"Welcome, master!" you said cheerily with a bow. Opening your eyes again, you got a better look at your customer, smiling from the familiarity. "Allow me to escort you to your table, master," you said with a smile.
"O..Okay..." he said, hanging his head low.
Head held high, you walked over elegantly to the table, the same one he usually sat at. From how he was looking away, his eyes were right at your thighs, a little gap of softness between your stockings and skirt. Catching himself, he looked over another way. His little sounds of anxiety made each of his feelings so obvious, you couldn't help but smile from how cute it was.
Helping him to settle in, you bowed your head and handed him a menu, "Your menu, Master Amajiki."
He twitched upon hearing you say his name, casting a fast gaze up to you.
You could only see one of his eyes locked on you. His face was flushed red. So cuuuuute!! You thought, maintaining your usual, charmingly elegant smile. With your gaze resting comfortably in his, you continued, "Our special today is sweet potato curry. It pairs well with our drink special, a cinnamon chai latte."
"Mm..." he nodded. "O..okay.."
You waited for a bit as he scanned the menu quickly.
"Um...t...the special sounds good... T..take your time getting it... y...you know..." he uttered shyly.
Cuuuuuuuuutttteeeee!!! you thought. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Master. I'll inform the kitchen of your request, immediately." You bowed one more time before turning to walk toward the kitchen window. Your hands were in your lap, and your skirt fluttered gingerly behind you. You could feel his eyes follow you - follow your legs, your hands, your hair, your outfit, your well-done face, your princess-like smile, and your big, shining eyes.
Watching you finish your friendly dialogue with the kitchen staff, Tamaki turned back to his own things. He pulled his school bag onto his lap, reached into it, and pulled out some books and writing utensils.
♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡
Thing is, Tamaki had been a regular here for a few months now. He was so nervous the first time he came in. He didn't even realize it was a maid cafe. But once he walked through the door it was too late to leave - that would be rude! (And there's no way our shy boy would put him on the spot like that.) Thankfully for him, you were there. You were the first person to help him, to introduce him to the experience. You welcomed him kindly, mindful of his anxiety that anyone could see from a mile away, and you carefully took care of him.
He started coming on and off, having a drink and then heading home. But after a while, his visits became more frequent, and he started coming at least once a week. Not only would he get a drink, but some food too sometimes. He would read or study for a long while, and then head back.
After trial and error, he recognized when your schedule is. One day he asked if he could come when you were here. He was so polite you thought he would break like the most sensitive piece of ceramics. But you reassured him. You reassured him with your words, your smile, your service, even just your very presence. Whenever he came in, you would be the maid to serve him.
After some time, you realized he was a student at UA. And after a quick look at the news one day, you realized he was in the Big Three! It honesty astonished you that such a shy young man could be such a daring hero! While it got you as excited as anyone else would be, seeing him at work, you couldn't help but view him for the polite, shy student he was, doing his best to become a pro hero. So, you met him where he was, just being there for him, hoping your extra service could provide him the encouragement and relaxation he needed - even for just a bit.
♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡
You walked over to him, food and drink balancing seamlessly on a tray in your hand. "Your meal is ready, Master."
You bent down some, sliding his food and drink over to him. Your chest hovered over the written work he tried to move himself.
Your eyes scanned over his book curiously. "How are you doing with your studies, Master Amajiki?"
"..I..I..." he suttered. Saying his name really was getting to him, getting him all flustered and embarrassed. "I.. I'm in the top 3.. S-So pretty good, I guess.."
"Top 3?!" you reflected excitedly. Before you got out of hand, you quickly forced yourself to get calm. "A-Ahh... h-how wonderful. I'm so proud of you.. Master Amajiki.."
His face turned red as his eyes shot up to meet yours - as comforting as your smile. But his eyes went back down as quickly as they went up, with Tamaki bowing his head, his hair covering his eyes. "I-oh.. um.. T-T-thank you..."
"Hey.." you began. "Why do you want to be a hero?" It slipped so easily. So quickly that you probably wouldn't have asked it if you took the second to think about it first - as it can seem loaded for a guy like him. But to be honest, you wondered how he'd answer.
Tamaki thought. His eyes darted, his hands wrung around each other, and his lips quivered as he tried to find the right words.
You were about to stop him, but then he answered.
"M...my friends encouraged me.. T..They see something in me that I struggle to see in myself. B..but.. b-believing in them.. I-I hope to one day believe in myself.. a-as I s-save people.."
"Ah.. S-So they saw your potential then! In your power and in your heart..!" Oh no!! I did it again!!
You took a deep breath, composing yourself again. You bowed, and elegantly shared your feelings. "Master Amajiki, I'm pleased to know you have such supportive companions. You truly do inspire me.."
Your eyes widened as you straightened up again. His hand was covering his face in a deep blush, his eyes darting between you and the distance.
While he was steeped in his feelings, you took some steps forward. Something inside you brought you to move, probably all the memories you had of him so far. You lifted your hand and pushed your fingers through his hair, giving a type of head pay. Leaning in front of him so you were especially close, you gave him a smile. "I'm so proud of you, master.."
