Chapter 129 - Chapter 115 Children Grow Even Without Parents
Tuesday
Tuesday.
Since it was a long weekend, we had a relaxed, late, light breakfast. Afterward, [Miki] quickly headed off to IRO.
As for me, while I had time, I cleaned every corner of the house, and then tackled the weeding in the garden that had been bothering me...
I could go to IRO, but I already told Mion that "we'll continue from tomorrow afternoon."
"Phew, I should probably start preparing lunch soon."
After about an hour of weeding, the slightly messy garden looked fairly presentable.
If I could diligently tend to it, I'd like to try a home garden, but right now, I don't really have the time for it.
Come to think of it, I got the [Farming Skill] and [Gardening] skill in IRO but haven't used them, so maybe I'll do it there...
"I'm home, [Shota]!"
"Huh? Dad?"
I was surprised by the sudden call, but there was Dad's face, whom I hadn't seen for just over a month.
"Oh, I'm back. My son!"
"Ah, yeah, welcome home."
"...Couldn't there be a more moving reunion?"
"No, it's not like you've been gone that long."
Dad looked dissatisfied with my indifferent reaction, but I don't think there are many sons who, being high schoolers, would get emotional about their parent's return.
And above all...
"Father!"
"[Miki]!"
Father and daughter embraced tightly. That was a much more picturesque scene.
I guess it's better to make lunch for three people.
"Why don't you come inside for now?"
Indeed, indeed. I want to have lunch with Father!
"Ah, sorry. Your mom says there's a suit she wants to wear, so once I dig that out, I'm heading back."
"That's too soon..."
Even so, I can't leave Mom unattended.
Her room is probably a mess right now. Or rather, she can design things but can't tidy up...
How dull. Well, I am worried about Mother as well.
"So, I'm going to look for it. Oh, and this is a souvenir, so have [Shota] cook it."
The bag full of something was probably long-lasting food items as souvenirs.
I caught a glimpse of what looked like kombu? I need to find kombu in IRO too...
... ... ...
"[Miki], it's done. Carry it."
Understood!
Today's lunch was ankake katayakisoba (crispy fried noodles with a thick sauce).
The crispy fried noodles were store-bought, but the Chinese-style thick sauce was properly homemade.
Just then, Dad appeared, having apparently found the suit he was looking for.
"Alright, I'm going home."
"Going home? This is your home."
"For me, where your mother is, that's home!"
When he brags so proudly, I don't know how to react.
"By the way, [Mashiro-nee] hasn't come back either. Did Mom say anything?"
"No, I haven't heard anything. Won't she just come back when she feels like it?"
It's useless to worry about Sister, Brother. Let's eat!
[Miki] replied nonchalantly and started eating with relish.
Dad seemed relieved seeing that?
"I'm leaving this house to [Shota], then."
"Ah, yeah, understood."
"Alright, see you in about a month!"
They say children grow up even without parents, but this is really not normal.
Oh, I couldn't tell him about Mion. ...Well, whatever.
*
Your father-in-law is busy too, isn't he?
"Well, he's just being led around by Mom. No, since he's satisfied, maybe it's wrong to say he's being led around?"
Anyway, it's better than them getting along badly.
I won't lead you around, you know?
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I've never thought that, so it's fine."
Yes!
If anything, I feel like I'm the one leading her around quite a bit.
It was supposed to be a slow-paced, relaxed game life, little by little...
"Woof!"
Just before reaching the top of the stairs to the basin, [Lupi] dashed off as usual.
Last night, work didn't progress due to a surprise event? So today, I want to finish the demolition of the second floor properly.
Descending the gentle slope, I arrived at the [Mountain Cabin]—roofless. I was relieved to see that the stone [Storage] next door was also fine.
"Woof."
"Hmm? [Lupi], what's wrong? Wait..."
On [Lupi]'s back was yesterday's [Fairy], or rather, the [Fairies]. Behind them, the 11 others I rescued yesterday were floating.
"Um, I gave them all the [Greenberry Fruit] yesterday, so that's all of it."
I thought there was quite a lot, but did they eat it all already?
Where does it all go in those tiny bodies...?
Shall we go [Gathering] in front of the [Mountain Cabin]?
"Hmm. Well, I don't need to rush, I guess."
While I'm at it, I might as well add [Lexon] and [Rudish].
"~~~"
"Hmm?"
Something like this... what is it?
"Woof."
[Lupi] barked and headed towards the stairs leading to the [Ancient Ruins].
Oh, so they're going [Gathering] themselves and I don't need to follow?
"Um, are you sure? [Greydeer] won't attack, so that's fine, but there are [Ranziboa] and stuff..."
"Woofn."
"~~~♪"
[Lupi] looked smug, saying "leave it to me," and the haughty [Fairy] made a "don't worry" face.
She's apparently high-ranking, huh. I can't tell at all, though...
"Alright, alright. You can go, but be careful. If it gets dangerous, the cave entrance is a [Safe Zone], so run there, okay?"
"Woof."
I watched [Lupi] and the [Fairies] head towards the stairs, giving a firm "woof" in reply.
Will they be alright?
"Well, they were able to detect Orcs and escape, so if anything happens, I think [Lupi] will come call me."
Somehow, constantly watching over them feels wrong too.
There's also the time when I'm not logged in, and [Lupi] is smart, so they should be fine.
Oh, it seems the afternoon attack has begun.
Mion was watching [Bell-san]'s live stream.
It wasn't the usual public live stream; she was getting a private stream just for Mion.
"Oh, Seth's prediction was that this is the second-to-last. She said she'd quickly repel them, then gather volunteers."
*The enemies are quite numerous, but our side has increased in numbers, so we're able to deal with them.
[Leona-san]'s side also seems to have started... and they also seem fine. Oh, [Polly-san] is there too.*
[Leona-sama]'s live stream was, of course, a public one.
Even so, for that rigid [Iincho] to be gaming from noon... she's really into it.
Last time I saw her, she was hitting targets left and right with her [Bow], so I wonder if it's the same this time.
That's amazing. With the tree [Spirit Magic], thorny plants are entwined around the fence.
"That's brutal..."
Is it climbing roses or something? Those have thorns, don't they?
I've seen barbed wire wrapped around iron fences in old war movies or something; I wonder if it's like that.
If you know the enemy is coming, it feels incredibly useful.
Shou-kun, you also received a tree [Spirit Stone] recently, didn't you?
"Oh, that's right. Things got chaotic after that, so I forgot."
Or rather, why do I get two or three new tasks every time I complete one?
It should have been in my inventory...
"Here it is. I'll make a contract with the tree [Spirit] before I forget."
This tree [Spirit Stone] will probably hang next to the light [Spirit Stone], but I'm starting to feel like I'll get stiff shoulders with too many [Spirit Stones]...