Chapter 108

If I were to voice this, it might be quite rude, so I’ll keep it to myself for now, but I’ll bring up a topic under the hope for some understanding.

If you’ve ever raised a small animal like a hamster, you would grasp this quickly.

When a gigantic object like a wheel or a toilet paper roll suddenly drops into the cage, the initial reaction is surprise.

However… not long after, realizing that it poses no harm and understanding its purpose completely changes the situation into their own world.

Watching the small, cute creature spin on the wheel and then suddenly bounce off to hide in the bedding brings a smile to my face.

So, Zero? I’m sorry, but could you please struggle a bit…?

It’s not that I intend to neglect you. Just like I can’t grab a hamster and force it to do what I want if it doesn’t comply. Humans can’t act like that.

“Mom said only to call once a month because it would disturb my sister…!”

“Ah, I see, so it wasn’t that you didn’t call, you were just holding back.”

Calculating how much intervention this tiny life form requires is rather challenging. A robot with flickering sensors kept sending out distress signals.

It wasn’t a metaphor; in a hurry, this creature activated the emergency distress beacon meant for its owner when it got into a state of malfunction. Hey, can you turn that off right now?!

“Wow? Waah…!”

Tap, tap. A tiny hand knocks on Zero’s exoskeleton.

It was not meant to be hostile or aggressive—it felt more like a gentle knock, as if checking whether someone was inside. However, after several attempts with no sign of the owner, Mary’s adventurous spirit began to show.

– …!! –

As if climbing a rock wall, the clinging princess energetically ascends the legs of the Carebot.

In case she were to fall, Zero’s outstretched hands and arms performed excellently as stepping stones, aiding her climb.

…Now that I think of it, I suppose preschool children have lesser weight than boys in their awkward growth spurts, but they have more muscle mass, making them advantageous for sports climbing.

Climbing as if she were at a jungle gym, she went up to her shoulders, swinging from an arm, and then clung to the back. Watching her enjoy herself, my faint memories started to solidify.

“Sister! It moves just like a person, not a robot!!”

“…Because there’s a friend of my sister inside, could you please treat it a little more gently?”

Her cheerful reply of “Yes~” resumed the swinging and climbing activities.

Moreover, the casual inquiry “Sister’s friend! What’s your name?” added to her excitement… Ugh, it’s making me dizzy just hearing it.

While the kids played, I needed to focus on my own adult responsibilities.

After glancing at the busy children in the living room, I expressed my gratitude as politely as possible to the hostess, who was preparing a simple meal in the kitchen, even though I had insisted it wasn’t necessary.

“Um… thank you for so readily offering your room, Sylvia.”

“…Oh my.”

However, Sylvia simply smiled as if she had heard something amusing and focused her attention back on the cooking.

“What do you mean offering? It’s not like I hadn’t left it for guests from the start since you weren’t using it; it’s just now that it has found its owner. So… don’t feel pressured.”

“……Huh.”

No, that’s not something that should be taken as a given, hence I mentioned it.

Shaking my head to regain my senses, I stared intently at the beautiful housewife, who didn’t want to make her goodwill obvious, and the girl immersed in play with Zero.

In the moment when this mother-daughter duo was revived by the pull of the trigger from the wilderness, I felt thoroughly compensated.

Given the success of the dramatic rescue in a crisis, it wouldn’t be strange to feel gratitude even now, but… the famous creature of forgetfulness is a human; how could such a sense of indebtedness last forever?

After all, this was indeed pure goodwill.

Perhaps I might have gained a few bonus points for being viewed positively.

“Thank you… in many ways.”

“Let the two of you have a simple conversation when he returns. They say the store is almost tidied up.”

“…What did you say?”

Even when I asked back in confusion, they said he had already driven off after sending everyone else away.

Whether that’s the correct attitude for a self-employed person is debatable… but I wasn’t particularly worried. An ex-mercenary with a history akin to a movie protagonist wouldn’t starve just because he closed shop for a day.

After all, during the game days, Uncle Schneider was primarily a contract intermediary and equipment broker, wasn’t he? It isn’t too serious of a deviation if you think about it.

…But it might be worth pondering if it’s a problem that I alone showed up during such an ambiguous time, prompting him to come running.

“……Do you want a snack, Mary?”

“!! I want to eat! I want to!”

As I opened the bag stuffed with snacks, our little tyrant flew over.

