l've been completely obsessed with Witch Hat Atelier lately - the world-building, the art style, the magic system, everything is just so perfect 😍
While reading the manga, I couldn't stop wondering: what would Coco look like as an adult witch?
So I couldn't resist drawing my own take on her grownup version. I imagined her with a bit more refined elegance, holding her pen, but keeping that same warm, curious spark in her eyes. ✨
Swipe / scroll to see the close-up details and step-by-step process! Let me know what you think of this design
I need that man in TERROR i need him to PANIC i need him to be having the absolute WORST DAY OF HIS LIFE because he might LOSE SOMEONE that he WASN'T SUPPOSED TO CARE ABOUT
I am completely fascinated by this abandoned home some urban explorers came across in Belgium. It’s covered in moss, which only adds to its charm, but look at the Plexiglas sunroom.
Pairing: Orufrey x Artist!Female!reader, The qieflings x Artist!Female!Reader (platonic)
Summary: A life living with six witches that accidentally got transport in your world and so many unexpected adventures awaits.
Author's note: I thought about making a Isekai but in reverse, they're the ones who got here in our world instead. It may not be like the specific of how Isekai goes and made it my way instead. Hope you do enjoy reading, excuse for the grammar and they may be out of character. BUT HOLY SHIT THIS IS LONG
-------------
AWhen the rain gave way to the night sky, soft taps against the window kept the city company in its peaceful stillness.
Hypothetically, you were inside the messy art room of your apartment, your hand moving smoothly and carefully as you worked on another portrait for a project. Creativity had always been a part of you. You had explored countless forms of art—dancing, singing, figure skating, ballet, gymnastics, acting, tailoring, and even writing stories and poetry whenever inspiration struck.
But over time, you found yourself drawn to sketching and painting. You never really had trouble with any of the others; sometimes, you simply chose to listen to your heart, careful not to overwork yourself and burn yourself out.
As you sat in your coffee chair, completely focused, soft music played in the background. "Dancing Queen" by ABBA echoed from your phone, connected to a Bluetooth speaker.
As cozy as everything felt, the one thing you didn't expect was to hear a loud crash coming from your bedroom, just across from your messy art room.
You paused the music and quickly rose from your wooden coffee chair. Before you could even step out of the room, loud shouting erupted from outside.
"Coco! You literally dropped the vase! Now they're going to be mad at us!"
The familiar voice came from none other than Agott, who was busily scolding Coco.
"Ah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Another voice quickly followed—Coco's, of course.
By now, scenes like this had become part of your daily routine. Ever since Coco, Agott, Richeh, Tetia, and their two masters had arrived, your apartment had rarely known a moment of complete silence. They were still trying to make sense of the modern world, and your home had become an endless source of confusion. Every unfamiliar object seemed to spark another question—or another accident.
How long had it been now? Two months, perhaps? Or was it only three weeks? You had honestly lost track of time.
The day they first appeared was still etched into your memory. Coco, Agott, Richeh, and Tetia had arrived alongside their masters, Qifrey and Olruggio,
Somehow, they had mistaken your apartment for a witch's domain, which only led to even more confusion once they encountered modern technology and everyday appliances. Smartphones, televisions, microwaves, and even the vacuum cleaner had left them utterly baffled.
It had been quite the adventure—or, more accurately, quite the headache—trying to explain how everything worked. On more than one occasion, you had to stop Coco from pressing random buttons, keep Tetia from wandering off in curiosity, or prevent someone from accidentally setting the kitchen on fire while attempting to "help" with dinner.
Needless to say, convincing them otherwise hadn't exactly gone according to plan.
And here you were now, living with a handful of unexpected roommates. You had even lent them comfortable clothes to help them blend into your world, though they still looked just a little out of place no matter what they wore.
You had to go shopping a few times for them as well, since the four little apprentices were mostly borrowing your clothes. Meanwhile, Qifrey and Olruggio relied on your brother's spare clothes whenever he stopped by your place.
You left your messy art room and headed toward your main bedroom, only to find a familiar scene of chaos. Qifrey was carefully picking up the shattered pieces of the vase, while Coco stood beside him, still looking guilty as she held the flowers that had once been inside it. Meanwhile, Agott held a rag, wiping away the water that had spilled across the floor.
"Everything okay in here?" you called out softly as you took in the scene before you.
The sudden sound of your voice seemed to startle Coco, and even Agott briefly glanced in your direction.
Qifrey, on the other hand, simply offered you an apologetic smile.
"Everything is all right," he reassured gently. "Just a little accident."
His calm tone suggested he was trying to ease the situation, perhaps thinking you would be upset over the broken vase.
"Ah, you weren't hurt, were you?" you asked, your gaze immediately finding Coco. There wasn't a trace of anger in your voice. It was only a vase. Expensive or not, you could always make another one yourself.
Coco nodded, fidgeting with her fingers as guilt lingered on her face. Meanwhile, Agott already knew that most of the blame fell on her. After all, she had been the one who accidentally barged the door open.
"It was me, actually," she admitted quietly, refusing to meet your eyes—or Qifrey's or Coco's. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, frustration and self-blame twisting in her chest.
Before Agott could say anything else, you spoke.
"It's just a vase," you said with a small shrug. "I can always make another one. Besides, it was my fault for leaving it in such a bad spot to begin with."
You offered Agott a gentle smile, hoping to ease the guilt weighing on her shoulders.
"There's no one to blame here. It was just an accident, so don't be too hard on yourself."
With that, you stepped closer and gently ruffled her curly hair.
For a brief moment, the room fell silent, the tension easing little by little, leaving behind nothing more than a broken vase and a lesson everyone would laugh about someday.
Meanwhile, Qifrey simply smiled to himself as he gathered the shattered pieces of the vase with a small broom and dustpan.
"Well, it seems everything has settled down now," he said softly, the familiar calm smile resting on his face as always.
That caught your attention. Noticing the broom and dustpan in Qifrey's hands, you instinctively reached for them, thinking it would be better if you threw the broken pieces away yourself.
"Maybe I should take those instead—"
Before you could, Qifrey simply turned slightly, keeping the dustpan just out of your reach.
"I'll have to disagree," he said with a soft chuckle. "It's all right. I already know where to put it."
His smile remained as calm and gentle as ever, leaving little room for argument.
A look of defeat crossed your face, but all you could do was sigh and nod in surrender. Once Qifrey left the room with the dustpan in hand, you turned your attention back to the two girls.
"Why don't you both go back to what you were doing?" you suggested.
The two exchanged a quick glance before nodding with a quiet hum. Moments later, Coco and Agott hurried out of the room, leaving you alone in the peaceful silence.
...Or so you thought.
A soft grunt suddenly came from your bed, making you flinch in surprise. For a brief moment, you assumed it was either Richeh or Tetia hiding beneath the blankets.
Nope.
It was Olruggio.
