Morale Reasons

Morale Reasons

“I’ve fulfilled one of your requests.”

Elizabeth looks up from her book. “Oh?” she asks, as cheerful as ever. “What do you have for me this time, Yuki?”

“A Mothman,” I say, holding my hand out. A translucent playing card materializes, hovering a few centimeters above my palm. The picture is a gray moth, its yellow wings tucked behind its back.

“Excellent!” Elizabeth says. “Can it cast Fire spells?”

“It can,” I say. The card turns around, Mothman’s portrait facing me so Elizabeth can read the wall of statistics displayed on the back. She smiles, satisfied with my handiwork.

“Marvelous as always,” she says. “As thanks, may I gift you some clothes? They’re more suited for one of your friends, but I’m sure you’ll find them appealing as well.” She gives me the most stilted wink I’ve seen in my life, then reaches into her handbag and pulls out an entire maid costume. “Well? What do you think?”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice unsteady. I’m not sure how to react. “Where did you get that?”

“Fragments of human desire wash ashore in my realm,” Elizabeth intones. “This outfit is one of them, a symbol of some deeply coveted object or status. I haven’t a clue what place it occupies in the collective unconscious, but for it to arrive intact, its allure must be strong indeed.”

“You could say that,” I mutter, my face heating up. “I’ll take it.”

“Glorious!” Elizabeth says. “Have a wonderful day.”

After a meal at Hagakure Ramen, I return to my dorm room and empty out my school bag. I’d crudely folded the maid outfit Elizabeth gave me and stuffed it inside, but it doesn’t seem to have wrinkled too badly. I’m not sure what to do with it, though. Among the girls I’m friends with, it looks like it would fit Mitsuru best, but she would never wear a maid dress. Besides, it would be inappropriate to give as a gift. The recipient might think I was pressuring her to wear it for me.

I hang the garment up in my closet. We’re going to Tartarus tonight- someone’s wandered in again- and I need to get ready. But as I’m about to shut the closet door, an idea hits me.

Mitsuru and I are about the same height.

A few minutes later, I walk into the main lounge, dressed in the maid outfit. The skirt is more modest than I’d expected, and it even came with black tights, but I still feel vulnerable.

“Is everyone ready?” I ask. Everyone turns to face me, and six pairs of eyes widen in unison.

“Leader…” Mitsuru says politely. “Surely you don’t intend to wear that to Tartarus.”

“I do,” I say. “It’ll be good for morale.”

“Maybe if it was a girl wearin’ it,” Junpei complains. “This is just weird.”

“You can call me a girl if it makes you feel better,” I retort, grinning at Junpei.

“Not gonna happen,” Junpei says. “You’re one weird guy, Makoto.”

Aigis looks puzzled. “Your attire does not appear to provide any tactical advantages,” she states, “and it most closely resembles the uniforms worn by female servants at Mr. Kirijo’s vacation home. Why have you chosen to dress as such for a field operation?”

“Because I look cute in it,” I say. “Right, Yukari?”

Yukari’s face gets red. “N-no!” she insists. “I can’t believe I’m agreeing with Junpei, but seeing you in girls’ clothes is just weird. Especially since it’s a maid outfit.”

“I’m still gonna wear it,” I say. “Now, is everyone ready?”

As we’re walking home from the rescue operation, Yukari catches up to me. “There’s something I want to say to you,” she says, “but it stays between us. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“You look cute in a maid dress,” she admits. “It’s a little weird still, ‘cause you’re a guy, but you wear it well. And… okay, maybe seeing you like that did boost my morale a bit.” She glares at me. “If you tell anyone I said this, you’re dead. Got it?”

“Your secret’s safe with me,” I promise. “Thanks, Yukari.”