Chapter 36

As the school life passed peacefully, and the end of the term with the approaching summer vacation arrived, I received a report from Toto early in the morning that the prototype was complete.

"Overall, I haven't made major changes from the last time. It's a natural face mask. I added the jelly effect and a scent as you requested. I made sure the scent is gentle and fruity, not too overpowering."

"Nice work."

I took one in my hand and sniffed it. Indeed, it had a gentle fruity scent. A slight tang gave it a refreshing impression. It turned out better than I expected.

"Have you tried it?"

"Of course, I've already tested it. I confirmed the effects. I don't make mistakes."

"No, I mean, have you actually used it yourself?"

"No, not yet."

"Alright, let's use it then. Right now, both of us."

"Right now!?! ...Well, okay."

"It's settled. Let's go out of the greenhouse and try it right away."

We came out of the greenhouse and carried two suitable benches over. Each of us would lie down on one.

Once the benches were in place, we started the face mask treatment immediately. Since neither of us was used to it, I could tell Toto was fidgeting next to me. I also couldn't easily apply it to the right spot, so I was fidgeting too. Ah, so frustrating!

After a while, Toto next to me became quiet. He seemed to have applied it successfully. I envied him. Then I managed to do it too, and we entered a period of rest.

Since we were in the shade, the heat outside wasn't too noticeable. The occasional breeze felt nice. I lay down on the bench with green leaves stuck to my face. I felt like asking myself what I was doing, but I tried not to think about it. However, the regret that I should have done this in a room wouldn't go away.

"Hey, Toto, how's the effect?"

I asked Toto, who was lying down next to me.

"I don't know."

It was the same reaction. There was no sensation other than the face feeling itchy. Is this effective!? A slight unease crept in.

"Hey, Kururi."

"What is it, Toto?"

"Shouldn't we have tried this in a room? And how long do we plan to stay like this?"

"..."

Feeling awkward, I remained silent and pretended to be asleep.

After a few hours, I woke up to find it was already midday. I seemed to have woken up due to the heat. My face, covered with the mask, was sticky with sweat. It was about a three-hour test, and I still wanted to try it, but the heat was unbearable. I immediately peeled off the mask with my right hand and got up.

"Phew!" It felt like I hadn't breathed in a while. Even though the air was hot, it felt unusually cool.

"Are you awake, Kururi?"

"Toto, you were already up?" I looked over to see Toto already up and the mask off.

"..."

No, that's not important right now. There's something that clearly bothers me.

"Right."

"Your face is all shiny and jelly-like!"

Toto's face was shining like polished marble. It was a terrifying effect for just a three-hour test.

"Yours too. Look, here's a mirror." I was surprised when I saw the hand mirror he handed me. My face was gleaming. When I touched my cheek with my finger, it felt like it was sucking in. It felt like I had opened a new door.

"Amazing! It feels like my skin has been reborn."

"I'm also scared of my own talent."

Toto looked proud. I felt happy too.

"But we've also found a flaw."

"Indeed, it's too hot. We have to endure it. Summer is tough."

"The weakness is clear. What this face mask needs now is a 'cooling effect.'"

"Cooling effect? What's that?"

"It's an effect that makes the skin feel cool when it touches. That will compensate for the weakness."

"But it's too late. Summer vacation is just around the corner."

"No, it's fine this time. We'll let the ladies experience the powerful effect and the discomfort at the same time. Then, for the next version, we'll release the 'cooling plus' at a higher price. What do you think?"

"Nice."

We looked at each other, and a strange laughter rose between us. You're like a certain someone.

"Looks like you two are having fun again."

Interrupting this awkward atmosphere was Iris, striding in. She seemed to have come to Toto's greenhouse again today.

"It's fun. It's all fun."

"That's good to hear."

"By the way, what about the vegetables, Iris?"

At this question, Toto looked proud again. It seemed he hadn't made any mistakes.

"I completed them along with the face mask. I worked on both during my free time. I asked Iris to come today for that."

"Is that why?"

"Yeah." Iris replied with her usual innocent smile. It was a refreshing smile even in the summer.

