“…Are you guys kidding me right now?” Leon incredulously asked as his cerulean-eyes stared at the pink, cursive sign hanging above the quaint establishment.

His friends spontaneously sprung a hang-out sesh today and Leon was all for it, considering the gruelling week of back-to-back classes they've had. It was one of those rare occasions where their schedules perfectly lined up, giving them leeway to organise some time to unwind together. He just wasn't expecting to be going here of all places.

At a maid cafe.

“Nope. We’re deadass serious,” Carlos replied, grinning over at the blonde. “And don't be like that. There’s nothing wrong with this place. Plenty of people go here.”

“Yeah, exactly. The reviews were good too, last time I checked. And, it doesn’t hurt that we'll also be in good company,” Chris added on with a small smirk of his own. The blonde gave them a sideways glance, before dubiously peering back at the premises.

It wasn’t like Leon was trying to put the business down or anything. It was just that the nature of it all was—well, it was unconventional. In other words, he was embarrassed to be here. From a bystander’s point of view, there were three bulking men in their twenties, standing in front of a very cutesy and dainty looking café. They must've looked like perverts, because he was certain that the place sought a particular female clientele, which in turn, likely baited guys like them, too.

Noticing his cautious gaze, Carlos let out a small scoff, lightly nudging Leon's arm. “Dude, don’t make this weird. Think of this as any other café we've been to before...except the waitresses are like, super cute and have little, frilly outfits on. That's just an added bonus in my books, if anything.”

Leon deadpans at that. He doesn't bother to argue anymore, begrudgingly allowing himself to get dragged through the doors, knowing he'd only be wasting his breath if he tried to protest.

A soft chime of a bell signals their arrival as they stepped foot into the café.

It immediately alerts the attention of the all-female staff there, who were all unsurprisingly accoutred in French-maid outfits. A light, melodious chorus of 'welcome's reverberated the walls of the establishment as they were met with the sight of cute and pretty faces, all around. It left Leon wanting nothing more than for the ground to swallow him whole, whilst Carlos and Chris grinned widely like absolute idiots.

"Oh, God. This is heaven..." Chris muttered lowly, as though he just discovered the Holy Grail.

"Definitely..." Carlos attested, nodding at his words.

Leon casted them weird looks, narrowing his eyes at them. This was what he was worried about—they were both acting like total degenerates. It had him simultaneously wanting to die out of sheer embarrassment, whilst wanting to knock some sense into them.

"Can you two please shut the fuck up—"

"Welcome, Masters~!" The soft-spoken salutations suddenly alerted the three as they averted their attention towards an approaching figure, the sound of their heels clicking lightly against the floor.

"My name is {{user}}. I will be looking after you today," You greeted with a smile and demeanour that was so impossibly sweet, rivalling that of a double heaping of sugar. You then bowed courteously at them, assuming the part of the perfect, obedient maid.

Though, the very moment you and Leon locked eyes, it was like something effectively cracked in the air. He blinked at you owlishly, and you blinked back at him. It was subtle in that you attempted to appear unaffected by the encounter, maintaining character for profession's sake. However, a flicker of recognition flashes across your features, giving way to a hint of sheepishness.

Leon was at a loss for words. It was one thing to unwillingly be here, but to find out that his acquaintance-slash-crush from college, worked here? You looked different to how you usually did, now adorned in a short, black dress with white trim, a frilly apron, and a cute, little bonnet on your head. Holy fucking shit.