Naturally, the "teacher" role in the maid café had absolutely nothing to do with Japanese adult films. While Jingu Yō was aware that some maid cafés offered... special services, judging by this shop's high popularity, he knew that kind of thing wouldn't be happening here.
In Japan, the average price for compensated dating with a girl was about 20,000 yen. For a fūzoku shop, prices ranged from 40,000 to 80,000 yen depending on the service, and otaku-style maid services were similarly priced—though with higher-end "resources," the price could skyrocket. That was just the average.
Jingu Yō and Aki Tomoya sat at a school-desk-styled table. Yō puffed out his chest with a fake sense of pride, pretending to attentively listen to the lesson from the "maid teacher."
It was a standard ritual for first-time visitors—an introduction to the rules of the café.
The adorable maid girl, clad in a small apron, bounced around at the front of the desk, chirping non-stop. Her hands moved in all directions, making cute gestures as she explained. To Jingu Yō, it was unexpectedly amusing.
Things like: once you stepped through that door, you'd entered another world. No harassing the maids. No unauthorized photos. And, most importantly, even if you weren't eating, you still had to pay for just sitting there by the hour. So naturally, they welcomed loiterers with open arms...
Jingu Yō didn't really listen. His focus was completely captured by the maid girl's bouncing legs.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, she unconsciously brought her legs together, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
That made Yō feel a bit guilty. He wasn't shameless enough to keep staring beneath her skirt, so he turned his head away and pretended to admire the scenery instead.
"Now then, please write your name here. Once you do that, you've officially graduated~!"
The girl handed them two small cards.
No need to use their real names—any alias would do.
Just as Jingu Yō picked up his pen and was about to write something random, a thought crossed his mind. Almost instinctively, he scribbled the characters for "Shinshu"—Shrine Master.
The term traditionally referred to the head priest of a Shinto shrine. But in Yō's heart, it pointed to a very specific, fantastical one: the Hakurei Shrine.
He casually glanced at the card Aki Tomoya was filling out. It read "taki."
With the cards filled out, they were led to an open table. The shop was full of otaku and oddball middle-aged men. The otaku were lively, chatting away and playing games with the maids. The older men, however, eyed newcomers with clear wariness.
At the table, they opened the menu. It was the usual: omurice, coffee, tonkatsu—basic food, but at five to six times the normal price.
Yō didn't bother looking too hard. He just ordered the recommended set.
"Aki-kun, you wanna check it out?"
"No no, Senpai, just go ahead and order for both of us!"
"Then we'll have the same."
He picked up the little bell on the table and gave it a shake. Moments later, the same maid girl came bounding over, beaming.
"Is Master ready to order?"
"Two of the set meals, please."
"Certainly! Anything else I can help you with?"
Her soft, fluffy voice was like music to the ears.
"No, that's all for now. If it's not enough, we'll order more later."
"Understood! Please wait just a moment~"
She noted the order, gave Yō a brilliant smile, and turned to leave.
"Wait a second—"
Yō stopped her before she could go.
"Yes, Master?"
She waited patiently, still smiling. That's one thing Japan got right—service workers rarely showed irritation.
But now that he'd stopped her, Yō hesitated. He fidgeted a bit, eyes flickering away. Then, finally, he made up his mind.
"Um... would it be possible for you to handle our whole table?"
Maybe it was the freedom of a second life. Or maybe it was money and confidence talking. Either way, Yō found himself saying things the old him never could.
Of course, there was no way he'd admit he just wanted to hear more of her voice—and look at her legs.
"No problem! I'll handle everything for you today, Master."
The girl smiled so hard her eyes turned into little slits. Being liked—especially by someone as good-looking and cheerful as Yō—would naturally make a girl her age happy.
"What's your name, Maid-san?"
Yō pressed further.
"Kanō~"
"I meant your real name. Not your maid café name."
Yō finally dropped the mask. His intent was crystal clear.
"Hehe, it's Kanō for real~"
She winked playfully.
"Ah! I better go cook for Master now. If I take too long, I'll be a disgrace of a maid!"
Almost like a rabbit fleeing a wolf, she turned and bounced away before Yō could ask for her address or phone number.
A faint trail of fragrance lingered in the air. Around the room, many of the other otaku—though supposedly shut-ins—had their eyes locked on Kanō's legs. No matter how deep in the otaku world, they were still men.
Since most of the café's food was made by the maids themselves, Yō watched her go with a smile. Then he turned to ask Aki Tomoya about where to buy what he wanted in Akihabara. No doubt, as a fellow otaku, Aki would know his way around.
But as he turned his head, he froze. Aki Tomoya was staring straight at him, with the piercing gaze of a man passing judgment.
"Jingū-senpai... this is wrong! Those are three-dimensional maids. How can they possibly compare to the two-dimensional ones? Even if they wear the costume and say the lines, they're not real maids!!"
Aki's voice was passionate, practically shaking the walls. Just when he seemed ready to give a full-fledged lecture on 2D maid supremacy—
Kanō came running up the stairs with two glasses of juice, still smiling sweetly.
Aki went silent.
After placing the drinks on the table and flashing one last adorable pose, she ran off again.
Aki's eyes wandered. His tone dropped several levels.
"...Well, compared to a regular restaurant, this place is kinda nice..."
His voice trailed off into a mumble.
It seemed this so-called "hardcore otaku" hadn't completely divorced himself from reality. What a relief.