I Became the Cute One in the Troubleshooter Squad

It was early spring weather—just chilly enough to need a light coat.

The crisp wind made me instinctively hunch my shoulders, brushing past my ears and messing up my hair.

Thanks to the fox mask I always relied on, I didn’t have to worry about my face getting cold, which, I guess, was a small mercy.

With both hands wrapped around a warm, toasty piece of bread, I was staring off into the distance.

How did things end up like this?

It was supposed to be just another ordinary weekend lunch.

So why was I sitting here, spacing out with thoughts like this floating through my head?

As it happened, there was one clear reason.

Right now, I was sitting side by side on a bench overlooking the lake... with a strange woman.

“...”

“...”

The awkward silence made even conversation feel impossible.

I sneaked a glance to the side and studied the woman sitting next to me.

Needless to say, it was Sirocco—the same one I ran into in front of the bakery.

She’d pulled her hat down low and tried to hide her horns and tail, but...

That sharp gaze and beautiful face still gave away who she really was.

Maybe it was because the horns and tail were hidden, or maybe because she wasn’t that well-known yet.

At least among the people walking through the park, it didn’t seem like anyone had noticed.

Sitting together to eat bread, out of nowhere... We’re not even close, are we?

To be honest, it was a baffling suggestion.

We’d only ever bumped into each other at the entrance—literally. And suddenly she was asking to eat bread together?

She said it was just too lonely eating alone...

But from my end, I couldn’t help but mentally pile up question marks over my head.

Well, now that I think about it, maybe something’s off with me too for not saying no. But hey, if someone offers to buy you bread for free... what’s the harm in eating together?

Especially if it’s someone like Sirocco—among the original characters, she was one of the more trustworthy ones.

It’s not like I just trailed along because she promised me something tasty, okay? I’m serious.

I nodded to myself like I was trying to convince myself and mumbled under my breath.

Then, I took a big bite out of the chocolate donut I was holding with both hands.

Yeah, maybe because it was free. For some reason, it tasted even better.

I was almost certain I’d end up addicted to this flavor for a while.

“Nom nom...”

“The weather’s nice. Um, r-right?”

“Yeah.”

Yeah, it’s nice. Doesn’t really feel freezing anymore, at least.

I nodded, enjoying the cool breeze, and took another bite of the donut.

Maybe because I’d already started chewing on my bread...

Sirocco, who had been hesitating, finally brought her own bread to her mouth.

I wondered if she liked bread. Her profile looked genuinely happy.

It really did seem like she hadn’t wanted to eat alone.

Unlike me—I don’t really mind eating by myself. So I found it oddly surprising.

That aside... So this is her real personality? She must really work hard to act differently in public.

I briefly recalled Sirocco’s commanding presence when she’d taken down the protesters.

An overwhelming force that crushed opposition with a cold aura like she was forged from steel.

That was the kind of presence most respected in Nighthaven.

Even with some level of socialization, other species didn’t think the same way humans did.

To be recognized among them... raw power was the most intuitive form of legitimacy.

So in Nighthaven, a leader who overpowered others with sheer strength was far more effective than a gentle, well-liked one.

—So shut up and get lost. I’m in the worst fucking mood right now.

And Sirocco, as I’d seen before, was clearly that type.

A cold, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» charismatic leader who seemed like her blood would freeze before it ever spilled.

But in reality, here she was—fidgeting in front of a kid like me.

You couldn’t help but admire the effort it must’ve taken to hide that part of herself from the world.

If it were me, I’d have given up ages ago. Her persistence was seriously impressive.

Thinking that, I sipped the milk the bakery guy had thrown in as a freebie.

Just then, Sirocco—having finished all her bread—turned to me while gazing out at the calm lake.

“Frank’s bread is really good, huh? Ever since the store first opened two months ago, I come here whenever I crave bread. But lately, it seems like there aren’t many customers... I got worried.”

“...”

