Chapter 38

"Hey, you guys, are you all energetic today?"

"Captain, good morning!!"

As usual, when I entered the workshop of the maintenance team and greeted them, I received a lively response.

Our team motto is "Always be energetic."

Nodding at the cheerful greeting, everyone stopped their work and gathered for the morning meeting.

"Got your plans for today, you guys?"

"Of course!"

"Be careful not to get hurt. That's all, dismissed!"

The morning meeting of the maintenance team is that simple. We only do elaborate ones when necessary.

As long as everyone knows their tasks and is fully cautious, that's enough.

We have solid coordination and communication, and if anything happens, the person involved will stop the dismissal and report immediately.

Anyone who can't do that can't survive in this Northern Demon Castle.

"Alright. I'm heading to the kitchen team, so take care of things here!"

Holding the toolbox I prepared yesterday, I announced my plans in high spirits, and several envious glances were cast my way.

The reason is the kitchen team. Yesterday, a temporary team member, Yuri, started working there. I've been asked to measure the size for her cooking station.

I met Yuri yesterday when I delivered the furniture Dilnan had requested.

She was a tiny, incredibly adorable child who had just woken up from a nap.

I can understand why Dilnan was hesitant to introduce her.

I'm a giant, and I have a stern face.

To be honest, I've never met a child who didn't cry when they saw me. The only time they didn't cry was when they were asleep.

Yet, Yuri, despite being half-asleep, greeted me with a smile. She was an exceptional child.

Even when we parted ways for her to go to the bathroom, she waved at me and the other burly guys from the maintenance team. Her waddling walk was just too cute!

To be honest, there's always plenty of work. I'm not idle.

When I heard about the job from Dilnan, I initially thought of assigning it to someone else.

But!

For a cooking station for such a small child, high skill is essential.

Honestly, I'm not entirely in favor of such a young child working, but if she insists on it, I want to deliver it as soon as possible to minimize the risk.

Most importantly, if I entrust it to someone else and Yuri gets hurt, I won't be able to forgive myself!

...To be honest, the threat Dilnan made after Yuri went to the bathroom was terrifying, but I won't back down!! As I thought this and left the workshop, I noticed that my deputy, Ruchika, was walking beside me.

"...What about the construction?"

"It's scheduled for the morning. I haven't met the rumored child in the kitchen team yet."

"Rumored?"

"Actually, the night before last, I was asked by Captain Vincent to work on the child's bathroom. It seems she almost fell off the regular toilet."

Ruchika, who is usually laid-back and stands out for her slender build among the maintenance team members, often blends into the crowd.

I couldn't help but laugh when I heard her talking with unusual enthusiasm.

Indeed, given Yuri's small size, it's not surprising that such an incident occurred.

"Captain Vincent came with a permit from Captain Elies, laughing. He was in a surprisingly good mood. By the way, wasn't the permit a bit too quick?"

"..."

Ruchika's words made Dilnan's threats seem more real. Have those two troublemakers already taken an interest in Yuri...?

Unable to respond to the unexpected damage from Ruchika, I entered the cafeteria, which was still locked and too early for breakfast, with her. Yuri was standing on a chair near the kitchen, wiping trays with a cloth.

Her efficient and rhythmic work left me and Ruchika speechless.

"Captain, Captain Yaeto is here."

Yuri called out to Dilnan in the kitchen without stopping her work.

Surprised, I looked at Yuri, who greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning."

"Hey, good morning."

Yuri, who greeted me without crying, was adorable from the start.

Even as I approached, she didn't flinch in fear.

After putting away the last tray and the cloth, Yuri slid off the chair and put on her shoes.

I wondered what she was doing, but she came over to me!

I was taken aback by the tiny child standing in front of me.

Tentatively, I extended my right hand, which wasn't holding the toolbox, and she tilted her head curiously.

Too cute...!

Moved, I gently patted her head.

Her hair was silky smooth, and her head was so small I could almost grab it. I was afraid I might break her if I applied too much force.

I think I touched her clumsily.

Despite that, Yuri smiled happily.

I was so moved that I felt something welling up inside me...

"...Hey, muscle doll, what are you doing to my team member?"

"Please, Captain Dilnan. This is Captain Yaeto's first interaction with a child, so please let it slide."

"...Why are you here too, Ruchika?"

"I came to check the usability of the toilet."

While Dilnan and Ruchika were talking, I was lost in my emotions.

