Chapter 36

The content overlaps with the main story from Chapter 15 to Alternate Perspective 13. If you don't like it, please skip it.

After getting out of the bath, I returned to my room and lay down on the bed, reflecting on today's events.

What came to mind was the existence younger than myself, someone I had met for the first time in my life.

In the morning, before work, the captain told me about a small child who would start working in the cooking team today, along with some information about the child.

Honestly, I wasn't amused when I heard the story.

How could a kid, a newbie, be so bold as to be late on the first day? And the captain had to go pick them up personally.

Although I wasn't amused, the work wouldn't wait. I carried out my assigned tasks as usual.

Now, I'm used to it, but the first year was tough.

I couldn't do much work, failed miserably, and was scolded a lot. Those days are now fond memories.

After a while, when only the captain returned, I tilted my head in confusion. Then, the deputy captain and Ordima burst out laughing.

"The little one must be in the bathroom."

"They've made a special toilet that you can't fall into."

Hearing their words, I couldn't help but doubt my ears. A toilet you can't fall into? What's that?

"I thought the kid was small when the captain carried them, but for the equipment team to come and do toilet renovations, how small are they? It's not just a joke about almost falling into the medical team's toilet."

"The kid was surprised too. When the topic came up while the captain was picking them up, their face turned red, and they hid under a blanket. When I pulled the blanket off, they went silent."

"Hehe, so cute."

"Exactly. So cute, it's healing."

The captain and deputy captain's conversation made the seniors smile.

After a while, the rumored kid appeared in the hall, and the captain went out again. The captain was giving some instructions, but the kid was completely hidden behind the captain.

When the captain moved, the kid, who was led by the hand to the kitchen, was so small they didn't even reach the captain's waist.

"Good morning!"

When the kid entered, they greeted us energetically, and we returned the greeting. For some reason, the captain looked a bit surprised and then smiled.

"Everyone, listen. This is Yurii, who will be working in the cooking team from today, specializing in preparation. You might not remember right away, so please introduce yourselves.

Shunas, Jiji, come here first."

The captain introduced the kid and called the deputy captain and the old man. When the two called approached, they patted the kid. ...They were already spoiling the kid. Especially the old man, his face was so different it was like a different person.

The difference from when I joined the team made my feeling of displeasure grow even more.

In the middle of this, the kid's stomach growled loudly, and the kitchen burst into laughter, turning the kid's ears red.

"Alf, can Pomul stay with 'them'?"

"Half is fine."

The captain called out with a suppressed smile, and I answered immediately.

I was cutting fruit for the Shwana's feed.

"Give a third to Yurii. You can eat the rest. And teach them how to feed."

"Really!?"

After answering, an unexpected order came from the captain. I've never been told I can eat before, even for tasting!

I quickly finished up and prepared to eat, then called the kid over. The kid handed a flower-patterned bag to the captain and came over.

When they came over, I realized how small they were. They barely reached my hip. When I gave them Pomul, their hands were really small.

"Thank you."

"I'm Alfaise. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Yurii."

"Call me Alf. By the way, you can also call me 'nii-chan'."

"...Nii-nii?"

After introducing myself, the kid returned the favor. When I continued jokingly, an unexpected response came back.

Me, "nii-nii"?

No one has ever called me that before. In the village where I was born, there was no one younger than me until I started working. In the cooking team, I was the youngest.

Everyone around, including the captain, was trying hard not to laugh. I could understand their feelings a little.

While we were moved, the kid was munching on Pomul.

When I started eating, they smiled and said, "It's delicious."

When I finished first, the kid hurriedly tried to stuff Pomul into their mouth. I couldn't help but laugh at their desperate look, and I wiped their sticky, small hands with a towel, which made them smile happily.

Is this what it's like to have a younger one? They are so cute...

Following the captain's instructions, I went outside with the kid to teach them how to feed the Shwana. The kid followed me closely.

