Chapter 12 - A Comfortable House
After all that, I managed to get him to sell me some food, and to settle the main business, I entered the workshop in the back room.
Many tables were lined up in the room, and on top of them were pieces of wood in the middle of being processed and tools like saws for cutting.
Perhaps because of the wood shavings, this workshop room had a dense smell of wood.
Against the four walls, pieces of wood long enough to reach the ceiling were leaned; each seemed to be a different type of wood, ranging from light colors to dark colors, and some were curved while others were straight.
I thought it might be dangerous if they fell over, but it seemed safety was considered, as looking at the bottom of the wood, they were firmly fixed with iron fittings.
"Now, let's get down to business."
Toak, who had entered, moved the wood chips and tools placed on the floor.
"Make sure to let me buy the food later too, okay?"
"I know, I know."
When I said it as if to remind him, Toak answered as if it were a hassle.
I only asked thoroughly because he hinted that he wouldn't sell it.
Well, since I got his word, I'll decide not to worry about it.
"Alright, what are you missing?"
Toak, who had organized the workshop, tapped a table as if to check it.
It was likely his way of switching his mindset.
"Even if you ask what, I'm missing everything minimally necessary for living. Chairs, a table, a sofa, a bed, a chest of drawers, a cupboard..."
These were just the ones I could think of immediately. Once I actually start living there, more things I'm missing will probably come up.
"Oh, oh, this is going to keep me busy for a while. I have some chairs and tables left here, and there's a chest of drawers and a cupboard in the warehouse. They're all new, want to take a look?"
"I want some custom-made items too..."
Since I have a fair amount of money, I want him to make a chair just for me that fits me and lets me spend time comfortably. I also want him to be particular about the bed so I can sleep comfortably.
I'm going to be living in that house forever from now on. I want to furnish it with good things.
When I proposed while fantasizing about the interior of my ideal house, Toak furrowed his brow and scratched his head.
"Ah, if everything is custom-made, it'll take quite a bit of time, you know? I have furniture requested by people other than you too, so you'll be living without furniture for a while."
"Ugh, that's a problem..."
I reflexively made a sour face at Toak's words.
I struggled quite a bit yesterday because I didn't have furniture. I want the bed to be custom-made, but the reality is I want at least a chair and table right away.
I'll place the minimum necessary items first, then have the custom items made.
"Well, I'll make the bed custom since it's better if it's suited to the person, though."
"Yeah, make the bed quickly. I don't want to sleep with a cloth spread on the floor anymore."
This morning, for instance, a sharp pain ran through my back when I woke up. Even now, I feel a sense of discomfort in my back and elsewhere. I want to have a refreshing awakening in the morning.
"If you hate that, buy a sofa. That should serve as a bed for a while."
"That's true!"
If I can just get a sofa, I should be able to spend my time much more relaxedly. I won't have to sit on the floor anymore when I have nothing to do.
Convinced by Toak's opinion, I looked at the tables and chairs placed at the edge of the workshop.
I wanted to not just look but also sit and touch them, so I decided to ask Toak.
I felt like he'd get angry if I touched his works without permission.
Even at a forge where they craft or maintain swords, they get angry if you touch the items placed there carelessly.
"These are finished products, right? They won't break if I sit on them, will they?"
"They're finished products. They won't break... Oh, that one's in the middle of being disassembled, it's missing a leg."
Toak, who had frowned, suddenly realized and pushed one chair to the side.
"Hey, hey, are you okay? I don't want to lose my balance and hit my head if I sit down, you know?"
"I told you it's fine. Just one got mixed in. I checked all the others."
I sent a suspicious look at Toak as he said that.
Is that really true? I'm getting a bit worried.
Well, since Toak said he checked them now, I'll believe him here. If a strange one is mixed in, I'll just settle it by having him give me extra food.
I tried touching the lined-up chairs. It was a normal type with a light color, and the curves around the waist and armrests were very beautiful. When I touched it, it was very smooth and felt good to the touch.
When I reflexively sat down, the backrest was just right and the legs didn't seem to wobble at all.
