Chapter 13
Welcome to Kagura's Home, Keiji
On the way to Kagura's house, Tomo Maiden was sitting in the front seat of Minamo's car, hoping to go see her. She then told her story about how she became a Maiden to Minamo, as she was driving.
"So, how did you become a Maiden?" She asked.
Tomo responded, "Well, it's kind of a long story… My memory is a bit fuzzy, but I think I can speak about what happened. I was the first Maiden, created by Koyomi Mizuhara, about eight months ago. At first, I was tested to be a great Maiden for Hire; however, my attitude was similar to the real Tomo Takino. I was due for dismantling, but I ran away, hoping that I cannot be dead. However, my walk of pain, wore out my circuits and gears. My energy was increasing, thanks to my solar panel addition."
Minamo asked, "You must've been a special Maiden."
"Well, not really," she said, "When Tomo disappeared, people said that I am her. So, my memories were erased manually. When I saw Koyomi, my Maiden for Hire that looked like my creator, I was happy for one. But… but she made me recognize who or what I am."
"And you were spared by Yomi, right?"
"Yes. And to boot, she gave me a job as Ayu Takano's Maiden, during her visit to Japan. It wasn't long before I found out that she was Tomo Takino, all along. Koyomi told me so, back then, but I didn't believe her."
"Yeah, about Koyomi… Whatever happened to her?"
She cringed, "She's… She's gone. It's a sad story there. Koyomi was a Koyomi Playmate, which was an unreleased robot for pleasure. When the company found me, she made Koyomi from a playmate into a Maiden. But her Pleasure Mode was up to 11."
"Damn, Tomo," Minamo giggled, "Miss Mizuhara knows how to please the people."
Tomo shook her head and said, "Well, she'd do that. Unfortunately, Koyomi fully recognized me, ever since we first met. But she broke down, destroying herself. I still miss her… and my body was destroyed."
She then pointed at her own chest and remarked, "This body, Miss Nyamo, is a new body I received, but it belonged to another Tomo Maiden. My old body was spare parts now and the solar panel in me was removed. They discontinued that feature, following my repairs."
Minamo nodded, "I'm sorry to hear that. So I see your skin is so sleek and shiny now."
"Of course," Tomo Maiden blushed, "This skin of my is very soft and cool. My old body had some loss of shine."
"Incidentally, should you still be called Tomo Maiden, since you have a new body?"
"Hmm… You're right, Kurosawa. Maybe I'll add "Version 2" in my introduction speech."
"Okay. That seems fair." Minamo nodded.
"By the way, tell me why you wanted to see Kagura," she requested.
Tomo then winked, "That's classified. Of course, only one reason I can say is that she's about to meet technology!"
The car arrived at Kagura's home. Tomo got out and said, "I'll be fine now. I know my way. Plus, it'll be great to see Kagura's face again."
Minamo then said, "Okay. Tell her that I said hi."
She drove off, as Tomo waved. She went to the front door and knocked. The door opened and Kagura, dressed in her red sweats, saw the robot Tomo.
"Oh, do I know you?" She asked.
Tomo bowed and said, "It's been long, Kagura. I came here for business matters."
Kagura and Tomo sat down with each other and started to chat.
"It's been so long," Kagura said, "I wonder why you came to me. I haven't seen you since Thanksgiving."
"I was busy in Yagami, working as Head Supervisor," Tomo said, "Being the real Tomo was hard, but being a new Maiden employee is easier than that."
"Why did you come to me?" Kagura asked.
Tomo then gave her a small ticket for a 30-day free trial membership for Maidens for Hire.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Miss Yomi has selected you as the newest pick for one of our guaranteed service." Tomo smiled.
Kagura squealed, "OH, WOW! I get my own Maiden for Hire?"
"Not exactly!" Tomo barked, "You have a choice for your free 30-day Maiden: a Maiden for Hire (2,000 Yen a month) or a Butler for Hire (1,500 Yen a month)."
"Hmm… this is a tough one. Can I choose both?"
"No. One robot per free trial user."
"Okay… But what the heck does a Butler for Hire do?" She asked.
"Butlers are more advanced than a Maiden," Tomo explained, "But their programming is different. While the Maidens tend to cook and clean and anything your heart desires, Butlers live to serve you."
