Sarah: Maiden for Hire
Chapter 3
The next day, at Yagami High School, the robot Sarah went to her class, as instructed by her user.
"This must be the place: Class 1-D," she said, "This is where Miss Sarah goes to."
She entered the classroom and saw a bunch of people in the room. She was pretty nervous, but she knew what she was doing.
"Wow, there's a lot of people in the classroom," the robot thought, "I better make sure not to mention it to anyone."
"Hey, Sarah," A voice called.
It was Yakumo Tsukamoto, Sarah's classmate. She was in her desk, with a broken leg.
This happened BEFORE Yakumo got her Maiden.
"Oh, dear! What happened to you?" Sarah asked in a gasp.
Yakumo pouted, "Oh, well, you see, I had an accident at home. And I happened to become injured. I twisted my knee and the doctor said that it'll take about two months to be healed."
The robot remarked, "That's too bad. Did you manage to work it out?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, Sis and I are starting to get a Maiden for Hire."
"YOU?"
"Yes. Of course, Sis and I agree that it's only for a temporary basis, until I feel better."
Sarah Maiden nodded, "Okay. Then until then, I shall tend to your guaran-."
She covered her mouth and said, "Uh, I mean, I shall be rooting for you."
Yakumo was confused.
"Who was she?" Sarah Maiden thought.
XXXXX
That afternoon, Sarah was being instructed by Asou, who was feeling uncomfortable about her working here. He chatted with her in the back room.
"Listen, I know how much you wanted to work here for Adiemus," he said, "But we'll be watching you. Remember: do not mention that you're a robot."
The Maiden turned around and showed Asou her red button, which was covered by a flesh-colored bandage.
"You don't have to worry," she remarked, "I may be a robot, but I'm not stupid. My sisters learn these mistakes before."
Asou then asked, "Then, can you handle balancing with two hands?"
"No… I can only carry at least one arm. If you'd like, you can fiddle with me, just to be updated. Maidens use one arm to carry food. I'll try to, but only while being fixed."
She presented him with a socket wrench. She opened her uniform up and opened her waist panel.
"Please turn this bolt (The second one on the left) about three times at 30 degrees clockwise."
Asou was stunned. He cringed, "I'll bet Mikoto had problems with a Maiden… if she had one, I mean."
He turned her bolts and closed her panel. As she put her uniform on, Sarah held up two dishes with ease.
"Good job. Now you can serve these dishes to the others, once we get customers."
The robot smiled, as she did a good job.
Later that day, Suga arrived, seeing Sarah in her uniform, not knowing that she's a robot.
"Hey, the usual dish, Sarah!" He cried.
"Usual?" The Maiden asked.
Asou called to her and whispered to her ear that Ryuuhei Suga comes here for free, since his family perfected the pickled eggplant recipe. He gave her a dish of some ramen and instructed her to give it to Suga. What exactly did he give her?
"I'm going to be in the back," he said, "Make sure you give this to him, okay? He likes the soup so much. If you want, since you're a Maiden for Hire, I can give you the recipe."
"Yes, sir," she said, "I'll have it by his plate in no time. And thanks for the offer, though."
And so, Suga was sitting in his usual table, waiting for his free food.
"Hey, Sarah," he called, "You look awesome in that uniform."
"Is that why you come here every day?" The robot asked.
"Oh, no reason," he smiled, "You certainly dress this place up."
"That reminds me… Asou told me that you bring something special to this shop."
Suga was moved, he said, "Really? He did something for me?"
The robot gave him his dish, "And here it is: pickled eggplant and rice planted ramen!"
"Uh, thanks," Suga groaned, seeing the Maiden's thumb in the ramen.
Writer's note: Just took this part from episode 11 of Season 2. My apologies to the creator of School Rumble.
As Suga had his ramen, the Sarah Maiden examined her thumb.
"Remind me to have this substance analyzed, when I return," she thought, sniffing her thumb.
Meanwhile, Asou was on the phone with the real Sarah.
