“Bai Ji-chan, Bai Ji-chan~… *Rub, rub* We meet again! I was still afraid I wouldn’t be able to see you anymore~” Blue’s ears wiggled as she snuggled up to Bai Ji like a puppy and incessantly rubbed her head against her bosom.
Bai Ji: 0v0
“Eeeh?? Do you know this silver-haired lady, Blue?” Ke’er tilted her head to the side in the face of Blue’s prompt decision to throw herself at Bai Ji.
“Hmmm? Yes, yes! Have you forgotten, Ke’er? The reason why us cuties are still alive is all because of Bai Ji-chan.”
“Ehh?” Hearing these words, Ke’er was completely clueless. Her brain tried its best to jog her memories, but the only moment she could recall after some heavy contemplation was Bai Ji streaking through the night skies and rescuing her from the clutches of those trolls. However, that was where the problem laid: How did Blue get to know Bai Ji when they had never met each other before?
‘This is bad…’
Bai Ji gulped apprehensively and subconsciously averted her eyes from Ke’er’s gaze.
“Mmhmm?” This action didn’t pass without Ke’er noticing it; Even the store manager had sensed that something was amiss as she narrowed her eyes and looked on from the sidelines.
‘Aaaah… You stupid dog, not only are you going to expose my identity, you’re also about to ruin the matchstick girl image that I had painstakingly created!’
“Hehe… What is this child saying exactly? Didn’t I meet you by chance when you were eating cotton candy on the streetside? I believe I gave you a pat on the back to help you swallow the cotton candy you were choking on, didn’t I? That was just a small matter; There’s no need for you to attach so much importance to it.” Bai Ji radiantly smiled and squeezed Blue’s cheeks as if she were a stuffed animal.
“Uuuu… I donsh rike kouton kandi (I don’t like cotton candy)”
“Ahh, what a beautiful coincidence. Rest assured, Miss Store Manager. I’m just acquainted with the two of them~ Especially her, we have a super close relationship with each other~” In one smooth action, Bai Ji formed an angelic smile so flawless, it was practically impossible for an outsider to notice that something was amiss.
“Is that so?…” The yellowish-gray haired girl raised her eyebrows. Seemingly as if she had thought of something, she gave Bai Ji a suspicious gaze.
“I recalled that Ke’er and Blue had been captured by a grotesque creature with zero aesthetics when the coordinates to this dimension were stolen. Could you-…”
“Oh my! Did such a thing really happen?” Bai Ji hurriedly sized Blue up in shock.
“When did this happen? You didn’t injure yourself, did you, Blue-chan??” Bai Ji had intentionally chosen not to lower her voice. In other words, she wanted Ke’er to hear what she was saying.
Blue struggled even more intensely from Bai Ji’s grab. Just as she was about to break free and say something, Bai Ji revealed her sharp fangs at an angle not visible to Ke’er and the store manager. Her smile resembling a blooming cherry flower instantly darkened.
“If you dare tell anybody, I’ll turn you into stew~ ❤” Her voice was as supple as water, as it entered Blue’s ears like a gust of gentle wind before she relaxed her hold over her. Brushing a few strands of silver hair off of her face, her smile had regained its warmth, becoming as refreshing as the spring breeze once more.
“…My injuries have more or less recovered. T-Thanks for your concern, Bai Ji-chan…” As she digested Bai Ji’s words, Blue’s ahoge stood up. The astonished expression on her face suggested that her soul had left her body, which was now as stiff as a pole.
“What exactly-…” Ke’er held back the words in her mouth and lightly pursed her lips upon gazing at the tightly-knitted duo embracing each other.
“So, you are acquainted with each other, right? Wonderful! Also, your name is Bai Ji, right?”
“Yes, Miss Store Manager.” Bai Ji slightly bowed in greeting.
