Housework
I might not be familiar with it in this life, but in my previous life, I had quite a bit of experience.
Following my dad, who was a truck trader, I often slept in the car or outdoors, and I was skilled in chores to the point of using camping equipnt for housekeeping.
So, what I needed to focus on wasnt whether I could handle the housekeepers job well, but the person from whom Id taken the request.
Yes, then weve made the contract, and finally, lets review the contents again You are Vivian Platonis, a scholar affiliated with the Mage Tower, right?
Uh, yeah. Just call Vivian.
Ah, yes. Then, Miss Vivian
Vivian.
That was the na of my employer, a mage supported by the Mage Tower.
Naturally, it wouldnt be strange for soone of her status to ignore soone like , an outsider.
Hehe.
Yet, she showed no signs of ignoring . Instead, she seed sowhat intimidated, shrugging her shoulders.
Her attire, her stuttering, and even an awkward laugh
Just by her appearance, she didnt seem like a typical mad scientist from the Mage Tower, but more like an older student who had lost confidence due to multiple attempts at passing the exams.
Wh-whats your na?
Vivian asked timidly, just as the tension eased due to her deanor.
Even that act was surprising to , who had heard all sorts of rumors about people from the Mage Tower.
A mage from the Mage Tower, whose daily routine was capturing and dissecting innocent people, was curious about soone elses na. What a world to live in!
Ah, yes. My na is Woo Hyo-sung. You can call Hyo-sung
Pfft.
Vivian laughed before I could even finish my sentence, just as I was starting to relax.
Then she shyly revealed a smirk, her lips curling up as she swept her hand away from her mouth.
Woo Woo Hyo Thats an unusual na. Its kind of funny Pfft.
Haha, I often hear that.
And it usually made feel bad.
During my school days, my classmates would tease like, Woo Hyo-oh~!! Whats with that na?! Its really the best! And Ive heard it as a joke in this world too.
However, her laughter didnt really make feel bad, unlike those past experiences.
I could feel that she was just laughing purely, without any malice, upon hearing my na.
Well, anyway
After clearing my throat to dispel the pleasantness, I promptly placed the contract docunts, compliant with the empires labor laws, on the table and prepared to write additional clauses on another docunt I had taken out.
First, as written in the contract, I plan to stay here for the duration ntioned in these docunts. During that ti, I intend to arrange whatever is necessary while staying in this house. Are there any precautions I should be aware of?
Pr-precautions?
Ah, yes. For example, things that shouldnt be thrown away, or areas where I should be careful when cleaning.
Ah, if thats what you an Firstly, dont throw away any papers or books that are, uh, dropped on the floor, and be careful with the furniture
Vivian explained earnestly, despite her trembling voice.
Though a bit slow, it was understandable enough, so I was able to smoothly plan the cleaning schedule.
Except for the last thing she said.
And you must not go into the basent.
Yes, only that last warning.
She conveyed it to in a very clear voice without a trace of faltering.
Yes?
The basent.
Feeling a chilling disparity, I asked again, and Vivian, erasing the smile from her lips, repeated her previous words.
Dont ever go below the first floor. Do you understand?
Even in a dark room lit by a faint blue light, her eyes stood out with a distinct presence.
Realizing that her gaze was fixed on , I felt goosebumps on my skin and a tightness in my throat.
Yes, I couldnt understand why she suddenly changed her attitude, but one thing was certain.
Ah, yes. Understood.
Vivian, being a mber of the Mage Tower, a place known for its lack of ethical consciousness, made it clear that ignoring her words ant certain death.
Rembering that fact, I responded, and her previously tense expression began to relax.
Hehehe.
She returned to her earlier deanor in an instant.
She soon stood up with an awkward smile and prepared to move towards a room deeper inside the house.
Then I-Ill be researching from now on, so please take care of the cleaning.
Yes. Leave it to Ah, wait a mont, please.
After calling her back as she was leaving, she stopped, hunched over, and turned her gaze towards .
Why? Whats wrong?
She seed anxious, wondering if there was sothing more.
Although the feeling when she ntioned the basent was not present, I decided to ask her a question just in case.
Can I go and make sothing like coffee in a little while?
Coffee?
Yes. To help you concentrate.
It wasnt just a question of politeness.
If scholars of the Mage Tower were disturbed while concentrating, it wouldnt be strange for them to slaughter soone for that reason.
If I happened to approach her while she was working and unintentionally irritated her, it could very well be the end for .
Youre going t-to do that too?
However, dispelling such fears, she opened her eyes wide and brought her hands together at her chest.
As if trying to suppress her fluttering heart.
Youre going t-to make coffee yourself? Really?
Ah, yes. Well, its part of a housekeepers job. If you dont like to be disturbed
No, no, no, no! I love coffee!
Vivian, startled, hurried towards .
Then, holding my hand, she began to whisper shyly in a trembling voice.
I-I like it
Saying she liked while looking at .
No, not , but the coffee.
So, in the future, Im counting on you?
Ah, yes.
Having barely managed to regain my composure, I gripped my flushed face after she had left.
Damn, that was pretty dangerous just now.
Indeed, thinking soones kindness was affection was a third-rate idea.
