Dragons.
The strongest creatures that have ever existed.
Vicious monsters that breathe fire and destroy everything in their path.
With their ancient magic and powerful wings.
The dragons are known as the kings of the sky.
And these are beings that couldn't possibly exist in this world
...
Or at least...
That's what I thought...
...
...
...
"AUGH!" The burning light was piercing my brain "NO! PLEASE! STOP!" My words sounded devoided of will as I felt the raspy movements of my tongue and my dry throat "Why do I do this to myself!?" Alas, I know the answer for such question but I am too ashamed of myself to even think about it, and the hangover certainly doesn't help "This is the last time I get drunk after work with Takiya!" A pitiful promise, for I know I will most likely break my oath tonight after my shift.
Being an adult is hard.
I wake up, feeling the familiar pains in my hips. Good grief, I am not that old to be having this sort of disease. Not even my mother complains about her body and she is already at that age. Then again, she has always been a super woman and I do need to remember to not think such things about the mother that raised me with love and care... Even though it has been a while since I visited or even called... Awkward...
I tap the surface of my little table beside my bed until I find my glasses. One would think with proper use, I would have already stopped using those things but the constant exposure to long periods of time in front of a small and antique computer has made a number on me. I don't really know why the boss would keep those dinosaurs in the office if it is pretty obvious it is completely unproductive. I am not asking for the best model in the market but a new computer with a respectable monitor would be nice... It is just a dream that will never become true...
Being an adult is hard.
Either way, I can feel this well-known and uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. I tried to not pay that much attention but as my sleepiness flies away, the nuisance just gets stronger... I am late for work. My body shots up and I run around the room screaming absolute nonsense while I try to get dressed and cover the smell of alcohol with a strong perfume Takiya bought for me as a joke... I hate that smelly thing but I have to accept it does the job properly, especially in this desperate situation.
I have no time to make some breakfast and I don't think I will even have the chance to visit the convenience store before I go to work. I could always ask Takiya to buy me something but I don't really want to bother him that much. He is a good guy and I feel I rely on him many times... Like that one time when I got totally wasted and he brought me home and in payment, I puked on his face... Hilarious...! I would say if I wasn't the one that barfed all over him... And over the front door of my apartment.
As I run towards the dining/living room I stumble on the many garbage bags I have left on the way. I always tell myself I will clean on the weekends but the reality is that I am so tired I sleep until noon and I laze around the rest of the day. Bags of garbage, Magazines strapped with a thread and several dirty clothes litter the floor. I am only grateful the smell isn't that noticeable... Yet. So I tell myself for the umpteenth time I will definitely clean this Sunday... Spoilers: I won't.
I finally reach the dining/living room and I decide to see if there is anything in the fridge. I moan in happiness when I see a single Onigiri from the convenience store hidden by the carton of milk. It is not ideal but I suppose it will definitely do the trick, and I can always take a short break and visit the cafeteria beside my office... It is not the best morning I had but things are certainly good! Nothing could possibly ruin this mood!
Nothing!
But suddenly... I stop and freeze completely on the spot.
Something is not right.
I can't remember what happened after I left Takiya at the bar. I remember taking the train on my own since I thought I could do it, I've done it before so I thought it will be a piece of cake. I remember paying my ticket and I also remember seeing my stop... I don't remember getting down in the right place. I can remember a deserted train station and lots of trees and then... And then...
But that is not important because that doesn't explain my current predicament. I am late for work, with tons of perfume in order to hide the stench of alcohol of my body, and with an Onigiri that is probably past the expiration date... That is not important...
What's important... What really matters...
It's him.
He is tall, even taller than any foreigner I have seen around the city and at the Comiket. His eyes are a peculiar blue, like a sapphire or some other precious material I haven't even heard of. His hair is a scandalous brilliant purple with a tint of blue, like one of those peculiar things you notice on a cosplay. I am not an expert in men but I am sure he is 'Handsome'. His features are well defined and almost too perfect to be human. His skin seems to be made of milky porcelain, chiseled by an artist of the past. Even that golden crown-like thing on his head seems to fit him harmoniously... I could feel my skin blushing and my breath shaking. Not only he was magnificent in every way, there was a little detail that would make any of my species feel nervous and bothered... He was naked... And I thanked god for that.
"I was sure you would not wake up today, human" He spoke with a deep and elegant voice "I suppose you humans are more resistant than you look like..." He said before he sat on the couch and waited for me.
...
...
...
