Chapter 39: Three Visitors to the Store

　I finished my lunch hour and started preparing the food for the drop-off. It was almost two o’clock in the afternoon, but Mr. Henry probably wouldn’t be coming today.

　The embankment has been repaired to such an extent that every time I see it, I wonder (are they using heavy machinery?). According to the customers, it’s amazing to see the wizards working there, casting earth magic repeatedly.

“It was definitely worth seeing. Piles and piles of dirt move like living things. The young man with the golden hair was incredible. He moved his hands quickly and effortlessly, manipulating the earth and rocks a short distance away. It’s not about age when you’re a wizard. The youngest-looking young man with golden hair was the best at what he did.”

 “Oh, I see!”

Kyrias-kun, who seems to be a genius, is really amazing. I’d like to see it sometime.

　Tonight I’m going to bring beef stew. The experts have already started bringing in bread, so I guess I’ll just bring tea and cookies. The spirit of helping each other in this country is amazing.

　Actually, I was mistaken. I thought everyone was busy doing their own thing, but that wasn’t the case. The customers told me, “It’s natural to help each other.”

　After the customers had left, Sophia and Karin-san came to see me.

“Sophia-chan!　Karin-san!　Thank you for coming.”

“Fee-chan’s here!”

　Sophia-chan is wearing a loose-fitting dress with an open collar. It is designed to let the wind blow through and looks cold. But she is a dog, so maybe she is not cold.

“is she feeling better now?”

“Yes. In fact, in no time at all, this child was able to change her appearance at will.”

“Really?　For such a small child.”

“It’s true!　Watch!　Watch me!”

　Sophia made a fist with both hands and said “mmmm” with force. Her face turned red. Is it okay for her to strain herself so much? Karin-san said “Don’t do it here!” but it was too late. Karin and I rushed to move Sophia to the back of the kitchen, under the stairs.

　Right before my eyes, Sophia transformed into a cute puppy wearing a dress.

　Oh no, you’re killing me.

　Sophia-chan moved and slipped out of her one-piece dress. I see. That’s why it was loose around the body and had a large collar to make it easier to take off.

　Sophia the dog lies on her back on the floor, wiggling her body. She has a tail and the back of her underwear has slipped down, so she plans to take it off. She uses her front and back legs and her mouth to skillfully take off her underwear. She then rolls around happily on the floor.

“Panty-pulling is hard! But I can do it!”

　Illustrations (By Mitemin)

“Wow, that’s amazing. You can change by yourself.”

“Yeah! I worked really hard!”

　It’s endlessly cute to see a chubby puppy boasting so seriously. It was so cute that I burst out laughing. I continued to laugh, and when she saw me, Karin-san breathed a sigh of relief.

“Mai-san, you really aren’t afraid.”

“Of course not. Such a cute girl.”

“Sofia transformed and retransformed several times a day and eventually got the hang of it. Dion, my husband and I were all impressed with how amazing our child is.”

　Although it was an unfortunate incident, it is a relief that Sophia is now able to transform on her own. As soon as Sophia was done with her work, she quickly reverted to a toddler. Then, with a snap, she quickly finished getting dressed and stood up.

“See! Fee-chan,  good!”

“Very good, very good, amazing.”

　I applauded and praised her, and Sophia-chan puffed her nose happily.

“I was really troubled when she cried because she wanted to go out during the day and go to Mai’s place, but I feel a lot more at ease now. So, I know this is a bold request, but…”

“Here, I can come?”

“Sure!　Of course!　I’m happy to be able to play with Sophia again!”

“Fee-chan too!”

　She hugged me, so I picked her up. Yes, she’s really heavy. I’d like to see Sophia as an adult. I’m sure she’s a beautiful girl and a beautiful dog.

“I can take care of her tomorrow, what should I do?”

“I would really appreciate it if you could take care of her for me. I will be sure to return the favor. I’ll leave you alone for today. Sofia, we’re going home now.”

“Yes! Mai-tan,  I’ll be back tomorrow!”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow!”

　Karin-san has been unable to work due to the flood damage and because she has to take care of Sophia-chan, so I think she must be having a hard time financially as well. Despite this, she still gently handed me a bag of honey candies. I feel bad because it’s quite expensive.

