Chapter 533: First Anniversary Extra Chapter ~~ Proclamation: Maid Prohibition ~~ (2/2)

[Yeah, that's for sure……]

[Yes. Kaito-sama, for this whole day…… I will be relying on you.]

[You can count on me.]

It seemed that Ein-san was starting to feel a little more relaxed, as a smile finally returned to her lips. She doesn't have her usual elegant smile, but a lovely girlish smile, making me feel like I'm seeing another side of her.

Now then, according to the ”plan”…… I'll be with her for 6 around hours? Putting that aside, I'll make sure that Ein-san is having fun……

Just like that, as Ein-san and I firmly held each other's hand, we decided to enjoy this rare opportunity to the fullest.

After her date with Kaito, Ein walked back to Kuromueina's castle, absentmindedly thinking about things.

(I think it's safe to say…… that today was the most fun I've ever had huh. Perhaps, the pride I have for being a maid has also been a restraint on my emotions.)

Even though she had been walking around all day in a state she's unaccustomed to, Ein's body was still full of energy and was even in better shape than usual.

Her mind, which had always been tense because she's the perfect maid, was refreshed, making her cheerful.

(Kuromu-sama must have been trying to make me realize this. I see, indeed…… I guess going back to just Ein…… isn't so bad.)

Remembering her date with Kaito, Ein came home with a gentle smile on her face…… only to be greeted by ”the sound of crackers”.

[ [ [ [ Ein (-san), happy birthday! ] ] ] ]

[……Eh?]

Her beloved family gathered in the center of the room, in the center of them was the smiling Kuromueina. That unexpected sight completely caught Ein off guard, which is quite unusual for her.

And then, as Ein was still standing blankly, her mind still not catching up with the situation, Kuromueina gently spoke to her.

[Welcome back, Ein.]

[K- Kuromu-sama, t- this is……]

[Fufufu, you must be quite surprised, aren't you? Today's the first day of the Heaven month, Ein's birthday.]

[……Ah.]

[I tried to make a surprise party this year, but it was really hard to slip through Ein's eyes since you're doing everything around the house.]

Yes, the main reason why Kuromueina issued the ban on maids was, of course, she wanted Ein, who was usually straining herself, to get some rest, but she also wanted to keep Ein away from the castle while she prepared for the surprise party.

[Come on, Ein. Over here.]

[K- Kuromu-sama?]

Pulling the stunned Ein by the hand, Kuromueina took her to the dining hall where the party was to be held. When Acht and Eval, who had been waiting for her, opened the door to the dining room, they saw a large cake and ”a certain something”.

It's very familiar to Ein as it is placed in the center of the dining hall as a decoration……

[T- This is……]

[Fufufu, this, you see…… It's a new maid uniform made with materials we all gathered and asked Shalltear to make it for us.]

[……………….]

Yes, it's the apron dress that Ein usually wears…… The design was very similar to that of a maid uniform, but it was made with the best material and techniques. A birthday present from her family to Ein……

Holding it with her trembling hands, Ein seems to be overcome with emotion as she spoke.

[……T- Thank you. Kuromu-sama…… Everyone……]

[Unnn…… Ein, thank you for always looking out for us everyday.]

[……Yes.]

[……By the way, did you have fun today? Well, you're with Kaito-kun, so I think it should be okay but……]

[……Eh? Kuromu-sama, how did you know that?]

As his family members warmly watched Ein thank them with tears in her eyes, Kuromueina suddenly asked, to which Ein tilted her head in wonder.

Thereupon, Kuromueina smiled, as if her prank was a success and she's currently revealing her hidden trick.

[Well, I knew that Ein would go to Kaito-kun's place…… so I asked Kaito-kun to take care of Ein beforehand.]

[S- So that's what happened……]

[Unnn, it would have been great if Kaito-kun came to the party but…… saying ”This is a good opportunity for all of you to have fun together as a family”, he refused. Ahh, but he still prepared a birthday gift, and I'll give it to you later.]

Apparently, Kaito knew about this surprise party right from the start. Hearing that, Ein thought back to the time she spent with Kaito today, and remembered about how he was indeed looking like he was checking the time.

[Well, anyway, let's start the party!]

[……Kuromu-sama……]

[Unnn?]

[…..I'm quite the lucky person, aren't I? For me to have so many people care about me……]

[That's just how much everyone loves you, Ein.]

[……Yes. I'm really happy about that.]

The smile on Ein's face as she said that…… was the brightest smile she ever had.

Talking about what happened after that day, Ein started taking a day off about once a month. For that one day, she changes her maid uniform to casual clothes, and spends the day not as Ein, the maid, but as just Ein.

During her day off, Ein would always visit the Human Realm, and her family, who knows about what was going on, would see her off with a smile.

Serious-senpai : [This is totally unrelated, but there is actually an ultra ultimate secret-rare version of me wearing Isis' clothes. It's actually a sticker added as thanks for a certain fan letter Author-san received or so I heard…… I knew it, I'm really the one carrying this novel eh?]

? ? ? : [That's not gonna happen.]