It has been about a hour since I went shopping with the help of those kids. I haven't done a single productive thing which feels good after going on my first shopping trip. Even if I only shopped at one stall but I'll do better next time.
I still kept on thinking about those kids and how sad it was that they had to sleep with no roof over their heads. I don't think I could get any sleep without a mattress, pillow, and blanket. I'll take a warm sheet for them to sleep with next time.
While I was sitting in the tavern I heard a lot of footsteps that all of the sudden stopped which made me very confused. At first I thought it could be customers but I then realized I was closed today and no one was knocking as well. That made me think it is now a burglar so I opened my window curtains and looked outside.
Instead of a suspicious person outside the tavern I see the kids that helped me all lined up against the wall across from me sitting down. Apparently they came back or maybe never left in the first place. I don't know what to do so I'll just continue to wait inside.
It has been a few hours now and it's starting to get dark and after checking outside again they were still just sitting there. I suppose I can't just leave them out there in the cold night so decide I will go out and invite them in.
I should have invited them all in the first time but I thought they wouldn't like that as I am a complete stranger but considering that they are now staying outside my place I can't stand here and do nothing. I am a kind person after all.
I opened the door and as I walked out they all lifted up the heads with a eager expression on their faces. They must think that I want them to help me again so they can get more money. It's so sad which makes me want to help them even more.
I walked a little closer and said, "Hello it looks awfully cold out here would you like to come inside for a while?" I didn't think they could get any happier based on the looks on their faces so I guided them all in the tavern so they could have some food and shelter.
I told them to sit down at one of the tables and I would come back with food shortly. They all acted flustered by this fact that I was giving them food and one of them said, "But we don't have any money."
I was confused as I did give them money earlier today so I don't how they did have money.
"What happened to the money I gave you today?" I asked them. "Some men took it from us all." So that's why they have no money, honestly people that bully children like this are simply trash. Luckily they found me and will get to eat good food tonight.
(Even though Kumo simply thought it, the damage had already been done as it heard the word and went to complete its life mission, get rid of 'trash'. That night there would be screams of fear and terror and the next morning a notorious gang that bullied the poor for money vanished and would never be found.)
Anyway, to fix the misunderstanding I told them not to worry about paying me and went to make them food. After I went in the kitchen and made sure no one is looking I prepared the food using my cheat skill and came out with the closest thing I could get to a hamburger and some sort of orange juice.
I then set all the food on their plates along with the juice and waited for them to finish. They hesitated for a second but soon ate it all so quickly that I didn't think it would be possible. You could tell by how rapidly they eat that they don't get this kind of food often.
"Why do you stay in the alleyways instead of going to a orphanage?" I said as to me it seemed like a simple way to obtain easy shelter. "Some of us have been to a few before and it's nota good place." The same one who talked the first time said.
Is their no place free of corruption in this city, surely there are people who would be kind to such pitiful children. I can't let them roam around in the dark, they're only children! They are definitely staying here at least until tomorrow.
Once they finished their food I was about to talk more but they politely asked for more and more. Each one of them had around three burgers and two drink in their stomach. How little did they exactly eat out there, if I was one of them I would've starved.
After they finally finished the food I said,"Since you guys ate here you may as well stay the night, I don't mind of course." Luckily the looks on their faces weren't filled with worry but instead, relief.
Once they were ready I took them upstairs and showed them the bathtub along with the toilet and towels and showed them how to use them. I then told them to wait there turns to show and left them to their own devices.
I than quickly redecorated the basement into a bedroom with enough beds to give one to each of them. I have a lot of company now so it's the least I can do, even if I have already fed them.
Once I finished setting up the bedroom for them adding nightlights and such I went back upstairs and drank a small glass of wine to help relax me after having such a strange turn of events.
Next I made pajamas for them and told the ones who were finished to put them on. Eventually everyone was clean and had their pajamas on were completely different. The kids that used to be shy were now acting like their ages laughing and smiling amongst themselves.
Once they were in the basement/bedroom I was about to put them to sleep when all of the sudden my cat walks in and shocks everyone who saw her. Then they all huddled around her and start to pet her.
She actually liked it and rolled on to her back to get more pets. I even brought down the cat toys so they could play with her more. She and the kids enjoyed the time together which was surprising as I thought she would be annoyed.
After a while I told them that they needed to go to bed so they reluctantly listened and got to bed. I turned on a magic night light and told them good night. I then went back up and used magic to block out sound so I wouldn't wake them up from walking around above them.
I'm not locking them down there of course, it's not like I kidnapped them. I just am giving them shelter for the night, just need to keep telling myself that so I don't start having a panic attack.
It may be those kids bed time but it is not mine yet. I then sat in my newly made rocking chair and sat down with my cat in my lap. I then asked for a random book and a book called 'The History of Elfs' appeared and I began to read it.
In the midst of my book I heard a knock at the door which surprised me as I was closed today. Did more kids come here looking for shelter? I mean, I do have room for more but still.
I went to the door and opened it to see the Bone Knifes outside so I opened the door and invited them all in. I was as happy as they were cause the get food and I get customers.
As I was guiding them all in I realized that I couldn't see Korosu among them which was unusual as he use their leader and is always with them. I went up to one of his lackeys and asked him where he was and he said.
"Honestly I don't really know either, he said that he was going to go do some sort of special training or something along the lines of that. Oh, he also said to tell you to save him a beer."
At least now I know what he's doing can't be mad either because at least he is getting stronger. Still wish that I could have sent him off through. Need to start cooking them up some food though so better get to work.
To think I have to make two feast on a day that I am supposed to be closed on. I really should start enforcing the closing time more.