Horns. Strange hair. Beautiful eyes. Fit. Handsome. Where? Why? How? Came yesterday? Can't remember. No longer virgin? Is he real? He speaks weird. Am I still drunk? Man. Pervert. Exhibitionist. Not that bad. First time seeing one. He is rude. He is hot. Sleep deprived. Need coffee. Probably a hallucination. Feels real.
...
...
A dream.
That has to be.
"G-Good morning?"
"Good morning, human."
"W-Would you like some coffee."
"I have never been a fan of that beverage but I will accept anything you give me."
The conversation ended there. I went to the kitchen and prepared the coffee, he looks like of those guys who drink their coffee black with nothing in it. While I waited for the coffee, I got a chance to study his movements. He was just there looking at the television with no particular expression on his face. But now that I take a closer look, he doesn't look American or even British as I assumed considering his height. He does look like a European but also has some Asian features... I am definitely not looking at his body and I have no reason to feel ashamed... But I do suppose giving him some clothes may help to lighten the mood.
"H-Here" I shyly give him the cup "Y-You can also have this for... You know, to cover your b-body..."
He stares at the long shirt and the wide pants I found somewhere on the ground, the clothes were a gift from my mother but she gave me the wrong size. I usually use these clothes whenever I am too tired to put my pajamas on. The clothes should be clean enough since I haven't used them for a while... I hope they are... The stranger gives the clothes a cold glare before he takes them and begins dressing. Now that he has a pink shirt that says 'L.O.V.E.' and a pair of white shorts with strawberries I can relax... But I do feel like I am insulting him in some way.
We drink the coffee in total silence and the only sound I can hear is the clock on the wall.
I have never been good with this kind of situation. I used to be a pretty straight-forward child but the adolescence hit me hard, most of my days were spent on my own or with my small group of friends. University was a sad story and the only friend I still have contact with is Takiya. Every now and then I would receive calls from my other friends but it is mostly just the two of us... So I do not possess the enough social skills to begin a conversation with a handsome man, my co-workers are mostly middle-aged men, a few average youngsters and married women who already have a family on their own. Takiya could be considered 'cute' but this man is on a completely different level... The seconds feel like ages and I am afraid to even go to refill my mug with more coffee... I just want this nightmare to end so I can breathe again...
Miraculously, he makes the choice for me.
"Your nervousness is understandable, human, but I assure you I mean no harm to your well-being" He speaks with that elegant and cold tone again "Now that you are awake, we can finally discuss our arrangement and decide how our cohabitation will work..."
I almost spit my coffee "W-Wait... Cohabitation?! What do you mean with cohabitation?!"
"After I safely brought you home yesterday, you proposed me to have my residence here at your household. I rejected your offer saying I couldn't possibly cause you any sort of trouble but you insisted. I tried to appeal to reason but you were already out cold. I supposed I could always just leave without saying a word... But I realized your offer wasn't actually awful. If I want to dwell and explore this word I need a safe space in which I can hide should any problem arise. Seeing you completely unconscious I decided to wait patiently until you were not influenced by strange elixirs so we could discuss the terms and conditions of our agreement."
As he spoke, I could feel my mouth opening further with each word. There was no way I had the courage to speak to this beautiful man and it was impossible to even think I offered my house...! Something wasn't making sense I am sure I don't want to have anything to do with a perverted exhibitionist... But something is definitely strange... How did I even met this pretty boy? The bar I always visit is always filled with old men and workers of the office.
"W-Wait... Just... Just give me a second... There... There is just too much to take and I... I don't... I can't..."
"Well, that sort of thought is understandable. Not many humans would even dare to speak to me the way you did yesterday but then again, you were drunk and probably didn't have the proper capabilities to make a logical decision... But, I have decided to accept your offer so I hope we can... 'Get along'." He said taking my hand and shaking it "I do believe we have already introduced ourselves but doing it again for the sake of manners is logical... I am Aurelion Sol, the Star Forger. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
"K-Kobayashi..." Was all I could say while my brain tried to understand everything "So... So this is not a d-dream...?"
"No, this isn't a dream."
The pressure was getting the best of me and I couldn't hold it anymore "B-but I don't remember you! I don't remember meeting and promising such thing! What happened yesterday?"
"It can't be helped. The amount of alcohol in your system was quite high so I guess that explains your amnesia... We met in the mountains and that was when you asked me to take you home."
"T-The mountains?! B- But at the mountains I..." Suddenly, a gigantic and mighty figure appeared in my mind "In the mountains... In the mountains I... I met a dragon...!"
"A celestial dragon. Your species probably can't tell the difference between me and the other races but you now know the truth."
