The Tough-Faced Owner of A Fluffy Cafe ~ The Strongest Mercenary Feared as the Headhunter, Living Leisurely Surrounded by Little Girls and Cute Monsters ~ - Chapter 39
Episode 039: Little Girl, Leaving the House
“Mm… Mm…”
Tina, who couldn’t fall asleep, finds herself sleeping, waking up to the piercing sunlight from outside the window.
Snow and Chiffon in her arms were still asleep.
Outside, the sun had risen completely, indicating it was much later than the usual waking hours.
Plus, she noticed the usual warmth she felt nearby was missing.
“Ack.”
Tina calls out the name of the person she trusts, but there’s no response.
Feeling anxious, she sits up and looks around, realizing she’s not in the residential area of Fluffy Café.
Finally, she remembers staying over at Maria’s house.
*Click*
At the perfect timing, the door opens, and Maria, who had already finished getting ready, enters.
“Oh, good morning.”
“Good morning. Where’s Ack?”
The first thing she checks is, as always, about Ack. For Tina, Ack’s presence is significant.
“He hasn’t come back yet. Great Blizzard Mountain is quite far away. Even for Mr. Ack, it’ll take a bit more time to go there and come back.”
“I see…”
Tina feels downcast that Ack hasn’t returned. It’s been a few months since she met Ack. Right now, Tina exists because of Ack.
“Oh, right. Let’s have breakfast. I’ve prepared it.”
“Understood.”
Following Maria’s casual remark, Tina wakes up Snow and heads to the dining room.
Breakfast consists of bread, soup, and salad, a simple meal.
“Thank you for the meal.”
While Snow eats heartily as usual, Tina stops eating halfway through.
“Are you done already?”
“Yeah.”
Feeling lonely without Ack, Tina doesn’t have much of an appetite.
“Understood. I’ll take away the meal and bring something sweet to drink.”
“Thank you.”
Maria lowers Tina’s food and makes her drink something new. Tina had no appetite, but she at least sipped her drink.
Seeing this, Maria feels a little relieved.
After Snow finishes eating, Maria takes Tina to the garden. She thought being indoors would feel depressing.
As expected of a noble’s house, the home garden is spacious, with neatly trimmed lawns.
Snow frolics around in excitement, running around.
Maria and Tina set up a table in the garden, put up a parasol to block the sun, and enjoy cold juice while watching the scene.
“Kyukyuu”
“Kyu!”
“Kururu”
Sensing Tina’s low spirits, Snow and the others gather around her feet, looking up at her with round eyes as if trying to coax her out from under the parasol.
“Okay.”
Though not enthusiastic, Tina can’t ignore their plea and reluctantly joins them.
When Snow and the others runs away, Tina chases after them, and when she’s chased, Tina runs away.
After running around for a while, Snow and the others tackle Tina onto the grass, and they all lick her face to cheer her up.
“Hehe. Ticklish.”
Tina laughs shyly.
Thanks to their effort, Tina starts to feel a bit better.
“Looks fun.”
Maria watches them with envy.
After playing, they bathe to wash off the sweat, have a late lunch, and spend time sewing in the afternoon.
And before they know it, it’s already night.
“Miss, the envoy from the Knight Commander is here.”
“Understood, I’ll go right away. Please guide them to the room.”
“Understood.”
By the time dinner is over, a maid comes to call for Maria. Hearing the news, Maria goes outside the dining hall, and Tina is guided to Maria’s room just like yesterday.
In Maria’s room, there are stuffed animals placed around and the colors of the bedding have changed, giving it a slightly more charming atmosphere.
Maria started redecorating her room to Tina’s liking, saying it’s for Tina. She planned to customize it even more in the future.
Tina, holding Snow, sits on the bed swinging her legs, and Maria enters the room.
“Tina-san, I’m sorry. I have to go to work. Please rest first as I’ll try to return as soon as possible.”
“Understood.”
As Maria speaks apologetically, kneeling down, Tina nods obediently.
Tina prepares to sleep, lies down on the bed holding Snow just like yesterday.
10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour pass.
However, no matter how much time passes, she can’t seem to fall asleep at all. Maria’s absence intensifies her loneliness.
And then, it explodes.
Tina sits up abruptly.
“Kyu?”
Snow watches her actions curiously.
“I’m going home.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Tina decides to go back to her house. She picks up her belongings and stands in front of the door.
“Is anyone there?”
“Kyui.”
Confirming that no one is outside, Tina quietly opens the door and steps out of the room.
“Snow, lead the way.”
“Kyu!!”
Snow salutes cleverly and runs ahead.
With Snow in the lead, Tina with Chiffon and the others follow, successfully making it outside of Maria’s house.
Since there were two gatekeepers at the house gate, they head to the garden, and Snow and the others gather around Tina, lifting her over the fence.
Of course, Snow, Chiffon, and even Shiln are monsters. This is an easy task for them.
Unlike during the day, the city at night is dark and sparsely populated, which fuels Tina’s anxiety.
She wants to get home quickly.
“Do you know the way?”
“Kuu.”
In response to Tina’s question, Chiffon replies softly. Chiffon had been observing the outside even while riding in the carriage and had already confirmed the route home.
With Chiffon in the lead and the other monsters protecting Tina, they head out of the city.
The inner gate is much larger than the house gate and can’t be opened with the same trick.
Since it’s a less crowded time, there’s only one gatekeeper.
So, Snow comes up with a plan.
“Kyukyuu?”
“What? A lost rabbit?”
Suddenly appearing in front of the gatekeeper, Snow draws their attention.
Tina and the others hide in the shadows, observing the situation.
“Hey, wait!!”
Snow slips under the gatekeeper’s legs and runs outside the inner gate.
Being inside the inner gate likely means being a pet of nobles or wealthy individuals. Letting it escape would cause a commotion.
The gatekeeper quickly chases after Snow.
With only one gatekeeper gone, there’s no one left. Seizing the opportunity, Tina and the others sneak through the inner gate. They also slip through the city gate using the same method and head home.
*Click*
Meeting up with Snow, who had lost the gatekeeper midway, they arrive in front of the house. Tina opens the door with the key she’s been entrusted with by Ack, enters the house, and locks the door.
“Phew…”
Taking in the familiar scent as much as possible, Tina feels a surge of relief.
After Shiln purifies everyone, they all crawl into bed, where Ack’s scent lingers, easing Tina’s loneliness.
And thanks to that, Tina feels more at ease and, combined with the quality of the bed, falls asleep.
