/
Chapter 18
Nearly a month has passed since I started living with Iska and the others in the new house. During that time, I have learned a lot about the children.
Iska is weak in the morning and has Fio to wake him up every morning.
Fio is firm and likes pretty things.
Nina takes a nap every day and eats a lot.
Stella likes sweet foods and dislikes spicy foods.
Ratz doesn’t talk at all, but often has eye-to-eye conversations with stray cats and neighborhood dogs (or so it seems).
Ariamel can read and write (unusual for a child in this world).
There are still a lot of things that we don’t know about each other, but it’s good that we take our time and get to know each other.
Up until now, I felt like I only went back to the inn to sleep or prepare for requests, but now I want to spend time with the children, so when I’m not receiving requests, I try to stay at home.
I will only accept requests that can be done on a day-to-day basis.
My income will decrease, but at least until this life is stable, I will continue to do so.
The innkeeper’s father and Lina were quite surprised when I told them I was leaving the inn because I had bought a house.
“Are you going to live with a woman?! I’m so jealous!”
As usual, naughty.
“Rina”
“Yeah, leave it to me!”
“Shit! Let it flow!”
It’s rare to see a creature so incapable of learning.
I look at Rina, who is lecturing the innkeeper father, who is made to sit upright on the ground.
I like this father and daughter a lot. They get along well with each other and treat me in a normal way.
“Even if it’s someone like you, it’ll be sad that you’re gone….Come back anytime if you need anything. I’ll leave the corner room you’ve been using empty.”
“Yeah, we only have meals, so come eat with us sometime.”
When they said that, the father and Rina laughed sadly.
“…… uh…well, yeah.”
The look on their faces made it impossible for me to make fun of them or speak hatefully of them.
…Maybe next time i’ll bring Iska and the others to dinner.
While reporting on the achievement of the quest at the adventurer’s guild, Sasha gives me a suspicious look when I’m thinking about buying some souvenirs for the children today.
“You are always thinking about something lately. You’ve been completely ignoring Ganzas-san.”
Hmm? Ignore Ganzas? Come to think of it, I thought he hadn’t been involved with me lately.
“…… you seriously didn’t notice?”
“Has he been around lately?”
“Yes, every day”
…….
“I have no idea”
“With that serious face…I’m still right behind you.”
Horror.
After that, I left Ganzas, who was pestering me and went home to buy some sweets as souvenirs.
I would rather go home and read a book to Stella than spend time dealing with Ganzas.
Walking through Bastok at dusk.
Stalls are starting to clean up
Parents and children walking happily holding hands
A cat stretched out on the side of the road.
The time when the lights are on or off, crows are cawing, and I feel a little lonely.
I say goodbye to my friends, return to my empty house, and say, “I’m home”.
I know it’s a meaningless act, but I can’t stop myself from doing it. I say “I’m off” when I leave the empty house.
I don’t know why I remembered …… my previous life.
Nina and Ratz were petting a stray cat in front of our house.
“Nina, Ratz. I have something for you.”
“Welcome home, oto-san!”
They both come up to me when they see me.
It seems that Iska and Fio feel bad about being taken care of by me unilaterally…
When I go home like this, my family is waiting for me, giving me such delicate happiness.
That is enough for me.
I never thought I would see the day when I would look forward to going home.
I pick up Nina and Ratz and walk to the door, which opens on its own.
“Nina, Ratz, it’s time to come in…oh, and welcome home, Gray-san!”
Ariamel comes out and smiles happily.
“I’ll take your luggage. Dinner is ready, so would you like to eat it right away? Ah, do you want to take a bath first? Nina, Ratz, and Gray-san, please go wash your hands first.”
“Oh, ah… I’m home. Let’s wash our hands and then we’ll have dinner, we’re all hungry.”
Ariamel wore an apron with her long hair up to her waist tied back.
I thought Ariamel was a big sister, but I was mistaken.
She is a mother.