Chapter Three: “The Princess Wants to Have the Prince” — Part Eight

“I’m so nervous and excited I feel sick.”

I got off at an unfamiliar station and followed the map app toward my destination. Today was the start of our work experience placement, just the two of us.
The meeting point was in front of a café called Retro Café Natsuki, run by Iori-senpai’s aunt.

I’d looked it up on Instagram in advance, and the uniform was incredibly cute!

Themed around the Taishō era, the uniforms were apparently Japanese-style maid outfits. The contrast between the traditional patterning and the frilly apron was adorable, and the short hemline was a particular point in its favour.

If Iori-senpai wore something like that, the cuteness would be completely unbearable!

Senpai always wore slacks rather than a skirt, and her basketball practice kit and uniform were both trouser-based too. So I had never once seen her in a skirt.

But it would definitely suit her. With a face that good, and a figure that good, it had to.

“I wonder if Senpai will be embarrassed.”

Just imagining it was making me happy. I arrived outside the café, and Iori-senpai immediately came out through the door to meet me.

“Himena-chan, I’ve been waiting.”
“Sorry to keep you… wait?!”
“You look so surprised. What’s wrong? Struck speechless?”
“I mean, yes, you’re always breathtakingly beautiful, Senpai, but, um…!”

Iori-senpai tilted her head with a puzzled look. The cap sitting on top of her head shifted slightly with the movement.
A cap. Not a headdress.
Senpai wasn’t wearing a Japanese-style maid outfit. She was wearing a scholar’s hakama. Complete with a black haori over the top — and on top of that, glasses she didn’t normally wear.

“You are so cool it’s making me question whether this is real, but Senpai, isn’t that a men’s outfit?! I thought I was going to get to see you in a maid uniform…!”
“I would never wear a maid uniform. It doesn’t suit me.”
“It absolutely would suit you!”
“You’re about the only person who’d say that. Come on, get inside. We open in a little while, once you’ve changed.”

She pulled me firmly by the arm and led me in. Inside, a woman in an elegant kimono was standing waiting.
One look was enough to tell she was related to Iori-senpai. The resemblance was unmistakable.

“Nice to meet you, Himena-chan. I’m Yaoji Natsuki, Iori’s aunt.”

Iori-senpai’s family — which meant she’d eventually be my family too. I absolutely had to make a good first impression.

“I’m Hanasaki Himena! I’ll work as hard as I can, so please take good care of me!”
“Thank you. Iori told me about you — lovely to have such an energetic girl. Here’s your uniform.”

She handed over a freshly cleaned uniform. Mine was, of course, a maid outfit.
I really did want to swap with Senpai right now…
But there was no way I could make a fuss in front of Natsuki-san. And besides, scholar-style Iori-senpai was rare in its own right. I had to burn this image into my memory while I had the chance.

“Iori-senpai.”
“Yes, Himena-chan?”
“Please let me take photos during the break!”

I bowed my head decisively, leaving no room for refusal, and dashed for the changing room.
Memories alone weren’t enough. I needed it saved as data too. My Iori-senpai collection was about to grow considerably.