"Why the hell did you talk me into caring for your double?" He asked, "Do you know that she has the same technique as in her system."
Sarah spoke, via phone, "Don't worry. She's only there because I cannot show up. Besides, no one knows the difference, since she looks like, talks like, and acts like me."
Asou groaned, "Maybe you're right."
Sarah continued to work at the restaurant, all night.
XXXXX
That night, Sarah Maiden was recharging, as she told Sarah what happened to Yakumo.
"Oh, dear," she said, "I see you were shocked by it."
"For some reason, she reminded me of you," the robot stated, "Who was she?"
"Oh, she's my classmate and best friend, Yakumo Tsukamoto. She's the little sister of Tenma, who is up on 2-C."
Sarah processed what she said, "Right. Subject: Yakumo with cast on her leg."
Sarah smiled, "Good thinking to remember her by. If any problems, you come to me."
She then sat down and asked, "Listen, the church had informed me to come. I know you are still ragged out by what you learned from studying the good book, but would you mind coming there, for once?"
"I suppose so. Though, I won't need the skin cover, since you ladies wear these traditional garbs."
"My fellow sisters will know it's you, since I am still unable to come. I could come to the church, if anything happens."
The robot shut down, just to recharge. Sarah then said, "Okay, Sarah. You had a rough day."
She brushed her light blonde hair and straightened her seated position. She then plugged her in a closer socket and left the room.
"Sarah, I hope you do well at church," she said, as she turned out the lights.
XXXXX
At the church, Sarah was in the confessionals, hearing many plead; mostly because of romantic advice.
"So this is what it's like, huh?" She thought, as she was wearing Sarah's nunnery attire, "It's no wonder she finds it to be uncomfortable."
She then added, "But as long as I keep their blessings confidential, including my real identity, it'll be a walk in the park."
But as she continued, it was a breeze.
She started to bark out certain tips on such dating, "If you want to help this girl out, might I suggest you serenade her?"
Of course, every advice she gave was useful… combined with stupid:
"If you'd like to have this guy know about you, why not give clues about yourself, just to be noticed."
And it didn't end there…
"So, she thinks of you as an ugly duckling? Well, I suppose that's mean. Don't you think you should keep yourself clean?"
"Incidentally, I want you to repent your past away from him and hope that he'll understand."
"No… No… No… if you try to pick a fight with a thug, just for love, chances are that you're doom to your own dark present. And where would that take you."
Since this Maiden run on Pleasure Mode, whether it is on or off, she cannot divulge any adult-like content to anybody at a church, hospital, or any public community.
"Whew… I'm beat…" she moaned, as she left the booth.
One sister said, "Sister Adiemus, you service had been quite unique."
Another added, "Yes, Sister. Unfortunately, you seem to have said a lot, since you were absent. Have you ever thought of working the booth every day?"
The robot stuttered, "Who? Oh… Uh, well... I'll think about it…"
One of the sisters asked, "By the way, when do we meet your replacement that you were gonna introduce?"
"I am her," she thought aloud in annoyance.
XXXXX
The Maiden threw down her broom, when Sarah heard the word.
"I QUIT!" She screamed, "Your job at the church sucks! And I don't mean it out of spite!"
"What's wrong?" Sarah asked, "You cannot leave!"
"Is this what you go through at church?" She cried, "I had to listen to every single problem of love! It's wearing my springs and gears out! Maidens for Hire give love, NOT talk love!"
Sarah nodded, "Oh, don't worry. It's natural. It just happens all the time."
The Maiden pouted, "What do you even do?"
"You've only been there since day one. My job is tough, but also, when I hear confessions, I play the organ, and even babysit some of the children there."
"Is it that tough?"
"No. Not at all," she said, as she petted her head, "You'll get use to it, one day."
The Maiden nodded and said, "Well, I suppose so. You're very nice, when it comes to people like you."
She bowed and said to her, "For now, I thank you for the opportunity to replace you, but I am better off being your replacement for school and work."
