12th day of the Earth month. It's a sunny afternoon and I'm on top of Bell with a deck brush in hand.
Bell is nearly five meters in size, so I need to use a deck brush to wash him.
[Hey, Bell, stay still.]
[Kuaa~]
Adding more force on scrubbing Bell's back, he lets out a comfortable squeal. Yes, you look very cute and soothing, but don't twitch too much or I'll fall off.
[Kyuii!]
[Unnn. Thank you, then, Lynn, please take care of the area around his tail.]
[Kyukk!]
The one who came in with a small brush in her mouth is Lindwurm... Lynn, the white dragon who joined the family on the 3rd day of the Earth month.
It looks like Lynn is going to help me, so I asked her to was Bell's body around his tail.
[...Fuuu, finally done.]
[Gaoo!]
[Kyuii!]
After I finished washing Bell's large body and drying it with a magic tool that produces warm air, Bell's fur became so fluffy and wonderful to touch.
It's soft enough that even I can feel that his fur is really fine, and when I lean my body against it, it's so comfortable, as if Bell's a walking soft comforter.
I lean against Bell, who is lying face down on the ground with Lynn on my chest and Bell's tail laid on top of me like a blanket.
Staying like this feels so comfortable that it makes me want to take a nap... Hmmm, washing Bell's body is hard to wash because of his size, but I feel like fatigue is a necessary expense to experience this kind of fluffiness.
[...Kaito-san, good job. Here, a drink.]
[Thank you, Sieg-san.]
[No, no, I also brought some for Bell-chan and Lynn-chan.]
[Gaoo!]
[Kyuu!]
While I'm taking a break, Sieg-san comes in with a tray in one hand and a container that looks like it's about two meters long in her other hand.
It seems like she has prepared a drink for me, so I thanked her for it.
The cold drink, which tastes almost like lemon juice, comfortable soaks into my tired body, and seeing Bell and Lynn drinking as well, I smiled.
Hmmm, it's kind of relaxing and comfortable today... I've been pretty busy lately, so I'm relieved to be able to put my mind at ease in days like this.
[Fufu, you look exhausted.]
[I guess I am huh? I wasn't aware of it, but it's been busy lately...]
[Even if you don't look at it, fatigue would still build up...]
[Unnn? Ah, yes. Go ahead.]
After saying a few words of concern with a smile, Sieg-san looks at me and moves her gaze towards me.
Since I had spoken with Sieg-san through exchanging eye contact and gestures before back when she couldn't speak, I immediately knew what she was thinking about.
"Can I sit with you?" or so it feels like she wants to ask, so I nodded and shifted my body to give her some space, and Sieg-san beautifully sat down, leaning against Bell as I did.
[Leisurely passing through time like this is kind of nice...]
[That's right. Times like this are a luxury.]
Sitting side by side with Sieg-san, I stare at the clear blue sky.
It certainly is as Sieg-san said, times where we can be laid-back like this feels like the most luxurious thing I've ever had.
Before I knew it, Lynn, who had finished her drink, moved back to my lap and curled herself, and I don't know if she's tired as well or she's feeling sleepy, as a little while later, I could hear her quiet breathing.
Smiling at the sight, I abruptly asked the nearby Sieg-san a question.
[Speaking of which, I just overheard it before but... Sieg-san, are you really taking a few days off from the day after tomorrow?]
[Yes, for about 4 days... I'm going to be in Rigforeshia to visit my parents.]
[You're going to visit Rei-san and Fia-san?]
[Yes, I've written to them in a letter that my voice has returned, but I haven't directly reported it to them yet.]
[I see.]
It seems that the rumor I've heard from the servants was true, Sieg-san will be taking a few days off from the day after tomorrow to return to Rigforeshia.
Sieg-san's voice certainly returned only after we returned from the Sacred Tree Festival, and I'm sure Rei-san and Fia-san would like to hear their daughter's voice.
Especially since those two seemed to dote on Sieg-san...
[And since I'm going back home, I thought I'd go visit various places.]
