“Um, what’s going on here?”
Kent said to Caro, who was back in her usual twintails.
“This morning, Al-chan came to my house and asked me to take him in because he would be useful… But Kent-san, you had asked Al-chan to help at the shop, so I refused at first,” Caro said apologetically.
“It can’t be helped that you came. Let’s live happily together as a family of three!”
“Who’s a family, you idiot!”
“Hau!”
Kent couldn’t help but snap at Al. He had indeed felt something strange about the hair accessory Caro was wearing, but Kent never imagined that Al was the owner of it.
“You didn’t tell Marie-san that Al was coming here, did you?” Kent asked Al to confirm.
“I did! I got permission from Marie-sama. She also asked me to protect you well if anything happened,” Al replied smoothly.
“Marie-san is worried about you too, Kent-san. I think it was wrong to hide it, but I would appreciate it if you could understand.”
“I’m grateful that you’re worried about me, but I’m also worried about the shop…”
“Kent-san, you’re forgetting something important,” Caro said to Kent with a serious look on her face.
“Without you, Marie’s Bakery won’t be able to procure supplies, and the business itself will cease to exist. If the shop is important to you, then ensuring your safety is the top priority. That’s more important than lacking personnel.”
“Ugh, when you put it that way…”
“So please don’t worry and let everyone in the shop protect me. Of course, I’m one of them,” Caro added shyly.
“Kent, Caro, have you finished organizing your belongings?” Berna burst into the room.
“Huh? Who’s this child?” Berna said, noticing Al.
“My name is Al. I’m the child of my father and mother?” Al said to Berna, his tone slightly childish, unlike his usual composed manner.
“Eh? Did Kent and Caro have a child?” Berna asked, looking surprised.
“Yes. Actually, our parents found out about this child’s existence, so we fled to this town together,” Caro revealed.
“Whaaaaaaaaaat!!!!”
Berna and Kent exclaimed in surprise at Caro’s bombshell statement.
“I see. It would be natural to want to run away from your parents if you had such a big child while you were students. But how did you manage to hide it for so long?”
“Actually, Kent-san lives alone in a house. That’s why I was able to hide it until now, but something happened that led my parents to find out…”
“That must have been tough… Well, I support you both. So please live here with peace of mind while you’re here,” Berna, who was prone to jumping to conclusions but had a good heart, seemed to believe Caro and Al’s story.
“Then I’ll have to add one more person for dinner.”
“Actually, this child is sick right now and can only drink water.”
“Oh, is that so? I’m so sorry. Understood, I’ll prepare some delicious water for you,” Caro added a new detail as Berna spoke.
“Thank you, Older Sister~” Al said to Berna with a lisp.
“Leave it to your big sister!” Berna, getting into the role, left the building to make preparations.
“Will this be all right, even if we do this?” Kent said worriedly to the two of them about the future.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. If push comes to shove, I can use my authority as Lord…”
“Believe it or not, I’m a Mid-ranking Fairy, so it’s fine,” Caro said something ominous, and Al made a statement based on groundless confidence. Kent ended up with a headache.
“Well then, shall we start organizing our luggage?”
“Yeah, let’s.”
“Should I help with anything?”
Taking a deep breath, the three of them began organizing their luggage.
“Is this about it?”
“Yes. From today, we can sleep together as a family of three, forming a line,” Caro said.
Even though it was a lot, it was only enough luggage to carry while moving, so sorting it didn’t take much time. Caro used the remaining time to meticulously make the beds.
“Oh, right, I should put the tissues and a trash can nearby…” Caro was already ready for action.
“Doesn’t Al being here bother you?”
“It does, but there’s no need to hesitate… or rather… I have a promise, so I can’t hesitate,” Caro answered Kent’s question with a hint of mystery.
“My father and mother used to have wrestling matches at night. I asked if I could join, but they told me it was too early for a child and that I should go to sleep. I want to grow up quickly so I can join them in wrestling,” Al said.
“Al, what’s with that child-like statement?”
“I thought you’d be happy,” Al replied.
“I wouldn’t be happy,” Kent wondered how much further he should push.
To change the mood, he looked around the room again. The building itself was far from what one would expect for a Deputy Lord’s residence. Although it had been maintained, the building was simple, reminding Kent of his own house when he was reincarnated in this world. Fortunately, storage shelves and beds for two were already in place, so as long as they didn’t need to cook for themselves, it seemed functional for shelter from the elements.
“Kent, Caro, Al. I’ve prepared dinner,” Berna came to call them after some time.
“We’re coming,” Kent replied, and the three of them followed Berna into the Mayor’s house. They were led to the office, where a makeshift table was set up and food was prepared for Berna’s family and them.
“It’s a bit small, please bear with it. I actually wanted to use the room we used before, but the guest who will be staying here as the Deputy Lord starting today will be using it. I’m sorry,” Berna said apologetically.
“Don’t worry about it, we don’t mind,” Caro assured her.
“So, is Al really only drinking water?” Berna asked Al for confirmation.
“Yes, I’m fine with just water.”
The prepared meal was, to put it mildly, not what Kent and the others usually ate. It was simple fare, not of high quality. However, Kent and Caro didn’t complain and ate as if it were delicious, showing consideration for those around them.
“Thank you for the meal. We’re tired today, so we’ll be retiring early.”
“Good night.”
“Kent, Caro, Al. See you tomorrow.”
After finishing their meal, the three returned to their room.