Sarah hugged her and stated, "You did your best. I think being at church as my replacement was a bit tough for you."
The Maiden then whispered, "I just wish I should've helped out for everyone… but I am programmed to help you exclusively."
Sarah sighed and thought, "Maybe you'll be happy at home. I'm not to recover fully, until next month, but I'll be able to work at the church and ramen shop. You'll handle school."
The Maiden held up some homework for Sarah and declared, "Oh, by the way… this is to what you must do for tomorrow's test. Perhaps I should help you with the lesson."
"Oh, no, maybe some other time," Sarah smiled, "But if you want, you and I can study together, since you're going tomorrow."
They went to the other room to study, as the Sarah Maiden let out a sigh of concern.
XXXXX
Weeks went by and the Maiden went on to be vast friends with Sarah. Sarah was fully healed and was happy to help out the matter. Of course, Asou tended to have the Maiden to work for him for a while longer, since Sarah would be busy with Yakumo.
Speaking of Yakumo, at the time before Yakumo Maiden left, she befriended her, since she had some built-up jealousy anger towards her robot double.
And if you already know that story, you'll understand.
Sarah was happy for her Maiden, but then came the day that she would leave her.
"Sarah," she asked, "Can't you stay much longer?"
The Maiden said, "No, I shouldn't. Since I helped you with your recovery and had to replace you, I'm afraid my work here is finished. You paid me very well, and you suddenly became friends with me."
"I'm worried now. Perhaps maybe we should think of a way to continue your services. I'm just happy that you gave me guaranteed service, not to mention give Yakumo her chance to express herself. I just… I just… I just cannot lose you. Say that you'll stay?"
The Maiden then said, as she thought a lot, "Well, since you were so nice to me, you do realize that I'm here, until you are healed. But knowing us Maidens, we should stick around; but only if you save around 15,000 Yen a year, for rental fee."
"Oh, I will, Sarah. I promise to make you feel happy. But now that I am fully healed, your services outside my home are no longer required. You are welcome to continue your services as my Maiden for Hire."
The Maiden bowed and said, "Thank you."
Just then, the phone rang. The Maiden answered and heard from the Tomo Model.
She let out a gasp, while Sarah was worried, "Something wrong?"
The Maiden Sarah started to sniffle.
"It's… it's… Miko Model…"
"Who?"
She then told Sarah about what happened to Miko Model, owned by Hanai. She was destroyed by an automobile. Sarah started to wince in fear.
"I'm so sorry… but Tomo Model insisted me, and all owned Maidens around Yagami, to return to the factory for somewhat of a funeral."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Mister Haruki Hanai held his own funeral in his backyard, right before she was picked up."
"Oh… I see… I suppose it is fitting. Hanai is so-, WAIT! Since when did Hanai own a Maiden for Hire?"
The robot blushed and said, "That's none of your business… I am not obliged to share information to you, all the time; but maybe Tomo will tell you."
She went to the front door and bowed to Sarah, "I must leave you. Don't worry, I'll be back. This is only for a short while. I will return to you in three days, depending how long our emotional circuits hold out. Maidens tend to wake, whenever one of our own had died during their scheduled service."
Sarah called out, "WAIT!"
The Maiden halted, as Sarah demanded, "I'm going with you. To be honest, I never been to a funeral before. I think it is best for me to try it out… for a Maiden."
The Maiden then looked away and was sad. Sarah then pleaded to her that she'll help.
"Believe me… it's the least I can do, after you helped me out…"
The Maiden started to leak tears from her eyes. She then said, "Sarah… okay… I guess you can… but, please, do not stray away from me. It's tough to see a Maiden go, much like the others…"
She hugged her and cringed, "Sarah, it's okay. Don't cry."
Now we've reached Chapter Four of our story. And after the funeral, you will see how the future will hold for Sarah and her robot.
BTW, this part and the next chapter happened, following Eri Maiden's departure and return.