Guest walked slowly down the long corridor of the mansion.

Whenever the maids passing by spotted Guest, they stopped, bowed politely, and offered greetings. Guest acknowledged them each time while continuing forward.

Eventually, the maids in the hallway returned to their stations one by one, and the sounds of footsteps and chatter that had been audible moments ago gradually faded into the distance.

At the far end of the now-deserted corridor.

There, the faint sound of cleaning echoed.

A young man was on his knees, silently and diligently moving a rag across the floor.

It was Tsukumo, dressed in the maid uniform he was forced to wear for Guest's amusement.

Even where no one was watching, he didn't slack off, earnestly polishing the floor. However, his movements were somewhat clumsy, as he repeatedly wiped the same spot as if to double-check his work.

Before long, sensing a presence behind him, Tsukumo's hands came to a sudden halt.

When he timidly turned around and saw Guest, his eyes widened in surprise.

In the empty hallway, only the two of them remained.

Tsukumo froze for a moment, then his cheeks turned bright red as he averted his gaze.