Is it because these are meant for first-class? It seems she’s seeing a lot of unfamiliar items, as Mary’s eyes widen while her hands eagerly dig through the pile of snacks.

It might be almost bedtime, so I’m not sure if it’s right to be giving food like this, but it seems Sylvia decided to pretend she didn’t see it, at least for this time.

“Do you like it that much?”

“It’s so good…!”

Like how squirrels store sunflower seeds in their cheeks for the harsh winter, one snack disappears into her mouth before she can properly chew it, followed by another vanishing sneakily.

The little one skillfully employs the forbidden technique of eating with both hands, so I watched the performance with my chin resting comfortably.

As for Zero… after being released from the overwhelming constraints, it dashed off to Sylvia.

It was quite unbelievable how it casually introduced itself as a household Carebot, claiming it could assist with any household chores during its stay; that felt so impudent.

Setting aside whether such a thing is even possible, this creature, stuffed with combat doctrines instead of basic knowledge, attempting to appeal for usefulness in a field it can barely handle—it’s really, why are you doing well at this???

– I’ve been downloading related protocols in my spare time to prepare. –

“…Oh, really?”

“Oh my, aren’t you a wonderful little caretaker robot? I wish the kid’s dad could learn a thing or two!”

Whoosh…!

As the expertly executed wrist flick sent the heated frying pan dancing, the carefully prepared ingredients were systematically added, and with a swish of the bottle of alcohol beside the stove, brilliant flames shot up, dispersing a smoky aroma.

What was that culinary spectacle called again… flambé? Is that right?

Besides the cooking itself, the fact that it continuously adjusted the kitchen tools with one hand while neatly returning used seasonings and utensils to their original spots with the other was enough to evoke admiration for a dedicated housewife.

But Zero, did you know what you were cooking before you jumped in…? Sure, if there was something gravely wrong, Sylvia would have stopped it, but seeing her delightfully watching without a care felt inappropriate to poke my nose in….

“…Sigh.”

I quietly covered my mouth. As the oil sizzled, cooking the vegetables and the main piece of meat, a savory and rich smell filled the house.

Although I had turned it down earlier, having not seen real cooking in a while, the saliva reflexively pooling in my mouth… is a bit embarrassing. Yes.

“……Even though I said it could be luxurious, I don’t recall calling for a chef.”

“Since it’s a child that Anastasia brought.”

Startled, my shoulders trembled.

Suddenly frozen by the low voice that came from behind, I relaxed slowly upon realizing the homeowner had returned.

However, it didn’t seem appropriate to turn around right away to celebrate the reunion. I could plainly see from over her shoulder that an intense search was underway.

“Hmm….”

– ……. –

The long scar on the face twitched.

On one side, it perceived the scratched gloves and undetected weaponry while the other analyzed the muscle mass and inherent implants to gauge the odds.

Since both sides were tied to the family’s safety, the confrontation that seemed unlikely to resolve easily ended neatly with Zero bowing first, remembering my request.

– I was instructed to treat you with the utmost respect, Mr. Schneider McQueen. Per the guidance of Ms. Sylvia, both of your meals have just been prepared. –

“…I apologize for that. Neo Haven can be filled with those with tangled interests, leading to overreactions.”

“Haah…”

A sigh escaped automatically. The tense air eased back into the relaxed atmosphere of a family home.

Perhaps the one with the strongest constitution in this situation was, amid the life-and-death scenario, Sylvia, awkwardly patting Zero on the waist, feeling shy about the praises.

“Well then, you two go ahead and eat~ I should go and put our little rascal to sleep.”

Gently extending her arms, Sylvia picked up Mary, who had been dozing off with a snack clutched in her hand.

As I watched the women leave unexpectedly and then turned my head, I finally got to exchange greetings with Mr. Schneider, who had taken a seat at the table with an awkward cough.

“Ahem… Since it feels inappropriate to drag out complicated discussions during a meal prepared with effort, let’s keep it brief. If you’re lacking work, the store happens to be short-staffed; you could come here as a worker.”

“Eh? As a worker…?”

I hesitated, wondering if I heard correctly, but only a strong affirmation returned to me.

A job offer as a bar worker? This seems to be one of the more modest and simple proposals among the headhunting I’ve received.

…Why do the people I meet keep trying to entice me to work together? I feel completely flattered.