Another World Fluffy Cafe

Chapter 14: Helping Out a Kologris

“While Himeri is in the store, I guess I’ll organize the stock.”

The Fluffy Café has a variety of items, including toys and treats for familiars, as well as other supplies. Some of these things are only available in Japan, so I regularly check the inventory.

“We’re good on pasta sauce… Oh, looks like we’re running low on ingredients for the coffee maker.”

I’ll need to restock that later.

Next, it’s time to check the treats I give to the familiars. The most popular treat at the café is rabbit cookies. They’re easy to make using my skills, as long as I have the ingredients, and they’re incredibly tasty. I notice there are only about ten cookies left.

“Guess I’ll make more cookies.”

I pull out the ingredients from the shelf and use my Treat Cooking skill to make rabbit cookies. In no time, I’ve filled a bag with freshly made cookies.

“Alright, all set.”

Then, I take a look around the room and start cleaning up any dirty spots. I clean the obvious areas daily, but I usually dust the shelves when I notice they’re getting dirty. As I sweep off the dust with a duster and wipe down the shelves, I hear a knock at the door.

“Hmm?”

I look towards the door, but there’s no one there. I open it to double-check, but no one is nearby.

Maybe I imagined it? Just as I focus on cleaning again, I hear the knocking sound once more.

“Wait, it’s not coming from the door…”

I take a closer look and notice a Kologris standing by the kitchen window, knocking desperately and calling out, “Excuse me-kyuu!”

“Oh! You’re the Kologris that stuffed rabbit cookies into your belly pocket!”

This little Kologris was one of the ones I met on Mount Kologri. After I gave it a rabbit cookie, I hadn’t seen it again—until now.

(I wonder what it wants?)

I open the window and invite the Kologris inside.

“Hello there.”

“Hello, kyuu!”

The Kologris hops in and bows its head.

“I’ve come to ask for a favor, kyuu.”

“If it’s something I can do, of course.”

When I nod, the Kologris’s face lights up with joy. It seems like there’s something it really wants to ask.

(I’m being relied on by a fluffy Kologris…!!)

Just like the Kologris, my face brightens—no, melts into a happy expression.

“You were cleaning just now, right, kyuu? I’ll help too, but I want more rabbit cookies, kyuu!”

“Cookies? If you’re hungry, you can have some.”

I pick up the freshly made rabbit cookies and hand one to the Kologris, but it shakes its head and says, “No, kyuu!”

“I want to help, kyuu!”

“You’re such a good little guy, aren’t you? Alright, can you wipe down the narrow areas I can’t reach?”

“Leave it to me, kyuu!”

As much as I want to give it as many cookies as it likes, how could I refuse such a sincere request?

(What a responsible little creature!)

I prepare a small rag for the Kologris. If it wipes down the spaces between the shelves, the place will be spotless.

“Can you clean the lower part of the shelves in the back for me? It’s hard for me to reach back there…”

“Leave it to me, kyuu!”

The Kologris, thrilled to be entrusted with a task, cheerfully wipes down the inside of the shelves. The dust had piled up in the gaps between objects over time. Watching it scurry around, wiping away with its tiny rag, is absolutely adorable.

(This is such a huge help!)

In no time, the Kologris has cleaned the entire shelf.

“How’s that, kyuu?”

“It looks amazing! Thank you.”

As a token of my appreciation, I give it another bag of rabbit cookies. The Kologris jumps up and down in delight.

“Thank you, kyuu! These cookies are a wonderful treat that gives me lots of energy, kyuu!”

“I’m glad you like them.”

“Can I come again, kyuu?”

“Of course.”

It looks like it’ll be visiting again.

(I’m way too happy about this…)

While I’m chatting with the Kologris, Himeri arrives.

“Hey, Himeri.”

“Hey. I’m taking a quick break—gotta get something to drink.”

Himeri sets a cup in the coffee maker, glancing over at me with a surprised look.

“There’s a Kologris here…”

“Yeah, it liked the rabbit cookies so much that it came back to visit.”

“Your treats are really good, after all, Taichi.”

Himeri smiles, understanding the Kologris’s feelings.

“Come to think of it, it’s quite a distance from here to Mount Kologri. Are you alright getting back?”

We traveled there by carriage, but it must be tough for a Kologris to make that journey on foot.

(This little one might be smaller than the others…)

The Kologris I saw on the mountain were about 20 centimeters tall, but this one seems a bit smaller.

“I’m fine, kyuu. I’ll rest along the way, kyuu.”

“Even if you take breaks, I’m still worried…”

“Kyuu…”

I start thinking it might be best to ask Cerberus, if not Luke, to give it a ride home. Just as I’m considering that, Himeri suddenly says, “Wait, Taichi… You didn’t tame that Kologris, did you?”

“Huh? No, I didn’t…”

Is there a problem with that? I tilt my head in confusion, and Himeri continues.

“How are you talking to an untamed creature…?”

“Wait… What?”

—Wait… what?