[Heehh... That sounds fun.]
[You think so?]
[Yes, I quite like the green scenery of Rigforeshia.]
It should have only been about two months ago at most since we last visited, but I feel very nostalgic for Rigforeshia.
Looking back, that was the first time I ever went to a place outside of the royal capital... Rei-san and Fia-san were fun people, and I hope to see them again.
As I was thinking about this, I saw Sieg-san glancing at me. so I tilted my head.
Thereupon, Sieg-san's cheeks slightly blushed, and in a reserved manner, she spoke.
[...Errm, Kaito-san... This might be an impolite suggestion but...]
[Yes? What is it?]
[...I- If it's fine with you, Kaito-san, would you like... to come together with me?]
[Ehh? Me too?]
I was a little surprised by the unexpected words, but her suggestion itself was very appealing.
[Y- Yes, ummm, Father and Mother also wanted to meet Kaito again... a- a- and I also thought it would be more fun than going back home alone...]
[I see.]
[O- Of course, that's only if it's fine with you, Kaito-san...]
Seeing Sieg-san's cheeks blushing as she quietly muttered that, she looked very cute and my heart reflexively skipped a beat.
Putting my hand to my chin to cover up the smile that's about to rise on my lips, I think about her suggestion for a bit.
[It's a tempting suggestion but... Wouldn't I just be too intruding if I go with you too?]
[Rather than be intruding, I think Father and Mother would be pleased instead. They used to mention wanting to meet Kaito-san in their letters.]
I didn't have any particular plans anyway, and since I've been wanting to go back to Rigforeshia, I might as well.
I asked her if I wouldn't interfere too much with their family time, but it seems like Rei-san and Fia-san also want to meet me again as well.
[...Well then, I'll take you up on your offer, so would it be alright if I go with you?]
[Ahh, yes!]
[Since we're going anyway, let's go invite Aoi-chan and Hina-chan as well. I think the two of them would like to go to Rigforeshia as well.]
[Ehh? Y- Yes, you're right... I guess you're right... Yes... I agree...]
I suggested since it would be more fun with more people anyway, but for some reason, Sieg-san looked disappointed as her shoulders slumped down.
Arehh? I thought she would like it if we were more boisterous though...
[...Errr, did I say something wrong?]
[No! Absolutely nothing! Let's invite the two of them to go with us! Let's go do that!]
[Ah, yes.]
When I asked her, Sieg-san vigorously shook her head, her face beet-red as she stood up.
What is this? I don't really know why... but did I say something wrong?
After that, along with Sieg-san, we tried inviting Aoi-chan and Hina-chan, but the two of them refused me as quickly as they could.
However, for some reason, both of them said something incomprehensible while looking at Sieg-san when they refused.
[...I'll have to refuse. I don't want to get kicked by a horse...]
[I'm also going to refuse like Aoi-senpai, I don't want to receive a horse's kick.]
[...A horse? Do horses even exist here?]
[...Sieg-san, please do your best. I'm rooting for you.]
[Kaito-senpai would probably be a tough nut to crack. I know exactly how you feel. Fighting!]
[...Thank you very much. I'll do my best.]
(T/N: There's apparently a saying that says about how a person who disturbs a person's path towards love would die after being kicked by a horse. It seems like Kaito doesn't know about this saying though.)
It was an exchange that didn't make sense to me at all, but Sieg-san seemed to have understood what the two of them were trying to say, and she clutched her hand, as if she made up her mind about something.
Dear Mom, Dad——– Sieg-san invited me to go visit the city of Rigforeshia again. It's a shame that Aoi-chan and Hina-chan turned us down, but it's nice to see Rei-san and Fia-san again—— and I'm really looking forward to it.
**********
{Author's Notes}
Serious-senpai: [Ahh, this is no good... It's just heartwarming... I feel like my turn won't come... Just wake me up after Sieg's arc ends.]
{Every time you don't appear in the afterword, I'll go reduce the candy and increase the whip}
Serious-senpai: [...I'm awake... Yes.]