Chapter 45

"Hinami~!"

"Kyaa!"

A little girl charged at me, calling my name. As I was flustered, Iku protected me and held the girl back with his hand.

"Ah! What are you doing?!"

"This is Hinami-sama's house. Who are you?"

"It's Maro!"

Pon!

Then,

the girl suddenly turned into a snow rabbit... Maro.

"Ma-ma-maro!?"

I was so surprised that I let out a cry. Iku also seemed shocked, as he let out a slight gasp.

The cute girl had turned into a snow rabbit. What, what's going on here? Is this like a transformation into a human form?

"Mi~"

"Maro~!"

I hurriedly ran to Maro and hugged her. Ah, it's been so long since I've seen Maro. Iku seemed to have accepted it and was watching with a somewhat exasperated look.

"I didn't expect you to really turn into a spirit..."

"Hehe! Praise me more!"

"...Your personality is still disappointing, though."

"Eh!"

Maro, who had transformed back into a human, showed a smug face at Iku's words but seemed to be slightly hurt by Iku's straightforward comment.

By the way, the way she speaks with "de aru"... that's quite unique, isn't it?

"Hinami, Iku is being mean!"

"Ahaha, Maro is so cute~"

I pet Maro, who jumped and clung to me. Ah, her hair is so fluffy. As expected of a snow rabbit, she's fluffy even in human form.

"But, Maro can't transform into a human outside of Hinami's 'God's Garden.' So, I can only talk to Hinami at home and in the garden..."

"Eh!? Really? That's a shame. But, we'll talk a lot at home, okay!"

"Of course, de aru~!"

It seems that when Maro gets excited, she starts speaking with "de aru." What a cute creature! Well, it's Maro, after all.

"Anyway, the house and the town are connected now. Maro, can you transform into a human in the town's shops?"

"Mmm!"

Iku's words made me think... If Maro remains in human form, it's probably safe to assume that the inside of the shop is also within the "God's Garden."

What's the result...?

"Ah, it seems to be okay."

Maro took a step into the shop. But there was no change in Maro's body. This means that the shop is also recognized as my territory, right? I should probably ask God about this.

"But, I doubt you can go beyond here."

"Right. Once you go through that door, it's the town. God's skills probably don't reach that far."

"Yep. It feels like it won't work beyond here."

Maro nodded honestly and moved away from the door leading to the town. She looked a bit sad, which made me feel bad, but there's nothing I can do about it.

Maro reassured me, saying, "It's okay! I'll help in the shop!" I was feeling a bit down thinking about Maro, but I was encouraged by her words.

"Okay. Let's work hard together!"

"Yes, de aru~!"

"...Iku, too?"

"Mm. I understand."

Hehe.

I felt very happy with their responses. Iku and Maro. My surroundings are gradually becoming lively... The two years I spent alone feel like a distant dream.

"Ah, that's right!"

"?"

Maro said, "I forgot!" and started rummaging through a chest in the room, looking for something. I watched to see what she was doing, and she took out three bags.

Huh? I don't think there were such bags in the chest... What could they be?

"There's a letter with them."

"Ah, really."

Maro placed the bags on the table and handed me a letter that was with them. The envelope was addressed to me, "To Hinami." Seeing the envelope, I was startled.

This is God's handwriting.

I quickly turned the envelope over, and there was "Rigoris" written on the back. I traced the name with my finger. I never thought I would receive a letter from God.

"Hinami-sama?"

"Ah! Sorry, sorry, I'll read it."

Iku must have thought it was suspicious that I had stopped moving with the envelope in my hand. He called out to me, bringing me back to my senses.

I carefully opened the neatly sealed envelope and took out a sheet of paper. It was written in a familiar handwriting.

---

To Hinami,

Congratulations on going out into the town and buying the shop.

I'm sure your shop will become popular soon. Good luck, I'm cheering for you.

By the way, as a gift for your shop, I'm sending you some clothes. I think they'll suit your taste, so please try them on.

If you have any problems, just call me.

Your voice will reach me.

See you soon.

Rigoris

---

So,

these bags are probably the shop's uniforms, right? If so, I'm so happy!

I quickly opened the bags and took out the clothes.

"Wow! Amazing!"

"Ooh! So cute, de aru!"

The clothes for me and Maro were apron dresses adorned with lace and flowers.

Maro's dress was mainly blue, and mine was mainly orange, and I think they match very well.

While Maro and I were excited, Iku didn't move. I wonder why... Is it because he's a boy and not interested in clothes?

As I was thinking about this, Maro opened the bag for Iku as well.

"Ooh! So cool, de aru!"

"Really! It's great...!"

Iku's clothes were a deep green with a waist apron.

Unlike ours, they had no lace or flowers and had a very simple design that would suit Iku's slender build.

"...Iku?"

"..."

Iku had been silent since I read the letter. His expression didn't seem angry, but I couldn't understand the reason.

When Maro asked, "What's wrong?" and I followed up, Iku's gaze shifted to Maro, then to me, and finally to the letter from God on the table.

