Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: My House Collapsed. I Cried (2)
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Truthfully, once you got used to the bizarre clients, the work at the agency wasn't objectively that difficult.
I mean, what could I even do? I can't speak, and aside from my psychokinesis, I don't have any special talents.
All I had to do was guide the clients to the reception room and pretend to listen quietly.
Sometimes I’d serve coffee or tea to a client. Or if the cookie jar was empty, I’d pop out for a moment to buy more. Oh, and I sometimes help out with the cleaning.
In any case, compared to Raven and Alice, who were out braving the snow on this cold day to solve cases, my job was nothing more than simple reception work that anyone could do.
It almost made me feel a little guilty for getting paid for just this.
“Hmm… so you’re saying that inexplicable graffiti keeps appearing on your window?”
“Yes! I’ve stayed up all night trying to catch the culprit, and I’ve even spent money plastering the whole area with CCTV cameras. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out who’s doing it…”
“Tsk, I can’t tell much just from hearing about it. I think I’ll have to see the scene for myself. Hey, Alice. Get your coat. We’re heading out for a bit.”
“Okay~ Yuria, David. Take care of the office. We’ll be back soon.”
“…!”
“If anything happens, I will contact you immediately.”
After lunch, Raven and Alice had to step out for a client.
Suddenly left alone in the office with David, I sat quietly on the sofa, lost in thought.
‘Still, it’s a relief that David is here now. The last time I was left alone in the office, another client happened to show up, and it was a huge hassle.’
I closed my eyes and recalled the events of a few days ago.
The trouble I’d gone through to get that stubborn client, who was looking for the absent Raven, to wait quietly in the reception room.
That was the first time I’d ever felt resentful toward Raven as he casually returned to the office, coffee in hand.
But that was all in the past now.
Today, I wasn't guarding the office alone; the clever David was with me.
Even if he was new, I couldn’t help but feel much more at ease than when I was by myself.
The thought suddenly filled me with a confidence as if I’d gained a whole army.
Alright, bring it on, client!
With my royal guard, I’ll make you sit quietly on the reception room sofa!
“…”
“…”
*Clack, clack.*
But contrary to my confident inner monologue, the only sound that filled the office was the clatter of David’s keyboard.
Well… it’s not like we had anything to talk about. And he’s busy working, so it wouldn’t be right to disturb him, right?
With that thought, I sat primly on the sofa and stared blankly at the wall.
Raven had said it was fine to spend my time however I wanted when there was nothing to do, but it felt a bit wrong to be goofing off alone while the two of them were out working.
I figured I’d just meditate quietly until they returned.
I was deep in my study of the intricate patterns on the wallpaper when David, who had been typing away, spoke to me in a cautious voice.
“…Ahem, Ms. Yuria. May I ask you one thing?”
“…?”
“Do you happen to have any time this weekend?”
Time this weekend? I suppose I do.
Since I don’t do much besides my part-time job at the agency, time is something I have in abundance.
But why is he suddenly asking? Do I look like someone who’s busy on weekends?
As I tilted my head, unable to grasp his intention, he bowed his head apologetically and answered my unspoken question.
“Well… actually, Sabrina would like to meet you separately to apologize. For what she did… yesterday.”
“…!”
Ah, so he was just relaying a message from Sabrina.
It made sense. A guy with a pretty, devoted childhood friend wouldn't have any strange ulterior motives.
But was it really something that required a big apology?
Even if she did touch my che…st, Sabrina’s a girl, after all.
And even if it had been a boy, I think I would have let it slide with a simple, “Just be more careful next time.”
Still, if she wanted to apologize, there was no reason not to accept.
Having sorted out my thoughts, I made a large circle with my arms.
It was my way of saying it was fine to meet with Sabrina over the weekend.
Perhaps because I didn't seem to mind much, David, who had looked a bit somber, let out a deep sigh of relief and adjusted his glasses.
“Ah, thank you. Sabrina will be delighted. Oh, could I possibly get your terminal number? I’ll give it to Sabrina so she can contact you directly next time.”
“…?”
A terminal? I… don’t have one.
I blinked, taken aback by David’s sudden question.
Perhaps sensing my lack of response, he asked with a puzzled look.
“Oh, you don’t have a terminal?”
“…”
“Ah, well. It would still be a good idea to get one. Not having a terminal in Nighthaven can be inconvenient at times. Not that I’m trying to pressure you, of course.”
David brushed the topic aside with a “to each their own” sort of reaction.
After all, Nighthaven was full of people with all sorts of circumstances.
He probably figured there was no need to pry into the details.
But for me, it was a moment that inevitably deepened my worries.
