Shangri La Pt. 1

123: Aura

As the door to the washroom opened, all of the maids entering immediately came to a halt when they saw Yu and Izumi standing there. Izumi remained calm–like usual–but Yu... Yu had other plans in mind as she gave off a smirk while crossing her arms. 

"Heh– You were saying?"

In an instant, all of the maids–entering the room–went silent and were unsure what to say or do at this point, as it was clear that they'd been revealed to have left their duties to a newcomer. 

"M-Miss– A-Ahem– G-Good morning, Miss Takeyama." one of the maids started with a bow, leading to all the other maids to say and do the same. 

"Is it a good morning, because from what I've been told, all of you left your duties–in the middle of the day–and made this young lady have to force herself to do all the heavy lifting. And– What time was it when you managed to finish all the laundry, Izumi?" Yu asked, turning her head to the greenette. 

"I-I'm not sure, as the Sun had already left the sky by that time." 

"Uh huh, which means that Izumi worked for more than 9 hours and– without any breaks for food or water?" 

"M-Mn." Izumi answered, even though that was a lie, but she somehow felt like she wanted to make the others feel guilty. 

"See, and not only that, but Miss Izumi here woke up at 4 this morning and came back here to get on her hands and knees and cleaned this entire washroom for the next 4 hours. Most of you should be impressed, yes?" Yu questioned, forcing all the maids to actually analyze the room and see just how much cleaner, brighter and how much more refreshing it smelled. 

"She– She cleaned this entire room?" 

"But where is all the laundry?" 

"I-I..." 

Right away, everyone turned to look at the greenette as she clenched her hands together.

"Because no one taught me how to use these big tools–and because I didn't want to get hurt–I did all the laundry on the roof the old fashioned way that we do in the East. I may do certain things differently because of where I come from, b-but I can be a fast learner. But when someone doesn't really help or teach me... it can be a bit difficult for me to understand unless I'm told or assisted by it. And... though I did not know how to use these tools that're in here, I knew of another way to do the laundry, and I also know that when all the chores are left to one individual–and they don't manage to get it all done–they are the one to be blamed for a very long time. I-I have learned this very thing in the East and have always tried to complete my tasks before moving on, because no one else will truly help you if you do not help yourself. A-And I know that it was not asked, but I couldn't believe the smell in this room. I had no other choice but to deep clean this place as germs and many other things can enter the human body and can make someone very sick if not careful. T-This is something we've always been forced in our heads the second we entered the palace to serve the royals. I-I'm sorry if it's led to an inconvenience, but I was only worried of what could happen to you all if I did not do anything to help." Izumi expressed as she made a 90 degree bow to the ladies.

"Izumi– Y-You don't need to bow, stand up!" Yu exclaimed as she tried to make the greenette straighten up. 

"B-But I might've caused trouble if I didn't say these things, so I must do this and bow as–" 

"We're so sorry, miss!!!" 

Yu and Izumi flinched as they both turned their heads to see all the maids now on their hands and knees bowing to them. 

"Ah– What is–" 

"We are so sorry for thinking you were inexperienced and unaware of your actions, as we have seen that you are more acquainted with your surroundings compared to any of us! We must have all been working in this very room for so long that we've gotten used to the smell that we didn't seem bothered by it! Please forgive us for making you do all of this on your own, we were only told to treat you like this because of someone else." one of the maids yelled.