Villain I'm not
It's late at night when Saya wakes up to the sound of a distant and muffled crying echoing around the hallways of the house. Worried, she decides to leave the comfort and warmth of her bed to put her robe on and get out of her bedroom.
As soon as she steps into the hallway, she can distinctly hear the sound of the distressed crying coming out of her mistress' bedroom, so she heads to Ren's in the hope she can help the young girl to calm down.
She stops briefly outside Ren's door, placing her hand hesitantly over the doorknob unsure if she should twist it open and enter the room or not, not wanting to scare the young girl, when she hears another distressed cry coming from the inside.
Saya bites her lip contemplating what to do before she hears a light growl.
- Sorry Chibi, I didn't mean to crush you.
Saya hears the young girl apologizing to her beloved dog, sniffling as a wet sloppy sound can be heard inside the bedroom, making Ren giggle quietly.
- I'm okay now Chibi, thanks.
Saya's hand rests over the doorknob for a bit longer before she retracts it, hearing how Ren's sniffles die down before silence reigns inside the bedroom once again.
The maid sighs a bit more alleviated now and goes back to her own bedroom, letting Ren sleep peacefully knowing Chibi will take care of her and will help her to calm down in case she needs it.
She gets inside her own bed and closes her eyes wondering if Ren's crying is related to her deceased mother or maybe it's caused because something else. In either way, she'll have to wait until the morning to find out about it.
Except she doesn't.
As soon as Ren sits at the table to eat breakfast before having to leave for high school, Saya notices the redness and puffiness of her eyes.
- Ren-sama, are you okay?
Saya can't help but ask, noticing the young girl tensing up briefly upon her question, before she forces a smile.
- I'm fine Saya-san, don't worry.
Ren says before she looks back down at her plate to keep eating her breakfast, hiding her red eyes behind her bangs.
Saya wants to press the matter further, but before she can even open her mouth to say anything on that regard, Ren has already finished her breakfast and is taking her school bag to then put her shoes on and get out of the house in a hurry.
- I'll be coming back home late today, I have to attend to the student council.
Saya can barely say goodbye at her and wish the young girl a good day before she hears the door clicking closed, leaving her standing alone and confused in the middle of the long corridor.
The nuzzle of a wet nose against her hand pulls her out of her reverie and obliges her to look down at Chibi, patting him with a sad smile on her face.
- Ren-sama isn't okay, is she? – she asks the dog rhetorically, hearing him grumbling in response and she can only sigh deeply, scratching him between his ears before she begins with her chores.
When Ren comes back home later than expected in the afternoon, she barely greets Saya and Chibi before she goes to lock herself in her bedroom, worrying the maid further than she already is.
- I have to study, so I'll be at my room until it's time for dinner.
Ren informs Saya as she walks upstairs to disappear into her room, closing the door behind her.
Saya can only look at a sad Chibi beside her and pat his head, both of them worried about the young girl but doing nothing except wait patiently for her to come to them and tell them what's wrong whenever she's ready.
But to their resignation, Ren doesn't mention anything of what seems to be troubling her at dinner, eating in silence just as she did at breakfast before she, once again, disappears into the confines of her bedroom alleging she's tired and has to study a bit more before she goes to sleep.
Saya doesn't say anything on that regard, she simply nods before she approaches the young girl to push her bangs aside and leave a light kiss on her forehead.
- Sleep well, Ren-sama.
She wishes her softly, smiling tenderly upon seeing Ren blushing before the young girl goes to her bedroom.
Saya can only watch her going back to her bedroom hoping her good night kiss helps the young girl to have a nice sleep. But just a couple of hours later, she wakes up to the sound of a muffled crying echoing around the silent house, realizing her kiss wasn't of any help to Ren.
Saya feels her heart sinking at the sorrowful sound, before she gets out of her bed and leaves her bedroom to go to Ren's.
She ponders outside her mistress' door about knocking on it or not, before she shakes her head and decides to twist the doorknob, slowly opening the door to discern Ren's figure in the bed covered by her blankets while she cries clinging tightly onto Chibi.
The poor dog can only whimper sadly and lick his owner's cheek in a futile attempt to let her know that everything is okay and he's there for her.
