NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51 - Episode 051: Headhunter, Hiring Hands
Episode 051: Headhunter, Hiring Hands
“Hello. I’ll have the Ichigo shaved ice, please.”
(Note: As I said before, Ichigo means strawberry. I’ll just put it that way for this novel so you can get at least a few basic Japanese words down)
“It’s hot again today. Master, I’ll take one Melon shaved ice, please.”
“Ice coffee.”
The next day, as usual, Ack opened the shop, and regulars arrived at their own pace, just like always.
After placing their orders, Ack sat at the same table with Tina. He skillfully sewed plush toys to be placed in the shop, while Tina, who had recently learned to read, spent her time reading simple children’s books.
“Kyukyu.”
“Kururur.”
“Kuu.”
Occasionally, the sounds of both regulars and monsters echoed through the shop, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
“Ack.”
After a while, Tina, who had been reading a book, suddenly looked up.
“What’s wrong?”
“I want to go to school.”
“School, huh…”
When Ack asked for details, it seemed Tina was curious about a place where children her age gathered on the way to Maria’s house. She asked Maria what kind of place it was.
Upon hearing the explanation, Tina became interested in the school where children her age gathered to study.
Certainly, Ack could impart a certain amount of knowledge and culture, but there were limits to that, and Tina didn’t have any friends her own age.
Ack, too, didn’t have many friends his age due to being in the mercenary group. Most of his friends had perished on the battlefield. Therefore, Ack hadn’t noticed the gap until now.
Although he had the company of everyone in the mercenary group, he didn’t feel lonely. But Tina only had Ack and Snow. That was too pitiful.
Ack had caused Tina a great deal of anxiety by merely being away for a few days at the Great Blizzard Mountain. If she made friends, perhaps those feelings would fade away.
Thinking so, sending her to school seemed like a very good idea.
However, there were concerns.
Despite being in a safe town, there might still be people who targeted Tina like before, or the possibility of bullying at school.
Even though Snow could handle most situations, it was important to deter before letting the other party do anything.
Considering this, it was natural to have Snow accompany her at school, and it would be best to pick her up and drop her off himself.
He couldn’t let Tina be in danger.
When it came to Tina, Ack was extremely overprotective.
But during that time, the shop would be empty. If Rim was there, there would be no problem with security, but even though there were only regulars, it would be problematic if there was no one in the shop to handle additional orders.
“Is it not okay?”
“It’s not that attending is a problem, but…”
*Chirin Chirin*
As he was wondering how to convey this, the bell at the entrance, which shouldn’t ring any more today, rang.
“H-Hello!!”
“W-We’ve come to visit.”
“It’s a nice atmosphere.”
“It really feels like a café.”
Several people entered the shop hesitantly. They were the young adventurers that Ack had helped yesterday, Cain and his group.
Feeling grateful, they had come to find the shop where Ack worked.
“Welcome.”
“Ack-san, thank you for yesterday.”
“Thank you very much.”
Cain bowed his head on behalf of the group, followed by the others.
“Don’t worry about it. Please, have a seat wherever you like.”
“O-Okay.”
Prompted by Ack, the four of them sat at an empty table.
“Here you go.”
Tina brought them menus and water.
“T-Thank you.”
After receiving water and menus from the adorable Tina, the four opened their menus and were surprised.
“So cheap!!”
It was because everything was surprisingly inexpensive. It wouldn’t be strange for the same dishes to cost more than double elsewhere in town.
The prices were affordable even for novice adventurers.
As long as he didn’t go into the red, Ack kept the prices low to make it easy for anyone to come.
Each ordered their favorite items and enjoyed the dishes and drinks.
“Delicious~”
Despite being inexpensive, everything served was delicious.
Their cheeks loosened carelessly.
After satisfying their hunger, they approached Ack, who was sewing, and spoke up.
“U-Um, Ack-san.”
“What is it?”
“Please, take us as your apprentices!!”
It was an unexpected proposal.
Although Ack was feared, he had never been asked for teaching, especially not by children around the age of thirteen. But, he suddenly thought, perhaps this was just the right time. Thus, Ack decided to lay down one condition.
“If you help out a bit in the shop, I’ll teach you about fighting during your free time.”
“R-Really?”
Cain and the others looked dumbfounded, not expecting to receive such an offer.
For Ack, having them in the shop while he escorted Tina would be a great help. Plus, he wanted to respond to their gesture of bowing their heads to him without fear.
There was no reason to refuse.
“I have little experience as an adventurer. But, if it’s training and fighting techniques from my days as a former mercenary can suffice.”
“Yes, please! We’d be grateful for that!”
And so, Ack hired Cain and his group.
The accepted Cain and his friends rejoiced like typical teenagers.
“Tina, let’s go to school.”
“Yay!”
After smiling fondly at their excitement, Ack ruffled Tina’s hair, and she squinted her eyes, smiling happily.