“Actually the company’s organizing a team-building event — a costume ball. Everyone will be attending in costumes.”

I picked a manga off the shelf by the sofa and flipped through it without much interest. “An event that sounds like it’s going to be full of women — my dad won’t join that, right? Or is your whole company made up of only men? A men-only costume ball would be awful.”

“No, no. Only our department is all men — we arranged it that way to make it easier for your dad to join,” Wu Qinglan said.

How competent even is my dad at work for that compromise? And has Wu Qinglan already taken herself out of the “women” column?

She went on, “Remember that mascot suit used for the isolation therapy? If we use that, we could get Uncle Chang to join the ball wearing it.”

The dog-headed mascot suit from the last failed “therapy” — the trial failed, but at least we collected useful data.

I nodded and asked, “Even if he wears that embarrassing mascot suit, then what? You plan to confess to him at the ball?”

Wu Qinglan snapped her fingers. “No need to rush. I’ll be cosplaying and showing up in women’s clothes.”

At that point I got her plan. The costume ball is a perfect smoke screen for her “final operation.” If she can get my dad to accept her as a woman, the mission succeeds and she might cure his fear of women. If it backfires, she can claim she was “men in women’s clothes” and back off — attack or retreat, both covered. Smart.

“This plan seems doable,” I said. “When’s the ball?”

“On the 7th — the last day of the holiday.”

Today’s October 1st, Wednesday. I counted on my fingers. “The 7th is… next Tuesday. Tell me if you need anything — I’ll help.”

Wu Qinglan snorted with a laugh; she’s always upbeat, I’ve never seen her sulk once. “No help needed really, I just wanted to let you know and see if you’re okay with it. Hey, Kai, you’re pretty eager — planning to accept me as your stepmom already?”

She even poked my nose. The cologne made me momentarily dazed; when I didn’t dodge she poked twice more and I turned my face away.

“Don’t be vain. I just want my old man to get over his fear of women.” I fixed my slipping big-frame glasses and said seriously, “Even if he does get over it, he might not accept you — you two have a large age gap. Also, have you told your family about it?”

“Of course not. I haven’t told them yet — but compared to his phobia, that’s a small problem, right?”

Still relentlessly optimistic.

“Uh-oh — Crow just left and Flash’s stuck in traffic. We’re a bit early then.” Wu Qinglan checked her phone. “Speaking of which, we haven’t eaten lunch — do you want to try this place’s special omurice?”

That “special” omurice was the “MoeMoe Maid LoveLove Omurice” Xiao Lei mentioned before — 158 yuan a plate.

Wu Qinglan had bought me two takeouts of it before; it tasted fine but I still didn’t get why it cost so much.

“No thanks — I can’t stomach that pricey omurice. They must have normal stuff too, right?” I grabbed the menu and scanned for something reasonably priced.

Wu Qinglan wasn’t having it — she closed the menu and pushed it aside. “Kai, come on. I’m treating today. Are you saving money for your future stepmom?”

“Huh?” What a weirdo.

I shot her a look, pressed the service bell, and said, “Fine. I’ll order it — not like I’m paying.”

“That’s the spirit~”

The maid came over quickly. Even though the place was busy she kept smiling.

“Welcome, dear master. What would you like to order?”

It was Sharo — clean, sharp haircut, the kind of face that sticks in your head. Once she’d taken off her delinquent outfit she looked like a proper elegant beauty; even in a maid uniform she had class. Wu Qinglan was already staring at her like a lovesick fangirl.

“Oh, today’s ‘Shana-chan’ is beautiful too~ Can I hold your hand please?” Wu Qinglan blurted out, totally unashamed. Her otaku side came out in full force; she ogled Sharo like a creep. You can’t even punch people like this — being a maid sure is a tough job.

Sharo snapped the tray in two with a motion. Even if she looks refined, her temper is fierce — I wish she’d drop that rough streak. She repeated robotically, “Welcome, dear master. What would you like to order?”

She still smiled, but she was clearly irritated. As boss of the local gang “Rakshasa” in the commercial district, pride runs deep.

“Tray’s broken again? Shana-chan, you’re such a klutz. Xiao Wu I want Shana-chan’s loving hug~” Wu Qinglan crooned, totally tone-deaf to the mood.

“Welcome, dear master, what would you like?” Sharo repeated.

That canned line — say something else, please. Are you a NPC now?

But seriously, as they say, third time’s the charm? If Wu Qinglan kept goofing off, Sharo would 100% snap.

Just as Wu Qinglan opened her mouth, I kicked her shin with my left foot. While she stooped over holding her leg, I hurried up and said, “We want two of the MoeMoe Maid LoveLove Omurice!”

My move seemed to calm Sharo down. Her dark glare softened a lot and she looked at me with a businesslike smile — the first time she’d really looked me in the eye. Her face moved closer.

“Master, haven’t we met before?” she asked.

I was surprised. The person she’d kidnapped before was my female avatar; now I’m wearing big glasses so she shouldn’t recognize me. Maybe it’s just a feeling.

“Not that I know of — it’s my first time here,” I said. (Well, as a customer it is my first time.)

“Really? You seem familiar… and kind of annoying.” She stared a moment more, as if trying to place me.

“Sorry, that was weird. Who would you like to make your omurice?” she asked.

I blinked. “Wait — the maids actually cook the omurice? I thought you would only draw pictures on them with ketchup.”

“Other places do that, yes. It’s just our shop’s rules that are a bit different.”

Of course — it was Senior Changpu who started the trend of the maids hand-making omurice, and it sold like crazy. It became standard here.

Sharo looked like she had an idea. “Since you’re a first-time guest, you don’t know who to pick. I can recommend — ”

“Never mind. I don’t know any of them, so you can make it,” I cut her off.

Even though I’m closer to Xiao Lei and the others, being too familiar here would be awkward. It would be like getting a classmate when you’re trying to have a secretive O△ service. Sharo, who I’m not close with, is the safer choice.

Wu Qinglan piped up, “I haven’t tried Shana-chan’s omurice yet, so I want Shana-chan to make mine!”

“All to me?” Sharo’s edge softened a bit; she tapped the broken tray nervously. “Actually I’m new here — my skills aren’t as polished as the others. Since you paid for the omurice, I recommend Saki-chan. Her cooking is the shop’s number one.”

Wu Qinglan shook her head. “Saki-chan’s good, sure, but I’ve eaten hers many times. Listen, Shana-chan — we don’t order the omurice for the taste. We order it for the maid’s heart and love!”

“Um… love?”

Wu Qinglan’s otaku rambling made both of us look ridiculous.