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“…Haven’t you had a bit too much to drink?”

“You think so? My head’s been hurting lately, so…”

“You should stop now. The sun’s already high in the sky.”

“…Alright. I’ll come again next time.”

“Sure, take care.”

Stagger, stagger.

The sight of the small figure swaying leisurely as they left the bar might have seemed concerning, but Haneul didn’t pay it any mind.

After all, even while drunk, this was someone who could split the skulls of any lowlifes trying to take advantage of a drunken child.

What worried Haneul wasn’t that person, but someone else.

Haneul hastily bent down and called out to Ophelia.

“Are you okay?”

“No… My back hurts…”

“I bet. Whew, what a scare. You wouldn’t come when called, but show up perfectly when something like this happens.”

Whether from built-up stress or something else, the Principal kept complaining to the Owner while drinking.

Complaints about the Imperial Family lacking manners despite being financial backers, how the younger generation these days had no discipline, and similar grievances.

The Owner tried to keep the conversation brief, but once the Principal started unpacking their emotional baggage…

In the end, the Owner had no choice but to listen to all the Principal’s complaints, and with each new grievance and refilled glass, my back curved further downward.

The Principal didn’t leave until 10 AM, after the sun had risen again.

Since they’d arrived around a little past 3 AM…

That meant I’d been crouched under the counter for about seven hours.

It was a miracle my back hadn’t given out completely.

“You look terrible. Why don’t you take a quick shower? I’ll lend you the shower room.”

“No, it’s alright. I don’t think I can work here anymore, so borrowing your shower room feels a bit presumptuous.”

“What? You’re quitting?”

“Working here was enjoyable but… I can’t keep doing this every time the Principal visits.”

“Fair enough.”

The Owner momentarily looked flustered but soon nodded in understanding.

Though I hadn’t shared details, they knew I couldn’t stay at the Academy anymore after causing some major incident.

They must have understood how awkward it would be for me to face the Principal directly.

That’s probably why they covered for me without complaint when I hid myself away.

I was truly grateful they worried about me despite essentially abandoning my part-time job without notice.

But working near the Owner was a different matter.

I couldn’t keep working here not knowing when the Principal might show up.

Today the Owner happened to be here to handle customers in my place, but they weren’t at the bar every day.

Even if they were here daily, there’d be no reason for me to stay.

After all, a part-timer’s job is to work in place of the Owner.

“I see. I understand roughly. I am curious what kind of trouble you caused, but I won’t pry.”

“Thank you…”

“I never thought you were the type to cause trouble, but seeing how reluctant you are, it must have been quite serious.”

Not just serious – it was the kind of trouble that could overturn a nation.

Unable to say that, I simply nodded silently.

“Do you have somewhere to go?”

“…Could I borrow your phone?”

“Of course. Use it as much as you need. It’s not like it’ll cost much.”

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t that I had absolutely nowhere to go.

A place left in the corner of my memory. Others probably wouldn’t think to look for me there.

I remembered the voice saying I’d always be welcome to return.

I borrowed the Owner’s phone and somewhat awkwardly dialed the number I remembered.

If nothing had changed, they should still be using this number.

…I hoped it hadn’t changed.

As if dispelling my worries, a cheerful voice answered before the phone could ring more than a few times.

[Ah, Boss! Long time no see! What brings your call?]

The voice belonged to Jane, whom I’d recently met by chance with Orca.

She could probably hide me well.

…Putting aside her calling me “Boss” first.

Before exchanging pleasantries, there was something I wanted to ask.

“…How did you know it was me? This isn’t the number I used before.”

[Ah, that’s easy. Only you and I know this number, Boss. Could tell right away! Heehee.]

“What? No, why would you use it like that when I gave it to you to use?!”

[Didn’t want to share something precious the Boss gave me with others. Don’t worry, we have separate work phones.]

“Sigh…”

Back when I was unintentionally treated as the boss of a group while wandering back alleys with penniless kids, I’d gotten them each cell phones.

In that shady neighborhood, people could disappear without anyone noticing.

It was a precaution so they could contact me immediately if anything happened.

Though I wasn’t really their boss, I didn’t like the idea of kids still growing up getting caught up in trouble.

…I never imagined they’d get another phone just to keep this one exclusively for my calls.

[So, what’s up? The Boss calling first? Are you coming back to the organization maybe? If so, I’ll always welco-]

“Yes.”

[…What?]

“I need somewhere to stay temporarily. Can you help?”

[…]

When her characteristically lively voice suddenly cut off, I began growing anxious.

I’d called Jane because she always followed me around, sticking annoyingly close.

Did she have some circumstances preventing it? Or were all her declarations of liking me just empty words?

If she refused, I’d truly have nowhere to go.

With my hypnosis ability, survival wouldn’t be a problem, but I wanted to avoid using hypnosis from now on if possible.

Using that ability too carelessly was exactly what got me into this mess.

If I used it carelessly again, who knows what might happen next time?

I’d use it if absolutely necessary, but…

“Is it too much? Sorry for bringing it up. Forget I said anyth-“

[No, no, no, no! It’s fine!]

“Don’t push yourself. I can look elsewhere.”

[It’s not that! Just… had something to think about for a second! You’re always welcome, Boss!]

“…Alright. Thanks.”

[Aw, this is nothing compared to what you’ve done for us! Honored to have you with us, Boss!]

Fortunately, Jane seemed willing to accept me rather than refuse.

As I sighed in relief, Jane asked in a more excited voice than before:

[Where are you now? I’ll come pick you up.]

“No need. I know where you live.”

[Ah… Boss, we sold that place already.]

“What? Really?”

[Of course. After all the effort you put into growing our little ragtag group into an organization. With so many kids now, we couldn’t stay there and moved long ago. …Though I opposed it. It was where you lived after all.]

“No, you did right. …I see, you moved.”

So they sold that house.

Hearing Jane say they’d moved somewhere better without me knowing made me feel relieved.

I knew staying in such a place wasn’t good for the kids’ development, but I remembered being unable to relocate due to neighbors’ prying eyes.

Fortunately, they’d found a new place.

[So, Boss. Let me come get you. If you tell me where you are now, I’ll be there quick. Could you give me the address?]

“Ah, this place is…”

Where was it again?

I knew the area but not the exact address.

As I scratched my cheek in embarrassment, the Owner – perhaps guessing my dilemma – wrote the address on paper.

Nodding in thanks, I read the written address aloud. Jane responded brightly:

[Ah, I know that area! Should take about 30 minutes. Wait just a bit!]

“Thank you. No need to ru-“

[I’ll hurry as fast as I can! Yay!]

Beep, beep, beep.

Before I could finish, Jane hung up, leaving only the disconnected tone echoing from the phone.

“That’s a relief.”

“Ah, thank you, Owner.”

“Don’t mention it. …Not sure who’s coming, but glad it worked out. Now go wash up.”

“Huh? But…”

“Hey now. I’m still the owner here. Is an employee really going to refuse the owner’s order?”

The kind-smiling Owner pushed me toward the shower room before I could refuse.

“Besides, I don’t want your friend remembering me as someone who let you wander around looking like this.”

“…Ah.”

“So stop arguing and wash up. There’s basic stuff there you can use.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Though we’d soon be strangers again, my back straightened at the Owner’s kindness in looking out for me.

…If only my bosses in my original world had been like this.