The Overprotective Squad

At the time Hope and Eve were chatting happily together.

"What on earth is going on? Not a single step outside the orphanage, let alone the village!"

"Ah, don't worry too much. The new bed is probably so comfy that they've been sleeping all day."

"Worry? What worry? I just wanted to meet the little one everyone's been talking about."

"So, it was you..."

The residents of Maru Village were facing a period of utter chaos.

Just from the single fact that the child had not left the orphanage, they were wildly speculating and sharing all sorts of dreadful imaginations with each other.

"No, seriously, don't you think something's wrong? Alex, nothing strange happened yesterday, right?"

"...The child's completely healthy, so don't worry. Maybe they just don't feel like coming out today."

"You never know! Oh no, what if a monster attacked the orphanage? What if they're hurt and can't come out?"

"Mrs. Gordon, please calm down..."

"I'm too worried. I'm so worried about that sweet child!"

"..."

The villagers had only seen the child for a few days.

Some who had been busy hadn't even caught a glimpse of her, but their affection for the child was sky-high.

First, because she was a rare visitor to the village after a long time.

Second, because that visitor was a frail and delicate little girl.

Third, because none of the villagers had children of their own, and for these lonely people, the presence of 'a child' struck a deep chord.

And finally, the distorted rumors they spread among themselves had created a biased impression of the child.

"She didn't seem to eat well."

"That's right. When I saw her last time, her arms were so thin she could barely lift a small log."

"Next time she comes, I'll prepare a big feast for her."

"What? Then at our shop, we'll give her free access to the entire menu!"

Eventually, all these coincidences and circumstances converged into one.

The child unknowingly became Maru Village's public daughter, public granddaughter, a precious child whose absence for even a moment sparked endless worry.

"If that poor child were hurt—no, if she got even a single scratch, we must take her to the doctor immediately!"

"There's no need for that. I'll go check on her myself."

"The doctor?! Then, then I'll go with you!"

"How about we all just go?"

The villagers, who had been pacing in circles consumed by worry, seemed to find unity thanks to one brave suggestion.

"Alright, let's go!"

""Yeah!""

If they were worried, they would go see her themselves.

A simple yet straightforward solution.

The village doctor, the fruit vendor, the vegetable seller, housewives, the guard—everyone who shared the concern looked at each other and nodded.

A massive group of 150 people formed on the spot.

Thus, the spontaneously assembled 'Orphanage Defense Force' began their heavy march toward the orphanage.

Three hundred feet moved with determined resolve.

This army could not be stopped by anyone.

Not demons, not angels, not monsters, not even the Demon King himself could halt this overprotective, love-fueled army.

"...This is a bit much."

"Alex, aren't you coming with us?"

"Don't you think this is overdoing it?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

The villagers' charge, ready to trample anything in their path, halted at the intervention of bald Alex.

Tap, tap. The villagers, without any prior training, instinctively fell into formation.

"I will go to the orphanage alone."

""What?""

"What are you talking about?"

"Alex, I think you owe us an explanation."

The villagers' gazes turned sharp as they stared at Alex.

Despite his shining bald head and massive muscles, the murderous aura in their eyes showed no sign of fear.

"...Now, hear me out. If such a large group suddenly storms in, wouldn't the child be frightened?"

""Ah.""

"And as you saw last time, the child is very shy. That's why you all stepped aside back then, remember?"

"...Now that you mention it, you have a point."

"Were we being too hasty?"

The fiery intensity in the villagers' eyes gradually cooled.

They realized their excessive concern might end up scaring the child instead.

"Therefore, I will go alone."

"Fine. But on one condition."

"What condition would that be...?"

* * * *

Fortunately, Alex's suggestion was accepted.

However, the steps he took alone toward the orphanage felt heavy.

"Man, everyone's worry is through the roof."

Sigh.

Alex let out a deep sigh, recalling the conditions the villagers had just proposed.

...Surely nothing bad has actually happened, right?

After listening to the villagers' worried murmurs all day, Alex's own thoughts about the child gradually began to bubble up.

Rationally, he figured she'd just overslept or decided not to come out because she didn't feel like it.

Better take a weapon out, just in case.

For some reason, the closer he got to the orphanage, the more his worries piled up. Before long, he found himself imagining all kinds of worst-case scenarios under the label of 'just in case'.

"Phew..."

The more nervous one becomes, the faster the moment of confrontation arrives.

Before he knew it, Alex had reached the door of the orphanage.

After taking a deep breath, he knocked lightly on the door.

"Who is it?"

...Hmm? The voice sounds a little different.

He was briefly surprised by the slightly heavier voice that was unlike the child's usual tone.

Creak. The door of the orphanage opened, and a small child appeared.

But she wasn't the white-haired child he knew. Instead, she was a girl with black-and-white hair, and even cat ears—a beastkin.

"...Who are you?"

A beastkin girl, here at the orphanage, where no one else had been yesterday?

Alex's thoughts, filled with worst-case scenarios, plunged into chaos at the unexpected sight.

What's going on? Why is a beastkin suddenly here? Where's that child? Is she okay? Should I break down the door right now?

Dozens of worries and questions stormed through his mind.

Thousands of possible scenarios played out in his head.

"Who am I? That's what I should be asking you."

"..."

"You're not going to answer? Then I'll just go back inside."

"Ah, no, I'll answer. I'm Alex. Does a white haired child live here by any chance?"

"...She does. What's your relationship to her?"

Relationship?

That's exactly what I want to ask!

Alex was frustrated.

Why was this beastkin girl here? Was the child safe? His head was spinning with worry.

"Let me ask you this first— is the child safe?"

"Of course she is. What's with the sudden question? Oh, don't tell me you think I hurt her?"

"Well, it's just that..."

"What if I did?"

"..."

"Kidding. By the way, you must be pretty close to her, judging by how you're radiating such murderous intent."

"...You might want to pick your jokes more carefully."

Schwing.

Alex sheathed his heavy greatsword and spoke in a much calmer tone.

"I'm serious."

"That didn't scare me at all. Anyway, if you're so close to her, you must at least know her name, right? Tell me."

"...All of a sudden?"

"It's a necessary procedure. I don't know you, so I need to verify your identity somehow."

"Well, in that case, of course I know it."

"What is it?"

"It's..."

Silence.

Alex confidently started to speak but quickly closed his mouth. He didn't know the child's name.

...What is her name?

Now that he thought about it, the child had never told Alex her name.

He himself had only ever referred to her as 'kid' or 'little one'.

"I don't know."

"Pfft."

The beastkin girl snickered.

Did she know it?

Honestly, Alex was a bit envious, but he refused to back down like this.

"Ahem. Still, that child and I once hugged for a while!"

"Oh, really?"

Of course, it was:

Once (one-sided).For a while (three seconds).Hugged (just his leg).

But glossing over those details shouldn't be a problem.

"I hugged her too. I even caught her scent a bit... It wasn't intentional. Anyway, she smelled nice."

"What."

"A cozy baby formula scent. You've never smelled it, have you?"

"Damn. Damn... I admit defeat."

"Pfft."

"...Wait. Isn't your tone a bit too casual now?"

"You're imagining it."

"..."

"Sir."

"Hey."

While Alex was bantering with the mysterious beastkin girl, a familiar voice came from inside the orphanage.

It was a warm yet considerate voice, gentle yet firm, with a kindness that could prick like thorns but never hurt.

"Hope, what are you doing there? Did someone come by?"

"Ah, Miss Eve!"

It was Eve's voice.