"Ooh! The egg is so creamy, Motegi-chan!"
"Mmm! And the rice is still fluffy even after reheating, Motegi-kun!"
"This is such... a comforting... breakfast. Truly lovely, Motegi-sama…"
"Despite the name 'fried rice,' this dish contains only minimal oil, approximately one teaspoon per serving. The overall flavor stems from the demi-glace, ketchup, egg, and chicken. The texture is moist, not greasy. Just satisfactory, Master."
"This is simply amaaazing~! The sauce melts into the rice, darling~!"
"Hrm! This might be thine best creation yet, mine king! So simple, and yet… so divine!"
"Hnnh... the eggs just melt in my mouth~. I could wake up to this every day, honey~..."
"It is really unbelievable. The harmony of flavors is most splendid, my Lord."
"Kyuu!"
It's been a few weeks now since Brunhild started living with us.
We're technically off today, and we start this morning with gathering at the table and enjoying my latest dish: omurice. Nothing too fancy. Just leftover rice I duplicated with [Copier], ketchup, peas, and chopped chicken, topped with soft, runny eggs and a rich demi-glace sauce.
Finally, I scoop a bite for myself. The warmth, the balance that hit perfectly.
"Yup, this is really delicious..."
After breakfast, we head out somewhere. We make our way through the market, then turn onto a quieter path where trees line both sides of the road. At the end of it stands a modest yet sturdy building with fresh brickwork and clean windows.
The moment we step onto the path leading to the front, we're spotted.
"Whoa...!"
"Her ears moved!"
"She has wings!"
"They all have tails!"
"Look at that floating thing! It squeaked!"
"Kyuu!"
A wave of small voices rises from a group of children in the front yard. Their wide eyes flick between the girls and Puck. The girls simply smile, each waving softly as the children inch closer in wonder.
Then, one man in his late thirties wearing an apron stands up from his crowd of kids as he notices my arrival.
"Ah, shopkeeper!"
"Enzo-san!"
"Glad you made it! Come in, come in, everyone's welcome."
Beside him stands a young woman with brown hair tied loosely back, her expression gentle and composed. She steps forward and gently holds back the excited kids before they can crowd too close.
"Alright, little ones. Let's give our guests a little space. They'll play with you later, okay?"
"Awwww… why not now?"
"Martha-nee, they're so cool…"
"They'll be back, okay?"
The kids groan but nod, and we're led inside by Enzo into a central room with simple but well-made wooden chairs arranged in a circle.
"Please, take a seat. And this is my younger sister, Martha."
Martha bows politely to us.
"Nice to meet you all."
"Nice to meet you, Martha."
"Then, excuse me..."
As Martha disappears into the kitchen, my eyes dart around, and I can't help but praise Enzo.
"This place looks amazing, Enzo-san."
"Thank you. I built it up from my savings."
Enzo is a retired B-rank adventurer and had been a regular at my store during the early build. He'd come in often, buying kitchenware, ceramics, furniture, even board games and toiletries. Told me again and again, "Once it's done, you have to visit." It took me a month longer than I'd planned to actually show up.
Martha soon returns, carrying a tray of tea. She places a cup in front of each of us.
"Thank you."
"Are you on a day off today, sir?"
"Yes, we are."
"I see..."
As we each take a sip of the light and fragrant tea, Enzo sighs with a smile.
"Haaaah... you're really something else, shopkeeper. Your store has everything. And you're clearing floors deeper than anyone I know."
"Ahaha... it's really not that amazing."
"That's not true! I only made it to floor 18 before I retired, you know? You're just built different."
"Ahaha... thank you, Enzo-san. I'm just doing my best."
His gaze shifts to the girls, each calmly sipping their tea.
"And with such a team too — strong adventurers, kind clerks — you're lucky."
"Yeah, they're incredible. Honestly, they're more than capable."
Despite the girls blushing, our conversation continues.
ONE HOUR LATER
After our conversation winds down, we head outside into the open yard. I stand with Enzo and Martha near the door, watching the scene unfold in front of us.
The girls have already spread out across the lawn, and the children swarm toward them, full of curiosity and excitement.