"Toak, you make delicate chairs despite your appearance—"
"The appearance is extra. The person who makes it and the furniture are unrelated."
When I muttered while sitting in the chair, Toak said so with a sullen face.
I wonder about that? Since he's making furniture for people to use, he has to think carefully about people while making it. It's more comfortable to sit if it's like this here, and the angle of the backrest fits better if it's a bit deeper.
It needs to be adjusted depending on the person's age and height, and I think it's something that can't be done unless you're someone who can think of and be considerate of the other person.
"...What is it? Grinning like that."
When I gave him a warm look, Toak looked this way as if he were uncomfortable.
"It's nothing. This chair is really nice—"
"That's because it's a chair I made to fit myself. Since you're similar in height to me, isn't it perfect for you? Well, most adults would fit it, though."
"That's true. It feels good. I think I'll put this in the living room."
Toak and I are almost the same height, and since it was recommended, I'll go with this.
"In that case, I have another one just like it in the warehouse, so I'll bring it. I'll make the other two new next time."
Knowing I had decided on one chair, Toak stood up and said such a thing.
"Eh? I'm living alone, so I don't need four, you know?"
"Hey, hey, what are you going to do when a guest comes? You were helped by the Village Chief, so once you've settled in, you should invite them and serve some food or something."
"Ah, that's right."
Until now, I had always lived in inns, so I had never thought about things like that.
It would be painful if I couldn't even offer a cup of tea when Flora comes like yesterday or when Elgis-san comes to check on me.
It seems the feeling of living alone in an inn hasn't left me yet.
From now on, I want to invite Toak to my house too.
I want not just myself, but also the guests who come to my house to spend their time comfortably.
◆◆ ◆
After that, Toak brought the same chair from the warehouse and a table made of the same material as the one in the living room.
The height was also perfect for this chair, so I think I'll put this in the living room too.
After that, we moved to the warehouse and decided on a chest of drawers and a cupboard that suited the atmosphere of the house.
I think I'll have Toak help me carry these things to the house later.
"Also, I'm missing tableware too."
Returning to the workshop, I muttered while sitting in the chair I decided to buy.
Thinking that this chair will be living with me from now on, I'm starting to feel an attachment to it.
"If you're okay with wooden tableware, I have some here."
"Even though you're a furniture craftsman?"
I was reflexively surprised by Toak's words.
"I live in such a small village. I can't survive if I can't make daily necessities. Well, I enjoy making tableware too, and it's good basic practice."
"I see, then could you show me the tableware?"
"Yeah, follow me."
I immediately stood up from the chair and followed Toak.
When he opened a drawer in the workshop wall, it was filled with many wooden forks and spoons, and when he opened the one next to it, the plates that had appeared at breakfast were stacked. Inside were also large flat plates, deep-bottomed plates, cups, and even things that skillfully reproduced glasses.
"Heh, this is amazing."
I reflexively widened my eyes and observed them.
"Well, it's no big deal."
While I was picking up the tableware in the drawer and looking at them, Toak said while scratching his cheek a bit bashfully.
I knew it, but he's not a very honest guy.
I turned my face back to the drawer and chuckled secretly.
The tableware Toak made were all smooth and had a very nice feel. When I actually picked them up and held them, they felt like they fit my hand and were very easy to use.
Even so, they're all good tableware and I'm lost on what to choose. I feel like I want every kind.
I felt the same way when I first got enough money to change my weapon—.
"Oh, this plate looks good for soup. This deep one is good too, and I want this shallow-bottomed one as well."
"...You look like you're having quite a lot of fun."
While I was troubled picking up various tableware, Toak said in a gentle voice.
"Of course, I'm choosing things I'll be using every day from now on. Just thinking about which one to pick is fun. Toak's tableware is easy to hold."
"...I see."
When I answered that, Toak gave a short reply and turned toward the window.
When I peeked at his profile, I could see the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
As I thought, he's not honest. Well, I can't imagine an honest Toak, though.
Turning back to the drawer, I began selecting the tableware.
"Hey, you idiot. Don't just take spoons of the same size. There are sizes that are easier to eat with depending on the dish, right?"