Curled up comfortably on your bed as though it belonged to him, he let out another sleepy grunt, seemingly having slept through the entire commotion.
'And here I thought you said you didn't want to sleep on my bed.'
You could only stare at him with a deadpan expression.
Still, you decided not to wake him. Judging by how peacefully he was sleeping, it was obvious he hadn't gotten proper rest in quite some time.
In truth, he hadn't.
You remembered how he and Qifrey had spent countless hours trying to find a way back to their own world, drawing spell after spell until the very last drop of conjuring ink had run dry. Even then, neither of them had been willing to give up.
Despite knowing next to nothing about magic or their world's customs, you did everything you could to help. Whether it was buying supplies, giving them a place to stay, or simply making sure they remembered to eat and rest, you wanted to lighten their burden, even if only a little.
In the end, they had no choice but to stay in your world until they found a way back home. As the days passed, Qifrey's four apprentices gradually began to make themselves at home in your apartment, slowly settling into their unexpected lives there.
You still remembered the first time you lent them your clothes while you planned a shopping trip to buy outfits of their own.
That was a memory you doubted you'd ever forget.
Agott had worn the grumpiest expression imaginable after being handed one of your oversized pink shirts. She looked as though wearing it was the greatest trial she'd ever faced.
You, Coco, Richeh, and even Qifrey couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Olruggio merely hid his amusement behind a quiet smile.
Although Agott complained the entire time, she eventually warmed up to the shirt's surprising comfort. That didn't stop Tetia from teasing her every chance she got, much to Agott's embarrassment.
Returning to the present, you quietly drew the curtains shut, dimming the afternoon sunlight that filtered through the windows. After switching off the lights, you spared one last glance at Olruggio's sleeping figure before silently making your way to the door.
With a gentle click, the door closed behind you.
What you didn't notice, however, was that Olruggio's eyes slowly cracked open.
He had only been pretending to sleep.
Through half-lidded eyes, he watched the door for a brief moment before letting out a quiet sigh, the room once again falling into silence.
'Just another day...'
With that thought lingering in your mind, you continued down the hallway toward the kitchen, hoping to grab yourself something to drink.
Halfway there, however, your footsteps came to an abrupt stop.
Richeh.
She was standing on top of the kitchen counter with Brushbuddy perched comfortably on her shoulder. A bag of snacks was clenched between her teeth, another was tucked under one arm, and she was currently reaching for yet another from the highest cabinet.
The two of you simply stared at each other.
You stood frozen in complete disbelief.
Meanwhile, Richeh looked at you as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
"..."
"..."
'...What the fu—?'
"Richeh! Did you get it—?!"
You snapped out of your daze when you heard a hushed whisper from around the corner. A moment later, a head cautiously peeked out.
It was Tetia.
The moment her eyes landed on you, she froze just as you had. The color seemed to drain from her face as she realized she'd been caught.
"Ah! M-Miss—! I mean..."
She stumbled over her words, nervously clasping her hands together.
You could only let out a small sigh.
"Please," you said gently, "you don't have to call me 'Miss,' dear."
Tetia blinked before offering an embarrassed smile, while Richeh remained perfectly balanced atop the counter, still clutching her collection of snacks as if nothing unusual had happened.
"You could've at least asked me. Then Richeh wouldn't have had to climb onto the counter."
You pinched the bridge of your nose, looking completely done with the situation.
Just another day... just another day...
You repeated the thought to yourself, silently trying to accept whatever chaos today had decided to throw at you.
With a quiet sigh, you looked between Richeh and Tetia.
"Anyway... whose idea was this?" you asked.
The two girls immediately fell silent.
They looked at each other.
Then they looked at you.
Then, almost in perfect sync, they quickly looked away.
"...Tetia? Richeh?" you called again, your voice remaining as gentle as ever.
Neither of them answered.
"I'm not mad," you reassured them. "I just want to know."
'...Why does everyone always think I'm angry?'
A small frown unconsciously formed on your face as you waited for an answer.
Unfortunately, that only seemed to convince the two girls that you were, in fact, upset.
The kitchen fell into an awkward silence, with Richeh still frozen on top of the counter, snacks in hand, while Tetia nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.
Another defeated sigh escaped your lips as one hand came to rest on your hip.
"Listen," you began patiently, "I'm not mad. You two could've just asked me instead. That way, Richeh wouldn't have had to climb all the way up there."
Your voice remained calm, carrying more concern than frustration.
"I was only worried that one of you might get hurt."
As if to prove your point, your eyes drifted toward Richeh, who was still standing on top of the counter with snacks tucked under her arm and Brushbuddy perched on her shoulder.
"It was me," Tetia confessed, raising her hand a little. "The snacks here are just really delicious... and I wanted to have seconds."
"Richeh thinks the ice cream is nice, too," Richeh added matter-of-factly, as though that perfectly explained why she had climbed onto the counter in the first place.
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?" you said with a soft chuckle. "Now, tell me what other snacks you two want. And Richeh, come on down from there. I'll get them for you instead."
Richeh obediently climbed down from the counter while you reached up and grabbed the snacks they had been eyeing, handing them over one by one. Tetia's face lit up with a grateful smile, and even Richeh gave a small, satisfied nod as she accepted hers.
Quite an interesting day, indeed.
Then again...
Living with six witches from another world meant there was never really such a thing as an ordinary day anymore.
-------++++++-------
By the end of the day, exhaustion had settled deep into your bones.
Days like these only seemed to grow more eventful the longer they stayed with you.
You swore they were all going to be the death of you. Their endless curiosity either frightened you or left you questioning everything right alongside them.
But then again...
Who could blame them?
They weren't even from this world.
Even so, here you were once again, back in your messy art room, gently gliding your paintbrush across the canvas. Music continued to fill the room, its melody carrying your imagination wherever it pleased.
You had promised yourself that you'd finish this project today.
Yet somehow, every time you found your rhythm, one of the four girls—or one of the two men—would end up needing your help.
...
That thought lingered.
Your hand slowly came to a stop as your eyes remained fixed on the unfinished painting before you.
Was this how things always went?
A distant memory quietly resurfaced.
You remembered being a child.
Your parents were always there to help you. They guided you through everything, and by the time you reached your teenage years—almost an adult—you had grown so accustomed to their presence that it became your comfort.
Your safe place.
Without realizing it, you never stepped beyond that little shell they had built around you.
When problems came, you didn't know how to face them alone.
Then, whenever you finally asked for help, they would smile and tell you...
"You can handle it on your own."
They never meant it cruelly.
You knew that.
But somehow...
It left you feeling trapped, as though you had been standing in the same place while everyone else kept moving forward.
In the end, you forced yourself to keep swimming anyway, searching for your own answers, even if it meant stumbling, failing, or embarrassing yourself along the way.
Eventually, you learned to pour those feelings somewhere else.
Into your stories.
Into your paintings.
Into every canvas that silently carried the emotions your heart could never bring itself to say aloud.
