HRB 30

“Laundry?”

If it was just that, Gerold could have done it instantly with magic. Eddie tilted his head questioningly, but for some reason, Ketron avoided Eddie’s gaze.

After thinking for a moment, Eddie understood.

Fair enough, even though Gerold was capable of doing almost anything, he was busy, and doing small loads of laundry by oneself wasn’t too much trouble.

Above all, it wasn’t completely incomprehensible given that the two of them showed no signs of becoming friendly.

After settling accounts with the vegetable vendor and turning away, Eddie naturally took hold of Ketron’s sleeve. This now happened even before he consciously realized it.

He was still afraid to go out without Ketron by his side. Although he had considered that he should overcome this fear, Ketron was always beside him and had never refused his invitation to go out, so there was never an occasion to go out alone.

Ketron had also never rejected Eddie’s touch, so walking together with this subtle connection had become familiar to both of them.

But today, Ketron looked down at Eddie’s hand holding his sleeve and carefully removed it.

“Huh?”

Eddie’s gaze, which had been able to wander around with a sense of security because he had never been rejected even with a subtle touch, flickered with anxiety.

The sense of security he felt when holding Ketron’s sleeve disappeared in an instant, and before Eddie’s expression could darken, Ketron reached out and grabbed Eddie’s hand.

“Ah.”

Eddie’s soft hand, as if showing that he had never done rough work, was held tightly in Ketron’s large, rough hand. As if promising not to let go, Ketron interlaced his fingers with Eddie’s and looked at him quietly.

“Is this better for your anxiety?”

Eddie’s cheeks reddened slightly at the question, which showed that Ketron clearly understood how Eddie struggled with and felt anxious about going outside alone.

“Ah, y-yes.”

“Let’s go, then.”

Eddie surrendered himself to the gentle pull of their interlaced hands, not resisting the gesture.

Though it had been reassuring to hold onto Ketron’s sleeve, the large hand firmly grasping his was warm.

Above all, it made him feel as secure as if he had an army at his back.

And the ears of this reassuring man, despite his attempt to appear nonchalant, were noticeably flushed red, as if he was well aware that he had done something rather embarrassing.

Eddie’s expression, which had been blank for a moment, quickly returned to its usual smile. His inner state transformed to its usual composure, as if he had never felt anxiety.

Why should he be anxious? The strongest cat in the world was protecting him.

Eddie fiddled with the large hand holding his, imagining he was touching a cat’s pink paw pads. It made him feel unreasonably pleased.

Neither Ketron nor Eddie noticed the surrounding merchants watching them with even more pleased expressions.

* * *

The rumor that Eddie’s inn was looking for a new employee had spread quite widely. Somehow, the flyers Gerold had created and distributed had traveled quite far.

As a result, on the day of the interview, when applicants who had heard the rumors flocked to Eddie’s inn, the first floor was quite crowded with candidates.

It wasn’t because Eddie’s inn offered an extraordinary salary. Rather, the salary was average, but there were additional benefits that were somewhat unique.

Room and board provided.

Additionally, unlimited access to Eddie’s inn’s new menu items.

Thanks to being an inn, room and board were provided, and the unique benefit of unlimited supply of new menu items from Eddie’s inn, which subtly caused a sensation whenever a new menu item came out.

With a reasonable salary and room and board already being worthwhile, it was the third benefit that attracted people’s attention.

There were so many applicants that it could be said almost everyone who was looking for a job and had ever tried ordering beer or fried fish at Eddie’s inn just to get some banana milk had applied.

Sebastian was one of those applicants.

“Phew.”

Sebastian nervously fidgeted with his clothes.

It’s just an inn employee, why are so many people here? Looking around, he saw many strong-looking men and capable-looking young women.

If he were the owner, he’d probably notice such people first.

But Sebastian wasn’t intimidated. Boundless positivity and an optimistic personality—these were Sebastian’s greatest strengths.

‘And only strengths,’ his mother would click her tongue while saying that, but anyway.

It was his mother who kicked out her son, who kept cats at home and lived idly.

She said he was old enough to go out and find work. They had no family business or inheritance to leave him, so why was he so relaxed?

Anyway, that’s why Sebastian was now at this inn.

The first floor seemed to have been completely cleared for today’s interviews—this inn was known for not doing business during lunch hours, so they appeared to have scheduled the interviews for lunchtime and cleared the entire space—everyone present on the first floor seemed to be there for the interview.

It’s just an inn interview! He had participated casually, but everyone else seemed to have dressed up nicely, making Sebastian, who had just worn his usual home clothes, repeatedly straighten his attire.

