Vol 3 Chapter 34 – My First Service Was a Huge Success!【Vol 3: Torte the Dog-Eared Girl Ar】

The moment we stepped through the front door of Eclair’s house, Torte spread both arms wide.

“Waaah! It’s been so long!”

Her curled dog tail wagged furiously as she bounced around. Her sheer joy was contagious.

“That nostalgic, huh?”

“Yes! Torte used to live in this house with Eclair-neechan!”

An innocent smile bloomed across her face.

Turns out this house was where Eclair and Torte had started living when they first came to the capital from their home village.

“No wonder it seemed too big for Eclair to live in alone.”

“It’s a bit cramped for three people though.”

Eclair smiled wryly as she set down her luggage by the entrance.

“Ehehe, this place really feels like home. Oh! I’m gonna go change!”

Torte cheerfully announced this before pattering off toward the back room.

“Well, I should put my stuff away too. Can I use the bedroom?”

“Yeah, sure. Make yourself comfortable.”

I efficiently arranged the clothes and supplies I’d brought from my place. Having been here many times, I knew my way around.

That’s right. Starting today, the three of us would be living together in this house.

“Hey, Theo. Are you really gonna do this? ‘Treating’ me and Torte in shifts…”

“Of course. To break both your curses simultaneously, that’s the only way.”

I answered Eclair’s worried look with conviction.

Treat Torte during the day, Eclair at night! Two people per day! That’s my curse-breaking plan!

“You’re definitely gonna collapse…”

“I-I’ll be fine! I’ll do my best!”

I answered Eclair’s deadpan observation with nervous laughter. I know it’s reckless. But it’s the most reliable method I’ve got.

“B-Besides… living together like this, it’s almost like we’re m-m-marr—”

“Huh? What?”

“N-Nothing!”

Eclair turned away, her face bright red. …I wonder what that was about. Is she worried about my snoring at night or something?

“Master!”

A cheerful voice rang out as Torte bounded back into the room. When I saw her, I couldn’t help but let out an impressed “Whoa…”

There stood an adorable maid.

Frills of white and black fluttered gracefully, with a small red ribbon at her chest. A pure white apron accentuated her waistline, and her thighs peeked temptingly from beneath the skirt’s hem. A lace headband perched cutely atop her dog ears, enhancing her delicate charm.

“What the—? Torte, why are you dressed like that?”

“Ehehe, Milfy-neechan bought this for me before!”

“Oh yeah… I vaguely remember that. But why wear it now?”

“Because this is my service outfit! I really wanted this for times like these! ♪”

Torte twirled in place. The skirt’s hem flared out as her light brown hair and dog ears bobbed playfully.

“How do I look, Master?”

“Ah… Y-Yeah! You’re cute. It really suits you!”

No flattery—pure honesty. You know that expression “like an angel”? This is exactly the kind of moment it was made for.

“Ehehe! Thank you! Torte’s gonna give Master lots and lots of service in this outfit!”

Torte beamed up at me with that radiant smile. Man, she really is like a sunflower.

As I stood there admiring her, a sudden impact hit my side.

“Ow?!”

I looked over to see Eclair had elbowed me.

“Wh-What…? Eclair?”

“—Nothing.”

The cat-eared girl pouted and turned away with a sulky tone.

“No, you’re definitely mad, right?”

“I’m not mad.”

Seriously…? Did I do something wrong…?

“Anyway, let’s have dinner!”

“O-Oh yeah, it is getting late. I’ll get started—”

“It’s already done!”

“…Huh?”

When we reached the dining area, three full meals were laid out on the table. A colorful salad, perfectly grilled white fish, fragrant steam rising from the soup—

“When did you make all this?!”

“While I was changing!”

“In that short time? That seems impossibly fast!”

I stared wide-eyed at the proud Torte.

“She’s incredible with housework. Cooking, cleaning, laundry—she can do anything in an instant.”

“Still, this is…”

“Master! Try Torte’s cooking! ♪”

At her urging, I took a bite and gasped.

“…This is delicious!”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it’s amazing! The seasoning, the cooking—everything’s perfect!”

I cook for myself regularly, but this was on another level. No exaggeration, this could be served in a restaurant.

“Ehehe! Yay! My first service was a huge success!”

Torte threw her hands up in celebration and plopped down beside me. Then she gazed up at me with sparkling eyes.

“Um… what is it?”

Even when I asked, Torte just kept staring at me with those emerald green eyes.

Could this be…

I hesitated briefly before reaching out.

“Well… thanks, Torte.”

I gently patted her fluffy hair.

“Ehehe! You praised me! Woof!”

The dog-eared maid beamed innocently. Good, I guessed right.

“Whatever. It’s not like I’m terrible at cooking or anything…”

“Hm? Did you say something, Eclair?”

“Nothing!”

Eclair turned away with a huff. She’s acting really weird today…