Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 44 (Part 1)

_Chapter 44-1~ Little Kids_

"Well aren't you a cute little maid."

A tiny smile quirked up the corners of my lips as I faced my cousin, curtsying for emphasis. "I'm basically still out of commission though."

Letting out a laugh, Erika rested her arm upon my shoulder. "Nah, I honestly think the whole bandage business has its own appeal. Trust me, once we start you'll get a ton of customers."

I flashed her a tight-lipped smile as she drew away from me. "Should I really be celebrating over the idea of getting more work?"

"You missed enough school lying in bed," Erika pointed out, pushing open the curtain we were standing behind so we could head out into the open. "I think a little work after all that is necessary. But don't work yourself too hard, all right? I'll cover for you anytime you need."

"Thanks, Erika," I told her sincerely. "You're always looking out for me."

"That's what cousins do. We have to have each other's backs," Erika told me with a wink, handing me a notepad. "Now don't forget the whole maid talk."

"Understood, ojousama," I said with a grin.

She bobbed her head in approval. "Nice."

"We're opening in five minutes," shouted somebody from the front of the room. "Get ready!"

Accordingly, I shifted my gaze to take in the decorations of our classroom, including the outfits for the maid and butler cafe we were running for the Cultural Festival. Luckily enough, after being discharged from the hospital and resting at home for a couple days all the school was really focused on was preparing for this event. It left enough time for me to relax and enjoy it without having to actually worry too much about catching up in class. Akelius was never usually this big on this event but this year I guess they decided to change that; not that I really expected the students classifying themselves as 'delinquents' to loaf around campus on a day like this anyway.

          Turning my gaze away from my crooked bow, I definitely wasn't expecting to catch a glimpse of Ryu hanging around the end of the room, leaning against the back window. Similar to every other guy in the class he was dressed in a butler's garb; sleeves to his white dress shirt rolled back to his elbows, hair slicked back with his front strands tumbled out onto his forehead. Considering his height and lean physique it'd even succeeded in bringing out the colour of his stunning eyes against his pale complexion.

My heart certainly betrayed me by throbbing. He was hot. Incredibly. I mean, he still looked great in his frivolous outfits but this formal attire suited him way more than I thought it would.

I must've been eyeing Ryu for quite a while because I was snapped back to reality with a whistle from Erika behind me. "Whoa there. Ogle at him like that any longer and you may burn a hole through the guy."

I flinched, immediately spinning around to face her. My face had grown unreasonably hot. "O-ogle? U-um, no. I was...um...."

"Having fantasies about him?" Erika finished.

"N-no! I was just...."

"It's fine, I get it." Erika grinned, staring past my shoulder. "He does look great in that."

My face had shifted to an even darker shade of red in embarrassment. Agh, was it that obvious I was thinking that? Way to be discreet, me.

"Aww, don't worry Reina. You're looking good as well. Which is why I'm not surprised that you're not the only one gawking today." Baffled at Erika's words, I looked over towards her and she was wearing a smug smile. She sent me a wink. "He's been staring at you too. In fact, I don't think he can get his eyes off you~!"