Who were you trying to fool?
No matter how far you walked, it always felt as though you would find yourself back in that same cycle.
Yet whenever you looked at those four girls...
Your chest ached.
They reminded you so much of yourself.
Curious.
Eager to learn.
Always reaching for things they didn't understand.
Sometimes you let them figure things out on their own.
Sometimes you stepped in to help.
You wondered...
Was this what your parents had been trying to do all along?
Was it your fault?
Theirs?
Or was there no one to blame at all?
Sometimes you wished you could return to that time.
To loosen the invisible chains that still kept part of you frozen in the past.
Words remained trapped in your throat.
Fear wrapped itself around your body.
And somewhere deep inside...
You were still afraid of being left behind.
Forgotten.
"Hey... you in here?"
A soft knock pulled you back to reality.
Standing in the doorway was Olruggio.
"I thought you were asleep," you muttered.
"Well, the girls are," another voice answered.
Qifrey stepped into view beside Olruggio, wearing the same calm expression he always seemed to carry.
"But you weren't in your room."
He walked over slowly.
"Is everything all right?"
You avoided his gaze, returning your attention to the canvas.
"Yeah... I'm fine."
You forced another stroke of the brush across the painting.
"Just... trying to finish this."
Your wrist moved again.
Then it trembled.
Anxiety had returned without warning.
You didn't even know why anymore.
It had lingered for so long that it almost felt like a part of you.
Before you could continue, a gentle hand wrapped around your wrist, stopping the brush in its tracks.
Qifrey.
He didn't say anything at first.
He had already noticed the trembling.
"That's enough for today."
His voice was soft.
"Come on."
From behind him, Olruggio folded his arms.
"He's right. Off to bed."
"How about you two go ahead? I'll—"
"No."
Qifrey interrupted gently before giving your wrist the smallest tug.
"Olruggio's right."
"You're exhausted."
For a brief moment, you wanted to protest.
But the words never came.
Instead, your shoulders relaxed.
"...All right."
A faint smile appeared on Qifrey's face.
Together, the three of you returned to your bedroom. The girls had long since fallen asleep in the spare room, while Qifrey and Olruggio had settled into their sleeping bags beside your bed.
"Night, you two..."
You climbed beneath the blankets.
"Good night," Qifrey replied with his usual gentle smile.
Olruggio simply answered with a quiet grunt before closing his eyes.
The room soon fell silent.
Sleep eventually came.
But you knew better than to believe it would quiet your mind so easily.
It never really had.
Lately, though...
Exhaustion had become strong enough to drag you into sleep before your thoughts could keep you awake.
-------+++++-------
The night settled peacefully over the apartment, wrapping everything in a comforting silence.
The only ones still awake were Qifrey and Olruggio.
Qifrey slowly sat up from his sleeping bag, his eyes drifting toward your sleeping figure, curled beneath the blankets.
"She's asleep..." he murmured.
"You don't say," Olruggio replied dryly from beside him, his hands resting behind his head. "You're going to try again, aren't you?"
Qifrey lowered his gaze to his hand, absentmindedly clenching the edge of his blanket.
"There's no magic here..." he muttered in frustration. "Even our spells don't obey this world's laws."
He wasn't wrong.
The laws that governed magic in their world simply refused to function here, as though an invisible barrier surrounded this place, preventing every spell from taking shape no matter how carefully it was drawn.
"I'll still find a way back home," Qifrey said quietly, determination settling into his voice. "Even if it wears me out."
Olruggio glanced at his longtime friend before letting out a weary sigh.
"Just don't push yourself too hard."
It was all he could say.
Rolling onto his side, he turned his back toward Qifrey, though he remained awake for a few moments longer.
Without another word, Qifrey carefully slipped out of his sleeping bag. He picked up a black gel pen and a fresh sheet of paper before quietly making his way to the bedroom door.
With the gentlest click, he closed it behind him.
The living room was dark, save for the small lamp casting a warm glow across the coffee table.
There, in the quiet stillness of the night, Qifrey sat down once more and began drawing another spell.
Another attempt.
Another hope that, somehow, it would lead them back home.
Only the soft scratching of pen against paper kept him company as the darkness stretched around him.
-----++++---
The next morning, you found yourself staring down at Qifrey, who had somehow fallen asleep on the couch.
Your hands rested on your hips while an exasperated look settled across your face.
A quiet sigh escaped your lips before you turned toward Olruggio.
He simply raised one hand in surrender.
"I wasn't part of this."
"...Qifrey," you murmured, your expression softening. "Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"
Carefully, you draped a blanket over his sleeping figure before adjusting the pillow beneath his head.
The last time he'd slept on the couch, he had woken up complaining about a sore neck.
You weren't about to let that happen again.
Your fingers gently brushed a few loose strands of his white hair away from his face.
Then your gaze drifted toward the eye he always kept hidden.
Now that I think about it...
He always seemed careful to keep that eye covered.
Curiosity got the better of you for just a moment.
Slowly, you reached toward the strands of hair shielding it.
Before your fingers could move them aside—
A hand gently caught your wrist.
Your eyes widened in surprise.
Qifrey had already opened his eyes.
"Ah—! Sorry... I didn't mean to wake you," you apologized immediately, startled by his sudden movement.
For a brief second, his grip tightened instinctively before he realized what he'd done.
His hand quickly relaxed.
"No," Qifrey said softly, releasing your wrist. "I should be the one apologizing. I startled you first."
He slowly sat up on the couch, offering you the same gentle smile he always wore.
"What? But I was the one who literally—"
"Ah," he interrupted with a light chuckle, "there's no need for that. I was the one who startled you, wasn't I?"
You let out a defeated groan.
There really was no winning an argument against this man.
"Fine, fine," you sighed, throwing your hands up in surrender. "Come on. Breakfast's already waiting for you."
Qifrey's smile only grew a little warmer as he quietly rose from the couch to follow you.
----+++++----
Breakfast was lively, as always.
The four girls chatted excitedly among themselves, with Tetia somehow bringing up—yet again—the oversized pink shirt Agott had been forced to wear.
"I still think you looked adorable in it!"
"I did not," Agott muttered flatly, earning a giggle from Coco.
Meanwhile, both you and Olruggio found your attention drifting toward Qifrey.
He looked exhausted.
The dark circles beneath his eyes were impossible to miss, and despite everyone else happily eating, he hadn't even touched the breakfast sitting in front of him.
You let out a quiet sigh before standing from your chair. Your own plate was already empty.
"Anyway..." you began, carrying your mug over to the counter. "Looks like the hot water's ready. Qifrey, would you like some tea?"
You picked up the kettle and poured the steaming water into your own cup before reaching for another.
"...Qifrey?"
No answer.
You glanced over your shoulder.
"Qifrey?"
"Hm?"
He blinked, as though he'd only just returned to reality.
"W-What was that?"
A collective groan echoed around the table.
