CH 8.2

Opening the shop moments after the Rotos went back, the shop was quickly filled with customers. Although I did choose breakfast menus which would not require much time, it’s still a lot of work.

Crunchy bacons, juicy wieners, fluffy scrambled eggs and cheese omelets, muffins, hot cakes and there is even sandwiches.

And here I thought I had turned accustomed to the business, it felt like it was much busier today.

Eventually it turned twelve, and the customers stopped coming.

The DemiMercSquads arrived moments after taking I took a slight breather.

“Ojou! As usual please!”

The first one to enter the shop is Ryuse-san. Ever since he had opened up, it has been his role to open the door which rang the bell.

Unhesitantly sitting at the counter seat, he then comfortably swayed his tail around.

Shize-san is at the usual seat, with Chise-san opposite of him. It seems Chise-san dislikes to sit alone, and so Sena-san on the table alone.

Finished with the orders as usual, I then looked over them eating by the counter, and let out a sigh.

“….Ojou, you look listless. What’s wrong?”

“Eh?” I was surprised to Ryuse-san’s words.

“Do I look as so?”

“Yup. Your smile, it’s less than usual, and your voice seems to be softer”

As Ryuuse-san continued on, he then took a slice of the steak and glomped it down.

Is he saying that I was not serving (the customers) with a proper smile?

Flustered, I touched my cheeks. Hot.

“….Which reminds me, my body felt heavy when I woke up this morning. I might have turned ill”

“What’s that, aren’t you too dense, Tenchou. Did you caught a cold from the customers?” Chise-san, while chewing the food in his mouth and joined in the conversation.

I could only let out a bitter smile from being told that I’m dense.

“Since I rarely fall ill… The cause may be due being to engrossed with the book Sena-san borrowed me and staying too long in the bath, I believe”

“Eh- Then isn’t that Sena’s fault? Apologize to Ojou, I tell ya” Ryuse-san then looked towards Sena-san with an hostile glare.

“What’s with that, unreasonable” Sena-san showed a disgusted face.

“That is right, it is not Sena-san’s fault. The fault is at me who forgot the time and stayed too long in the bath” After saying so, Ryuse-san patted the seat beside him at the counter.

“Ojou, how ‘bout a rest? Here, beside me”

Not knowing if he’s in the mood to frolic or something else, but his tail swayed around cheerfully.

“Thank you, but I am fine”

….If I frolic with him now, I feel that my body condition will turn even worse. It might even turn into a fever

“Eee- Ojou’s so cold” said Ryuse-san, while making a sour face.

“Stop messin’ around, Ryuse. You frolic too much. Even though I’m holding back myself here!” (Chise)

Ryuse-san made a composed smile towards Chise-san who felt provoked.

“You’re gonna get scolded by Boss again, no?”

“Ugh”

As the atmosphere turned bustling, it came to my mind to brew coffee for Shize-san. Any moment now the cup on the table would turn empty, and I’m sure he would ask for another serving.

But the next moment, I felt a rush of dizziness and placed my hand on the counter.

….A dizziness after so long. My sight blurred, and I started to wobble.

Reminiscing the last moments of my previous life, fear welled within me. Not knowing it made the dizziness worse, strength left my hands and I squatted down on the spot.

“Ojou! You alright?” Ryuse-san came rushing towards me, with made my body shake in surprise

“My- my apologies”

“Eh.. Why are you apologizing”

“Ah…”

Ryuse-san looked at me with a worried face.

…Feeling that tone is scolding at me made me apologize involuntarily.

“I will be fine if I stay still”

“Ah, you’re hot. You have a fever here”

The pure white hand touched my cheek. His hand was fluffy like cotton candy, and the sensation of the squishy paw pad. The slightly cold paw pad felt comfortable.

“Tenchou, its best you rest already. There’s no more customers coming anyways” Chise-san said with a worried tone.

“Ah, Yes. I shall do so after everyone leave and close the shop”

“You don’t have to be too considerate of us. Go rest right away. We will help out with the cleaning and close the shop for you” Sena-san, while being considerate of me.

“No, no. I cannot let the customers do such a thing”

I have to do my best to service the customers, and so as I raise my head—my sight turned black.

As I thought it was due to the dizziness, to think that it’s due to being princess carried by the jet black lion-san.

“We’re the ones troubled if you get any worse. I’ll take responsibility and clean this place up, just get some rest” I could not reply towards Sena-san’s words.

My head is full from being carried by the jet black lion-san.

“Then we’re gonna need to enter Ojou’s room then~ Second floor? The stair’s here right? Pardon the intrusion~”

As Ryuse-san opened the door through the stairs and lead the way. Shize-san then followed him and went up the stairs.

I have previously been princess carried by Schneider as well. But compared to the time being carried by Schneider, I was far more nervous right now. I wonder if it’s because Shize-san is more reliable than him, or is it because he’s mister jet black lion?

I could feel my fever rising.

The gallant lion’s face feels very close. Looking up in a daze, I could feel the stares from his amber eyes. I then covered my face in a fluster.

“Just trust us and get some rest” as he said so, the tip of his nose lightly touched my forehead.

I could only cover my face with both my hand and whisper a light ‘yes’.

Aaah, this is bad. I’m feeling dizzy. Is it due to my body condition worsening?

“Ojou, I’m opening your room, kay!”

Ryuse-san then slowly opened the door. While swaying around his white tail, he looked around the room.

“Waaa~ It smells just like Ojou~ And it’s kinda, cutee~”

I wonder if there’s any element there that’s cute? There’s only a bed and sofa, it can be said to be frugal rather than being a simple room. Following Ryuse-san, Shize-san then entered the room and slowly let me down on the bed. He then left the room silently.

“Then, you better get to sleep already, Rhonya-ojou”

Ryuse-san followed suit while waving his hand.

*thud, as I looked at the closing door. (<< wooden door closing sound)

While dazing off and thinking back upon it, I felt that I shouldn’t let the customers clean-up for me.

While wobbling around moving towards the door, I gently opened the door.

Then, all I could see was pure black.

Raising my sight slightly upwards, my sight met with the amber eyes.

Mister jet black lion had blocked my path. Although he did not say anything, I could feel an intense pressure.

“I- I’ll take my rest…”

After closing the door, I obediently went back towards my bed. Then removed my apron and lied down.

The giddiness felt very uncomfortable and I started to feel even more unease.

Taking a deep breath and pressing down on my forehead, I could slightly hear the lively noises from the lower floor.

Although I could not properly hear the contents of the conversation, I felt a gist that Sena-san was giving out orders while Ryuse-san and Chise-san were having a quarrel. And of course, I did not hear Shize-san’s voice.

As my mouth slowly softened up, I slowly closed my eyes.

Feeling their presence near, I could rest without any worries.