CH 192

Chapter 192 : I Hate Working!

As her big brother, I can’t let Nicola laze around and cause trouble to Celine and Eclain.

I need to find something that she can do while we’re staying in this village.

Hmm…

Oh, that’s right!

I got a brilliant idea while Nicola was smirking, thinking that she didn’t have to work for the next three months.

「Mom, I have an idea.」(Mark)

「Oh? What is it, Mark?」(Mom)

「There’s an onee-san named Ester in this village. Her family runs a side dish shop. She always sells her delicious food in the village square every morning. I think Nicola can help them. She will learn a lot from them.」(Mark)

『Wha… Onii-chaaaaaaaannnn!?』(Nicola)

Nicola’s happy face turned pale in an instant as if she fell into despair. She stared at me with her eyes wide open.

「O, Onii-chan…」(Nicola)

『I’m sorry if I ever offended you! I’m sorry if I ever made you angry! So, please! Pleeease! Don’t make me have to work!』(Nicola)

Nicola stood up from her chair, clung to me, and started begging while staring at me with puppy eyes.

But of course, that’s not gonna work.

『Nope. You’re going to work.』(Mark)

『NOOOOOOOOOO!!!』(Nicola)

Ignoring Nicola who was dying inside, I continued talking to Mom.

「They usually make side dishes early in the morning, and I think it’s good for Nicola because she can start getting used to getting up early.」(Mark)

『What!? I have to wake up early and work right after!? No way! I will die from working too much!!!』(Nicola)

『Well, good luck.』(Mark)

『Onii-chan, you’re so evil!』(Nicola)

I might be evil, but this is for her own good.

「Maa~ What a perfect place for her to grow~! Then, Mark, can you ask them to let Nicola work at their place?」(Mom)

I don’t think Ester’s family needs more people but I think they will welcome Nicola.

「That’s my plan. You can leave it to me.」(Mark)

Realizing that she wouldn’t be able to escape, Nicola let go of my hand and sat on her chair nervelessly.

「Nicola, Papa will test you when you get home. We will be sad if your cooking skills don’t improve even after working at their place for three months, so good luck~ I hope you learn a lot from them.」(Mom)

「I will… do… my best…」(Nicola)

Nicola replied to Mom while looking down and staring at the table with blank eyes.

I’m starting to feel sorry for her but being able to cook shouldn’t be a bad thing for her.

「Mark, can you call me again around this hour tomorrow?」(Mom)

「Okay. Let’s end the call here. I’m about to run out of mana.」(Mark)

「Ara… Alright then. It’s too bad that you can’t talk to your dad today, but I’ll talk to you again tomorrow~」(Mom)

「Un.」(Mark)

I stopped injecting my mana into the Resonance Stone and stopped the call.

I feel tired… It was a long talk after all.

I took a deep breath and looked at Nicola.

She glared resentfully at me with teary eyes.

「Hiks… Hiks… Uuu…」(Nicola)

「Umm… Well, it’s for your own good, you know? Do your best so as not to disappoint Mom and Dad.」(Mark)

「Uuu.. Hiks… Hiks…」(Nicola)

「Arara… Nicola-chan, do you hate practicing cooking that much? I kinda understand your feelings…」(Eclain)

While Nicola was glaring at me, Eclain approached her and stroked her head.

「Huaaaa! Eclain-mama!!!」(Nicola)

Nicola then hugged Eclain’s waist tightly.

「Dear, dear~」(Eclain)

「Will you take a nap with me now…?」(Nicola)

「Fufu. You’re such a spoiled little girl. Alright, let’s take a nap together in my room~」(Eclain)

Saying that, Eclain grabbed Nicola’s hand, and then the two walked toward Eclain’s room.

While walking, Nicola turned her face to me and glared at me.

『Onii-chan, I will admit my defeat for today, but don’t think this means you’ve won! Just you watch, I will always try to slack off in secret so that Mama won’t be able to find out!』(Nicola)

『………』(Mark)

Doesn’t she realize that I can report it to Mom anytime?

As I watched Eclain and Nicola enter the room, Celine slapped me on the head.

She gave me a bitter smile when I looked up at her face.

「So you were planning to stay in this village from the beginning, huh?」(Celine)

「Y, Yeah…」(Mark)

「Why didn’t you tell me?」(Celine)

「I’m sorry, but I thought you wouldn’t agree with this. I thought it would be safer if I got Mom’s permission first, so…」(Mark)

「Hahh… Well, yeah, I wouldn’t agree if you didn’t have Leona-san’s permission. Honestly, I would rather stay in this village for three years than keep you here for three months, but… Mark… I’m happy that you’re going to stay and help me… Thank you.」(Celine)

After she said that, she brought her face closer to mine and kissed my forehead.

「That’s your reward for now. I’ll give you more when you grow up~」(Celine)

Saying that, Celine smiled and winked at me.