The kids are still full of energy and want to keep playing, so I go inside the house, and see Reina wearing an apron, with an exasperated expression.
That said, she looks kind of amused too.
“Did you see that?”
“Yes. You’re too soft on kids.”
“I think the same goes for you.”
I look out the window, and see the kids playing with the great spirits.
Miss Miriel looks incredibly happy, and Miss Phi is still looking on with caution, to make sure she doesn’t go crazy again.
“You’ve been sleeping this whole time, so you haven’t even had lunch.”
Says Reina while giving me a sandwich.
The meat in it is from a monster hunted in the forest, and the vegetables were given to us by alfar.
“I went to visit Sakuya, and…”
She says, and she tells me about other things too.
When we first got to this island, we used to do everything together, but lately it seems like someone’s always with her, so she’s been able to go to all sorts of places.
Also, at this point, she can take out the weaker monsters, meaning she’s been getting stronger and stronger.
“I think you’ll be fine without me around.”
I don’t really mean anything special when I say that, it’s just something I say casually. But the moment I say it, I see Reina’s face clouded with worry.
“Why do you say that?”
“Eh?”
I’m about to say it was for no particular reason, when she suddenly hugs me.
“Reina?”
“No… I don’t want you to go anywhere…”
“Ah, hum… Sorry for saying something weird.”
Maybe it reminded her of Snow going missing.
She was really upset, so I think what I said was uncalled for.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
I hold her gently, as if calming a child.
Her face is too close to my body for me to see her expression, but she’s still holding on tightly.
At times like these, I’d feel hazy about the kids staring, but… I look out the window, and see they’re too busy playing with the great spirits, and show no sign of coming over here any time soon.
I take in the warm sunlight and gentle breeze, and keep holding Reina.
“…”
After a while, her face gets red and she lets go. I say let go, but she’s still sitting down on the sofa next to me.
We’re also holding hands, and I have a ticklish feeling inside me.
We stay silent, until she raises one finger.
“They should be coming back soon… So I should get dinner ready.”
“Eh?”
I look outside, and see the sun that was high up in the sky just now, is painting the sky red as it sets.
I guess I didn’t notice how much time passed.
Time flies when you’re having fun, but it’s incredible how that happened with me just sitting next to her.
Yes, really incredible.
“The great spirits are here too, so how about we eat outside?”
“Yes. I’ll go tell the kids and get things ready.”
I leave the house, and touch my face without thinking.
I’m noticing some things, like my heart beating faster than normal.
“Oh? Your face is red!”
“Daddy, are you okay?”
Luna and Snow sound worried. I tell them I’m fine, but Tiltue is looking at me with a suspicious expression.
“Darling, did something happen with Reina…”
I don’t say anything to that, and instead take things I need for a barbecue out of my Storage Magic.
◇ ◇ ◇
As we get things ready for dinner, people start gathering like always.
Merlin and Xellos leave their houses and help get things ready. And Elga is here with a lot of alcohol, even though I don’t know who told him about this.
Edinburgh is talking to the water great spirit, Mister Dine. They both look relaxed, so they might be hitting it off.
Arc and Ceres seem moved by the sight of Miss Miriel. I’m guessing it’s because she’s the light great spirit and they’re called the hero and saint, so she’s a special being to them.
She’s trying to get them to call her mommy, but they’re too awe-inspired to do that, and refuse with tears in their eyes. And as always, Miss Phi is using the opportunity to attack too.
The seven great mages and the hero’s party. They’re definitely not strong on this island.
They were scared of other races on this island at first, but seeing them interact with people they’ve just met really makes me feel like they’ve gotten used to this island.
“Hahaha, the same nice and noisy atmosphere as always, I see.”
“Ah, Zephir.”
“I received alcohol from Mister Gyes. How about a cup?”
“Sure.”
We sit on a nearby rock, and he pours me a cup from a gourd.
When I drink it, I feel my throat burning.
Drinks from the demon gods taste harsh like Japanese stuff, but they’re really good.
