Despite various troubles, thanks to Patty, Kent’s relationship with Caro and Marie returned to normal. However, Hanako had somehow taken over Marie’s daughter’s position, and Kent felt a sense of discomfort.
“Mr. Kent, is something wrong?”
It was already bedtime. Kent had finished his meal and bath and was in his room. Marie and Caro were now on either side of him in bed, as if sandwiching him. Caro, exhausted from work, had lost the energy to go home and decided to stay at Kent’s house, falling asleep shortly after. Marie, sensing something was off with Kent, began to question him.
“Um, has Hanako always been in this house?”
“Wasn’t she? What’s wrong? To be asking something like that now.”
Marie said with a puzzled look. Hanako seemed to be sleeping alone in the room Marie was currently using. Al appeared to have gone out somewhere, as he was no longer visible before Kent entered his room.
“For now, I’ll try not to think about it. I have an early day tomorrow, so let’s go to sleep.”
“You’re right. I’m tired too today. Good night.”
Marie also seemed quite exhausted, and with those words, soft snores could be heard.
“Good night, Ms. Marie, Ms. Caro.”
Speaking to the two who had fallen asleep, Kent decided to sleep as well.
“Well, to think that even Emily is affected… that child is no ordinary person.”
“Indeed. However, I don’t feel any malice from her.”
“That’s what’s puzzling… I suspect she might be of the same kind as us, but if we’re of the same species, we should feel aversion when we meet.”
“Like us.”
“Yes, like us.”
Saying so, Al and Emily looked at each other.
“We’ve gotten used to it, haven’t we?”
“We have. Perhaps we’re surprisingly good friends.”
When everyone had fallen asleep, Al and Emily had made themselves comfortable in the store’s dining space and were talking. The topic was Hanako’s inexplicable behavior.
“Well, perhaps it’s best to ask her directly.”
“She doesn’t seem like she’ll tell us, does she?”
“In that case, perhaps we should just observe for a while?”
“Yes, it seems we have no choice but to watch carefully.”
Such a discussion was taking place, but Kent, unaware of it, had fallen asleep.
“Mr. Kent, it’s morning. Breakfast will be ready soon, so please wake up.”
“Mmm? Good morning, Ms. Caro. It’s already morning, isn’t it?”
It had been a while since Caro had woken him up in the morning, and Kent felt a sense of nostalgia.
“Good morning. Ms. Marie, get up too instead of clinging to Mr. Kent forever?”
“Just five more minutes, just five more minutes…”
“You never wake up when you say that. Get up!”
Marie, who had been sleeping while hugging Kent, opened her eyes grumpily when Caro woke her.
“Is breakfast ready?”
“Yes, yes, I’ll prepare it now, Hanako-chan.”
When she went to the kitchen, Hanako was already awake. As she spoke to Caro, she sat in a chair and waited for breakfast to be ready. Al seemed to be helping Caro, busily moving around the kitchen.
“Master, Ms. Marie, good morning. I’m preparing breakfast now, so please sit and wait.”
“Good morning, Al. Sorry to trouble you with breakfast.”
“Good morning, Al-chan. Thank you.”
Breakfast was prepared, and Kent, Marie, Caro, and Hanako sat around the table and began to eat. Al did not partake in the meal and was lazing around in the living room after finishing his chores.
“Ms. Marie, I apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused.”
“It’s alright. So, are you going home today?”
“Yes, my mother is also worried. Thank you for everything. I’ve told my younger siblings to get ready by the time I return from school.”
Patti and her younger siblings were apparently going home today. From tomorrow, Patti would commute to the store from her home. After finishing her preparations and showing up at the store, Patti said to Marie.
“Despite everything, let’s do our best again from today. Everyone, please.”
” ” “Yes” ” ”
Inside the store were Kent, Marie, Caro, Patti, Emily, Al, Hanako, and Rachel. At Marie’s signal, they began preparations for opening in their respective positions.
“Older brother, Caro’s mood seems to have improved too.”
“Yeah, somehow.”
“But, I was trying my best from this morning to surprise you yesterday, and it ended up being in vain.”
“What was?”
“That’s a secret. Well, you’ll probably understand when you go to school. Now, to work, to work.”
Rachel spoke to Kent, but only said what she wanted to say and returned to her post.
“Speaking of which, is Elnet still on holiday today? Ms. Marie, have you heard anything?”
“Elnet-san? Hmm… I only heard that she’ll be taking several days off for family matters. As a commoner, I don’t understand their world, but perhaps the Duke’s family has their own family affairs?”
Since Elnet’s presence was not seen today either, Marie responded similarly when asked.
“Well then, I’m off.”
“Have a good day. Do your best with your studies.”
After that, the opening time arrived, and without any particular trouble, it was time to head to school. Kent, Caro, Patti, and Rachel finished their work and, seeing Marie off, headed for school.
“Wow, I’m glad your relationship with Caro is back to normal, older brother. You apparently stayed at your house last night, did you have fun?”
“I was tired and fell asleep immediately… a missed chance, perhaps?”
As Rachel said this on the way, Caro replied with a hint of disappointment.
“Could it be that Mr. Kent and Ms. Caro are doing… that?”
“Of course, we do it every night.”
Upon Patti’s question, Rachel replied with a vulgar laugh.
“Every night… we haven’t done it recently… Ah.”
Caro’s involuntary remark left Rachel and Patti speechless.
“Well then, I should be going… Mr. Kent, see you in class.”
“Yeah, see you later.”
“It must be tough every morning. Keep up the good work.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
As they neared the school, Patti’s entourage began to surround her, so Patti said this and separated from them. Kent, Rachel, and Caro saw her off.
“Older brother, are you having lunch with us today?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Understood. Well then, we’ll be going too. See you at noon.”
“Then, Mr. Kent, I’ll be going.”
Upon entering the school building, Rachel and Caro parted ways with Kent to head to their respective classrooms.
“Hey, Kent, did you hear? Big news.”
“Good morning, Bobby. What happened?”
As he entered the classroom, Bobby spoke to him, forgetting even to say good morning. From his excited demeanor, Kent thought it must be quite significant news.
“Well, apparently an incredibly beautiful teacher has come to the school.”
“Is that so? Have you seen this beautiful teacher, Bobby?”
“No, unfortunately, I haven’t yet. There were many sightings yesterday, but I don’t have the details.”
“If you haven’t seen her yourself, how do you know she’s beautiful?”
“That’s true, but everyone says the same thing. Isn’t it intriguing?”
“If you keep saying things like that, Prim will hate you.”
“That’s a different matter. Oh, right, thanks for your help yesterday. The offer to transfer the store to Prim has indeed come through. And just as you advised, we’ll be operating the store under a joint name.”
“Whoa, shouldn’t that report have come first?”
“Maybe so. Hahahaha.”
Without any sign of remorse, Bobby laughed and said so.
