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Episode 5.

At that, Toko said with a sullen look.

“Acorns, don’t appear.”
“Oh dear……”

So it seems the magic oven isn’t omnipotent. I wonder why an oven this versatile can’t provide acorns.

I’ll have to figure out for myself, day by day, just what this magic oven can and cannot do.

“Lunch, let’s eat!”

Ttoko’s face brightened immediately, as if they hadn’t been discouraged at all, and they tugged me along.

Angko and Chuko tied up the plate with my French toast on it between them and jjoreureu scurried outside first.

Led by them, I naturally headed to the cafe’s outdoor area. The pleasant sunlight welcomed us.

“Lunch! Here! Together!”

Ah, so we’re eating outside together. My heart fluttered with anticipation for my first meal with the squirrel employees. The squirrels each gathered, carrying a handful of food items from their own stashes.

The squirrels each placed a handful of nuts in front of them and started nibbling, cracking the shells to eat.

The warm sunlight shone down. Eating while breathing in the fresh forest air made me feel like I was on a picnic, and I felt so happy.

Now, I wonder what the French toast made by the magic oven tastes like. At least visually, it looks incredibly appetizing.

I took a big bite and slowly savored the toast with an excited heart.

Wow……

My eyes naturally closed.

Delicious!

The soft, fluffy texture that melted gently as soon as it touched my tongue, and the sweet fragrance of maple syrup rising from it.

Just working with these adorable squirrels was already the best, but now there’s even a magic oven that provides fantastic flavors. This Ppong Ppong Cafe, aren’t the owner’s benefits just too good…?

After eating for a while, I lifted my head and saw Mungko with lots of acorn shell crumbs around their mouth.

I smiled and said.

“Mungko-san! Over here.”

I gestured for them to come to me. Mungko, with sleepy half-lidded eyes, came wobbling over. Maybe because their stomach was just full, they looked several times more lethargic than usual.

I carefully brushed off the crumbs around Mungko’s mouth with my hand.

Mungko kept their eyes tightly shut and stood still, accepting my touch.

So cute. Seriously, being with these guys, there’s no time for my jaw muscles to relax—I’m smiling all the time.

As soon as the squirrels finished eating, as if they’d all made a promise, they lay down on the ground.

I looked at them, bewildered.

I watched them closely, worried they might be sick.

But contrary to my worry, the squirrels one by one started yawning. They opened their tiny mouths wide as if they might tear, revealing their cute little teeth and pink tongues.

And not long after, they all fell into a deep sleep in an instant.

They were all sleeping so soundly, they wouldn’t know if someone came and carried them off. The five squirrels were sleeping, making little koo-koo- breathing sounds. With each breath, their round bellies rose and fell.

Taking a nap in the sun after lunch seems to be their routine.

I shouldn’t disturb their peaceful sleep. I smiled faintly and held my breath.

Right in front, a stream gurgled, and whenever a breeze blew, I could smell the mountain air.

The sound of leaves rustling shwaaa- was like the sound of a valley stream.

I slowly took in the scenery of Mt. Goma, appreciating it. A beautiful view and relaxation fit for the gods.

I felt really good.

Turning to look beside me, the sight of the adorably sleeping squirrels made me smile even more.

Looking closely, each one’s sleeping position is different.

Ah, Toko takes off their glasses and puts them aside when sleeping. They neatly folded and stood them up. They’re sleeping with their mouth slightly open. The more I look at Toko, the more I sense this charmingly bookish-but-a-bit-scatterbrained vibe, and it’s kind of funny.

Anko is curled up sleeping with their tail wrapped around and used as a pillow. Should I say it’s a posture a fennec fox might take? Even while sleeping, there’s a sense of aloofness, as if not permitting others to intrude.

Mungko is lying on their back in a starfish position. Completely sprawled out, they’re stretched out with both arms and legs extended, just like a person sleeping lying down.

I wonder how our affectionate Chuko is sleeping. I kind of expected them to be curled up like Angko.

But no. Chuko’s sleeping position completely overturned my expectations. Chuko was lying face down in a starfish position. The exact same posture as Mungko, just flipped front to back.

Our youngest, Dadako, maybe because they’re still little, is sleeping leaning against Chuko, snuggled close. Using Chuko’s back as a pillow. They look so small and fragile, as if they’d blow away with a hoo-.

Every single one of them looks like an angel when sleeping. How can they be this harmless?

I quietly moved back a bit so these friends could sleep soundly. I leaned against a tree and rested in the shade.

I closed my eyes gently and listened to the chirping birds. What kind of conversation are they having among themselves, chattering so happily jjaekjjaek, ppiippii…?

.

.

.

Tok-

Tok- Tok-

What is it…?

I felt something soft tapping toktok on my cheek.

I slowly opened my eyes. I had closed them for a moment, but I must have fallen asleep without realizing it.

“…!”

As soon as I opened my eyes, I was startled. The five squirrels were standing in a circle around my face.

They were looking down at me with their round eyes. They must have been watching me sleep.

“So摩尔! Kooleukool, slept!” (Again, ‘So摩尔!’ meaning ‘Squirrel!’)
Ttoko said, as if they’d seen something amazing. I smiled sheepishly and got up.

