Chapter 38

Actually, once you get used to the bizarre appearances of the clients at the office, objectively speaking, the work isn’t all that difficult.

I mean, come on, I can’t even talk, and aside from telekinesis, I don’t have any particularly impressive skills. What could I possibly do?

After guiding the client who came for help to the reception room, all I have to do is sit quietly and pretend to listen to their story. That’s it.

Sometimes I bring coffee or tea to the clients. Or when the cookie jar is empty, I just step out for a bit to buy more. Oh, and occasionally, I lend a hand with cleaning.

Anyway, compared to Raven and Alice braving the cold and trudging through the snow to solve cases, my job is really just simple hospitality part-time work that anyone could handle.

Honestly, getting paid just for this makes me feel a little guilty.

“Hmm… So you’re saying there are mysterious graffiti appearing on your windows?”

“Yes! I’ve stayed up all night trying to catch the culprit, and I even spent money installing CCTV all over the place. But no matter what, I can’t figure out who’s doing this…”

“Hmm, it’s hard to understand just from your explanation. I need to see the scene myself. Hey, Alice. Get dressed. Let’s go check it out.”

“Okay~ Yuria, Mr. David. Please keep an eye on the office while we’re gone. We’ll be back soon.”

“…!”

“If anything happens, I’ll contact you right away.”

After lunch, Raven and Alice had to leave the office temporarily due to a client.

Left alone in the office with David, I quietly sat down on the sofa and thought to myself,

“At least it’s good that David’s here today. The last time I was left alone in the office, another client showed up, and it was such a hassle.”

I closed my eyes and recalled what happened just a few days ago.

Oh, how much I struggled to politely make that stubborn client wait in the reception room while Raven was out.

It was the first time I ever felt resentful seeing Raven casually stroll back into the office with a cup of coffee.

But that was all in the past now.

Today, I wasn’t alone; smart David was here with me.

Even though he’s new, having him around puts my mind so much more at ease than being here by myself.

Thinking about it, I suddenly felt a surge of confidence, as if I’d gained a thousand troops.

Alright, bring it on, clients!

With my bodyguard by my side, I’ll make sure you sit quietly on the reception sofa!

“…”

“…”

Tap tap tap.

However, contrary to my overflowing confidence, the only sound echoing through the office was the rhythmic tapping of David typing on his keyboard.

Well… There’s nothing much to talk about anyway. And since he’s busy working, it feels kind of awkward to disturb him…

Lost in such thoughts, I sat demurely on the sofa, staring blankly at the wall.

Raven said it was fine to spend my time however I wanted when there was nothing to do, but it still felt a bit odd to just goof off while the two of them were out working.

I decided to quietly meditate until they returned.

As I was deep in thought, studying the intricate patterns of the wallpaper…

David, who had been furiously typing, cautiously spoke up.

“Ahem… Yuria, may I ask you something?”

“…?”

“Do you happen to have any free time this weekend?”

This weekend? Well, yeah, I do have time.

Since I don’t have much else going on besides this office gig, I’ve got plenty of free time.

But why is he suddenly asking? Do I look like someone who’s busy on weekends?

Confused by his question, I tilted my head and looked at David. He lowered his head apologetically and answered.

“Well… Actually, Sabrina wants to meet with you privately to apologize. You know, for what happened yesterday.”

“…!”

Ah, so he’s passing along Sabrina’s message.

Of course, a guy with a pretty childhood friend like her wouldn’t have any ulterior motives.

But does she really need to apologize for something like that?

Even if she did… touch my chest, she’s a girl, after all.

If it were a guy, I’d just tell him to be more careful next time and move on.

Still, if she’s apologizing, I don’t see any reason not to accept.

Having sorted out my thoughts, I made a big circle with my arm to signal my agreement.

It was my way of saying, “Sure, meeting Sabrina on the weekend is fine.”

Perhaps reassured by my nonchalant attitude, David let out a deep sigh of relief and adjusted his glasses.

“Hmm, thank you. Sabrina will be delighted. Ah, by the way, could you give me your terminal number? I’ll pass it along so she can contact you directly next time.”

“…?”

A terminal? I… don’t have one.

Caught off guard by David’s sudden question, I blinked in confusion.

Maybe he picked up on my lack of response. He asked curiously,

“Oh, do you not have a terminal?”

“…”

“Well, it’s probably a good idea to get one. You might run into some inconveniences without a terminal in Night Haven. Not that I’m forcing you or anything.”

David brushed off the topic casually, as if thinking, “Well, I guess that’s understandable.”

