Chapter 541 - Chapter 482 Ise Family's Future
Mion and I are out walking Kagemaru.
After visiting the graves, grandpa, grandma, Mashiro-nee, and Miki went out shopping.
They called an Automated Tour Bus to the nearest supermarket, which also served as their dinner shopping trip.
"Shou-kun, aren't you going?"
"Nah. It's an annual tradition for me to stay behind."
Since we came all the way to the countryside to relax, and I already do supermarket shopping all the time…
"Oh, Mion, did you, by any chance, want to go?"
"No, I prefer being with Shou-kun."
"Ah, yeah."
I was genuinely happy to hear her say that.
Well, Mion doesn't seem to like crowded places, and there would likely be neighbors at that supermarket… Though those social interactions are probably important.
"Wafu."
"Alright, good boy!"
I watched Kagemaru run off after I took off his leash.
According to grandpa, he's only a year and a half old, which makes him about my age in human years, right?
"He was adopted by grandpa right after he was born and received thorough training and discipline."
Last year, I couldn't go back home because Mashiro-nee and I had entrance exams, but I would have liked to see Kagemaru back then.
"I understand the discipline, but what kind of training would that be?"
"Uh, things like coming immediately when called, or giving a single bark to signal prey?"
"Huh? Prey?"
"Ah, well, grandpa has a hunting license…"
I should have mentioned that first.
If deer are left unchecked, they multiply too much and eat tree bark, killing trees. Wild boars can also forcibly break through animal damage countermeasures and ruin rice paddies and fields.
So, during the winter hunting season, grandpa also goes hunting. It doesn't seem like he's actively seeking it out, though.
"That's amazing. So that's why Shou-kun is also amazing!"
"No, no, mine's just in IRO…"
I've never actually gone hunting with grandpa.
I wanted to see it when I visited during the winter of my second year of junior high, but they said I was too young at the time.
I probably won't be allowed to go along until I get a hunting license.
"I wonder if Lupi-chan is doing well?"
"Well, Lupi is smart, and Leda and Roy are with her, so I think she'll be fine. More than that…"
"I'm worried Sweee-chan might be overdoing it."
"Yeah, exactly. For that, we can only rely on Shal…"
I gave a light whistle, and Kagemaru, noticing it, came back and sat down perfectly.
Just as expected from grandpa's training, he's very disciplined.
"Good, good. Treats for a good boy."
"Wafu~."
The treat grandpa gave me was wild boar jerky for dogs. Grandma made it.
Seriously, it feels like what we do isn't so different from IRO…
"Mion, about you…"
"?"
"Sorry. Never mind."
I thought about Mion and me taking over grandpa's legacy, but that can wait a long, long time.
………
……
…
"Brother, thank you for waiting!"
"Oh. You changed into… yukata?"
Miki wanted to set off fireworks, so I was preparing a bucket of water. But then Mion appeared next to Miki, also in a yukata, which surprised me.
"Um, how do I look?"
"Ah, no, it suits you! You're, um, really beautiful…"
My vocabulary is insufficient!
"See! Told you it'd be good!"
"Is that yukata one Mashiro-nee used to wear?"
"Yeah. It's too small for me now."
She probably wore it when she was in middle school.
Though, even when she wore it, she couldn't sit still and grandma would get mad at her.
Mashiro-nee, as usual, was in her casual T-shirt and shorts.
"Shoichi-san will take pictures. Come on, stand together, you two."
Grandma urged us, and grandpa had already pulled out his well-worn camera, preparing it.
As told, Mion and I stood side-by-side for photos… I wish I'd dressed a little better.
After a few shots with just Mion and me,
"Mashiro and Miki, you two join in too."
"Okay!" "Understood!"
Tall Mashiro-nee stood at the back, and short Miki in front, as all four of us had our picture taken.
After that, grandma and Mion took some together too… But when are we doing fireworks?
◇◇◇
"~ ~ ~!"
"Wafu!" "Ryu!" "Nyan!"
In front of the Mountain Cabin in the island's basin, Sweee gave a command.
Along with the usual members, Lupi, Pan, and Shal, Leda and Roy, the Urisk, and the Cait Sith were all fully prepared.
Today's plan was to share the island's delicious food with the Kijimunaa. While it's true they hope to receive tropical fruits in return…
"~ ~ ~♪"
"Nyan."
"""Nyan~"""
With Shal at the lead, the Cait Sith began moving, carrying wooden boxes filled with vegetables.
They circled around to the back of the Divine Tree, careful not to step on the flower field in front of it.
Sweee placed her hand on it, and after a moment…
"Nyan?"
"~ ~ ~♪"
"Wafu!"
The lead was Lupi. Leda and Roy followed, and Shal's group skillfully carried the wooden boxes into the tree hollow.
Next, Pan's group of Urisk passed through the tree hollow, and finally Sweee and the Fairies.
"Juju~."
"Ryu ryu~."
Gaju, the Kijimunaa chieftain, and Pan shook hands while explaining the types of vegetables they had brought.
There were many kinds: some delicious raw, others better grilled.
"~ ~ ~?"
"Ryu~."
Sweee then connected the Fairy Path to the Divine Tree in the Selkie's Village. It was to pick up True and the other Selkies, as promised.
"Wafu!" ""Bau!""
Lupi's group went to pick them up.
They leapt into the tree hollow, and after a moment…
"Kyu~" """Kyu~""
The True and Selkies appeared.
Today, not only were his usual two attendants present, but three more Selkies joined them.
"Kyu?"
"Ryu ryu."
"Juju~."
True's group was apparently going to help with fishing and exchange cooking tips for fish.
Pan's group would teach them about cultivating Mauvepra (sweet potatoes) and then search for new herbs.
"Wafu?"
"~ ~ ~♪."
Sweee still seemed to want to go gather Armra Fruit.
"Nyafu?"
"Juju."
She asked Gaju to guide them to Armra Forest and thoroughly discussed their formation. With this, they should be fine no matter what happens… or so one hopes, right?