“Ah, is everyone here?”

A cheerful voice was heard as they were waiting nervously for the interview. Sebastian, who had been staring at his feet, looked up to see the owner of Eddie’s inn, whom he had only heard about through rumors.

With sparkling silver hair and jewel-like purple eyes, a man with a face so dazzling that one might wonder if such a combination of colors could be so harmonious appeared before them.

…He heard rumors, but that face is really crazy. Why is someone with that face running an inn?

As Sebastian was having such rude thoughts about the appearance that inspired admiration despite not being at a particularly close distance, he heard other applicants beside him whispering.

“I heard rumors, but seeing him in person is incredible.”

“The rumor about him being a nobleman’s illegitimate child must be true.”

Sebastian secretly agreed with those words.

Where in the world would you find a commoner like that? From the start, such hair and eye colors were exclusive to nobles.

While the applicants were secretly whispering among themselves, two people who appeared to be inn employees came out from behind Eddie and began setting up a table.

As people craned their necks to see what was happening and scrutinized the table, Sebastian likewise closely observed what was being set up on the table.

Vegetables? Sauces? Spices? What were all these? He knew there was carrots because he saw orange, but he couldn’t understand what they were planning to do.

Were they going to have people taste things and guess which ones were fresh? But then, what were all those spices for?

Meanwhile, the two men setting up the mysterious items on the table were both quite handsome.

Both had black hair—one with cold blue eyes giving a chilly impression, and the other entirely dark with a stern expression. Their vibes were very different, but they had one thing in common.

…So that rumor was true.

It was the rumor that Eddie’s inn hired staff based on looks. The owner himself was handsome so he only hired good-looking employees? At this moment, Sebastian confirmed firsthand that this was indeed true.

Well, then doesn’t that increase my chances of being hired? Sebastian, who always made soulful expressions while looking in the mirror, suddenly puffed out his chest proudly.

Different items were arranged on three tables. Once the setup was complete, Eddie explained with a bright smile.

“These ingredients will be used for our inn’s new menu item. What it is remains a secret. Whether you deduce it or guess, please select one ingredient from each of the three tables to create a combination. We’ll hire the person whose selection is closest to the correct answer.”

It was an astonishing hiring method. Didn’t this mean they wouldn’t even listen to self-introductions? Eddie’s voice was heard above the murmuring applicants.

“I’m rather fond of fate.”

“Uh, so… if we guess correctly, you won’t consider anything else?”

When someone raised their hand and asked such a question, he nodded with a smiling face.

“Yes, the person who gets this right will be the one to create the new menu using these ingredients.”

Those who had prepared expected questions or self-introductions made disappointed sounds, but what could they say if that’s what the employer decided?

With an invitation to begin freely, applicants rose from their seats in a rush.

Whether they liked the method or not, the interviewees gathered around the tables with their plates, huddling together.

Everyone tried to peek at others’ plates for hints. It was a pointless effort since no one knew the correct answer anyway.

“Hmm…”

Sebastian didn’t look at what others were choosing but stared intently at the tables.

One table had carrots, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, and so on.

Another had pepper, chili powder, cinnamon powder, etc.

The third had onions, garlic, olives, and the like.

These are ingredients? What on earth are they making?

He couldn’t figure it out. The combinations were diverse, so it wasn’t that nothing came to mind, but neither did anything definitive.

Sebastian pondered but soon realized that pondering was unnecessary.

None of the applicants knew the correct answer anyway. Only the owner knew it. In other words, he truly intended to accept whoever chose the combination he wanted as fate.

In simple terms, it was pure luck.

If that was the case, then didn’t he have a chance? Sebastian was actually quite lucky, despite appearances.

After briefly thinking, Sebastian confidently chose a cabbage leaf among people who were hesitating and looking around nervously. There was no reason. It just looked fresh and delicious.

From the next table, he picked chili powder.

“Ket, have you gained some weight?”

“…I’m not sure.”

Eddie, not paying attention to what the applicants were choosing, kneaded Ketron’s cheeks beside him.

Whether it was the power of being twenty or just natural, despite the harsh journey, his skin felt smooth to the touch without any signs of damage, even without skincare products.

Moreover, his previously somewhat thin cheeks seemed to have gained color and filled out somewhat.

While absentmindedly playing with Ketron’s cheeks like kneading rice cakes, Eddie’s gaze turned to a man boldly selecting ingredients just as he was about to choose his final item.

Cabbage, chili powder, and finally, garlic.

Oh?

Looking at the man standing confidently with all his ingredients as if betting everything on luck, Eddie unconsciously grinned.

Found him, our inn’s kimchi machine.