Published: August 2, 2025
Today, episodes 9 and 10 are posted simultaneously.
This story is episode 1.
"Fi...na..."
"Hmm...?"
My body sways... Is someone calling me?
"Fina, wake up!"
"...Jane?"
"Good grief! You're usually so reliable, so why are you so grumpy just when waking up?"
...Oh no, it seems I fell back asleep. But today is a day off...
"Did you forget we planned to all go to town together?"
"That's right!"
Starting this month, we can all take a day off together once a week. So we decided to go to town together for fun!
"I'll get ready right away, wait for me!"
Hurriedly getting ready, I headed to the dorm lobby. There, Maria and Jane, who came with me to work away from home, were waiting along with our colleague Ms. Lilin.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I'm sorry for being late."
"Good morning~"
"Don't worry about it."
"Well, it's the usual."
I want to argue against Jane's words, but I can't. Why am I always so bad at waking up...?
"Alright, let's go!"
Leading the way with enthusiasm, Jane called out, and we headed into town. As Ms. Lilin encouraged me about being late, my slightly down mood began to lift.
We bought breakfast from a food stall catering to single laborers in town. Since it was a shop aimed at men doing physical labor, the portions were a bit large for Maria and me.
After that, we stocked up on daily necessities and browsed clothes. The four of us enjoyed life in town.
Before we knew it, time flew by. I had thought it was still morning, but it was already a little past noon.
I never imagined we could live like this while working away from home... We're definitely lucky. Back in our village, even working from early morning until late at night every day, I thought we couldn't earn money to freely spend. Everyone who returned from working away said the same.
I think Jane and Maria felt the same. But in reality, things were different. Each of us has our own room, Ms. Shelma prepares delicious meals, and the pay is good. Even after doubling the remittance money planned to be sent home, we can save enough for eating out and shopping during our once-a-week day off.
Maria sometimes zones out and gets hurt from falling, but when that happens, she gets healed immediately with healing magic. According to Ms. Lilin, Mr. Fay even had a broken leg healed, and it was free of charge.
Normally, asking for healing magic treatment isn't something you can do so casually. But at our shop, employees can receive it anytime for free. When trouble started for the business, the manager decided to keep a heal slime permanently at the store.
At first, the manager managed it, then when Ms. Lobelia and others were around, they took care of it. Now, Maria, who learned beast taming magic, manages the slime. I've heard it's a precious slime, so I wonder if it's okay to entrust it so easily... but having healing magic available anytime is very reassuring.
When my parents in the village sent a letter worrying about how life is here and what kind of employers we have, I was able to reply that they don't need to worry at all.
"Fina, what are you spacing out for? Haven't you woken up yet?"
"I'm already awake. How long are you going to drag that topic out?"
"For now, let's go to that shop."
That shop... recently a popular café in Gimul Town, known for relatively cheap and delicious sweets. Maria and Jane wanted to go, so after shopping, we decided to take a break there.
Inside the shop, wooden tables and chairs were arranged, with flowers decorating the corners. There was a large fireplace, unlit because of the season, giving the place a calm atmosphere.
We were guided to a seat by the window. After ordering from a female staff member and waiting, Jane asked during that time.
"So, what were you thinking about earlier?"
"Nothing much, just that we're lucky."
"Oh, that thing. True, if we were hired at an ordinary shop, we couldn't live this luxuriously."
"We can send money home properly, have days off—it's a good workplace."
"By the way, the three of you came from the same village, right?"
"Yes."
"There are no strong magical beasts, no specialty products, and the land isn't very rich. It's a village with nothing much."