Chapter 62 - Welcome Home
I'm sorry. This is a bit short for the sake of a break.
"Ah! Aldo-san, welcome home!"
"............"
As soon as I returned home, I froze upon hearing Flora's voice.
Flora's words of "Welcome home" resonated in my chest in a way I couldn't help.
Coming home to find the woman I love greeting me with those words and a smile. I had imagined such a life many times before, but being actually greeted with it made me happier than I expected.
It felt as if she were affirming that this was my place, and it made me glad.
"...Aldo-san? What's the matter?"
Seeing me standing still at the entrance, Flora approached me with a worried look.
With that, I was finally able to come to my senses, and at the same time, I felt very embarrassed.
"Ahaha, having Flora say welcome home really resonated in my chest and made me happy."
When I said it honestly while scratching my cheek, Flora chuckled while her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Actually, I've wanted to say those words for a long time too. That's why I hurried back, and I was waiting for you to return, wondering when you'd be here."
Looking at Flora's smile, my heart gave a throb.
I was so happy that Flora held the same feelings.
We smiled at each other.
The time spent away from Flora was a bit lonely, but thinking that we could have this exchange made me feel it wasn't bad.
Even if I went out for hunting work, Flora would be properly at home when I returned, saying welcome home.
With that sense of security and trust, I felt the pain of being apart would blow away.
Was it because of that absolute sense of security, the fact that I had a place to return to?
"Here are your slippers. I'll take the basket in your hand too."
"Yeah, thank you."
Flora lined up the slippers so they were easy to put on and took the basket from my hand.
She was very devoted.
Whether Flora enjoyed taking care of me or not, she had a happy smile on her face.
"This kind of thing is nice. Watching my mother take care of my father, I've always yearned for this."
"Being treated like this makes me feel like I've returned to my own place, and it makes me happy."
I had been treated similarly by maids in the royal castle or noble estates, but I hadn't felt happy at all. As expected, there was a huge difference between someone who cared for you with affection and someone who didn't.
"Ufufu, well then, I'll come to greet you as much as possible when you return."
Seeing Flora smiling happily, I found myself thinking about going out every day just to have her greet me. Though, that felt like putting the cart before the horse since it would reduce the time we could spend together.
"Aldo-san, what is that cloth bag on your back?"
Once I finished putting on the slippers, Flora asked, having noticed it.
"Ah—this? I met Kyle outside, and I got a pelt from him."
"What kind of pelt is it?"
I momentarily lost my words at Flora's simple question.
Although I had thought about consulting her earlier, was it really okay to suddenly show her a Red Bear pelt? I was worried that Flora might remember the fear when she saw the pelt.
Even for a hardy adventurer, it was common to harbor trauma toward a monster that had once nearly killed them. The fear could resurface, making it impossible to fight monsters, or causing their legs to tremble just by seeing materials from that monster—it varied.
From my perspective, having seen such people up close, it wasn't something I could bring up lightly.
"...Um."
Seeing me hesitate, Flora tilted her head slightly. Then, with a look of realization, she said,
"Ah, could it be a Red Bear pelt?"
"Eh!"
I panicked at her sudden guess.
"Aldo-san, you worry too much. I won't be frightened just because I see a Red Bear pelt."
Flora looked up at me with a gentle smile.
"...Really? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
Was she pushing herself out of consideration for me?
Since Flora had a personality that devoted itself wholeheartedly, I was worried she might be enduring it.
I carefully observed the Jade Eyes that were staring straight at me.
There seemed to be no color of fear in her eyes. It really seemed like there was no problem.
Even so, Flora's eyes were beautiful today too. They were transparent and shining like jewels. They were gentle eyes that seemed to represent Flora's mild personality.
"...Um, Aldo-san. It's embarrassing to be stared at so intently."
Hearing Flora's fading words, I came to my senses.
Before I knew it, my face and Flora's were quite close, to the point where our lips would overlap if I moved forward just a little more.
Flora's moist eyes, flushed cheeks, and plump lips entered my sight.
"Ah, sorry, sorry. I was fascinated by Flora's eyes."
I mobilized all my reason to pull away from Flora.
I had wanted to let our lips overlap just like that, but an atmosphere had emerged that suggested it wouldn't end there.
Today we were going to the flower field to eat. Th-that kind of thing had to be endured until night.
Flora had a regretful expression while her face was red, but I couldn't. I felt that if I kissed her now, I wouldn't be able to stop.
"Um, what should we do with the Red Bear pelt?"
I said in a loud voice, as if to brush away the strange atmosphere.
I casually untied the cloth to confirm if Flora really wouldn't be frightened even if she saw the pelt.
"Y-yes, that's right. Red Bear pelts are very warm, so let's preserve some of it. They're hard to use for clothes, but they're easy to use as carpets or blankets."
I see, since the color was what it was, it seemed hard to use for clothes or coats as is. I couldn't even enter the mountains in a fur coat like this.
"Also, there seems to be a significant amount, so I think it would be better to barter half of it with the villagers. Red Bear pelts are warm, so I think families with many children would really want them to prepare for winter."
If that was the case, it would be better to barter with families that had many children. I thought this pelt was something quite hard to come by anyway, so it would be better to use it in the village rather than selling it.
If I sold it to a peddler, there might have been villagers who felt regretful.
I was glad I consulted properly with Flora.
"I see, I understand. I'll do that."
"Yes."
Seeing Flora nod, I started walking to take the pelt to the storage room.
However, my chest felt somehow restless, and my feet stopped.
When I looked back, my eyes met Flora's as she was about to take the basket to the kitchen.
I approached Flora just like that and gently overlapped our lips.
"...Geez."
They were Flora's words as if in protest, but her expression looked helplessly happy.
I'll stop saying "next time" for now.