第１３９６堀：忙しい時も休みを忘れない (Part1)
Chapter 1396: Never Forget to Take a Break Even When Busy
Side: Prol
Before I knew it, the clock had struck twelve.
After quickly teaching Orelia and the others how to handle the work and finishing the sorting, I spent the rest of the time supporting them while attending to my own tasks.
Well, since I had to spend time teaching, I doubt I had even two hours of actual work time.
There were a few things that weren't quite finished, but extending the time to complete them would only cut into our break, which serves no purpose.
If it were just me, that would be one thing, but since I have subordinates, staying late would only make it harder for them to take their own breaks. Putting down my pen at this hour is standard practice.
This holds true for Orelia and the others as well.
Lady Firia, perhaps noticing the time, glanced my way. I nodded and set my pen down, and Lady Firia followed suit.
"Now then, it is time. Let us take a break."
"““Eh?””"
The three of them lifted their heads, looking surprised by Lady Firia’s declaration.
Hovis had managed well enough yesterday, but since they had no experience in trying to clear their workload by midday, it seems they had disrupted their own pace.
All three of them looked as though they wanted to say "just a little more" since they hadn't finished as planned, but I couldn't allow that.
"Lady Firia is correct. That is all for today’s routine work. Please place what remains at the top of tomorrow's pile. Also, it would be best to start tomorrow by finishing today’s remainder."
"I-is that really alright?"
"You were unable to finish within the allotted time, so it cannot be helped. It is good that you have learned to gauge your own pace."
I cut Orelia’s question short with a blunt response.
If you don't draw a proper line with these things, they will just drag on forever.
"As you get used to it, your speed will increase and your efficiency will improve. It is only natural, as you are still learning the methods," Lady Firia added, following up with a gentle touch.
"Prol, I understand what you are saying, but if you don't think about how you phrase things, you’re going to be disliked, you know?"
"I am not calling them incompetent, but if they are going to be discouraged by this much, they will not be able to serve as Yuki-sama’s attendants. Besides, I am simply telling them not to overexert themselves. Also, I have made a reservation for lunch, so we shall head out immediately."
"““Eh?””"
Orelia and the others were surprised by the unexpected statement.
Hmm? Did I say something strange?
"Did you not hear me? I took the liberty of making a reservation for lunch today, thinking you might be busy with the unfamiliar work. I did not hear that any of you brought bento boxes today, correct?"
"Ah, yes. I didn't know how long the work would drag on, so I didn't bring one."
Orelia said, looking at Yayui and the others. They nodded in response to her gaze.
It is common for diligent workers to forgo bringing a lunch if they think they might need to use their break time to finish their morning tasks, hoping to go out to eat once they are done.
"Lady Firia?"
"I, too, had planned to go out to eat somewhere today."
"Then there is no problem. Come, let us go."
Since there were no issues, I urged them to move, and Orelia and the others followed, albeit a bit bewildered.
We arrived at a rather stylish café-restaurant.
"What a lovely atmosphere."
"Yes. It’s somewhat similar to the café Yuki-sama often visits."
"Oh~, I see what you mean."
"Indeed, it smells wonderful, like coffee and tea."
"I am glad you like it. As Orelia said, this shop was opened by someone who trained at that Master’s café, focusing primarily on meals and operating only during the day."
"Eh? They aren't open at night?"
That is rare in Weed.
Since electricity is provided at a low cost, the city is brightly lit even at night, so there is no issue with keeping shops open.
I have heard from Lady Ratz that night is the most profitable time because that is when people come to eat after finishing their work.
It is strange to abandon that time slot.
Of course, there are shops that only operate during the day, but those are usually places where there is no demand at night.
I was puzzled, but the explanation I received made sense.
"They are not trying to force themselves to earn money. The owner fell in love with the Master’s coffee and wanted to serve people who have the leisure to enjoy it. In other words, they decided that midday is the perfect time. It is a shop geared toward women. At night, alcohol inevitably enters the mix."
"I see."
Yayui nodded at my explanation.
In restaurants open at night, alcohol is essentially mandatory.
In other words, it comes with the trouble of drunken patrons.
And indeed, there were few men in the shop; women occupied the majority of the seats.
Then, from behind us...
"I made it."
Hearing that voice, I turned around to see Lady Nina standing there.
It seems she has arrived.
As I thought that, Yayui bowed her head in apology.
"I-I’m so sorry."
Ah, I had pushed Lady Nina out of my memory because I was so busy.
However, Lady Nina didn't seem particularly bothered.
"It’s fine. I heard from Prol that we were eating here, so I’m just late."
"That is surprisingly late for you, Lady Nina."
"Proof that I was working hard until the very last minute."
"I see. Well, since you made it, let us enjoy our meal."
"Yeah."
With that, Lady Nina took a seat with us.
Then, a server approached...
"Welcome~! Wait, huh? That’s rare, Yuki-san isn't with you?"
"Oh, if it isn't Lari."
"Yahoo. You came back."
"Today, it is just us."
Lady Firia, Lady Nina, and I greeted her normally.
However, Orelia and the others looked a bit confused.
...Ah, they don't remember her.
Just as I was wondering what to do, Lari spoke up.
"Lari, are you working here in addition to your adventurer duties?"
"If I recall, you were an adventurer alongside Ovik-san and the others, weren't you?"
Lady Firia steered the conversation skillfully, and it seemed Hovis remembered.
"That’s right. Well, you three are busy, so it can't be helped if you don't remember. It’s amazing, you know, the amount of work you ask your acquaintances to do."
"N-no, it is nothing of the sort."