"And… they are pleasure droids, right?" Kagura blushed.
She nodded and said, "Of course, most users tend to make it optional and for people who would kiss them, like they were their high school prom dates."
"Hmm… I'm good at a cheap price," Kagura convinced, "I'll go for a Butler for Hire. It wouldn't be wise about having a Maiden in my home."
Tomo smiled, "Good choice! And as an extended bonus, I will personally be your Maiden for Hire, supervising your services, as a user for one of our main Butlers."
Kagura snickered, "Well… whoever this Eri chick is, she'll make the PERFECT man for me!"
She laughed heartily, as Tomo let out a sad look.
"I hope so…" she murmured.
Of course, the real reason she's there because of what Yomi has said to her recently:
Yomi gave Tomo a picture of Kagura. She was then given her orders.
"I want you to give her a 30-day trial," Yomi said, "It may not be now, but we shall let you know. Miss Sawachika and I have prepared for her upcoming task."
"Is there a reason why Kagura wants one?" Tomo asked.
"Simple… I wanted to test her. And that's all," Yomi said, "You have your orders."
"What do you mean?" Tomo retorted.
"TOMO!" Yomi yelled, "You… have… your… orders… This conversation is over."
She nodded, as Yomi dismissed her.
Tomo suddenly felt uneasy about this.
"What am I doing?" She thought, "Kagura… I'm sorry…"
"Miss Kagura," she announced, "Your Butler will arrive in two weeks. We have already built him for trial based procedures, but the finishing touches will be made, during that time."
"Okay," Kagura said in happiness, "And thanks for visiting me. I'll see you in two weeks, then?"
Tomo nodded and left. Kagura went to the phone to call Sakaki.
"Hey, Sakaki! Guess what?" She cheered, "I got me a free Butler for Hire for thirty days!"
Sakaki then said, through the phone, "Oh. I see…"
Kagura snickered, even though Sakaki has her own Butler.
"Jealous…"
XXXXX
Two weeks later, Tomo was at the factory, picking up the box for Kagura. Eri Maiden appeared and saw her leaving.
"Hey, Tomo," she asked, "Where are you going?"
"Oh, I'm going to be at Kagura's, for she is a new user (Free trial basis) for one of our Butlers for Hire!" Tomo cheered.
She let out a thumbs-up and said, "Your creator is kinky! She had the audacity to create such men, it's making the company become popular than ever!"
Eri Robot blushed, "Oh, please. I didn't do anything. All I am is Harima's girl. I have no bad seeds in me."
"Huh?" Tomo glared.
"I mean… I, uh, well, I'm not like Eri, that's all."
"Good. Maybe if you played your cards right, you could take my place, Eri Model!"
"I cannot leave him! If I serve to someone in thirty days, Kenji will be lonely!"
"Hah! Poor loser. Your loss."
She let out a hand gesture of an 'L' on her forehead and gave her a raspberry.
"Hey, who's this Kagura?" Eri Robot asked, "Did you and her know each other?"
"Oh, well," she blushed, "I'm just going to be with her. Take care of yourself, shy one."
She left with the package in tow, as Eri was sulking.
"I'm no loser," she pouted, "I'm a Maiden for Hire… well, not anymore, I'm not."
She thought, "I cannot believe she's going through with this. Didn't she say that she's retired?"
She left, as Shinji Takeru ran to her. He stopped and gasped for air.
"What is the rush, Mister Takeru?" She asked.
"It's about the Butler that we delivered," he explained, "We forgot to examine him for any faults and glitches!"
Eri Maiden turned away and looked from far away. She then said, "What could go wrong? Maybe Tomo will examine him for us."
She then inquired, "By the way, which Model number did we use for the trial Butler for Miss Kagura?"
Takeru then said, "He's Model #K181S851."
Eri Maiden let out a smirk and said, "Like I said… Tomo has this."
She walked away, saying that she has a date with Harima. Takeru then said to himself, "Foolish Eri Model… She doesn't what the real task that Tomo is doing."
What on earth does Shinji Takeru mean?
Find out… right now…
Hours later, Tomo opened the box, pulling out the Butler for Hire. He had short black hair, which is a bowl cut. He's dressed in an ebony black tuxedo. Tomo plugged him in and ordered Kagura to sit down.
