Here is the next chapter of Hikigaya's maid, Aika Sato.

You might have seen it but I started a new story.

Sato Aika carefully placed the last breakfast dish on the dining table, smoothing the edges of the tablecloth as she did. The gentle clink of porcelain echoed softly in the room, complementing the serenity of the morning.

Just as she turned to leave, the door opened, and Yukinoshita Yukino entered. Dressed in a delicate knitted blouse that hugged her slender frame, paired with a long, flowing blue skirt, she moved with quiet elegance. Her hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, perfectly framing her serene face. This morning, however, something was different. Yukinoshita's usually composed expression was softened by a subtle glow, her lips curving ever so slightly into a contented smile.

Sato noticed immediately. Yukinoshita looked unusually happy—radiant, even. She hesitated, tempted to ask about this change, but before she could speak, the door opened again, and Hikigaya Hachiman entered. His appearance was in stark contrast to Yukino's. His eyes were dull, and he looked tired—perhaps even dehydrated.

"Hikigaya-kun is fine," Yukinoshita said softly, her voice breaking the silence. "After a large breakfast and plenty of fluids, he'll recover." There was a tender, knowing tone in her words that didn't escape Sato's notice.

Sato nodded, acknowledging Yukinoshita's words, and quietly stepped aside, taking her place beside the table. She waited with her usual grace and patience, ready to assist as her master and his fiancée began their meal.

After breakfast, Sato moved with quiet efficiency, clearing the table. As she picked up Hikigaya's empty coffee cup, something caught her eye—faint, reddish marks on his neck. Concerned, she leaned in slightly for a closer look.

"Hikigaya-sama, what happened to your neck?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Hikigaya's eyes widened, and a faint blush crept across his face. His hand shot up to cover the marks in a flustered attempt at discretion. "N-nothing! There was no candle wax play!" he stammered, his tone unconvincingly defensive.

Sato tilted her head, thoroughly confused. "Candle wax?" she repeated, puzzled by the odd comment.

Before Hikigaya could dig himself deeper, Yukinoshita intervened, her voice calm yet tinged with amusement. "Sato-san, there's no need to worry about Hikigaya's rambling. I'm sure he's still dreaming from last night." Yukino's eyes sparkled with satisfaction, and if possible, she seemed to glow even brighter. The contentment on her face was unmistakable, and Hikigaya's blush deepened as he avoided eye contact.

Sato, still concerned, remained unaware of the playful, sexual dynamic between Hikigaya and Yukinoshita the night before. Yukinoshita's sadistic punishment—using hot candle wax after discovering a photo of herself on Hikigaya's phone—would remain their secret, one Sato would never know.

"I'll bring some ointment for burns," Sato said, bowing slightly before leaving the room to tend to what she believed was an injury. As she walked down the hall, Hikigaya sighed deeply, his face still flushed with embarrassment. Yukinoshita allowed herself a small, satisfied smile as she licked her lips.

"Might as well try some more intense play, how about something similar to Hayama?" said Yukinoshita.

0000

I was dressed in a black business suit and pants and sat across from Ozaki Yuriko in a cozy corner of the coffee shop. Ozaki-san, ever the picture of sophistication, wore a chic green blazer that hugged her frame, paired with a crisp white dress shirt tucked into a form-fitting green pencil skirt. Her legs were elegantly crossed, the nude pantyhose she wore catching the light subtly as they accentuated her shapely legs. The delicate gold jewelry on her wrists gleamed faintly, while her sleek bob swayed with each confident tilt of her head. Her emerald green eyes sparkled with both intelligence and playfulness, giving her an air of refined sensuality.

We were casually reviewing the morning workload and working to find a time slot for Hikigaya to take a break. The aroma of fresh coffee lingered in the air as they waited for Hikigaya's order of hamburgers from the restaurant across the street to be ready.

As we quietly discussed, I noticed two boys approaching our table, both dressed in school uniforms. Yuriko's lips curled into a knowing smile as she muttered, "They're high school students. Must be skipping school."

I nodded in agreement, my gaze shifting to the boys as they boldly approached. One of them, a brown-haired boy with a grin too wide for his own good, confidently spoke up, "Hello, beautiful, how about a coffee our treat of course, and let's hang out?"

Ozaki-san laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she recognized their intentions immediately. She was flattered but knew exactly how to handle it. "Oh! You naughty boys," she said playfully, her voice smooth and warm. "You see, we're both working adults. You can't be teasing us like that. Now, go along. If you stay here too long, a police officer might show up and question you."

