It was 9 PM.
The closed time for [Suzuya] was approaching.
I was grilling meat in the kitchen while Nimi shook a pot behind me.
Orders for food had decreased, and orders for drinks had increased.
I noticed a small figure entering the kitchen and smiled while greeting them.
"How's business?"
"More drinks than food. I understand how you feel."
"Then… maybe it's okay to take a short break?"
"I think Nimi should rest more than I should."
Nimi stopped cooking and smiled gently at Croana, but Croana shook her head with a wry smile and glanced at me.
Nimi must have heard about the baby conversation.
The first thing Croana said when she saw my face after returning to [Suzuya] was "You can't be too rough, okay?"
At her words, I could only apologize with a troubled wry smile.
Nimi smiled gently at Croana's worried voice and stirred the frying pan with one hand.
Croana went to Nimi, took a glass of water, and chatted happily.
Watching her stop cooking to chat, I was impressed.
