Chapter 109

Two people and one machine.

Considering the differences in age, physique, and experience, it’s difficult to say our combination is easy to deal with by my standards, but… even though it was only through a monitor, it wasn’t uncomfortable since I had memories of seeing them often.

I was just curious about what Mr. Schneider meant by his words, which I could only assume were about me being a runaway corporate employee.

So, I put aside my thoughts and quickly returned to the topic of conversation.

It was an ungraspable suggestion unless I heard the details.

“Employees…?”

“Well, the food will get cold. Hurry up and eat.”

It wasn’t such a complex matter, so he first announced the meal with a clattering of his fork and knife, as if to say it was fine to relax.

Zero had been maintaining silence by my side, so I had to take a bite of my valuable protein source that was dripping with juice…

Ah, it’s delicious.

Whether it was because of the high-quality ingredients or the appropriate cooking method, or both, I didn’t know. The rich aroma of the meat spread and eased my tired body.

Mr. Schneider even raised an eyebrow in surprise.

I felt a bit strange realizing that a good meal could make someone so easily happy.

Even though I understood clearly that I had to work hard, my lower head was vulnerable to this kind of indulgence.

“What about that tank-tread serving robot, and the need for staff…?”

I tossed the question after pushing aside Zero, who seemed to shrug his shoulders.

Recalling that most restaurants I had visited provided those, it didn’t seem like a burdened price, so I wondered why he needed to encourage me.

Crunch!

Artificial teeth? Or perhaps he was just naturally healthy, but anyway. He glanced at my sullen face and added a reason.

“…This is a totally different business than the drunk den run by the town. If you had one of those in an atmospheric bar, it wouldn’t even sound good. Plus, even a low-power model would make sensitive-eared patrons throw their drinks in anger due to the motor noise.”

“Oh… is that so?”

Since an expert said so, I had nothing more to argue. I should obediently agree.

Moreover, my mind was too busy recalling the store’s decor from countless times I had visited while playing a game to bring up any objections.

Overall, the dim red lighting and elegant wooden furniture. The softly playing background music… was it jazz?

Although there were no separate group tables, the thought of a rolling robot serving drinks there seemed to disrupt the atmosphere.

While I was somewhat convinced by that, perhaps not receiving the expected enthusiastic acceptance bothered Mr. Schneider, who then brought up an even more generous job opportunity.

“Well, if you find yourself entangled with bad folks or uncomfortable with serving, you could help Sylvia at home. Or even just take care of Mary’s babysitting, if that’s better. No, I’d actually prefer that one.”

“Excuse me?”

That’s the ultimate home protector-slacker, isn’t it?

In that moment, he also glanced towards Zero, expressing an unexpected expectation for a bonus. He seemed happy about the unforeseen benefit, but… ultimately, this abrupt job proposal was an act of kindness without any serious reason behind it.

It made sense that someone who had previously said they’d be fine alone hadn’t found a proper place to stay in Neo Haven after just six months. He was trying to find a way for me to sustain myself.

“If you’re putting it that way…!”

Without realizing it, I hurriedly shut my mouth that was about to babble.

I felt embarrassed, as if it were something I had no choice but to accept. Damn, get it together, Anastasia!

Mr. Schneider’s bar was the very location filled with various named characters, including Helena. If I stepped in there on my own, I shuddered at the thought of how much the future story and quests could become a mess.

And as soon as I learned there was a comfortable way to stay, I quickly steeled my will again.

No matter how sweet immediate peace might be, I must never lose my intensity.

To interfere even a little with the protagonist’s journey while also obtaining the regrettably complicated materials for the interdimensional interferometer, I needed to continue working hard from all angles.

Unavoidable monetary power, solid connections, suitable bases, and so forth.

Since all these were conditions difficult to obtain at once, I needed to prepare step by step.

“I’m sorry… but I’ll have to decline. I think it’s better for me to work hard on something related to my major if I want to pay rent comfortably.”

I hadn’t even firmly decided whether to stay here long-term until the original story begins, and now I’m fretting over job prospects!

I felt my thoughts getting tangled unnecessarily.

“Rent, what? But… you said you have a major? If you can tell me a specific field you’re confident in, I’d be happy to help you find something.”

