令嬢はまったりをご所望 (HIATUS)

V1 Chapter 6.6

A story about the beginning of the DemiMercSquad and their bond. I could not leave my eyes away from Sena-san.

“I will not leave.. To protect the important bond that I have”

__

Strongly saying so, Sena-san took a sip of the latte. He then made a gentle smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“….Even so, there are times when a bond needs to be cut off and start anew. And if a new bond does intertwine, I believe you should treasure it.”

Sena-san has a considerate side to him. To think that he would shower me with words that I hoped for somewhere in my heart. It somehow made my heart tickle, and happy. I resolved in my heart to once again send a letter to Henzel and Lexy.

Sena-san let out a relived breath after seeing my slight smile.

“…Due to the war 13 years ago, the townspeople misunderstood that we hate humans since many of our comrades was killed by humans. Thus one of the reasons they fear us was due to that, but to begin with we hold no interest in humans”

“Is that so… And so that’s why the townspeople are avoiding the Demis”

“Chise and Ryuse often complain about how we do not have a proper place to have a meal at”

…True, that’s really inconvenient, I suppose.

“Then, how about hiring a cook? You guys have plenty of money right?”

“We tried several times but, they gave up immediately at the moment they found out we are Demis.”

How unfortunate to even not be able to hire a cook.

“The household chores are handled by my little brother, Sez. But his culinary skills can’t be any worse.”

I remember that name being mention before. The first time I served bacon steak, Chise-san said ‘Sez always burns it every time’. So it was Sena-san’s brother.

“Even we want to eat delicious food. And there were also times where we starved. And so, in your shop, we were able to eat delicious food. Fortunately we have plenty enough of money and no means to spend it all, hence why we gave tips. To show our gratitude and apology, as well as the Boss’s order. Since the other customers don’t visit when we come by, right? That’s why please do accept the tips”

….The way he asked for the favor is sly. Since, I can’t possibly decline from the flow of the conversation.

While slightly frowning, I reluctantly nodded while saying ‘please do it moderately’.

Then, his tail once again went up on my lap. Tempting my touch from swaying here and there, I gladly patted it.

“I hope that you could treasure your new friends from now on, Rhonya” A kind smile can be seen from Sena-san’s profile.

I replied with a ‘yes’. How much I anticipate the next meeting with Grandfather to tell him about how I made a wonderful friend.

While enjoying the fluff throughout my hand, I suddenly realized the presence of spirits from behind me.

Realizing what is going to happen and turned to my back, on the floor appeared a shining circle. Gradually the horde of Rotos marched out of it in line. Moving their small hands and feet orderly, as if they are having fun.

I looked to the clock to check on the time. It was some time after noon. The Demis surely are regulars, but it does not imply that they come every day. But due to the fear of encountering them, the customers rarely come by after noon. Hence, I spend the time together with the Rotos while making cakes, or thinking about new menus. They might have come today as well to help me out.

Taking after me, Sena-san too looked behind me. And so his gaze met the marching spirits, and he turned surprised. The Rotos too, realized that Sena-san was looking but was far too late. Shocked, they gasped and their jaws was left dropping.

“…Spirits?” Sena-san’s eyes opened wide while tilting his head.

“…So the usual scent of plants.. was the spirits?” Standing up while sniffing around with his nose, Sena-san approached the Rotos.

The Rotos was standing stiffly in place.

“Aa, Sena-san!” I rushed to warn him whilst he held out his hand.

“They are the spirits of the lotus flowers, and their bodies are very fragile. Please be very gentle when trying to touch them…….”

Sena-san’s fluffy hand stopped mid-air in place.

“That so….. Then, maybe not” Drawing back his hand, his body slightly turned the other way as well. But was still squatting down and did not move an inch. Eventually his tail started moving. A slight sway, his tail slightly brushed the Rotos’ head. ‘Fuwawaaa-‘ and several of the Rotos rolled and fell down. The small peridot eyes altogether stared toward the tail.

Sena-san’s tail once again lightly patted atop the Rotos’ head.

The Rotos seems to take after me, entranced by the texture of the fluffiness. Their eyes lit with fire, they chased after the tail while screaming ‘Waaaa-‘, and they altogether jumped on top of the tail.

While the Rotos are still hanging onto the edge of Sena-san’s tail-fur, he did not try to brush them off, but instead swayed his tail gently like swaying a cradle. The scene made my facial expression soften without realizing. It was very heartwarming, and made me slightly envious. Sena-san who is nonchalantly swaying around his tail too have a smile on his face.