But in truth, she was the most protective of them all.
Without Mama Mia's protection, they could never have lived safely in Orario all this time.
"All right."
Mia waved a hand and turned to walk back.
"Hurry up and change."
"You smell of dirt."
"Don't stink up the place for the customers."
"Yes."
Ryu answered.
She watched Mia's broad back disappear through the kitchen doorway.
Only then did she relax completely.
However.
When Ryu had changed into a clean uniform and come to the front room to prepare for opening.
She looked at the busy figures around her.
Anya was weaving between the tables and chairs with a stack of plates in her arms, humming an off-key tune.
Chloe and Lunoire were wiping down the bar.
Ryu's brows, however, furrowed slightly.
Someone was missing.
The figure who was usually the first to arrive, always standing at the entrance to welcome her with a gentle smile.
Wasn't there.
"Anya."
Ryu stopped the dim-witted catgirl as she passed by.
"Meow?"
Anya stopped and tilted her head.
"What's wrong, Ryu, meow?"
"Where's Syr?"
Ryu looked around.
"Hasn't she arrived yet?"
Usually, at this hour.
Syr should have arrived long ago and been helping everyone straighten their aprons, or helping Mama Mia taste-test dishes in the kitchen.
"Oh, Syr."
Anya blinked and said as though it were perfectly natural:
"Syr took the day off, meow."
"The day off?"
Ryu froze.
For Syr, who always showed up and even treated the tavern as her home, those words were a rarity.
"Is she sick?"
Ryu's heart immediately rose into her throat.
"No, meow."
Anya shook her head, her cat ears twitching.
"Mama Mia said this morning that Syr sent someone with a message."
"She said she was going to check on the orphanage, meow."