From there, you left to continue waiting on tables. Your heart felt so full, pounding and circulating with so many feelings. Seeing Tamaki started to make you feel bashful yourself. Such a silly embarrassment it was.
After a while, you passed his table again. Taking his empty plate, you couldn't help but notice a small note underneath. It read: "When do you get off today?"
Heart skipping a beat, you picked up the spare pen he had lying there and wrote down a number before continuing back to work.
When you went to check on him again, he was gone. Left behind was a well-written, brief yet polite note telling you to meet him after your shift. It had the destination along with a heartfelt word of thanks for the service today. Ah..!! Too sweet..!!! Such a small thing made you feel so doted on. For the rest of the day, your heart felt so full it might burst with butterflies. You hoped the customers didn't notice your tickled pink cheeks, but then again, it would probably lift their spirits as they thought it was for them.
The end of the day, you changed back into your casual clothes and signed out. Your heart pounded the closer you got to the meeting spot. You reassured yourself multiple times that you weren't dreaming. Quickly, you went from "server" to "student," getting so flustered. Flirtations were normal in a maid cafe, but you weren't there anymore. You were meeting him in a totally normal context.
Wait.. then this is..! ///
♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡
There you saw him, waiting out of the way from people. He was standing in a more secluded spot, headphones in, hood up, listening to music. Surely trying to calm his nerves by tuning other people out.
You couldn't help but admire him from afar for a moment, seeing him in a more normal environment. Huh.. so this is what he looks like when he's just "Tamaki," huh.. W-wait, should I even call him that?? Oh my... I know we've known each other for a while, but first names already, in this setting, feels so..
Suddenly he looked in your direction, making you jump. "M-master Tamaki— I mean Amajiki! I mean..!"
You both became flustered. You from the first name / last name fiasco. And him from you calling him "master" in public.
You took a deep breath. Just a student. Just a student. Just a student. You reminded yourself. You closed the gap between the both of you and gave a smile through your blushing face. "H-hey Tamaki..!"
Now the first name thing got him. "Uh.. H-Hi y/n.. T.. Thanks for meeting me.. Especially after work.." He quickly got in his head. "Oh man! You're probably so tired..! I should have waited.. oh man.. oh man.."
"It's fine, really. Turn that frown upside down~!" You said, pushing your fingers into your cheeks while smiling big. "...ugh.. Sorry, reflexes," you laughed, embarrassed.
But Tamaki chuckled. "Ah.. I know that that's part of your job, making people smile and all.. But there seems to be a hint of genuineness when it comes from you. And.. I'd really like to get to know you better.. Y/n.."
So cool..! You thought. Tamaki could be a nervous wreck, but he also had moments like these. Moments of clarity where he spoke so calmly. Where his heart didn't pour out so messily with nervousness, but so comfortably as he was being himself. Either side of his authentic expression was incredible.. Your crush couldn't help but deepen in this moment.
"Let's.. go this way, shall we? I won't take very long. I just wanted to talk.."
"O..okay.." you mustered, looking down.
Tamaki led the way, guiding you to a nearby park. It was much more relaxing than the busy street you were at before. He settled you at a bench and left to get some drinks. Upon returning, he sat down next to you.
There was a silence for a while, which you didn't mind. Both of you needed time to settle your hearts down. I wonder.. if he's feeling nervous too? Oh silly, Y/n of course he's nervous..! ..but.. could it be because of my outfit? Because of.. You felt like such a lovestruck girl at that moment. Somehow this shy boy cutie was able to get the best of you, when you had been the one with the high ground the whole time at the cafe. You were able to control your feelings better too. But this environment was so different. Your heart was pounding, and you didn't know how to make it stop. Is it because things are going somewhere new..?
"H-hey.." Tamaki broke the silence.
"I'm.. I'm gonna protect this city.. A-and everyone in it.." He turned, "That includes you, always... B..But the thing is.. I'm s-starting to get selfish.. I want to protect you on a deeper level, more than anyone else.." He got close to you and took your hands in his, holding them gently, yet firmly. "You've reassured me. You've been kind to me. You're diligent in your work and.. y-you're beautiful.. inside and out... You've.. made me so selfish... I..."
As if he couldn't make your heart beat any faster, he said it...
"Y/n, I like you," he bowed politely, shaking from pouring his heart out. "Please.. c-consider going out with me..!"
"Okay.." you uttered.
"I'm one of the Big Three at UA, I'm a diligent student, trusted by my peers and teachers. If you need references, I— ..wait.." his face went red. "Did you say yes..???"
You held his hands, took a step closer and nodded. "Y-yeah.. I'd really like to go out with you.. master~" You couldn't help but tease him, giving a smile after cracking your silly joke.
"Ah..!" His eyes welled up with tears as a big smile overtook his face. "I'm so happy..!"
You couldn't help but hug him, and he couldn't help but hug you back.
A while after that, he decided to walk you home.
"So.. I'll still see you at the cafe, right~?" You asked with a giggle.
"Yeah.. s-sure.." he replied with a blush, before kissing you on top of your head.