Chapter 8 : Morning is exhausting!

A day full of ups and downs at the command center has passed.

A strong and powerful morning!

Still feeling drowsy, I sluggishly crawled out of the box.

It was definitely morning, but the room was as dark as it was yesterday.

Maybe it felt even darker because the command center was deep underground, and there wasn’t a single window in the room.

I should turn on the light first.

As I moved aside the still-messy pile of boxes with my hands, I searched for the light switch.

It didn’t take long to find it since I remembered where it was from yesterday.

-Click.

As the light turned on, the sight of the still-mountainous pile of boxes entered my view.

Seeing that my room was still a complete mess, it seemed like the commander still hadn’t woken up.
Sigh.

Letting out a small sigh, I weakly crawled toward the bathroom.

There were too many boxes in the way to walk there properly.

Just clearing all of them by hand would take a considerable amount of time.

I really don’t get why they stack these ugly boxes like a mountain as if they had any effect on comfort.

Is it because this game is trash? If I weren’t in this state, I would’ve gone over and stomped on them.

Too bad.

…But thinking about it, with this body, stomping on them probably wouldn’t even hurt.

Might as well just smack them with my butt instead.

Anyway, feeling like a worm, I wriggled my way over for a while.

After carefully moving aside the boxes blocking the bathroom door, I opened it and went inside.

“Oh?”

Luckily, there weren’t any boxes inside the bathroom.

Was this supposed to be some kind of consideration?

But so what? My living space isn’t the bathroom.

I can’t exactly sleep in here.

…Or can I? There are people who eat in bathrooms, after all.

Well, not me.

For real.

Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, I lifted my head and saw a large mirror.

It looked strangely huge.

Maybe it was just because I had shrunk, but it wasn’t normal to have an entire bathroom wall made of glass.

Tilting my head in curiosity, I gazed at my reflection.

My still-sleepy, drowsy eyes.

Cheeks that looked like they would jiggle with a soft touch.

And an oversized boxy T-shirt that was far too big for my small frame, making me look like a kid trying to dress like an adult.

On the white boxy T-shirt, the word “Maru” was written in a tiny, quirky font.

It added an extra layer of insignificance, amplifying the girl’s cuteness.

Even looking at it again, it was undeniably cute.

If someone like this stood in front of me, I’d probably find myself unconsciously reaching out to pat their head.

Sigh.

-Whoosh…

As I turned on the faucet, clear water trickled out.

I cupped my hands to catch it, but since my hands were too small, I couldn’t hold much, and even that little bit threatened to slip away.

With these tiny hands, I probably couldn’t even wash my face properly.

So, I decided to block the sink and fill it with water instead.

I grabbed the nearby soap and rubbed my hands together.

Foam gradually formed.

Seeing the bubbles made me feel a little less gloomy.

Hehe.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes tightly.

Soap water would sting terribly if it got in my eyes, so I shut them as tightly as possible.

With hands covered in soap bubbles, I washed my face.

Then, I quickly rinsed off with the stored water.

-Splash, splash.

I made sure to wipe off every bit of soap, my soft hands pressing into my squishy cheeks, making a slight smacking sound.

After finishing, I grabbed a towel hanging nearby and covered my face.

I meticulously dried myself, ensuring not a single drop of water remained.

Phew… Huh?

When I opened my tightly shut eyes, I noticed a small toothbrush stuck beside the sink.

It had a tiny pudding design on it and was just the right size for my hand.

Did the commander leave this here for me?
Nice touch.

“Ugh.”

The moment I squeezed out the toothpaste and started brushing, my face twisted in displeasure.

Nice touch, my foot. The toothpaste was strawberry-flavored.

What the hell?

It tasted like the medicine I used to drink from the pharmacy as a kid…!

Inside the dormitory hallway, where not even a single ant scurried, something small peeked out from between the countless doors, scanning the surroundings.

That small thing—was me.

…Why was I doing this?

I had no idea.

Whether it was because of my new body or the lingering influence of the original owner, ‘Maru,’ sometimes I felt an inexplicable chill.

Like I had just woken up from a nightmare.

Like someone was constantly watching me.

Strange. This didn’t happen before Nunu arrived.

Come to think of it… Is Nunu still sleeping?

They went to bed before me, so they should’ve fallen asleep early.

Are they really still sleeping?

Maybe Nunu is just the type who sleeps a lot.

A real sleepyhead.

I should wake them up.

Without hesitation, I threw open my door and ran straight to Nunu’s room.