“We can’t let the kids drink this.”
“It’s an adult taste!”
He says with a laugh while looking at everyone .
His expression looks very gentle.
“This island is a strange place. We don’t often see this many people gathered on the continent.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Humans are creatures that can’t help but make enemies.”
I don’t know anything about this other outside of this island, but I feel like I get what he says.
I worked for a black company before I was reincarnated in this world, but even within the scale of a company, there was a hierarchy and people who liked and disliked others.
And strangely enough, when someone they were on bad terms with was gone, their relationship soured with someone else.
If it was like that in a peaceful place like Japan, I imagine it’s even worse in a place where mages, warriors, and fights with monsters are a part of normal life.
I bet there are fights and power struggles that I can’t even imagine.
“The stronger you are, the more responsibility you have. But here, everyone treats each other with respect. That is very surprising.”
Zephir lived in an awful world, so he probably feels that more than anyone.
“Everyone’s good people deep down.”
“Hahaha! Mister Arc and the others are one thing, but you would not be saying that about us if you knew what we have done!”
“Well, I don’t.”
It doesn’t matter how they lived before coming here, who I know are the people I’ve been talking to here.
“Well, but this sight was brought to us by none other than you.”
“I’m just doing what I want.”
Zephir laughs again.
◇ ◇ ◇
We drink and chat for a while, until Wil notices the commotion and comes out.
She looks like she just woke up, and her movements are languid.
Edinburgh brings her food, and starts looking after her.
The kids then gather around Wil, and Miss Miriel approaches her from behind.
“What’s all this mess?”
Wil is gesturing like she’s swatting a bug, and Miss Miriel is resisting it.
They’re probably among the oldest on this island, but they fight like children.
Ah, Snow is mad.
Even Wil doesn’t like to see Snow mad at her, and Miss Miriel is looking on into the distance like she’s shocked, and then apologizes profusely.
“Snow is a good girl.”
“You have the making of a real doting parent, Mister Arata.”
“I disagree.”
I think Snow is cute, but so does everyone else.
And then, I suddenly notice Graham and Sakuya are here.
Apparently Reina called them, but…
“Ah, youth…”
“Youth?”
“So innocent.”
Everyone’s gathered around the fire, but the area near the forest is dark and has poor visibility.
The way they’re out there instead of here with everyone really makes it feel like a school romance to me.
“…I don’t understand why they are out there. If they want to hide, they should hide better. If they want to be here, they should join us…”
“No no… That’s…”
“There you are.”
As I’m about to explain why Sakuya and Graham are there, Arc shows up. His face is a little red, but I don’t think he’s drunk yet.
I look where he came from, and see Reina and the other girls are talking. So he had to leave again.
“Just in time, Arc. What do you think of that?”
“Sakuya and Graham? Hum… Why are they there? Can’t they come over here with the rest of us…”
Arc doesn’t get it either. I guess this world still has things to learn.
“Hum, it’s really tense to leave everyone’s side, but be all lovey dovey like that in a place where people can see it.”
It’s kind of like a suspension bridge effect.
I never really had a girlfriend in my old world, but I do know the stuff I read in manga…
“Hm… So it’s about how people around them see them?”
“Yes yes. It’s partially to show how happy they are, but it’s also about spice…”
“Ah, so it’s like you and Reina.”
“…Eh?”
I don’t remember doing that. But before I can say that, Zephir agrees.
“It is quite blatant. I see, so that is what you are always doing.”
“Hum, no…”
Is that how they see me?
I guess I do feel that sort of mood when I’m with Reina, but I’m not doing it on purpose. It just so happens that…
“You are quite the skillful person when it comes to love.”
“Incredible…”
“No, hold on a second. I’m not trying to do that. I only know that stuff from manga, so don’t look at me with respect like that, Arc.”
“I’ve actually been thinking about the two girls… Give me some advice!”
And that’s when I regret saying too much.
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Thanks for the treat.