Mahouka: The Yotsuba Prince (OC x Mayumi)

Part 2

Chapter 2

In Nagano prefecture, kids hustled around in a rather small coffee shop, the younger one's flapping around the shop playing with various toys and eating away at the confectionaries, the older one's enjoying themselves on the shop's computers, or the vast physical library offered by teh shopkeeper.

In this day and age, when screens and tablets have become too common, physical books are rare. Yet many enthusiasts all over the country still prefer holding a physical book in hand to reading on a screen.

The kids, ranging from a few months old neonates to those approaching their teens, all huddled inside this small shop enjoying themselves while three women ran around, trying to curb them from going overboard.

The small cafe named 'Anteiku' was closed and had been reserved for the resident orphanage, a tradition that had begun three years ago on its opening where every month the owner would have the matrons bring all the kids over so that the kids may enjoy themselves.

"Thank you for doing this, Inei-kun," Martha Whitehouse spoke softly to the young boy sitting on the counter, lying on the chair as a book covered his face.

"There is no need for that, Matha-san. It's nothing really; it is you and your sisters that do all the hard work; I am just lending the kids some books and computers," he said without moving the book, and the blonde matron smiled, for she knew that it was much more than that.

The children in the orphanage had little beyond basic necessities and were often envious of the normal childhood other kids of their age possessed. Their budget allowed them little leeway to provide them with entertainment, and so when three years ago, a young boy had walked into the orphanage offering them free food, and entertainment on the preface of doing a trial run for his little cafe, they had been surprised.

Yet in the end, she decided to take the gamble, and since that day, every month on the last Sunday, the cafe has been closed and reserved for the Woodspring Orphanage.

"Look at you calling them kids," she spoke softly as she walked forward and picked up teh book from his face.

"You are only a few years older than the kids with us," she said, and underneath the book lay quite a traditional Japanese face with soft androgynous features and the most tired and weary eyes she had ever seen, along with the strangest hair.

"Come on, I was reading the book Martha-san," he complained, his voice weary as she smiled at him, for she was not fooled by his little act.

"I doubt one can hardly read anything like that," she scoffed as she placed the book down.

"Well, despite my age, I am a full-fledged adult in the eyes of the law. So, it matters little, though there was one thing I needed to talk to you about," he said, leaning forward.

"What is it?" she asked.

"As you know, I begin high school in little more than half a year, and despite my various attempts, I was unable to gain an exception and will need to attend the classes," he said, sighing as if that was a bad thing.

"That is good," she added softly, and he rolled his eyes.

"It is a hassle. That is what it is. But I was hoping that you could help me find an employee to take care of things while I am away," he said as he rubbed his head and she smiled, after everything he had done for her and the little kids this was nothing.

"Of course, I know a few kids who grew up in the orphanage. I believe they would be suitable for the job," and he nodded.

"Good, good. With that done, I am going back to sleep," he said as he picked up his book and put it on his face again.