On the third week since I became the monster caretaker of Aspeiran. I belatedly realized. That our three memmers extremely…

“Aaargh! Wait a moment!”

…hate taking baths!

Tiny, who was breakdancing in my arms, finally succeeded in escaping and ran far away.

Cutie and Awesome had already fled long ago. In the end, all that remained in the bathroom was me, soaked like a Labrador that jumped into a pool, and a few clumps of white fur.

I stood alone and shed a single tear.

‘I went to all the trouble of making a state-of-the-art puppy bathroom with perfect plumbing facilities in the breeding center.’

I had wracked my brains with the craftsmen when building it. But until now, I haven’t been able to use it even once.

“Sigh…”

I walked out of the bathroom weakly and slumped down on the floor, water dripping from my body. I was troubled in many ways.

‘I thought it was fine when I first bathed them because they were docile. I guess they were just being cautious of me then.’

I had no idea they would dislike it this much. But I can’t leave the children dirty when they’re always rolling around outside and getting all sorts of things stuck to their bodies.

“I have no choice.”

Then I must find it. A way to wash our children without stressing them out.

And so, from the next day, I began ‘Operation Dog Laundry’.

Many failures passed me by. Tempting with treats, soothing with toys, and so on…

And finally, I came up with it. A perfectly brilliant idea that would make bathing the three memmers successful!

There was just one problem – this method required someone to help. A lot of people, in fact.

Fortunately, the worry didn’t last long. It was thanks to Lord Canis, who happened to visit the breeding center, hearing my story and lending a helping hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll gather lots of people who meet the conditions. Then, I’ll see you in three days!”

Lord Canis left with a reassuring smile and a thumbs up.

And as promised, three days later. Lord Canis visited the breeding center.

Bringing ten knights who were familiar with the three memmers, liked dogs, and had experience raising them.

That’s how Shuria and the Dog Washing Knights were formed.

“By the way, I’m really nervous.”

While we were all spinning in circles to wish for successful dog washing, one knight swallowed hard and said.

“You don’t know how ferocious dogs get when you try to bathe them. Especially large breeds are unmanageable.”

Hmm, that’s certainly true. But today is different.

I beat my chest confidently and said.

“Don’t worry. I have a plan.”

“Of course! Then what should we do to help?”

The knights looked at me with sparkling eyes. I said seriously.

“Cheering and praise.”

“Yes. Cheering and praise… Wait, what?”

“You just need to shower our children with lots of cheers and praise!”

I only learned this recently, but the three memmers became surprisingly well-behaved and gentle when they received attention. They really love being praised.

See, even now they’re walking with their heads held high in a dignified pose. Just a moment ago they were running around like crazy, chewing on toys. That’s all because they’re conscious of the knights here.

So if we try bathing them in front of so many people, the children will cooperate obediently. They might be a bit upset with me, but.

Not only that, if we shower them with compliments like ‘You’re wonderful’, ‘You’re great’, ‘You’re pretty’, won’t they start to like baths?

The knights nodded in understanding after hearing my explanation. But they added worriedly.

“Still, it will be very tiring for Miss Shuria to wash all three by herself.”

“It’s okay. I have no choice. The children don’t like being touched by other people…”

In fact, not a single person among the knights I often encountered had succeeded in petting the three memmers.

As if having the same thought as me, the knights smiled sadly.

Ding-dong―.

It was at that moment that the doorbell wrapped around the entire fence rang.

“Huh?”

Who could it be?

Thinking it might be another knight joining late, I turned around without much tension.

And I regretted not preparing my heart in advance.

“L-Lord?!”

The person standing in front of the fence was my favorite Aspeiran, beautiful as always today. However, his face was more fierce than usual, as if something unpleasant had happened.

“Lord? How did you come here!”

I ran hurriedly to the door. The knights also bowed in unison.

“We greet the Lord!”

“…”

Aspeiran didn’t accept the greeting and just glared at the knights silently.

Does he think the knights are here slacking off?

I peeked right in front of Aspeiran’s nose to divert his attention. Only then did he meet my eyes.

I called Aspeiran even more cheerfully on purpose.

“Lord!”

Aspeiran stared into my eyes for a moment in silence. Then.

“Haah…”

He sighed deeply and roughly ran his hand through his hair.

‘Oh, is he exasperated?’

Did I call him too casually?

If he’s angry, this is bad. I quickly bowed.

“I’m sorry!”

“What… No, never mind. Just open the door.”

“Yes!”

He doesn’t seem too angry. That’s a relief.

As commanded, I immediately opened the door to usher the Lord inside.

Aspeiran stood beside me looking around the breeding center, then fixed his gaze on the knights again.

He asked, making a sound like he was grinding his teeth.

“What were you doing? Shuria.”

“We were about to wash the puppies. With the help of the knights.”

“…Wash them. With those guys.”

Aspeiran’s face grew even fiercer, displeased with something. I don’t know why.

But a moment later, he rubbed his forehead and made a shocking declaration that would make everyone here fall over in surprise.

“Send them back. I’ll help.”

“What?!”

“Didn’t I tell you to build rapport with the dogs? So it’s right that I help.”

‘Did, did he eat something wrong?’

Why is he suddenly taking an active interest in caring for the three memmers?

Of course, I’m overjoyed. But sending the knights back was out of the question. We need lots of people to praise our three memmers.

