Judy who is frustrated kicked a small stone. Just then, the bushes near his feet rustled and a head with white pomerians ears poked out.
"Fwaaah... What is it?"
Bao Bei looked up sleepily, his chubby cheeks showing faint marks from the grass. The bits of leaves and twigs were stuck in his fluffy white hair and in his ears.
"Why are you sleeping in a place like this?!"
"Hnn?"
Bao Bei slowly got up. While rubbing his eyes. His smock was dirty from the damp soil.
"Never mind, just hurry! We might still make it in time!"
With Bao Bei still sleepy and his face dazed, Judy grabbed his hand and started running toward the back door.
"Good afternoon, Aunt Lisa! Good afternoon, Aunt Ena!"
Judy called out cheerfully as he dashed through the entrance. Just then, Koslov—who was three months older than Judy and had light blue cat ears—turned around with a candy in his hand and frowned at them.
Yes! I'm second!
Judy cheered to himself silently and rushed eagerly to stand in front of Aunt Lisa. Aunt Lisa had brown raccoon ears.
As Judy and Bao Bei came close, Koslov sniffed and turned up his nose, walking away quickly. Judy didn't care at all. He gently pushed the little Bao Bei forward, who had been clinging to his back.
"This is Bao Bei. He's new here."
"Hewwo..."
Bao Bei gave a clumsy bow, his voice still sleepy and soft.
Aunt Lisa's eyes narrowed kindly as she smiled down at him.
"Hello there. You're so tiny, aren't you? So that makes Judy your big brother?"
"Hehe! I am Bao Bei's big brother!"
Judy said proudly, puffing out his chest.
He puffed out his chest and looked proud and happy.
"Well then, let's give a candy to big brother and little Bao Bei too."
Aunt Lisa placed one candy each into Judy's outstretched hand and Bao Bei's small hand. The candies were wrapped in red and yellow colored paper.
"Be careful not to choke if you eat them too fast. Just suck on them gently, alright?"
"Yesss... Thank yuu, Aunto…"
"Thank you, Aunt Lisa!"
Just then, Aunt Ena came in carrying a big basket of vegetables, so Judy and Bao Bei quickly stepped out of the kitchen so they wouldn't be in the way.
At the same time, the older kids came into the kitchen to help with the cooking. The apprentice priest, Finnick, who had come along, greeted the Aunts politely.
The little church in this poor village always struggled with money. In reality, it ran on the goodwill and donations of the villagers, like these kind women bringing vegetables from their gardens.
But the children didn't worry about those things.
"Bao Bei, since the Aunts came today, that means we get a special dinner!"
"Special food? Waaah! Special food? I'm so excited!"
While holding their candies carefully in their hands, Judy and Bao Bei happily ran off toward the courtyard. Today, all the kids at the church were excited and full of energy, they were looking forward to the dinner with big smiles and happy hearts.