Especially if theres business involved, its wise to be cautious and have self-restraint to maintain boundaries.
So, while working as Vivians housekeeper, I constantly reminded myself of three facts.
First, Vivian and I have a business relationship. Although we got along well, I shouldnt think of anything beyond that.
Second, I had to rember that once the contract would end, we would beco strangers. Staying around for hefty pay could lead to trouble, especially given her association with the Mage Tower.
Lastly, I would never enter the basent if I didnt want the chilly atmosphere to turn into a real threat to my life.
Yeah, Ill just take the contract paynt and leave. Life should be viewed as long and simple.
Whether it was about relationships or money.
If I got greedy, thinking life was a one-shot deal, and tried to handle the unexpected, I might end up in a situation as cold as frozen flesh.
I knew this from recalling a man in this world who dreamt of sudden wealth and lived crazily for gambling
Finally, 100 million.
Oh, youve finally saved 100 million from hard work? Congratulations!
Its debt! You fools!
Did the debtor who tried bungee jumping without a rope under the bridge get reincarnated, or was he handed over as a gold and silver foreign worker set as compensation to the honest person who ca looking for him?
Either way, that incident greatly helped restrain my greed.
With that in mind, I was able to approach Vivian without hesitation as her housekeeper today.
Miss Vivian, Ive made coffee.
Yeah, just leave it there.
Fortunately, she spent the whole day sitting at her desk, focused solely on her research, only responding to my voice when she was concentrating.
Her characteristic stamr or awkward smile didnt exist at that mont; she just scribbled on paper filled with complex shapes and equations.
Naturally, I couldnt understand any of it, so I just watched for a bit before going on to do my other work.
Occasionally, I cleaned up scattered books or crumpled papers, but the rustling noise didnt seem to bother her; she just focused on her work.
Miss Vivian, its about ti for a al. Arent you hungry?
Yeah, give food.
And it was the sa when it ca ti for als.
Unwilling to spare even the ti to go to the dining table, I brought what I had prepared earlier and set it in front of her.
Of course, the al consisted of sandwiches, salads, and soup in a cup that she could eat while working.
After serving it and waiting for her to eat by her side, she glanced at the tray, then threw out a comnt, refocusing on her work.
Feed .
What?
If I stop working before Im done, Ill lose my focus. Feed .
She was asking to be fed?
Was this a serious request?
Ah, yes. I should feed you.
No, shes in a state of extre concentration right now.
It wasnt in her nature to joke around, and given that work was her top priority, seeking extre efficiency was plausible.
So, I fed her with my own hands.
Just like feeding a child, with these hands directly
Munch munch.
She chewed the sandwich in her mouth a few tis and swallowed.
After I offered her a cup, she gulped down the soup as if to wash down what was left in her mouth and grabbed her pen again.
Then again, a bite of the sandwich I offered, a bite of the salad with dressing
Is it good?
Yes.
Her responses continued, brief and quiet.
Seeing the empty plate, I smile contentedly, thinking she at least didnt seem displeased.
Haha, Im glad then.
Indeed, it was a good thing that she ate well.
Compared to those who complained about the food not being royal cuisine during the camp, this was a really good response, wasnt it?
Tha
As I was about to leave the room with the empty plate, her lips parted, still facing away from at her desk.
As if savoring the taste and aroma of the sandwich and soup in her mouth
Thank you for the good food
As she thanked in a trembling voice, I stood frozen for a mont before forcing a smile and responding to her.
Ah, no, its nothing.
-Click.
The door closed, and silence filled the corridor.
Standing there alone, I mulled over her words of gratitude, then clenched my face, reaffirming the promise to myself.
Calm down. Its just a thank you.
Dont get interested unless youre sure.
What I should be thinking about was not a green light but the fence rule.
But maybe she, like Airi, fits my taste for an older sister who listens well?
Living together often leads to misunderstandings, and it hasnt been easy to shake off the temptation of a business relationship.
Especially since she always dresses loosely, it wasnt easy to resist the temptation to reach out
Vivian, its morning. Wake up.
Despite that, I gathered my courage and went to wake her up early in the morning, as she had asked.
But she, lying on a sofa, not a bed, showed no signs of waking up, even though I opened the curtains and let in the sunlight.
Vivian, if you keep sleeping, you wont finish todays research.
Yeah, at least she wont get angry about sothing related to the research.
Thinking it was okay to approach her like this, I shook her body, and she began to groan and sit up.
Uh, ugh
Her eyes were groggy, and her hair was ssily spread in all directions from sleep.
Moreover, her clothes were not properly buttoned, accentuating her ample bosom.
Vivian, are you okay?
Mm, Im fine. Im awake.
Swallowing saliva and gazing at her, she began to open her drowsy eyes and respond in a languid voice.
Her focus sharpened in her blurry vision, then dispersed again.
Hehe.
Seemingly aware of my presence.
Soon, she turned towards and greeted , her back to the sunlight.
Thanks for waking up. Good morning to you too, housekeeper~
Ah, yes. Its nothing.
Ehehe.
A faint smile slowly ford on her lips.
In this world, where I had never encountered such pure kindness, the restraint I had built up was gradually fading.
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