episode_0089

“Well then, Nuna. What’s your relationship with that man? No one else knows except for me.”

“Th-that’s…”

As Rita hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers, I sighed and answered in her place.

“We’re just friends.”

However, the kid known as Roni seemed skeptical of my words.

Sporting a mischievous expression, he started looking up at me.

“Eh? Are you saying there can be friendship between a man and a woman? Hehe.”

This kid… speaks just like my younger sibling would.

If it were my actual sibling, they would have teased me relentlessly by now.

…But since he’s just a kid, I’ll let it slide.

“By the way, Roni. Have you eaten?”

“No! I was planning to eat together when Nuna came!”

“Oh…”

“But hey, what’s with the clothes Nuna is wearing?”

“Oh, these were borrowed from the guy next door.”

“Oh~ Is that so? You should’ve said that earlier. Hehe. So, is the guy with black hair also joining us for dinner?”

“Oh, well…”

It seems it’s about time to make my exit here.

Rita seems quite uncomfortable after all.

“I just came to give her a ride home.”

Upon hearing this, Rita’s brother started looking at me with a disappointed expression.

“Uh.. What’s this, no fun..”

What’s wrong, why are you disappointed?

“By the way, Rita.”

“Y-yes? What is it?”

“Is it just the two of you, you and your brother, living here?”

“Oh, uh, yes. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

“…Are you leaving now?”

“That’s right.”

I need to head underground now to take care of business.

But… leaving things as they are doesn’t sit right with me.

What if something happens here while I’m underground?

I won’t be able to protect them, which is quite troublesome.

Yet, taking them to the underground city isn’t an option either.

Something feels off about leaving things like this.

How can I resolve this uneasiness?

“Hmm….”

Ah, a good idea just struck me.

I can ensure they have a proper meal and a safer place than here.

“You two… haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Get ready to go out with your brother. I’ll treat you to dinner tonight.”

····

“Bern… Where are we going right now?”

“Nuna… I’ve never been here before… Can’t we just go home?”

…”

Judging by his expression, the reaction isn’t too positive.

Well, it’s understandable.

While it’s known that there’s a good relationship between the merfolk and humans,

In reality, that’s only partially true.

The merfolk have faced discrimination from various races for a long time.

They helped the humans during the Human-Merfolk War, improving relations slightly.

However, many still hold prejudices against them.

So, the notion of a good relationship between humans and merfolk is merely superficial.

Merfolk look very similar to ordinary humans.

Humans tend to attack any differences relentlessly.

These kids must be aware of that.

Once they leave the outskirts, they’ll encounter humans who look different from themselves.

That’s likely why their reaction isn’t positive.

Because they know humans in general discriminate against their kind.

It’s scary and unsettling.

But we must overcome it.

Just because something is frightening doesn’t mean we should always hide in fear.

It will be incredibly tough and challenging.

But at the end of that difficult path lies the reward of our efforts.

We shouldn’t stand still but keep moving forward.

In search of a slightly better tomorrow.

“…Of course, for now, we’re just here for a meal… But whatever, it’s all good.”

And so, how many minutes passed without a word spoken?

We managed to arrive in front of a very familiar store.

“We’re here. So, now scatter. Can’t breathe.”

I pushed Rita and Roni, who were sticking close to me on either side, away.

Then, I immediately checked their faces.

With a slight concern about whether they would like it or not.

“Hey, are we… having dinner here? Oh, the smell is amazing?”

“Sis, there’s a delicious smell coming from inside..!!”

“Yeah. Roni, it’s been years since we dined out, right? Since we’re here, let’s eat well before leaving. Got it?”

“Yeah..!!”

However, to the point where I thought it was unnecessary worry.

The two siblings had faces full of anticipation.

Their tails swaying slightly added to the excitement.

Both seemed to have a habit of wagging their tails when in a good mood.

Anyway.

It’s a relief that they’re feeling good.

“Well then, let’s go inside.”

····

“That’s how it happened. I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sigh····.”

I am currently kneeling.

No, to be precise… I was prostrating myself on the ground, pleading with the old man.

Well, considering that I am making an unreasonable request to him.

It’s only right to lay down this basic courtesy.

So, let’s wait for the old man’s response while prostrating on the floor.

Taking a deep breath, the old man helped me up.

“One shouldn’t offer a man’s knee so casually. Get up, child.”