It wasn’t far, just the next room over.

-Knock, knock.

CRASH, THUMP!

…?

What was that?

The moment I knocked, I suddenly heard the sound of something tumbling inside.

What’s going on?

“Ma-Maru! Wait! Don’t come in!”

A flustered and trembling voice called out from inside.

What’s happening in there?

Did my knock startle them so much that they fell off the bed?

“Nunu? What happened? Did you fall off the bed or something?”

“Uh, ah, yeah! I fell off the bed! So don’t come in! It’s super embarrassing!”

…That was just a wild guess, but I guess it was true.

Now I feel really bad.

“You’re not hurt, are you…? Sorry. It’s my fault for knocking…”

“Huh? Oh, no, Maru, it’s not your fault. I just rolled off in my sleep.”

“Oh, since you’re up now, I’ll head to the command room first. Take your time coming!”

“No, wait!”

-Squeak.

Nunu opened the door.

Their usual gentle expression and soft-looking dog ears stood out as always.

By the looks of it, they had managed to get ready in that short time.
That was fast.

“Let’s go together. I’m all set.”

You’re really fast…

Our Maru is waiting outside, so we can’t dawdle.

Nunu reaches out a hand. Is she asking me to take it?

I tilted my head. The height difference between Nunu and me is quite significant.

Would we even be able to walk while holding hands?

She’d definitely have to bend her knees while walking, which would be super uncomfortable.

Uh, there’s a bit of a height difference for holding hands…

Oh my, that would be nice too, but for now, just grab it!

Huh?

Then what is she trying to do?

Hehe…

I looked at Nunu with an expression that demanded an explanation, but she just let out a small chuckle without saying much.

It’ll be fine, right?

Grip.

‘Uh, I did grab her hand, but what is this… Oh, oh?!’

Hey!

Suddenly, my hand is pulled upward.

My view rises, and my feet lift off the ground.
Wait a minute, this is… this is…!

Ta-da! It’s a piggyback ride!

W-wait…

A piggyback ride?

This is something for kids!

Nunu, I’ve told you multiple times that I’m not a kid!

Oh my, Maru, your belly is so soft and squishy!

W-wait, what are you doing… Eek?! Don’t touch me! Put me down! I said put me down!

Alright then, off to the command room!

…I’m doomed.

She refuses to listen to me.

Even if I stomp my feet in protest or poke her cheeks, there is no sign that Nunu will put me down.

In the end, I was helplessly carried on her shoulders all the way to the command room.

So, you’re saying Maru is sulking this much since morning because of that?

“…Yes. It was unavoidable.”

Right now, I was curled up on the sofa in the corner of the command room, frowning deeply.

Like a hedgehog raising its quills, I exuded a menacing aura, as if I would bite anyone who dared to approach.

I told her so many times to put me down…
Too much.

Sulking this much… What exactly did you do?

That… whatever ‘unavoidable’ thing it was?

Well, um…

Nunu, now looking gloomy as if she just realized her mistake, but I was never going to forgive her for this.

A piggyback ride… A piggyback ride!

She must have felt too embarrassed to say what she did out loud, so she leaned in toward the commander and whispered in his ear.

Yeah, you should be ashamed.

You inflicted an irreversible humiliation upon me!

Even though it’s just Nunu and the commander in the command room,
still.

You scratched my masculinity!

Maru…

Kyaaah!

The commander approached, and I puffed up like a wildcat, hissing.

You’re on my watch list too, old man.

Go clean up the boxes in my room or something.

…Even though those boxes were oddly comfortable.

Still, people are meant to sleep in beds.

Maru, sis was wrong. I was wrong, okay?

Kyaaaaak!

This time, I was seriously sulking.

Really, truly sulking.

I’m not moving from here for the rest of the day.

Not a single step.

Uh, well, Maru, I actually know a way to make you grow taller instantly.

Would you be interested?

Wait a second.

Instantly grow taller?

Is she serious?

What is it?

I cautiously climbed down from the sofa and asked Nunu.

If what she said was true, I might consider forgiving her this time.

After all, this whole situation happened because I’m short.

If I grow taller, Nunu won’t be able to carry me like that anymore.

I’d be protecting my masculinity and regaining my long legs.

A win-win situation!

I can’t pass this up!

It’s called the Sturdy Exercise Routine. You’ve heard of it, right?

Sturdy Exercise Routine?

Sturdy Exercise Routine.

I have no idea what that is, but it already sounds like something that would make me grow taller just from hearing the name.