It's the 30th day of the Tree month. I'm currently using Teleportation
Magic to get to Kuro's home… to be more specific, to the large field
behind Kuro's home. This is a field where not only vegetables, but also
fruits and rice are grown by Raz as a hobby.
This field is so huge that I honestly feel that it's beyond the level of a
hobby but… Raz-san herself said that she was just doing farming
because she likes it.
When I arrived at the field, Raz came flying in from the distance,
flapping her tiny wings.
[Kaitokun-saaaaaan! Heyyallo!]
[Hello, Raz-san.]
[Yes! Raz is happy to see you here, Kaitokun-san! What are you doing
here today? Did you come to eat some vegetables? Or did you run out of
rice?]
Raz-san is an expert farmer, and the vegetables from her fields are
extremely delicious. That's why, I often visit her, asking for some
vegetables and rice.
I did say that I would pay her for them, but saying "I don't want any
money because I'm making them as a hobby.", Raz-san adamantly
refused to receive my money, so I bartered with her for sweets.
However, I didn't come to barter with her this time.
[No, today… Errr, I heard it was Raz-san's birthday… so I came to
celebrate with you.]
[Aya? Kaitokun-san, you remembered Raz's birthday?]
[Yes, of course. Raz-san, happy birthday.]
[Yaaaayyy! Thank you! I'm so happy!]
Hearing my congratulatory words, Raz-san raised her hands in genuine
happiness and flew around me, swiftly fluttering her wings.
How should I say this… Even though she's older than me, she's really
cute.
[I'll also be attending the birthday party at Kuro's home. I thought I'd
come greet you first.]
[Raz is happy! Knowing Kaitokun-san came to my birthday makes Raz
really, reaaaaaaally happy!]
[Ahaha, I'm glad you're happy.]
[Yes! Raz is now finally "10652 years old"! It's finally time for Raz to
join the adult ladies!]
The hurdle for you to be counted as an adult is too high, isn't it?… Unnn,
I don't know what to say, hearing that she's surprisingly much older
than me, but I don't think I need to say anything that could possibly
dampen the happy smile on her face.
[E- Errr, I think Raz-san is adult enough though.]
[Really? Is Raz an adult lady?]
[Y- Yes… You're a lovely adult lady.]
[Is that so! If Kaitokun-san says so, then it must be true! Raz is an adult
lady! Ehehe, Kaitokun-san, if you have any problems, you can always
rely on the adult Raz!]
…What is this cute little creature… The way she puffs out her small
chest out as best as she can is just too adorable.
[Ahh, that's right. I'll give this to you now… My birthday present for
you.]
[Thank you! C- Can I open it now?]
[Yes, of course.]
[Yaaayyyy!]
Since Kuro's family would be gathering for Raz-san's birthday party and
it would be quite boisterous, I decided to give the present to Raz-san
beforehand.
With a big smile on her face, Raz-san opened up the present that I had
prepared to fit Raz-san's size.
[O- Ohhh… It's a scarf!]
After much deliberation, I had decided on a red woolen scarf as a
present for Raz-san. This was because Raz-san had mentioned before
how she doesn't like the cold… Well, I wondered if it would be a good
idea to give her this since we're around the season where it's about to
get warmer, but I'm glad to know that Raz-san seemed to be happy with
her present.
Cheerfully wrapping the scarf around her neck, Raz-san gave me a smile
as lovely as a blooming flower before she spoke.
[It's veeeeeery warm! Kaitokun-san, thank you!]
[Errr, I'm glad you like it. I think it came out well, but I apologize if
there's some parts that I wasn't able to knit well.]
[Hoehh? K- Kaitokun-san, you knitted this scarf!?]
[Y- Yes…]
The scarf I gave to Raz-san was something I knitted with the help of
Illness-san. I was a complete novice, but thanks to Illness-san's skillful
guidance, I think it came out pretty good.
Hearing my words, Raz-san's expression changed to one of surprise,
and she began brushing her hand on the scarf around her neck several
times.
[…A- Amazing! Being able to knit a scarf, K- Kaitokun-san… A- Are you a
genius!?]
The genius hurdle is surprisingly low…
[…I just have a good teacher.]
[That's not true! Kaitokun-san is amazing! Really, reaaaaaally
awesome!]
[Ahaha, thank you.]
[It's Raz who should be saying that! Thank you! I'm very happy with
your present, Kaitokun-san!]
Hearing Raz-san's words of praise and gratitude with a pure-hearted
smile on her face, I felt some gentle warmth bud within my heart.
[Once again, happy birthday to you, Raz-san.]
[Yes! Thank you! Kaitokun-san… I looooooooove you!]
Soothed by the cuteness of Raz-san, who jumped at me as if to express
her joy with a cute hug, I felt really happy.
And then, from that day onward… Raz-san could be seen always
wearing a red scarf, regardless of the season.