NOVEL NEXT Chapter 27 - Episode 027: Headhunter, Thinking about ways to deal with the heat...
Episode 027: Headhunter, Thinking about ways to deal with the heat…
It was an extremely hot day.
Although it was originally a warm climate area, the heat was increasing as summer approached.
*Ding-a-ling*
“Welcome.”
“Hello. It’s really hot today, isn’t it?”
Maria, who looked very cool in appearance and demeanor, came to the shop. However, sweat beads dotted her forehead and arms.
That indicated the outside heat. Although the indoors were somewhat better, outside must have been tough under the blazing sun.
“Here, have this to cool off.”
“Thank you.”
She gulped down the cold lemon squeeze served as a complimentary cold drink.
For an average man, it would take their breath away with its charm, but Ack remained unfazed.
“Welcome.”
As always, Tina came over with a tray and a wet towel.
“Oh, Tina, you look cool today.”
“It’s hot.”
“Yeah, that outfit must be a bit warm.”
However, today she wasn’t wearing a maid outfit but a light blue camisole dress.
Given that the outfit made of thick fabric could lead to health issues, she dressed coolly today.
After receiving the wet towel, Maria fought the urge to squeal at Tina’s cuteness.
Without interrupting the conversation, Ack poured another refill.
“Yeah. I like this because it’s cute.”
“Oh, I think it’s very cute. Who made it?”
Maria came from a somewhat noble background.
However, she couldn’t think of any craftsmen around here who could produce such splendidly embroidered and gathered dresses.
So she became curious about this skilled artisan.
“Ack made it.”
“Eh?”
However, the moment Maria heard Tina’s words, everything came to a halt.
“Ack made it.”
Since there was no response from Maria, Tina repeated it once more.
With the second utterance, Maria’s face turned towards Ack like a tin doll.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I made it.”
“Ehhhh!?”
Realizing she was being watched, Ack lifted his face and affirmed Tina’s words.
Maria recalled Ack wearing the frilly apron and making stuffed animals.
She was shocked at that time, but this shock was even greater than before.
But that was inevitable.
Most people would find it hard to imagine a burly, muscular, and rough-looking Ack making such cute women’s clothing.
“What’s wrong?”
To the innocent Tina, the concept of a burly, rough-looking man making cute clothes was not strange at all.
So Tina didn’t understand why Maria was so surprised.
“N-No, I just didn’t expect Ack-san to have made it…”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Uh, well, rather than that, I’d like to place an order. The usual, please.”
Feeling as if Tina’s innocent gaze was accusing her, Maria hurriedly changed the subject and placed her order.
“Alright.”
“Cough… Now, about yesterday’s continuation…”
“Yeah.”
Without saying anything, Ack immediately started making iced tea, and Maria coughed and moved on with her investigation.
One hour later.
“Well, let’s call it a day here.”
“Yeah.”
Having finished the small talk related to work under the guise of an investigation, Maria looked for her favorite Shiln today.
However, although he was usually nearby, she couldn’t find him.
“Oh…”
Finally finding him, Tina and the monsters were gathered in seats away from Maria, looking exhausted.
“It’s so hot~”
“Kyu…”
“Kuu…”
“Kruu…”
Tina was lying on the table, and the monsters were lying on the floor trying to cool off even a bit.
“I guess it doesn’t seem like I’ll get to pet them…”
Maria muttered disappointedly.
“N-No, I don’t mean that I want to pet them.”
But right after, she realized and made an excuse before turning away.
She really wasn’t straightforward.
“Does anyone know a good way?”
For Ack, he wanted to do something for everyone’s health.
They ventilated and circulated the air, gave cold drinks, but there was nothing they could do about the heat itself.
The heat will only increase from now on. If we don’t do something, everyone might get sick.
Having cold meals or taking a bath might help, but it won’t solve the root problem. It’s better than doing nothing, but still not ideal.
“If we had the perennial ice from the Great Blizzard Mountain in the north of this country, maybe the room temperature would drop.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Perennial ice, as the name suggests, is ice that is said to have been solidified for over ten thousand years and doesn’t melt even in the hot sun.
Certainly, if we install it indoors, we could significantly lower the room temperature.
However, it seems there’s a bit of distance to it, so we can’t leave immediately.
Even though we have Snow, leaving the house empty for several days with only Tina remaining would be worrying. We’ll need to prepare properly.
Ideally, there would be someone to look after things while we’re away.
“Come to think of it…”
Setting that aside, Ack came up with a menu idea that would be perfect for this season.