I watched in silence, slightly taken aback by the situation. I had been so focused on our work that I hadn't even realized the boys were attempting to flirt. It wasn't until Ozaki-san gracefully rejected them that it clicked for me. I blinked in surprise, still processing the fact that these young boys had been interested in us. I knew I was considered pretty but never imagined I'd attract the attention of teenagers. After all, I thought, wasn't I a bit too old for that?

The boys, both blushing and awkward, quickly retreated, leaving me to quietly reflect on the unexpected encounter. Ozaki-san smirked, clearly entertained by the whole ordeal.

0000

Hikigaya noticed something was off as I moved around the mansion. My usually confident and cheerful demeanor had dimmed. Concerned, he approached me and asked, "Sato, could you follow me for a moment?"

Dressed in my maid uniform, I nodded immediately, my mind racing with thoughts of what I might have done wrong. I followed him into the living room, where he sat down on the couch and patted the cushion beside him, gesturing for me to sit.

"Come on, sit," he said, his voice soft yet steady.

I hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside him, folding my hands neatly in my lap. My heart raced, worried that I had somehow upset him.

"So," Hikigaya began, turning slightly to face me, "what's wrong? You've seemed off since you got back."

I looked down, unsure if I should mention what had been bothering me. It felt trivial, especially since it wasn't related to my duties. But my master was concerned, and I didn't want to keep it from him.

I sighed softly before finally speaking. "Earlier today, two boys approached Ozaki-san and me at the coffee shop. They… tried to pick us up." My voice was hesitant, and I avoided eye contact.

Hikigaya raised an eyebrow but remained silent, encouraging me to continue.

"I know I'm beautiful," I admitted, my voice quieter now, "but I can't help feeling like… I'm not young anymore. It sounds silly, but I feel like love is just a fantasy for me—something that's not meant to happen. An empty dream."

Hikigaya listened intently, his usual sharp wit subdued. He sensed the genuine vulnerability in my words, a side of me he rarely saw. After a pause, he replied, "It's not silly to feel that way, Sato-san. But don't let a couple of dumb high school kids make you doubt yourself. You're still young, and your dreams aren't out of reach."

I looked up at him, surprised by the gentleness in his tone. His words weren't the usual sarcastic quips I had grown used to. He was sincere.

"You're kind, beautiful, and incredibly talented," Hikigaya continued. "Anyone would be lucky to have you in their life—whether for love or anything else."

He smiled reassuringly before adding with a smirk, "And for the record, you're only two years older than me. You're my beautiful 27-year-old maid. I'm not letting anyone have you if they are not worthy."

My eyes widened slightly, and my cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. I hadn't expected him to say something so direct. There was warmth in his words, and for the first time in a while, I felt a sense of pride and comfort in how he addressed me.

"Thank you, Hikigaya-sama," I said softly, my heart feeling lighter.

Hikigaya shrugged casually as if downplaying his own words. "It's just the truth. Don't let a couple of clueless kids make you doubt yourself."

I smiled, my cheeks still flushed. "Thank you, Hikigaya-sama. I didn't realize how much it was bothering me until now."

He leaned back with a faint smirk. "And besides, love doesn't only happen in your twenties. There's plenty of time to find it if that's what you want."

I nodded, feeling a weight lift from my chest. For the first time that day, I felt reassured. Maybe love wasn't such an impossible dream after all.

What Sato didn't know was that Hikigaya's simple words and casual charm had done more than just reassure her—they had sparked something deeper. Though her romantic feelings for him wouldn't fully bloom just yet, this moment had planted the seed.

For now, that realization would remain hidden, waiting for another time.

As Hikigaya stood, he gently placed his hand on my head, a comforting gesture that caught me by surprise. "Get back to work, alright?" he said with a faint smile before leaving the room.

I sat there for a moment longer, feeling the lingering warmth of his hand. Slowly, I raised my own hand to touch the spot, a soft smile forming on my lips. The knowledge that my master cared enough to worry about me made my heart feel lighter.

With renewed energy, I stood up, ready to return to my duties. No longer weighed down by doubt, I felt a sense of contentment knowing that someone as important as Hikigaya was looking out for me.

0000

Brimming with newfound confidence, I smoothed out my black pantyhose, making sure there were no imperfections. The black blazer, white blouse, and black skirt fit me perfectly, reflecting both my professional and elegant demeanor. I joined Hikigaya at the entryway, feeling more assured than ever. It was earlier than our usual time to leave for work, but Hikigaya had something special to show me before the day officially began.

When we arrived at his company, I followed him, curious about the detour. Instead of heading straight to the office, we passed through a door in the lobby. Walking down a long hallway, we eventually turned left and entered a large, spacious room. Hikigaya flicked on the lights, illuminating the vastness of the space.

