As the Grandcypher's cook, it is one of my duties to take care of the ship's food supply. And so, I always find myself going shopping every time we land on a new island and visiting a new town, in order to restock our food stockpile.

"Alright, we got everything we needed. Since we got some time left, do you want to visit the town a bit? Or do you want to go back to the ship now, Yaia?" I asked my companion who stood by my side, helping me with my little errand as she carried a little bag in her hands.

Yaia, a Draph girl and a fellow member of Djeeta's crew. Apparently, she joined Djeeta's group because she wanted to go find a rare medicinal herb in order to cure her father who was suffering from an illness. A behavior worthy of praise, given her young age.

"Hmm... Ah, can we take a break at the park over there? I'm a little tired..."

"Sure, I don't mind, we did walk a lot since the market was pretty big. Oh yeah, I got some candies on me. Do you want some?"

"Yes!"

Seeing the young girl gently take the candies from my hand and cutely eat them as we walked, I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

It reminds me a bit of the time I took care of Artoria when she was small. Although, Yaia's more high-spirited than she was at her age... and less clingy.

"Eek!" I blinked when I heard Yaia shrek, pulling me out of my thoughts, as I saw her looking down at a kitten who was pushing its head against her leg in a circular rubbing motion.

"Ahaha! Stop it! That tickles!" Yaia said as she lifted the kitten up, only to have her face licked by it, which made her laugh.

"Aaah! Hey, no licking my face! Your tongue is all rough... I can't stand the tickles!"

"Well, looks like the little guy here has taken a liking to you." Damn, I wish I had a phone or some kind of camera on me...

"Hey, Big Brother. Can we take mister kitty back with us?"

"I don't think you should ask me that, but Djeeta instead since she's our crew's leader... but I guess it should be fine, considering that Dante brought with him a huge pack of cats when he joined the crew and there is also Verminator aboard too, so I guess having to take care of one more cat shouldn't hurt anybody."

"Yay! It looks like you will be able to come with us, Hernia!" Yaia squealed excitedly as she hugged the cat while I blinked, confused by the last word that came out of her mouth.

"Yaia, did you just name that kitty Hernia?" I asked Yaia who gave me a nod, a bright smile on her little face.

"Mm-hm! Isn't it an adorable name?"

Adorable is the last word I would use to describe that term... Well, I do know of a woman named Hernia, but it's from a Korean game, so I doubt they named her after the condition.

"How did you come up with a name like that?"

"Well, you see, Dad would always yell 'Ngh! Hernia's acting up again!', and that's that!"

"I see..."

Hearing Yaia's answer, I could only let out a faint chuckle.

Her dad, huh... Still, I guess I shouldn't be surprised when she named her favorite stuffed animal, among all names she could have given it, 'Charley Horse'. I wonder if she also got that name from her father.

But then, Hernia suddenly leaped down from Yaia's arms and ran straight off.

"Wait, Hernia! Where are you going?" Yaia shouted as she quickly gave chase while I followed her close behind, not forgetting to take the things we bought with me. And quickly, we came across Hernia snuggling up to two older cats.

"Could they be Hernia's parents?"

"Looks like it."

"Really now, Hernia. You shouldn't just leave your parents' side like that! You can't imagine how worried that can make them!" Yaia scolded the kitty who purred to her words, as if in apology, before departing with her parents as they walked down the street together.

And as we looked at them, I glanced at Yaia who watched over Hernia's every little movement with a sad gaze.

She must be homesick, which isn't surprising at all. Even if she's a little ray of sunshine, always smiling and energetic, she's still a six years old kid. It's no wonder that she would miss her father...

"Hey, Yaia? Would you like to return to your home?" I decided to ask Yaia who was surprised by my question as she widened her eyes.

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

"Well, you've been away from your dad for so long, I thought you might be getting lonely..."

But to my surprise, Yaia shook her head before she grabbed my hand, a bright smile on her face.

"Nuh-uh. I'm not feeling lonely at all because I have Big Brother Kay, Big Sister Djeeta, and everybody of the crew by my side! So I'm not lonely!" She said, but I could only frown as her gaze remained fixed on the departing family of cats.

She may pretend otherwise, but it's obvious that she misses him. Perhaps I should ask Djeeta if it's possible to make a detour to Yaia's hometown... or perhaps finally make Merlin teach me her teleportation Magecraft.