Saya bites her lip at the heartbreaking sight, deciding to enter the room to comfort the young girl, before she hears Ren's crying slowly dying and her breathing beginning to even, indicating her that the young girl calmed down enough to fall asleep.
A soft but sad smile tugs at Saya's lips before she walks stealthily to the younger girl's bedside to caress Ren's cheek and leave a light kiss on it, making a silence gesture to Chibi before she tucks her mistress in and leaves the room quietly, closing the door behind her.
She leans briefly against it, letting out a heavy and worried sigh before she goes back to her own bedroom, trying to get some sleep and not think about what could be causing Ren to cry so sorrowfully every night.
She closes her eyes decided to find out the reason behind it the following day.
But just like the previous day, Ren sits at the table to eat in silence.
Saya can't help but notice once again Ren's red and puffy eyes even though she tries really hard to hide them behind her bangs.
- Ren-sama?
- Yes, Saya-san?
- Are you okay?
Saya notices how the mere question makes Ren flinch and her hand falter in the air as she's about to take another bite of her breakfast, before she quickly composes herself.
- I-I'm okay Saya-san, don't worry.
Ren stammers, only worrying Saya even more and making her sigh and walk to the young girl, stroking her cheek before she grabs her by the chin gently to oblige her to look up at her.
- Please Ren-sama, tell me what's wrong – Saya pleads her, seeing Ren hesitating for a moment, wanting to say something before she takes the older girl's hand and squeezes it, all while giving her the best fake smile she can muster.
- Everything is okay, Saya-san, I promise, so don't worry.
Ren says before she goes back to finishing eating her breakfast in a rush. Once she finishes it, she pats Chibi's head and leaves a light clumsy kiss on Saya's cheek to immediately hurry out of the house, saying goodbye as she gets out.
As Saya hears the door clicking closed, she can't help but let out a heavy sigh, hearing Chibi whimpering sadly next to her.
- Don't worry Chibi, I'll eventually find out what's wrong with Ren-sama – she appeases the big dog, scratching him between his ears.
Woof
And with that, they go back to keep eating their respective breakfasts to then go for a walk before Saya has to do her chores at the house while Chibi is beside her, sometimes dozing off, others simply playing and distracting himself with his red ball.
When Ren returns home later than usual, Saya doesn't have the heart to press the young girl about why she cries at night or what's wrong upon seeing her giving her a tired smile.
- I'm going to study for a bit, please call me when it's time for dinner – Ren says quietly and tiredly, going to her bedroom and Saya can only nod, seeing her going upstairs languidly.
The maid bites her lip and turns around to go to the kitchen to make Ren's favorite meal for dinner, hoping it could cheer her up, or at least help her to regain her strength.
- Thank you, Saya-san.
Ren thanks her as she takes a bite of the meal the maid made, a happy expression on her face knowing that after it she will be having strawberries for dessert.
Saya can only smile softly, seeing the small spark of happiness in the young girl's eyes.
- You're welcome, Ren-sama.
Saya says before they finish dinner and wash the dishes together in silence. Once they finish, Ren stays for a while in the living room to play with Chibi, a soft smile playing on her lips the entire time as the sadness and stress leave her body.
Saya has faith that it stays like that, and playing with Chibi and spending time all together will help Ren to sleep peacefully at night, but much to her dismay she's once again wrong.
One more night, Saya wakes up to the sound of cries echoing around the house, making her leave the warmth of her bed to try and comfort the young girl, this time for real.
Once again she finds herself outside Ren's bedroom, her hand resting over the doorknob before she opens the door quietly to close it and walk over Ren's bed to sit on its side.
- Ren-sama, is everything okay? – she asks softly, touching Ren's back only to feel the other girl tensing up under her touch.
- Y-yes.
- Were you… having nightmares?
Saya only hears Ren's sniffles and Chibi's breathing before the young girl answers her so quietly she almost misses it.
- N-no… I just… no…
Concerned, Saya can't help but stroke her mistress' back up and down hoping it helps her to calm down.
- You know you can tell me anything, right?
She hears Ren taking a sharp breath of air but saying nothing in return. Then, she notices her shifting in bed to face her, clutching her nightgown.
- Can you... please stay? – Ren whispers, seeming so small that touches and breaks Saya's heart at the same time.
- All you need, Ren-sama – Saya whispers back, getting inside the other girl's bed to be immediately hugged tightly by her.
