As it was a time when customers visiting the shop were scarce, Emily, Al, and Hanako, the fairy trio, were left to manage the shop while Kent and his companions gathered at the very end of the dining space, so as not to disturb the other customers. After introducing Sophie, they each introduced themselves.
“I am Marie, the owner of this shop. Please take care of me, Sophie.”
“I am Elnet. I mainly do the behind-the-scenes work here.”
“I am Josette. I am Elnet’s younger sister and a second-year student at the academy.”
“I am Patty. Um, I work at this shop. At the academy, I’m in the same class as Josette.”
“I am Caro. My real name is Caroline, but everyone calls me Caro. I am a first-year student at the academy.”
“I am Rachel. I’m the store manager of a branch of this shop. Like Caro, I’m also a first-year student at the academy.”
“Also, the tall one currently working at the shop is Emily, the one with greenish-yellow hair is Al, and the one with black hair is Hanako.”
Catherine had gone to the sanctuary and had not yet returned, so everyone currently in the store introduced themselves.
“So, about the relationship between Sophie and me…”
Kent then explained how he met Sophie and what he was doing now.
“You’ve gone through a lot. A temporary job hunt, huh? If that’s the case, I could have you work here, but if it’s limited to national organizations, that falls outside the conditions.”
Marie, after hearing Sophie’s situation, was thinking seriously about what she could do for her.
“That’s true. I have connections with the Knights’ order, so maybe I can inquire there? The work of a knight is physically demanding, but I think it’s fun to move your body.”
“…Agh, agh, agh, agh.”
“I don’t think a viscount’s daughter like Sophie would find knight work suitable, would she?”
Sophie was troubled when Elnet recommended knight work to her. She didn’t seem like someone who could exercise much, and her expression made it clear it was impossible, so Kent told Elnet it was difficult.
“Still, I never expected the prince to meddle so much. It wasn’t in the game’s settings at all. It’s unpredictable.”
“Rachel, you shouldn’t say things like that.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Rachel looked puzzled that Gordon was involved in this matter. According to her knowledge of the game, he was kind, but not the type to go out of his way to help someone in trouble. It was for this reason that she inadvertently spoke her thoughts aloud. Caro, hearing this, admonished Rachel.
“Ah, come to think of it, it was about charging the hearing aid, wasn’t it?”
“…Yes. Please.”
He had taken too long to explain, and it had become a vague matter, but Kent remembered the reason Sophie had visited the shop.
“So, this is the spare hearing aid, and I’ll charge the one you’ve been using later.”
“…Thank you.”
Kent took the hearing aid Sophie had been using and replaced it with the one that had been stored in a charged state, handing it over. Sophie attached the received hearing aid to her ear and turned it on.
“Well then, the morning work for the academy group is finished. Good work, everyone. Keep up the good work with your studies later.”
Just as he finished handing over the hearing aid, the morning work for the employees attending the academy, including Kent, was over.
“Sophie, our work just finished, so would you like to go to the academy together if you’re free?”
“…Yes. Please.”
Kent invited Sophie to accompany him to the academy. She happily accepted.
“Sophie, you have beautiful black hair. It’s so smooth.”
“Rachel, you shouldn’t touch other people’s hair without permission.”
“It’s fine, it’s not like it’s going to decrease.”
“…I don’t mind.”
Kent and his companions finished their preparations and headed for the academy. On the way, Rachel started touching Sophie’s hair. Caro tried desperately to stop her.
“Hey, hey, are you using something special?”
“…No, I’m not using anything in particular. Everyone’s hair also feels smooth and has a very nice scent.”
“Well, that’s thanks to my older brother.”
“…I’ve been wondering since a while ago, are Kent and Rachel siblings?”
“Ah.”
As Rachel, as usual, called Kent “older brother,” Sophie asked the question.
“Hmm, it’s a long story to explain, but I think we’re probably not related.”
“Hearing you say that, Big Brother, makes me feel down. Well, that’s the current situation.”
“…Perhaps it was something I shouldn’t have asked?”
When Kent explained, Rachel’s face darkened as if reality had been thrust upon her again. Seeing this, Sophie worried that she had brought up something she shouldn’t have.
“Sophie, you don’t need to worry. There are actually various circumstances, but these two are like siblings, that’s what it means.”
“…Oh, is that so?”
Caro said this, answering Sophie in place of the dejected Rachel.
“It’s hard for me to get into the conversation.”
“Well, well. Even though there aren’t many people around, walking side by side like this would be a nuisance to others.”
Josette, unable to join the conversation, watched Kent and his companions walking ahead with a disappointed look. Patty followed beside her.
“If you use the shampoo sold at my shop, your hair will become even more beautiful. We all use it.”
“…Now that you mention it, people in my class were talking about a shop in the commercial district that sells a miraculous shampoo that makes hair beautiful and smooth.”
“That’s probably the shop I manage. It’s called Marie’s Bakery No. 2. Although it has ‘bakery’ in its name, we only sell a very small amount of bread, and we actually handle various cosmetics that make women beautiful. Please come and visit sometime.”
“…That sounds interesting.”
Sophie seemed drawn to what Rachel was saying.
“As expected of you, Rachel. Sophie’s rigid expression seems to have softened considerably.”
“Indeed, I have to admire her social skills, even if she is my sister.”
“She even called the Queen ‘Auntie’ in front of everyone. Hehehe.”
Kent was impressed watching the scene. Caro, walking with him, seemed to agree.
“Ah, we’ve already arrived at the academy. I still haven’t talked enough with Sophie. Ah, that’s right! We always eat lunch behind the school building. Today, we’ll invite you as our special guest.”
“…Is that okay?”
“Of course! It’s a promise. Well then, Caro, let’s go.”
“Yes, everyone, see you during lunch break.”
Upon arriving at the academy, Rachel and Caro, the first-year students, headed to their respective classrooms first.
“…She’s a good younger sister.”
“Yeah, she’s my proud sister.”
Sophie, looking a little tired from talking so much, said to Kent with a satisfied expression. Kent didn’t mind his sister being praised.
“Well, we’re on this floor, but will Sophie be alright alone?”
“…It’s fine. Then, I’ll see you at lunch break.”
Sophie bowed her head and headed upstairs towards the third-year classrooms on the upper floor.
“Kent-saaan. I finally get to talk to you.”
“Finally? You could have joined the conversation earlier.”
“Kent, Josette was being considerate, thinking she would be a bother.”
Josette clung to Kent’s arm, looking up at him with a lonely appeal. Kent thought she could have just joined the conversation normally, but after hearing the situation from Patty, he realized Josette’s consideration.
“I see. Thank you for being considerate.”
“Kent, that’s embarrassing in front of others!”
Kent gently stroked Josette’s head. Josette’s eyes narrowed, and she looked happy.
“Ah, they’ve completely entered their own world.”
Patty, watching them, muttered with an exasperated expression.