"Now, pay attention, Kagura," she exclaimed, "This is how you will activate your Butler for Hire."
She then smiled and introduced him to her, "First things first, allow me to introduce your Butler for Hire. Here is Butler Model #K181S851 – Keiji Model!"
Writer's note: A Butler for Hire that looks like Oji Karasuma. To Tenma Tsukamoto: get your paper bag ready, when you are ready to hyperventilate.
"His name is Keiji?" Kagura asked.
"Yes," Tomo said, "Step one: you plug in your new Butler; step two: you turn him on, pressing his button, located in the midsection area of his back and spine."
"WHAT? You mean not on the neck?" Kagura snapped.
"No. I did say that Butlers and Maidens are different," Tomo said, "Now, in case you have any perverted thoughts, allow me to do the honors."
Tomo turned him on. Keiji opened his eyes. They had no LED color… just black.
"Huh?" Kagura asked in confusion, "Is this thing broken?"
"No. He's in working condition…" Tomo remarked, feeling all bewildered, "He's moving, yes, but he's not in the position of response."
She then asked, "Hello? Keiji? Can you respond? I am Model #86662426 (Version 2.0), head supervisor of Maidens for Hire. Can you respond to us?"
Keiiji then responded in a quiet voice, "Yes."
Tomo was relieved, "Good. Keiji is ready to serve you well."
She then smiled, "Go on! Introduce yourself, Keiji!"
Keiji didn't respond. He turned to Kagura and kept a blank face. Kagura was confused.
"I think he was addressing to me, Tomo," Kagura said.
"Oh, okay, Kagura," Tomo said, as she bowed, "Then we shall provide you with guaranteed service!"
"No." Keiji said, "Miss Kagura is mine to serve alone."
Tomo then barked, "Sorry, Keiji, but Miss Kagura has just signed the deal, for choosing you. I will assist and supervise you, hoping that Kagura will enjoy her services. And believe me… we definitely need to test you."
Kagura then replied, "Oh, no, it's okay. Let Keiji serve me first. If I need you, I'll let you know."
Tomo and Keiji bowed, as Kagura cheered to him, "Welcome to my home, Keiji! For the next thirty days, you're mine!"
Keiji then said meekly, "Yes, my master. I obey."
"Yes, my master? I obey? Is there something wrong with him?" Tomo thought.
XXXXX
So it began. In the first day, Keiji served to his master. Tomo stayed with her, providing the cooking and cleaning. Kagura enjoyed his services in just one day, as he gave her a gentle massage.
By day three, Tomo and Keiji sat between her, forming a Maiden-Butler sandwich, in the form of company.
"Uh, guys," she asked, "What for you make me a sandwich?"
Tomo responded, "Fully a great move! And it's fun, too! Keiji and I wanted to keep you warm."
Keiji remarked, "It was her idea."
Kagura then blushed, as she suddenly started to wiggle her fingers.
"Why… Why am I suddenly beating?" She thought, "Could this be… Keiji's warmth?"
But by day five, Keiji, who was giving her a platter of celery sticks and cheese, looked away from her.
"How come…" she blushed, "How come you were looking away from me?"
He said nothing. He placed the platter on the table, as Kagura sighed. She then asked, "You want to play video games with me? I got me a cool new game for my console!"
Keiji then said, "Gaming is illogical for me."
Tomo stepped in and smiled, "I'll play!"
XXXXX
This lasted about seven days. Kagura was happy for Keiji to serve her, but lately he has been overlooking her. He still provided guaranteed service, but he has been ignoring her.
"Hey, Tomo Robot," she asked, "Is Keiji not speaking to me?"
"He's probably… uh… probably not used to newer users," Tomo said, "I still remember Koyomi. It was almost like it."
"I see. I think he hates me," Kagura stated, "Maybe I should ask him."
"NO!" Tomo cried.
She then calmed down and said, "Uh, no… Let me tell him, when I get the chance."
Kagura nodded, but was concerned about Tomo.
"Tomo seemed panicky about Keiji," she thought, "I wonder what she has against him?"
Tomo went past her and thought, "What am I doing?"
Wonder why Tomo is upset over Keiji? Kagura has about twenty-one days left. When it counts down to the end, you'd be surprised.
Kagura has 21… YOU have seven.
See you next week.