She feels her nightgown getting damp and can't help but hug the young girl in her arms tighter, kissing her hair and stroking her back hoping it'll help her to calm down and sleep peacefully.
- Sweet dreams, Ren.
She whispers as she hears Ren sleeping soundly, Chibi moving closer to them and Saya can only smile before she also falls asleep.
Saya wakes up next morning with the trill of the birds getting mixed with Chibi's light snores. She giggles quietly and opens her eyes to see Ren still sleeping on her chest, clutching tightly onto her as a peaceful expression adorns her features.
The maid smiles softly and leaves a light kiss on Ren's forehead before she sadly has to detach herself from the tight embrace to quietly leave her mistress' bedroom and go to her own bedroom to get changed into her uniform before she goes downstairs to make their breakfasts.
When Ren and Chibi appear through the kitchen's door, Saya can't help but notice the calm expression on her mistress' face, a timid smile and blush adorning her cheeks upon seeing the maid.
She can only smile back and approach the young girl to leave another light kiss on her forehead, as well as a pat on Chibi's head.
- Did you have a good sleep, Ren-sama? – she asks her softly, seeing the other girl nodding timidly.
- Yes, thank you, Saya-san. I'm sorry for the inconveniences – Ren apologizes and Saya can only shake her head and leave a caress on her cheek.
- Don't worry, Ren-sama. Chibi and I are here for whatever you need, okay?
Ren nods gratefully before they begin to eat in a calm silence.
- I'm leaving for school.
Ren says as she ends her breakfast, taking her school bag to then leave a kiss on Chibi's nose and a timid fleeting kiss on Saya's cheek, surprising her before she runs out of the house.
Saya can only stare at the closed door with a bashful smile, before she gets out of her astonishment and goes to wash the dishes with a light blush still tinting her cheeks.
As the day passes and Saya finishes her chores, she can't help but think about Ren, wondering what she could do to help her to be as calm as she looked that same morning.
A long sigh escapes her lips thinking about it before she feels Chibi chewing and tugging at the sleeve of her uniform.
Woof
- Time to go out for a walk? – she asks him, seeing him wagging his tail happily.
Woof, woof
Saya laughs and pats his head.
- Then go and get your leash while I go to get changed.
She tells him as she heads to her own bedroom to get changed into more informal and comfortable clothes to go for a walk with him. When she goes downstairs, she can already see the big dog waiting for her patiently at the front door with his leash in his mouth, eliciting a giggle from her.
She puts him the leash on and they get out for their daily walk, passing through Ren's high school grounds.
As they walk past it, Saya can't help but hear some unpleasant conversation going on.
- Who does she think she is!? Just because she's the daughter of the founder of this school, it doesn't mean she can do whatever she wants!
She hears a girl screaming outraged as she gets out of the school, stopping Saya dead on her tracks upon hearing her supposedly talking about Ren, listening discreetly more about the conversation the girl is having with her friends.
- Chibi, pretend to be doing something – Saya whispers, inquiring the big dog to do something. Chibi just gazes at her confused before he pretends to sniff around the nearby bushes to give Saya the perfect excuse to listen more of the ongoing conversation.
- I know, right? Hazuki-san is worst than a villain.
- We only voted her because she promised us that the general curriculum will participate in the school festival, and now she goes and excludes us from it to only count with the music program!
- What do you expect from her? She's a bitch, always acting so haughty...
Saya clenches her jaw to not talk back to those girls for insulting her Ren, and keeps walking with Chibi. But as she realizes of what they just said, she stops abruptly to then go back to the school.
- Chibi, be good and wait for me here until I come back. I need to do something at the school – she tells the dog as she ties him outside the school's main door.
Woof
Saya pats him tenderly before she enters the building, suddenly understanding the reason of why Ren cries every night.
She wanders around the empty hallways trying to locate the student council room, when she bumps into the director of the school.
- Oh, Saya-san, what a surprise to see you here.
- Oh, good afternoon, director.
Saya greets the director, seeing a sad smile on her face.
- I guess you're here for Hazuki-san, am I wrong?
Saya looks taken aback for a moment before the director gestures her with her head to follow her to her office, opening the door to her.
- Please, come in.
Saya enters the room with evident confusion on her face.