"I... might've zoned out."
He smiled sheepishly.
You could only shake your head.
"Yeah... you definitely need this."
Without waiting for another answer, you poured the hot water into his teacup.
Qifrey let out a quiet chuckle, scratching the back of his neck.
"Seriously, Master!" Tetia huffed, crossing her arms. "You need to give yourself a break!"
"Master Olly already told you that," Richeh added between bites of her noodle soup.
"All right, all right," you interrupted with a laugh as you carried the two cups back to the table. You placed one in front of Qifrey.
"Let's stop ganging up on your master."
He smiled gratefully before taking a careful sip of the tea.
Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed Brushbuddy happily nibbling on a strip of bacon near the edge of the table.
...Fluffy.
You wondered, not for the first time, just how soft its fur actually was.
Clearing your throat, you looked around the table.
"It's kind of like..." you thought aloud. "What do you call the town where witches buy supplies again?"
"Kalhn," Olruggio answered.
"Right! Kalhn."
You nodded.
"So grocery shopping is pretty similar. It's where people buy food, drinks, and other things they need at home. Kind of like how you restock supplies for your atelier."
Coco's eyes lit up in understanding.
"Oh!"
"Anyway," you continued, "I thought maybe all of you could come with me. You haven't really had the chance to explore much outside the apartment, and I figured a little walk wouldn't hurt."
Tetia was the first to react.
"So we're finally going shopping—with you?!" she asked excitedly.
Beside her, Richeh had already begun wondering what the shops in your world would be like compared to Kalhn.
"If your masters allow it," you added with a small smile.
Four pairs of eyes immediately turned toward you.
"What?" you laughed. "I'm not the one making that decision."
That earned a pair of disappointed groans from Tetia and Coco.
Richeh simply continued eating.
Agott didn't seem particularly interested either, though she quietly listened.
"Well?" Olruggio asked, turning toward Qifrey.
"I don't mind," he admitted first. "I actually agree. It would probably do them some good to get outside for a while."
Qifrey remained silent.
His fingers absentmindedly curled around the warm teacup as his gaze lingered on the rising steam.
You already knew what he was thinking.
"If you're worried about what happens outside..." you said gently, "...you don't have to be."
He finally looked up.
"I've lived here my whole life. I know what to watch out for, and I'll make sure everyone stays together."
You offered him a reassuring smile.
"I'll keep them safe."
For a moment, Qifrey said nothing.
Then, after another quiet sip of his tea, the worry in his eyes softened ever so slightly.
"All right," Qifrey said at last. "We'll go with you."
The decision immediately earned excited cheers from Coco and Tetia.
"Really?!"
"Yay!"
Even Richeh looked quietly pleased, while Agott simply let out a small sigh, pretending not to be as interested as the others.
You couldn't help but smile at their reactions.
"All right, then," you said. "Finish your breakfast first. After that, take a little break and get washed up, okay?"
"Okay!" the four girls answered in unison.
The apartment was soon filled with cheerful chatter once again, making it hard not to smile as the morning carried on.
"Qifrey—"
Before you could stop him, he quietly stood from his chair.
"It's all right," he said, offering you a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be in the room."
With that, he turned and quietly walked away, leaving the lively chatter of the dining table behind.
"He's at it again," Olruggio groaned, rubbing a hand across his forehead.
You lowered your gaze, absentmindedly tracing your fingers around the warm teacup.
"I understand why he's so desperate to find a way back..." you murmured. "Anyone would be."
Your expression softened.
"But... the Brimmed Hats worry me, too."
You lifted your eyes to meet Olruggio's.
"If they're somehow involved in all of this..." you trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
"Let's leave that aside for now," Olruggio said, giving a small wave of his hand before gently patting your back.
"Don't burden yourself with problems that aren't yours to carry," he reassured you.
Even so, a quiet sense of guilt lingered in his chest. None of this was supposed to involve you in the first place.
You offered him a small, reassuring smile.
"It's okay, Olly," you said softly. "I want to help you guys, even if it's only a little."
Olruggio looked at you for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh.
"...You're too kind for your own good."
"You can't really blame me," you said with a soft laugh. "It just doesn't sit right with me... leaving someone behind when I know I can help."
Olruggio stared at you for a moment before clicking his tongue in quiet resignation.
"Tch..."
A faint blush dusted his cheeks, and despite his usual composed expression, he deliberately looked away, refusing to meet your eyes.
"You should go take a bath, Olruggio," you said, teasingly waving a hand in front of your nose as if he smelled terrible.
Olruggio looked at you with an expression so utterly offended it was as though you had insulted his entire existence.
"...Ha?!"
He placed a hand against his chest in mock disbelief.
"You know what? Fine!"
He spun on his heel dramatically, making for the hallway.
You couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"I'm joking!"
Olruggio paused for only a second before continuing on, grumbling something under his breath that you couldn't quite make out.
What you didn't notice, however, was the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
He had known you were joking from the very beginning.
Still...
Hearing you laugh like that somehow made the teasing worth enduring.
"But seriously, do go take a shower. After you're done, it'll be my turn," you said as you began stacking the dirty plates together.
"You do remember how to use the bathroom, right? I showed you before."
"Oh, of course I remember," Olruggio replied with a small nod. He paused for a moment, tapping his chin as he searched for the right word.
"I remember the girls accidentally splashed you with that... what was it called again? The thing attached to the shower..."
"The showerhead?" you offered.
"Right. The showerhead."
You let out an amused sigh.
"Ah... yeah, I remember that."
The memory came back almost instantly.
You had been teaching everyone how to use the bathroom when Coco had accidentally turned the showerhead toward you instead of the wall.
Before you knew it, you were completely soaked from head to toe, while the four girls had scrambled into a flurry of apologies.
It had been chaotic.
...But looking back on it now, it was actually a little funny.
"I'll take care of the dishes," you told Olruggio as he left the dining room and headed toward your bedroom to grab a towel.
Figuring he'd be in the bathroom soon, you turned your attention back to the sink, rolling up your sleeves before starting on the pile of dirty dishes.
About three minutes later, however, Olruggio walked back into the kitchen.
Without saying a word, he stepped beside you and reached for one of the plates.
You blinked in confusion.
"Olly, I said I'd handle it—"
"The girls are using the bathroom."
"..."
"...Right."
You paused for a second before letting out a small laugh.
"I probably should've seen that coming."
Olruggio only shrugged as he picked up a dish towel.
"Looks like I'm helping with the dishes after all."
-----+++++-----
Once the two of you had finished cleaning the kitchen, you made your way toward the guest room.
Peeking through the slightly open doorway, you found the four girls getting ready. They were dressed in the clothes you had bought for them not long ago, helping one another adjust collars, smooth out wrinkles, and fix the little details.
A small smile found its way onto your face.
Seeing how comfortable they had become in your world warmed your heart more than you cared to admit.