I thought as I gently patted Yaia's head who looked up at me, slightly tilting her head in confusion.

"Hm? Big Brother, what's the headpat for?"

"No reason. You don't like it?"

"Yes, I love it actually! Especially coming from you, Big Brother.

It feels just like the headpats my dad used to give!" Yaia said with a bright and wide smile on her face, and I couldn't help myself but to give one in return.

Damn, her smile is really contagious... Alright, I made my decision. Although my stay in this world will be a short one, I'll do my best to not make her feel lonely ever again. I wonder how Artoria would react about having a surrogate little sister. I'm sure that taking care of a child could be a good experience for her.

In the middle of the night, in my room on my bed, I was combing Merlin's hair who was sitting on my lap.

"Alright, I'm done. Are you sure that's all you wanted as your reward for teaching me teleportation Magecraft?" I asked the succubus who nodded with a hum before she proceeded to lean her back against me.

"Yes. I saw a couple do that this afternoon when I was walking around town with Artoria and the girls, and I got a bit curious. I have to say, it felt pretty good to have someone else take care of me. Hey, how about we take a bath together tomorrow? I'd like to have you take care of my whole body, if you understand what I mean." She said looking at me with a mischievous smile, and I just let out a sigh.

"I'll think about it...?" I blinked when I suddenly heard a knock on my door.

"It looks like you got a visitor, and a very cute one." Merlin said as she got up from my lap and sat on the bed, allowing me to get up and walk to the door.

And when I opened it, I blinked when I saw no one behind before I felt the hem of my shirt being pulled on, causing me to look down to see Yaia in her pajamas, snuggling Charley Horse in her little arm.

"Why are you still up this late, Yaia? Are there any problems?"

"Erm, well...is it okay if I sleep in your bed tonight, Big Brother?" She asked me, showing a puppy dog look on her face which I deemed impossible to ignore.

How cute... Still, I suppose she couldn't sleep tonight because she misses her dad.

And before I could give him my answer, my eyes twitched when I felt two soft weights pressed against my back as Merlin hugged me from behind.

"Hey, Yaia. We already planned to spend the night together, so if you don't mind me being there, how about we sleep the three of us together tonight?"

"I don't mind. I would like to sleep with Big Sister Merlin too." Yaia said as she looked at the succubus with a smile before she turned to me, awaiting my decision.

"Sigh... Well, one person or two, it doesn't really matter. Alright, how about we go to bed together?"

"Yaay! Thanks!"

And just like that, Yaia entered my bedroom and grabbed my hand and Merlin's as well, making the succubus blink in surprise. While I snorted at her expression, I led the two girls to my bed which we all crawled into.

"Ehehe, I get to sleep between Big Brother and Big Sister!" Yaia said with a bright smile as she was laying between Merlin and I, clutching one of our hands in hers.

"You sure look happy." Merlin said as she looked at Yaia who nodded, snuggling against both of us.

"You know, being with Big Brother reminds me of Dad and Big Sister of Mom... I think. Dad said that she went to the stars when I was really small, so I don't really remember her."

So, her mother must have died when she was still a toddler then.

"A mom, huh..." I heard Merlin mutter, seemingly lost in her thought, before a small smile appeared on her face.

"Alright, it's getting late, so it's about time we go to dreamland now."

As soon as she said that, Yaia yawned and slowly started to close her eyes.

"Good... night, Big Brother... Big Sister... Zzz..."

"Wow, she sure went to sleep pretty fast. Just goes to show how relaxed she is around you, Kay."

"Maybe you played a role too since she seems to like you, even though I really wonder why."

"That's pretty rude of you, don't you think?"

"Mng... ... Big Brother, Sister... I love... you..." I was a bit surprised when I heard Yaia talk in her sleep, and I think Merlin was too, given her wide eyes.

"Thank you, Yaia, me too." I whispered, gently stroking her head which made her smile.

"Nng... Ehehe..."

"I guess we'd better get our share of sleep too."

"Right."

And then, I let the drowsiness wash over me, welcoming a good night's rest with Merlin and Yaia by my side.

"A mother… ufufu…"

"And just like that, a horde of predators appeared on the deck of the Grancypher, all staring at their prey who could only shiver, his hones senses warning him of an immense dangers, much to his confusion and fear.