Chereads / Don't Simp! / Chapter 22 - Misunderstanding

Chapter 22 - Misunderstanding

Does Hans need a maid?

No. Not necessarily.

But for the sake of convenience and having more free time on writing his novel, he decides that having a maid will work to his advantage considering his circumstances. Just like the motivation of many Japanese main characters in Isekai novels, Hans also wants to live a slow life that he can enjoy to the fullest.

Still.

"Like I said. I don't want her."

"WHY!?"

Hans ignores the bald punk. For a girl, she is an extremely tomboyish one. The way she asserts her masculine authority is the same as how Hans recalls his few bully friends in high school.

"Carlos, I am sorry, but I cannot take her." Hans did not disclose the reason as to why.

Carlos is a reliable buddy, and though their acquaintanceship is short, Hans has come to rely on her on more than one occasion. Carlos as someone who Hans finds a good conversationalist is among the few friends Hans is able to consider a good friend.

Shaking her head, Carlos reasons to Hans that taking in Jane Loweigh, an alternate heroine of Love and Magic is not a loss to him. "She is among the best in her age range. Her Geass is also unique, and one of the more powerful ones. If you decide to sponsor her, it won't be a big loss for you. Moreover, as the two of you are both around the same age, having her marry you in the future as payment is not a big deal."

Hans frowns realizing that there is a misunderstanding. The cultural gap between this world and his old world is one of the most concerning issues Hans finds difficult to adjust to.

"I don't mean… that kind of maid…."

Recalling the arc story about Jane Loweigh, Hans tries guessing the self-correction element working at this very moment. Apparently, a 'maid' in this world works differently from the one that Hans knows. Hans realizes that as this is a female-dominated world, something like maids working for their masters should not exist.

"Hmmm… Carlos, would you please define maid?"

"Huh?"

Carlos feeling that Hans is confrontational gives an exasperated sigh.

"Maids are women from lower status who received sponsors from those who are of higher status. Generally, men from upper status who lack a number of women from their clans hire maids in order to bolster their power. Women of high status also engage in hiring maids, though rarely."

"I see…"

Hans feels like he is too ahead of himself since escaping the main heroine's influence, but clearly, he still has a lot to learn about this world. Because he is now having an easier life according to his preferences and is sailing quite smoothly, it doesn't mean he will no longer meet any setbacks.

"I am not all-knowing." Shaking his head, Hans apologetically bows 90 degrees to Carlos.

"I am sorry! I don't want her as a maid! I prefer someone younger!" Hans adds explosively, his voice in a high pitch.

Looking back at the two, Hans sees the subtly disgusted expression sporting their faces. Hans feels regret that he should have just asked Carlos to help him hire a 'man servant' who can help him attend to his daily needs.

As a guy who has a healthy testosterone level, Hans cannot fault himself for wanting a 'maid' who can also be eye candy at times when he feels miserable. Just seeing the various gals of monstrosities who attend the nightclub on an unhealthy basis is enough for Hans to feel wholly phobic of them.

"That will be disadvantageous for you, Hans… If you choose to sponsor someone younger, you will receive lash back from others. And trust me, you won't like it. The women kind is very particular about this kind of thing. I suggest you just choose Jane."

Jane who is standing beside Carlos nods her head with energy repeatedly.

Hans doesn't have a comeback, but clearly, he is reluctant on involving himself in any characters from his novel. Hans fakes a cough, giving himself time to think for himself.

*Cough~ *Cough~

Carlos waits for him to get a hold of his coughing.

*Cough~ *Cough~ *Cough~

Jane not being vocal for the last ten seconds look at Hans with expectations.

*Cough~ *Cough~ *Cough~ *Cough~

Carlos and Jane feeling that something is wrong cannot help but worry for Hans.

"Hey, are you okay?" Carlos.

"Here, have some water." Jane.

*Cough~ *Cough~ *Cough~ *Cough~

At this point, Hans is already making a coughing fit in the most exaggerated fashion. It seems that his coughing has become real especially after he down a glass of water only to choke hard.

"Ahem~!" Hans finally takes hold of his throat. "Sorry about that."

Carefully drinking another glass of water, Hans looks at the two who remain expectantly looking at him. Hans drinks the glass of water as slowly as possible, and while the delaying tactic seems to be working, he clearly doesn't have forever.

Hans has to give a satisfactory excuse, but he cannot think of any. He wants to blame his bad luck for not seeing this, but he cannot do anything about it. What are the chances that a character from the original novel is acquainted with his new friend who does not even appear in the original novel?

Fate, right? Such bastard.

"You are right, Carlos…" Hans finally comes to a decision. "I will accept her, however…" A compromise. "If I find her not up to my standard, I will fire her. The first month will be probationary. I will feed her, and nothing else for the first month. If she passed my standard, she can then receive her allowances."

"Hah~ You have such high standards—" Jane sarcastically mocks Hans, only for Carlos to cut her off.

"Shush… Yes, that will do, Hans. I will leave this lass to you."

With these words, the two have come to an agreement. Of course, Hans doesn't plan at all of giving Jane a pass. The next thing on the agenda is the signing of contracts. Carlos has come prepared and already has a contract written. Carlos only needs to write a few more sentences to adjust the contract as per Hans's request.

Hans read it once, and twice making sure that he is not being cheated. The contract is hand-written, and it seems that Carlos is Jane's guardian. This must be another self-correction to this world. In the original story, there is not much to Jane Loweigh except coming from a harsh world.

Writing his signature over his name, Hans finally gives his blessing to this agreement. Carlos and Jane similarly place their signatures on the contract. Each of them has a copy of their own, Hans, Carlos, and Jane.

"Just to make sure that all of us are on the same page. This contract is enforced by the laws of the underworld. The criminal presence here in City Z is strong, but there is still a semblance of order to it all thanks to the underworld rulers. Just to warn you, Hans, going against this contract means challenging the underworld empire." Carlos nastily smiles at Hans.

To this, Hans doesn't really care, because he is already aware of it. Moreover, the way contracts work in City Z is less law-abiding, and more enforced by punishment through the blood that the underworld denizens follow to the T.

For a city such as this, the only way to maintain order is through these contracts. Hans shrugs off Carlos's veiled threat. "I know, Carlos, just don't be a bitch, and I might kindly sponsor Jane just as you wanted."