When they arrived by carriage following Gemvil, they found themselves at a market.

“Why are we at the market?”

“Arms up.”

When Rodi reflexively raised her arms, Gemvil silently grabbed her under both armpits and lifted her down from the carriage.

Then he walked into the market, gesturing for her to follow.

“Is today’s mission grocery shopping?”

“Something like that.”

What could it be?

Rodi was dying of curiosity.

Gemvil usually answered her questions better than anyone else.

But no matter how much she asked, he remained silent, so Rodi just followed him around while he shopped at the market.

Then they got back in the carriage and traveled somewhere else.

This time they arrived at a secluded house standing alone, somewhat distant from the village.

It was a small two-story house with a few too many windows to be called small, yet too small to be called a mansion.

Rodi tilted her head in confusion.

“Is this where we’re doing the mission?”

“This is Jin Jein’s house.”

“Jin?”

Gemvil, with both hands full of packages, gestured with his chin for her to open the door.

Jin went on vacation, so why are we here?

Though puzzled, Rodi did as Gemvil instructed and grabbed the door handle.

She thought it would naturally be locked, but the door slid open smoothly.

When Rodi hesitated, Gemvil pushed the door open a bit more with his foot and strode inside.

Just as opening the door had been her job, closing it was also Rodi’s responsibility.

***

The inside of the house was clean with no decorations at all.

Upon entering, there was a large square space with one door each on the right and left, and a corridor stretching straight ahead, connecting to other areas.

A single chair by the window.

And wooden furniture was all there was.

“So this is Jin’s house…”

While Rodi looked around, Gemvil opened the closed windows one by one.

The stuffy space, where all the doors had been closed, immediately felt refreshed as a gentle breeze blew in.

“Around this time of year, Jin gets quite sick.”

“Jin is sick?”

“Yes. So today, rookie, let’s do our best.”

Gemvil held out his fist to Rodi.

Rodi hesitated a little before making a fist and bumping it against Gemvil’s.

“Like this?”

“You’re doing well.”

When Gemvil grinned, she bumped fists with more confidence this time.

“Good.”

Now she finally understood why Gemvil had come here.

To take care of Jin!

***

Rodi and Gemvil opened the windows and cleaned every corner of Jin’s house.

Though it was neat, they removed the dust that had accumulated from lack of maintenance and put slightly disorganized books back on the shelves.

When Gemvil handed Rodi a clean rag, she took it and wiped down the dusty table until it was spotless.

Gemvil would lift her up to the top of bookshelves just the right size for Rodi to crawl on, where she would clean thoroughly before coming back down.

Jin’s house was originally clean and simple, but dust had settled in places that were hard to reach.

The two showed excellent teamwork as they scrubbed away old grime from every nook and cranny.

“Gemvil, I’ve finished here too!”

“Well done, rookie.”

Then they took out ingredients to prepare food for Jin.

Knock knock.

At that moment, a visitor arrived.

Rodi perked up her ears.

“Gemvil, I think someone’s here.”

“Wait.”

Instead of asking Rodi to get it, Gemvil headed to the door himself.

Fling!

As soon as Gemvil opened the door, an unfamiliar man exclaimed “Oh my!” in surprise and stepped back.

He was frightened by Gemvil’s imposing presence.

When asked what business he had, the man finally collected himself and approached.

“Is this Jin Jein’s residence?”

“It is.”

“Mr. Horas requested a delivery this morning. He said it must arrive by noon.”

The man wearing a straw hat held out a large basket.

When Gemvil opened the basket, it was full of various types of food, suggesting someone had sent lunch.

Gemvil closed the lid again and looked up.

“The cost?”

“Ah, it was already paid this morning. Well, I’ll be going now!”

The man bowed quickly and hurried away.

As Gemvil closed the door and came in, there was another knock from outside.

He put down the basket and opened the door to find someone holding another basket.

This time it was a different person.

“Is Jin Jein here?”

“And you are?”

When Gemvil nodded, the man’s face brightened.

“So I found the right place. Uh, let’s see, the magnificent…”

The man narrowed his eyes and checked the name of the requester again.

“The magnificent Ekision requested that I deliver these items.”

As Gemvil accepted it, this person also hurried away.

This basket was quite heavy.

It contained simple food, various illustrated books, and even adult magazines.

