Published: July 25, 2025
Even though Lutz made a sour face, I washed his whole body and, even if it was a makeshift effort, I was glad I’d taught him some interview basics.
Otto and his friend were both dressed quite neatly, belonging to the upper class among the people passing through the Central Plaza. It seemed that we should have come wearing formal kimono after all.
The design was strange... no, it was just a style I wasn’t used to. The clothes had lots of drapes, using a lot of fabric, with no dirt or patches in sight. In my everyday life, where saving fabric and thread was a given, such clothes were rarely seen.
Judging by their attire, I thought Otto’s friend must be quite wealthy. His clothing, demeanor, and sharp gaze were completely different from the merchants I had seen in the market.
Though he was a successful merchant, he didn’t have the calm aura of an established company CEO but rather the intense presence of a founder of a rapidly growing venture. At first glance, his light, milky tea-colored curly hair and gentle looks were deceiving—his reddish-brown eyes radiated confidence, shining fiercely and carrying the ferocity of a predator.
“Hey, Myne. That’s Lutz over there, right?”
“Good morning, Otto. This is my friend Lutz. Thank you for taking the time to meet us today.”
Not sure how to greet properly, I did as usual—tapped my chest twice and saluted. Otto returned the gesture, so I figured I hadn’t made a big mistake.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Lutz. Please take care of me.”
Lutz seemed nervous, but he held his own under their intimidating stares, speaking clearly without stammering or a trembling voice. He had managed an unfamiliar greeting.
We cleared the first hurdle.
“Benno, this is Myne, who assists me. She’s the daughter of the squad leader. Myne, this is Benno. He’s an acquaintance from my days as a traveling merchant.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Myne. Please be kind to me.”
Here, where bowing was not customary, I was careful not to bow and at least smiled as I greeted.
“Well, thank you for your politeness. I’m Benno. Pleased to meet you. For such a little girl, you’re quite well-behaved.”
“I’m not as young as I look. I’m six.”
Otto added that for me, probably because I looked more like three or four.
Benno frowned slightly, then looked at Otto amusedly and smirked.
“...An unbaptized child as an assistant?”
“Ah, well, yes. I’m teaching her reading and writing so she can become an assistant.”
“You make it sound like she’s already working as your assistant.”
“...Don’t say unnecessary things.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as I overheard their exchange, sensing they were reading between the lines. Could Lutz and I convince these people in an interview?
I had the strong feeling that being an unbaptized child wouldn’t earn us any mercy.
Benno stared just above my eye level, looking puzzled, before speaking.
“I’m really curious — can I ask first?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“What’s that stick stuck in your hair?”
I see. It’s hard to ask simple questions after rejecting or being rejected, isn’t it?
Are you fully intending to fail us?
Keeping a polite smile plastered on, I carefully studied Benno’s every move, trying to glean as much information as possible. Then, I smoothly removed the hairpin and offered it to him.
“This is a ‘hairpin.’ It’s used to tie up hair.”
Otto, perhaps curious too, examined the hairpin alongside Benno. They turned it upside down, flipped it over, and scrutinized it.
It’s just a stick, you know? No tricks, no gimmicks.
“...Just a stick, huh.”
“Yes, my father made it. It’s just a piece of carved wood.”
“You can tie up your hair with just this?”
“Yes.”
I took back the hairpin and styled my hair as usual.
I gathered the hair for a half-up style, twisted it around the hairpin, turned it around, then pushed it firmly into place. Since I did this every day, I was used to it.
“Hoho... impressive.”
Since it was the first time I’d shown them how I styled my hair, Lutz and Otto both widened their eyes, staring at my hair.