Chapter 58

"Thank you for the meal, big sister."

The children seemed to have finished their meal. Looking at the table, they had eaten everything cleanly. They had also put away all the toys and books they had been playing with back in their original places.

I crouched down to their eye level, took their small hands, and smiled at them.

"Thank you. Are you full?"

"Yeah, it was super delicious! I've never had such a sparkly and fun meal before."

"…I see."

The children's bright smiles filled my heart. Perhaps I, too, had such a face back then.

Just as I was about to see them off outside, I noticed the red-haired boy had something he wanted to say.

"Is something wrong?"

"…Are you sure? The money…"

Seeing his anxious, apologetic look, I was reminded of my past self. I had always thought the same thing.

"Of course. In return, when you grow up, come and eat here as a customer, okay?"

So I said the words I had received that day. He smiled in relief, and I felt reassured.

"Thank you very much, I'll come again!"

His innocent, adorable smile made my eyes well up with tears.

I truly hope the children can always smile like this and grow up healthy, from the bottom of my heart.

"You're welcome. Come anytime."

After seeing the children off and returning to the store, I crouched behind the entrance shelf, hidden from view.

"……"

I was really, really happy. A joy that made it hard to breathe welled up inside me, and I gripped my hands tightly.

Unlike before, the tears I couldn't hold back fell one by one. I felt so happy and relieved, but my heart was a mess, and I was at my limit.

Even when I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, the tears kept streaming down my cheeks.

There are no such restaurants in this world, and I am a complete novice. I was unsure if it would work out or if I would be accepted, and I had many worries.

I had even wondered if it would end up being just my own satisfaction. But still.

"…u…huh…"

Now, I truly felt it was a good thing to do. And I had the conviction that I would feel this way many times in the future, deep in my heart.

And I knew that all of this was possible only because I was reincarnated as "Grace Scentberry."

"–Are you okay?"

As I continued to sob, a very gentle voice suddenly came from above, and I hurriedly looked up.

The man who had come with Al was standing in front of me, offering a handkerchief.

"Ah, thank you… I'm sorry…"

"Ah."

It seemed he had finished his meal and was trying to thank me. I felt embarrassed to show him my inexplicable crying.

Still, the man crouched next to me and silently watched me. Even though we hadn't exchanged many words, I could tell he was a very kind person.

As I gradually calmed down, I let out a small breath.

"I'm sorry to show you such a sight. Still, you found me here pretty quickly, didn't you?"

"I'm good at finding people."

"……?"

I was momentarily confused, but since we were meeting for the first time, I assumed he meant he was good at finding people.

Just then, Evan, who passed by, saw me and the man and said, "Everything's fine here, take your time." He can be so considerate and kind sometimes, which is a bit of a problem.

Deciding to take his offer and stay like this for five more minutes, I gratefully wiped my eyes with the handkerchief I had borrowed earlier.

The man didn't seem to want to leave and continued to look at me.

"Why were you crying?"

"…Actually, running this restaurant has been my dream since childhood."

Then I told him honestly why I wanted to run a restaurant. Since he was Al's acquaintance, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, so I didn't mention my past poverty.

Even though I understood it wasn't something to talk about on a first meeting, I somehow felt comfortable and wanted to share.

In fact, talking to him made me feel strangely calm. Eventually, I snapped back to reality.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told you all this…"

"No, it's fine."

"Anyway, when I saw the children's smiles just now, I was so happy that I cried."

Repeating it out loud made me realize it was all real, and the joy welled up inside me, making me smile happily.

The man blinked in surprise, then smiled with a slightly tearful look.

"…You're really amazing."

"Eh?"

He then stood up quietly and offered his hand.

I had talked for too long, but I hurriedly took his hand and stood up.

"Thank you so much."

"Likewise. I'm glad I got to hear your story."

His smile and words felt genuine, and my heart warmed again. I felt so comfortable around him, and I wanted to talk more.

As we emerged from behind the shelf, Al, who had been looking for us, came over.

"Hey, you were here all this time. I asked that damn knight, and he just said, 'It's a secret.'"

Evan seemed to be considerate and had hidden us.

But Al seemed to have enjoyed the meal and was in a good mood, so he didn't complain as usual.

"It was really delicious, I might come again."

"Really? That's great!"

I always believed Al's honest words and felt happy and confident.

On the pre-opening day, I explained that acquaintances would eat for free, but the man insisted on paying as a token of gratitude.

In the end, he paid for Al's meal as well, and I saw them off to the door.

"It was really delicious, thank you."

"Thank you. By the way, may I ask your name?"

When I asked, he evaded, saying, "Next time we meet."

It seems that men these days often don't give their names.

"I'll wash the handkerchief and return it next time."

"…Ah."

He smiled in a troubled way and narrowed his golden eyes.

"I hope your dream continues to go well."

"Ah, thank you!"

I stood there, watching them until they were out of sight, moved by his kind expression.

"Alright, let's keep going!"

I returned to the store, slapped my cheeks, and got ready to work.

–From then on until closing time in the evening, the restaurant was full, and the opening was a great success. However.

From that day on, I didn't receive any more messages from Lord Zain.