“Actually, I came here on an assignment. …Originally, I was just going to introduce myself. But not knowing how long it would take, I couldn’t resist Sylvia’s temptation to stay… Umm….”

As she came out after putting Mary in the room across the living room, I gave a thumbs up, meaning the food was great.

In any case, Mr. Schneider, who finished his meal calmly, seemed to accept my refusal as if he were apologizing.

“Did I… misunderstand? You’ve got a decent droid beside you, but I see traces of a rough appearance here and there. I thought perhaps life was quite tough for you and felt a bit nosy.”

“Um… no, that’s not it.”

I quietly lowered my gaze to inspect my appearance—not so much my outfit as my overall state.

I was a girl from the countryside who had just arrived from the capital’s industrial satellite city.

Considering this appearance, tired from simply disinfecting and giving first aid, having eaten the provided in-flight meal and then fallen asleep, left faint bloodstains and dirt on my skin—only adding to the sorrow.

Although foreign substances had all flowed away, because I had collapsed into bed wearing the same clothes, my outfit was truly a wrinkled mess.

Moreover, due to being left in the room, my relatively intact bag had been completely disassembled by Mary extracting the cookies she desired, crumpled at my feet.

I… almost explained that all this was secondary damage from encountering a train robber on the way and rolling on the sandy ground.

Going back up the chain to the junk shop owner who sold me the hovercraft; it would be fun gossiping about his temperament with the two of us who had experienced it, but… it was getting late, and Sylvia had returned.

Let’s save the bloody tale for the next opportunity.

“So! How long do you plan to stay, Anastasia? Mary was excited about playing with you and even made a week-long plan, finishing her studies in advance.”

“…She made something like that?”

Even when I asked back incredulously, the answer didn’t change.

Remembering that the activity level of a growing child is far superior to that of a herding dog, I felt a bead of cold sweat trickle down my neck.

No, but still, that thing was made before she saw Zero, so maybe her feelings have changed a bit?

– I must advise against shirking responsibility as it is a very improper act. –

“…Hey.”

Wait, is that you??

I shot a glare at the carebot that casually, chicly, and nonchalantly spoke without a care.

Ms. Sylvia was laughing endlessly, wondering which company this robot came from that was so human-like, but having experienced this guy’s betrayal, who claimed it was his mission to protect me, made me feel a headache.

If only we could share a little responsibility for my niece’s attacks, where would the harm lie, you heartless thing…!

“By the way… it feels a bit uneasy not knowing the purpose of the commission I was brought here for. If the intermediary is at Harvest Planet, has the client on this side met with them? Or is that still pending?”

Mr. Schneider, who had finished his meal and set down his fork and knife, seemed to harbor some doubts as a person in the industry, rubbing his chin and muttering cautiously.

On the other hand, I… had only experienced a broker who was that clumsy uncle, and since this case was suddenly one I took on without any basis for judgment, I had no particular thoughts.

Moreover, even though I had taken it on, I was also considered a named client without paying any intermediary fees, so the reward was simply too tempting.

“They said they would handle the connection on their side, so I… should just wait, right?”

I answered as if it weren’t a big deal, and the expert nodded in response.

With that, a satisfying late-night snack and greetings were completed. I was guided to a guest room that was surprisingly spacious, which had no grounds for complaint.

I relished the warmth of a family home and fell into a restful sleep.

“So then. When will this connection person or whatever be arriving…!!”

“Ugh….”

Even now, long after the time passed. I was wasting time while cursing and playing with Mary.

My niece, who was sleeping soundly with her face against my belly, made it hard even to curse, adding to my grievances.

It had been a week and a day since I confidently entered Neo Haven. The special play schedule had already rolled by, yet the only visitors to me were the household members and delivery drones.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have really taken on some side work to solve things. Would I just have waited like a fool…!

“…Hey, are you having fun?”

– It seems that taking care of Mary suits me far better than anything else. –

Even when I asked a truly silly fool who was hard at work cleaning while wearing an apron and triangular bandana, all I got back was a lifeless reply, and nothing got sorted out.

I can’t take this anymore.

Today, I will definitely, without fail, either demand compensation from that damned androgynous witch or do something!