NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29 - End of the Day
End of the Day
The meal tasted just as I imagined. The “Cheak Katsu,” as they called it, had the texture of chicken, and the rice and miso soup were exactly the same as what I remembered. It was very similar to the meals I used to have at that familiar set meal restaurant I’d frequent when I had time during my work trips. Maybe it was just the teishoku and the self-service style that was giving me that impression.
That set meal restaurant was a chain, a place I’d frequented since childhood. It was cheap, fast, and delicious. We often went there because it ticked all the boxes.
Thinking back, I realize that my father, a single parent who wasn’t very good at housework, probably took me there to ensure I ate properly until he could get the hang of cooking. But we couldn’t afford to splurge, there were bills to pay. That’s why that chain restaurant was perfect.
It was a restaurant filled with memories, so even when I’d decide to try somewhere new, I’d always end up choosing that same set meal place. It was practically comfort food.
That’s why… It brought back so many memories.
“Meg…?”
“It’s… sho yummy…”
I almost teared up. But I managed to hold back. I forced myself to say those words, so as not to worry the two of them who were observing me anxiously, and began eating again.
It’s okay. It just made me feel a little nostalgic. I wasn’t being pessimistic, thinking that I could never go back. Though it was a likely possibility.
Rather, I wanted to be grateful that I could enjoy that taste here. This guild’s food would probably become my comfort food in this world.
“Thank you for the meal!”
Even though they’d thoughtfully cut the katsu for me and given me a smaller portion, I still couldn’t finish it all. I felt so guilty. Dr. Ludo and Schlie-san ate the rest, though!
Mentally, I could have eaten more, I wasn’t even full… but I guess alcohol was out of the question. I’d have to wait decades for that. Such a long wait.
“Fufu, are you full?”
“Yes! It was vewwy yummy!”
Even though it was a very small amount, I kept them waiting for quite a while. My mouth was small, so I couldn’t help but eat slowly. At lunch, too, Schlie-san finished his meal in the blink of an eye and just watched me eat with a smile. There’s nothing interesting to see there. Rather, I’m the one who wants to watch Schlie-san eat so gracefully.
Because, to see a beautiful man drinking miso soup… It’s surreal! Though everyone was using spoons to drink it. It would have been even more surreal if they’d slurped it down. I guess they just treated it like any other soup.
Come to think of it, I was the only one who lifted the bowl to my mouth. Maybe it was bad manners? But no one said anything… Maybe they were being lenient because I was a child.
“Meg, you eat so well. You barely spilled anything.”
“I agree. It was a nightmare with my nephew. He couldn’t even focus on eating from start to finish… He’d start playing or wandering around.”
Well, I’m an adult on the inside. But I couldn’t help but puff out my chest, putting my hands on my hips, when they praised me.
“Guh…!!”
…Huh? I heard a strange groan. I looked around curiously, and most of the people in the cafeteria were slumped over on their tables, their shoulders trembling. What, what is this? Mass food poisoning or something? Is that okay?
“…You don’t have to worry about the others, Meg.”
“Yeah, it’s a normal reaction.”
It seemed like they knew what was going on. They weren’t panicking, so I guess it was fine?
“Fufu, you really are adorable, Meg.”
“Everyone in the guild is on your side. You can relax.”
As they said that, they patted my head. I couldn’t follow the conversation…! I glanced around again and saw everyone looking at us with envy. Envious of being patted on the head? It’s a perk of being a child! Ehehe.
We cleared our dishes together, and the three of us left the cafeteria. I felt like the people still in the cafeteria were looking at us, so I waved goodbye, acting like a child. They all smiled back and waved. What nice people!
“Well then, let’s head to the infirmary. We have a bath there, and I’m on night duty, so you don’t have to worry about anything until morning.”
As we arrived back in the guild hall, Dr. Ludo had said. Oh, so Dr. Ludo still had work to do. I felt a bit bad for him, but at the same time, I felt a sense of relief at his words, “until morning.”
A wave of sleepiness suddenly washed over me. I was getting sleepy. My eyelids were getting heavy. That part of me really was a child. I used to ride the last train home after midnight and then wake up early for work, and now I could sleep whenever I wanted. What a luxury.
“Get some rest, Meg. So you can be full of energy tomorrow.”
“…Okii. Schlie-shan, you should get shome wesht too… okay?”
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll be a bit busy with work tomorrow, so if you need anything, let the receptionist know, okay? Well then, good night.”
“O-okii! Good night…”
I added a, “Don’t overwork yourself,” to my goodnight greeting, figuring he still had work to do. I felt like I’d missed half the conversation. As soon as my body registered “sleepy,” sleepiness would take over, and I couldn’t think properly. But I think I managed to say goodbye properly.
“Alright, just hang in there for a little longer. Let’s take a bath and then go to bed.”
“Okii…”
I managed to squeeze out a reply. Hang in there, child body!
In the end, seeing me stumble on my unsteady legs, Dr. Ludo carried me to the infirmary. I drifted off to sleep a couple of times during that short walk. I was so embarrassed. It was just so warm and comforting, being carried like that!
My memory of what happened after is a bit fuzzy. I think I took a bath, I think I brushed my teeth, I think I changed clothes.
The last thing I remember was being tucked into a soft, fluffy bed and having Dr. Ludo pat me on the back. And then, I lost consciousness. …Zzz.