The Golden-Handed Baby Fixes Everything! - Chapter 3

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 3
Tall. Broad shoulders.
Pale face and long, sweeping lashes.
Clear blue eyes like a still lake, and soft wheat-colored hair.
His languid half-lidded gaze carried both ease and a certain sharpness.
The man leisurely surveyed the room, then smiled faintly and spoke.
“I’m Oliver.”
The brief introduction sent a ripple of murmurs through the crowd.
“Oh, he’s trouble. Real trouble.”
“No kidding. His face is insane. His voice is insane, too.”
“Wait, does the Imperial Law say being too handsome is a crime or something?”
“Then you’d get a reduced sentence…?”
“You little—!”
I couldn’t take my eyes off him, either.
Thump-thump.
My small heart pounded without mercy.
It wasn’t because he was handsome, though. It was for another reason.
‘He’s an undercover investigator.’
Thanks to squeezing my tiny brain for all it was worth, I managed to recall who this man was.
That man was undoubtedly the undercover investigator Panteibe had sent.
‘I’m sure of it, since I saw him in Saturday Gossip.’
With bright, eager eyes, I fixed my gaze on Mr. Oliver.
‘If it’s him, he could make my plan come true!’
My plan to be sent to a perfectly decent orphanage, that is.
‘An investigator like him should have the authority to choose an orphanage, right?’
If I could make a good impression first, and then casually let something slip…
That was when it happened.
“Wh-what?! What on earth is he doing here…!”
Ricky, who had been sitting beside me, shot to his feet with a yelp.
Every head in the room turned toward him.
Not just Oliver, but even the guard’s attention snapped to him.
“What’s gotten into you, Ricky? You know him?”
At the guard’s suspicious question, Ricky blinked rapidly.
“Well, I, um… He’s so good-looking, and it’s just a shame he ended up in a place like this. Ha, ha.”
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly and sat back down, and a chorus of teasing jeers rained down from all directions.
“Geez, you scared me.”
“Don’t overreact, Ricky-.”
“Ugh, quit showing off!”
Laughing it off, he waved at everyone and mouthed, ‘Sorry, sorry.’
But I, sitting right next to him, could see it.
‘His eyes are doing the hula.’
Could he have caught on to Oliver’s identity, too?
That Oliver was an undercover investigator?
I narrowed my eyes and leaned in close to him.
“What is it? What’s wrong, squirt?”
“Brother, honestly, tell me.”
“Tell you what…?”
“Did you, like, turn out to be an investigator or something? Or did you do some kind of crime?”
“What are you talking about? Who’s more upright and clean than me?!”
Huh. Judging by how he jumped, he really doesn’t seem to be one.
“Then I’m not asking. Just keep your nose clean from now on.”
So was he actually just startled by how handsome the guy is?
I tilted my head and straightened up, only to lock eyes with Oliver, who was staring our way.
Wow, he’s really handsome…
‘No, this is no time for that.’
Good impression, smile!
I quickly flashed him a bright, “Hi~” smile.
In that instant, Oliver’s eyebrows lifted ever so slightly.
He studied me for a long moment, then slowly smiled back.
Gasp, he’s even more handsome when he smiles.
‘Is that a good sign, though?’
He smiled at me, didn’t he?
Maybe it wasn’t a bad first step after all. The goofy, dazed grin on my face wouldn’t go away.
* * *
That evening.
I headed for Oliver’s room.
I meant to leave a good impression, one that would be hammered firmly into his mind.
‘And for that, I need to greet him properly!’
After all, a good greeting is the foundation of a good impression.
Good evening, Customer.
Nice to meet you, Customer.
I stood up straight in the hallway, rehearsed my greeting a couple of times, and clenched my fists with determination.
“Good. Perfect.”
Now it was the real thing.
But the moment I reached Oliver’s door, my resolve crumbled completely.
“Hey, move aside! I want to see his face too!”
“I want to say hello as well.”
“Me too, me too!”
Already, the area in front of Oliver’s room was packed with people.
…No wonder. There hadn’t been anyone on the way here.
‘So everyone’s gathered here.’
Sniff.
Well, there’s no helping it.
‘A strategic retreat.’
If I pushed my way into that crowd, I’d end up meeting the Grim Reaper before I ever got to see Oliver’s face.
