Rachel, walking next to Kent, seemed to be in a good mood. It was hard to believe she had been lectured by Marie before leaving the shop.
“You seem to be in a good mood even after being scolded?”
“I am reflecting on being scolded. But, I also feel happy walking around town with Older brother before Christmas.”
“Even though it’s before Christmas, it doesn’t look any different than usual.”
Kent and Rachel were walking through town to head for Marie’s Bakery No. 2. Since Bakery No. 2 was located in a prime location in the commercial district, the number of people walking on the street increased as they got closer to the shop. More shops lined the street, but all of them seemed to be operating as usual. There was no concept of Christmas in this world, so naturally, not a single shop had any flashy Christmas decorations…
“What’s that?”
Kent’s gaze was drawn to a particular shop. The shop’s walls were adorned with decorations inspired by Christmas, such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and snow, and the lights covered the part facing the street, shining brightly and flashily. Needless to say, it was Marie’s Bakery No. 2. If the surrounding shops were also decorated similarly, it wouldn’t feel out of place, but since only one shop was like this, it stood out too much.
“I can see why Marie would get angry if they went that flashy.”
“Eh? It’s Christmas, after all. It would be a waste not to enjoy it.”
“No, no, enjoying it is fine, but there’s a limit.”
“It’s done now, so it can’t be helped.”
Rachel was completely unrepentant.
(It’s a good workplace if such a flashy display only results in a scolding.)
If an employee in an ordinary shop did something like this on their own, they would face considerable punishment, and sometimes even be fired. However, Marie simply warned Rachel. Kent once again felt Marie’s tolerance.
“Alright, alright. We’re here! Older brother, welcome!”
Arriving in front of the shop, Rachel vigorously opened the door with a “Busy” sign on it.
“Eh?”
“Ah!”
The inside of the shop was decorated for Christmas just like the outside, but Kent’s gaze was fixed on one spot. The woman inside and Kent stared at each other and froze.
“Um, it’s been a while?”
“Eh, ah, it’s been a while, Kent. Rather, could you possibly turn around for a moment?”
“R-right. Sorry.”
Kent hastily turned around. Standing in front of Kent was Lola. She used to work at Etsigoya’s bakery, the predecessor to this shop, but due to various circumstances, she now works at Marie’s Bakery No. 2. When the store manager, Rachel, is absent, she acts as her proxy. However, since Rachel rarely appears at the No. 2 store, she handles almost all the actual work. In essence, she has become Rachel’s right-hand woman, an unfortunate fate.
“Lola, what are you showing your breasts to Older brother for? Are you trying to seduce him?”
“M-manager. That’s not it at all. The clasp on my back suddenly came undone.”
“Oh? Was the stitching loose? Let me see.”
“Eh? Kyaaa!!”
Suddenly hearing Lola’s scream, Kent hastily turned around.
“Don’t look!”
“Buberah”
Kent felt an intense pain in his cheek. Lola’s slap landed squarely.
“Ah, I’m sorry. My hand just moved on its own.”
Although he was hit, Kent clearly remembered the sight he had just glimpsed. Lola, with her clothes pulled off by Rachel, was in her underwear. He had clearly confirmed two somewhat larger, well-shaped mounds.
“That’s right. A normal woman would react that way. The women around Older brother, including me, all show them so easily. In a sense, you’re a rare existence. Good job, Lola.”
“I don’t feel like I’m being praised.”
Lola retorted to Rachel in a tone that suggested she was puffing out her cheeks.
“Ah, it seems the strength of this part was insufficient. I’ll fix it right away, so please wait a moment.”
“Don’t leave me behind!”
Rachel, holding Lola’s discarded clothes, went into the sewing workshop in the back. Lola then hurried after Rachel.
“Lord Kent, you saw something good, nya.”
“Oh, Mike.”
This time, Mike spoke to Kent. Mike is the shop-attached fairy for this store. As the shop becomes more prosperous, shop-attached fairies gradually gain power. Since the store’s sales already exceed those of the No. 1 store, it feels like he is stronger than Emily, who is at the No. 1 store. However, according to Catherine, there’s a hierarchy between the main store and branches, so his power is lower than Al or Emily when compared directly.
“Breasts are good, nya. Especially Master’s are the best, nya.”
“Hmm, hmm.”
Although Mike suddenly started talking about breasts, his favorite seems to be his master, Rachel.
“I prefer Marie’s.”
“Those are good breasts, nya. But they’re too big for someone as small as me, nya.”
“I see.”
Kent thought there might be some truth to what Mike was saying. Mike usually appears as a small boy, so Rachel’s size seems about right for him, rather than Marie’s.
“Especially Master’s mother…”
“Whoa, whoa. What are you saying, you damn cat?”
Just as Mike was about to say something, Rachel returned hurriedly, shouting loudly.
“Pant, pant. I heard that contracted fairies don’t do things that are disadvantageous to their master?”
“Whoo, whoo. I don’t know what you’re talking about, nya.”
Rachel, breathing heavily, spoke with urgency, while Mike gave a curt response.
“Hehehe, you two are as close as ever.”
Lola, her costume repaired, said this with a warm gaze, as if watching a childish squabble.
“Are you two wearing Christmas costumes?”
“Manager said that while the Christmas event is going on, all employees must wear these red clothes.”
Lola answered Kent’s question. Lola and Mike were wearing costumes inspired by red and white Santa Claus. Lola’s, in particular, emphasized her chest, and her skirt was short, with white stockings on her beautiful legs. Mike’s costume was what Kent considered a typical Santa outfit.
“How is it? Isn’t the design of the chest perfect for you to reach out and touch?”
“Please don’t actually try to touch it.”
Rachel said that and then plunged her hand into Lola’s chest, showing it to Kent. Caught off guard, Lola hastily pulled Rachel’s hand away.
“It’s unfair that yours is bigger than mine.”
“I can’t help it if it’s bigger…”
Rachel said, recreating the feeling of the mounds on Lola’s chest with her hand. Naturally, since breast size varies from person to person, Lola was at a loss for words.
“Ah, that’s right. It’s almost time for opening, isn’t it? Is the preparation going smoothly?”
“Yes, we just need to arrange today’s bread on the shelves, and then preparation will be complete.”
“So, Older brother, could you put that bread on the shelves for me?”
“Yes, yes.”
Distracted by the talk about breasts, Rachel remembered her work and asked Lola about the opening preparations.
“Ah, that’s right. Actually, the two people who were newly hired recently haven’t shown up this morning yet. This is the how many times now… I’m sorry. I guess I don’t have a good judge of character.”
“Um, weren’t their names Cibol and Natali? Lola, you interviewed and hired them when I wasn’t around, right?”
“Yes, I never expected them to be so late so often.”
Lola, originally a former employee of a famous shop, has excellent customer service skills, but her other work abilities are just average. Since Rachel has delegated almost all of the No. 2 store’s operations to Lola, she cannot blame her as the store manager.
“Understood. I need to act like a store manager once in a while. I’ll go and give those two a good talking-to. They’re still in the back room, right?”
“Yes, probably.”
“Then, Older brother, let’s go!”
“Eh? Wha, don’t pull me!”
Rachel pulled Kent, who had finished arranging the bread, by the arm and headed towards the back room where the live-in employees slept.
