Chapter 564: Chapter 560

Bear-san Notices Hair Ornament & Tirumina-san’s Viewpoint

Marriage talk aside, I wanted Fina to be happy. I asked Fina what I’d been wondering about for a while.

“Fina. You brought your hair ornament?” (Yuna)

Fina is wearing the hair ornament she got at the school festival. Moreover, Shuri, Noa, and Misa are wearing them as well.

“Yes, I brought it. I don’t have many opportunities to wear it, so I thought I’d put it on today.” (Fina)

Fina shyly touched her hair ornament a little.

“Does it look good on me?” (Fina)

“It suits you.” (Yuna)

It suits her better than I can wear it.

“Yuna-oneechan, I’m wearing it too.” (Shuri)

When I praised Fina, Shuri looked like she wanted to be praised too, so I did.

By the way, Shuri is wearing a small hair ornament that she and Misa got by themselves, not the big one I gave her. She may have chosen the smaller one because the hair ornament I gave her would stand out more than that of Fina, the birthday celebrant.

“When choosing a dress for Shuri, we started talking about what to do with her hair. Then Fina came up with the idea of the hair ornaments from the school festival.” (Noa)

“I also read about it in the letter, and decided to bring it too.” (Misa)

Noa and Misa, who were listening to us while we ate, told me. They then turned their hair ornaments toward me so I could see them better.

It wouldn’t be strange for two nobles to have expensive hair ornaments made by a famous craftsman.

Fina may not mind, but if the two wore expensive hair ornaments, I think Tirumina-san and I would have noticed.

Even if they didn’t intend to make fun of each other, the differences between the aristocrats and the commoners were apparent. Maybe both nobles knew that, or they just felt like wearing the same hair ornament.

Even so, it’s still a heartwarming story.

“Both of you are kind.” (Yuna)

Noa and Misa turned their heads here, so I patted their heads. The two didn’t understand what was happening, but they looked happy.

=====

-Tirumina’s POV-

At first, I was a bit hesitant about coming, but seeing my daughters in their dresses made me glad I did.

Seeing my daughters in their dresses, I cried despite my age. It could be because I’m getting older that I’m so tearful. I’m not borrowing Gentz’s words, but I wanted Roy to see them too.

“It suits them so well that I can’t believe they’re my daughters. I have to thank Noire-sama for the dress.” (Tirumina)

“Fina and Shuri are my dear friends. Please don’t worry about it.” (Noa)

Noire-sama, who heard my words, smiled gently.

Ever since Fina started hanging out with the lord’s daughter, I sometimes worried about her, but I heard from Yuna and my daughters and learned that Noire-sama was kind. Then she started coming to the store, and we would see each other. At first, I was nervous, but even if the store were crowded, she would wait in line patiently and would not be selfish or otherwise cause trouble for those around her.

I would not have been able to see my daughters in their dresses this time if Noire-sama had not invited me.

Thank you Noire-sama.

As I was watching my daughters, Cliff-sama came to me.

“I am grateful that my daughter insisted on doing this today.” (Cliff)

“…No, thank you for inviting me. I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to see my daughters in dresses.” (Tirumina)

I was at a loss for words for a moment, but I could express my gratitude.

“I just wanted to talk to you once and thank you.” (Cliff)

“…Thank me?” (Tirumina)

“I am sorry for the trouble my daughter has caused you and your daughters. And thank you for always accommodating my daughter’s selfishness.” (Cliff)

“Father, that’s a terrible thing to say. I didn’t bother Fina, and I wasn’t being selfish.” (Noa)

Noire-sama, who was eating with my daughters nearby, puffed out her cheeks and cutely protested to Cliff-sama.

Apparently, she heard Cliff-sama’s voice.

“You should understand that it is selfish to have a party with Miss Fina. For those of a different status, it’ll become mandatory. No commoners can say no.” (Cliff)

“Fina, is that true?” (Noa)

Noire-sama verifies this to Fina with a surprised expression. Fina looked troubled.

“That’s……” (Fina)

“What would you do if Princess Tilia asked you to throw a birthday party with her?” (Cliff)

Cliff-sama’s words made Noire-sama think a little.

“I would like to refrain from doing so……. Besides, I decided to have a party with only her relatives so that Fina could enjoy herself. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it.” (Noa)

“That’s right. And that’s why I gave you permission this time. But if you don’t act with more consideration for the other person’s feelings, Miss Fina will hate you.” (Cliff)

“Ugh, I understand. I’ll be careful. Fina, if you don’t like it, say so. I just wanted to celebrate with you.” (Noa)

Cliff-sama warned Noire-sama, and her expression became a little gloomy.

“Noa-sama, please don’t make that kind of face. Well, I was a little reluctant at first, but it was fun making presents together. And thanks to Noa-sama, I was able to show my mother and father my dress. And you also lent Shuri a dress. I am grateful to you, Noa-sama.” (Fina)

I know because I am her mother. Fina wasn’t lying. She was sincerely grateful. Meeting people was important. If Fina had not met Yuna-chan, I would not be here. And if Yuna-chan had not met Noire-sama, I wouldn’t be able to see Fina in her dress. People are connected.

“I know that my daughter will continue to cause trouble, but I hope your daughter will remain a good friend.” (Cliff)

“Thank you. I’m glad to hear you say so.” (Tirumina)

Right now, I don’t know if her relationship with the nobility will go in a good direction or not. But it’s up to Fina to decide. I plan to let Fina do what she wants. If she has any problems, she can talk to us. That’s what makes a family, and that’s what parents do.

Besides, Noire-sama was thinking about Fina. And Yuna-chan was also there with her. I don’t think it will go bad. I can tell that by looking at the smiles on my daughters’ faces. I hope they will grow up as is.