A crowd of little hands gathers around Puck, each one eager to pet and poke at its fur. Its round little body chirps with glee as it spins, curls, then stretches lazily across their palms, stealing the kids' hearts.
"Kyuu! Kyuu!"
"It's so soft!"
"Look! It rolled up!"
Puck leans into their touches, completely content as they shower it with affection.
Off to the side, Yomogi is already kneeling warmly among a group of kids.
"My, you're all so cute, and you look so healthy too..."
"You're beautiful, onee-chan!"
"Eh? Really?"
Her eyes widen for a moment, then she smiles.
"Thank you, sweetie."
Yomogi used to be a mom, after all, so that gentle, maternal energy just flows from her naturally. You can see it in the way the kids respond to her and are instinctively drawn in. And maybe it's the same in reverse. These kids maybe have lost something, just like she did. In a way, it feels like they're filling something in each other.
Chantal's at the far end of the yard, surrounded by an energetic bunch. She's grinning wide, flexing one arm and showing off her lean muscles.
"Whoa!! That's amazing!"
"So cool!"
"I wanna be strong like you, onee-chan!"
Chantal laughs, reaching down to ruffle the girl's hair and pumping her fist up.
"Hahaha! Then work hard, alright? I'm rooting for you."
Kimberly raises one hand, swirling a small gust of wind that carries dry leaves into a slow, graceful spiral.
"The leaves are dancing…"
"How can I be a mage like you, miss?"
Kimberly smiles, her voice calm and unhurried.
"You must... bond with the nature... and listen... to what it... wants. The magic... will respond... when it feels... your heart..."
The kids stare, eyes wide with wonder.
Pinna's Observer Unit floats beside her head, and a few boys watch in awe, staring at the metallic orb.
"What's that ball?"
Pinna gives a small smile and speaks carefully not to overwhelm.
"It is not a ball. It is a tool I use to see things from far away. A surveillance unit."
"Wooooah! That's so cool!"
Nearby, Salacia sits gracefully with a group of girls as they drill her with questions, and Salacia answers them like she's telling a tale.
"Nee, nee... what's Oserin like?"
"Mmm~ it's all sea and sunshine, sweetie. Endless water, warm beaches, glittering reefs, and villages of merfolk. It's like a dream down there~"
"Waaah… I wanna go!"
In another corner of the yard, Manas has a boy snatching her tail and lifting it triumphantly.
"Got your tail!!"
Manas turns sharply, smirking.
"Thou scoundrel! I shall not forgive this transgression!"
She lunges forward, and the children scatter, shrieking with laughter. She gives chase and laughs alongside them as they run.
Lilith has her own group gathered around her, but she notices a girl with glasses standing off to the side, watching quietly.
"Hey, cutie~. No need to be shy. Come on over here~."
The girl hesitates, then slowly walks forward, clutching the sides of her dress. And Lilith kneels down with a smile.
"Those glasses look so perfect on you."
The girl's face lights up instantly.
I don't know why, but this is exactly what I did to Lilith when we first met, complimented her glasses. And now she is doing the same for someone else.
A few feet away, a group of kids stares up at Brunhild in awe.
"Are you… an angel?"
"I am indeed. A guardian of light and virtue."
"Woooooow…"
Enzo chuckles beside me, arms crossed.
"They look so happy, don't they, shopkeeper?"
"Yeah… they really do, Enzo-san."
Then, I feel a gentle tug on my coat. I look down and see a little girl holding up a tiny flower, purple and delicate, pinched between her fingers. I crouch and accept it with both hands.
"Thank you, that's a beautiful flower. What's your name?"
But the girl just stares at me silently, and Martha approaches me and this little girl.
"I'm sorry, sir. She's mute."
"Ah, sorry..."
I turn to the little girl again, and Martha smiles at her.
"Thank you for the flower, Giselle."
Then, Martha adds.
"She's very smart, you know? She's really good at chess."
"Really?"
So, I turn back to Giselle.
"That's amazing, Giselle! Keep playing, okay? I'm your number one fan."
Giselle smiles and gives a small, proud nod.
ONE HOUR LATER
"Thanks a lot for stopping by today, shopkeeper, everyone. I mean it, please come again."
"Of course, Enzo-san. We'll definitely be back."
Then, Martha turns to the kids, placing her hands gently on her knees as she leans forward a little.
