Chapter 191: Just Me Alone…
After receiving Porte’s acceptance as a lover and immersing myself in the happy feeling, I suddenly recalled Nimi’s words.
Then, after Porte stopped crying, I princess-carried her and went back the way I came toward Nifa Inn.
Noticing that, Porte made a blank, dazed expression, put both hands together in front of her chest and fidgeted while asking.
“Eh, um, teacher? My house is the opposite way?”
“Nimi told me something before. ’Isn’t it lonely to separate right after confessing?’ or something like that.”
“From Nimi-san…?”
“Yeah, so today I want you to stay by my side a little longer. …Is that okay?”
’Fufu, it’s fine. I also want to stay by your side.”
When Porte said that she gently stroked the bracelet I had given her and smiled happily.
Finding that figure adorable I brought my face close and kissed her; her cheeks flushed and she started trembling embarrassed.
If she trembles too much the chest also shakes matching it, so I’d like to be spared.
Even from the walking sway the chest is shaking, so thinking it’s late now I averted my gaze.
Arriving at the inn while still princess-carrying the trembling Porte and entering inside, Nimi who was on break was having tea at the table with the twins sitting on both sides.
Nimi looked at Porte being held by me, put the tip of one hand to her mouth saying “ara ara” and smiled happily, pointing with her free hand to the seat next to Micon.
The twins looked at Porte and my condition with curious faces and tilted their heads; I smiled troubledly at Nimi’s instruction and followed.
Nimi stood up and gently stroked Porte’s head who was looking down with flushed cheeks embarrassed.
…Ah, she started trembling again.
After finishing the stroking, Nimi who turned toward the kitchen as if to prepare Porte’s tea stopped, turned back to me and smiled saying,
’Fufufu, I’m happy that the comrades have increased.”
“Ah~, Nimi?”
“But, isn’t there still someone you need to convey it to?”
To Nimi who narrowed her eyes and smiled, I rubbed the back of my neck with one hand and smiled wryly.
It felt as if I was being told “Please go convey it quickly.”
I left Porte with Nimi and the twins, went outside the inn, and with the same feet headed to the bakery’s back door and knocked.
Waiting for a reaction, Eima’s voice came from inside and I conveyed that it was me.
Then the door slowly opened and Eima peeked her face out smiling a little happily.
Returning Eima’s smile with a smile of my own I asked her to call Rinelle; hearing that Eima said “Wait a little” and withdrew her face.
…Ah~, second time today but my heart hurts. If done poorly fighting is easier… this.
I’d like to see someone who got used to this. And if there is one I feel like saying it’s a lie…
After a little the door fully opened slowly and Rinelle was standing tilting her head.
Seeing my figure she smiled a little happily, and behind Rinelle Eima had one hand to her mouth smiling happily.
Looking at Rinelle’s condition Eima probably hadn’t conveyed that I had visited.
Letting out a small breath as if steeling myself, I smiled gently and began speaking.
“There’s something I want to give Rinelle—will you receive it?”
“For me?”
Rinelle’s eyes sparkled and she made a happy smile; behind, Eima was also looking at Rinelle’s condition happily while tilting her head slightly.
When I thrust my hand into the magic bag, Eima quietly turned around and tried to withdraw inside… but Rinelle grabbed Eima’s one hand and held her back.
Eima and I were a little surprised at the still-smiling Rinelle who held her back; Eima who was probably the most surprised said to Rinelle,
“Rinelle?”
“It’s not just me, right? There’s also mother’s share, right?”
“…Ah, of course.”
It wasn’t anything like that—in a good sense if the parent is a parent then the daughter is also a daughter, a simple story.
Rinelle had also noticed Eima’s feelings toward me.
That’s why she had become sensitive to Eima’s movements and could read the actions; if I had spoken to Rinelle first she would probably have said “First to mother…”—I could easily imagine.
On the contrary I thought it convenient and took out what I purchased at noon from the magic bag and showed it to the two.
An orange hair clip with no decoration resting on my palm; the name is [Technical Barrette].
As the name says it has the effect of raising the dexterity of the equipped person by 1.5 times, and in the game it can’t be obtained until mid-game.
Surprisingly it has a name and effect that seem obtainable from early on, but because it raises not the base value but the trained value by 1.5 times, the management probably made it obtainable from mid-game onward.
I’m glad the market where bargains gather existed—I think that even now.
After explaining the effect to the two I continued saying,
“When searching while recalling the two’s faces, the figure of baking bread inevitably came to mind. With this effect it would be a little useful when baking bread, and even when standing at the shop front attaching it to the hair wouldn’t feel out of place… that, will you receive it?”
“…Nfufu, teacher has a surprisingly strong sense of possessiveness, doesn’t he? Right, mother?”
“That’s right… fufu, showing off what one gave around…”
The two smiled happily and I became embarrassed, scratching my cheek with the hand not holding the hair clip.
I was aware, but being told clearly from the front is embarrassing.
When I smiled with a troubled expression, Rinelle touched both hands to the one hand holding the hair clip, narrowed her eyes and smiled saying,
“Will you put it on for me? For me and mother.”
“Gladly. And, that…”
’Fufu, it means it’s fine to attach proof that we’re Raide-san’s lovers.”
“…I’ll treasure both of you.”
Saying that and putting the hair clips on the two, they were touching the hair clips with one hand while narrowing their eyes happily.
When I called out inviting them into the house, Rinelle slowly shook her head while still smiling and clung to Eima’s one arm.
Eima also gently stroked the head of the clinging Rinelle with her free hand and was looking with an affectionate expression.
“Today I want to talk with mother. That… various things.”
“We’ll request the next opportunity. Fufu, I think the opportunity will come soon though.”
“…Ah, got it. Good night, Rinelle, Eima.”
“Good night, teacher.”
“Good night, Raide-san.”
When kissing the two at parting I could see their embarrassed cute faces and was happy.
After confirming the door closed I returned to the inn and reported to Nimi.
As expected she smiled extremely happily, and honestly I let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at me like that Nimi floated a motherly smile, kissed me, then returned to the tavern.
I can’t win, thinking that I told the twins and Porte I’d check the tavern’s condition and headed to help at the tavern.