- Excuse me director, but why did you assume I came for Ren, and what do you want to talk with me about? – she asks her confusedly, hoping Ren didn't have any problem at school.
She soon sees the older woman smiling sadly at her.
- I'm sure you've noticed Hazuki-san has been acting strangely these past days, didn't you?
Saya opens her eyes in surprise, before she sighs deeply. Of course she should have expected Ren's change being evident outside their home too.
- Does this have anything to do with the bad mouthing about her that I've just heard as I was passing through the school grounds?
She asks already knowing the answer.
- I'm afraid it does, and I'm embarrassed to admit that part of it is my own fault – the director admits, letting out a sorrowful sigh.
Saya can only arch an eyebrow at her words.
- You see, Hazuki-san gave her word to organize the school festival with both of the programs working together if they elected her as the president of the student council. But after she was elected and I told her that we didn't have enough people to enroll for the next school year and that if we continued like this we'd have to close the school, she broke her promise. She thinks that a school festival only organized and focused on the music program will be the best option to awaken people's interests and get new enrollments.
- So the general curriculum rise up against her for taking that sudden decision and breaking her promise?
Saya ends up asking, seeing the director nodding sorrowfully.
- I'm afraid it happened like that. I'm deeply sorry Saya-san, I promised her mother to take care of her and I'm just letting Ren bear with all the weight of the school over her shoulders.
Saya shakes her head and gives the director a weak and sad smile.
- Don't worry, director. I can assure you that you've been taking good care of her. Besides, Ren is really stubborn when it comes to do anything to keep her mother's dream alive.
The director smiles at her softly, before she stands up from her chair.
- You also take good care of her, Saya-san. Now, if you don't mind following me, I'll show you where the student council room is. I asked Hazuki-san earlier this afternoon to prepare herself for a school assembly tomorrow to explain her decision of breaking her promise and excluding the general curriculum of the school festival, as well as to think about if it's really what she wants to do.
- I'm sure it's not what Ren wants to do, especially after she promised them to participate in it.
The director smiles at Saya one last time, before she leaves her a couple of meters away from the student council room.
- It was good to see you again, Saya-san. If you want, you're free to come tomorrow to the school assembly – the director says, winking at Saya before she squeezes her shoulder and goes back to her office.
Saya watches her leaving, before she turns and walks to the student council room, knocking on the door twice.
- Come in.
She hears Ren's stern muffled voice coming from the inside, bringing a smile to her face.
Always so devoted.
She thinks to herself as she slowly turns the doorknob and enters the room.
- Saya-san? What are you doing here? Is everything okay? – Ren asks with evident confusion and worry on her face and voice, and Saya can't help but giggle quietly as she closes the door behind her and approaches the serious student council president.
- Everything is okay, Ren-sama, please don't worry. Chibi and I were just walking around the school grounds, when I've decided to come and ask if you wanted to come back home with us.
Ren gazes at Saya, then at the stack of paperwork she has in front of her on the desk and lets out a tired sigh, arranging it before she takes her school bag to begin putting her belongings inside it.
- I'd really like that – she says softly, almost tiredly after the day she had, and Saya can only nod giving her a last smile.
- Then, we'll wait for you at the corner of the street.
Ren nods and sees Saya leaving, giving her time to end gathering her things and arrange the room before she locks it and gets out of the school to meet up with her and Chibi.
- Thank you, Saya-san.
Ren thanks her as they meet again and Saya takes Ren's school bag to carry it while Ren takes Chibi's leash to walk the happy dog, the tense expression she had on her face minutes ago slowly disappearing.
Saya can only observe her in silence, waiting until they're back to the quietness of their home to talk about everything the director told her that same afternoon and the reasons of Ren's crying, not wanting the younger girl to keep enduring everything by herself for any longer.
Once they're back at home, Saya doesn't bother to change back into her uniform before she goes to prepare some tea, winking at Chibi so he takes Ren to the living room.
He barks at her understanding her orders, before he obliges Ren to follow him and sit beside him while he sprawls across the floor in seek of some strokes. Ren can only giggle, happily complying to pet her beloved dog.
Saya observes them in the distance with a smile on her face while the water boils and before she enters the living room with a tray in her hands, some strawberries and two steaming mugs on it.
Ren smiles gratefully at Saya and pets Chibi one last time before she joins Saya on the couch to take a sip of the tea.
