Penguin Sleeves and a Silver Pendant
I'd thought naming her on the day we bought clothes had gone well, but in the end, Eve couldn't sleep again until the train pulled into the station. She seemed terrified that I might vanish if she closed her eyes. And it was the same even after we got off. Eve trailed after me like a shadow, watching my every move. I'd offered to hold her hand, but she shook her head and stepped back, keeping that odd distance. If I worried and moved aside to let her take the lead, she'd freeze in place, head bowed low.
Forcing that unfamiliar gap to close probably wasn't the best idea. There was no rush. I kept a reassuring distance—one she could relax into—while guiding us so we wouldn't get lost.
"Overwhelmed by all the people, huh? It must be nothing like the quiet near where you lived. Stick close so you don't get separated, okay?"
The city sky was clear, as if swept clean by a flurry of snow. As we walked, the girl scanned her surroundings with a face tight with tension.
We finally reached the five-story mansion. Pointing to the cheapest room on the top floor, I said,
"This is your home from today onward."
Climbing five stories by pure staircase never gets easier, no matter how many times you try. We barely made it, and when I flicked on the light, the bare room and living area came into view—almost no signs of daily life.
One room, one kitchen. For a noble young lady from a prestigious family, it was probably smaller than a closet. Eve, who'd been stiff at first, seemed to relax in the room's cozy warmth and faint lived-in feel. Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she began poking around, exploring every corner.
"Eve."
"…………."
"Eve?"
"………! …… Y-yes……."
She was still getting used to her name, reacting a beat late. I called her over, brushing snow from her clothes and hair as I spoke.
"First things first, change out of those clothes. The snow's melting and it'll chill you. You might catch a worse cold or get sick. I'll whip up something simple to eat. Let's have dinner and then a bath."
Eve nodded with a dazed look in her eyes. I ushered her into the room first, then rummaged alone in the kitchen for dishes.
Food, huh... What would be good? It was especially cold today, so something warm with broth. Luckily, there were decent ingredients left.
As I poked through the fridge, I suddenly felt a blank stare boring into my back. I turned to find Eve. She'd half-undressed and was dangling there, looking up at me.
"…."
Flap flap.
Flap flap.
Her arms were stuck in the sleeves like a penguin.
"………."
"………?"
Why are you the one tilting your head?
...Does she not know how to change clothes? Maybe maids always did it for her back at the estate?
"Everything okay? You'll catch a cold like that."
"I…............"
"If you need something, just say it."
"……… Clothes…… I have no… clothes…."
No clothes, huh. So that's why she'd come out half-undressed. Good thing I wasn't the type to panic over a toddler who'd circled the zodiac once.
I helped her dress properly again, then reconsidered our plans.
"You're right. We're short on a lot. My bad—I didn't think of it."
Had I been too unprepared? Thinking back, even the clothes she had on were something I'd hastily bought in the last city. I'd brought her here full of confidence, but I had zero experience actually caring for a child. Way too little.
"My mistake."
I gave a wry smile and took the pot off the stove. I checked her forehead. Thanks to the fever reducer on the train and her deep sleep, the heat had mostly faded. A quick outing should be fine.
"Alright. It's your first day, so let's eat out. Something tasty."
"……….?"
"And on the way, we'll buy clothes. Sound good?"
I smiled as I spoke, and Eve nodded silently.
*
It was just starting to get dusky. I'd finished simple prep with Eve and we headed out. The security around here was good, with students passing day and night. Under the streetlamps, nothing worrisome would happen.
Eve still trailed right behind me. If I slowed, she'd lag back; if I got three steps ahead, she'd pat pat pat after me. Like a cat sizing up its target.
No need to force her hand, then. My role was to give her time—not scare her off, not let her stray—patiently.
Still, I kept an ear out for her presence over my shoulder, in case she lost me, and headed straight for the clothing store.
A shopping mall on one side of the arcade street. Coming here always brought back vague memories of bustling downtowns from long ago.
I led Eve right to the children's clothing section. With the academy at the center and a big student district around it, the kids' stores were decently sized.
Children's clothing. Getting here was fine. The problem? I'd never bought clothes for a little girl before.
Even if I had, it'd be an issue. Wait, what do you even buy? Dresses? T-shirts? Pants? She was a duke's daughter, so fancy stuff? How fancy? And why are these tiny things—barely bigger than adult handkerchiefs—so expensive? Shouldn't less fabric mean cheaper?
The dizzying array of kids' clothes forced me to scrap my casual plan.
"And I don't even know her size... The ones she's wearing drag on the floor..."
"…………?"
Eve tilted her head. Too young to memorize her own size.
I sighed inwardly, eyeing options one by one, when a staff member approached—probably pitying my flailing among the young moms.
"Hello~ How can I help you today?"
I'd always found store clerks awkward, but today it was a relief.
"Well... I'm trying to buy clothes for this little one, but I'm not sure about sizes."
"Ah, got it. Happy to help!"
I worried she'd think it odd, but it was needless. The clerk smiled knowingly at my expression.
"No worries! Dads usually don't know their kids' sizes."
"Oh... yeah."
No point denying it—it'd just raise suspicion. I tensed, hoping Eve wouldn't mind, but she just blinked calmly, unbothered.
"I'm looking for six—no, seven—outfits each of winter outerwear and indoor clothes."
"Oh, replacing everything?"
"Yeah, we came on a business trip from far away and forgot clothes and such."
I added a white lie for smoothness. The clerk smiled without suspicion.
"In that case, instead of seven at once, how about four each and see how it goes?"
"In batches?"
"Outfits go out of season, and laundry means some don't get worn much—they pile up."
"Ah, makes sense. Yeah, let's do that."
"Hmm~ If you're buying all new... What about underwear or socks?"
"……………… Oh."
Right...? Clothes aren't just shirts and pants.
I'd never thought myself dim, but suddenly I felt like an idiot.
"...Thanks for the tip. Include those too."
After all that hassle, shopping wrapped up and exhaustion hit hard. At least my hands were full of bags—a win, since we'd achieved our goal.
Tap tap.
"………?"
Someone poked my waist. I turned to see Eve gazing up quietly.
"Something wrong?"
"Here…"
"Hm?"
"This…"
Eve handed over something clutched in her fist. I'd wondered what she'd been fiddling with in her pocket—it was the silver pendant she'd worn around her neck.
"……… Not… enough…?"
I paused, then got it from her words.
"For the clothes?"
Nod nod.
She'd stood on tiptoes at checkout, listening to the total?
Whatever. It wasn't typical for a girl raised in luxury, which felt off, but clearing the misunderstanding came first.
"No need."
Eve fumbled with the pendant, flustered. Her face screamed on the verge of tears.
"……… But……… money…….."
"The clothes are my gift to you."
"…………."
"If it bothers you that much, just wear them happily. That's enough."
...Not sure if a former lady like Eve would buy that.
She stared blankly at the shopping bags in my hands. Was my words that shocking? Her little mouth hung open, making me worry I'd said something wrong.
But quizzing a kid on it would wound my adult pride. Once more, I led the way so Eve could relax.
Fearful I'd bolt or disappear, she kept my back in sight, padding after like a kitten. I felt her small presence.
The hesitant girl scurried up, tot tot tot, falling into step beside me.
I glanced at her, and Eve—peeking at me—startled and looked away.
"……………."
I silently matched her pace.
That lingering awkwardness, just two handspans apart. Not a bad starting point.