“Ha… that bastard.”

Gemvil shook his head and placed this delivery aside as well.

Of course, he put the adult magazines on a high shelf that Rodi couldn’t reach even if she jumped.

“Gemvil, why did you put that up there?”

Rodi curiously lingered around the basket.

“Because I’m going to burn it.”

“What is it?”

“Trash.”

Fortunately, Rodi’s curiosity quickly shifted to the delicious-smelling food.

“I see. Wow, that looks tasty.”

“We can have this for lunch then.”

“So we don’t have to cook?”

Rodi, who had been planning to help Gemvil, seemed a little disappointed.

Still, she kept glancing sideways at the food, which looked appetizing.

“Right. I think we just need to make some tea.”

“I’ll do it!”

Gemvil glanced at her and put down a container of tea leaves.

“Just put three spoonfuls in the teapot. Okay?”

“Yes!”

While Gemvil prepared the boiling water, Rodi nodded eagerly and carefully scooped one spoonful at a time with a teaspoon, placing it meticulously into the glass teapot.

“I should make some for the boss later too.”

After adding all three spoonfuls, Rodi stamped her feet impatiently, waiting for Gemvil to bring the water.

***

It might have been his imagination, but he could smell food.

Something seemed to be clattering, and as he woke up more fully, the noise became clearer.

Though his body felt as heavy as a water-soaked cotton ball and wouldn’t move properly, he managed to get up with difficulty.

“You’re awake?”

Jin slowly raised his head at the familiar voice.

“Gemvil.”

“Now that you’re up, wipe your face with this. You’ve been sweating in your sleep.”

Gemvil tossed a wet towel.

Jin looked at the towel that landed on his blanket and raised his head again.

“I’m sorry for the trouble. You can go now,”

“Oh! He’s awake!”

Jin’s eyes widened at the bouncy voice.

“Why are you trying to send us away?”

As if reading Jin’s mind, Gemvil leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, smiling challengingly.

Just try to send us away, his expression seemed to say.

Jin closed his mouth like someone who’d swallowed honey when he saw Rodi approaching him.

Rodi hurried over and stood in front of Jin.

“Jin! Are you very sick?”

Jin shook his head.

“I’m fine.”

But his voice was completely cracked and rough, unlike usual, so he didn’t look fine at all.

Hearing Jin’s changed voice, Rodi’s mouth turned downward at both corners in worry.

“Hailo gave us this.”

Rodi took the recovery medicine from Gemvil and held it out.

Gemvil knew Jin wouldn’t take it if he offered it, so he used Rodi instead.

Gemvil’s method was correct.

Jin couldn’t show any sign of refusal to Rodi and accepted the bottle.

Then, thanks to Rodi watching him like a hawk to make sure he drank it properly, he emptied the bottle in one go.

“Are you feeling better now?”

Jin nodded as she asked, fidgeting as if she might climb onto the bed at any moment.

“Yes, I think I’m better now.”

“You just took it. You need to eat to get better.”

Gemvil remained at the doorway with his arms crossed, not moving, and only gave orders through Rodi.

Not realizing she was being used, Rodi diligently followed Gemvil’s commands.

“That’s right. Jin, you need to eat now too.”

“I’m really fi—”

As soon as Jin raised his head again, he met Rodi’s round, pleading eyes.

“Yes, let’s eat, Rodi.”

There was no failure this time either.

***

“After eating this, you need to take the medicine Padrid gave us too.”

Led by Rodi’s hand, Jin barely made it to the kitchen.

Thanks to Rodi, who pulled out a chair for him and even went so far as to place a spoon directly in his hand, Jin finally managed to summon some strength and looked at the food laid out before him.

There was much more variety and quantity than he usually ate.

Although all he had in front of him was a thin soup.

“…Thanks.”

Jin felt an inexplicable emotion suddenly welling up inside him.

He felt pathetic for not being able to overcome this despite causing trouble every time.

At the same time, he felt gratitude toward them.

As if swallowing it down, Jin slightly bowed his head and raised the corners of his mouth faintly.

“Thank you.”

“Quickly, quickly!”

At Rodi’s urging, Jin spooned up some soup.

At the same time, Rodi’s face brightened.

“It’s delicious.”

Gemvil watched the two with satisfaction.

Thinking that he should use the same method next year too.