"I'm planning to make this the cleaning department," Hikigaya said, gesturing toward the various divided sections. "It's organized into zones, and I want you to be the head of the department."

My eyes widened in surprise, a mix of emotions swirling in my mind. I had never expected such a responsibility, especially from Hikigaya. As if reading my thoughts, he turned to face me, his expression calm yet filled with conviction.

"I know what you're thinking—' Why me?'" Hikigaya began, his voice steady. "Sato, I told you yesterday. You're not just beautiful, but incredibly talented. I see it in the way you work, and how you care about others. And I do not doubt that you'll make a great leader."

I stood still, processing his words, unsure of how to respond.

Hikigaya continued a faint smile on his lips. "I've been a loner most of my life. I developed skills to avoid people, but because of that, I've gotten pretty good at reading them. That's why I'm confident you can run this department. I trust you."

His words sank in, and I felt a surge of pride. Hikigaya's belief in my abilities and his faith in my leadership meant more to me than I could express. This wasn't just a promotion—it was an opportunity to grow, to prove myself.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, my heart full. "Thank you, Hikigaya-sama. I won't let you down."

0000

As we returned to the lobby, I followed Hikigaya toward a discreet door tucked into the corner. We passed through it, stepping outside into a serene Japanese garden. The air was crisp, and the soft sound of water trickling from a stone fountain added to the peaceful atmosphere. A stone pathway, framed by vibrant greenery, led us toward another large, single-floor building.

Hikigaya walked slightly ahead, holding the door open for me as we arrived. Inside, a vast room unfolded, its centerpiece a massive, state-of-the-art kitchen. Gleaming countertops stretched out before me, with high-end appliances lining the walls.

"I've been planning this for a while," Hikigaya said, his tone relaxed yet carrying the same quiet confidence. "I want to collaborate with several culinary schools, inviting their students to use our kitchen and practice their skills here."

My eyes widened in surprise as I took in the impressive space. This was more than just a kitchen—it was a professional culinary arena.

Hikigaya continued, "With the cleaning department, particularly its housekeeping section, serving the meals, I can finally create a proper cafeteria for my employees. It's something I've wanted for a long time—a place where everyone can come together, eat, and unwind."

I could sense how important this project was to him. It wasn't just about offering a place to eat; it was about fostering a sense of community within his company. For someone like Hikigaya, who had spent much of his life avoiding others, this was personal.

"I believe this will not only boost morale," he added, "but it'll give us an edge. Happy, well-fed employees are productive employees."

I nodded, absorbing everything. This wasn't just a company for Hikigaya—it was part of a greater vision. And now, I had a pivotal role in helping bring that vision to life.

0000

My determination to help Hikigaya fulfill his new dream filled me with purpose. I admired how his concern extended not just to me but to all of his employees, working to ensure their well-being. He truly is an incredible person, I thought, a warm smile spreading across my lips.

The first step I could take to support him was simple yet meaningful—preparing his coffee. It had become a daily ritual, but today it held deeper significance. With renewed energy, I moved through the office with graceful efficiency, greeting my co-workers warmly as I passed. Their smiles reflected the growing sense of camaraderie that Hikigaya was fostering.

As I entered the storage room to grab more sugar packets, my thoughts lingered on his vision—a cafeteria, a space for people to come together. It was more than just about food; it was about creating connection.

Returning to Hikigaya's office, I knocked gently before stepping inside. Making my way to his coffee station, I prepared a cup for him with practiced ease. Placing the steaming cup on his desk, I smiled softly as our eyes met. Without needing to say a word, I knew this small gesture would offer him support as he faced the challenges ahead.

With my confidence restored, I stood ready, prepared to assist him in any way I could.

0000

I stepped into the bathtub, the warmth of the water immediately enveloping my tired body, easing away the day's stresses. The soothing steam filled the air as I leaned back, letting myself sink deeper into the comforting embrace of the water. A soft sigh escaped my lips as the weight of responsibility and work began to melt away.

The delicate fragrance of my new bath soap lingered in the air—something Yukinoshita had thoughtfully purchased for me, insisting it would keep my skin youthful and smooth. Her gesture made me feel even more valued in the household, a reminder of the care I received.

My thoughts wandered to my master. Hikigaya-sama... I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips as I traced the edge of the bathtub with my fingers. Memories of his kindness and encouraging words flooded my mind, filling my heart with a warmth that went beyond the water.

For the first time in a long while, I felt truly happy—content in my role, surrounded by people who genuinely cared. As the water worked its soothing magic, I closed my eyes, a deep sense of peace settling over me.