The next morning.

Kujō Hibiki’s tower apartment was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked white rice and miso soup rich with dashi.

In the kitchen, I was plating grilled salmon.

Beside me, Saotome smoothly lined up small side dishes and set the chopsticks with flowing movements.

“…Akutsu-sama, the tea temperature is optimal.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Saotome’s movements were flawless.

There wasn’t a single strand of hair out of place and not a wrinkle to be found on her suit.

Hibiki, sipping coffee at the dining table, glanced at Saotome, then turned her gaze toward me.

“…Jō. After we finish eating, come to my room for a bit.”

After taking a bite of grilled fish, Hibiki added in a low voice.

“There’s something important we need to discuss about future operations.”

* * *

After the meal, I was summoned to Hibiki’s study, though it was really just inside the partition.

Hibiki leaned back deeply in her desk chair and displayed the floor plan of the mansion we had purchased yesterday on her tablet.

“I’ll get straight to the point. We need reinforcements.”

Hibiki began with a serious expression.

“That mansion we bought yesterday is simply too large. The building alone is three hundred tsubo and even more if you include the garden. There are over fifteen rooms.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“Having Saotome alone handle twenty-four-seven, three-hundred-sixty-five-day, all-direction security is physically impossible. No matter how capable she is, if we also make her handle cleaning, laundry and garden maintenance, there will be holes in the security that actually matters.”

She was absolutely right.

Saotome was excellent, but upkeep required manpower.

I cared a lot about cooking, but there was no way I wanted to spend every day wiping down countertops with a rag.

I wouldn’t have time to cook.

“…And Saotome is still flesh and blood. We let her rest yesterday, but if we keep her on solo operations like this, she’ll inevitably break down someday.”

“Yeah. I agree.”

I nodded.

To reduce Saotome’s burden and maintain the mansion’s functionality, extra hands were essential.

“One more person… no, let’s hire several. People who can handle not only security, but also cleaning and management of the estate. Something like ‘housekeeper bodyguards.’”

We returned to the living room and stopped Saotome after she finished washing the dishes.

Wiping her hands with a kitchen paper towel, she stood straight before us.

“…Reinforcements, you say?”

Saotome’s brow twitched slightly after hearing Hibiki’s explanation.

Her expression was hidden behind her sunglasses, but the air around her was clearly dissatisfied.

“Is this because of my lack of ability? …With a mansion of that scale, if I combine sensors and traps, I can secure ninety-eight percent safety even on my own.”

Her voice carried professional pride and just a faint hint of possessiveness.

After finally sharing secrets with Jō and building a good relationship, she didn’t want unnecessary outsiders introduced.

That honest feeling showed through.

“I never said it was about lack of ability. This is about physical limits.”

“However—”

Seeing Saotome’s stubbornness, I cut in.

“Saotome. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“…Yes?”

“I’m not firing you and I’m not doubting your ability. I’m promoting you.”

I grinned.

“That place is huge. Besides security, there’s tons of cleaning and miscellaneous work. If we dump all of that on you, the most important thing—‘guarding me’—is going to suffer, right?”

“That is…”

“So we’re giving you subordinates. You’ll be the ‘security captain’ and ‘head maid,’ commanding the whole operation. The one who protects me at the closest distance is the captain—that’s your role.”

Captain.

Closest distance.

At those words, the tension drained from Saotome’s shoulders.

“…I see. Delegation of authority as a field commander.”

The corner of her mouth relaxed slightly.

‘…If I am the one protecting him at the closest distance, then I have no objections.’

Relieved internally, Saotome snapped to attention and saluted.

“Understood. I will fulfill my duties as captain.”

“Now, about the candidates.”

Hibiki took out her smartphone.

“It’s best to rely on connections after all. I’ll try contacting Reiko.”

“That president?”

“Yes. She’s the one who introduced Saotome to us, right? If it’s her, she should know reliable people again.”

Just as Hibiki was about to tap the contact, it happened.

“Please wait.”

Saotome stopped her with a sharp voice.

“In that case, I have someone in mind.”

Adjusting her sunglasses, Saotome spoke with a serious expression.

“Rather than going through an external agent, people connected to my former organization would coordinate more easily and their abilities are guaranteed. There are individuals currently working freelance and seeking employment.”

“Oh? If they’re your colleagues, their skills must be solid. What about housework?”

“Housework other than cooking, especially cleaning and ‘sabotage,’ they are geniuses.”

“We don’t need sabotage, but… if they can clean, that’s a huge help. What kind of people are they?”

At Hibiki’s question, Saotome hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully.

“…They’re twins.”

“Twins?”

“Yes. However… they have somewhat special circumstances.”

Even Saotome hesitated, which was rare.

“They have some issues with their personalities, but… Jō-sama… no, Akutsu-sama will not be harmed. As for their work performance, I personally guarantee it.”

Special circumstances. Personality issues.

Keywords that carried a hint of unease.

But if the fastidious Saotome said she guaranteed them, they must be extremely capable.

“…Alright. If you recommend them, I’ll trust you. Can you contact them right away?”

“Understood. I will make arrangements immediately.”

After bowing, Saotome left the room to make contact somewhere.

Hibiki and I exchanged glances.

Twins that Saotome herself described as ‘special.’

Just what kind of personnel would arrive?

Our new life looked like it was about to become even livelier and filled with the scent of trouble.