Their eyes sparkled at the sight of the Shwana, and they listened to my explanation and fed them happily. The feeling of displeasure I had in the morning had somehow diminished.

When the kid couldn't reach the shelf where the Shwana's water bottles were placed, I hurriedly prepared a Pomul box, but I didn't find it troublesome.

After that, the kid followed me closely and worked hard, and I didn't want to show any awkwardness.

Actually, the kid's work was much better than mine (sweat).

During breakfast, the kid sat on a custom-made chair and ate happily. They were puffing their cheeks and eating hard, but the amount was less than a quarter of what we ate, and it was moving very slowly.

But, watching them made me feel relaxed.

The "Three Idiots," a group of seniors, were making fun of Yurii and got scolded by the old man.

The old man said, "Don't get involved with the Three Idiots," but the kid's response was questionable. I could see the captain and others secretly sighing and worrying.

I need to be careful too. If Yurii is influenced by the Three Idiots, it could be a problem.

After breakfast, the captain assigned Yurii to peel the Orions, and a bit later, the blacksmith team's captain, Jott, brought Yurii's knife. It was really small, like a toy. With it, Yurii started preparing the Orions.

I was busy with my own work and couldn't watch, but Yurii was sitting on the Orion case and peeling them diligently. The back view was oddly cute. Some people who came to eat noticed Yurii and acted suspiciously.

I tried to remember such people as potential troublemakers. I can't stand it if someone tries to mess with my cute little brother.

In the middle of this, Captain Elies called Yurii after finishing breakfast. Captain Elies is one of the people who dote on Yurii. The captain allowed Yurii to go to the hall, but everyone in the kitchen was on guard.

...Captain Elies is scary, but if they lay a hand on Yurii, they won't get away easily.

Well, Captain Elies is perceptive and seemed to notice our guard. I couldn't help but sigh in relief when Captain Elies handed something to Yurii and left the cafeteria.

Despite the various tasks, it was lunchtime.

When we went to get Yurii to eat with us, they looked very shocked. It seemed the captain had prepared the Orion peeling task, and Yurii was almost done.

...Yurii, you work really fast.

I helped finish the peeling, and Yurii washed and handed me a towel to wipe the knife. However, the towel, squeezed by a child's strength, was very wet, and when Ordima squeezed it again with a smile, Yurii looked disappointed.

After Yurii finished cleaning up, the captain announced it was lunchtime, and Yurii raised their hand happily, but their stomach growled before they could speak. The slightly embarrassed look on Yurii's face made the seniors smile naturally.

Yurii's emotions show immediately, and they are straightforward. They show goodwill with that straightforwardness. In the cooking team, there are many people with hidden agendas, so such an existence is precious.

Honestly, in the eight years since I joined the cooking team, I've never seen the seniors all smile so calmly. They were usually tense, but Yurii's presence made the kitchen atmosphere much gentler.

When we moved to eat lunch, Yurii tilted their head when they didn't see the old man or the deputy captain. When the captain explained, Yurii showed a slightly disappointed look. The old man's face brightened with joy at this.

The expression the old man showed, which I had never seen before, left me and others in a daze.

In the middle of this, the Three Idiots seniors made a big fuss over the old man's expression and got scolded, which might have become a routine.

Yurii ate lunch with a happy face.

The pasta was short pasta, probably for easier eating, and the juice was made from the leftover fruit given to the Shwana yesterday, instead of bread.

After finishing the meal, Yurii fell asleep like a magic tool that ran out of magic power after a little care from the captain. I confirmed with the captain, who picked up Yurii with a wry smile.

While the Three Idiots seniors were drooling over Yurii's sleeping face, Ordima was setting up a nap space for Yurii in the order area.

The captain cast a light cleaning spell on Yurii to remove the Orion smell, took off the apron and pouch, and laid Yurii down. It was a perfect team effort.

The captain was about to fold the apron and put it in the pouch but stopped when they saw the contents. The captain put the apron and pouch on the order desk and returned to work with the work team.

