Chapter 63 - The Old Man and the Old Woman
After finishing the morning work and preparing lunch, Flora and I stepped out of the entrance.
The necessary items were just a basket with sandwiches, a water bottle, some cloth, and towels, so there was no need to worry about forgetting anything.
Wearing the straw hat I received from Flora and carrying a bag with items other than the sandwiches on my back, I locked the door.
I heard the pleasant sound of the lock engaging and, just in case, placed my hand on the knob to confirm it wouldn't open. No problem.
"I'm ready."
"Yes!"
When I looked back, Flora answered with a voice more energetic than usual.
She must be really looking forward to it. Flora's smile was more innocent than usual.
She was wearing a straw hat, and today she was clad in a short-sleeved blouse and a navy blue skirt.
In her hand extending from the short-sleeved blouse was the basket containing the sandwiches.
Flora, dressed in a cool outfit with slightly more exposure than usual, had an atmosphere like a young lady from a wealthy family who had come to a summer resort.
Flora's beautiful skin and silk-like blonde hair reflected the sunlight, looking very dazzling.
Come to think of it, this was the first time I'd seen Flora in summer clothes.
"...Um, is something strange?"
When I stared intently at Flora's figure, she moved her hands restlessly.
"No, I just thought you looked very beautiful. The cool summer clothes are nice too."
"Ehehe, thank you very much. Aldo-san, you look cool today too. I think it's very nice and has a refreshing atmosphere."
"Thank you."
Just as Flora said, my current outfit was a short-sleeved shirt and long trousers.
In this season where it was gradually getting hotter, I would end up drenched in sweat if I wore spring clothes. Today I was wearing thin summer clothes.
Besides, I also had the straw hat handmade by Flora, so a bit of sunlight was fine.
"...Is the hat uncomfortable to wear?"
"Yeah, it's fine. It fits my head perfectly and it's cool."
Flora seemed anxious, perhaps not satisfied with the quality of the straw hat she gave me, but that was far from the truth. Its level was normally higher than the straw hats sold in city shops.
It was to the point where I felt it could be put on sale just as it was.
However, perhaps because the quality of the straw hats made by her mother, Fiona-san, was even higher, Flora was likely unable to be satisfied with the hat she made.
"I'll work harder this year to make an even better straw hat for you!"
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it."
From my perspective, I was sufficiently happy just to receive a handmade hat from someone precious to me, but since I could understand her feeling of wanting to give me an even better hat, I gave an honest reply.
"Well then, shall we go?"
"Yes!"
When I extended my right hand, Flora happily extended her left hand.
Our hands intertwined and we squeezed each other's.
The sensation of Flora's soft fingers and their warmth was very reassuring. Something warm transmitted from my right hand to my whole body, making my heart feel toasty.
I became happy just by holding hands, and my cheeks loosened despite myself.
When I looked at Flora beside me, she was looking up at me with a bashful smile.
I felt happiness in the fact that Flora was smiling beside me.
Then, without even giving a signal, we both began to step forward at the same time.
◆
We walked along the single path to the west of our house.
Today's weather was perfectly clear, with a cloudless blue sky stretching out. The summer sunlight beat down on us without reservation, but perhaps because the straw hats were blocking the sun, it didn't feel that hot.
The wheat fields spreading in our view had the stalks growing, turning a vivid green. It was as if a green carpet were spreading out.
The way the stalks made a rustling sound every time the wind blew was very pleasant to the ear and made me feel cool. Every time the wind blew, Flora's hair swayed silkily, and a faint sweet scent drifted by.
"The green is beautiful, and the sound of the leaves is refreshing and nice."
"Y-yeah, it's already completely summer."
I felt Flora's feminine atmosphere strongly, and my voice went up a bit.
Until a little while ago, the proportion of flowers was greater than the grass, but now that it was summer, the proportion of grass was greater than the flowers. Even a small change in the ground was enough to feel the sense of the season.
As we walked, stepping crisply on the vigorously growing grass, grasshoppers hopped from the grass.
"Ah, a grasshopper."
From Flora's playful murmur, I could tell she wasn't bad with insects.
Well, there were no villagers living in the fields who extremely hated insects. It was natural since they lived closely with the soil and living things.
Though they apparently felt a sense of loathing toward insects with many legs, like spiders and centipedes.
The only ones who would be surprised by other insects would be well-bred nobles.
As we stepped forward together, the grasshopper in front of us kept hopping away.
Since that was the direction of the flower field we were heading to, the grasshopper continued to hop.
"It's as if it's enjoying a walk together with us."
"I wonder how far it'll come with us?"
We both walked slowly while watching the grasshopper.
It was an unremarkable event, but I felt it was a very peaceful time. It was very fun to share time and feel things together like this.
As we continued walking while thinking such things, the grasshopper finally seemed to tire and stopped hopping.
Then, as our feet approached, it gave one last big hop and dove into the thicket by the side of the road.
"Ah—it went away."
"It might have gotten tired as expected."
We continued walking while having such a peaceful conversation.
"They're wearing hats just like us."
Looking where Flora pointed, there were people wearing straw hats just like us, perhaps because the sunlight was harsh. It seemed they were doing field work.
While the adults were working desperately, the children wearing straw hats were running around innocently.
When a man who seemed to be the father scolded them, the children ran away in amusement. The father threw down his farming tools and chased after the children.
"It looks like they're having a lot of fun."
Even down to us who were far away, the father's angry shout of "Wait!" and the children's happy screams could be heard. It was a truly peaceful sight.
As I was watching them warmly, I saw an old man and an old woman walking from ahead of us.
When I thought they were people I'd seen somewhere before, they were the two I had witnessed walking toward the plaza while Flora and I were holding hands.
A chill ran through my whole body, as if I had encountered a ferocious monster unexpectedly in the middle of a quest.
"Hm? Oh! Old woman, it's those two."
"My oh my! Aren't those two the hottest couple in the village right now?"
I was about to retort with all my might, "What do you mean 'My oh my!'"
Even so, why were you two here whenever we walked while holding hands? Their house should be a bit closer to the plaza, but were the old man and old woman also on a walk?
Receiving their smirking gazes, I felt intensely embarrassed to be holding hands, but I didn't let go. I didn't know why, but I felt like I would lose if I let go here.
To Flora, who hung her head in embarrassment, I squeezed her hand as if to say that there was nothing to be ashamed of in us holding hands.
Then, Flora looked up at me in surprise and then smiled.
After that, Flora and I turned our gazes firmly forward.
""Hello.""
""Hello.""
When we greeted them together, they also bowed politely and greeted us.
I braced myself, thinking they might say some teasing words, but the old man and old woman slowly passed by us.
Was I just being too cautious?
A sense of exhaustion hit my body, as if a monster I couldn't match had passed nearby.
However, wouldn't they say something precisely when they were away? Thinking that, I concentrated my characteristic hearing.
Then, just like last time, I could hear their voices.
"Did you see that just now, old woman? Aldo squeezed her hand tight and encouraged Flora."
I wanted to press the old man on how he knew such a thing.
"That's what makes a man. Conversely, if he had done something like letting go of her hand just because we came along, I would have given him a thrashing."
"We were the bad guys again this time, but it was a sight where I could feel their growth."
"I heard those two are getting married at this year's Harvest Festival, and just like the coming season, their hot days will likely continue—"
The two of them walked away while leaking such murmurs.
Unlike the other villagers, I thought it was nasty of them not to tease us from the front.
As expected, I didn't feel like I could win against those two no matter what.
Since I didn't reach the flower field, I made the update earlier.