“What~, when did you all wake up?”

It felt like only a brief moment, but I must have slept quite deeply, as I even had bedhead. Me, who had suffered from insomnia almost every day since my parents passed away, to fall asleep this peacefully without even realizing it. What an amazing cafe this is.

Toko had put their large glasses back on. And they pushed the constantly slipping glasses up  and said clearly, one word at a time.

“Cafe, business hours!”

Having confirmed I was awake, the squirrels briskly returned to the cafe. Probably because they’d napped, their little behinds all looked noticeably more refreshed.

“Toko, Anko, Mungko, Chuko, Tadako-san!”

At my call, the squirrels all turned their heads and looked back. They tilted their heads on their round faces.

“yes!”

“Choo choo hoo!”

Toko and Chuko answered energetically.

[Come quickly.]

Mungko, having written it at some point, waved a sticky note towards me.

Anko didn’t say anything but wagged their tail gently  waiting for me.

“I’m coming too!”

I smiled brightly and ran to them in one bound.

Huh, Tadako is already out of sight. Maybe because they’re still a little, rambunctious baby squirrel, they probably got distracted by something else and didn’t even hear me calling.

These five, each with their own unique personalities.

Ah, I think I’m going to have to work here at Bolbangbang Cafe for life and lay my bones to rest here.

Willingly, for their sake.

Today, the daily operation of Bolbangbang Cafe also ended safely. The doors were already closed and we were all doing the closing cleanup together when suddenly someone flung the door open and came in.

“Ah, we’re closed.”

But the mysterious man ignored my words and strode confidently into the shop.

“Excuse me!”

I blocked this man who was barging in.

At a glance, he had a scary-looking face, and his body was also muscular and looked angry.

He was carrying an axe on one shoulder. The man’s large build made the axe seem even more intimidating. What is this? He seems like a dangerous person.

The sudden appearance of a man with an axe. It’s not like he’s here to harm our employees, is he?

“Sir, I’m sorry, but we’re closed for the day.”

I blocked the man defensively.

But the man showed no sign of leaving. He looked at me intently and asked.

“Who are you?”
“…That’s what I’d like to ask.”

I asked, fully on guard.

Just then, Toko, who had been organizing the ledger, spotted the man and scurried over.

“Chaheon!”

Toko called the man’s name as if happy to see him, acknowledging him.

The man gave a slight wave to Toko. Then he asked Toko.

“What’s this?”

Pointing towards me.

As if my presence was the suspicious one.

He glared at me sharply, as if he might swing his axe at me any moment. You come bursting into a closed cafe and that’s what you have to say? This guy, isn’t he really dangerous? Who carries an axe around these days?

“So摩尔, boss!” (Again, ‘So摩尔!’ meaning ‘Squirrel!’)
Toko introduced me to the man with a bright smile.

Seeing them talk, they do seem to know each other, but being friends with a man who carries an axe? It was hard to believe.

I worried that our innocent Toko might not realize this man’s scary true nature. But since they do seem to be acquaintances with Toko, I should observe the situation for now.

“Ah~ So you’re the new owner.”

The man said with a hearty laugh. When he laughed, his impression seemed a bit different from the first. The man continued.

“I was wondering who this suspicious person was, loitering around after closing time.”
“You’re the more suspicious one, though……”

I still hadn’t let my guard down.

Just then, Anko, Mungko, and Chuko, who had been doing the closing clean-up, heard our voices and came rushing out . All of them excitedly wagged their tails excitedly and ran to the man. He’s popular.

Somehow, I felt a bit jealous. Hey guys, is this strange man with the axe really that great? The squirrels seemed to really follow this man well, but I still didn’t trust him.

Probably because his sudden first impression left such a strong mark.

““Mr. Chaheon, are you close with the squirrels?”
“Hmm… I’ve known them longer than the owner, I suppose.”

Ugh, there’s something about this man I don’t like. It feels subtly like he’s boasting that he’s closer to the squirrels than I am.

The bookish-but-scatterbrained Toko said brightly.

“Chaheon, firewood!”
“Firewood?”

I looked at Cha Heon questioningly.

Only then did the man properly introduce himself.

“My name is Ryu Cha-heon. Every Thursday, I stop by the cafe to prepare firewood.”

Ryu Cha-heon smiled and offered his hand for a handshake. I didn’t sense any particular ill intent. I shook his hand too. Now I understand the meaning of the axe. So Ryu Cha-heon is like a woodcutter, that’s why he was carrying an axe.

“You should have said so from the start. I misunderstood, thinking you were some suspicious person.”
“Sorry. You looked so tense and on guard, it was a bit amusing.”

Ah, I just met Ryu Cha-heon, but I can say this for sure: I don’t think I’ll get along well with Ryu Cha-heon personality-wise.

Why on earth are our employees so fond of this guy? I looked Ryu Cha-heon up and down with an expression that showed I didn’t understand. What charm does he have? Just looking at his face, he seems cold, not the kind of face that animals would be drawn to… .

“Well then, I’ll go split some firewood.”

Ryu Chaheon said. I shrugged.

Ryu Chaheon headed straight to the backyard of the cafe without delay.