The day before the School Festival, a current of bustling energy swept through the entirety of St.
Freya Academy.
Half-hung ribbons and streamers fluttered from the ceilings of every corridor, and each classroom was a hive of activity as students put the finishing touches on their exhibition areas.
In Class 1-B, home to Lucian and Kiana, their maid café was already beginning to take shape.
The entire room had been transformed.
Desks were pushed together to form a makeshift reception counter, and the blackboard was covered in charming chalk-art promotions featuring cute maids and steaming cups of coffee.
Amidst the diligent preparations, however, a frantic chase was unfolding.
“Kiana, your uniform!” The class monitor, a girl with a no-nonsense demeanor, brandished a black-and-white maid outfit as she pursued Kiana around the classroom.
Kiana, for her part, darted about like a cornered rabbit.
“Wait!
I’m not mentally prepared for this yet!” “Stop running!
We officially open for business tomorrow!” Lucian, who was helping move a stack of desks to the side, watched the spectacle with an amused smile.
“You’ll have to wear it sooner or later, you know.” “And you’re laughing!” Kiana skidded to a halt at the far end of the room, panting as she leaned against the wall.
She jabbed a finger accusingly at Lucian.
“Why don’t you wear a butler suit, then?
If I’m going down, you’re coming with me!” “Hey, hey, don’t drag me into this,” Lucian said, raising his hands in surrender.
“This is a maid café.
What does that have to do with me…?” “What do you mean it has nothing to do with you!” A spark of inspiration lit up Kiana’s eyes.
She stopped trying to evade the class monitor and stood her ground, a bold, mischievous grin spreading across her face.
“You’re the only boy at St.
Freya Academy!
If you wear a butler suit, you’ll definitely attract way more customers!” A chorus of excited gasps and cheers immediately erupted from the other girls in the classroom.
“Wow!
A butler…” “Class monitor, that’s a brilliant idea!” The class monitor pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, her gaze shifting from Kiana to Lucian.
She nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face.
“That… actually makes a lot of sense.” The smile on Lucian’s face froze.
He looked around at the two dozen pairs of expectant, sparkling eyes fixed on him, his gaze finally landing on Kiana.
He could see the triumphant glint in her sapphire eyes and sighed in helpless defeat.
“I don’t mind wearing it,” he conceded, “but did the class order any male outfits?
Or do I need to find my own?” The class monitor consulted her notebook, her brow furrowed with some difficulty.
“We didn’t prepare any male clothing in advance, but as for the outfit itself…” “I have one,” Lucian interjected calmly.
“I’ve worn it before for… certain social events.
I can bring it tomorrow.” The class monitor’s eyes lit up.
“Mhm, then it’s settled!” A harmonious atmosphere returned to the classroom as the students resumed their work, energized for the next day’s festival.
The only exception was Kiana, who stood frozen on the spot, her jaw slightly agape.
Before she could process what had just happened, the class monitor and several other girls descended upon her.
Dazed and disbelieving, Kiana was unceremoniously dragged toward the makeshift changing room.
She hadn’t expected Lucian to agree so easily, and she certainly hadn’t expected him to actually own a butler suit.
“Don’t just stand there, hurry up and see if the clothes fit!” Inside the changing area, partitioned off by desks and curtains, the class monitor stuffed the maid outfit into Kiana’s hands, along with a pair of white stockings and a hair accessory.
Kiana held the garments, her fingers tracing the delicate lace and soft ribbons.
A blush began to creep up her neck.
“This… this is too…” “Too what?
Too cute?” one of the other girls giggled.
“Kiana, you have such a great figure, it’ll definitely look amazing on you!” “Exactly, exactly!
Put it on and let us see!” Under the girls’relentless encouragement, Kiana could only brace herself and begin to change.
The process of shrugging off her school uniform and slipping into the maid outfit was exceptionally awkward, especially when she needed help tying the straps and the large bow at her back.’When have I, Kiana Kaslana, ever suffered such humiliation?’ she fumed internally.
This feeling of being handled and dressed by others… this was a special kind of hell!
“Tighten the waist a little more… Yes, just like that.” “Let’s undo your braids and comb your hair out… then we can put this headband on…” “Pull the stockings up a bit higher…” Kiana stood stiffly, being maneuvered like a dress-up doll.
Her face was crimson the entire time, and she didn’t dare to even glance at the mirror.
It wasn’t until the class monitor declared with a satisfied tone, “All done,” that she was finally allowed to turn and face the full-length mirror hanging just behind the curtain.
For a moment, she didn’t even recognize the girl staring back at her.
Her long, silver hair had been gathered into a high ponytail, adorned with a delicate white lace headband.
A few stray strands framed her face, falling naturally across her forehead.
The black-and-white dress fit her form perfectly, and the apron’s straps were tied into a large, elegant bow at the small of her back.
The skirt’s hemline ended just above her knees, revealing the length of her legs, now clad in pristine white stockings.
Kiana opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Though a deep-seated shyness still made her want to hide, she couldn’t deny it: the version of herself in the mirror looked… incredibly good.
The class monitor pushed her glasses up, her voice filled with pride.
“I told you this outfit would suit you!” “You’re going to attract so many customers tomorrow!” The girls chattered away, showering her with praise.
Kiana’s face grew redder and redder as she awkwardly tugged at the hem of her skirt, muttering softly, “It’s… it’s so weird… I feel like I don’t even know how to walk anymore…” “What’s weird about it!
It’s super cute, okay?
Hurry up and go out so everyone can see!” One of the girls gave her a gentle push toward the edge of the curtain, which was then pulled open with a dramatic swish.
“Wait—!” Kiana stumbled forward a few steps before catching her balance.
She kept her head bowed, her hands nervously clutching the fabric of her skirt, completely unwilling to look up and see the reactions of her classmates.
For a brief second, the entire classroom fell silent.
Then, an even louder clamor than before erupted.
“Kiana!
That outfit suits you so well!” “Looks like you’re going to be our star attraction!” Kiana’s face was so hot it felt like it might actually combust.
She finally plucked up the courage to lift her head, her gaze subconsciously sweeping across the room, searching for one particular person.
Lucian was standing at the back of the classroom, a string of decorative fairy lights still in his hands.
When their eyes met, he visibly froze.
Even though he was wearing his usual sunglasses, Kiana could feel his gaze on her.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl for a few heart-stopping seconds.
Then, Lucian quickly looked away and cleared his throat.
“…It suits you.” His voice wasn’t loud, yet it miraculously cut through the noise of the classroom and landed squarely in Kiana’s ears.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She hurriedly lowered her head again, her fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of her apron.
Despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t stop the corners of her mouth from curling into a small, secret smile.
“Al-alright!
Fitting’s over!” The class monitor clapped her hands, steering a flustered Kiana back toward the changing area.
“Hurry and change back.
We still have more decorating to do.” The curtain was pulled shut once more, blocking the view from the outside.
Kiana leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths to try and calm her racing heart.
‘That… that awkward expression he had just now…”What a pity I couldn’t see his eyes… Those sunglasses really are in the way…”No, no, what am I even thinking!’ She shook her head vigorously, only for it to be gently steadied by the girl who was helping her untie the dress.
“Save the blushing for later, Kiana.
Don’t move for a second.” [Elysian’s Note: Having a good time with the story?
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