My stint as a special judge had finally concluded, and I returned to my seat in the stands. With the award ceremony about to begin, the top eight contestants—including the winner, Beatrice-san—were set to receive subsidiary prizes. Consequently, Luna-san had also headed down toward the floor.
"So, is that it? We just watch the ceremony and call it a day?" Akane asked.
"Oh, no. There’s still the after-party to get through," Lilia-san explained.
"An after-party?"
"The maids who made the top eight prepare a spread of food and sweets for everyone to enjoy. It’s essentially a showcase to demonstrate the skills of the elite competitors."
"Hah, that actually sounds like a good time."
I see, so there was still one more event on the schedule. Since Luna-san was among the top eight, she’d be busy on the catering side. It looked like Lilia-san and I wouldn't be able to leave until the reception wrapped up.
That said, I’d just polished off two full gourmet meals at the judge's table and was completely stuffed. I decided I'd stick to just a few light sweets once the party started.
"Good work out there, Kaito-san," Lilia-san said, welcoming me back.
"Haha, thanks. Things took a bit of a bizarre turn at the very end, but I guess that’s the Maid Olympia for you. It feels like things have finally settled down. Aside from that last bit, it was actually quite fun."
"Yes, the events were quite creative, and it was certainly entertaining as a spectator... Though, to be perfectly honest, I’d prefer not to come back a second time."
"I know exactly what you mean. The feeling of being a fish out of water is a bit much."
In all honesty, the Maid Olympia had been enjoyable in its own way. Being thrust into the special judge's seat at the last minute was stressful, but I’d had fun despite the constant need to provide mental commentary on the absurdity of it all.
Still, it was a space populated almost entirely by maids, and the conversation frequently veered into bizarre maid theories that I couldn't even begin to follow. I’d had enough of that for one lifetime.
"...Wait, Luna-san made the top eight, didn't she? Doesn't that mean she gets an exemption from the preliminaries next time?"
"I intend to refuse," Luna-san muttered firmly.
"Hmm. I don't mean this in a bad way, but Lilia-san, I honestly can't see a future where you’re able to turn down a persistent invitation..."
"What a coincidence," Lilia-san replied with a sigh. "I have a feeling I'll be talked into it as well. If that happens, I’m dragging you along with me, Kaito-san. Consider yourself warned."
"Ehhhh...?"
"Hehe."
Lilia-san let out a mischievous giggle. She was probably joking, but I couldn't help but wonder. If I didn't show up to support Luna-san at the next Maid Olympia, there was a very real chance I’d just be recruited as a special judge again, just like today.
In an ideal world, I’d be able to just say no, but I’m a bit of a pushover when people start pleading with me. I have a feeling I’d just end up going with the flow anyway.
If that was the case, it might actually be safer to just attend as a supporter from the start.
"Are you staying for the after-party too, Akane-san?" I asked. "Since we’re waiting for Luna-san, we’ll probably be here until the very end."
"Well, I wouldn't mind heading home early, but Frau probably wants to see it through. Besides, it’s a free meal, so I might as well hang around for a bit. I don't plan on staying for the whole thing, though. I'll likely slip out halfway."
"What? We aren't staying until the end, Chairman?" Frau protested. "Come on, let’s stay and join in on the heated maid discussions!"
"If you try to drag me into something like that, I'm leaving you behind."
"If I get stranded, will my teleportation fees be covered as a business expense?"
"Not a chance in hell!"
"Tsk... What a shame."
It seemed Frau-san couldn't use teleportation magic herself. Since she relied on Akane-san to get home, she was forced to leave whenever the boss decided it was time.
Still, Akane-san seemed set on an early exit. I couldn't blame her. The crowd was massive, and the teleportation gates were bound to be a nightmare of congestion and long waits. Moving between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm, in particular, required high-level magic or an incredibly expensive teleportation magic tool.
Lilia-san, Luna-san, and I were fine, though. Between my own magic tools and the latest model Lilia-san had received as a Six Kings Festival commemorative gift, getting home would be a breeze.
"Speaking of which, the Phantom Maid seems to have vanished into thin air. She truly was an enigmatic presence," Lilia-san remarked.
Alice had disappeared as soon as the exhibition match ended. Well, technically she was still right behind me at this very moment, but to all the other maids, she’d left behind nothing but an aura of mystery.
...Anyway, I suppose it’s time to wrap up this Maid Olympia by enjoying the after-party.
Serious-senpai: "So, is that the end of the Maid Olympia Arc?"
???: "Seems like it-ssu. We’ve had a lot of 'serious' content lately, so maybe a sweet story next?"
Serious-senpai: "Could you... not? I’m not talking about the sweet stories. I’m talking about counting this whole 'Maid War' as a serious arc..."