This... This was ridiculous! This man just appeared out of nowhere, saying all these things and claiming he is a dragon...! A dragon I invited to my house when I was drunk... Well, I can accept I am to blame for this outcome and I know it was my fault fro getting drunk but there was more to it. This wasn't a dream... So that meant...
I was late for work.
I look at the clock and my world breaks apart. Only ten minutes remaining. There is no way I can make it in time... Just perfect. My eyes began to water... I really want to scream and throw a tantrum but that has never been my style. I always bottle up everything and simply look for an answer... But right now, my world makes no sense at all.
"What is wrong, human?" I can't look at him so I focus on the table.
Many things are wrong "I am late for work" I always lie when it hurts. "I won't make it in time."
"I see... Is it my fault for distracting you?"
"Yes. I was already late but I could still make it... Now, there is no way I can do it..."
"I see... Where do you work, human?" Why do you even care?
"Near the station of Shibuya. It is a small company called 'Yamaka and associates'" I still answer, nothing matters now.
"I see..." That is all he says...
...
...
...
Suddenly, a bright light appears in front of me. I lift my head and see a something strange in his hands. It looks like some of the atoms I've seen of television, a bunch of circles describing strange axis at an amazing speed. I can feel the wind caressing my head and I can hear a strange thunder inside my apartment... But he was calm, he didn't react any of these phenomena and was not surprised. He is in fact focused on something I cannot see... And I can hear his voice in my head...
"This will do. I have located your office and you will be there shortly. As I said before, we will 'cohabitate' in harmony and peace so I apologize for being an obstacle in your daily routine. I will also deal with this filthy place as I see fit... And I think I know the right dragon for the job... Either way, treat me well, Miss Kobayashi." And the light engulfed my whole body.
I felt like a cloud in the air, my body lost all sort of form and was just a bunch of particles flying on the ether with no objective or purpose... And then...
"Ah! Miss Kobayashi! I didn't see you there!" Takiya said cheerfully "I was looking for you! You were not coming so I began to worry. You should have told me you were resting here at the smokers area! Not sure why would you be here since you don't smoke but I am glad you made it in time. We should hurry since the boss seems rather pissed today and..." The rest was omitted as I tried to understand what just happened.
Everything was real... He was a dragon, he had powers, I met him yesterday, I asked him to stay at my house, he accepted... It is real... I appeared here at the company in a matter of seconds... He is a dragon... He is real... And he is my new roommate...
But despite all these facts...
The only thing I care about is the smile he gave me before I disappeared from my house...
...
And what did he mean with 'the right dragon for the job'?
Humans are careless!
(The heroine is still a dragon maid.)
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH 'THE RIGHT DRAGON FOR THE JOB', HUH?" Tohru said spitting fire from her maw.
Well... It is safe to assume she is mad at me. Although I simply can't understand why. Tohru roared and lunged her massive paw at me as if that could actually harm me in any way. I simply slap the attack away with ease. She should know by now the abyssal difference in our powers but I do suppose terrestrial dragons can't still grasp the concept of surrender in order to survive... So be it.
She roars again and I can see a magical circle forming around her maw. The potency of the attack could very well erase the whole city behind me... Including my new apartment and Kobayashi. That is not acceptable.
Tohru has finished channeling her spell and is ready to destroy everything... But she suddenly freezes in place, the magic circle breaks and she remains where she is, looking at the sky while she shivers in horror. As a cosmic and celestial dragon, I am familiarized with the astral plane and I do know a few tricks I learned from the Arclights when they were alive. Tohru is now witnessing my astral projection, my true from only visible for her. And I can see in her eyes she has learned who is the superior being... Good girl.
"As I was saying before..." I speak to her "I am expecting you to work for Kobayashi and me in her apartment. Single humans tend to grow with no regards to sanity and order, and I know by experience that terrestrial dragons are quite obsessed with such things... You said you owned me your life... Consider this our deal. You will be Kobayashi's servant until the day she dies... Or you die, whichever happens first."
"D-Do you think I will simply accept this ludicrous treatment without defiance?!" Oh... The baby dragon has courage. "I will not be intimidated by anyone! Not even you...! E-Even though I can see you are something even more sinister than a god!"
"You are smart, Baby dragon. I am indeed more dangerous than a god" She shivers at my wicked smile "Let me rephrase my proposition: Work for Kobayashi and me, and I will make one of your wishes a reality."
"You... You don't mean...!"
"Tohru, I am a celestial being. I was born before time and space were given a course. I have watched this universe begin and end countless times. I am a cosmic entity. Many of the lights your see on the sky are my creations and even this wretched planet can be considered a byproduct of my stars... Tohru, I can do everything. You said it yourself... I am worse than a god... I am a dragon and I am the Star Forger."