After all, there are people with all sorts of circumstances in Night Haven.

He probably didn’t think it necessary to pry further.

But for me, it was yet another moment of deep contemplation.

Having one would definitely be more convenient than not.

Should I consider getting one now?

Well, I’ve never been into gaming or anything like that on smartphones anyway.

If I did get one, I’d probably just use it for calls and light internet browsing.

What if I get too sick to get out of bed?

Thinking about emergencies like that, maybe spending the money wouldn’t be so bad.

“Ah… but can I even use one without proper ID? I don’t know how terminals are activated around here. It probably won’t work.”

Damn, my illegal resident status is holding me back again!

Feeling a pang of regret, I scratched my head, then quickly shook it off.

Besides, I haven’t had any major inconveniences without a terminal, and even if I did get one, the monthly fees would pile up.

Thinking about it that way, it’s not like I’m missing out on much.

Just a little regret. A very tiny bit. Barely noticeable.

“I’m back.”

“We’re home!”

Lost in thought, I hadn’t realized how much time had passed.

Suddenly, Raven and Alice returned, though it felt like they’d only been gone for about two hours. Was their job already done?

I jumped up from the sofa and went to the hallway to greet them.

Alice, brushing snow off her clothes, suddenly pulled me into a tight hug, rubbing her cheek against mine.

So cold. Her skin feels like ice.

“Yuria’s so warm~ Such a soft, cozy Yuria~”

“…”

Normally, I’d shyly push her away, but this time, it felt more like she just wanted to share my warmth.

Without much resistance, I let her cuddle me.

You must’ve had a tough time. Walking around outside in this weather is rough.

“Hey, hey. Stop messing around at the entrance and take it inside. What are you doing crowding the hallway?”

“Okay~ Let’s go, Yuria!”

“…!”

With a scolding from Raven, Alice scooped me up effortlessly and strode into the office.

Her strength was unreal—like I was a feather-light doll.

She gently placed me back on the sofa where I’d been sitting, then grumbled as she took off her coat.

“Phew, Night Haven gets so much snow. I think I understand what you meant earlier. Even walking around for a short while turns you into a snowman.”

“Must be because we’re near the coast. It does snow a lot here. Didn’t it rain a ton during the summer too? Some places even flooded.”

“Eh, really? I didn’t know. I’ve only been here for less than half a year.”

“Well, aside from this season, it’s usually pretty comfortable.”

Now dressed in a casual kimono, Alice returned to where I was sitting on the sofa.

Then, without warning, she grabbed me by the waist and tucked me between her legs. The soft, cool fabric of her kimono made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Using a person like a heater, huh?

In retaliation, I straightened my back and leaned forcefully against her soft chest.

How’s that? Now you’re uncomfortable too. Are you still going to hold onto me?

It was a silent protest.

“Yuria, was everything okay at the office?”

“…”

“Yeah, good. Just stay like this for ten minutes, and I’ll let you go. This isn’t so bad, right?”

“…!”

Ten minutes. Alright, I can endure that.

Only after securing Alice’s promise to release me did I finally relax, leaning comfortably against her.

I grabbed a chocolate snack from the table and munched on it happily.

If delicious things are a sin, then you’re a hardened criminal. Naughty thing, I’ll lock you away where you’ll never see sunlight again.

Without mercy, I devoured the entire pack of chocolate snacks.

What a satisfying massacre.

*

Time passed without another client showing up, and evening arrived, signaling the end of the workday.

Alice, who usually left early, had gradually increased the gap between her hurried departures—from every other day to every three days.

“Well, I’ll be heading out! Good work today!”

“Good work.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Have a safe trip home.”

“…!”

Coincidentally, today was one of her early departure days.

She hastily threw on her coat and dashed out of the office first.

What could she be so busy with?

Since I needed to stop by Greg’s shop anyway, I shrugged lightly. She must have her reasons.

“Then I’ll be heading out too… Boss. Thank you for your hard work today.”

“Huh? Being called ‘Boss’ feels a bit awkward. Take care.”

“…!”

“Yeah, yeah, you too, part-timer. Head home soon and don’t catch a cold.”

Why is he only telling me not to catch a cold?

I smirked at Raven’s nagging and waved goodbye before leaving the office.

After grabbing a sandwich from my usual spot and eating dinner at Greg’s shop, I trudged through the worsening snowstorm toward my base.

“…?”

But what awaited me there wasn’t the base I knew.

Instead, I saw the freezer room, now a chaotic mess filled with snow that had blown inside.

Second week of office work, and my home collapsed.

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