Shounen Maid

Japanese... plum?

Plums and peaches, peaches and... peaches?

That's a pickled plum!

Battle mode?

He was acting weird during breakfast today.

Who's he making clothes for this time?

Who knows? He did say there weren't enough frills because they were for guys.

Frills...

It's a weird guy!

Don't avoid me and walk away!

Ow! Come on! I lost my wallet, I don't have my cell phone, and I'm hungry!

You can at least give me directions!

Directions?

Do you know where Takatori lives?

Huh? You mean Takatori Madoka?

Huh?

I live at Takatori's...

Amazing! What the heck? This is amazing!

Is this fate? What are you, an angel?

Who are you?! Do you know Madoka?

Oh right, I'm—

Ryuji, from Uchoten Boys, right?

Oh, you could tell?

Jeez, I disguised myself, too.

Who's that?

Thud!

That. Haven't you seen them on TV a lot recently?

I don't really watch TV.

There's the Uchoten Boys leader, Hayato, and Ibuki, and...

...Ryuji.

Nice to meet you!

Oh, what game is that?

Oh, I'm playing that, too!

Oh, really?

That certainly is Ryuji from Uchoten Boys. Mr. Madoka is currently working on outfits for them.

What? But why did he come here?

How should I know? You're the one who knows him.

I only met him through work.

Chi, go and ask Kim.

Me?

I can't talk to strangers.

That looks delicious!

I can eat it?

You said you were hungry earlier, righ—

Thank you!

You're a great guy! A real angel!

Delish!

There's none for me?

So, what's with the fluttery clothes?

Are you a cosplayer or something?

It's my uniform!

Uniform?

Just so you know, I didn't choose to wear this.

Madoka's the one who made it.

Oh, Mr. Madoka made those clothes?

That's amazing!

Mr. Madoka's popular, but he's famous for not taking on a lot of jobs.

It's super rare.

Oh?

That's why I thought he'd be more of a crusty old man,

so when I first met him, I was really nervous...

...but he's totally nice, and really cool, right?!

He's the kind of adult I wanna be!

"A-Adult"?

That is?

Oh yeah, this is no time to be eating!

Thanks for the food!

I came here to make a direct appeal to Mr. Madoka!

A direct appeal?

I don't want... to wear shorts anymore!

Huh?

Shorts! I don't know why, but my clothes always look childish!

Why am I always the only one in shorts?! No more bare legs!

Can you guys even understand how I feel?

Even if I land a really cool turn, all I hear is "So cute!"

Sorry, I don't understand at all.

Huh? I can't.

Thud!

No...

There's no way?

I already submitted the design...

...and they said I could play around with the details,

but I can't go so far as changing the silhouette.

Sorry.

I won't go home until you do it!

Even if you say that...

Damn it, I definitely won't wear those embarrassing shorts!

He hasn't even tried them on yet!

I thought at least Mr. Madoka would hear me out...

Where did you get that idea?

Well, I'm short, so people always treat me like a kid.

Like patting me on the head when I greet them!

Can you believe it? I mean, I'm already sixteen!

I'm an adult!

I feel like it's not just because he's short...

But Mr. Madoka was different.

He didn't change how he acted like the other people.

That's why—

Sorry to bother you while you're dreaming,

but Madoka's tastes are closer to this—

He tricked me!

What do you mean, he tricked you?!

You're the one who jumped to conclusions!

Y-You wouldn't understand!

What's with those frilly clothes you're wearing, anyway?

Even though you're a boy!

Don't make fun of me!

These are pretty easy to move in,

and they don't lose their shape even after they're washed!

They're amazing!

Oh, yeah? Then you can go out in front of people like that, right?

It's not embarrassing, right?

Of course not!

I'm going shopping!

You're an adult, so don't tease an elementary schooler.

It made him really depressed when I first caught him in those clothes.

Oof.

Well, I'm going home.

What's with those frilly clothes you're wearing, anyway?

Even though you're a boy!

I said what I would have hated hearing the most...

I'll apologize when he gets back.

I'm home!

Um, sorry, I—

I got great deals!

Huh?

Everyone was like—

You're cute, so I'll give you a little extra.

Oh my, Chihiro, you can have 10% off.

All right, maybe I'll give it to you for free today!

They gave me a ton of extra stuff, and I got great deals!

This is great. Maybe I'll always go in this.

So resilient!

Fight on, boy maid!

Even though I took it out on him...

What the heck?

I'm the one who ended up being embarrassed by my tantrum.

I'm so uncool...

What happened?

It's unusual to see Chihiro go shopping without changing out of those clothes.

Right?

Huh? He's your nephew?

Yeah. I ended up taking him in...

...but he didn't want to just be taken care of, so now he's my head housekeeper.

The kitchen is my castle!

Really...

What did you think he was?

A-A secret love child, or something?

What? There's no need to keep him secret. He's such a good boy.

I wouldn't be embarrassed to bring him anywhere.

Mr. Madoka seems like a doting parent...

Here, will you try this on?

S-Sure!

I knew it...

I think it looks good on you, though.

Huh?

The shorts.

Because I look like a kid?

Because you have nice legs.

They're nice and muscular, so I don't think they're anything to be embarrassed about.

I won't budge on the design.

After all, it's my job.

It's the same for you, too, isn't it?

Isn't it your job to show everyone what they want to see?

So cute! Ryuji!

Is that embarrassing for you?

Going home? You're not going to eat dinner?

Sorry, I left without saying anything, so everyone's probably worried.

That's fine, but how will you get back?

You said you lost your wallet, right?

O-Oh no, let me borrow your phone!

Yes, who is it?

Ryuji.

Huh? You're from Uchoten Boys--

I'm Hayato.

It looks like Ryuji's been troubling you.

How did you know I was here?

Takatori's business card was next to the note you left at the agency.

They found out?!

Ibuki's making something up to stall our manager right now,

so let's get back while we can.

Was Ibuki mad...?

Let's see...

I wonder if Ryuji thinks I act like a prince because I like it?

That's what he said.

He's really mad!

Um, excuse me.

Hello. I'm sorry our Ryuji caused you trouble.

Huh? You're from the same idol group?

Wha—?! I can do that, too, you know!

I can get super shiny!

Come on, let's go home!

R-Right.

Hey, can I come over again sometime?

S-Sure, but...

I'll wear the outfit Mr. Madoka made and do my best!

You'll watch us on TV, right?

Y-Yeah.

Oh my, Ryuji from Uchoten Boys?

I often see them on TV.