Atobe’s Childhood Friend, the Little Maid

Because of her family's work, Tuntun was in the middle class of kindergarten when she moved into the staff housing at the Atobe villa.

The next day, Tuntun met the young master of the Atobe family, who was about her age. He was said to be proficient in several languages and kind to every servant, and everyone respected him.

The little black mole below Young Master Atobe's right eye is so pretty, Tuntun thought.

In the study, Tuntun, a little maid who had gotten her credentials by playing house, stood to one side. Rising onto her tiptoes, she reached up to explore, picked up the fountain pen on the desk, and unscrewed its cap. "Here, Young Master Atobe."

Curious about what she was doing, Atobe accepted the pen and propped his elbow on the desk, resting his chin elegantly in his hand. "Who told you to do all this? If you open the pen and put the cap away for me, I'll turn into a useless person."

Looking up at him, Tuntun humbly asked, "Then what should I do?!"

"Plant a cosmos flower," Atobe thought. Little kids probably liked playing in the dirt.

Tuntun had been at the villa for a month.

Atobe used to spend most of his time training alone on the tennis court. Now, he instinctively looked toward the little pink chair beneath the court's floodlights. His gaze lingered. That was the third time tonight he'd forgotten that Tuntun had been picked up and taken home.

Tuntun had been at the villa for a few months. She was independent, honest, diligent, and radiant, but whenever she was sad, she didn't want anyone to worry about her, so she would hide away and cry in secret. Atobe thought that he had to stay by her side forever.

Tuntun had been at the villa for more than a decade. Atobe was the one who lost control, while he waited for his love-oblivious childhood friend to realize her feelings.

Tuntun got divorced.

What didn't change was that she was still a little maid in the Atobe household.

As she stared at Young Master Atobe, now saddled with the title of "ex-husband," she thought:

~~I feel like I'm naked in front of Young Master Atobe now.

The former members of the Hyotei tennis club came over to play with Atobe.

They discussed when these childhood friends would remarry.

Mukai said quietly, "Maybe Atobe should ask his cousin Ryoma for advice."

Oshitari: "Are you trying to sabotage Atobe? His cousin said he wouldn't be surprised if someone who tricked their spouse into marriage got divorced."

Reading Guide

1. It starts when they're little, and they protect each other as they grow up. There are lots of sweet, healing stories about their childhood. The early part won't be rushed through, so if you want to jump straight to the wedding, this may not be for you.

2. Atobe is a third-year university student and Tuntun is a first-year when they get married.

3. Tuntun is slow to understand romance and knows almost nothing about kissing, sex, or relationships. After they marry, the carnivorous Atobe turns her worldview upside down.

4. The tennis club ensemble cast is here to have fun. Tuntun is everyone's favorite.

Theme: The person I like is an amazing person