"Alright, everyone. What do we say?"
"Bye-bye!"
We all respond in kind, waving at them. And Puck raises both tiny paws, standing on my shoulder and letting out a happy chirp that makes the kids giggle again.
"Bye-bye!"
"Kyuu!"
As we step away from the orphanage and walk along the street, Yomogi turns to me.
"Enzo-san and Martha-san… they're really good people, right, Motegi-chan?"
"Yeah, they really are."
Chantal lets out a breath, stretching her arms behind her head.
"Yaah... that was fun. Playing with those little guys, they've got so much energy!"
"Are you happy?"
"Absolutely, Motegi-kun!"
Kimberly then speaks.
"Some of them said... they wanted... to be adventurers... someday. That was… really something. I hope... Enzo-san... and Martha-san… can help them... grow up... strong, Motegi-sama…"
"I believe they can. They've got the hearts for it."
Pinna looks over her shoulder.
"This interaction qualifies as significant. Emotional resonance detected. These experiences provided valuable observation data on human joy, empathy, and social bonding. Overall conclusion: the trip was satisfactory."
"Hahaha! Is that so?"
Salacia also looks happy.
"I loved how curious they got when I told them about Oserin~. I hope they get to travel someday and see the sea, the sand, and the whole world, darling~..."
"Yeah, let's hope for that too."
Manas lets out a hearty laugh.
"Verily, 'tis an unforgettable experience, mine king! Mayhap thou shouldst consider bearing offspring thyself?"
And all the girls freeze mid-step as I quickly raise both hands.
"L-let's talk about that later, shall we?"
Then, Manas laughs again.
"Mwahahaha!"
Lilith is the next one to speak.
"Still can't stop thinking about that shy little glasses girl~. She was sooo cute, honey~..."
"Kinda like you, huh?"
And she gasps immediately.
"Oh! You sneaky little... don't catch me off guard like that, honey~!"
"Sorry, sorry..."
Brunhild puts her arm on her chest, smiling warmly.
"This visit has been heartwarming indeed. The warmth still lingers in my heart, my Lord."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Then, I turn to Puck at my shoulder.
"Did you have fun today?"
"Kyuu!"
And suddenly...
GROWL! GROWL! GROWL! GROWL! GROWL!
Our stomachs growl loudly, even Puck's too. I turn to the girls and see their faces are already pink.
"Guess I'm in the same boat. Maybe eating out doesn't sound so bad right now, huh?"
"Y-yes..."
"Kyuu..."
With that, we spot a quaint restaurant down the road and head in. And a waitress greets us with a smile.
"Welcome, please have a seat here."
She shows us to a table big enough for our group, and after we all take our seats, she hands us the menu.
"What would you like to eat?"
I search over the list, and we seem to silently reach the same decision.
"We'll all have the same. Grilled pike with farinata and arugula salad. Nine portions and one tiny plate, please. Oh, and nine glasses of apple cider."
"Got it. Please wait a moment."
She disappears into the back. A few minutes later, she returns with plates and glasses.
"Here are your orders..."
She distributes each plate in front of us, including a small plate that lands in front of Puck.
"Thank you."
"Excuse me."
Once I thank her and she leaves us, Yomogi and Kimberly look at their food with delighted expressions.
"This looks delicious…"
"It's been… a long time… since we last ate out like this…"
Chantal is already drooling again once she sees fish as Salacia tilts her head.
"Fish… fish… fish…"
"Even this fish can be just as pretty as sea ones~. This looks good~!"
Pinna studies her meal, while Manas already approves.
"The coloration of the pike, golden exterior with slight oil shimmer, suggests optimal preparation. Nutrient retention appears excellent. Anticipated outcome: satisfying intake."
"Hmm… this cooking… is acceptable."
Lilith bites her lip, already squirming in her seat and holding her moans.
"Nnhhh~... I can't wait to eat this now…"
Brunhild's cheeks are slightly pink as she admits.
"My Lord… I-I must confess… my stomach is growling most fiercely…"
With that, I lift my fork and declare to everyone.
"Alright, let's dig in now, shall we?"
"Yes!"
"Kyuu!"
And just like that, we all enjoy our lunch together.