Bandit and Little Freckles
---Early Morning, the Next Day
Ugh, crying myself to sleep? That’s so embarrassing. But at five years old, maybe it’s forgivable?
Being in bed means someone carried me here from the living room, doesn’t it? The thought is enough to make me want to cry again from guilt.
My throat feels parched from all the crying. I need a drink of water.
I don’t know where the kitchen is, but I’ll find it if I just keep walking.
With that thought, I left my room.
After a little while, I saw Gray, the butler, approaching from the other direction. He looked a bit startled as he noticed me, quickly coming over.
“Good morning, young lady. It’s not yet five o’clock, but is something the matter?”
From what I remember, I’ve never woken up this early before. Usually, Sarah has to wake me. But as an 82-year-old, this is just my usual wake-up time. Ah, the joys of an early morning in old age.
“Good morning, Gray. I woke up thirsty, so I was hoping to get some water from the kitchen.”
“I see. You know, if you ring the bell in your room, Sarah would have come to assist you.”
“But it’s so early, isn’t it? It would be terrible to wake Sarah up just for some water.”
I mean, Sarah is only twelve. It’s just not right to disturb her.
“! So thoughtful, aren’t you? Shall I accompany you to the kitchen, then?”
“Yes, thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
I bow my head politely.
“!!!”
Unbeknownst to me, the five-year-old Joan was known for her haughty attitude toward everyone. She assumed that others would do things for her without thanks, and she’d never bowed her head or said "please."
As we walked together to the kitchen, Gray, perhaps sensing my confusion, shared some helpful information.
In this world, as in my past life, there is a 24-hour day.
The only difference is that instead of “hours” and “minutes,” they say “o'clock” and “minutes”.
The seasons are the same as Japan, with a week of seven days and a year of 365 days.
The days of the week here are Light, Fire, Water, Wind, Thunder, Earth, and Null.
With my short legs doing their best, I finally arrived at the kitchen.
The cooks were already busy preparing breakfast.
Gray and I entered together.
“Oh? Mr. Gray, what brings you here so early?”
Whoa, he looks like a bandit! Big voice, big build, with a beard.
“Good morning, Abe. I’m not here for myself, actually…”
Gray gestures toward me.
“Good morning. I’m thirsty, so could I pleashe have some water?”
I fumbled over my words. How embarrassing.
““Pfft…”” A stifled laugh came from somewhere. Two of them, actually. It wasn’t Gray… so who could it be?
Before the water arrived, I glanced around the kitchen, curious.
Ah, there she is!
A girl with red pigtails from behind.
She looked like a character from a famous novel! I read that book so much back in the day. If only she had freckles and shared the same name…
As I was grinning to myself at the thought, Abe returned with a cup of water.
“Here you go, young lady. Some water.”
“Thank you.”
“!”
Gulp, gulp, gulp…
Ah, that was refreshing.
But, come to think of it, I remember hearing that lukewarm water is best for health and beauty in the morning.
Maybe I should tell Mother about that next time.
“Sorry to bother you during such a busy time.”
I bow my head again.
“No, no, please, you don’t need to bow. For water, anytime—by the glass, even by the bucket.”
I don’t need a bucket, though.
Oh, I should apologize for leaving food last night. Abe was the chef, if I recall correctly, but best to confirm!
“Excuse me, may I ask your name?”
“Ah, I’m Abe, the head chef here. And this here is… Hey, come over here.”
The red-haired girl approached.
Finally, I’ll get to see her face. Is she a freckle-face?
Bingo!!
Freckle-face confirmed!!
On the brink of hitting jackpot! Now, tell me your name!
“Young lady, my name is Annie.”
Oh, you’re *that* Annie.
The one from the musical, huh? Well then, shouldn’t you have a curly red afro?
… Calm down, me. Everyone’s watching.
“Abe, Annie, I’m sorry for not finishing my dinner last night. I was too full to eat it all.”
“Oh, no, no, there’s no need to apologize. As long as you were full, that’s all that matters.”
“But wasting food would be a shame… So please, next time, give me a smaller portion.”
I bow my head again.
“Young lady, there’s no need to bow so much.”
Said Gray.
“But it’s important to bow when asking for a favor, isn’t it?”
“!!!”
“Y-yes, I suppose it is important to be courteous when making requests.”
Thud, thud, thud…
Huh? Someone’s running this way. I wonder what’s going on?
What do you think about this chapter?
