Hail Mary

In the morning, I was awakened by the familiar vibration of the alarm.

Even half-asleep, I could feel the biting cold. The moment I threw back the covers, my whole body shivered from the chill.

It was even colder than I had imagined.

Still, it was a day packed with plans, so I changed faster than usual and left my room.

When I arrived in the lounge, Zepp was the only one sitting beside the square kotatsu, idly playing a mobile game in portrait mode.

In the corner, I spotted Rachel Ho and Kikuchi, who had also gotten up early.

"Would you like some coffee, boss?"

Rachel Ho stopped Kikuchi from pouring more beans into the grinder and turned this way.

"Ah, yes, please."

No sooner had I answered than Kikuchi beat her to it and pressed the grinder's switch.

"You haven't set the grind size yet, Mika—"

"That doesn't matter!"

Amid that familiar racket, the aroma of coffee spread across the low table as it poured into the mugs.

As more people gathered in the lounge, mugs were picked up more and more frequently.

I drank the last of my coffee in one clean gulp, as if it were soda.

Then the day's work began.

After the morning inspection, it was time for a veterinarian-related task I had not dealt with in a while.

To prepare for next year's breeding season and for any emergencies, Charlotte needed to have blood drawn so plasma could be prepared for transfusions.

"She's gained another two kilograms since the last weighing."

During the pre-draw weigh-in, I could not help remarking at the number displayed on the wall.

As for her physique, compared to the model-perfect figure she had when she first arrived at the farm, a little belly had started to become noticeable.