Chapter 77 - The Nostalgia of Walking the Path Together
"Hey, I want to go see the flower field you said was so beautiful, Aldo!"
The morning after Kurune arrived.
Kurune, who had come from Aisha's house, said that as soon as she arrived at my home.
"...That's sudden again."
I, who was relaxing while drinking tea after a meal, muttered as I looked at Kurune.
Flora began preparing a new teacup for the visiting Kurune.
Once the new tea was brewed, Kurune thanked her and took a seat.
"It's beautiful enough to make Aldo, who had no interest in anything but swords, fall in love with it, right? Then I want to see just how beautiful it is!"
Well, back when I was in the Royal Capital, I did talk incessantly about how beautiful the flower fields here were. It's only natural that Kurune would be curious.
"I don't mind guiding you, but we have plans too, so please tell us earlier next time."
"I'm sorry about that. Yesterday was so fun that I just forgot to mention it."
When I said that, Kurune looked down as if a little depressed.
I think that way of speaking is a bit unfair.
"Well, today's a day off with no hunting, so it's fine."
"Yeah, Aisha said so too, so I knew!"
When I said that, Kurune quickly looked up and insisted.
...I wonder what this is. Feeling complicated when Aisha is the one telling people I have no plans today.
As my expression turned bitter, Flora clapped her hands together and said brightly.
"Then, I'll make lunch boxes for the two of you."
"Two? Oh? Flora-san, you're not coming?"
"I'm sorry. I have to go back to my house, and I have promises with other people, so I can't go."
I tilted my head at Flora's words.
I don't think she said anything like that last night or this morning? If there was any change in plans, Flora is diligent, so she usually tells me right away.
"Is that so? In that case, should we do it another day?"
When I suggested that, Flora shook her head as if in a hurry.
"No, please go ahead, just the two of you. Since you've finally met again after so long, I think you should take your time and talk together."
"...I understand. Then, we'll take you up on that offer and go together."
"E-Eh?"
Just Kurune and me? Somehow, going to the flower field with just the two of us while leaving my wife Flora behind felt quite apologetic.
As I was flustered, Kurune approached and whispered in my ear.
"You idiot. Notice it already. Flora-san is being considerate of us. Just accept her kindness honestly here."
"I-I see. Understood."
I nodded, surprised by Kurune's strangely intense expression.
"Well then, I'll take Kurune and give her a brief tour of the village."
"Yes, please show Kurune-san the good points of Nordende."
When I said that, Flora moved to the kitchen with a smile that looked somewhat relieved.
It seems she's going to make the lunch boxes while preparing lunch.
Well, it's true I wanted to talk slowly with Kurune, and I'm happy for Flora's consideration, but it's a complicated feeling to be told so easily that it's okay to go out with another woman.
While carrying a somewhat hazy feeling in my chest, I also began my preparations.
I moved to the water jar in the kitchen to fill my canteen.
While I was pouring water into the canteen, Flora came over to me.
"Aldo-san, just because Kurune-san is beautiful, you mustn't fall for her or hold hands, okay?"
Being told that at a distance where her breath brushed my ear made a shiver run down my spine.
Surely the shiver was just because of her breath. I don't think it was because I was intimidated by Flora's low voice.
"O-Of course."
"Aldo-san, I'm trusting you, okay?"
Upon hearing my reply, Flora flashed a beaming smile.
Then, she kissed me as if pressing against my cheek.
While I was stunned by Flora's action, she moved away with an innocent smile, like she'd successfully pulled off a prank. However, looking at Flora's ears from behind, I could see them turning a bright, burning red.
It seems she was a little embarrassed.
Apparently, Flora is sending me off with trust.
I felt happy about Flora's feelings and began preparing with a bright heart.
I think I'm simple myself, but Flora's trust and a little bit of jealousy made me very happy.
◆
Once Flora's lunch boxes were finished and we were ready to head out, we left the house and headed for the flower field.
"Well then, we're off."
"Thanks for the lunch boxes! We're going!"
"Yes! Take care, both of you!"
Having left the house, Kurune and I waved toward Flora.
