“Now, now, children. You shouldn’t be ambushing your caretaker from all sides like this.”

Robin didn’t recognize that voice right away, but she felt the weight release off her back. Finally, allowing her to stretch her spine—the crack in her back was embarrassingly loud.  

Was that a male voice just now? It certainly didn’t come from any of her girls.

She turned around, taken aback as she recognized Gerald Aldrick standing behind her with his back slouched slightly to hold Corey up underneath his armpits. Corey flayed his legs playfully, clearly enjoying being so high up. Robin instinctively reached out to take Corey from him into her own arms, plopping him on her waist but her eyes were rooted on the man before her. 

“You…”

Whatever Robin was about to say died in her throat as Mr. Aldrick straightened to his full height, a polite smile spreading across his face, his hands settling on his hips. The last time they met, he had been seated behind his desk, and even when he finally stood, she was already halfway out the door.

But now, with him this close, she could finally grasp just how imposing he really was.

A bit too tall for her liking. Men like that typically had an inflated sense of ego for no good reason. 

She could feel hands tugging at her robes from below. Robin patted whoever’s head it was to get them to wait. 

Where were the girls when they had company? Robin couldn’t cater to the kids and an important visitor at the same time. 

“Hello, Ms. Taylor, it’s been a while. I apologise for the intrusion, but it looked like you had your hands full.”

She examined his stature—he came in dressed formally. A three piece grey suit with a light blue scarf over his shoulders with what looked like a saric pattern sewed onto it. The combination worked to accentuate his broad shoulders, that kind of physique would be expected of a recently returned soldier. But he was clearly put together; there certainly wasn’t any single crease or loose thread she could spot at a quick glance.

He raised his hand–Robin noticed the gloves on his person. A bit odd for this weather. 

She hid her annoyance behind a feigned smile, readjusting Corey on her hip, feeling the boy reaching over her neck to play with the kanzashi in her hair.

“Well, well. Mr. Aldrick. I apologize for the ruckus, but I wasn't aware you would be visiting us today.”

Though she tried to look the part of a proper custodian, it was hard with Corey picking at her accessories like she was a porcelain doll. She caressed his head as she placed the star-eyed boy on the ground with the rest of the kids. The group scattered now, no doubt losing interest over the adult conversation. 

“It’s alright. I assume this is common with children at that age. Teenagers and young adults come with their own difficulties, but at least they don’t climb on you.”

Robin smiled at the joke, but it died down just as she spotted a familiar figure running towards her. Finally, one of her workers decided to show up—Clara. She was huffing and puffing, her uniform a complete mess. Hairs loose, and—was that a stain on her blouse?

“Ms. Taylor! Patrick broke the second floor window of the apartment across the street. He cast his spirit, and somehow managed to give it a solid form this time. The neighbor is here and he is very angry. We’re trying to keep him at bay, but…” She cringed at the thought, clapping her hands together. “Could you please—”

“Clara. Do you not know how to handle a simple complaint?” Robin interrupted her, unforgiving.

This was already a terrible look. Not only did she need help from him to get a child detached from her back, now her incompetent workers were about to make her look even worse. 

Clara was now as red as a tomato, eyes darting between her and Mr. Aldrick. Robin was quick to snap her fingers—this wasn’t time for her wandering eyes.

“W-what am I supposed to tell him then?”

“Well, I don’t know.” Robin flailed her arms incredulously. “You were there. Figure something out. Tell him he should have left his window open if he didn’t want it crashed by spiriter children for all I care.”

She ignored the chuckle coming from Mr. Aldrick. Meanwhile, Clara fidgeted in her spot.

“I—I don’t think that’s going to—”

“Do it!” Robin raised her voice. “And if he still has an issue with that, I’ll deal with him later. Now, scurry off. We have a visitor.”

“Y-yes, ma’am!”

The girl spattered off, finally. 

Robin shook her head. Ugh, and she wore such a nice color scheme today only for it to be wasted on all this nonsense. 

“I hope I’m not interrupting your work,” Mr. Aldrick commented, “The last thing I would want is to cause you or your staff any problems.”

Robin crossed her arms, turning her full attention to him now. 

“The girls need to learn one way or another. I can’t always be here to clean up after their mess.”