[Serialized Novel] "Heart's Chick" Episode 3

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Snack time was over in the blink of an eye. Happy times are so fleeting. I used magic to move the finished plates to the kitchen sink.
I focused my consciousness on my index finger, and once I confirmed they had lifted, I swiped my finger toward the destination. The area around the plates glowed slightly, and they moved just as I intended.

"You"
Seeing that, the doctor let out a small sigh. He quickly grabbed the spoon and heavy mug still left on the table and went to put them away for me.
"I don't think you should use magic so much. It will tire you out."
"I'm fine. Besides, you're the one washing the dishes, and since I can't help, this is the least I can do."
"...Thank you, as always."
This exchange happens every day. It can't be helped, since we have snack time every day.

I am very small. I look at my hands and feet and sigh.
I brought both hands in front of my eyes and watched the doctor's back as he did the dishes through the gaps in my fingers.
My bare feet are frail; for example, if I were to walk from one end of the table I'm currently on to the other, it would probably take about twenty-eight steps.

I am a |Sylph|.

By the way, I can't fly. This has become a terribly sad thing.
I have four wings on my back—two large ones pointing up and two small ones pointing down—and if I moved them well, I should have been able to fly. But my wings are torn. I only have one small wing left, and the rest of the wings have long since been torn off and no longer exist.
Since I can't fly, I have to walk to do everything.
However, I find magic useful for things like putting pudding on plates or moving plates to the table. If I didn't use it, I wonder how much time it would take.
The doctor often says, 'That's something I should do.'
"Before I met you, I always prepared snacks myself."
That may be, but now I'm here. The doctor has his work, so I want him to let me do what I can since I don't have a job. The doctor always smiled as if he were troubled.

"How many puddings are left?"
The doctor, having finished washing, turned to me and asked. I pictured the inside of the refrigerator from earlier.
"One."
"Then shall we go shopping today so we can make pudding tomorrow? It looks like the weather will be bad tomorrow, too."
Wow! Shopping with the doctor! I immediately became cheerful.

I turned the clinic's door plate to 'Closed.' The doctor took off his white coat and put on a thin spring coat instead. A beige trench coat, an off-white knit sweater, the hem of a light blue shirt peeking out, and long legs—the doctor is so wonderful. I became even more cheerful.
Once he was ready, the doctor gently picked me up and put me in his chest pocket. He always worries about me, asking if I'm too hot or if I'm uncomfortable.
"You absolutely must not forget the milk, Doctor!"
When I said that, the doctor raised the corners of his mouth and answered cheerfully that he understood.
Chickens lay eggs, but milk and sugar have to be procured by shopping. We don't keep a cow, after all. If we kept a cow, we might get milk, but then we'd have to source cow feed from somewhere else. The doctor doesn't live entirely self-sufficiently.

When we arrive in town, I hide.
If I'm found, I'll be 'hunted'.
That is the one thing I must absolutely avoid.

The doctor's chest pocket is always faintly warm. With his steady heartbeat and the rhythm of his walking, I eventually enjoyed a peaceful nap...

(To be continued)

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