“How do I look?” Otsupain asked, blushing and embarrassed, as she turned to Kent after changing into the shop’s uniform.
“You look great. So great, I want to hug you. You’re cute!”
“C-cute? I-I…”
Otsupain’s uniform was designed closer to Caro and Catherine’s style, unlike Elnet’s which had a more active image. It featured a short, frilly skirt, white high socks, and large ruffled shoulders, with white frills also decorating her arms and neck. It had the vibe of a 1980s idol’s stage costume.
“But while it doesn’t detract from the uniform’s concept, it might be a bit difficult to work in,” Kent observed.
“Not at all. See, it’s surprisingly easy to move in!”
Although it didn’t look practical for work, Otsupain felt differently. Despite its appearance, it seemed to have a design that allowed for freedom of movement, and she claimed it didn’t hinder her actions.
“Well then, Otsupain, you should take a look at yourself too,” Kent said, leading her to where a full-length mirror was placed.
“Is, is this really me? I’d die of embarrassment if I went out in public wearing this. But since the Queen told me to, I have no choice… Hwaaa.”
Otsupain’s face turned even redder as she looked at herself in the uniform.
“K-Kent, please hold my hand. It’s embarrassing,” she pleaded.
“Ah, sure,” Kent replied, taking her hand. They walked to Marie’s Bakery holding hands.
“Welcome home. Oh, my, my, this is quite something!” Margaret exclaimed in surprise as Otsupain returned to the shop.
“I never imagined the captain of the Holy Knights would return in such an adorable outfit. Well done, Rachel.”
“It is my honor to receive your praise. *Wohahaha!*” Rachel laughed strangely, flattered by Margaret’s compliment.
“Rachel, that’s creepy.”
“It *is* creepy,” Carole, Josette, and Elnet muttered within Rachel’s hearing.
“You’re all so mean. I’m running away with my older brother! Well, maybe not,” Rachel declared.
*Thud!* Carole, Josette, and Elnet all fell over dramatically at Rachel’s remark.
“This is like some slapstick comedy,” Kent muttered, watching the scene unfold.
“I like it, I like it! A workplace like this is wonderful! If I weren’t in my current position, I’d definitely be working here too,” Margaret said, enjoying the exchange.
“Ahem, as expected from something Rachel created, I am surprised, but it suits you very well, Otsupain-san,” Carole said.
“Indeed, it suits you very well,” Josette added.
“Ah, it suits you very well,” Elnet chimed in. The three, regaining their composure, praised Otsupain again.
“What are those people doing?” Gordon asked Patty, who was sitting nearby in the dining space, watching the scene.
“They’re always like this,” Patty replied.
“Otsupain-chan! Look over here!” Catherine called out.
“Yes, Catherine-sama?” Otsupain asked.
*Click!*
“Um, what is that you’re holding?” Kent asked.
“It’s my smartphone! Look this way. Yes, yes, wonderful!” *Click, click!* Catherine was happily taking pictures of Otsupain with her smartphone.
“Hehehe. Now I have something to use for blackmail if anything happens,” Catherine chuckled sinisterly. Kent was too afraid to ask what she intended to use the photos for.
“You lot, I came because I heard a commotion, but how long are you going to play around? Get back to work. Oh, but Otsupain-san, it suits you very well!” Marie, who had been diligently working in the back workshop, came out to see what was going on. Seeing the scene, she, as the shopkeeper, was uncharacteristically angry.
“S-S-S-SORRY!” All the employees except Margaret and Otsupain scrambled back to their work as if startled by spiders, at Marie’s forceful reprimand.
“Yes, you press this button here.”
“Like this?” Marie asked.
“Yes, that’s right,” Marie confirmed, guiding Otsupain. Margaret, having quickly grasped the register work, was now instructing Otsupain. She seemed to want to take on the role of teacher, not just a learner.
“The Queen is quite a quick learner,” Kent remarked to Rachel, who was observing from a distance.
“Auntie is amazing!”
They felt there was no need to worry. While today was a bit chaotic with Margaret and Otsupain joining in, they managed to reach closing time.
“The work at a bakery is quite enjoyable,” Otsupain said, helping Kent with the cleanup after closing time.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m glad I could work with you, Otsupain,” Kent replied.
“Marie, shall I help you with the sales calculation?” Margaret offered.
“N-no, I couldn’t possibly impose such a burden,” Marie replied.
“Oh, what a shame,” Margaret said. Margaret, looking at the ledger with curiosity, stood beside Marie as she tallied the sales.
“Older Sister, I’ve finished tidying the shelves,” Josette reported.
“We’re finished here too,” Elnet added. Josette and Elnet had finished cleaning up the kitchen, which they were in charge of for the day.
“Al-chan, Emily, Hanako. Are you finished cleaning the inside of the store?” Catherine asked.
“I’m finished!” Emily replied.
“Yes, I’m finished,” Hanako said.
“Mm, finished,” Al replied. Catherine confirmed the store cleaning with the three fairies.
“Is the placement of the chairs and tables like this? How about you, Caro?” Rachel asked.
“It’s fine. The number of tongs and trays is also correct,” Caro responded. Rachel and Caro verified that the shop’s supplies were in their proper places.
“Is the tidying up about done?” Kent asked, finishing up in the workshop.
“I feel a bit bad staying here drinking tea while everyone else is working,” Patty said, ensconced in a corner of the dining space with Gordon.
“Is it really okay?” Gordon replied. Patty had offered to help with the cleanup, but Marie had told her to stay with Gordon, so they continued to enjoy their tea.
“Everyone, sorry for the wait. The calculations are finished,” Marie announced.
“I see, so everyone waits until the calculations are done,” Margaret observed, watching the scene with interest. Although it was a routine for the shop’s employees, Margaret found it a novel sight.
“Today, Margaret-sama has something to tell everyone. Please take a seat,” Marie said, unusual for her to go beyond the usual closing routine. Marie sat down as well, waiting for Margaret to start speaking. It seemed Margaret’s reason for visiting the shop with Gordon was for this purpose.
“Um, is it alright for me to be here too?” Otsupain hesitantly asked, feeling out of place.
“It’s fine. It’s not directly related to you, but since you’ve become one of us, it’s best for you to listen for information sharing,” Margaret explained.
“Understood,” Otsupain replied. Margaret decided it was necessary to share information, even if Otsupain felt like an outsider.
