: she does not belong to 'the side that serves.' Instead, she possesses the aura of 'the side that is served.' Much like Chrome-sama, she is a being meant to stand above others. Conversely, those who possess such an aura are usually fatally unsuited to being maids... or so it should be..."
"Yeah?"
Setting aside the confusing talk about auras, it was rare to hear Ein hesitate. There was a faint note of doubt in her voice.
"And yet, for some reason, the sight of Nebula-sama serving Kaito-sama feels perfectly natural. It is a strange thing. Even though the aura I sense and the reality of the situation do not match, they harmonize in a bizarre, contradictory way. It’s a bit confusing, honestly. She seems suited for it, yet not... I have never encountered anyone who gives me such a feeling before."
"...I see. I think I understand what you're trying to say, Ein-san. And the answer is easy!"
What Ein was talking about was complete gibberish to me, but Nebula seemed to have grasped it perfectly. She spoke up with total confidence.
"It is because I am the Absolute One, regardless of my position! No matter what role I inhabit, the fact of my status remains unshakable. Therefore, my existence harmonizes with any and every situation!"
"I see. Because you possess a standing more certain than simply being above or below, you remain unshaken... That resonates deeply with the way of the maid."
...No, it really doesn't. Why does this woman insist on linking everything back to maids?
Regardless, I really wished she’d stop discussing my cute Nebula on the same level as those monsters known as master maids.
"...Um, we’re getting a bit off-track. Didn't you have a request for Nebula, Ein-san?"
"That is correct, my apologies. Nebula-sama, there is something I would very much like to ask of you."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I will pay whatever price you require. Would you be willing to provide me with those tea leaves on a regular basis from now on?"
"Sure. That’s fine."
"I understand, of course, that it might be diffi—wait, what?"
She’d spoken with such intensity... Ein had made her plea with a look of fierce determination, as if she were prepared to keep negotiating no matter how many times she was rejected. It was a far cry from her usual cool demeanor. Yet, Nebula had agreed without a second thought.
Left trailing behind the conversation, Ein could only blink in stunned silence.
"Let’s see. Would it be alright if I gave you one standard tea tin every month? I don’t particularly need money, but I suppose that would weigh on your conscience, wouldn't it? You can decide on an amount that feels fair to you."
"Eh? No... yes. As far as I am concerned, this is more than I could have hoped for. Are you truly certain?"
"Naturally! I am the Absolute One; I would never turn away a hand reached out to me!"
"Th-Thank you very much!"
With Nebula’s ready agreement, Ein’s long-held wish was fulfilled. She bowed her head deeply in gratitude.
"...Um, if Nebula is okay with it, I won't stand in her way, but are you sure? It won't be a burden?"
"It’s no trouble at all. I can easily adjust the amount I produce. Originally, I was only matching the amount we consumed here at the house, so increasing the yield is quite simple."
Since Nebula was such a kind girl, I’d worried she might have agreed just to be polite, but it seemed there really wasn't an issue. Then again, the fact that she’d managed her tea field to produce exactly what we needed and nothing more was just another example of her incredible precision.
Maid Power: Extra Edition
Nebula (Estimated Maid Power: Unmeasurable)
Since she is not a maid and does not possess a Maidric Aura, her Maid Power cannot be measured. However, Ein sensed a tremendous talent from her, describing her as the only person other than Alice who might eventually surpass her.
According to Ein, she possesses the "aura of one who is served" and should be unsuited to the profession, yet she remains a mysterious being who feels perfectly natural in a serving role. In short, while her Absolute One Aura makes her technically unsuited to being a maid, her raw talent is peerless.
Serious-senpai: "I was just thinking, but Kaito doesn't really react much to how incredible Nebula is, does he?"
???: "That’s just how it is. We saw signs of it during the Six Kings Festival too, but he’s basically become a doting parent—just like he is with Bell and Rin. He thinks it’s only natural for her to be amazing."
Serious-senpai: "...Ah, right. Now that you mention it, he did say something about how Bell would win the Monster Race by a landslide if it ever entered."