Mob Yandere

Chapter 172-2

Chapter 172-2

[Part 2/4]

The day after Murasaki's declaration, we were at the back of the orphanage. Anyway, right now, I washed my body, which was sweaty and dirty, with a bucket of water and a towel, and checked for any body odor. Yeah, there was no weird smell left.

"Tomobe-san, is it okay now!?"

A call from the other side of the cedar fence. "Wait a bit," I replied, and changed into my black uniform. Then, I bundled up my pajamas and towel and tossed them into the water-filled bucket.

"Is this okay?"

"Y-yes... um, can I put that in with the laundry too?"

Shiro looked at the bucket, her eyes wide with fear, and asked. Doing laundry every day was a heavy task in an era without electric appliances, and the amount of laundry itself was overwhelming due to the large number of kids. Even Azuma alone couldn't handle it, so it was a shared task among the older kids, including Shiro, who had just returned to the orphanage. Today, she was in charge of laundry duty, and she checked with me to see if I had gathered all the laundry.

"If you feel uncomfortable, you can separate them. I can do it myself if you don't want to."

"No, no! That's not... I'm fine, I'm used to Tomobe-san's sweat!"

"That's a problem in itself, don't you think?!"

Shiro's natural and cheerful tone was problematic, and her careless words were like a challenge. What's going on? Is it the influence of Youbo, the youkai mother? Or am I secreting some strange pheromone that affects youkai? RêAd lateSt chapters at novelhall.com Only

"Stop saying things that might be misunderstood. And how about food... is it okay?"

"Um, yes. I read the recipe book and did it, and it tasted okay."

"Good. ...Then let's go?"

"Yes. Ah, I'll carry this and then go, so please go ahead!"

Shiro encouraged me, holding the bucket. The distance to the laundry area wasn't far. I followed her suggestion and went ahead.

"Be careful not to spill it and get soaked!"

"I'm fine, don't worry!"

Shiro's response to my warning was to puff out her cheeks and look away. I smiled wryly, apologized, and quickly left the scene. Our conversation was a refreshing break in the midst of this difficult task, but it also added to my worries....

"..."

"Fu, fu, fu..."

"Un, ha, u..."

* * *

"Is this menu okay?"

In the kitchen, the maid in a Kapogi outfit was cooking while hiding her discontent with a forced smile. Her attitude was, in a way, justified.

Murasaki declared she would be staying overnight, and ultimately, the maid couldn't stop her. If her warnings fell on deaf ears, she had no choice but to obey. That was fine.

The problem was that I, the one receiving her, had overslept, and as a result, I had to take on the role of preparing breakfast, and to make matters worse, her master had discovered that I was sharing a bed with Miyataka's young lady, which made the maid's impression of me take a nosedive.

"...Ah, this is fine. That's, well done."

"That's quite all right, thank you."

I settled the situation, made the noisy kids sit down, and calmed them. I left the young lady, who was surrounding the table with a calm face, and called out to Murasaki, who was sitting properly with a straight face, but she just gave a bland response. Then, there was silence.

"Heheh."

"Tch."

The reason was clear, and when I looked at the culprit, she gave a faint smile and stuck out her tongue from beneath her mask.

Ako Murasaki was a bit of an airhead and had her share of bad luck, but there was no mistake that she had a pure and innocent personality. She was a reliable existence who wouldn't twist or turn in unexpected ways. That's why I thought we could work together, but...after this morning's incident, that hope seemed to be on the verge of shattering.

(Is she thinking I'm some kind of guardian angel for those brats, or what?)

Her gaze, mixed with contempt, pierces through my recognition. Ako Murasaki may be a kind and gentle heroine compared to others, but she's still a character who's easy to read. I thought I was the only one who could protect those orphans from the clutches of evil.

...No choice. I have no other option but to cooperate. If she's willing to lend a hand in protecting those kids, then that's all I can ask for. Let's just hope for the best. ...And don't even think about playing any pranks on them.

"...Itadakimasu."

With that thought, I clapped my hands together heavily and let out a deep sigh. The kids followed suit, and the 2 princesses quietly expressed their gratitude.

Breakfast time had begun.

"Here, sister, have some!"

"Ah, ah. Thank you, little one?"

Talking with your mouth full is forbidden, but chatting during meals isn't. So, it's not unusual for conversations to mix together at the dinner table. Moreover, it's only natural to be more cautious around the mysterious princess than the scary man who showed up earlier.

"Hey, hey. Let's talk more later about that?"

"Is it okay?"

"No, no. Don't listen to her!"

...No way. Is this TS Magical Princess place too popular among those brats? Hardly anyone talks to Murasaki, but... I feel a bit uneasy about it.

"Don't you think it's because she looks unhappy? And also..."

Shiro whispers in my ear, her voice laced with suspicion. Well, with the commotion from this morning, Murasaki is still on high alert, and she always carries a youkai-slaying sword by her side. Add to that the intimidating aura of the woman behind her, and it's no wonder I feel uneasy approaching her as a kid.

In that case, maybe the carefree Magical princess is more approachable. Ah, crap. This is an unexpected situation....

"Okay, okay. Let's not fight. We'll all get along, right? I'll play with you all night, so don't fight, okay? Got it?"

"""Yeah!!"""

Shinobu appeases the place where it is likely to be a fight. What she said was normal, but it felt really perverted. This guy with the stick was also 'playing' around with a Shotaloli, and I thought she were thinking the same thing. Since Azuma's curse is in effect, I think I can't do anything about it openly... but I don't know what kind of trick she'll use.

"I'll do my best to keep an eye on them!!"

Shiro whispered to me, understanding my concerns. As a fellow kid, it's only natural that we can keep an eye on them.

"...If you feel it's dangerous, shout right away?"

"Got it!"