"You girls doing okay?" you asked softly as you stepped out from your hiding spot and into the room.
The four of them immediately turned toward you, bright smiles spreading across their faces.
"Need a hand drying your hair?" you asked, noticing their damp hair.
The four girls exchanged glances before Coco gave an embarrassed smile.
"Yeah... we've kind of gotten used to Master Olruggio drying our hair with his rings," she explained sheepishly.
You blinked.
"...You know, that explains a lot."
No wonder they always seemed to dry off so quickly back in their own world.
Unfortunately, magic wasn't exactly an option here.
Then, suddenly, something clicked.
"I've got it!" you exclaimed.
"I can use a hair dryer to dry your hair!"
Without another word, you spun around toward the door.
"I'll be right back!"
Before any of the girls could ask what you meant, you had already hurried down the hallway toward your bedroom.
"Sorry, coming in!"
You pushed the door open without thinking.
"...Oi—!"
Olruggio's startled voice echoed through the room.
He had only just finished his shower and was halfway through pulling on his shirt. A towel was still wrapped around his waist, and his face immediately flushed a deep shade of red.
Meanwhile, Qifrey sat quietly on your bed, a book resting in his hands.
He glanced up from the pages, then toward Olruggio, before letting out the faintest amused smile.
Fortunately...
You hadn't noticed any of it.
Your attention was already fixed on the dresser, rummaging through the drawers in search of the hair dryer.
"Where did I put it...?"
You continued searching, completely oblivious to Olruggio's flustered state.
"Would you mind knocking next time?!" Olruggio blurted out, hurriedly pulling his shirt over his head.
"Hm?"
You barely acknowledged him, too busy rummaging through your drawers in search of the hair dryer.
"I'm sure I left it in here somewhere..."
"Oi! Are you even listening to me?!"
Still no response.
You continued digging through drawer after drawer as if nothing unusual had happened.
Across the room, Qifrey quietly watched the scene unfold.
A soft chuckle escaped him before it gradually grew into gentle laughter.
Olruggio shot him an incredulous look.
"...You're laughing?"
"I can't help it," Qifrey admitted between quiet laughs. "She didn't even notice."
Olruggio could only let out an exasperated sigh.
"...Unbelievable."
At last, you let out a triumphant gasp.
"Found it!"
Holding the hair dryer high like a prized treasure, you flashed them both a bright smile.
"Oh, were you two talking about something?"
Both Olruggio and Qifrey simply stared at your bright, innocent smile.
For a brief moment, neither of them said a word.
It was almost as if they'd both been struck by lightning.
"..."
"..."
"N-Nothing!" Olruggio sputtered, his face somehow growing even redder as he hurriedly finished pulling his shirt into place.
"J-Just get out of here already! I'm still getting dressed!"
You blinked in confusion.
"...You are?"
Only then did you finally look up.
Your eyes landed on Olruggio for exactly one second before realization slowly dawned on your face.
"..."
"...Oh."
Your face immediately heated with embarrassment.
"S-Sorry!"
Clutching the hair dryer to your chest, you quickly turned on your heel and hurried out of the room, shutting the door behind you with an audible click.
The room fell silent.
Qifrey quietly covered his mouth, trying—and failing—to suppress another laugh.
Olruggio buried his face in one hand.
"...I swear she's going to be the death of me."
"You do have to admit..." Qifrey said with a quiet smile as he turned the page of his book, "her smile is rather adorable."
He paused for a moment before adding,
"And... kind."
Olruggio froze.
"..."
His ears turned a faint shade of red.
"...What's with that look?" he muttered, refusing to glance at Qifrey.
Qifrey only smiled to himself, his eyes returning to the book in his hands.
"I'm simply stating what I observed."
"...Tch."
Olruggio clicked his tongue, though he couldn't quite hide the warmth creeping across his face.
"...You're insufferable."
Qifrey let out another soft chuckle.
"So I've been told."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the bedroom door...
You stood frozen in the hallway, one hand clamped firmly over your mouth while the other tightly gripped the hair dryer.
Your face burned with embarrassment as the realization finally caught up to you.
HOLY SHIT... I DID NOT JUST DO THAT!
You silently screamed into your hand, resisting every urge to curl into a ball and disappear from existence.
Why didn't I knock?!
Why did I only realize it after he pointed it out?!
I am never going to hear the end of this...
Taking a deep breath, you gave your cheeks a couple of light pats.
"...Get yourself together."
The girls were still waiting for you.
No matter how embarrassing that had been, you still had four damp-haired apprentices to take care of.
With one final groan of defeat, you straightened your posture, tightened your grip on the hair dryer, and marched back toward the guest room as though absolutely nothing had happened.
Hopefully...
Olruggio would forget about it.
...Probably not.
"I'm back!" you announced, appearing in the doorway with the hair dryer in hand and a bright smile.
Unfortunately, your face was still noticeably flushed.
The four girls immediately noticed.
Coco tilted her head in concern.
"O-Oh! You're back! Um... are you all right?"
"Yeah," Tetia added, blinking at you. "Your face is really red."
Richeh quietly studied you for a moment.
"...Your temperature seems higher than usual."
Meanwhile, Agott crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes ever so slightly.
"...Did something happen?"
You froze for half a second before forcing out an awkward laugh.
"Haha...! It's nothing! Just... a little embarrassing moment."
"..."
The four girls exchanged puzzled glances.
None of them seemed entirely convinced.
You quickly cleared your throat, lifting the hair dryer with a triumphant smile.
"Anyway! I found a solution for drying your hair!"
Just like that, the topic shifted, and the girls' curiosity immediately turned toward the strange object in your hand.
You plugged the hair dryer's cord into the wall outlet before turning back to the four girls, who watched every movement with wide, curious eyes.
"What is that?" Coco asked, tilting her head.
"It kind of looks like a wand..." Tetia added.
"It doesn't have any runes," Agott pointed out, narrowing her eyes.
Richeh simply stared at the strange object in your hand.
"It's called a hair dryer," you explained, holding it up for them to see. "Instead of using magic to dry your hair, this uses warm air."
"Warm... air?" Coco repeated.
You nodded.
"Yep. Watch."
You flicked the switch on.
Fwoooosh—
The hair dryer hummed to life, sending a stream of warm air through the nozzle.
The sudden noise made all four girls jump in surprise.
"E-Eh?!" Coco squeaked.
"It talks!" Tetia exclaimed, taking an instinctive step back.
"It doesn't talk," you laughed. "That's just the motor inside."
Curious, you turned the dial to the highest setting.
"See this? It has different speeds."
You pointed to the numbers.
"One is low."
You clicked it.
The airflow softened.
"Two is medium."
Another click.
The stream of air became stronger.
"And three..." you said with a grin before switching it to the highest setting.
FWOOOOOSH—!
A much stronger blast of warm air rushed out, causing Coco's bangs to flutter wildly.
"Wah!"
