Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 10: Covered in Happiness

Taichi’s eyes sparkled as a squirrel suddenly appeared. Its fluffy, curled tail was strong and symbolized happiness.

The squirrel peeked out from between the trees and came over to Taichi.

“Wow, this one is a ‘Koroguris.’ I think I’ve heard that this type of squirrel lives in this mountain and stores acorns in its belly… right?”

Greeze furrowed his brow, trying to remember and explain.

“Storing acorns in its belly?”

I wonder if it’s storing what it eats? Taichi tilted his head, then petted the Koroguris that had climbed onto his shoulder and gently touched its belly.

(Could it be stuffed full of acorns?)

He thought this, but it seemed that the squirrel had a pocket in its belly where it stored acorns.

“Wow, that’s handy!”

As Taichi was impressed, the Koroguris reached into its belly pocket and pulled out an acorn to offer him.

‘Here, take it!’

“Eh!?”

Taichi trembled in surprise at the unexpected gift.

The tiny squirrel, about the size of his palm, was called a Koroguris. This species only lives on Koroguri Mountain and can store food in the pocket of its belly.

Its back had a cute pattern of stripes and acorns.

Taichi reached out and accepted the acorn from the Koroguris. The round acorn with a cap was heavier than he had imagined, so it was well-suited for storing in its belly.

Then, one after another, the Koroguris began pulling out acorns from their belly pockets and handing them to Taichi.

‘Here, take it!’

‘This one is packed with nutrients!’

‘It’s delicious!’

“Whoa, whoa! Is it really okay for me to take so many of your precious food…?”

‘Of course!’

Taichi was overwhelmed by the warm welcome he received shortly after arriving at the mountain.

His eyes became moist from the warmth of the Koroguris.

(As I get older, I seem to become more sentimental, and it’s troublesome… It’s warm, so warm…)

While Taichi was moved to tears, Nina called out, “Hey.”

When he looked, not just Nina but everyone’s gaze was fixed on Taichi. Their expressions resembled those who had seen something unbelievable, almost resigned…

“Uh, um… Taichi-san is completely buried and invisible now!”

“Wah!”

While he was lost in the gifts from the Koroguris, they had gathered around him, climbing onto his shoulders and head, ultimately covering Taichi entirely in squirrels.

He couldn’t even see his face.

He was just a big fluffy mass.

This was quite a situation; he thought he needed to get the Koroguris off him—yet he also wondered if he could stay like this.

(It’s winter and really cold… but the warmth from the Koroguris is maximum.)

While he thought this, he remembered that he was here for work.

“I’m sorry, could you all move aside?”

‘Okay!’

When Taichi asked, the Koroguris immediately moved away. Their obedience was so remarkable that he found himself tilting his head, wondering what it meant for them to be wild.

Seeing this, Aruru smirked.

“I thought only tamed monsters could be made to obey their Tamer.”

Everyone present nodded at Aruru’s words.

“But, it’s Taichi…”

“Because it’s Taichi…”

“Uh, um, you must be an amazing Tamer.”

—For some reason, this seemed to satisfy everyone.

“Ah, ahaha… Oh, I’ll give you some bunny cookies as thanks for the acorns.”

Taichi took bunny-shaped cookies out of his bag and presented them to the Koroguris. They immediately stuffed their mouths full.

‘Yum! Delicious!’

‘So tasty!’

‘What was that acorn about!?‘

They seemed to really enjoy it.

“That’s great, that’s great—oh, wait?”

Suddenly, he noticed that one of the Koroguris hadn’t eaten and was still keeping the cookie in its belly pocket. While everyone else was munching away, perhaps it didn’t like the smell?

(Or maybe it was just full?)

That Koroguris climbed up a branch and went somewhere else. Taichi felt a bit disappointed that it had left but remembered that he was here for a request.

“Sorry, I got caught up with the Koroguris…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. The fact that they’re so lively means the mountain is calm.”

Greeze said with a smile, “It’s all good.”

“But I’m happy I got to see these cute fluffballs! This is my first time, and it’s such a treat to be with Taichi!”

Nina started walking cheerfully, so Taichi and the others followed behind her.