Chapter 36 (1/2)

Volume 1

Atelier Tanaka Chapter 18.2

Chapter 18.2

Alchemist Edita 2

[Sophia-chans point of view]

I really do have terrible luck.

I got involved with that crazy noble, was forced to join the dragon extermination party, and then the very next day after getting home, Im forced to work at this school as a maid.

What did I do to deserve this?

I never even got a chance to spend a single gold from the money I received.

But, this morning was really difficult.

Even if Im the one that prepared the meal, its just impossible for me to eat at the same table as Tanaka-san.

Ah, just thinking about that experience makes my stomach hurt.

Before I knew who was going to be living in this dorm, I was still a little calm. I thought Id be able to deal with anyone.

However, Tanaka-san has received the approval of one of the Great Noble families. Hes no different than a nobleman now. No, hes even worse. Hes an incredibly talented magician.

He must have been angry. He was definitely mad at me, thats why.

Im sure Tanaka-san noticed. He must have been unhappy with the meal and was trying to punish me in a roundabout way.

Why else would he force me to eat at the table with him?

The way he was so calm about it made it even scarier.

The maid is supposed to eat her meal separately from her master. Of course, this much is only natural.

Even if Im only the daughter of a simple restaurant owner, I know at least this much. Theres no way its normal for a servant to eat with her master.

Its such a cruel form of punishment to force me to eat my meal in front of him. And now, Tanaka-san was smiling while he was watching me clean the dishes.

That smile scares me. I cant stand it.

Haa.

This is so depressing.

I dont even want to do my job, but I dont even want to think about what hed do to me if I were to do that. Being a maid is truly a terrible job.

So, Im doing my best to finish my morning work.

Thats why Im currently carrying a basket full of Tanaka-sans dirty clothes walking to the watering hole used for doing laundry.

Why do I have to wash his clothes?

Id usually be preparing lunch around now at the restaurant.

The smell from his old clothes is kind of strong. Though, I guess it isnt as bad as my fathers clothing. Anyway, having to do this at school really is terrible.

But if I dont do it, I dont know what will happen to me. The pay for a maid at the school is actually pretty good, but Ive heard that the work is hard and the maids can be severely disciplined.

How long will I have to live like this?

Aah.

I couldnt help but let out a sigh.

I looked down at the ground as I continued walking.

That wasnt the best idea.

I couldnt see where I was walking.

Kya.

Ah.

I ran into someone just as I turned a corner.

The person I ran into was another maid.

I think I hit her in the stomach. She only caused me to stumble a little, but she fell to the ground. Apparently, she had just finished doing laundry. The basket of clothes she was carrying fell to the ground and there were clothes spread out all over the ground.

I managed to hold on to the basket I was carrying.

Ah, Im sorry. I wasnt looking.

The girl that fell on her butt was looking up at me.

.Wait, why wouldnt you be looking

forward while walking?

Shes probably a little older than me. Maybe 20 years old?

Even though weve never met, this person is just coldly staring at me.

R-Right.

What am I going to do with this? Ill have to wash them all over again.

Im sorry.

Because we ran into each other when we turned the corner, it was a complete accident. Looking down at the girl that fell on her butt, she clearly wasnt paying attention either.

Its pretty terrible that shes trying to blame me for it before she even tried to apologize.

However, Ill still be polite to her. Ive only just started here; I should really try to avoid getting into any pointless arguments. Ive heard that theres a big problem with maids bullying other maids here.

Hah? What was that?

No, wellIm sorry.

Could you speak up a little?

I-Im sorry.

Does she really need to keep glaring at me?

Also, even though she couldve stood up right away, shes been sitting on the floor for a while now. Is she doing this just to make it seem like Im the one at fault here? If so, shes a terrible woman.

Of course, I have no reason to say that to her.

If youre really sorry then youd wash these for me! What are you going to do!?

Well, Im actually in a hurry right now.

Ah, wait a minute!

Its best if I dont get involved with people like her.

I need to quickly wash Tanaka-sans clothing. He was already disappointed with me at breakfast, if hes also not satisfied with this, I dont know what will happen. I dont know what a man capable of defeating a dragon will do to me.

I dont have time to deal with this unknown woman.

Wait a second! I said wait!