- Delicious, as always Saya-san – Ren comments in delight, eliciting a giggle from Saya.
Saya then observes her eating a strawberry before she decides to talk.
- Chibi and I were walking near the school grounds when I've heard some girls talking badly about you.
Saya says carefully, watching the young girl flinching at it.
- It's that the reason why you cry at night, Ren-sama?
Ren stays in silence, staring into her mug as her eyes well up. Saya can only let out a sad sigh and take Ren's mug to leave both of their mugs back on the table and before she pulls the young girl into a hug, Chibi joining them resting against Ren's legs.
- You don't have to endure this alone Ren-sama, Chibi and I are here for you – Saya says comforting as she feels the other girl returning the hug and starting to cry against her chest.
- I… I feel like I'm a villain… – Ren sniffles, and Saya can only hug her tighter.
- You aren't. You're just trying to get more people to enroll the school.
- How did you…? – Ren trails off, gazing up at Saya surprised and Saya can only smile at her apologetically, wiping her tears away.
- I was looking for you when I bumped into the director and she told me everything that is happening.
Ren exhales shakily, not daring to look at Saya in the eyes.
- You must think I'm an awful person for breaking my promise and not letting the general curriculum participate in the school festival.
- I don't, I could never. I'm sure you still want them to participate in it, but I know how much you care about your mother's dream and about the high school, so you also want the best for it and decided that.
Saya says, stroking Ren's cheek tenderly, noticing the other girl slowly calming down.
- I just… I thought it could be the best but… – Ren trails off unsure, and Saya can only nod softly because Ren isn't a bad girl nor a villain as she thinks or as people portraits her as. She's a good girl that cares greatly about her mother's dream.
- The director told me about tomorrow's school assembly – Saya notices Ren's jaw squaring under her touch and the young girl tensing up as she mentions the assembly – Just think about what do you really want to do with this.
Saya ends up saying, pressing her finger against Ren's chest where her heart is. Ren gazes down at it with a light blush dusting her cheeks, before she gazes up at Saya with a coy smile.
- I will. Thank you, Saya-san.
She thanks her, getting a kiss on her forehead in return.
- Keep enjoying the tea, it'll help you to relax and to think about what you really want to do while I finish some chores and start making the dinner.
Saya tells her, standing up from the couch to finish her chores while Chibi quickly replaces her and takes her place on the couch beside Ren, placing his head on his owner's lap to get some strokes in return, eliciting a giggle from both girls.
They eat dinner in a comfortable silence and wash the dishes together, before they head to their own bedrooms.
- Saya-san – Ren calls out the maid, making her stop in her tracks, standing outside Ren's bedroom door.
- Yes, Ren-sama?
- Can you… can you and Chibi sleep with me tonight? – Ren asks her with a hard blush adorning her cheeks while she fidgets embarrassedly with the sleeves of her shirt – I-it's just that y-you two help me to keep the nightmares away.
Saya can only melt at her cuteness and smile tenderly.
- Let me go and get changed into my nightgown, and then Chibi and I will watch over your dreams.
Woof, woof
She sees Ren blushing harder, giggling nervously before she whispers a timid "thank you" and gets inside her bedroom to get changed into her pajama and wait for Saya.
As soon as Saya enters Ren's bedroom after have changed into her own nightgown, she can already see Chibi's nose resting comfortably on Ren's neck, making her and the young girl giggle. Saya gets inside the bed and soon, Ren's head is on her chest as she hugs her tightly, making her chuckle.
- Thank you – Ren thanks her once again and Saya can only stroke her hair.
- You're welcome, Ren-sama. Sweet dreams.
Saya says, leaving a kiss on Ren's forehead before they close their eyes to sleep.
When the following day comes, Saya can't help but notice Ren's nervousness.
- Ren-sama, it'll go well – Saya tries to reassure her mistress over breakfast, but it's fruitless, she still can see the uneasiness and worry written all over her face.
- You think so? I don't know Saya-san... – Ren mutters under her breath as she keeps eating before having to leave for school.
- You worry too much. I assure you it'll go well.
Saya says, leaving a tender kiss on Ren's forehead.
She then says goodbye to the young girl, hugging her tightly before she sees her leaving for school.