Having one would certainly have far more advantages than not.
Should I take this opportunity to get one?
Well, I was never one to play games on a smartphone anyway.
Its main use would probably be for calls and light internet browsing.
But what if I got so sick I couldn’t get out of bed?
Considering such emergencies, I wondered if the cost was really that much of a waste.
‘Ah… but can I even get one without an ID? I don’t know how you get a terminal activated here, so I’m not sure. I probably can’t, though.’
Drat, my status as an undocumented resident is holding me back again!
I scratched my head in disappointment but quickly shook off the feeling.
It’s not like it’s a huge inconvenience not having a terminal now, and if I did get one, there would be recurring communication fees.
Thinking about it that way, it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Just a little disappointing. Just a tiny bit. Barely noticeable.
“I’m back.”
“We’re back!”
How long had I been lost in thought, trying to calm my emotions?
Suddenly, Raven and Alice, who had left earlier, returned.
It felt like they’d only been gone for about two hours. Is the case already solved?
I hopped off the sofa and went to the hallway to greet them.
As Alice brushed the snow off her clothes, she suddenly pulled me into a tight hug and nuzzled her cheek against mine.
So cold. Her skin is like ice.
“Yuria’s so warm~ So soft and warm, my Yuria~”
“…”
Normally, I would have been embarrassed and gently pushed her away.
But this time, it felt less like she was just fawning over me and more like she genuinely wanted to share my warmth.
So I didn’t resist much and simply accepted her affection.
*You worked hard. It must be tough to be out and about in this weather.*
“Hey, hey. It’s crowded. Stop bothering the part-timer by the door and do that inside. What are you two doing in this cramped space?”
“Okay~ Let’s go, Yuria!”
“…!”
At Raven’s scolding, Alice simply scooped me up in her arms and strode into the office.
I wondered just how strong her arms were; I felt like a doll made of cotton fluff.
She then gently set me down on the sofa where I’d been sitting before and began to take off her coat, grumbling.
“Ugh, it snows so much in Nighthaven. I see what you meant before. You turn into a snowman after just a short walk.”
“I think it’s because we’re near the coast. Were you not here in the summer? It rained so much then, too. A few places got flooded.”
“Eh, really? I didn’t know. I’ve only been here for less than half a year.”
“Well, it’s usually pleasant when it’s not this time of year.”
Now in a light kimono, Alice returned to the sofa where I was sitting as she chatted with Raven.
She then grabbed me by my side and tucked me between her legs. The soft, cool feel of the kimono sent a shiver down my spine.
Using a person as a heater without permission.
As if in revenge, I straightened my back and forced myself to lean against Alice’s soft chest.
*See? This is uncomfortable for you too, right? Are you still going to hold me like this?*
It was a silent protest, or something to that effect.
“Yuria. Did anything major happen at the office?”
“…”
“Good, that’s a relief. Just stay like this for ten minutes, and I’ll let you go. That’s okay, right?”
“…!”
Ten minutes. Fine, I can endure that.
Only after securing Alice’s promise to let me go did I squirm into the most comfortable position and lean against her.
Then I picked up a chocolate cookie from the table and nibbled on it.
*If being delicious is a crime, then you’re a felon. You wicked thing, I’ll finish you off so you never see the light of day again.*
I mercilessly annihilated the entire platoon of chocolate cookies.
It was a truly satisfying conviction.
*
Time passed without another client, and evening, quitting time, arrived.
Alice, who always used to leave first, now had the intervals between her rushed departures lengthen from every other day to every three days.
“Well then, I’ll be off! Great work today, everyone!”
“Good work.”
“Good work. Get home safely.”
“…!”
Coincidentally, today was one of those days she had to leave early.
She hurriedly threw on her coat and was the first to dash out of the office.
What on earth was she so busy with?
Since I had to stop by Greg’s shop anyway, I was in no particular hurry. I could only shrug. She must have her reasons.
“Then I, too… will be taking my leave. Sir. You worked hard today.”
“Uh, yeah… feels a bit weird being called ‘sir’ all of a sudden. See you.”
“…!”
“Right, right, part-timer, you head home too. Don’t go catching a cold.”
Why am I the only one he tells not to catch a cold?
I chuckled at Raven’s gruff concern, gave him a wave, and trotted out of the office.
I picked up a sandwich from my now-regular spot, had dinner at Greg’s shop, and then braved the worsening blizzard to make my way back to my base.
“…?”
But what awaited me there was not the base I knew.
What I saw was the refrigerated warehouse, a complete mess with white snow pouring inside.
My second week working at the agency, and my home had collapsed.