Chapter 103 - Kurune's Request
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The day after I had a meal with Elgis-san and Fiona-san. I woke up to the morning sun shining through the window.
Rubbing my slightly heavy eyelids, I sat up, and Flora was in front of the closet, looking back at me.
"Ah, Aldo-san, good morning."
"Good morning, Flora. What are you doing?"
"It's started to get a bit chilly, so I was taking out autumn clothes."
Around Flora as she answered, many autumn clothes like long sleeves, jackets, and capes were placed, along with the summer clothes that had been taken out.
"It certainly has become a bit chilly."
"Yes, if you push yourself in short sleeves, you'll catch a cold. I'm wearing long sleeves from today too."
Looking closely at Flora's clothes, they weren't the usual short sleeves, but long sleeves that firmly wrapped around her shoulders and arms.
"I've prepared long sleeves and trousers for you too, Aldo-san, so please wear these today."
"I understand. Thank you."
Taking the long-sleeved shirt from Flora, I changed from my sleepwear into my autumn everyday clothes.
When I changed, it was indeed warm because the fabric was thicker than the previous ones.
With this, it didn't seem like I'd catch a cold even on a cool morning.
"Well then, I'll go check on the fields."
"Then, could I ask you to harvest the green beans, Sheil, and radishes? I'll finish organizing the clothes."
"Got it. I'll go pick them."
It was a bit of a shame that I couldn't look at the fields with Flora, but it couldn't be helped. We have to divide the work and use our time effectively.
Seen off by Flora, I took a harvest basket at the entrance and went outside.
When I opened the door, the cold air of the autumn morning flowed in.
It was true that this would be a bit tough in short sleeves. But now I was wearing the autumn clothes Flora had prepared for me. With this, the autumn temperature was nothing to fear.
As I stepped out of the entrance and walked toward the fields, a tapping sound rang out from the house window.
Turning around instinctively, Flora was standing at the living room window, slowly moving her mouth to ask, "Is it not cold?"
She was probably worried about me, wondering if the clothes she chose were properly warm.
Knowing that made me uncontrollably happy.
I raised my right arm and made a guts pose, moving my mouth to reply, "It's okay!"
Then Flora smiled in relief and gave a small wave to see me off.
Somehow Flora was too cute, and I felt like going back into the house right now to hug her.
However, if I did such a stupid thing, she'd be exasperated, so I squeezed my will and endured.
I also waved back with a smile and managed to head toward the fields.
Touching Flora's kindness from the morning, not just my body temperature but even my heart was warm. I felt like as long as Flora was here, I could stay in this outfit even in winter.
As I was laughing at my elated self, I soon arrived at the fields in front of the house.
Our fields were growing steadily, without losing to the autumn coolness or pests.
Since we kept planting seeds as we harvested radishes, we were able to harvest in a cycle that seemed eternal.
As expected, the two of us couldn't eat them all, so I thought about cutting back on growing radishes, but since Toak and Kurune liked them more than expected, I hadn't downsized yet.
"Now then, shall I pick the green beans first?"
Having decided that, I moved to the green beans.
The green beans were clinging to the supports, looking like a green curtain.
Avoiding the lush green leaves, I checked if the fruit was growing properly.
"The beans aren't clearly bulging and they're a beautiful green. It's good when the thickness is uniform overall."
On the other hand, those where the shape of the beans was clearly visible and bulging were apparently sometimes overgrown and tough, but our green beans were just at the stage where they could be harvested, so they seemed fine.
I checked the fruit carefully and cut the ones ready to eat with scissors.
They were so beautiful they looked like they'd be delicious if eaten as they were, but green beans aren't very tasty eaten raw, and they can cause stomach upsets, so one must be careful.
In the past, I had eaten wild ones raw a few times and got an upset stomach.
That said, if you heat them properly, they have a gentle sweetness, so there's no problem. We have the skilled cook Flora at our house, after all.
"Ah, Aldo—!"
As I was wondering what kind of breakfast would come out today, a voice suddenly called me.
Turning toward the voice, Kurune and Aisha were there.
"Oh, if it isn't Kurune and Aisha. Or rather, isn't it a bit too early for you two to come over to play? We haven't even eaten breakfast yet over here."
"We didn't just come to play. I thought I'd ask a favor today."
When I asked with half-closed eyes, Kurune puffed out her chest resolutely.
It didn't seem like the attitude of someone about to ask a favor, but...
"So, what's the favor?"
"I've decided to rent a new house, so I want you to help me clean it."
"Ah, you rented a house. I thought for sure you'd be living at Aisha's house forever."
Since Kurune came to the village and stayed at Aisha's house, the two of them had been together every day. it was as if a new family member had been made at Aisha's house, and I had thought Kurune would just live at Aisha's house as she was.
"As for me, that would have been fine."
"That's not bad either, or rather, Aisha's house is fun and comfortable, but I can't stay there forever. I want to open a magic classroom at home too."
That's right. As for Kurune, she wanted to teach magic and studies to the children. Doing it outside was fine, but it would be easier to teach in an environment with proper tables and chairs.
"Haa, with this, I'll be saying goodbye to a life with daily baths and magic. Ina and the others' kindness will also decline."
"Aisha, you're really clear about those things, aren't you?"
When Kurune was there, it was a matter of course to get into a bath immediately with magic, and there was no need to start a fire or go to fetch water.
Since life had become convenient in various ways, it would be a problem for the lazy Aisha when she was gone. I thought the latter was her own fault, though.
"Well, but once the new house is settled, come over anytime. I'll let you stay as thanks for taking care of me."
"Then, can I just live there forever?"
"Ahaha, that's a bit of a problem. Mainly for Ina-chan..."
Even though it was a touching scene where I felt female friendship, various things were ruined.
"So, should I help with the cleaning from today?"
"I'd be happy if you did, but is it okay? Don't you have hunting or other business today?"
"Today is a day off, so it's no problem."
I had gone hunting just two days ago, and we had plenty of wild boar meat, so it was fine.
"Then, can I count on you from today?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll ask Flora too."
I could do at least the cleaning, but Flora was better at detailed cleaning methods and organizing luggage. And if she's got a new home, she'd want to live in it soon.
"Thank you. That helps! The house I rented is large, so cleaning it was hard."
Hearing Kurune's words, I recalled one candidate among the vacant houses.
"By any chance, is the place you rented that two-story one where a noble used to live?"
"Yes, you figured it out well."
"Isn't that place a bit too large?"
"It is, but if I'm going to open a classroom eventually, I'll need that much space."
Kurune replied with a shy smile. That's right, considering the magic classroom, that much space was necessary. No wonder she asked us to help with the cleaning.
"Well then, I'd like to head to Kurune's new house right away, but I haven't eaten breakfast yet, so first—"
"It's okay. It's the same for us."
"So, we were thinking of having Flora's breakfast."
These guys had planned to get Flora's breakfast at the same time as asking the favor from the start.
"...Kurune, haven't you become shrewd after being poisoned by Aisha?"
"Ahaha, maybe a little."
"It's rude to say I've poisoned her."
The lazy Aisha could skip house chores by helping Kurune, and furthermore, she could eat a delicious breakfast. As usual, Aisha was the one profiting.
"Well, fine. But if you're going to eat breakfast, help with the harvest. That's the condition for sitting at the table."
"Okay!"
"Ehh—"
Kurune and Aisha gave contrasting replies and took the baskets.
If they intended to eat breakfast at our house, they should at least harvest the portion they're going to eat themselves.
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