Still, I couldn’t just give up on it.
‘Let’s change our approach.’
My gaze landed on the room two doors down from Oliver’s.
Ricky’s room.
“Okay, let’s go over there.”
My brand-new base of operations!
* * *
“Can I sleep in Ricky’s room tonight?”
At my question, Jeanne unexpectedly dropped the comb she was holding.
Her face full of shock, my dear sister clutched both my hands tightly with her empty ones.
“Why? Why? Did I do something wrong? Is that why you don’t want to sleep with me?”
“No! It’s not like that!”
I waved my hands frantically.
My kind sister must never be hurt.
“It’s not that. I just want to hang out with Mr. Newbie… and Mr. Newbie’s room is two doors down from Ricky Oppa’s, right?”
“Oh, I was wondering what it was.”
Only then did she relax, smiling brightly and nodding.
“If that’s the case, do as you like. Ricky, are you all right with it too?”
“Huh… what? What did you say?”
“You’ve been spaced out since earlier… Melloni wants to sleep in your room. Is that okay?”
At Jeanne’s words, Ricky’s eyes went wide.
Before long, he nodded vigorously and answered.
“Of course I’m fine with it! I’m so grateful! Sleep in my room. Hey? Just stay there for good. You can keep staying!”
“…No way. That’s a bit much.”
I like Jeanne better, you know.
That night.
I spread out my futon in Ricky’s room and lay down.
“Sleep well, little one.”
“Mm. You too, Oppa. And I’m not little, okay?”
“Right, little one.”
This guy is really…
‘Fine. I’ll be the generous one and let it slide.’
I huffed a breath through my nose and settled onto the futon.
Before long, Ricky fell asleep first.
The moment he drifted off, he began to groan and writhe in pain.
“Ugh, s-save… please save me. I don’t know anything.”
What kind of dream is he having, anyway?
I let out a worried sigh and patted my brother’s chest gently.
Ah, that’s quieter now.
‘Alright, time to get moving.’
I crept along as quietly as I could, barely breathing.
‘If I open the door, he might wake up…’
If the rusty door made even the slightest noise, Ricky might wake.
That would be a problem.
He wouldn’t just let me wander around alone at night.
So I chose the small hole at the bottom of the door.
It was meant for passing food back and forth, and I just barely managed to squeeze through.
‘Give it a few more years and that won’t be possible.’
I carefully pushed my head through the hole and wriggled my way out.
The empty hallway was dark and silent.
Ahem.
‘This is kind of scary…’
Suddenly, I found myself thinking of the Brambshua ghost story Ricky had told me once.
“You know what, Melloni?”
“Wh-what?”
“There’s actually a monster living here in Brambshua, you know?”
“…M-monster?”
“Yeah. The monster of Brambshua eats little kids who stay up past their bedtime-”
“Ricky. Stop teasing Melloni.”
“Hmph. Jeanne’s only mad at you, Ricky. Hmph, hmph.”
Still, since it was Ricky who told me, I didn’t really believe it.
‘Ugh. Brother always has to go and tell scary stories.’
Honestly, the me from before would have laughed off a silly ghost story like this.
I wouldn’t have been scared of some dark, empty hallway either.
After all, I’d been through all sorts of things while living on the streets.
But the problem was my body.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m small… my childish instincts keep coming back.’
Picking at my carrots again was proof of that.
Before I regressed, I’d never been picky about food, and sometimes I’d even scavenge spoiled food to eat.
…I can’t tell if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
Ugh.
‘Well, for now, let’s just keep going.’
Since I’d come all this way, I had to accomplish my goal.
My destination was in front of Mr. Oliver’s room.
Of course, I had no intention of going inside.
‘Invading someone’s privacy is a no-no.’
I just meant to keep an eye on things from outside.
My legs were trembling with fear, but I forced them to keep moving.
I crept up as quietly as I could and peeked around in front of his room for a moment-
‘O-okay, that should be enough. Let’s go back!’
I think that was brave enough, Melloni!
With my mission accomplished, I hurried back to Ricky’s room.
Whew, huff.
‘Definitely not wandering around at night again. That’ll be better for my heart.’
I got back down on my belly and wriggled my legs into the hole once more.
I had just squeezed my way in up to my shoulders when-
“…Huh?”
Ah, it won’t budge?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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