I politely declined Aspeiran’s offer.

“Um, I’d be so happy I could do a headspin in the central garden if you helped, Lord, but the knights need to be here.”

As soon as I finished speaking, I immediately regretted it. For some reason, an ominous shadow fell over Aspeiran’s face.

He said, grinding his teeth as if growling.

“Is that so? Too bad, but those guys won’t be able to help you anymore…”

It was then. Suddenly, a white fluffball squeezed between us.

“Awesome?”

Awesome circled around Aspeiran, sniffing, then suddenly poked Aspeiran’s hand with his nose. It was the first time this had happened.

“Awesome, what’s wrong?”

“Whine.”

Awesome went back and forth, rubbing against Aspeiran. Now he’s even tugging on his clothes. Touching without hesitation.

Cutie and Tiny also clung to Aspeiran. As if dumbfounded, Aspeiran’s fierce expression softened a bit.

I quickly tried to pull the three memmers away, then suddenly thought.

‘…Wait, if I play this right, Aspeiran might be able to wash the three memmers with me?’

The three memmers allowed contact! Come to think of it, the children always acted the same in front of Aspeiran as they did in front of me. Do they know Aspeiran is the real owner?

I looked at Aspeiran with burning desire in my eyes. How nice it would be if Aspeiran helped. The labor would be cut in half.

In the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation. I put my hands together and sidled up to Aspeiran.

“Um, Lord. Will you really help wash the children?”

“…Didn’t you say you’d do it with those guys?”

“The knights can’t. The children won’t let them touch them.”

I passionately explained my hardships so far and today’s bathing plan. Aspeiran’s expression softened very slightly.

Not missing that opportunity, I shot him the most desperate look I could muster.

“Right now, only you and I can touch the three memmers. Please, I beg you!”

Aspeiran frowned deeply, as if flustered by my desperate pleading.

But in the end, our kind and gentle Lord nodded.

“A lord can’t go back on his word.”

“Hooray! You’re the best, Lord!”

I picked up Awesome and danced joyfully. The knights clapped, saying it was great.

Aspeiran, for some reason, seemed to feel a sense of disillusionment with life.

After Aspeiran joined, things progressed quickly.

“I’ve never washed a dog before.”

Aspeiran took off his coat and jacket, placing them on a bench, and removed the black gloves he was wearing, putting them on top.

Strong, white hands rolled up the sleeves of the black shirt. Revealing firm forearms with protruding veins.

‘Wow wow.’

I inadvertently stared with my mouth wide open, then quickly turned my head away. I might get arrested for ogling the Lord at this rate.

My expression must have looked quite strange, because Aspeiran called out to me.

“Shuria?”

“Ye-yes?”

“Your face is unusually red right now. Are you alright?”

Aspeiran reached out and touched my forehead. His hand was pleasantly cool, and his face was full of concern.

“A cold, perhaps…”

It was a strange thing. Until Aspeiran took off his outer clothes, I just felt like a happy otaku facing the cool appearance of my favorite person.

But when Aspeiran reached out to me, along with the cool winter breeze scent that wafted over, I suddenly felt unbearably embarrassed.

“Hmm? Shuria, your face is getting redder. Are you really okay?”

“Ah, aah.”

What are you doing blushing like an idiot in front of your favorite person and superior? Pull yourself together!

I slightly moved my body away and slapped my cheek hard. Aspeiran’s face filled with bewilderment.

“Shuria!”

“Do-don’t worry! I’m perfectly fine!”

“…Your way of speaking has become strange.”

“It hasn’t!”

Fortunately, after slapping myself, my mind returned to normal. I quickly proceeded with Operation Three Memmer Bath as if nothing had happened.

As expected, the three memmers didn’t act up in front of the watching audience. They even became proud hearing the shower of compliments.

Since the three memmers cooperated obediently with the bath, everything went smoothly from then on.

I proceeded quickly with the dog washing together with Aspeiran, who moved his hands skillfully as if he had been bathing puppies for about 10 years after seeing what I did just once.

Thanks to this, we were able to finish the puppy bathing project an hour earlier than expected.

“Thank you so much for today!”

I approached each knight, shaking their hands vigorously and expressing my gratitude.

Behind me, the three memmers, their fur gleaming, were strutting around the breeding center, full of pride.

The knights watched that scene with satisfied expressions, rubbing their noses and smiling.

“We had a lot of fun too.”

“Please call us anytime!”

At that moment, one of the knights suggested a very good idea.

“It seems a shame to end like this, how about we have an after-party?”

After-party!

Right. We all worked hard together, it would be disappointing to part like this. I asked with sparkling eyes.

“I’d love to. Where should we go?”

“It’s dinner time anyway, how about coming to the knights’ dining hall? Our chef’s skills are excellent.”

“Wow! That’s a really good idea…”

“No. I cannot allow it.”

A cold voice cut off my words. Surprised, I turned around to see Aspeiran glaring this way with a face colder than perpetual snow.

Aspeiran said, as if grinding his words, with a face so fierce it could make even evil spirits cry and run away.

“You, come with me, Shuria.”

“What?”

“I’ll feed you dinner.”

Then he raised his chin slightly in an intimidating manner.

“Until your stomach bursts.”

Hearing those words, everyone here, including me, thought simultaneously.

Wow.

I guess he’s inviting me to the last supper.