Strangely, unlike in the morning, I didn't feel any annoyance even though Yurii was napping. Rather, seeing Yurii work hard with that small body, I even thought they should sleep well and grow.

I think Yurii will grow into a very capable person by the time they become an adult. But, since I'm called "nii-chan," I don't want to lose to Yurii. It's my pride, having worked lazily until now.

Thinking this, I was caught off guard by the deputy captain when they came back from lunch. I was flustered. No good. I haven't changed at all.

I tightened my resolve and declared I wouldn't be caught up by Yurii, and Ladastor and Dioga called out to me. It's rare for the usually quiet two to speak. This made me even more cautious.

Despite working more calmly than usual in the afternoon, a loud voice suddenly echoed in the hall, which was supposed to be sealed.

Recognizing the equipment team's captain, Yaeto, and the equipment team members carrying something wrapped in cloth, everyone in the kitchen glared. The captain went out to deal with them, not hiding their displeasure.

It seemed Yurii's furniture was ready, and everyone started moving to bring it to the captain's room.

Thinking it was a hassle, I was about to return to work when Yurii came out of the order area. Their unsteady steps and sleepy eyes were worrying, so I couldn't help but rush over.

"Yurii, what's wrong?"

"Mmm... There was a big noise..."

Hearing Yurii's words while rubbing their eyes with the back of their hand, everyone in the kitchen probably felt murderous towards Captain Yaeto.

"There's no more noise. ...Do you want to sleep a little more?"

"I'll wake up after going to the bathroom..."

Despite being woken up, Yurii seemed ready to return to work. In the hand that wasn't rubbing their eyes, they held Yurii's apron and pouch, which I had left on the order desk.

...Was I like this when I was Yurii's age? I think I would have complained a lot.

Yurii doesn't complain and works hard with their small body, which is really admirable and a good kid.

Honestly, it was too dangerous to let Yurii walk around the kitchen, so I picked them up and carried them to where they were working in the morning.

...Yurii's small body was surprisingly slender and light. And, they felt warm, as if their body temperature was high.

"Thank you, nii-nii."

"Be careful when you go to the bathroom. If you see anyone suspicious, call out immediately."

"Okay."

When I put Yurii down, they thanked me, but they were still half-asleep. I took the apron and pouch from Yurii's hand and put them on the Tashi potato case.

Even though I gave warnings out of concern, I was more worried about whether they were really listening. Despite my worries, Yurii walked to the hall, step by step.

This is dangerous. What if they get kidnapped?

Just then, the captain and others returned to the cafeteria.

Captain Yaeto, who saw Yurii for the first time, had a silly look and was clinging to the captain.

The captain reluctantly called Yurii over and introduced them to Captain Yaeto. The equipment team members, charmed by the adorable Yurii, relaxed their expressions. After a brief introduction, the captain let Yurii go to the bathroom and then asked Captain Yaeto to make Yurii's cooking station. I couldn't help but admire the captain's skills.

...Then, the deputy captain, who had finished a part of the work, came out to the hall.

"Captain Yaeto..."

The deputy captain's somewhat angry voice made the captain and the equipment team members look at them.

"Your loud voice woke Yurii up, didn't it?"

"What do you mean..."

Hearing the deputy captain's words, anger appeared on the captain's face. The equipment team members were trembling from the intensity. It was understandable.

"Despite that, the kid woke up and started working without complaining. They are a child rescued by our captain in the 'Deep Forest,' and Captain Vincent himself diagnosed that they need proper meals and rest. If you disturb Yurii's nap again, the cooking team will launch a surprise attack on the equipment team with all our forces, got it?"

"Rest assured, and Captain Elies, Vincent, Bax, and Kalaf will also join. My riding beast will be an additional force."

The deputy captain challenged Captain Yaeto, and the captain casually added more forces.

...Even the most feared two captains? Yurii, you're amazing to have them on your side.

On one hand, I was impressed, but on the other, the equipment