“..Truly, disgraceful.”

“No, after hearing your story. Bringing those kids here wasn’t a bad decision.”

After entering the store, I explained everything that had happened until now to the old man.

So, during my absence, I requested him to let those kids stay at the restaurant for just one night.

I know very well that this is truly shameless behavior.

But, there was no one else I could think of except the old man.

If it were him, I felt he would listen seriously to my story.

So, I brought those kids here.

Of course, I didn’t ask for it to be done for free.

Whether it’s cutting my salary, or even firing me.

Or giving me terrible tasks to do.

Please, I begged him to protect those kids for just one day.

However, the old man did not give a direct answer.

He was looking at the two siblings eating soup with a bitter expression.

-“Wow, sis! This is incredibly delicious!”

-“Yeah, if you want more, just say so. I’ll scoop some out for you.”

-“Okay!”

“Seeing them enjoy the meal so much, my heart aches. I can’t even imagine how difficult their lives must have been all this time.”

“….”

Then, the old man looked at me again and continued speaking.

“Child, I’m sorry. We can’t let people sleep in the restaurant.”

“….”

Indeed, no matter how much he is the old man.

It would be unreasonable to let people sleep in the restaurant..

As I was thinking of another solution.

The old man, as if his words weren’t finished, began to smile as usual.

“But, we can let them stay upstairs.”

“···?”

“You look puzzled. Didn’t you know?”

Joseph, the old man, laughed heartily and pointed to himself with a thumbs-up.

“I’m the owner of this building.”

Wow, suddenly the boss looks different.

No, the boss always shone brightly.

Today, that light just seems particularly bright.

I bowed deeply, expressing sincere gratitude to the old man.

“Thank you very much. Sir.. I will definitely repay this debt no matter what.”

“Come out on weekends and work properly, child. Even if you want to go home, I won’t let you, remember that.”

“I’ll work hard.”

“Good.”

Now, it’s time to go downstairs.

As I was about to leave the store, my father grabbed my arm and added, “Hey, wait a moment.”

“Why?”

“I have something to fetch, so just wait at the table for a bit.”

“….”

“..Before you go, shouldn’t you at least say hello to those kids?”

“..Alright. I’ll wait.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

With that, my father patted my shoulder a few times and then left the store.

‘What on earth is he going to get?’

Well, first things first, I should greet those kids as my father suggested.

I stepped out of the kitchen and approached the golden-haired siblings enjoying their hot rice soup.

“Both of you, is the rice soup to your liking? I don’t have much money, so I can’t treat you to a lot. I’m sorry.”

“No! Hyung! This is really delicious!”

..Huh? Hyung? Hyung..? The way they’re addressing me feels a bit… odd?

Well, a change in how they address me probably means their fondness has increased…

But somehow… something feels off?

Anyway, let’s suppress this newly arising uncomfortable feeling.

Rita, who was wiping food off Roni’s mouth, spoke with a slightly apologetic tone, “No, Bern. There’s no need to apologize. We should be the ones apologizing. We’ve been spending too much of your money… But still, tasting such delicious food… I can’t remember the last time. Thank you, Bern.”

“Lucky us.”

“But, Bern… Are you leaving now?”

“Yes, I have to. So you can enjoy this delicious food every day.”

“Bern, don’t get hurt. And I’m really sorry for asking too much.”

“….”

Another apology.

I sighed deeply and reached out my hand to her.

“Rita, in times like this, you don’t apologize. You say thank you.”

“….”

“Rita, you don’t need to apologize. This is something I want to do. So just one thank you from you is enough.”

“Um, then… What’s with this hand…?”

“..Don’t you know what a pinky promise is?”

She really needs a lot of guidance.

I held her hand, keeping only our pinkies extended and folding the rest of her fingers.

“Uh… Uh…. Uh…”

As I did this, Rita’s face turned bright red, and she started making strange noises.

Ignoring her reaction, I continued to fiddle with her hand.

“Phew… Finally got the hang of it.”

It was a bit awkward, but at least we were getting into position for the pinky promise.

I brought my hand over, intertwined our pinkies, and said, “This is a token of our promise, Rita.”

“Uh… If it’s a token of our promise…?”

“It means I will definitely come back.”

“Okay… So, did we make a promise? To definitely come back..?”

“Yes, it’s a promise.”