Tetia burst into laughter as Coco hurriedly held down her hair.
"So powerful!" Tetia giggled.
"It feels like standing in front of a tiny wind spell," Richeh observed, fascinated.
Agott cautiously reached a hand toward the stream of air.
"...It's warm."
"It is," you said with a smile. "That's what dries your hair."
The four girls leaned in closer, their curiosity growing by the second as they watched the strange little machine work without a single drop of magic.
You couldn't help but chuckle at their reactions.
"All right," you said, setting the hair dryer to a lower setting. "Who's first?"
"Me!"
Tetia's hand shot into the air before anyone else could even answer.
"I volunteer!"
You laughed.
"I figured you'd be first."
Tetia happily skipped over before sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of you, her back facing you as she waited eagerly.
You picked up a hairbrush with one hand and the hair dryer with the other.
"Ready?"
"Mhm!"
With a gentle smile, you switched the hair dryer back on.
A warm stream of air flowed through Tetia's damp hair as you carefully brushed through the strands, taking your time to keep them from tangling.
"There we go..."
Tetia let out a content hum.
"Ooh... this feels nice."
"It doesn't hurt?" Coco asked, watching with wide eyes.
"Nope!" Tetia replied cheerfully. "It's warm!"
Curiosity quickly got the better of the others.
Coco leaned in from one side while Richeh crouched beside you, quietly observing the strange machine at work.
Agott remained where she was, arms crossed as always, though even she couldn't hide the interest in her eyes.
"So this is how people in your world dry their hair..." Coco murmured in amazement.
You nodded, gently brushing another section of Tetia's hair.
"Pretty much. No magic needed."
The three girls watched every movement carefully, fascinated by something so ordinary to you yet completely new to them.
Once Tetia's hair was completely dry, you helped tie it back into her usual two high pigtails.
"There," you said with a satisfied smile. "All done."
Tetia immediately reached up to touch her hair.
"Ooh! It's so fluffy!"
She beamed before happily hopping away to admire it, making the others giggle.
Unlike Tetia, Richeh sat perfectly still, quietly humming to herself as you brushed and dried her hair. Every so often, Brushbuddy would curiously poke at the moving strands, earning a small laugh from you.
When Richeh's hair was finished, Coco eagerly took her turn.
She couldn't stop asking questions.
"How does it make warm air?"
"Does it get tired?"
"Can it only dry hair?"
You answered each one as patiently as you could while brushing through her soft brown locks, smiling at her endless curiosity.
Finally, it was Agott's turn.
She walked over with her usual composed expression and sat down without a word.
Even so, you noticed she relaxed slightly as the warm air passed through her curls.
"...This isn't bad," she admitted quietly after a while.
You smiled to yourself.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"...Don't."
You couldn't help but laugh, earning a small huff from Agott, though she didn't seem nearly as annoyed as she pretended to be.
One by one, the four girls now had warm, dry hair, each wearing a look of quiet amazement at yet another everyday invention from your world.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
The four girls and you all turned toward it.
Standing in the doorway was Qifrey, dressed in a black turtleneck beneath his familiar white cloak, looking as composed as ever.
Beside him stood Olruggio, now fully dressed in a dark shirt, black trousers, and a jacket.
"Is everything all right in here?" Qifrey asked with his usual gentle smile.
The girls nodded enthusiastically.
"Everything's fine!"
"She dried our hair!" Tetia said proudly, patting her now-fluffy pigtails.
"And she explained how the machine works," Coco added.
Qifrey's eyes briefly shifted toward you before he smiled warmly.
"It seems you've all been busy."
Before you could reply, someone cleared their throat.
"Ahem."
You turned to Olruggio.
He gestured toward you with a raised eyebrow.
"...You're the only one who hasn't showered yet."
Silence.
"..."
"...Oh."
The realization hit you like a freight train.
"Right."
You looked down at yourself, then back at everyone else.
"...I'm literally the only one who's not ready."
Without another word, you spun around on your heel.
"I'll be right back!"
You darted out of the room, rushed into your bedroom, snatched up your towel, and disappeared toward the bathroom at full speed.
The room fell quiet for a brief moment.
Then...
"...She forgot," Olruggio muttered.
Qifrey let out a soft, amused laugh.
"I suppose she was a little too focused on everyone else."
The four girls couldn't help but giggle.
"...That's very much like her."
After your shower, you quickly dried your hair and slipped into a comfortable outfit for going out.
You were never one to overdress.
Instead, you preferred clothes that felt like you—simple, comfortable, and easy to move around in. Something you could spend the entire day wearing without a second thought.
After making a few small adjustments and giving yourself one last glance in the mirror, you nodded in satisfaction.
"That'll do."
With that, you grabbed your bag, tucked your phone and wallet inside, and headed out of your room to meet the others, who were already waiting for you.
"I'm here!" you announced as you stepped out of your room.
Crossing over to the kitchen counter, you picked up your apartment keys before grabbing your car keys from the small tray beside them.
"All right," you said, slipping both sets of keys into your pocket. "I'm all set."
The others turned toward you.
Tetia was practically bouncing with excitement, Coco's eyes sparkled with curiosity, Richeh stood quietly with Brushbuddy perched on her shoulder, and Agott waited patiently with her arms folded.
Qifrey smiled warmly.
"Then shall we?"
You returned the smile and gave a small nod.
"Yep. Let's get going."
Just as you were about to head for the door, something suddenly crossed your mind.
"Richeh."
She turned her attention toward you.
"Yes?"
"Would you mind keeping an eye on Brushbuddy for me?" you asked gently. "The place we're going is going to be pretty crowded, and I don't want the little rascal getting lost."
Your gaze shifted to the small creature perched on her shoulder.
"I know how much Brushbuddy means to all of you."
Richeh looked at Brushbuddy, who blinked back at her before giving a determined little nod, almost as if promising it would stay close.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Richeh's lips.
"I will."
You returned the smile.
"Thank you, Richeh."
Brushbuddy let out a cheerful little chirp, nuzzling against Richeh's cheek as if agreeing to the arrangement.
"All right," you said with a smile. "Let's go."
You opened the front door, waiting until everyone had stepped out into the hallway before locking the apartment behind you.
With a quiet click, you slipped the keys back into your pocket.
"This way."
The group followed you down the hallway until you stopped in front of a pair of large metal doors.
The four girls tilted their heads in confusion.
"...What's this?" Coco asked.
Qifrey and Olruggio quietly studied the strange doors as well, neither of them recognizing what they were looking at.
"It's called an elevator," you explained.
"It takes people up and down buildings much faster than using the stairs."
"So..." Tetia looked up toward the ceiling. "...it's like a moving room?"
You laughed.
"That's actually a pretty good way of describing it."
You pressed the button beside the doors.
A soft ding echoed through the hallway.
The doors slowly slid open.
The girls instinctively stepped back.
"It opened by itself!" Coco exclaimed.
