NOVEL NEXT Chapter 315 - Bonus Short Story - Tea Time with Her at the Infirmary
Bonus Short Story – Tea Time with Her at the Infirmary
This short story is set after the events of the extra chapter included in Volume 4, and it’s told from Reki’s perspective. It takes place around the end of Part 1 or the beginning of Part 2, so Meg still has her adorable speech impediment. TL Note: No god please no!
I hope you enjoy it.
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“Rekiii!”
The afternoon work rush had died down, and as I stood up, thinking about grabbing a coffee, her voice calling my name rang out as the infirmary door swung open. It was unusual for her to seek me out. Whenever she came here, it was usually for a checkup with Dr. Ludo.
“Oh my, Meg. What brings you here? I think Reki’s in the back, on his break.”
“Ah, hello Dr. Ludo! A bweak? Perfect timing then! Can I come in?”
“Of course. Please.”
It seems like Dr. Ludo, who was tidying up the examination area, welcomed her in. What on earth does she want with me? I couldn’t even begin to guess, so I couldn’t help but tilt my head and feel wary at the same time.
It’s because Saura tricked me… or rather… skillfully persuaded me to babysit her not too long ago. Seriously, what does she take me for? That day was a nightmare. The morning was fine, but I never imagined I’d be stuck with her for the whole afternoon. So I thought maybe she was here to dump another one of those troublesome chores on me.
“Reki, you’re here! Are you free now?”
“I’m not free.”
The moment I saw her face peeking into the back room, I reflexively refused. And it’s not my fault. I was busy watching the coffee brew in the siphon.
“Muu~, but Dr. Ludo said you were on a bweak. Ah, you’re making coffee! Perfect timing then!”
“Perfect timing?”
Ignoring her pouting protest, I continued to watch the siphon. But what she said piqued my curiosity, so I glanced at her. She then took a small basket out of her storage bracelet and held it out to me. I instinctively took a step back. What is this? …It smells delicious.
“I baked some bwead with Tio-nee today! There’s all kinds of bwead, with wieners, jam, choclate…”
She opened the basket lid, and the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air. It was still warm, even slightly steaming, so it was obvious that she’d just baked it.
“…Okay, I get it. But why are you giving it to me?”
If she’s coming here, I thought she’d give it to Dr. Ludo or Maryla. She even passed by him when she came here, so I have no idea why she came all the way here. And I have no clue why she baked these.
So I asked, and she just tilted her head, looking confused, as if wondering what I was talking about. What’s with that expression?
“Because I made them… for you?”
“…Huh?”
For me? Now I’m even more confused.
“You taught me a lot… the other day, wight? You even took me with you… on a house call… and… I wanted to… thank you…”
What the… she went through all this trouble just for that? …What an idiot. My face is hot.
“I-It was just my job. A thank you… what are you thinking? I’m just doing my job, and I get paid for that.”
I don’t know what to say in these kinds of situations. I crossed my arms and turned away. I know this isn’t the right way to react, but…
“…Do you… diswike bwead?”
“…I do like bread, but…”
That’s right, I do. More than rice or noodles, I’m a bread person. That’s right, I do like bread, that’s all I said, and yet.
“I’m glad! Tio-nee helped me bake them, so the taste is guaranteed! Eat a lot, okay?”
Why is she smiling so happily? Honestly, it doesn’t make sense. And besides, this basket’s overflowing with bread, I can’t eat it all! It’s not an amount you’d eat during a tea break.
“Haa… fine. Go get Dr. Ludo and Maryla.”
“Really?”
“Do I look like such a glutton?”
I can save it for later, I thought, but… it felt wrong to just take everything for myself. It’s tea time, and there are no emergency patients. I thought it would be better to eat them together, that’s all.
“You’re so kind, Reki!”
“Ugh, shut up. Now hurry up and get them! The coffee will be ready soon!”
I honestly don’t like how she throws me off balance with those comments. As I listened to her footsteps as she left the room, I prepared the coffee cups.
“Wow, they look so deliciouuus! You’re amazing, Meg-chan!”
“You’re right. But… are you sure? It’s too much for us to just accept this treat.”
Maybe because they were called, but Dr. Ludo and Maryla immediately came over. And they’re both praising her. It’s amazing how easily those compliments just come out of their mouths. I honestly respect them.
“Yeah! Reki told me to call you!”
“…There’s too much… for just me.”
Seeing her happily arranging plates on the table made me exasperated. She’s incredibly simple too, accepting those compliments without hesitation.
“Well then, we’ll gladly accept. Reki, thank you for the coffee.”
“Fufu, I’m glad. Thank you too, Reki!”
“It’s nothing…”
I was thanked by both of them as we sat down. There’s no need for them to thank me. This is why I hate these kinds of situations.
“Ah, but Reki should choose first! Because I made them… for you.”
“…Fine.”
Of course, I’ll choose! So stop looking at me with those expectant eyes! I’ll just pick quickly. I took the second bread from the left, the one with chocolate, and placed it on my plate. She smiled happily, seemingly satisfied, and then offered bread to Dr. Ludo and Maryla. Dr. Ludo chose the cheese bread, and Maryla chose the jam bread.