　As the two of them were leaving, a magnificent carriage passed them and pulled up in front of the store. Sophia-chan exclaimed, “What a big carriage!” and was scolded by Karin-san.

　While I was looking at the carriage, the door opened and Mr. Henry got out. Then Kyrias-kun and an old man. The old man is holding a walking stick in his right hand and Kyrias-kun was supporting his left arm. Henry also helped him down the steps. For some reason, the old man looked off the back of Sophia and Karin-san for a while before he started walking.

“Welcome.”

“Three, please.”

“Yes. Please come in.”

　I put the beef stew I had prepared in the morning over low heat in the stove and prepared the tea. Henry’s and Kyrias’ expressions were somewhat stiff. The old man looked around the restaurant with interest and slowly took a seat. He gently stroked the table and gave a small nod.

　Henry-san seems to be on guard, not taking his eyes off the old man. I don’t know what it is, but the atmosphere between Henry-san and Kyrias-kun seems tense.

　After showing him to his seat and handing him the menu, the old man asked,

“Do you have any recommendations?”

“We have a delicious beef stew.”

“Then I’d like that for three people, and some tea after the meal.”

“Yes, sir. Got it “

　Kyrias-kun, who is usually cheerful and talkative, was silent. He seemed to be somewhat a bit down. The elderly man looked at me with a kind expression, so I smiled and bowed, thinking sincerely, “Welcome to my store.”

　　I brought three cups of water and set the beef stew and bread on the table. The old man picked up a cup and stared at it, but it was no problem because I had remade it to look like a cheap glass you can buy in stores.

　The three of them began to eat in silence, but the old man put a handkerchief over his eyes halfway through the meal. As I watched in concern, Mr. Henry shook his head slightly at me. He squints a little. I wonder if he meant that I shouldn’t worry about this person.

　I prepared tea and cookies in the counter.

　I wondered if beef stew with cookies will give the old man an upset stomach.

　I hesitated, but decided it would be okay for them to take it home, and after making sure the three had finished eating, I served them tea and cookies. The old man was staring at me again, so I smiled and spoke to him.

“Did you like the stew?”

“Oh, it was really good. I haven’t had such a delicious meal in a long time. This is a wonderful restaurant. I think the stew was surprisingly light.”

“Yes. When boiling it, it is cooled once and half of the fat that floated to the top and hardened is removed. My grandmother, who taught me how to cook, said, ‘Some people don’t like oily food. If you remove half of the fat, it will be easier for everyone to enjoy it and they will be happy.’”

　The three of them froze for about three seconds. What? What’s wrong?

　The old man spoke again.

“Your grandmother was a good cook, wasn’t she?”

“Yes, she was. She was very good. I learned all my cooking skills from my grandmother.”

“Is that so? Your grandmother, is she …… still doing well?”

“Yes. I think she is doing well. She loves to dress up and go out, and she laughs a lot. She has a lot of friends, so I am sure she is still chatting and going out with them.”

　There was a short pause, and the old man again covered his eyes with a handkerchief. I wondered if it was just my imagination that Mr. Henry seemed somewhat tense? Something is wrong. Kyrias-kun also looked too depressed. The old man looked at the tea for a bit, then drank it carefully and ate some cookies.

“The tea is delicious. And the cookies are delicious too. Miss, do you sell these cookies?”

“Yes, we do. We have packs of five cookies and packs of ten cookies. Please call me Mai.”

“Then I’ll have two packs of ten, please, Mai.”

“Thank you very much.  I’ll have it ready right away.”

　As soon as the three finished their tea, they got up. When they went to see the carriage off, the old man who had settled into his seat  opened the door a little and leaned forward to beckon to them. Henry and Kyrias-kun both looked stiff again. This time, I was definitely not mistaken.

“What is it?”

　The old man leaned over to me, so I supported his arms to stop him from falling. He whispered briefly in a tiny voice.

“Mai seems to be well-liked by both cats and dogs.”

　I flinched, but the old man looked at me with amusement. “It’s probably because you’re so sweet,” he said in a normal voice. He then closed the door himself and the carriage quickly drove off.

“No way, that’s what you mean?”

　Could it be that the old man saw through Henry and Karin-san’s true identities? Is there anyone who can do that?

　Next time Mr. Henry comes to visit me, I will have to ask him for more details about who that man is.

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