A heavy sigh escapes her lips as she gets back inside the house to clean it and get changed into more informal clothes to leave.
- Chibi, please keep an eye on the house while I'm out.
Saya tells the big dog, scratching him between his ears.
Woof, woof
Saya smiles and gets out of the house feeling calmer upon knowing the house it's protected with Chibi looking over it. Then, she heads towards the Yuigaoka girls' high school, hoping her presence in the school assembly can help Ren to face all the unhappy and probably angry girls with her current decision about the school festival.
She can already see the director waiting for her as she reaches the main door.
- I knew you'll be coming – the director comments casually, making Saya blush at how evident it was that she'd be coming to support Ren.
They head inside the gym, already seeing all the girls from both programs gathered together and sat waiting for their student council president to make an appearance.
The director and Saya go to the sidelines, just in time as Ren steps onto the stage and walks to the stand to face her audience.
- I'm the student council president, Hazuki Ren. Before I speak about the school festival, please allow me to apologize to you for my remarks of the other day and the confusion they have caused. I'm truly sorry.
Ren apologizes as she bows slightly, and before she continues with her speech.
- I'm sure that many of you felt angry, but it's just that I want people on the outside to see how wonderful this sch-
Ren's speech is rudely interrupted by some girls from the general curriculum.
- What's going to happen to the general curriculum?
- Are we going to be able to participate in the school festival?
Ren looks warily at the girls, unsure of what to answer them before angry questions and remarks are fired at her.
- We want to sing even if we aren't in the music program!
- Do we even get that chance!? Just having us as helpers to the music program is cruel!
- Please take back what you said!
As the girls of the general curriculum start to accuse her and rise up against her, Ren can't help but grow anxious, feeling cornered by them and wanting nothing more than run away. But as she looks around and her eyes locks with a pair of familiar teal eyes, she feels calms once again.
Determined, she clears her throat.
- I want to apologize once again for breaking my promise. The truth is that it was never my intention to break it and exclude the general curriculum of the school festival, but upon knowing that the school is at risk of being potentially closed because the lack of new enrollments for the next school year, I considered that a school festival showing the strengths of the music program could be more appealing. It's of common knowledge that this school is my mother's dream and I want nothing more than the best for it.
As soon as she stops talking briefly to swallow, she can hear the outraged whispering and commotion going around.
She looks at Saya once last time, seeing the evident worry in her eyes before she flashes her a reassuring smile and takes a deep breath to continue talking.
- I'd like to humbly ask all of you to trust in me one more time, and make of this festival the best of all with the participation of both programs together and in equal conditions.
A tense silence fills the gym upon her words, before a girl yells loudly.
- You better keep your promise this time, prez!
- Let's do of this festival the best one ever, all together!
Another girl's yelling follows the previous one suit and soon, both programs are cheerfully engaged in conversations of planning the upcoming school festival and everything they'll do together in it.
- Thank you girls. I promise to not disappoint you all once again – Ren ends up saying between their applauses, bowing politely before she steps off the stage.
As soon as she's out of the gym, a pair of arms wraps her into a tight hug.
- I'm proud of you – Saya whispers against her head, feeling Ren letting out a shaky sigh before hugging her tightly back.
- Thank you for coming, you have no idea how much it helped me and how much this means to me.
Saya smiles at Ren's words and hugs her tighter before she lets her go.
- I'm glad you've decided to follow your heart this time.
Saya says softly, seeing Ren smiling shyly at her. She can't help but smile back and leave a light kiss on the younger girl's forehead.
- I better go back home or Chibi will go for a walk alone.
Ren laughs carefree at her words, imagining Chibi walking around alone with his leash in his mouth and nods, seeing Saya waving goodbye to her to go back home.
The day of the school festival finally arrives, being a complete success as a huge amount of kids from different schools come and ask to be enrolled for the next school year.
- Looks like it's being a huge success – Saya comments next to Ren, watching the large amount of people walking around the school and enjoying the festival.
- It is. Thank you for helping me with the festival, and for everything.
Ren thanks Saya with a tender smile on her face, making the older girl blush, before she begins to walk away.
- C-come on, we still have to try the takoyaki – Saya stammers flustered, making Ren giggle in revenge for all the times the older girl embarrassed her, and Saya can only smile.
There's no way this sweet girl could ever be a villain…