Chapter 170-4

Chapter 170-4

[Part 4/4]

"Are you thinking that I am going to pursue this further? I'm not that childish. Please remember that I haven't forgotten what happened."

Murasaki's reluctant response, wrapped in her spare clothes. It was a loan, after all. That's what you'd expect from the Ako family. The conversation was going smoothly.

"Thank you very much...!"

Still bowed, I bowed even deeper. A sincere and heartfelt apology. Ako Murasaki wasn't the kind of person to take it lightly, and if I had to say it harshly, I was half acting by pointing out her naivety.

...No, I really do feel sorry, though?

"You don't need to bow your head that low. You're not just a servant anymore. If you keep bowing that low, you'll end up hurting the honor of the main house. You'll also be looked down upon."

"Ah."

Murasaki's attitude, which seemed to accept that there was no other way. Phew. She's so naive... Ugh. The maid on the side was looking at me with a dissatisfied expression. I need to be careful.

"...Can I ask something?"

Murasaki, who seemed oblivious to the maid's attitude, suddenly asked a question.

"Ah, what is it about?"

"That... What's with that mask?"

It was a question about the childish, scribbled-on mask I was wearing.

"...It's for babysitting."

"For babysitting? What?"

"Yes, literally."

"It's a transparent, teacher-like mask!"

"Cut it out!"

I glared at Akane's sudden interruption, which was more focused on the content than the tone. Was she trying to copy me? Did she have evidence even though there was no picture?

...the mask of a servant, no matter what rank, is honestly unsettling to these kids. It's as if they're intentionally making themselves seem inorganic and eerie, giving off an intimidating aura. It's only natural that they wouldn't be suitable for childcare. As the number of kids increased, some would feel even more repulsed. The younger kids are all inexperienced in the fox incident too.

So, I had prepare a cheap mask, and the kids scribbled on it. It's a stupid, foolish-looking face, like a laughing Buddha. It's better than the servant's face, at least. I'd fallen as far as I could go, and now all I can do is climb back up.

"I, I see..."

"I like it! That way is better!"

"I didn't ask about your preferences, you kid!"

The purple-haired girl's response was impossible to understand, like a carefree, whimsical remark. It was too laid-back, and I cut her off.

"...Anyway, why is the young lady of Ako here? It would've been better if you'd contacted us beforehand."

Talking to those kids is a real pain. Let's just get on with the conversation. Not having an appointment is pretty inconvenient, but... it's for her sake, after all.

"So, that's..."

I held her up, asking if she was alright. Her response was vague, and our faces were so close that I could see the colors of our skin. I was stunned, unsure of what had happened... and then, as I understood, Murasaki took a step back.

"I apologize!! Let's start over!! I'll come back another day, so please respond properly then!! You can do that, can't you?!"

That declaration was like pointing at me and shouting in anger, with a command that made my face turn bright red from shame.

"...O-okay."

"Yes, you replied! I promised, didn’t I?! Yona, let’s go home now!! Hurry up!!"

"Young lady!? Please wait!!?"

Murasaki, and Yona, quickly escaped to the side, and the maid chased after her like a storm. I was left standing there, unable to keep up with the situation.

...Huh? Is she coming back?

"Ah, this is delicious!"

And then, without permission, the lizard-like girl started eating the sweets and said something. No, she just took them without asking.

"Hey, share them with everyone!"

I quickly confiscated the sweets. Then, I chased after Murasaki. I didn’t understand what was going on, but I had to see her off. Ignoring the little girl who was crying, I ran towards the orphanage gate. The ox-cart was already gone. It was a close call, a real emergency.

"Or should I say, did they drive the cart away too fast and almost get into an accident?"

I was talking about Ako Murasaki. At the last moment, I barely managed to see her off, but I didn’t know what would happen if I didn’t.

And then, I collided with a person who was hiding behind the gate.

"Whoa!?"

A refreshing, elegant figure suddenly appeared in front of me, filling my nostrils with a sweet fragrance. I was confused by the situation.

"E-excuse me?"

I hurriedly apologized and tried to create some distance. But that didn’t happen.

"Oh, this is quite bold, isn’t it? This kind of exposed welcome is a first, isn’t it?"

"Huh?"

It was a sarcastic remark. At the same time, my head was gently pushed back, and my vision was filled with a soft, sweet sensation. I ended up in a silly, awkward pose. The sweet, mellow voice whispered in my ear.

"Earlier, I almost got into an accident with Ako's young lady. Oh your face was bright red... Maybe you're the type who gets impatient when it comes to girls?"

While my face was buried, I looked up at the other person with a sidelong glance. A captivating gaze and a mischievous face stared back at me.

"Y-you...!"

Before I could say anything, a jet-black, extremely thick, and high-quality sweets box appeared on top of my head, as if it was placed there.

"Sweets box... A celebratory gift from Princess Miyataka. Please, don’t hesitate to accept it."

Wrapped in a white core and coated with cherry blossom pink, then further enveloped in a dark, soybean-flavored exterior, the dorayaki... It was an encounter with a magical dangerous character, brought about by offering the famous confectionery of the capital.