As expected, being seen off by Flora like this makes me realize that this house is the place I return to. It really is a good thing to have someone waiting for your return.
I thought so while looking at Flora's smiling face.
"It's nice weather today. A perfect day for a stroll."
Kurune, walking beside me, raised a bouncy voice while looking at the surrounding scenery.
The brown ponytail tied at the back of her head swayed energetically, as if expressing Kurune's good mood.
She even hummed a tune, appearing to be in quite a good mood.
She's probably happy to be able to go out with me, her former party member, after such a long time.
"It's been a while since we walked together like this. It reminds me of when we were adventurers."
As I was thinking that, Kurune muttered sentimentally.
"That's true, but isn't that way of saying it a bit like an old person?"
"Isn't that a bit much to say to a maiden?"
Whether my words were highly unsatisfactory or not, Kurune smacked my shoulder.
But even that interaction was nostalgic, making both of our cheeks relax.
Until a little while ago, the happy-go-lucky Keel and the serious Elliot were here too.
It's understandable why Kurune suddenly started speaking sentimentally. The days we spent adventuring as the four of us were so fun they remain vivid in my memory even now.
However, my current life is filled with fun and happiness that rivals or even exceeds that.
That's why I can think of it fondly, but I don't feel like I want to go back to those days.
I wonder what Kurune, who seemed the most disappointed about the party disbanding, thinks about that.
I thought about such things while glancing at Kurune's profile.
"...Even so, Flora-san is a truly kind person. If it were me, even if it were an old adventurer comrade, I wouldn't allow my husband to go out with another woman."
"Ahaha, she was that much more spoiled yesterday, and she just gave me a warning in the kitchen too."
"Eh? Really? That's a bit surprising. Flora-san is so kind and has such a broad mind, I didn't think she'd say something like that."
One way or another, I think the number of times Flora acts spoiled has increased since Kurune arrived.
Yesterday, although we didn't have sex, Flora was frequently clinging to me in the bathroom and the bedroom. She's probably conscious of the fact that Kurune has come.
Just now, even though Kurune was in the living room, she kissed my cheek in the kitchen.
Flora's strength of love, her sense of possessiveness, and her trust reached me, making me very happy.
"Yeah, despite how she looks, Flora is quite a spoiled child, you know?"
"Heh, for example?"
"Let's see. The easiest one to understand is that she loves being hugged tightly and having her head patted. If I don't pat her when I hug her, she sometimes pouts."
"Heh, is that so! ...But, I might understand that feeling a little."
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
Kurune's subsequent words were muffled, so I didn't catch them well.
When I asked, Kurune waved her hands as if to deny it.
"No, it's nothing! More importantly, what did she say when she gave you that warning? Flora-san is so kind, I can't imagine her saying those kinds of words."
"Um, 'Just because Kurune-san is beautiful, you mustn't fall for her or hold hands, okay?' she said."
"Ah, that way of saying it sounds just like Flora-san!"
Indeed. The part about falling for her or holding hands shows Flora's modest side.
"Well, Kurune isn't just beautiful, she has a good personality too. It's only natural for Flora to worry about her as a woman."
"...Eh?"
In reality, Kurune is beautiful and was very popular in the Royal Capital.
Unlike me, she's personable, honest, and has a good sense of humor. On top of that, being an excellent mage, many nobles had even applied for marriage proposals.
"But, maybe because we adventured together for so many years, my awareness of you is stronger as a friend or comrade rather than as the opposite sex, so it's fine."
"...T-That might be true, but somehow that way of putting it is annoying! For a man, being able to walk with a beautiful woman like me is an honor, you know? Be a little happier about it."
"Yes, yes, that's why I'll escort you politely today."
To Kurune, who said that with a strangely red face and a look of dissatisfaction, I gave a respectful bow like a nobleman.
Then, the good-humored Kurune gracefully held out her hand like a noble lady.
"You may take my hand, you know?"
"You idiot. Flora will get mad at me."
"Tch, and I was aiming for that."
And so, while having such silly interactions, we continued walking.
I'm sorry. The conversation with Kurune was so fun that I didn't progress as much as I thought. But since it's a Web novel, I guess this is fine and fun in its own way?