"...Is this the one called God?"

"Yes, but... calling God 'that guy' is disrespectful. What's wrong, Iku?"

Your voice is so flat, Iku, it's a bit scary. Is there something you're angry about with God?

"Hinami-sama, even though you're being used as God's toy... how can you be so happy?"

"Eh! But I was helped with the flowers, and I'm grateful to God..."

Hmm, maybe Iku is saying this for my sake.

I'm... satisfied with my current life. I'm separated from my family, but I've met Iku, Maro, and Shia.

When I said this, Iku sighed and muttered, "You're so naive."

Then Iku turned to Maro.

"Anyway, Maro. The timing is too convenient, it's suspicious. Are you God's pawn?"

"Eh!?"

"W-What are you saying, de aru! That's not true, de aru!!"

I was a bit surprised by Iku's harsh words, but I couldn't think of any reason for God to do such a thing.

"I don't think God would do something so troublesome. Besides, I'm sure God would contact us if there was a problem."

"S-S-S-S-So true, de aru!"

While I found Maro's full denial cute, Iku was still looking at her suspiciously.

"You're overreacting..."

"It's not true, de aru!"

Iku and Maro were glaring at each other.

I wonder if they get along or not... Maro was passionately saying something to Iku, and Iku was dismissively replying, "Okay, okay."

Hmm, did they make up?

"I win this time, Maro."

"Hmph! I'll catch up soon, de aru!"

"Eh! What kind of competition were you having...?"

I asked the two, but they both said, "Nothing," in unison.

"Hey, this... is Iku's. I want you to use it, okay? Is that alright?"

"...Sure, I'll use it."

"Thank you!"

I offered the clothes to Iku, and he took them quite willingly.

I was worried he might refuse because he didn't seem to think highly of God, so I was relieved.

"Yep, they really suit you, Iku!"

"Great!"

"Too much..."

Iku put on the clothes easily, and they looked very good on him.

Maro quickly tried them on too, but she seemed unsatisfied and ran to the bathroom with the clothes after changing.

"Hinami-sama, why don't you try them on too?"

"Eh? But I think they're too cute for me."

"They'll look good on you, I promise. Here, try it."

"Ah, okay... I'll try."

I was pushed by Iku and went to the bathroom.

I was a bit embarrassed to come out alone, so my plan was to change with Maro.

By the way, I wonder if Iku is okay... He seems to have a lot on his mind about God. It would be nice to talk to him when we have some time tonight.

While thinking about this, Maro and I put on the apron dresses.

"Ta-da! Aren't they cute?"

"This is embarrassing..."

Maro confidently came out of the bathroom, and I followed, feeling a bit shy.

"Why are you saying that yourself?"

"Isn't it cute? Iku, are you okay?"

"I wish you could share that confidence with Hinami-sama."

Wait, do I lack that much confidence? I was a bit discouraged by Iku's words... No, I need to be more positive!

"Well, don't you both look good?"

"Is that a question? That's rude!"

"Ah, okay, okay. You look cute."

Maro argued with Iku, and it was very lively.

"Right, I'll make some tea!"

"Ah, I'll help too~!"

"Then, I'll cut some fruit."

I went to the basement to get some magic recovery potions for the tea. Maro followed me, and it was very soothing. It felt like being with the flowers.

"Hinami's recovery potions are so delicious. I secretly took a few... sorry?"

"Ah, there are plenty, so feel free to drink as much as you like~"

"Yay! As expected, Hinami is so generous, de aru~!"

Maro was happy and lightly skipped down the stairs.

She jumped the last five steps and landed gracefully. As expected of a snow rabbit, but I was worried when she jumped! I'm glad she's okay.

"Massive! I'll make a fortune and become rich... As expected, Hinami, de aru~!"

"No, no, I won't sell that many."

"Really?"

Maro looked at me with wide eyes, asking, "Why?"

Why? Hmm...

"My recovery potions are quite special here. So, I don't plan to sell a lot at once."

"I see... Indeed, Hinami's recovery potions are amazing. I thought you'd just sell the stock without thinking."

Maro laughed and said, "So, the shop won't be too busy, right?" She seemed to be imagining herself working in the shop.

"Ha! If a cute girl like me is in the shop, there might be a lot of guys trying to pick me up, de aru~!"

"Indeed, Maro is cute."

But, wouldn't the guys who hit on her be pedophiles? Maro looks like she's only about 10 years old.

Even though she's a snow rabbit and might be older, I'm worried. I need to keep an eye on Maro.

"Hinami-sama, Maro~?"

"Ah, I'm coming~!"

While joking with Maro, I heard Iku calling.

I should probably ask Iku to keep an eye on Maro too. Yes, I'll do that.

"Then, let's have tea, Maro!"

"Okay!"

We held hands and hurried up the stairs to join Iku.

We enjoyed tea and looked forward to the future with Maro.

Iku: "Hinami-sama is already a handful, I can't take care of Maro too."

Hinami: "Eh!?"