“I really want to keep supporting the place. So if you ever think of bread again, please stop by? Ah, um, not like I’m trying to pressure you or anything...”

So it wasn’t just a casual suggestion to eat together after all.

Turns out, it was a heartwarming effort to keep her favorite store afloat.

Also... the bakery guy’s name is Frank? Huh. First I’ve heard of it.

Curious, I popped the last bit of my chocolate donut into my mouth.

“Come to think of it, what’s your name? I’m Shiro... I mean, Shiro.”

“...Yuria.”

“Ah, Yuria-chan. That’s such a pretty name.”

“Hee.”

She’s got taste. I really like my name too.

Fixing my mask, I smiled like a doofus and wiggled my butt for no reason.

It felt even better than getting complimented myself—that she liked the name Greg gave me.

Since I was in such a good mood, I figured I’d give her this.

I reached into the paper bag I was hugging and pulled out the chocolate donut I’d been saving.

“...!”

“Huh, this... can I really have it?”

“Yeah.”

Sirocco took the chocolate donut from me with a grateful little laugh and brought it to her mouth.

Then, as if it was incredibly delicious, her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth with one hand.

I knew exactly how she felt—I couldn’t help but smile.

Chocolate donuts really are the best. I was just as shocked the first time I tried one.

“It’s... so good. I’ll definitely buy this for myself next time.”

“Yeah. Issh gooood.”

“Eh? Ah, haha... You’re adorable.”

We looked at each other and let out small laughs.

It felt like we’d become friends—like the chocolate donut had brought us closer somehow.

I wasn’t sure how long we sat there chatting like that.

But just as the sun reached its highest point in the sky...

Sirocco checked her device, then dusted off her knees and stood up like it was time to go.

“Well then, I’ll get going. Hope we can meet again sometime.”

“...Yeah. Nyan.”

“Pfft... Okay. Bye-bye.”

Her smile was so warm as she looked at me.

It was hard to imagine this was the same person who always seemed to be scowling in discomfort.

Well, if I gave her even a little bit of positivity, I guess that’s enough.

I gave her a deep nod and waved as she walked away.

I had a feeling this connection was going to last a while.

A few days later.

At Greg’s request, I stepped out of the general store for a bit—and ran into a familiar woman on the street.

Still as faint and low-profile as ever, yet oddly full of gaps—a stunning beauty.

Of course, it was Sirocco. She was holding two heavy-looking paper bags.

They gave off a faint, toasty, nutty smell... so they must’ve been full of bread.

She really likes bread, huh? Total bread girl.

Just like I recognized her in an instant—

She seemed to have noticed me too, approaching from the other side.

Shrinking slightly into herself as she walked, she looked up and smiled warmly when she saw me.

“Oh, Yuria-chan. We keep bumping into each other in places like this.”

“Nyan.”

“Yeah, hi there.”

Hi. I lifted my hand slightly in a greeting gesture.

She returned it, but she looked oddly drained—like something was weighing on her.

She had such a dark look on her face it was almost like a shadow had settled there.

Maybe buying all that bread was her way of trying to cheer herself up?

I didn’t know the reason, but hey—we shared bread once, right?

Maybe I could be a little comfort to her, too.

The only problem was, I didn’t know how to express that thought...

So for now, I tugged on my collar and tilted my head as if to ask what was wrong.

“...?”

“Um... Are you... worried about me?”

“Yeah...”

“Oh... U-uh... Was it that obvious?”

Nod, nod.

I nodded emphatically, meaning you look super troubled, even from a distance.

Maybe she was surprised I picked up on it right away?

Sirocco touched her face as if checking it, then sighed and shook her head.

Then, as if saying this wasn’t the right place to talk—in the middle of a busy street—

She guided me toward the lakeside park where we’d eaten bread before.

Well, she handed me a golden, warm piece of bread on the way, so...

I didn’t have any reason to say no.

Sorry, Greg—gonna make a quick detour.

I offered a silent apology in my heart.