"Yuri, how's the tray finishing?"

"Done."

"...You've improved your speed since yesterday."

"I tried my best."

When Dilnan asked Yuri about her work, Yuri's expression changed from a smile to a serious one.

Her occasional stammering was endearing.

Unaware of the impact of this contrast, Yuri continued to work in the kitchen, affecting the expressions of the staff.

"Yaeto, how long will it take?"

"Half a quarter of an hour should be enough. I'll definitely finish before breakfast starts."

"Understood. ...Have you introduced Yuri to Ruchika?"

"Oh, right."

In my emotional state, I had completely forgotten that Yuri and Ruchika were meeting for the first time.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ruchika, the deputy of the maintenance team who worked on your bathroom."

"Nice to meet you, Deputy Ruchika. I'm Yuri. Thank you for the bathroom."

"You're welcome. How is it?"

"I don't fall anymore."

Ruchika knelt in front of Yuri and asked, and Yuri, blushing and fidgeting, replied.

Her cuteness made me and the kitchen staff warm up to her.

Watching Dilnan clear the trays Yuri had wiped, I set up my toolbox and began measuring. I had Ruchika hold the paper and write down the measurements.

The more I measured, the smaller Yuri seemed. Even while crouching, she only reached my chest.

The measurements were less than half the size of the equipment in the kitchen.

By the time I finished measuring her entire body, considering her future growth, the team members were gathering at the entrance for breakfast.

Whispers spread about Yuri, but did they really think we couldn't hear them?

"Captain, your scary face is getting scarier."

"Uh..."

Hearing Ruchika's comment, I quickly covered my face and looked at Yuri cautiously. Did I scare her?

"I know Yaeto Captain isn't scary, so it's okay."

"!"

Hearing Yuri say this with a smile, Ruchika and I were taken aback.

"So, you don't need to be scared of me. Just be yourself."

Yuri then stretched up and patted my head with her small hand.

...Honestly, this child amazes me.

I might be more afraid of children who cry easily than I thought. I only realized this after Yuri pointed it out.

"---Are you drooling again?"

Dilnan's exasperated voice interrupted my thoughts. When did he get so close?

This isn't a battle; don't sneak up on me like that.

"Again?"

"Yuri seems to have a knack for seeing through people's true nature. Moreover, she does it without any ulterior motives and easily gets close to them."

"...Yeah, I can see that."

When Ruchika asked about Dilnan's comment, Dilnan sighed and explained.

Ruchika nodded in agreement.

"I'm not a pervert. The captain is the pervert."

Hearing this, Yuri stopped patting my head and protested to Ruchika and Dilnan.

The content made Ruchika and me burst out laughing, while Dilnan was speechless.

"Where did you learn that!?"

"Captain, you're popular with pretty ladies, right? And with the guys in the construction team, right? I heard it."

"Who taught you such things, Yuri? ...The Three Idiots! You guys!!"

"Sorry!"

Dilnan questioned Yuri, and when she heard more, he turned to the kitchen.

Three team members, who seemed to recognize their guilt, were acting suspiciously. Dilnan, noticing this, raised his voice in anger, and the three immediately apologized.

This made us, and the team members waiting at the entrance, burst into laughter.

"Captain, I want to be popular with pretty ladies too."

"Yuri. ...Wait until you understand what that means."

Dilnan, genuinely exasperated, responded to Yuri, who was sparkling with excitement.

Seeing Dilnan's reaction, I laughed so hard my abs hurt, along with everyone else.

After that, before breakfast started, Yuri hugged me while I was still crouching and then returned to the kitchen.

She's a truly mysterious child. For some reason, I no longer found her scary at all.

Since I was there, I decided to wait for breakfast in the cafeteria and had a meal with Ruchika before returning to the workshop.

"...Yuri is a really interesting child."

"...I need to put in extra effort and make a special cooking station for her."

"It'll be exciting to see the captain's dedication."

After receiving the measurement record from Ruchika and parting ways, I returned to my dedicated workbench and began outlining ideas for Yuri's cooking station.

Materials, design, and reinforcement for the foldable feature. I listed them out.

"I need to adjust my schedule. Others can handle the other tasks to some extent."

I also considered the schedule for making Yuri's cooking station and jotted down several items in my notes.

I have a feeling this will be a genuinely enjoyable job.

I started adjusting my schedule and began the design work before the afternoon team leader meeting.