Intermission: Friends of Yuni (1/2)

Intermission: Friends of Yuni

I've made new friends today.

They're demi-human girls called Pochi-chan and Tama-chan.

All demi-humans that I've ever meet eyes were like stray cats ready to bare their fangs, they were scary. But those girls are different.

◇

My morning starts early, because I'd get scolded if I don't get to the gate inn before the dawn. When the sky begins to brighten, I leave the orphanage to the main street.

It's dim, but I'm not afraid. Because I'm with other children who are running toward their job's place.

I enter through the back door since the big gate for carriages is closed. The back door is also closed, but for the short me, I can just slip through the small gap.

I head to the staff door through the courtyard. The water is low when I peek at the water jugs. I must fill it before the landlady woke up!

I pick up a bucket and go to the well.

”Kuu~~~~~, heavy~~~~.”

Hanging on my body weight, I pull the rope connected with the bucket. Drawing water is a hard labor. Especially for someone as light like me.

I wonder if the day will come when I can draw water effortlessly like Martha-san?

”Intruder~?”

”Suspicious person nano desu~.”

I was surprised by voices from the dark and let go off the ropes.

Ah, even though I was about to succeed...

I turn toward where the voices came from.

From there 4 lights are floating out together with carefree voices!

”Kyaa-----!”

”Unyaa----”

”Nyuu----”

I wasn't able to suppress my scream. But anyone would be surprised if they were in the dark.

Encouraged by that fact, I harshly scold at the someones who are in the dark.

”Don't raise your voice suddenly! I'll have to draw again now!”

”Sorry~?”

”Nano desu~.”

Those someones frankly apologizing making me losing my tension.

The sun gradually rises and I can see the faces of those girls.

Those girls are beast-men.

◇

I was surprised at first and shouted, ”Don't come here!”.

But Pochi and Tama didn't mind it.

”I'll help~””Nodesu~.”

Saying so, they begin pulling water in place of me. Pochi quickly pulls the rope like a joke.

I wonder just how strong beast-men children are. Or maybe these girls are special?

After Pochi is finished drawing the water, this time Tama says, ”Unfair~? Tama will also do it~”, and begins drawing water. These girls must have thought that this is a play or something!

Oh god I'm sorry, Yuni is a bad girl.

I use the two who are happily playing around until the bucket is full of water. Moreover, not only drawing, they also help me carrying the water.

As a thanks, I will share today's meal with these girls.

◇

Even without garnish, the soup is far better than the thin soup that is occasionally served on the orphanage, even the slightly sour black beard goes well with it.

There's no the bittt~er steamed gabo fruit or pickled gabo leaves as the only meal!

The two will surely be delighted!

While thinking so, I go to the stable.

There's a big lizard-man woman beside the two girls there!

I'm scared enough to almost drop the soup bowl, but I can't waste the important meal! I frantically bear it.

”Yuni~?””Nano desu~.”

The two girls welcome me.

But, wait?

Hey, what are those in your hands?

”Meat~?””Cheese nano desu~.”

No way~~~~!

Eh? Eh? That's a lie right?

You can't eat meat even after so many years right?

How do slaves, two demi-human slaves at that, get that kind of expensive thing?

Furthermore, it's quite a big lump!? Huh?

I hold out to keep my drool.

It came out a bit but I immediately wipe it.

”I thought I'd eat with you together...”

'I'll share you this', giving like I'm above them, would be quite comical.

”Ara, aren't you the errand girl? What's your name again?　Since you're here already, why don't we eat together?”