Chapter 6

"Nonna and I need to find a room to live in. If we rent a room with a kitchen, I can cook for Nonna."

I wonder what Nonna grew up eating and what her favorite food is; I'm a little excited about it.

"Cooking?"

"Yes. I'm good at cooking. From today, Nonna and I are family. I want to cook delicious meals for Nonna. And please call me Victoria, or Vicki for short."

"Vicki."

"Nice to meet you, Nonna. Today we'll go look for a room to rent. And tonight, we'll have dinner with the Captain."

"Okay."

Nonna's expression remains unchanged.

To be honest, I can be very expressive when it comes to work, but I'm not very good at expressing emotions in everyday life. I wasn't raised that way.

"Nonna, let's laugh a lot together."

"Laugh?"

"Yes. Like this!"

I tickled Nonna's side. At first, Nonna looked surprised, but soon she started to squirm and laugh. Nonna laughing like a normal six-year-old looked very adorable.

"Nonna, you're really cute. You have to be careful or bad people might take you away. I need to teach you how to protect yourself."

"Protect myself?"

"Yes. Self-defense techniques. When you're in a scary situation, just screaming and crying won't do. You have to protect yourself. It's good to know."

"Okay."

"I'll teach you a little bit every day. But first, let's find a room."

"Okay!"

We visited several rental agencies and narrowed it down to two options based on the documents before returning to the hotel.

There were quite a few places that said "no children" even when we mentioned that Nonna is quiet. I guess the landlords were once children too.

I curse them to accidentally step on dog poop every time they go out.

"Nonna, I'll go see the rooms I saw in the documents tonight. If you wake up and I'm not there, don't worry and wait for me."

"I want to go with you."

"It's late at night, so I can't take a child."

"..."

I don't like being alone at night.

But taking a six-year-old out late at night is like sowing seeds for trouble.

"Can't I really go?"

"At night, you might encounter bad people. I can handle them alone, but I can't fight if you're there."

"I don't want to stay alone."

I see.

She was left alone and then abandoned by her parents. It's understandable that she might think she'll be abandoned again.

"Then... let's make a promise. If I tell you not to make a sound, don't make a sound no matter what happens."

"Okay."

"If I tell you to run, don't worry about me and run and hide with all your might."

"I can do it."

"If I tell you to scream, scream as loud as you can."

"I can do it."

"If I tell you not to move, stay still."

"Okay."

Seeing Nonna's determined face, I couldn't ask her to stay alone and wait. I was worried she might leave the room out of anxiety. I think I can handle most situations even with her around. I've protected and encouraged frightened targets while escaping or fighting before. If it comes to the worst, I can carry Nonna and run.

But I know that normal people don't often fight enemies. And I don't have any enemies right now.

"Then, let's take a good nap before having dinner with the Captain."

"Okay!"

In the evening, we got into bed and I patted Nonna's back while we faced each other. Nonna fell asleep quite quickly. I quietly got out of bed and started training. My body had become quite soft from reducing my meals and not exercising while preparing to leave the organization.

After doing a full set of muscle-building exercises, I washed off the sweat with hot water. I put on makeup and changed into a dress I bought while crossing the neighboring country of Randall, then woke Nonna up. Nonna didn't fuss or complain like a typical child. I guess it's because she wasn't in a typical child's environment.

Eventually, Nonna woke up properly.

"Vicki, you look pretty."

"Thank you. Let's get you changed too."

I helped Nonna change into a dress I bought on the way back from the base and brushed her hair. Yes, she's cute. Nonna picked up a blue ribbon. She had carefully folded it and put it away yesterday.

"Do you want to tie it?"

"Yes. It's my first ribbon."

"..."

It's even more heart-wrenching to see Nonna say this happily. I tied the blue ribbon around her soft blonde hair and made a bow at the top, making her look like a doll.

"The Captain will be happy to have such a beautiful person for dinner. Nonna, what's your favorite food?"

"Round bread."

"See. Let's try to expand your favorite foods. We'll eat lots of delicious things every day. I'll cook for you."

"I want to cook too."

"Sure. I'll teach you. I'll teach you everything I know."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, Nonna. Let's have fun living together."

It's not bad.

Living with a child seems much more enjoyable than I thought.

The door was knocked on right on time.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Jeffrey Asher."

"I'll open it now."

I quickly explained to Nonna in a low voice.

"Even if someone knocks or you have an agreement, don't open the door immediately. If there's a peephole, look through it. If there isn't, listen to the voice. Remember that."

"Okay."

When I opened the door, Mr. Asher was standing there in a dark navy suit. He's a head taller than me. (He must be popular) I think again. I don't even know if he's married or single, but since I have a child, it doesn't really matter.

"Good evening, Captain."

"Hi, you both look beautiful. It's going to be a fun dinner."

I held Nonna's hand, and the three of us headed to the restaurant. Mr. Asher walked at our pace, which shows he's considerate.

Nonna's steps are light. I'm looking forward to the meal too.