Chapter 104 - Harvesting with the Three of Them
Once I explained to Kurune and Aisha which ingredients they needed to pick, the two of them moved to their respective assigned areas.
While I was harvesting snap peas, Aisha was humming to a light rhythm beside me.
"Snap peas, snap peas, snap peas... ah, this is the one."
Aisha harvested a snap pea with a snip of her shears.
"Wait a second. That one's still too early. Well, you already picked it, so it can't be helped."
"Eh, really? Well, what's picked is picked, I guess."
Well, that was true, but was I the only one who felt a bit of a snag when Aisha said it? Oh well. Anyone can make a mistake.
However, I was a little worried, so I kept an eye on Aisha, and she was about to cut another one that was too early for harvest.
"That one's too early too."
"Eeeh, then how about this one?"
"That's no good either."
"This one?"
"That one's fine."
"I see, I've got the hang of it now."
While thinking I was still a bit worried, I continued to monitor her, but from then on, Aisha harvested only the ones that were properly in season without making any more mistakes.
"As expected of a grape farmer's daughter, you've got a good eye."
"Fufun, I have confidence in my eyes. That's why I can see Kurune over there sneaking snacks too."
"Eh!"
When I looked toward the radish field as Aisha suggested, Kurune was just about to eat a radish.
"Ah... I'll take this."
"Hey!"
However, Kurune nonchalantly bit into the radish.
That's right. Since she could use water magic at any time, she could sneak a snack whenever she wanted.
"Mmm! This juiciness and slight spiciness are great."
Even from a distance, I could hear the pleasant crunching sound coming from Kurune's mouth.
I was tempted to bite into one myself, but if I did that with this group, it felt like we wouldn't be able to stop, so I endured it.
"Snacking is fine and all, but make sure you harvest properly too—"
"I know, I know."
Well, Kurune wasn't lazy like Aisha, so she'd probably be satisfied after eating one.
The problem was the person trying to divert my attention toward Kurune while boldly attempting to sneak a snack right next to me.
"Just so you know, Aisha. Snap peas are bitter if you eat them raw, and if you're unlucky, you'll get an upset stomach."
"Ueh!? R-really?"
Aisha gently placed the snap pea she was about to bring to her mouth into the basket.
It was one thing if it was just bitter, but if told she'd get an upset stomach, she wouldn't feel like eating it.
"Kuh, you assigned me to harvest snap peas anticipating this, didn't you? It's unfair that only Kurune gets to snack."
"Flora will cook them properly in a little while, so please endure it. I'm going to go pick some Sheil."
Since Aisha had mostly learned how to distinguish the snap peas, I left this part to her and headed off to harvest Sheil.
Sheil was a vegetable like cabbage, with many layers of leaves wrapped around in a spiral like a flower. It looked just like a rose blooming in the field, and was also known by the alias, Rose of the Field.
The texture was like a slightly soft cabbage, and it was a versatile ingredient used for salads or for wrapping meat.
Unlike cabbage or lettuce, it could be cultivated year-round, and as long as one was careful with moderate water and sunlight, anyone could grow it, so it was quite popular.
I checked the most grown Sheil in the field. After checking the leaves and the base to make sure there were no particular insects and no abnormalities in the leaves, I tore it off slightly above the roots.
By doing this, Sheil would grow leaves again from the base, so in another month and a half to two months, a Sheil of the same size would probably grow back.
The other Sheil were also growing well, and they all looked like they could be harvested in a little while. With this, I wouldn't have any trouble with salads for a while.
Since each leaf of the Sheil was large, one of these would be enough.
"Aldo, I pulled the number of radishes you told me to and washed them all—"
"I've picked a fair amount over here too, isn't it enough?"
As I held the Sheil like a bouquet, reports flew in from Kurune and Aisha respectively.
There were six radishes in Kurune's basket and more than ten snap peas in Aisha's basket. Even adding Kurune and Aisha, it would be a sufficient amount.
"That's right. Well then, shall we head inside for now?"
I opened the front door while carrying the harvested Sheil.
Then, Flora was in the living room preparing tea, and as soon as she noticed us, she put down the teacup and came over.
"I thought it was lively outside, and as I suspected, Aisha and Kurune-san were here."
