Mentioned Characters: Remilia, Flandre, Sakuya, Patchouli, Meiling, Koakuma, Flan

As the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, Hong Meiling serves under its vampire mistress, Remilia Scarlet. While guarding the gate is her main job, she also takes care of the mansion's flower garden. Her habit of chatting with passersby, and occasionally dozing off, was making the mansion seem more welcoming to humans...

There's a question that's puzzled many for years: If Sakuya Izayoi, the head maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, were ever to take time off, who would take her place? To solve this long-standing mystery, we, the totally official Scarlet Devil Mansion Investigation Team, visited the mansion. "I'm heading out to the Hot Spring Town in Former Hell for a few days." "A trip, Miss Sakuya? That's unusual." "It's an order from Lady Remilia. She said I've been working too much and should take a break." "That's our mistress! She's always looking out for her staff." "...So while I'm away, Meiling, you will be acting head maid." "Sounds good, have a—wait, WHAT?!"

"Me? Acting head maid? I-I can't possibly..." "Got someone better in mind?" "Um... maybe Lady Patchouli?" "Lady Patchouli is frail, and quite frankly, she's better at making messes than cleaning them." "That's... kind of mean." "Koakuma's only good at sorting books, and involving the young mistress would end in guaranteed disaster." "OK, true..." "So, by simple process of elimination, that leaves you, Meiling." "Glad to know I was the last resort..." "Best of luck." "Wait―Sakuya! Come back!" And just like that, Hong Meiling was appointed acting head maid. Wanting to at least look the part, she changed into a maid uniform, when a familiar voice called out from behind her. "There you are."

"Oh... Lady Remilia!" Standing near the entrance of the Scarlet Devil Mansion was none other than Remilia Scarlet. "That maid outfit suits you rather well." "R-Really...?" "Anyway, never mind that. There's something I need you to handle. Could you come down to the basement?" Following Remilia without question, Meiling made her way to the basement. Unsurprisingly, Flandre Scarlet was already waiting there. "Sakuya does a million things, but I figured I'd start you off with something even you could manage. You'll be Flan's playmate. Have fun!" "W-Wait, what?! Lady Remilia!" "So... you're Meiling, right?" "Y-Yes! That's me. I usually serve as the gatekeeper here at the mansion, but I'm filling in as acting head maid for now." "Huh. But if you're doing maid stuff... who's guarding the gate?" "That would be—uh..."

"Uh... I think the gate might be unattended right now." "Oh, so we don't really need a gatekeeper?" "I-I'm pretty sure we do..." "So what do you usually do?" "Mostly guard the gate... and take care of the garden." "Then just do all that plus the maid stuff!" "That sounds like a lot..." "You'll be fine! It's not like you're doing much at the gate besides sleeping." "Th-That's not... totally accurate...!" Meiling finally gave in and ended up hanging laundry while tending to the garden. Somehow, she looked genuinely happy. "Wow... drying laundry out here feels amazing! I've gotta tell Miss Sakuya about this when she gets back!" Meanwhile, Flandre quietly slipped out of the mansion, but that's a story for another time.