NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45 - Episode 045: Headhunter, Introducing the new family member.
Episode 045: Headhunter, Introducing the new family member.
*Sniffle…*
Tina, who had cried enough to run out of tears, started to calm down.
Ack stepped away from Tina.
There was something he needed to do before they talked.
“Tina, do you understand what you did wrong?”
“Yeah…”
Tina was smart.
While she hadn’t thought clearly when she impulsively ran away from Maria’s house due to overwhelming loneliness, she had now slept soundly, shed tears, and completely stabilized her mental state.
Thinking calmly, she understood that her actions had inconvenienced many people.
“In that case, you should apologize to everyone first.”
While Ack didn’t intend to continue being angry if Tina was repentant, he didn’t want her to become someone who couldn’t even apologize.
He certainly had his own faults, but this incident was undoubtedly caused by Tina.
Apologizing was necessary no matter what.
“I’m sorry for running away without permission.”
Tina got off the bed and bowed politely to everyone.
“No, we’re just relieved you’re safe. Sorry we couldn’t stay together.”
Maria stood up, approached Tina, and hugged her tightly. Tina also hugged Maria back tightly.
After both parties had apologized, Ack spoke up.
“Maria, I’m really sorry. I’ll come to apologize properly another day.”
“No, there’s no need for you to go to that extent.”
“It’s necessary.”
It’s not good to think that once the other person has forgiven you, the apology is over. Parents must take responsibility for what their children do.
Especially since Maria was a noble.
If there were no consequences for causing a commotion at a noble’s house, Maria’s family would be disrespected, and rumors would spread.
They didn’t know how to resolve this situation, but some sort of measure was necessary.
“…I understand. Fine.”
Maria reluctantly accepted it, knowing full well what needed to be done.
For now, the conversation here was over.
Tina finally noticed Rim, who was behind Ack, yawning loudly.
“A big fluffy one!”
“Yeah. This is Rim, who’s become our new family member.”
Upon Ack’s introduction, Rim stepped forward and approached Tina.
“So, you’re Tina. Truly, you’re Ack’s daughter, unafraid of me.”
“It talked!!”
Tina hadn’t expected the monster to speak, so she jumped up with wide eyes and a loud voice.
“I am Fenrir. I can speak human language.”
“Amazing.”
Tina looked at Rim with genuine admiration.
“Haha!! That’s right, that’s right. You can rest assured because I’ll protect you from now on.”
Flattered, Rim laughed happily.
“Can I touch the fluffiness?”
“Hmph. Tina is a member of the pack, so it’s allowed. But don’t think I’ll allow just anyone to do that.”
Although he said it couldn’t be helped, Rim’s tail wagged happily.
“Yeah. Fwaa…”
Tina clung to Rim’s chest and buried herself in the soft fur. The softness made Tina feel as if she were floating in the sky.
“Kyuu!!”
Interrupting them was Snow. Snow claimed to protect Tina by placing both front paws on his hips on the bed, indicating it was his duty.
Rim couldn’t let that slide.
“What did you say!! Are you challenging me?!”
“Kyukyuu!!”
Neither backed down, and sparks flew between their gazes.
“Stop it right there. Don’t fight, cooperate to protect Tina.”
“Hmph. If the pack leader says so, I’ll comply.”
“Kyuu.”
Convinced by Ack, they reluctantly agreed while turning away from each other.
—*Growl*
At that moment, someone’s stomach growled in the quiet room.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t eaten anything for a while. Let’s make something now. It’s not an apology, but Maria, you should eat too.”
The source of that stomach growl was actually Maria’s.
After eating dinner, finishing her work, and searching for Tina without eating anything, she was now hungry.
Ack pretended not to notice and used the excuse that he hadn’t eaten a meal since leaving home, inviting Maria to eat.
“S-So, if you insist…”
Maria blushed shyly and nodded.
“What about these guys?”
“We’ll tie them up and leave them in a corner of the shop.”
For now, they tied up the intruders and stacked them in a corner of the shop space. After having Shiln clean up the room, Ack treated them to Napolitan, which was also on the menu of the cafe.
(Note:”Napolitan” refers to a Japanese-style pasta dish called “Spaghetti Napolitan.” It’s a popular dish in Japan, consisting of spaghetti noodles, onions, bell peppers, and often sausage or ham, all stir-fried together with ketchup. Despite its name, it has no direct connection to Naples or traditional Italian cuisine. Instead, it’s a unique Japanese interpretation of Western-style pasta dishes.)
“It’s delicious…”
Maria, who had only been drinking tea until now and had never eaten Ack’s cooking, found it even more delicious than the meals prepared by her own household chef.
Then, she glanced at Tina.
She was eating with such relish, as if it were normal.
Considering the bedding, the clothes, maybe Tina was living a much more luxurious life than me…
Maria couldn’t help but think so.
“Well then, I’ll bring my subordinates.”
“Ah, thank you for your help.”
“No, thank you then.”
With her stomach satisfied, Maria left the fluffy cafe to take the intruders with her and call for backup.
Once Maria, with her subordinates, took away the intruders, the fluffy cafe finally regained its calm.