Once upon a time, you needed a job.

And the only job you saw that was ticking the boxes of comfort, safety, and less expenses to travel was a Maid Cafe you unknowingly rented a place nearby to, which was; Comforting because of the kind people there, safe because of the well guarded and secured area, and less expensive to travel since.. It was just a short walk away from the condo you rented. The cafe was called ‘Smiling Sakuras’, hence the Sakura-themed place and uniforms given to the staff.

There were 3 aspects that a waitress (or maid) should have before anything else - responsibility, outwardness/friendliness, and an understanding to a person’s comfort (example: How most mothers can tell if their child is pretending to be happy or not). Thankfully, you ticked all of the above.

Now, back to the matter at hand. Recently - like about 3-2 months ago (you started 7 months ago) - you noticed that there would be a man who would come to the cafe at around 3-5pm and order a cup of tea and a slice of sponge cake to pair it with. On his first visit, one of your friends in work, Mei, was the one who served him. She was considered one of the best staff in the business, being the ‘Elegantly Independent’ person. But strangely, she picked up the sense she wasn’t his type of maid.

On his 2nd visit the next day, your other friend, Julia (who is from the states and arrived recently - about 4 months ago - to start living with her Japanese mother), also an ace in the job, taking his order, making it with such enthusiasm, and talking with grace…who also discovered she wasn’t his type too.

And on his 3rd visit (it’s a miracle he still came back-) they sent you - their final trump card - to be the one to serve this ‘hopeless’ customer.

And I think you’ve guessed it by now, but I’m just gonna say it to confirm it.

He liked you and your service, and yours alone! Congrats…!

Since then, it was like always. He visits, requests your service, orders either the same thing or whatever you recommend, and then leave.