"No magic..." Agott murmured, narrowing her eyes as she inspected the mechanism.
"That's because it runs on electricity instead," you explained, stepping inside first. "Come on, it's safe."
One by one, they cautiously followed you into the elevator.
The doors slid shut behind them.
Coco immediately turned around in surprise.
"It closed!"
"It'll open again when we reach the ground floor," you reassured her.
As the elevator began to descend, Tetia grabbed onto the handrail.
"It feels funny!"
"That's just because we're moving," you chuckled.
Qifrey quietly observed every detail of the elevator, while Olruggio rested a hand against one of the walls, clearly fascinated by how such a machine could function without a trace of magic.
"It's certainly faster than taking the stairs," he admitted.
"It is," you agreed. "Though elevators can still be dangerous if people don't use them properly. So it's always important to stay calm, avoid playing around inside them, and follow the safety rules."
The group nodded, taking your words seriously.
Another soft ding echoed through the cabin.
The doors slid open once more, revealing the apartment building's lobby.
"...Whoa," Tetia whispered.
Your little tour of the modern world had only just begun.
"Morning, pal," you greeted the building's security guard, who had known you for years.
The older man smiled warmly and gave you a friendly wave.
"Morning. Off somewhere today?"
"Just taking them out for a bit," you replied with a smile.
His gaze drifted toward the group gathered behind you.
The four girls politely waved back, while Qifrey and Olruggio offered courteous nods.
"Have a safe trip."
"You too."
With that, everyone continued toward the parking lot.
The moment they stepped outside, their attention was immediately captured.
Rows upon rows of vehicles filled the parking area.
"So many..." Coco whispered, her eyes sparkling.
"They're all different," Agott observed, studying the various shapes and sizes.
Tetia had already wandered a few steps ahead before stopping in front of a bright red sedan.
"So these are the... what did you call them again?"
"Cars," you answered.
"They're used to travel from one place to another much faster than walking."
Richeh quietly examined one from a distance while Brushbuddy peeked over her shoulder with equal curiosity.
Meanwhile, Qifrey and Olruggio took in the sight with interest, silently observing the strange machines that filled the lot.
You couldn't help but smile.
Thankfully, you had decided to buy a van a few years ago.
Otherwise, fitting seven passengers into a regular car would've been nearly impossible.
"There it is," you said, pointing toward your van.
The girls followed your finger, their expressions lighting up.
"...That's yours?" Coco asked.
You nodded proudly.
"Yep."
"It looks huge!" Tetia exclaimed.
"Well," you chuckled as you unlocked the doors with a press of your key fob, making the van chirp in response, "there's enough room for all of us."
The girls jumped slightly at the sudden beep.
"...It made a sound!" Coco gasped.
"Did it just recognize you?" Qifrey asked, genuinely intrigued.
You laughed.
"Something like that."
You pressed the button on your car keys.
Beep!
The van unlocked with a soft chirp.
Walking over, you slid the side door open.
"All right, everyone," you said with a smile. "Before we leave, you all need to wear your seatbelts."
The four girls tilted their heads at the exact same time.
"...Seatbelt?" Coco asked curiously.
You nodded.
"It's a safety belt. If the car suddenly stops or if an accident happens, it'll help keep you safely in your seat."
The explanation earned four thoughtful hums.
Richeh climbed in first.
"Here," you said gently. "Let me show you."
You pulled the seatbelt across her chest before clicking it into place.
Click.
"There. That's all there is to it."
Richeh looked down at the strap before tugging on it lightly.
"...It's comfortable."
"Good," you smiled. "You'll all wear one."
One by one, Coco, Tetia, and Agott climbed inside as you helped each of them fasten their seatbelts.
"But..." Tetia looked toward the front of the van. "There are two seats up there."
"Ah, those?" you replied, pointing toward the driver's seat. "I'll be driving, so I'll sit behind the steering wheel. The seat next to me is for another passenger."
The moment those words left your mouth, Tetia and Coco slowly turned to look at one another.
Agott noticed immediately.
"..."
She narrowed her eyes.
The three girls looked ready to argue over who would get the front seat.
Before a single word could leave their mouths, you raised a hand.
"Nope."
The three of them froze.
"You girls aren't riding in the front."
"Aww..." Tetia whined.
"But why?" Coco asked.
"The front passenger seat is usually for adults," you explained patiently. "Or older teens who are big enough to ride there safely. You three are still too young."
You gave them an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, girls."
Tetia dramatically slumped back into her seat.
"Aww..."
Coco pouted for a moment before nodding in understanding.
"...Okay."
Agott simply shrugged.
"I wasn't interested anyway."
"...Liar," Tetia muttered under her breath.
"I heard that."
You couldn't help but laugh.
"Don't worry. The back seats are just as comfortable."
That earned a few reluctant nods before everyone settled into their places.
"What about you two?" you asked, turning toward Qifrey and Olruggio.
The two men looked at the van for a moment, seemingly unsure where they should sit.
"I'll take the front seat—"
"I'll take the front seat—"
They both spoke at exactly the same time.
The two of them paused.
Then, almost in sync, they slowly turned to look at one another.
Silence.
"..."
"..."
You couldn't hold it in.
A snort escaped your lips before you burst into laughter.
The four girls watched the exchange with amused expressions.
"...Did they just say the exact same thing?" Coco whispered.
"I think they did," Tetia whispered back, trying not to giggle.
Olruggio clicked his tongue.
"...Tch."
"You go ahead," he sighed, gesturing toward the passenger seat. "I don't particularly care."
Qifrey smiled apologetically.
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure."
With the matter settled, Qifrey climbed into the front passenger seat while Olruggio joined the girls in the back.
"...Well," you chuckled as you climbed into the driver's seat, "that solved itself rather quickly."
Olruggio folded his arms.
"...I just didn't want to listen to you laugh any longer."
"Oh?"
You grinned mischievously.
"So you admitted I was laughing."
"...Drive."
That only made you laugh even harder.
Once everyone had settled into their seats, you reached for your own seatbelt and pulled it across your chest.
Click.
"There we go."
You slipped the key into the ignition and gave everyone one last glance through the rearview mirror.
"Everyone buckled up?"
The girls nodded eagerly.
"Yep!"
"Good."
You turned the key.
Vrrrmmm...
The engine rumbled to life.
"E-Eh?!" Coco gasped, jumping in her seat.
Brushbuddy let out a startled little chirp, puffing up its fur as it clung tightly to Richeh's shoulder.
Even Olruggio flinched slightly at the sudden sound.
"..."
Qifrey blinked in surprise as he looked around the inside of the van, quietly listening to the low hum of the engine.
"...It's alive?" Tetia asked, eyes wide with amazement.
You couldn't help but laugh.
"Nope. That's just the engine starting."
"So this is what makes it move..." Qifrey murmured, his curiosity taking over as he studied the dashboard and steering wheel.
