There was an elementary school girl named Chiharu Hitsuji, a bright sixth-grader who could already tackle junior high-level problems to some extent.
However, she had some shortcomings. One of them was her clumsiness.
She still couldn’t crack an egg without accidentally breaking it. Her coordination was not bad, but surprisingly, she lacked flexibility. For example, when throwing a ball, she could throw it fast.
But sometimes she would throw it in quite a bizarre direction. She was what you might call a “noob” at it.
“Chiharu, please try to aim when you throw.”
“Sure thing.”
In the gymnasium during physical education class, Chinatsu and Chiharu were playing catch. It was a baseball class, but they had to do it indoors because it was raining outside.
“You know, Haru is unexpectedly clumsy. I used to think you were an Onee-chan who could do anything.” Chinatsu said.
“Well, I am an Onee-chan who can do anything.”
“No, no, you also have limits, you know.”
The two of them tossed the ball back and forth while carrying on their conversation.
“Maid outfit…”
“What did you say?”
“It’s nothing.”
Chiharu remembered Sakura’s suggestion about trying on a maid’s outfit. In her current state, her purposes and goals were gradually fading away.
She wanted to grasp onto something, anything. She wondered what she should do in the future when her younger sisters surpassed her or no longer needed her.
What should she do? What would be her anchor in life? She was searching for that.
Although she was still just an elementary school student, she was looking ahead into the long future. What would things be like ten or twenty years from now?
(Well, I do intend to live with Onii-san, but… maybe I should try serving him more.)
Chifuyu, Chiaki, and Chinatsu. All three of them could see their paths clearly. She also wanted to see something for herself.
(Serving Onii-san. In other words, once I start working, it will be something like living at home with both of us working…)
As she imagined these thoughts in her mind, she made an errant throw during their game of catch. Chinatsu exclaimed as the ball flew in an unexpected direction.
“Ah, sorry.”
Chiharu wore a troubled expression as she apologized to Chinatsu; she had spent quite a bit of time thinking but ultimately came up with nothing.
For a brief moment, the phrase Sakura, her best friend, had mentioned about wearing a maid outfit crossed her mind. No, that would probably be too painful to watch.
It would have been just fine if her adorable angelic sisters were the ones doing it, and she could have captured that moment on camera. However, Chiharu had a sense it wouldn’t look as good on her, given her unexpressive demeanor.
No, she sensed it wouldn’t be right. With that feeling in mind, time continued to pass.
On her way back home, she remained lost in thought. While riding the bus, her sisters chatted away, oblivious to her inner turmoil.
“I got praised by the teacher for my summer break painting homework,” Chiaki said.
“Oh my, that’s amazing!” Chinatsu said.
“That’s incredible, Aki-nee,” Chifuyu added.
Normally, she would hug Chiaki while exclaiming how amazing she was while patting her head. However, this time, she furrowed her brows, still lost in her thoughts, and refrained from doing any of that.
After arriving home, completing their homework, and enjoying a snack of chocolate, the sisters each went their separate ways. Chifuyu started her self-study session, Chinatsu meticulously delved into her gaming endeavors, and Chiaki took a nap.
Chiharu, upon confirming this, discreetly retrieved the maid outfit from her room.
(What difference would it make if I wore it? Probably none. But even I feel like I should experience《《some sort of change》》. Wearing a maid outfit might not make much sense, though.)
Silently, she slipped into the bathroom like a ninja, swiftly removing her regular clothes and changing into the maid’s outfit.
It had frilly fabric and followed the classic color scheme of white and black. A cute black ribbon adorned the neckline.
“…Surprisingly, it suits me?”
Chiharu examined her reflection in the mirror. She was usually apathetic, indifferent, and expressionless, with no interest in anyone except her sisters. She believed she was nothing special. However, she found herself thinking that she looked surprisingly cute in the outfit.
“Well, I, Chinatsu, Chiaki, and Chifuyu all look alike since we’re quadruplets, so that makes sense.”
(Should I try some cute poses or something…?)
Sticking her tongue out and flashing a peace sign, she even attempted a seductive expression, experimenting with various poses on her own.
“Surprisingly cute. I wonder if Onii-san would say I’m cute too…”
Kaito came to her mind. He often complimented her, but it had never really meant much to her. However, now she started to wonder if his previous words came from the heart.
“Maybe…”
“…Mn-“
“….!?”
When a voice sounded from behind, Chiharu turned around to find that Chiaki had opened the door and was staring at her. Thinking she had been caught in an embarrassing moment, she quickly ushered Chiaki into the bathroom and closed the door.
“I can’t believe Chiharu is wearing a maid outfit,” Chiaki remarked.
“Weren’t you napping?”
“I woke up. When I woke up, I couldn’t find you, so I went looking for you. And then, I never expected to find you in a maid outfit.”
“…Promise me you won’t tell anyone about this,” Chiharu pleaded.
“I promise!”
“You really promise?”
“Yes! I promise! A promise is a promise!”
“It’s not just about keeping a secret, it’s also because it’s embarrassing; this is a top-secret secret.”
“Oh, it’s like being a spy, cool!”
“Yeah, that’s why you can’t tell anyone.”
“Aww, but I want to tell Chinatsu and Chifuyu!”
“No.”
Chiaki thought about spreading the word about Chiharu, but Chiharu insisted against it.
“I’ll buy you some snacks with my allowance next time.”
“Really!?”
“Yes.”
“Got it! It’s a secret!”
“It’s our secret, just between us.”
Under Chiharu’s persuasion, she managed to regain her composure. She still didn’t have the courage to show anyone the maid outfit for now, but she began to think that maybe, someday, she could show it to Kaito.
“Why do you want to keep it a secret when you look so cute, Chiharu?”
“Because, compared to me, Chiaki is cuter. It’s embarrassing.”
“I am definitely cute. But, Chiharu, you’re not losing to anyone.”
“Really?”
“I’ve been saying that all along. But you never believe me.”
“I see.”
Chiaki oohs and aahs as she marveled at Chiharu’s maid attire; she couldn’t help but touch the frilly fabric.
“It suits you! You’re cute! You may not match up to me though.” Chiaki said.
“I know.”
“Don’t you ever want to be the cutest, Chiharu? In order to not lose to your sisters?”
“…I’ve never really thought about it.”
“Hmm, I’m half devil and half angel, so you can’t win. But I feel like you can put up a good fight.”
“…Maybe you’re right. It would be interesting if I could become the best,” Chiharu said.
(I had never thought that I would be, want to be, or could be the best of my sisters.)
(But, maybe, just a little bit, when it came to Onii-san… sometimes.)
Chiharu gazed at her reflection in the mirror. It showed her usual expressionless self. She suddenly smiled.
Seeing Chiaki smiling, she decided to mimic her.
“With this smile, could I be called the cutest…?”
She said those words, which were not directed at anyone in particular. However, she quickly shook her head, realizing that it was unlikely, and laughed.
“Fufu, probably not. Well, at least someone will say I’m cute.”
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