At any rate, the battle (?) between Beatrice and Nebula probably hasnāt really turned into an actual battle, but the story of determining competence seemed to have been won by Nebulaā¦
Although there were some unfamiliar Maid-related exchanges, the matter is now settled for the momentā¦ā¦
[Thank you very much, Master. Thanks to Master, I remembered what was important before the Maid Olympia.]
[Iām glad you found my advice helpful.]
There, I heard something I didnāt want to hear. The Maid Olympia, the Festival of Maidsā¦ā¦ From the way she said it, it sounded like that event was about to take placeā¦ā¦
I have a bad feeling about this, so I didnāt really want to know if it was possibleā¦ā¦
Just as I was thinking that, Beatrice-san turned to Luna-san and spoke.
[Come to think of it, this would be the first time Lunamaria would participate, right?]
[Yes. My Maid Power had not yet reached the standard 4 years ago, so this would be the first time Iām finally able to participate.]
[I seeā¦ā¦ Itās amazing how much you can improve as a maid within 4 years. However, the Maid Olympia isnāt an event you can easily win. Please participate thinking that everyone around you surpasses you.]
[Yes! However, I canāt show my ineptitude in front of āMilady, who will be coming to cheer me onā, so I intend to do my very best.]
Luna-san responds strongly to Beatrice-sanās words, but I wonder if saying that is alright though? I mean, Lilia-san looked as if that was the first time she heard what you just saidā¦ā¦
[ā¦ā¦Ummm, Luna? Thatās the first time about that, errr, Maid Olympia though? Is there such a competition?]
[Yes, the Maid Olympia, held once every 4 years, is a festival for maids, by maids. I can finally participate in it for the first time this year.]
[I- I seeā¦ā¦ Good for you butā¦ā¦ Errr, what did you mean Iām cheering for you?]
In response to Luna-san, who vigorously nodded her head, Lilia-san had a bewildered expression on her face, clearly showing that she couldnāt keep up with all the Maid-related conversation.
I understand her feelings very well, and in fact, I myself couldnāt keep up with what was going on very well. Also, I feel like I stay here like this, Iām likely gonna get caught up too, so if itās possible, Iād like to go home nowā¦ā¦ but it seemed like I had missed that timing when I could leave.
[ā¦ā¦Eh? I thought Lili, my best friend, would be there to support me on my big dayā¦ā¦ Am I mistaken?]
[ā¦ā¦Iāll be there.]
[As expected of Milady, Iām happy to have a master who knows whatās up.]
And there, I witnessed Lilia-sanās weakness. No, well, due to Lilia-sanās personality, it seems that when she gets told like that, she canāt even refuseā¦ā¦ No, can you please not look at me like youāre asking for my help? I donāt really want to be a part of that if I can help it.
I feel like if I get involved in the Maid World any further, their craziness would erode my brain as wellā¦ā¦
[Ahh, speaking of which, as for Miyama-sama, I heard that President Ein is planning to invite you as a special guest.]
[ā¦ā¦Thatās the first time I heard that though. Also, Iād like it if you really excuse me from thatā¦ā¦]
[As for how youāll be treated, wouldnāt he be a Special Judge or something along those lines?]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦]
Ahh, thatās really bad. I really donāt want to have a role like that. I mean, Iām completely clueless about Maidsā¦ā¦ No, even if I did understand normal maids, I donāt think I could keep up with this worldās concept of Maids.
However, even when I thought earlier that Lilia-san was vulnerable to being requested by othersā¦ā¦ Iām also as weak as her in most cases. If Ein-san really makes a serious request, thereās a high chance that I wonāt be able to refuse and will end up accepting it.
I wonder if there was a way to avoid that somehowā¦ā¦ but then, I heard the devilās whispers being spoken out of Luna-sanās lips.
[Ahh, but if you have already decided to watch the game as part of the audience, I donāt think President Ein will force you to do that though.]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦]
Assuming that I canāt turn down Ein-sanās request, I have two options before me. I would either be a Special Judge under the pressure of Ein-sanās request, or participate in the Maid Olympia myself only as an audienceā¦ā¦
Unfortunately, it seems like simply not going isnāt an option. After all, if Ein-san gets visibly sad after my refusalā¦ā¦ Ahh, this is impossible. I canāt refuse her.
[ā¦ā¦I suppose so. I feel sorry for refusing Ein-san, but I also want to support Luna-sanās first participation, so I guess Iāll have to refuse to be a judgeā¦ā¦]
[Oya, for even Miyama-sama to be supporting me, this unworthy Lunamaria couldnāt help tearing up in gratitude. I really have no choice but to do my very best then.]
It canāt be helped. It canāt be helpedā¦ā¦ Itās far better to watch as an audience than to make an appearance as a Special Judge.
As my shoulders drooped down while I convinced myself like that, Lilia-san went to my side and patted my shoulder.
[ā¦ā¦Kaito-san, just give up. Letās go there together.]
[ā¦ā¦To be honest, the only saving grace of this event is that Lilia-san would be there with me.]
[I feel the same way.]
Whatās really fortunate is that Lilia-san, who isnāt tainted by the Maid Logic, would be there with me, so this will help me feel a little less left behindā¦ā¦ or soā¦ā¦ Iād like to hope. That happening would be nice.
***
[Afterword]
Serious-senpai : [Ahh, that Maidās Challenge title refers to this huhā¦ā¦ It was an unexpected start for the Maid Olympia Arc huhā¦ā¦]