“Now then, let’s eat.”
“Let’s eat! Mmm, Meg-chan, thish is so deliciouuus!”
“Hmm, you’re right. You did a good job, Meg.”
They immediately took a bite and shared their thoughts. They eat so fast? I also took a bite. …Delicious.
“S-So Reki? Is it yummy?”
She leaned in, asking for my thoughts when I was silently eating. Eh? Do I also have to say something? I looked to the side, and Dr. Ludo and Maryla both looked at me expectantly. F-Fine.
“…It’s good.”
“I’m glad!”
“I’m glad, Meg-chan!”
I mean, of course, it’s delicious. Tioris helped her, after all. Is it something to celebrate, joining hands with Maryla? Honestly, women are so confusing.
“Well then, I’ll head back. I have to organize some patient charts. I’ll have my coffee there.”
“Ah, I also have to prepare… for tomorrow’s house calls! You two can relax a bit longer!”
“Eh? Ah, oi!”
So they finished eating their bread so quickly because of that? They’re trying to leave me alone with her, huh? They’re always trying to create situations like this. To get me used to interacting with people. And it feels like it’s always with her. They know I can’t really say anything harsh when it’s a child.
It’s true that I have a sharp tongue. And it gets even worse when I’m with her. Of course, I’d like to fix it if I could… but they don’t need to be so blatant about it. Seriously, Dr. Ludo and Maryla, they’re so meddlesome. Haa.
“…Hey… Reki… um…”
“What? Speak clearly.”
She spoke up, hesitantly, after they left. I wish she’d just hurry up and say what she wants to say.
“…Can I also… eat one?”
“…It’s fine.”
Or rather, why didn’t you eat when you were making them? You’re incredibly greedy, wanting to eat even after bringing them here. Well, she’s thin, so it’s probably better, health-wise, for her to eat if she wants to.
“Yay! Let’s eat!”
She happily chose a bread, her eyes sparkling because I’d given her permission. …Ah, it’s the same chocolate bread as mine.
“You like choclate too, Reki! Just like me!”
“!?”
Th-That’s not… we’re not the same! And why is she smiling so happily!? Our tastes just happen to be the same! …I do… like chocolate though.
Seeing her eat so happily made me feel like an idiot, for overreacting. I’ll silently prepare a drink.
It’s a sweet bread, so there’s no need to add honey. I poured milk into a clean cup, warmed it up slightly, and then placed it before her.
“Thank you… hafuh~. The drinks you make, Reki… they’re always… the perfect temprature. They’re shooo yummy.”
“Is that so? You’re welcome.”
She even notices irrelevant things like that. It makes me feel… strange. I hate this.
She started to nod off after finishing her bread. Seeing that, it makes me realize she really is just a child. She was recently saying that she has more stamina now, or whatever, but I’m sure she’s just sleepy because she has a full stomach and drank a warm drink.
“Oi, go to bed if you’re sleepy.”
“Ugh… if I go to bed… I’ll sleep until… nighttime… and then… I won’t be able to sleep at night… fuwaa…”
Well, that might be true, but it’s dangerous to leave her wandering around. It can’t be helped, what a handful.
“Then sleep on that chair. You’ll be able to wake up easily, unlike a bed.”
“Mmm… then… I’ll do that…”
She stood up, her eyes more than halfway closed, and then slowly headed for the couch I’d pointed to. But maybe she should at least have a cushion or something? But I don’t have any.
“Oi, do you have any cushions or blankets in your magic storage tool?”
“Mmm…? Ah… yeah… these…”
After somehow managing to answer my question, she took out a few cushions and a blanket. They were all light-colored, heart-shaped, with adorable designs. They’re probably gifts.
“Here, you can use this too, Reki, if you want… good… nnigh…”
“Eh? I don’t really need it, but…”
Just as she was about to lie down, she offered me a light yellow Sea Serpent blanket. I stared at it blankly. Then noticed that the one she was using was also a Sea Serpent blanket, just a different color.
So we’re matching! What kind of torture is this? I was going to return it, but she was already fast asleep, even hugging a Shadow Eagle plushie. I let out a sigh.
“…Maybe I’ll just have another cup of coffee.”
I can’t leave her in case she falls off the chair. And I don’t have anything to do this afternoon anyway, so I’ll just relax.
“…………”
The blanket she gave me… it does look warm. And it’s probably a high-quality item because it was a gift. So I tried putting it on my shoulders. It’s warm. It’s actually… quite nice. Though the design’s a bit much.
“Mmm… nnnya… Sea Serpent… clouds…”
“…………”
She’s sleep-talking. What are Sea Serpent clouds? She looked incredibly stupid, sleeping. But whatever.
I wonder what kind of dream she’s having. Well, at least it’s not a nightmare or one of those scary precognitive dreams, like before.
She ended up sleeping until evening, and I couldn’t move. I feel like I’m always looking after her…