Chapter 523 - 466. Is Home Really the Best?
Friday
"Come again next year, no, even in winter if you like?"
The landlady said that to us. Indeed, a southern resort during the cold season sounds good.
The minimum temperature rarely drops below 15 degrees Celsius, and you can see whales if you go offshore by boat, she said. Also, it's apparently cheaper during the off-season (?)...
"We might even plan a winter training camp~"
"Sensei, aren't you going back to your parents' house...?"
If it's a winter training camp, it would be either right before New Year's or after the new year.
Staying here for New Year's is an option, but I imagine my family will be together for the holidays... No, I don't know. What about Mion's family?
After finishing loading the luggage with the owner, we double-checked for forgotten items. Alright, we're good.
"Okay?"
"Yes."
"Alright, everyone in, in."
Five days, from Monday to Friday. It felt long yet passed in an instant.
Today, we're going to the airport, then on a plane... just heading home.
"Here. You two first."
"Mm."
"Yeah."
As Miki told me, I took Mion's hand and got in.
Bell seemed to be talking to the landlady until the very end, so we went ahead.
"Brother."
"Hm?"
"Sister seems to have returned last night."
"Eh..."
Ugh, seriously?
Well, I knew she was coming back since I'm going to grandpa's house next week, but still...
"Yuuki, Suzune-chan, it's time."
"Ah, yes. Yuuki-san, see you again."
"Yeah, come any time."
Bell hugged her goodbye before getting in.
The Ise Family has few relatives, so I felt a little envious.
"Alright, let's go."
...
...
...
"Miki, we're almost there."
"Mmm-hmm..."
On the way back from the airport, everyone was drowsy from travel fatigue.
I was too, but with Mion and Miki leaning on me, I didn't know what to do...
"Ojou-sama. We are arriving at the Ise residence."
"Mion?"
"Mm."
It felt bad to wake her, but we couldn't get off otherwise.
Yata-sensei and Bell, who were sitting opposite us, also seemed to wake up... and were grinning.
"Arrived."
The car smoothly stopped, and shortly after, the rear door opened.
Miki was still groggy, so,
"Miki, go ahead and meet Mashiro-nee first."
"U-um. Um..."
Is she alright? Seems alright.
"Alright, see you tonight... is that okay?"
"Yes. It's okay..."
Being gazed at by sleepy Mion's moist eyes made my heart skip a beat, which wasn't good for it. And Tsubaki-san had already unloaded our luggage somehow; I felt truly sorry.
"Alright, good work, everyone."
"Yes~, good work, everyone~"
"Good work. Could you tell Miki-chan that I might rest today?"
"Roger."
After that exchange, Tsubaki-san bowed and went to the driver's seat.
The door closed, and I waved back to the three waving from beyond the window, watching their car drive away.
"Phew..."
Now, with Mashiro-nee back, I have a feeling the house might be a mess.
Carrying two bags, I entered the entryway...
"I'm home~, wait, what?"
Just as I thought it was neatly tidied, I found Mashiro-nee sprawled untidily on the living room sofa.
The air conditioner was on, but she was just in a T-shirt and hot pants...
"Mashiro-nee, I'm home."
"Welcome back, Shouta. Miki went to her room to change."
"Ah, yeah. More importantly, you said you came back yesterday, was dinner alright?"
"Yeah, had some instant noodles. And Dad came back before noon and then left again."
She said, waving her hand nonchalantly.
She seemed subtly in a bad mood, or rather, lacking motivation, probably because she met Dad.
First, I'll put down the luggage. Laundry can wait until tomorrow. I'll go change into my loungewear too.
"Miki, are you okay?"
"Mmm!"
Miki came down the stairs, looking refreshed after changing. This should improve Mashiro-nee's mood, so it's all good.
I quickly changed and returned to the living room to hear,
"Oh yeah, Dad made dinner!"
"Got it."
Her mood's already improved.
Now, what did Dad make...? Ah, mayo garlic chicken. This just needs to be reheated in the microwave. There's also bell pepper in mentsuyu, so all I need to do is cook rice.
But it's perfectly Mashiro-nee and Miki's favorites...
"Brother! Snacks! Sister's souvenir!"
"Alright, alright."
Opening the souvenir box labeled 'Kaga Confectionery,' I found something like a common monaka.
Green tea would go well with this. I'll make the good tea Tsubaki-san gave me.
"Here you go."
As I placed the souvenir and tea on the low table, Miki immediately reached for it.
Mashiro-nee properly sat up and sat next to her, where she had opened the package.
"How was Kanazawa?"
"Oh. The food was super delicious!"
Apparently, she stayed at Season-san's family home and was treated to fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan.
She said she was dragged around to various sightseeing spots, but she talked about it happily, so she must have genuinely enjoyed it.
"Didn't you play IRO over there?"
"Nah, I did."
Oh yeah, Season-san was an original member of 'Silver Manor' and a closed beta player, right?
She seems to be quite a gamer, and a young lady, so she probably had an environment prepared for her to play IRO.
"Speaking of which, Mashiro-nee, where are you now?"
"Ah, the southern forest."
No, that's no help at all...
According to Miki, she's in the Elf (NPC) forest, southeast of the Mage's Tower.
"Did you find anything interesting?"
"Hmm, it's a weird forest, you know. Well, I heard some pretty interesting stories."
She said with a sly grin.
She dodged Miki's questions too, so it must be a secret even from Silver Manor.
Well, I'm keeping the Southern Island a secret too, so...
"Speaking of which, when are you going to Grandpa's place?"
"From Monday, but oh, Mion's coming too."
We plan to return on Wednesday after a two-night, three-day stay.
Mion should be able to enjoy country life for that long.
"Hehe, you're really taking good care of her, aren't you?"
"Whoa!"
She put me in a headlock and squeezed, but it was much looser than usual.
She must be in a really good mood.