Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 34: Fluffy Bath

So, Himeli would start working at the café as an apprentice. Once she learned the ropes, Taichi planned to set off for the neighboring country with Luke.

“Oh, right… I need to get some aprons.”

Although there’s no uniform at the Fluffy Café, having comfortable and practical clothing is essential.

“I should make one for Himeli and a few spares. [Creation (Physical)]!”

Taichi made about five aprons, including spares, just as Himeli arrived.

“Good morning, looking forward to working with you from today!”

“Yeah, good morning. I’m excited too! Working surrounded by fluffies, I’m so happy!”

Himeli seemed very happy.

Taichi nodded and handed her one of the aprons.

“During work, you should wear this.”

“Wow! It’s so cute! Now I’m officially a Fluffy Café employee! I’ll do my best!”

He picked up some Berry Rabbits and explained, “From today, Himeli will be joining us.”

“Mii!”

“Yes, indeed!”

The Cerberus understood well and gave a good response.

Himeli, seeing the monsters happily snuggling up, seemed quite moved and motivated to do her best.

“Alright, let me briefly explain the café’s duties.”

“Yes!”

The first thing in the morning is to check on the health of the summoned creatures.

“You’ll talk to them and check if they seem unwell.”

“So, what exactly should I do?”

“There’s no strict rule; just pet them or hold them and see how they’re doing.”

“Mii.”

Taichi petted a Berry Rabbit, which made a happy sound.

“If they’re not feeling well, they might be sluggish. If they’re active and not showing signs of discomfort, they’re likely fine.”

“I see! Monsters are strong, so it’s rare for them to get sick.”

Himeli followed suit, petting the Berry Rabbits and asking them, “Are you feeling good?”

The Berry Rabbits seemed to enjoy it and looked pleased.

“Looks like everything’s normal!”

“Next, let’s give them a bath. Everyone, follow me.”

Taichi called out to the Berry Rabbits, Luke, and Cerberus. They all went outside for bath time.

Himeli was quite surprised by this sudden turn of events.

“Since we need to manage odors and cleanliness, we bathe them once a month, and more often if they get dirty. Luke, for example, goes outside a lot, so he needs regular baths.”

“I see…”

“Although you won’t need to do it alone, it’s good to know in case they get dirty, like if they have feces on their fur or if they get drinks spilled on them.”

Taichi explained when baths were necessary and led them to the backyard, where there was a small bathhouse.

“Wow, this is what the back of the café looks like.”

“Yes, it’s a nice space for exercise too.”

In reality, they don’t often use the backyard for exercise. The Berry Rabbits don’t need much exercise and are usually lounging at the café, and Luke’s exercise needs are on a different scale. Cerberus prefers playing with Taichi and the Berry Rabbits, so he stays at the café most of the time.

(I’m sure one day, a fluffy creature will use this place…)

Taichi opened the door to the changing room.

“Here are the towels, so feel free to use them.”

“Okay. I expected we’d use a well or something to wash them…”

Himeli tilted her head in confusion.

“Oh, this is a bath.”

When Taichi opened the bathroom door, Himeli’s eyes widened in surprise. There was a human-sized bathtub and a shallower bathtub for the summoned creatures.

“What? There’s a bath here!? And even one for the summoned creatures!”

She exclaimed in disbelief, staring at the bathroom.

“This is quite an elaborate setup that’s not easily prepared…”

“Himeli?”

“Oh, um! I just thought it’s amazing.”

Himeli mumbled something quietly that Taichi couldn’t quite hear.

“Right. If you turn on this faucet, hot water will come out, and once it’s filled, it’s bath time.”

“Wait, hot water comes out? Not from a well?”

Taichi panicked a bit at Himeli’s reaction, thinking she might be surprised that the bath uses a different method.

“I used a special technique from my hometown to make this! Though, we don’t have the parts to add more right now.”

“I see…”

Since the system is similar to Japanese baths, there shouldn’t be a problem. Taichi decided not to elaborate further to avoid digging himself into a hole.

As the water filled, Luke jumped into the human-sized bath, not the shallower one for summoned creatures. Being large, Luke found the shallow one insufficient.

Since he learned to enjoy the bath on the first day, Luke always joins Taichi when he takes a bath.

“Luke’s so good at bathing by himself.”

“Other summoned creatures can bathe too. Come on, everyone, let’s get in the bath.”

“Mii.”

“Mii~!”

“Yes!”

“So relaxing~.”

“Taichi, aren’t you going in?”

Hearing Taichi’s call, everyone entered the bath.

“Wow, impressive!”

“Yes. It’s our job to wash them.”

“I’ll do my best!”

Himeli picked up soap and started washing the Berry Rabbits. Since they enjoyed the bath, they let her wash them willingly.

(This is so wonderful… I’m having so much fun.)

“Whoa!”

“Himeli?”

Taichi, almost smiling, heard Himeli exclaim in surprise. He looked to see the Cerberus’s fur, now wet and flattened.

“My beautiful fur is all flat~.”

“Oh, that happens. They’re all fluffy usually, so it’s surprising to see them like this after a wash.”

Himeli seemed very shocked, tears welling up as she nodded.

“After the bath, their fur will return to normal once they dry, so it’s okay.”

“Yes, right. I’ll do my best with the rest!”

After washing, they dried the summoned creatures with towels. Watching Taichi handle it smoothly, Himeli thought about it briefly but then used magic on the Berry Rabbits.

“Using magic to dry them might be more convenient. [Wind]!”

A warm breeze blew, instantly drying the wet fur.

“Wow! Amazing!! As expected of a mage!”

“Eh-heh.”

Himeli seemed thrilled to be of help, showing a beaming smile.

(That’s nice; I can only use Tamer skills… I’m envious.)

Taichi thought that if he ever hired employees officially, having a mage would be great…