Olruggio rested an elbow against the window, letting out a quiet breath.
"I'll admit..."
He glanced around the vehicle.
"...I'm impressed."
You smiled as you placed both hands on the steering wheel.
"All right."
Checking your mirrors one last time, you slowly shifted the van into gear.
"Next stop..."
You glanced back at everyone with a grin.
"The grocery store."
The excitement inside the van was almost immediate.
As you drove through the city, the four girls were practically glued to the windows.
Everything outside was new to them.
Rows of shops lined the streets, people walked along the sidewalks carrying shopping bags, and colorful signs hung above cafés and restaurants.
Cars passed by one after another, while motorcycles weaved carefully through traffic.
"There's so many of them..." Coco whispered, watching the endless stream of vehicles.
"And everyone seems to know exactly where they're going," Agott observed quietly.
Richeh's attention drifted to a woman walking a golden retriever.
"...Look."
Brushbuddy chirped excitedly at the sight.
"Oh!" Tetia gasped, pressing her face a little closer to the window. "That dog is huge!"
"They come in all kinds of breeds," you explained while keeping your eyes on the road. "Some are small enough to carry, while others can grow almost as tall as a person."
"There are that many?" Coco asked in amazement.
You nodded.
"Hundreds of breeds."
The girls exchanged astonished looks before returning their attention to the bustling streets outside.
Meanwhile, Qifrey quietly observed the orderly flow of traffic, occasionally glancing at the traffic lights overhead, while Olruggio watched the city pass by with thoughtful curiosity.
The world outside your apartment was proving to be far more fascinating than any of them had imagined.
With one hand on the steering wheel, you reached over and switched on the radio.
A familiar melody filled the van as your favorite playlist began to play softly through the speakers.
Not wanting it to be too cold or too warm for everyone, you adjusted the air conditioner until the temperature felt just right.
The cool air drifted through the cabin, making the drive even more comfortable.
For a little while, no one spoke.
Everyone was too busy taking in the unfamiliar sights of a world so different from their own.
After several more minutes of driving past rows of buildings, cafés, restaurants, and office towers, the familiar outline of the city's largest shopping mall came into view.
The moment it appeared through the windshield—
"...Whoa..."
The girls' eyes widened.
Even Qifrey and Olruggio looked genuinely surprised by the sheer size of the building.
"It's... enormous," Coco whispered.
"So many people gather in one place?" Agott murmured, staring up at the towering structure.
"There are multiple floors..." Qifrey observed, following the lines of the building with quiet fascination.
Olruggio let out a low whistle.
"...That's bigger than I expected."
A small smile tugged at your lips.
'Maybe I should've brought them here when I bought their clothes.'
The thought lingered for only a moment before you brushed it aside.
'Well... they're here now.'
You followed the signs leading toward the parking entrance.
As the van approached the gate, you rolled down your window.
The parking machine printed a ticket.
Beep.
You took it and slipped it into the storage compartment beside the steering wheel before the barrier slowly lifted.
"What's the ticket for?" Coco asked.
"It keeps track of how long we've parked here," you explained as you drove inside. "We'll need it later when we leave."
"Oh..."
The group watched with interest as you carefully drove through the spacious parking structure.
Rows upon rows of parked cars stretched out before them.
You slowly made your way through the aisles until an empty parking space caught your eye.
"There we go."
With a smooth turn of the steering wheel, you guided the van neatly into the space before shifting into park.
The engine fell silent.
For a brief moment, no one moved.
Then Tetia practically bounced in her seat.
"Can we go now?!"
You couldn't help but laugh.
"Easy there."
You unbuckled your seatbelt with a click before turning around to face everyone.
"First things first."
You smiled.
"Let's all get out safely."
One by one, everyone began looking down at the unfamiliar straps across their chests.
You reached over to Qifrey first.
"Here," you said. "Just press this button."
You pointed to the red release button on the buckle.
Qifrey pressed it.
Click.
The seatbelt slid smoothly away.
"I see..." he murmured, studying the mechanism with genuine interest. "A simple yet effective design."
"It is," you replied with a smile.
You stepped out from the driver's seat and walked around to the side of the van.
Sliding the door open, you were greeted by four expectant faces.
"Okay," you chuckled. "One at a time."
You leaned inside and demonstrated the buckle once more.
"Just press this red button."
Click.
"There."
Tetia's eyes lit up.
"Oh! That's easy!"
You helped her unbuckle herself before moving on to Coco.
Coco carefully copied your movements.
Click.
"I did it!"
"Good job," you praised.
Next was Richeh, who quietly watched your demonstration before unfastening her own seatbelt without any trouble.
Finally, you helped Agott.
"I could've done it myself," she mumbled, though she made no effort to stop you.
"I know," you replied with a small smile. "It's just your first time."
She looked away with a faint huff but didn't argue.
Standing nearby, Olruggio silently observed each step, paying close attention to how the seatbelt worked.
"So that's how you release it..." he muttered to himself.
You noticed him watching.
"Want to try yours?"
Olruggio gave a small nod.
He reached for the buckle, pressed the red button just as you had shown everyone else, and—
Click.
The seatbelt released.
"...Simple enough."
You smiled.
"See? You'll all be pros by the time we head home."
The girls giggled as they climbed out of the van one after another, stretching their legs after the drive.
Once everyone was outside, you slid the van's door shut and pressed the lock button on your key fob.
Beep.
The lights flashed once, letting you know the van was securely locked.
"All right," you said, slipping your keys into your pocket.
"Ready to see the mall?"
"Ready to see the mall?" you asked.
"Yes!" the four girls answered in unison, their excitement practically overflowing.
Qifrey smiled and gave a small nod.
"We're ready."
Olruggio nodded as well.
"Lead the way."
You smiled before leading everyone through the parking lot, carefully walking between the neatly parked rows of cars.
As the group admired their surroundings, you pulled out your phone and opened the Notes app.
"Hm..."
Your thumb scrolled down the grocery list.
...And down.
...And down.
"..."
"...I really let this get out of hand."
The list just kept going.
By the time you reached the bottom, you let out a long sigh.
"...Yeah."
You rubbed your forehead.
"I really need to stop putting off my restocking."
Qifrey glanced curiously at your phone.
"Is that everything we need to buy?"
"...Unfortunately."
He blinked.
"That's... quite a list."
Olruggio leaned over for a brief look before raising an eyebrow.
"...You weren't kidding."
You slipped your phone back into your pocket with a sheepish laugh.
"I may have procrastinated... just a little."
"A little?" Olruggio repeated flatly.
You looked away innocently.
"...Let's just say we're going to be here for a while."
This one time I got really into ladybug and started to draw Chat Noir nonstop (it didn’t help that I was in arts and design school), I have pads and pads of paper to prove it. Drawing him was like a kind of high that was good sometimes but I could never really chase most of the time i did doodle chat.
Why do i mention this?
the same thing is happening with Qifrey at the moment.
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