Kent switched his mentality and headed for work.
“Ah, welcome back, Kent. Caro left a little while ago when her ride came. She seemed disappointed she couldn’t say goodbye.”
Marie told Kent.
“There was a letter left at home.”
“I see. Well, Caro’s gone so it’ll be tough, but please take care of things.”
Rachel was already at her post, working. Patty also joined the work a little later, after taking a shower and coming down to the shop floor.
The void left by Caro was significant, and the burden on the shop floor in particular increased. Emily was doing her best to compensate, but as she was in charge of the kitchen, she couldn’t actively help with other tasks, so the load fell on the new employee, Patty.
“Marie, I’ll handle the workshop. Can you take care of the shop floor?”
“Understood. Please, Kent.”
At Marie’s Bakery, each process was automated, so it no longer required a lot of craftsmanship. As long as the quantities and times were correct, Kent could produce the same kind of bread as Marie. Marie took off her flour-stained clothes and changed into a maid uniform of the same design as Emily’s, which had been prepared for her at some point.
“Marie, where did you get this uniform?”
“Oh, this? It was made at that shop we went to with you and the others before, remember? For some reason, Emily and I are the same size. They took our measurements, and Rachel made the pattern.”
Emily’s maid uniform was a materialized version of Kent’s preferences. Marie, wearing it, looked very attractive.
“Welcome. I’ll leave some cold water and a wet towel here for you. Please let us know if you need anything.”
Marie, who usually didn’t work much on the shop floor, was now serving customers with efficient movements. Both Kent and Rachel were surprised.
“I thought you were a true baker, Marie, but you’re really suited for this.”
“Mom, when I’m not at school, I used to serve customers like this, you know? But this is probably the first time I’ve worn matching uniforms with Emily. Actually, I had one prepared for Older Sister Caro too, but…”
Rachel spoke to Catherine, who was at the register. Catherine said with a hint of disappointment.
“Alright, alright, enough chatting, get back to work.”
“Sorry.”
Rachel and Catherine, who got caught up in it, were reprimanded by Marie.
With Marie now working on the shop floor, the store was able to somehow keep running.
“We managed to finish.”
“Good work. It was tough with just Caro gone.”
Kent said, and Marie replied with a slightly tired expression. Exhausted, Kent and the others finished their work and returned to Kent’s house.
“Let’s just make something simple for dinner tonight.”
“I’ll help, big brother.”
Kent and Rachel went into the kitchen and started preparing dinner.
“Is frozen food okay… hmm…”
Rachel rummaged through the freezer.
“Here you go, big brother, heat this up for me.”
“Got it.”
Rachel handed Kent the frozen food she had picked out. Kent put the frozen food in the microwave to heat. After heating enough for dinner, he went to the living room and found Catherine already asleep.
“Kent, could you take Catherine to her bed?”
“Sure.”
Kent cradled the sleeping Catherine and carried her to what used to be Caro’s room. Although her personal belongings were gone, the bed and bedding remained. After laying Catherine in bed, Kent returned to the living room.
“I’ll prepare something for Catherine when she wakes up. Shall we eat first?”
Kent suggested to Marie and Rachel.
“Yes, let’s eat first.”
“I’m hungry too.”
Saying that, the three of them began their meal. After eating, Rachel decided against taking a bath and opted for a shower in her room before retiring there.
For the first time in a while, Marie and Kent were alone in the living room.
“It’s a little lonely now, isn’t it?”
Marie murmured.
“It is,”
Kent murmured back.
“Shall we take a bath?”
“Yes, let’s.”
Kent and Marie bathed together. Both being tired, they simply washed up, soaked in the tub, and got out. Then, though it was a bit early, they went straight to Kent’s room and decided to sleep.
“Kent, Mom, it’s morning.”
Catherine came to wake them. It was morning, somehow. Having slept a little longer than usual, Kent woke up feeling refreshed. Next to him, Marie was sleeping, drooling. Of course, both of them had fallen asleep wearing their jerseys.
“Good morning, Catherine. I’ll get up now. Marie, it’s morning. Time to wake up.”
“Oh, is it morning already…”
Usually, it was a hassle just to wake her up, but Marie, unusually, woke up immediately.
The three of them ate breakfast (a black lump) made by Catherine, and then headed to work.
From today, the strategy was to bake bread at full capacity before opening, and then Marie would handle the shop floor after opening. Emily was tasked with the preparations for the shop floor. Rachel and Catherine were assigned to making sweet breads and savory buns until opening. The workshop was filled with many completed breads. Usually, they would be transported to the shop floor as soon as they were finished, but from today onwards, they decided to consolidate the transportation to reduce labor.
When opening time arrived, Marie, dressed in her maid uniform as she had yesterday, went out to serve customers. The dining area, with the stunning Marie and Emily attending to customers, was very popular with the male patrons. The maid uniforms they were wearing were designed to emphasize their chests. The male customers’ eyes were drawn to them.
“Well then, we’re off to school now.”
“Kent, Rachel, have a good day.”
Marie, now dressed in her usual work clothes, saw them off as Kent and Rachel headed for school.
“It feels strange going to school with my big brother.”
“Now that you mention it, it does.”
In their previous world, due to the age difference, they had never commuted together except for elementary school. They were recognized as siblings, but from an outsider’s perspective, it could be seen as them dating.
“Good morning, Kent.”
“Good morning, Patty.”
As he took his seat in the classroom, Patty, who sat next to him, spoke to him.
“Yesterday was busy, wasn’t it?”
“It was. Are you still tired?”
“I’m fine. Are you a little tired, Kent?”
“Maybe.”
While they were having casual conversation, class began.
It was lunchtime, and Kent headed for the usual spot behind the school building.
Rachel and Caro were waiting there.
“Kent.”
“Caro.”
It felt like they hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and they naturally hugged.
“You two are showing off in broad daylight, big brother and Caro.”
“Ah!”
At Rachel’s words, they separated.
“Sorry I’m late. Let’s have lunch.”
When Josette arrived, the four of them enjoyed lunch as usual.
