Work Text:
Sayori was having a bad day. Not just a day when everything went wrong - nothing had, yet. This was sure to change, once she got out of bed and was forced to interact with the world. This was a Bad Day, another in an infinite set that she'd never escape.
Her depression hadn't gone away even after she moved in with the love of her life. Still her girlfriend, and not her wife, because that was impossible where they lived. Natsuki had floated the idea of moving to another country, but naturally Sayori had resisted. Just another problem she caused.
The sheets had long since stopped being comfortable, and now rubbed her skin in an irritating way. She couldn't get back to sleep to skip the day, since the bed had become dreadfully cold. It always did, when Natsuki wasn't there.
Atop the bedside table, her phone would vibrate every few minutes. She couldn't bear to look at it. The alarm was at least two hours ago, and work would not be pleased.
Or not, since she didn't have work that day. She didn't have work any days, anymore. Her job had evaporated during a harsh season of corporate reshuffling. Now she was a parasite once more on Natsuki's finances. On their shared account, but that was a technicality.
She was going to get out of bed. Not because she wanted to, or because the day would be worth the effort, but because her body needed it. It needed sleep, but she refused to provide that. It needed food, and she refused to provide that as well.
There was a knock. The door gently opened.
Sayori looked up into blinding light. She could see motes of dust floating through the illuminated beam. Most of all, she could see the most bizarre figure standing in the doorway.
Natsuki said, "Your breakfast has been prepared, mistress."
Sayori could do nothing but blink in surprise. Natsuki was wearing an ornate maid dress, complete with headdress. She carried a tray, on which stood a tower of pancakes and cutlery. Had Sayori woken up in an alternate universe? Of course not, she still had a phone.
Natsuki said, "My profuse apologies if the lady is not in the mood for food just yet."
Sayori mumbled, "I am…" She shuffled to a seated position, and attempted to rise. This attempt was quickly dashed when Natsuki placed the tray on her lap. The weight on her legs made her think of a sleeping cat, and disturbing the tray would be equally cruel.
Natsuki bowed deeply. "I prepared these flat cakes according to the recipe you provided, my lady. It is possible that I have made some error, and they do not properly reflect your intention."
Sayori found herself cutting a slice of a pancake with one of the knives. Unsurprisingly, it tasted excellent, like everything Natsuki made. The cream covering melted against her tongue, and soaked through air pockets within the pancake itself.
Natsuki said, "Your humble maid fetched the strawberries from the market this morning, mere hours after harvest. They are so fresh that they have not graced the icebox."
More light flooded the room, causing Sayori to squint. The window blinds had been pulled apart by Natsuki, who moved around without a sound. Seeing her girlfriend in such a long dress was more than a little uncanny, but she looked good on it. Natsuki looked good in most things.
She was charming, intelligent, and an excellent cook. All things Sayori was very much not. It was amazing to think of the things Natsuki would be capable of, if Sayori wasn't holding her back.
Natsuki said, "We have much to do today, my lady. After you have finished your morning meal, I shall aid your dressing."
Sayori said, "Why are you doing this, Natsuki?"
"Natsuki? I know of no such name." She smirked. "I am simply your lady-in-waiting."
Sayori sighed and obediently finished her breakfast. While chewing, she scrutinised the dress that the "maid" was wearing. Now Natsuki was standing still, it was easier to pick out the various imperfections across the outfit. Sayori would recognise it anywhere - it was her handiwork after all. An amateur's work, with the predictable result.
Years ago, the pair had planned to attend an anime convention. To be more exact, Natsuki had planned, and Sayori had simply followed. Sayori didn't have any real interests, not like others did. She just picked them up for a month, and threw them away once they became demanding. As a result, she never risked developing useful skills.
Natsuki's goal was to arrive in a cosplay of a character she liked. For some reason, Sayori took it upon herself to sew an entire maid outfit, entirely in secret. Only after presenting her work to Natsuki did she learn that the character in question was someone of the same name - but entirely different fictional universe.
Her girlfriend had still worn the dress, and more importantly, must have kept it after that.
Natsuki spun around on the spot. The frilled base of the dress lifted slightly into the air, exposing her ankles for a brief moment. There was something obscene about the sight that Sayori couldn't quite describe. Natsuki said, "Isn't this dress wonderful? We are truly blessed to have such a skilled tailor in the mansion's employ."
Sayori shifted the empty tray off her lap, and slipped out of bed. She felt warm hands grab onto her freezing ones, and pull her in the direction of the wardrobe.
Natsuki said, "What does the lady feel like wearing this morning?"
Sayori allowed her girlfriend to remove her pyjamas, button by button. Looking in the dresser mirror felt like a mistake. Red marks from laying on the sheets far too long covered her torso. "I don't know."
Natsuki hummed. "Then, surely you can supply a theme, if you trust my judgement."
"Natsuki, I'd trust your choices any day, more than mine."
Natsuki pouted. "I'm not Natsuki. I can be, if you desire. I can be anything."
Sayori sighed, "Maybe I'd feel better if I was wearing something bright and simple."
"Then it shall be so." Natsuki reached into the wardrobe, and retrieved a few garments. She gestured to Sayori, who complied, lifting her arms.
A soft touch placed clothes on Sayori, guiding her limbs around as things progressed. If Natsuki wanted to play the maid, surely it would okay to play the dress-up-doll, just for once.
Natsuki said, "Now my lady looks charming. Of course, I would say that regardless, but it is still true."
Sayori said, "I should have showered first. Gosh, I must smell terrible."
"There is no worry, lady Sayori. If you do desire it, there is no great need for you to leave the household today." Natsuki smiled. "And, my lady needs no perfume."
Sayori looked in the mirror again. She was now wearing a yellow button-up top and long black pants. An orange scarf was wrapped around her neck and keeping her warm.
Natsuki said, "Do not forget to bring your…" She stopped for a moment, and scrunched up her face. Then, she continued, "… um…magic glass with you. The sprites that live inside it are rather concerned with your wellbeing."
The phone felt like an anchor slamming into the depths of Sayori's pocket.
The somewhat surreal events of the morning continued as Sayori sat at the dining room table. She'd planned to sit on the couch, but the dining room had a clear window to outside. Sitting in the sunlight was probably better for her in the long run.
She'd occasionally see Natsuki moving around in the corner of her vision, and hear her making noises while doing chores. Specifically, she'd hear ornate swearing whenever a tool misbehaved or a particular bit of grime was stubborn.
So, even under the roleplaying, there was still her Natsuki. But why? She switched on her phone and flicked over to the message app. Various group chats were alive with activity, and this included the ex-Literature Club members.
@Sayori: Did any of you guys do something to Natsuki?
@Monika: I helped her meet the love of her life.
@Sayori: Recently.
@MC: I told her a chicken soup recipe to help your cold.
@Yuri: She has been asking me for archaic terms all morning.
Sayori said, "Natsuki, please tell me what all this is about. I'm getting worried about you."
Natsuki sighed, and walked over to the dinner table. "I thought you might feel better. The chores need to get done, and helping you is important, so both together…"
Sayori smiled. "This was your first thought? Ehehe, I'm lucky to love someone so silly." She leant forwards and quickly kissed Natsuki on the cheek.
Natsuki's face become a blazing neon. "You can't charm the staff. It's unbecoming of your station."
"I already did that, years ago," Sayori said, "If that's a mistake, it was the best one I've ever made."