Chapter 174.2

Chapter 174.2

[Part 2/4]

"Hey, I want some too!"

"Give me more, give me more!!"

"You guys eat that over there!"

The brats were making a fuss over the cold noodles, but I was serving them from a bucket. The water from the well was untreated, but we were using it anyway. It was possible that it might upset their stomachs, but as their guardian, I couldn't just let them have their way.

"Look, if you add ice to the broth, it'll get cold, right? Just be patient."

"Aww, that's so cheap!"

"It's fine, it's cheap. Do you need watermelon too?"

When I threatened the brats, the problematic lizard girl started eating the noodles, making silly noises. The younger ones also started eating from the bucket.

"Hehehe, too bad, kids? This is only for adults, so you're too young for it."

"No, I want to eat it too!"

"...No, that's not very nice."

For some reason, it had become a cold noodle party in the morning, all thanks to the young lady in front of me. She was complaining about the heat and wanted something cold, so she ordered the maid to prepare noodles, ice, and broth from who-knows-where. By the way, the DIY cold noodle unit with a waterslide was also her handiwork. What a leisurely person...

"That is... To be exact, did you bring the ingredients yourselves?"

We've got sliced cucumbers, roasted eggplants with sesame seeds, and tamago-yaki... Somen noodles will be served with these toppings. To be honest, I've been "borrowing" them from the orphanage's fields and chicken coops without permission. Aren't I thieves? Why don't I get cursed? Is it because I'm in charge of the kids' meals?

"Ah, this is so delicious and refreshing!! ...But why can't we use green onions? Aren't they a staple seasoning?"

"Just look at the meals you've been having since you got here, and you'll understand."

This orphanage is a big, half-youkai family, and we have to be careful with certain ingredients. Green onions, in particular, are a no-go. They might contain harmful substances, so it's better not to use them at all. It's like having an allergy or something.

"We have ginger, so please make do with that."

"And what about wasabi?"

"Do you plan on going all the way to the mountains to pick it? It's too stimulating, so please stop."

By the way, when I rejected the wasabi, Murasaki was eating somen noodles in the background, looking relieved. Maybe she's not a fan of wasabi?

"Hey, Oni-san, can I have some sauce?"

"Who's an oni? Here, take this sauce and go."

I'll add some ice to the sauce that the annoying brats are asking for and pour it into their bowls along with the somen noodles. The cold noodles are so refreshing! The brats are laughing and having a great time.

"You'll get watermelon later, so don't eat too much, or your stomach will get bloated!"

I call out to the brats who are devouring their somen noodles, but they probably won't listen. Brats are like that――once they focus on something, they don't notice anything else around them.

"Yes, yes! Next, let's have cucumber slices! Oh, it's here! It's so big!!"

...Wait, there are people who aren't listening to me, even though they're not kids. And what's with pouring the entire cuc*mber into the bowl?

"Hmm, nnn... is this some kind of elegance?"

"What's with the way you're eating that cucumber?"

She was saying something obscene, savoring the extremely thick cucumber with her mouth, and the responses to that were quite something. Was that supposed to be elegant? What even is elegance? (Philosophy)

"What's the point of doing something like that?"

I get what she's trying to say, but come on, can't she see I'm not spacing out? I mean, I'm not even looking away.

"...I'll say it again, that's a false accusation."

"Who knows? My gaze won't be deceived, no matter how you try to cover it up."

I'm not going to say anything about the cousin's good and bad points... it's too harsh, so I'll just keep quiet. I'll just quietly slurp my noodles. Ugh, these are really good. That young lady, she brought us some great noodles from a good store, didn't she?

"Are you just going to sit there in silence? Typical, when things get tough, guys just shut up, huh?"

I let out a snort and am amazed, and Yona elegantly slurps her noodles from a purple ceramic bowl. And with that, the meal is over.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Is that all?"

"I'm not a fat eater either. I also need to get ready too."

Murasaki must be talking about getting a doctor's note and going out. She was the first to finish her breakfast.

"Yona, I need to talk to you later. Shinobu-hime, thanks for the meal. It was delicious!"

She says that bluntly and heads towards the hospital room. I can hear voices saying "Eee!? Young lady!? You're over there...!?" and "Bye-bye♪" from the direction of the noodle slider, but... whatever.

"...Yeah. That's right. Even for that white girl..."

Anyway, I divide the noodles into several portions, adding ingredients and soup, and put ice on top. The plan has changed a bit, but... these are thin noodles. It will be eaten.

"O-Oni-san! Is that for Shiro-chan's?"

"..."

A voice calls out from behind me, away from the group. I slowly turn around, looking rough. That lizard girl is there, looking fearless.

"What is it, Akane? Haven't you eaten yet?"

"I ate 5 bowls!"

"You ate a lot!"

Considering how much she eats, she must have had a whole bowl to herself, including the ingredients. She must be full.

"I'll go with you! Let me tag along!"

"No need."

I give a energetic but reluctant reply to Akane's enthusiastic declaration. It's troublesome to have someone noisy around.

"Eh, okay! I'll go pay my respects too!"

"Think about the person receiving the visit. Don't burden them."

"I won't!! It's better to stick together, absolutely!! She won't be lonely, right, I mean Shiro-chan?"

"Muuh..."

I was slightly hesitant about her last words. After Shiro fell ill, I was basically the only one who had contact with her. I had to be careful for the brats not to catch her illness, but... am I really the only one who can make her feel less lonely?

"No way, but... wouldn't it be better if someone else did it?"

There are plenty of adults at the orphanage who are more mature and gentle. There's no reason to take this kid along.

"What's the reason for choosing you?"