The seed of doubt has been planted and I can see she herself knows my words are correct. She is a terrestrial dragon so she is bound to have weaknesses... But the common disease is greed. And as a chaos dragon, I can feel she has lots of it.
"You promise?" Huh? I was not expecting this, her voice sounds weak... And almost pleading.
"I am a dragon like you. You know our promises transcend time and space."
"Then... I will trust you." Another magic circle appears in front of her but I can tell the spell is different. She glows with a crimson light and... Oh! That is an actual surprise." Tch, I can't believe Dragonette's magic would be useful someday!" The once emerald and terrifying dragon is now a young and beautiful child. With golden strands of hair and a pair of peculiar crimson eyes. I can see she still can properly transform as her horns and tail are still visible... But her overall frame is quite good and even attractive. She has talent and I can give her that. "What are you looking at, huh?!" He manners still need some work, though.
"You are a fine lady" I point out with vice.
"S-Shut up! Dirty old man!"
"It was a compliment." I chuckle at her embarrassed visage "Either way, there are a few things that you still need to cover in order to be a proper member of society."
"What?"
"You need clothes," I said handing her a paper I found In Kobayashi's apartment. "Use this image as an example of your expected garments."
"B-But these are servant clothes! Why must I wear this sort of thing?!"
"I do believe that is the kind of work I asked you to do."
"But I-! But you-! You promised-!" She is trying to find a way to complain but I remain stoic "ARGH! Fine! I will wear this stupid clothes!" Her body glowed once again and she is now wearing the clothes. It is a simple one-piece black dress with a pair of conservative shoes and a red ribbon tied around her waist, white gloves on her hands and a white hairband on her hair. She actually looked kind of funny and cute "What is this supposed to be, anyways?!"
"The paper said something about a 'Maid cafe Cozy' but the clothes fit just right... Now, before I can propose this idea to Kobayashi we must discuss some things."
"What kind of things?"
"The Maid's precepts"
1.- HouseMaid: You clean the house.
"This place is a mess!" Tohru complains looking at Kobayashi's apartment.
"That is correct. Now, show me how you deal with this kind of problem."
"Alright!" Tohru breathes slowly and a beam of energy appears in her mouth. Suddenly, the apartment is lit with a flash and everything is vaporized "What do you think?!"
"Hmph... Most of the things are gone but the house is clean. You pass!"
2.- LaundryMaid: You wash dirty clothes.
"Since you vaporized everything in the Dining/Living room, we will use Kobayashi's clean clothes and pretend they are dirty" I explain, giving Tohru everything I found on Kobayashi's closet "Show me how you deal with this problem."
"Alright!" Tohru says putting the clothes in her mouth "Meh spit Phrodhuces enzhymes that ahre ged aghainst sthains" She spits the clothes on the ground and shows them to me "What do you think?"
"The method can be improved in several ways but I do recognize its effectiveness. You pass!"
3.- ParlourMaid: You receive the visits.
"Let's imagine I am a complete stranger and I am at the door... How will you handle me?"
"Hmm..." Tohru hums, thoughtful "You better stay away from here, human! Lower and pathetic beings such as yourself had nothing to do in my realm! Begone before I loose my patience" Tohru groans with fire in her eyes "What do you think?"
"You could always say they are mediocre creatures with no other purpose in life outside of their demise... But I think it is enough. You pass!"
4.- KitchenMaid: You cook the meals.
The strange piece of meat in front of me could not be described with normal words. The gigantic chunk of grilled cuisine had this peculiar shades of red, purple, green and pink. Several juices of a golden color erupted here and there giving it the feeling of something that was recently killed and cooked while it was still alive.
"It is my tail!" Tohru explains with pride "It is filled with many vitamins and minerals! It provides everything a lowlife human being needs in order to survive."
"I see..." I comment cutting a piece of it, it soft and there is a peculiar smell on it. I put the chunk of meat in my mouth and I savor every part of it "Hmm... It tastes sweet and creamy. You did a good job with the seasonings and the ingredients."
"It was expected of me!" Tohru exclaims happily "But... Do you think I should get rid of the poison? I mean, a dragon won't die from it... But I am not sure about a human..."
"I think Kobayashi is not one of those exigent humans... But I suppose we should avoid problems... Next time, get rid of the poison. You pass!"
"I knew I could do it!" Tohru says hopping around the room "But... Why a maid? I am sure there are better ways to call a servant. Even being a slave would fit the description at some point..."
"Well, let's just say that Kobayashi likes maids" I explain to her while my eyes wander to a peculiar calendar with pictures on it.