I had given some tea leaves to Kuro as a souvenir to Ein-san, but it seemed like she liked the tea leaves a lot and wanted more.
However, she also knew that the one who created those tea leaves was Nebula, not me, so she asked me to introduce her to Nebula so that she could negotiate with her.
The way the conversation went, it seemed like she wanted to ask for a distribution on a somewhat regular basis, so telling her that even though I don't know how Nebula will respond to her request, introducing her to Nebula wouldn't be a problem.
And today, Ein-san and Nebula met at my home. Well, Nebula has a sociable and steadfast personality, and Ein-san is a calm and cool woman except when it comes to matters related to maids, so the introductions went without a hitch.
Nebula then decided to brew a pot of tea for us with her tea leaves in it, and as she brewed the tea with fluid movements despite her small physique, Ein-san looked surprised.
[...Wonderful. Her movements as she brews the tea, her technique, the taste of her brewed tea... Everything is impeccably refined. She holds great talent, it definitely would be great if she——- No, excuse me, I didn't say anything?]
[Unnn? What were you saying just now?]
Somehow, in the flow of the conversation, I felt like she was about to start saying something about maids again... It was unusual for Ein-san to stop in the middle of a maid-related conversation though, so I reflexively asked back.
Thereupon, after seemingly thinking about this for a moment, Ein-san explained.
[No, it's just that... I felt that the potential I saw in Nebula-sama was tremendous, and I felt that if she were to become a maid, she might eventually surpass me with her talent, so I was about to ask her if she would become one. However... It seems that Nebula-sama herself isn't suited to be a maid, which is quite unusual.]
[Not suited to be a maid? Why is that?]
Since she's a very nice and thoughtful girl, and being skilled enough to be recognized by Illness-san and Ein-san, I thought Nebula would be suited for such a job instead...
[The reason is simple. She has the aura of "the one who is served" rather than "the one who serves". Just like Kuromu-sama, she has the aura of a being who stands above others. On the contrary, those with such an aura are fatally unsuitable to become maids... is how... it should have been...]
[Unnn?]
Putting aside that aura and other such unintelligible matters, Ein-san seemed unusually hesitant to say something, or rather, it feels like she was somewhat bewildered.
[But for some reason, this situation of Nebula-sama serving Kaito-sama also feels right. It's incredibly mysterious. The aura I feel and the situation doesn't match, but somehow, this contradiction mysteriously feels right, so I'm a bit confused. This is the first time I've seen someone like her... A person who seems suited to be a maid, but isn't.]
[...I see, I understand what Ein-san meant. The answer to this is simple!]
I had no idea what Ein-san was talking about, but somehow, Nebula seemed to have understood her and even knew the answer to her doubts, as she confidently answered.
[That's because, no matter what situation I am in, I am Absolute! It matters not what position I stand in, my presence matches every situation there is because my absoluteness never wavers!]
[I see, it's more than just being someone who stands above others, it's because you hold a definite position that never sways... just like how maids are.]
...No, hey, you there. Why the heck are you connecting everything to maids...
At any rate, I would like you to stop putting our cute Nebula on the same level as the monsters called Maids.
[...Errr, I'm changing the subject, but didn't Ein-san have something to discuss with Nebula?]
[That's right, excuse me for digressing. I have something I would very much like to ask of you, Nebula-sama.]
[Yes, what is it?]
[I will pay for them at a good price. So please, won't you continue to share that tea with us on a regular basis?]
[Yes. It's alright.]
[Of course, I know it's difficult to———- Eh?]
With considerable enthusiasm... A strong will could be seen in Ein-san's eyes, as if she was prepared to negotiate how many times she was refused. In response to such an Ein-san, whose expression changed from her usually cool self to one of intense desire... Nebula readily gave her approval.
Perhaps, not having expected her answer, Ein-san looked dazed.
[Let's see. Would one can, the size of a regular tea can, every month be alright? You don't really need to pay for it either, but would that bother Ein-san? As long as it is within your means, you can decide on the cost.]
[Eh? No... Yes. I- If that is what you want, but would that be alright?]
[Of course! Being the Absolute that I am, I will not brush away a needing hand!!!]
[T- Thank you very much!]
Ein-san, whose request was fulfilled when Nebula willingly agreed, deeply bowed her head.
[...Errr, I'm not really sure it's my place to say anything about this if Nebula's fine with that, but are you sure about that? Won't you be burdened about this?]
[There wouldn't be any problem. The amount I make can be adjusted. I've originally adjusted the quantity I was making to be enough to what we consume at home, so it wasn't really a hassle to increase the quantity.]
Nebula is a kind girl, so I had already thought she would have been considerate and agree to Ein-san's request... but it seems like there really wouldn't be a problem.
Or rather, for her to have originally adjusted her tea plantation to be just the amount of tea that we consume at home, I don't know if I should say that it's to be expected of Nebula or not.