After that, Cliff-sama asked me about the store and the orphanage, so I talked about them.

“I know we are both having a hard time with the bears, but if there is anything I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to tell me. If you have something you don’t feel comfortable telling me directly, you can tell the Guildmaster of the Adventurers’ Guild or the Guildmaster of the Commercial Guild.” (Cliff)

Yuna-chan sometimes asks me to do difficult tasks, but I never get sick of it. It’s more enjoyable than thinking about that time when I was in pain, bedridden, and being a bother to my daughter.

“You’re supposed to talk about that stuff when the person in question is not here.” (Yuna)

Before we knew it, Yuna-chan, who was near us, complained to Cliff-sama in her usual tone.

“I’m talking about it here so you can hear me. You’re involving people and making it bigger than it is. I’m not telling you not to do it. Just talk to me beforehand.” (Cliff)

“Apart from that one time, I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong.” (Yuna)

“I know. You’re not bad. You’re doing a good job. But you may not be able to handle the public. That’s why I’m saying you should ask for advice.” (Cliff)

It’s not Cliff-sama’s words, but Yuna-chan’s behavior really amazes me. Thinking back on what happened so far brings a smile to my face. It was all hard work, but it was fun.

“Tirumina-san. What are you laughing at?” (Yuna)

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad that I met you, Yuna-chan.” (Tirumina)

Yuna-chan left after being called by Noire-sama, even though she had a dubious expression on my words.

It’s thanks to Yuna-chan that I’m here. I can’t thank you enough. She’s a really mysterious girl.

Then Cliff-sama also talked with Gentz about the Adventurers’ Guild. I talked with Gran-sama, and occasionally with Yuna-chan and the girls.

As the conversation went on, the initial nervousness I had gradually disappeared and I was able to talk normally to Cliff-sama. Perhaps this was how my daughter grew up, through experience. Experience makes people grow. But Gentz remained nervous. It seems that some people never change.

And after I finished cooking it, I decided to prepare a present for Noire-sama.

A few days ago, I asked Yuna-chan about what I should do for Noire-sama’s gift. At first, she said that it would be fine without it. But I thought it wouldn’t do, so I asked her if she had any ideas, and she suggested that I prepare a cake.

However, there was a possibility that Noire-sama would prepare a cake, so I asked Yuna-chan to inform Noire-sama that we would prepare the cake.

I asked Yuna-chan to bring out the cake, and she took it out from the white bear item bag on her left-hand side onto the table. Noire-sama and the others gathered there.

“It’s bear-san!” (Noa)

“Bear-san~” (Shuri)

The cake on the table was not the kind of cake they usually sell at the store, but a cake the size of a cup.

It’s a cupcake. It’s a cup-shaped cake with cookies, fruit, and cream to make it look like a bear.

I knew that Noire-sama likes bears, so I asked Elena-san to make this special edition bear cake for me. It’s good for one person, so it’s easy to eat.

It turned out so well that we were talking about putting it in the store in the future.

“Well, we can’t prepare something extravagant for you, Noire-sama, so we made something that will make you happy.” (Tirumina)

In case you’re wondering, it’s from me and Gentz.

“Thank you very much. I’m very happy.” (Noa)

Noire-sama looks happy while holding the cupcake.

“It’s cute, but it’s a waste to eat it.” (Noa)

Misana-sama and the girls looked happy. Cliff-sama and Gran-san were smiling, and Gentz was relieved that they were pleased with it.

Yuna-chan knew this would happen, so she didn’t say anything.

The cupcakes were actually Yuna-chan’s idea. At first, she was reluctant to tell me about it, but then she seemed to give up. Then, Elena-san and I devised how to create the cute little bear.

Once the bear cupcakes were distributed to everyone, everyone ate them with great relish. At first, Noire-sama and the girls looked like they were contemplating whether to eat it, but once they started eating, they finished it in no time.

“It was delicious. But now it’s gone.” (Noa)

“Well, we still have more, so would you like some?” (Tirumina)

I didn’t know how many cupcakes to prepare, so we prepared a lot.

I had Yuna-chan bring out the rest of the bear cupcakes and let them eat freely.

“Etto, Fina’s mother. Are you going to serve this bear cake at the shop?” (Noa)

“If it’s well received by Noire-sama and the rest, then we plan to.” (Tirumina)

Noire-sama looked happy at my words.

“Really? It was a very wonderful cake. I would love to try it again.” (Noa)

“Well then, I will tell the chef who made the cake.” (Tirumina)

“I’m looking forward to it.” (Noa)

While Noire-sama looks happy at my words, Misana-sama looks envious.

“U~u, Noa-oneesama, it’s unfair. I want to eat it too.” (Misa)

“Well, Misana-sama. If you don’t mind, I will make it as a souvenir when you return to Sheleen.” (Tiruimna)

“Really! Thank you very much” (Misa)

Misana-sama was happy.

I will have to discuss this with Elena-san ASAP.

=====

Author’s Note:

Apologies for the delay.

The typos in volume 13 are corrected, and I’m glad there are still more ahead, but I also had to write up the store specials.

I think things will settle after a while, but if there’s another delay in posting, I will report it in a postscript.

I wanted to write a story about Cliff and Tirumina-san, so I started from Tirumina-san’s viewpoint in the middle of the story. Comrades who are put through a lot of hardship by Yuna, I think the conversation was lively (laughs)

And it looks like there will be a new item called bear cupcake (good for one person) for sale.

The cake baker will be Elena for the web version (Nerin for the book version). I apologize for causing confusion to the readers of the book version.

※ As always, thanks to everyone who always reports typos. I will not be able to reply, so I will leave this here.

=====