Mag turned the sign over to “closed” after the lunch hours, and smiled as he watched Amy tickling Ugly Duckling.
“When should I go back to school, Father?” Amy asked. I think Father looks a little different.
“Before 2 PM,” Mag answered with a smile, walking over to her to stroke her head. “Go take a nap.”
Amy nodded, rubbing her head against Mag’s hand like the kitten was doing to her hand. “Okay.”
Yabemiya was wiping tables. “I think I can help take Amy to school in the morning,” she said, looking at Mag.
“Well…” Mag replied, thoughtful. That would definitely save me some trouble, but…
“But Sister Miya, do you know how to ride the bike?” asked Amy.
Miya was taken by surprise. She took a look at the two-wheeled thing. Maybe only a genius like Mag could ride such an ingenious vehicle.
She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
“If we walk, I’ll have to get up very early, since it will take us a long time to get there. I’ll have little time to sleep,” said Amy, frowning.
“I… I will learn. I will learn how to ride it.” Yabemiya turned to Mag. “Can you teach me how to ride it, Boss?”
Amy clapped her hands. “That’s a good idea, Father! Please teach Sister Miya, so she can ride me to school!”
Apparently, Yabemiya wanted to share his workload, but it was not easy to learn how to ride a bike. Mag nodded. “I can, but it might take days, and you might fall many times before you master it.”
“I’m not afraid of pain.” The waitress looked quite determined.
“Please, Father, teach Sister Miya,” Amy said, rocking his arm.
Mag was beaten. He touched Amy’s head with a smile. “All right. I will teach her.” He paused for a moment. “I will go to the job-finding service after I ride you to school this afternoon. We need another waitress.”
“I’ll have another big sister!” Amy cried in delight.
“Boss, I…” Yabemiya said, lowering her head, blaming herself as if she had failed Mag.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better waitress than you, Miya. Don’t blame yourself. You’ve been doing a great job. But, the workload has increased significantly, and you don’t even have time to smile anymore. They love to see you smile, and so do I.”
Yabemiya nodded. “Thank you, Boss.”
“Will she be as pretty as Sister Miya?” Amy asked curiously.
“Yes. And she will be as hardworking as Miya,” Mag said with a smile.
“Meow!” cried Ugly Duckling, trying to get Amy’s attention. It feared for its position in this house.
Amy fell asleep on the counter. A while later, when it was time for school, Mag woke her up and wheeled the bike out. She climbed into her seat and turned to look at Ugly Duckling, which was sitting by the door. “Come on, Ugly Duckling!”
It took a look at the basket and shook its head. “Meow, meow.”
“Just let it stay home. It doesn’t like riding on this thing.” Mag got on the bike. “Hold on tight.”
Amy nodded happily. “Yes, Father!”
Mag smiled and pedaled hard. The bike went off fast.
He could ride much faster now that he had got stronger.
Of course, it had drawn many eyes again.
“Is this magic?” a voice asked.
“Maybe. Those two wheels are so cool,” answered a second voice.
“We overtook a carriage!” exclaimed Amy.
“Two carriages!
“And three! We have overtaken three carriages!
“We’re flying, Father!”
Amy waved her arms happily. She didn’t look afraid at all, but rather excited. She even wanted Mag to go faster.
They stopped at the school gate. Amy climbed off the bike quickly. “I can find the classroom by myself, Father.”
Mag nodded. She probably knows this school better than I do. “Okay. Be a good girl at school.”
“Yes, Father, I will.” Amy waved him goodbye and walked in. “Good afternoon, Mr. Turnip and Mr. Turtle Shield,” she said to the two guards at the gate.
They allowed themselves a wry smile. “Good afternoon.”
Mag was a little embarrassed. She really loves to nickname people.
The nicknames were pretty accurate, though. The old man had no hair except on the top of his head; the red-haired orc was holding a black shield which looked like a turtle shell.
The two guards exchanged a wry glance.