As expected of Flora. Sensing that Aisha and Kurune were outside, she seemed to have already prepared the tea.
"Flora's wifely power is increasing. It didn't feel out of place at all for her to be in the Aldo household."
"I-is that so? Ehehe, I'm happy."
Flora smiled bashfully, looking pleased at being praised by Aisha.
I strongly agreed with Aisha's words. It felt so natural for Flora to be in the house that I was surprised myself.
"For now, can we make breakfast for five people?"
"If it's for five people, is the other person Toak-san?"
If adding one more person to this group, it could only be him. Sensing that, Flora asked.
"Yeah, I thought I'd invite him since we're at it."
"Eeh? We don't need a guy like that. Let's just eat breakfast by ourselves."
When I answered that way, Aisha raised a dissatisfied voice.
It was just as I expected, but for me, I'd be happier if Toak, a fellow man, was there.
"He might even help with cleaning the house. Kurune's house is large, so the more male hands, the better, right? Besides, Toak is a furniture craftsman, so he can give advice on what kind of furniture to place."
"That would be a help!"
If Toak could measure the room size and such from the cleaning stage, he could tell us what size of furniture would be appropriate.
"Cleaning the house?"
Since Flora didn't know about Kurune's new home, she tilted her head, so Kurune and I quickly explained.
"So that was it. That house is very large, so it will be hard. I'll help too."
"Thank you, Flora-san!"
Whether struck by Flora's devotedness and smile, Kurune took Flora's hand looking deeply moved.
"Hey, can I call Flora-san just Flora?"
"Y-yes, of course, Kurune-san."
"And call me Kurune!"
"I-I understand, Kurune."
Flora said with a smile that was somewhere between embarrassed and happy. Perhaps thanks to Kurune's natural brightness, even the shy Flora seemed to have opened up.
Although the days since they met were few, Flora also knew that Kurune had helped with the Zoack matter.
It made me happy as well that Kurune and Flora were becoming friends.
"...Hey, hey, as a compromise, how about just inviting Toak for the house cleaning?"
While I was smiling at the sight of the two of them, Aisha said while pulling on my hem.
That would be cruel. To not be invited even though the houses are this close, and then be dragged out just for house cleaning—he'd sulk. Despite how he looked, Toak was the type to get lonely.
"Knowing him, he might be making a delicious soup dish right about now. If that's the case, we'll have one more dish, and we might be able to eat sooner."
"Go invite Toak right away. Come on, hurry."
I headed toward Toak's house while giving a wry smile at Aisha's blatant about-face.
Toak's house was very close to mine.
After passing through the thin forest and crossing the bridge, the house made of logs came into view in no time.
By now, I was used to coming here, so I boldly approached the door and knocked.
Then, a voice that sounded a bit grumpy echoed, "Yeah, yeah," and Toak opened the door. At the same time, the scent of wood and a mushroom-like aroma wafted out softly.
"...What is it, Aldo. What do you want this early in the morning?"
Perhaps because it was early, Toak's eyes looked sharp. I thought it was probably because he was sleepy, but if anyone other than me saw him, they'd be intimidated.
"By any chance, were you making mushroom soup?"
"Yeah, I'm making it right now, but what of it? Did you come to eat?"
"No, Aisha and Kurune are at my place. I was wondering if you'd like to have breakfast with us at my house, Toak—"
"...I don't like that Aisha is there, but fine. It saves me the trouble of making other dishes."
Toak said the same kind of thing as Aisha.
Saying the same things together, I could even think they were actually on good terms.
"Also, I'm thinking of helping clean Kurune's new home today, how about that?"
"New home? Can't she do that much by herself?"
"It's because she rented the rooms where a nobleman used to live to open a Magic Classroom."
"Ah, that stupidly huge house... well, fine. I can make time today."
As expected, cleaning that house alone would be a backbreaking task. That said, I knew that Toak would help out with even small things while grumbling about it.
He looked unsociable and blunt, but Toak was a kind guy.
"Thanks. Kurune will be happy too."
"I'll head over once I finish the soup, so you go back first."
When I thanked him, Toak said while averting his gaze as if slightly embarrassed.
"Got it. See you later then."
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