“Mhm.” The yellowish-gray haired girl nodded her head and turned her gaze towards the perplexed Ke’er and the astonished Blue. “It’s almost time for us to open. Pink and Blue, the two of you are in charge of conveying the concept of our store and its modus operandi to Lil’ Bai.”
“Mhm… How about I refer to you as “Lil’ White” instead?” The store manager decided after staring at Bai Ji’s slivery, silk-like hair for a moment.
“Lil-Lil White…?” The corners of Bai Ji’s mouth twitched, as she had a nagging feeling that this casual-sounding name was more suitable for addressing stray cats and dogs on the streets.
“It’s decided then… This long conversation with you has wasted too much of my energy…” The store manager dragged her long hair as she yawned and laid down on her bed.
“Well then~ Let’s end it here, White. Since you’re a new maid of Unblemished Heaven, I’ll let this cat and dog duo teach you about the specifics. I have to catch up on my sleep.”
“Oh my~ Did Miss Store Manager stay up late to watch movies again? …Oh my, what beautiful silver hair~ I wonder if it’d look good as a long dress?” The gaze of the green-haired girl who had just entered the room quickly landed on the conspicuous silver-silhouette.
“M-Miss Green! She is..”
“Oh dearie~ I’m just joking. She is White, our new sister, am I right? Look at how you’re making Lil‘ Ke’er panic.” Said Green with a smile as she covered her mouth and observed Ke’er’s reaction with great interest.
Originally, Bai Ji had been deeply worried that the timid Ke’er would be bullied while working. However, her inner fears were allayed when she came here to have a look at the situation. Even though they were all a bunch of eccentric folks, Ke’er was getting along with them so well they already considered her a friend.
“That’s not true at all… Where’s Sister Black?”
“Black got up a while ago and is currently cleaning. You girls should go out first, the store manager’s room still needs a little tidying. I’ll hand the task of teaching the newbie to you two.” Smiling, Green turned around to look at the yellowish-gray haired girl lying on the bed with an extremely bad body posture. Heaving a sigh, she walked over and covered her with a quilt before tucking the girl’s fox ears, which had slipped out somewhat, into the towel on her head once more.
“Hey… W-White-chan, y-you still remember me, right…?” Ke’er had seemingly mustered all her courage and asked Bai Ji as they went down the stairs.
“Oh~?” Bai Ji tilted her head, blinked her ruby-like eyes and tapped her lips in doubt.
“Uuuu…” This immediately made Ke’er anxious.
“Pffft… Just messing with you~ Of course I remember. You’re the little brat that got kidnapped by trolls~” Bai Ji mischievously stuck her tongue out.
“R-Really?” Ke’er’s eyes lit up.
“Benefactor-chan! Earlier, why did you… Mmfgh!”
“Oh dear. Blue must have wanted to eat some cotton candy, right? ~I haven’t put on my stockings yet; Here, you can use these to satisfy your cravings first.” With lightning speed, Bai Ji rolled her stockings into a ball and shoved it into Blue’s mouth with a face full of smiles.
“Ugh… Uh…”
“That’s right. As a newcomer, I don’t know the rules and need a teacher to guide me~ Is Ke’er willing to do that?” Seeing that Ke’er was intending to continue her questioning, Bai Ji skillfully utilized a stratagem to change topics.
“Of course I do, if Miss Bai Ji doesn’t mind…”
“I’d be honored.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” A cold voice suddenly interjected before Ke’er could respond.
A girl with straight, black hair emotionlessly stood before the trio.
“Big sister Black?”
“Mhm.” The black-haired girl who was wearing a maid outfit nodded, with her gaze that swept over them lingering for a moment longer on Bai Ji’s body.
“It’s already opening time.”
“Ahh? Already?” Ke’er began to quickly tidy up the maid outfit on her body and search for any area that was out of place.
“Put your clothes on, you can just pick up knowledge as you go along.”
“Understood~ Senpai.” Realizing that those words had been directed at her, Bai Ji performed a slight bow with a smile on her face.