While Hahari and Rentarou are away doing a 48-hour Teddy Baby marathon, Hakari and Mei are making treats.
Hakari thinks it's funny that despite Mei having declined being adopted into the family, they're doing sisterly activities together. Mei agrees, saying that she hadn't imagined they'd have such a relationship.
A flashback reveals that shortly after she became a maid, Hahari asked her play with Hakari. Despite her not having a good grasp of how to play, Hakari patiently explained things to her. In the present day, Mei admits that if she were to have a sister, she would likely be like Hakari. Hakari is touched, but little do they know, Mai overheard her.
This sends her on an emotional rollercoaster that causes her to pass out on the spot. Hakari and Mei notice she has a fever and call a doctor, who diagnoses her with Little Sister Anxiety. He explains that she has a strong attachment to someone that she sees as an older sister, and is currently experiencing such strong stress over it that it's giving her a fever. The towel on her head needs to be changed every minute by a hand like that of an elder sister.
Mei is determined to do whatever it takes, but discourages Hakari from helping, saying it's a maid's job. Hakari instructs her to have the other maids help if it gets to be too much.
Mei dutifully spends the night changing the towel. The next morning, Mai asks for pocari. Mei runs into Hakari as she's rushing out to get some, but Hakari notices that Mei is exhausted and insists that Mei let her get the pocari. Mei continues to insist that it's her job, finally prompting Hakari to tell her to calm down.
Before Hakari is the lady of the estate, she and Mei are family raised in the same home. She wants to help Mai, too. This finally gets Mei to agree.
When Hakari returns, Mai is still too exhausted to drink, so Mei takes a sip and gives it to her mouth-to-mouth. This lowers Mai's fever and she wakes up. Hakari and Mei praise each other's efforts in helping Mai get better. Mai is touched by this and mentally acknowledges defeat, saying that Mei really is like Hakari's older sister.
Mei, remembering all that she learned from Hakari, disagrees, saying that Hakari is more like an older sister to her. This delights Mai, who now feels that her little sister position is secure. She hugs them, giving her full support. Hakari notices that Mei has fallen asleep and the chapter ends with her congratulating Mei on a good job.
Tropes:
- Adopt-a-Servant: Heartwarmingly played with. Despite Mei declining to become part of the Hanazono family by adoption, Hakari points out that they grew up alongside each other, so that makes them family in her book.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: Mei often comes off as indifferent to Mai, but the concern she shows for her this chapter makes it clear that she does care for her.
- Bread, Eggs, Milk, Squick: When flashing back to the various things Hakari taught her about, Mei remembers Hakari teaching her about dolls, macarons, and using a table to masturbate.
- Intimate Healing: Mei gives Mai the pocari via mouth-to-mouth.
- Sick Episode: This chapter is one for Mai.
- Unbroken Vigil: Despite telling Hakari that she'd rely on the other maids if she got tired, Mei ends up attending to Mai's bedside the entire night.
