The more Ian thought about it, the more feasible it seemed to train Lillian, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved upward.
Yiserin tilted her head, looking at Ian’s smile with curiosity. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” Ian said, clearing his throat to cover his lapse. “Anyway, don’t worry about Lillian’s strength. I have my ways.”
Ian continued, “Our next task is to get Chiye and Sephiroth to join our team.”
“Should I call Chiye’s Communicator?” Yiserin asked.
Ian nodded. “Ask for her opinion.”
Following Ian’s words, Yiserin dialed Chiye’s Communicator, but despite the ringing for a long time, Chiye didn’t pick up.
Yiserin said to Ian, “She’s probably busy with work. Should we try again later?”
Ian could only agree, but an inexplicable unease stirred in his heart, as if something bad was about to happen.
“I’ll head out then,” Yiserin said. Seeing that Chiye likely wouldn’t return the call soon, she felt awkward staying in Ian’s bedroom and left.
After Yiserin left, Ian’s unease grew stronger. Something bad is definitely going to happen.
Under this growing restlessness, Ian felt he couldn’t wait any longer. If I keep waiting, something really bad might happen.
Ian pulled out his Communicator and dialed Chiye’s number. This time, it didn’t take long for Chiye to answer.
“Hey, Ian, what’s up?” Chiye’s flustered voice came through the Communicator.
The device also picked up intermittent noisy chatter and faint calls of “Welcome home, Master,” typical of maid café greetings.
“Chiye, where are you right now?” Ian asked. Before he could finish, Chiye’s urgent voice interrupted. “Sorry, Ian! I’m working at the maid café right now. We’re swamped with customers today, and we’re short-staffed.”
“Oh, the strawberry parfait for table 32 hasn’t been delivered yet? I’ll take it right over.”
“Sorry, Ian, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later when things calm down.”
With that, before Ian could invite Chiye to join his team for the Sacred Trial, the call was cut off.
Looks like Chiye’s really busy. Ian sighed to himself. I wonder if she’ll finish her work before the Sacred Trial starts.
Ian felt reluctant to ask Chiye to join the Sacred Trial now. She’s working so hard, probably because she needs the money.
And here I am, asking her to join a risky competition like the Sacred Trial. It feels like I’m holding her back from earning a living.
From the data alone, their team was several tiers below Ethelrina’s.
The more I think about it, the less I want to ask Chiye to join, Ian thought. Because of her mother, Chiye’s short on money.
Moreover, Chiye quit the Student Council because of me. Sure, Serinveia played a part, but I still feel guilty.
Ian waited until the afternoon when his Communicator finally rang. He answered it.
“Hey, Ian,” Chiye’s voice came through, tinged with exhaustion and apology. “Sorry, things were crazy earlier.”
“What did you want to talk about?”
Ian gripped the Communicator, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, “Chiye, I’d like to invite you to join my team for the Sacred Trial’s team competition.”
After Ian’s words, a silence fell over the Communicator.
“Sorry, Ian, I’m too busy these days. I probably don’t have time for the Sacred Trial,” Chiye said apologetically.
Though disappointed, Ian understood her situation.
But just as Ian felt the weight of rejection, Chiye suddenly spoke up. “If you could help out, I might find time to join you for the Sacred Trial.”
“What? Me, help at the maid café? Are you serious?” Ian asked. “Don’t tell me the maid café’s hiring male staff now?”
Chiye’s puzzled voice came through. “Of course the maid café doesn’t hire guys, but Ian, have you forgotten? You’re actually a girl.”
After last night’s events, Chiye was convinced Ian was a girl cross-dressing as a boy, just like her.
Though Chiye didn’t know why Ian’s true form was so small, she attributed it to his exceptional disguise skills.
Hearing Chiye’s words, Ian froze, nearly dropping the Communicator.
“Wait, Chiye, you’ve got it all wrong! I’m actually…” Before Ian could explain, Chiye cut him off.
“Ian, no need to hide it,” Chiye said with a hint of amusement. “I saw your true form yesterday. Honestly, you’re really cute.”
Ian was speechless, thinking to himself, This is all Serinveia’s fault. How did I end up exposed like this?
I was disguised so perfectly.
“Anyway, if you help me out, I might be able to wrap up my work at the maid café early and join you for the Sacred Trial,” Chiye said cheerfully. “So, what do you say?”
Ian opened his mouth, unsure how to explain. But if helping Chiye means she can join my team, it’s not a bad deal.
It’s just that I’m the one who’s going to suffer. Ian sighed inwardly.
“Fine, I’ll help out, but only if you join my team and compete with me after I’m done,” Ian said, giving in.
Chiye chuckled lightly. “Deal. I’m hanging up now. Come to the café tomorrow to help.”
“You haven’t given me the address yet,” Ian said.
“It’s the famous Starry Dream Café. You know it, right?” Chiye replied.
“Starry Dream Café?” Ian found the name familiar but couldn’t place why.
“Chiye, hurry up and deliver this to the customer!” a stranger’s female voice called through the Communicator.
“Gotta go, I’m busy,” Chiye said, then hung up.
After a moment of thought, Ian remembered where he’d heard the name.
The Starry Dream Café is a famous maid café, staffed and patronized entirely by beautiful girls.
When I was Veronica’s butler, I saw her go in there once, but since I was a guy, I couldn’t enter.
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