"Well, the results of the research, of course, the improvements were successful. Here are the seeds."

I peered at the seeds Toto pointed to. They didn't look particularly special.

"I've created seeds for tubers, leafy vegetables, root vegetables, grains, and fruits. They should all grow to ten times their normal size. We plan to plant them in the empty land here today. However, I still need to observe them until harvest, but I've completed them to a certain extent."

"Wow!"

Iris's eyes sparkled as if she was about to scream. She looked like she was watching an idol.

"Can I have a few seeds first?"

"Sure, but I still need to observe them. They're not completely finished yet."

"Toto, is that okay?"

"Sure, but if they fail when grown elsewhere, it's not my fault."

"Iris, you understand, right?"

"Yeah, it's fine."

Iris took the seeds from Toto, and her eyes sparkled even more.

"Are you going to send them to your family?"

"Yeah."

Even though Iris came to the noble school, her unchanged purity made me bow my head in admiration. Unchanging family love. The spirit of self-sacrifice is also there. I think I should learn from her.

"The mail collection is in the evening, so you can send the seeds then. Shall we start planting these seeds now?"

"Will you two help? It's okay, I can do it myself!"

"No, I'm quite interested. Please let me help. In return, I want some seeds when the results come in."

"That's not up to me, it's up to Toto."

We both looked at Toto.

Noticing our gaze, he looked slightly awkward. He wasn't used to such situations.

"The rights to these seeds are already yours. Whatever happens from now on, they will always be yours. I have no interest in them."

"Ah, that's great!"

Iris's face lit up.

"Then, when the results come in, Kururi and I will split them."

Her smile was incredibly cute. Could you do that again?

"Let me tell you, I can't do the heavy work."

The reality hit me and Iris, who were in high spirits.

We were told we could use the land freely, but there was no cultivated empty land.

The amount of land Toto instructed us to plant would be quite large. It would be a tough job for the two of us to cultivate.

"Let's do our best." Iris's words lacked enthusiasm.

It was impossible for her to be enthusiastic.

There was no choice. I didn't want to use it, but it was better than making Iris sad.

"Iris, I might make you feel a bit uncomfortable now. But I think the cultivation work will be much faster. Is that okay?"

"Of course. If Kururi does it, I have no objections."

We had her agreement. I still didn't want to, but I prepared to do it.

I gathered as much magic as I could in my palm and poured it into the nearby flowers. Learning from the last time, I focused on five specific flowers this time.

"Appear, invisible ones."

The magic seemed to be absorbed by the flowers and disappeared.

I heard the same sound as before, like ropes being snapped from the ground.

Then, just like last time, the soil swelled, and they crawled out.

Unlike the last time when about 100 of them came out, this time it was limited to five.

"Whit," "Whit," "Whit," "Whit," "Whit."

I held my head in my hands when I saw their faces. I thought my magic had improved since then.

Just like last time, in front of me were deep-faced radishes. It was a failure. Maybe I don't have a talent for this magic.

They were jumping around, spreading their short limbs as if celebrating the world.

I'm glad I limited it to five. I didn't feel the urge to kick them as much as last time.

"What's this?"

Iris looked back and forth between me and the radishes. Her behavior seemed a bit odd.

Not good, did I make her feel more uncomfortable than I thought?

"These are magical creatures. They look like this, but they're loyal and work well."

"Aww, they're so cute!!"

She said and caught one of the radishes, hugging it.

"What's this? They're so cute!! Kururi, look! These guys are so cute!"

"..."

What is this indescribable feeling?

I want to bury these guys right now.

Wait, am I jealous of these radishes? That's embarrassing. I feel like I've lost to radishes.

"Whii" The radish hugged by Iris made a slightly lewd sound.

I definitely heard it. He said "Whii." He definitely said it. He always says "Whit," but this time he said "Whii."

He must be an old man inside, not just in appearance.

I grabbed the flower on the head of the radish Iris was hugging and threw it away.

"Just get to work."

"Whit! Whit! Whit!" There was a dramatic protest from the thrown radish, but since there weren't as many as last time, it lacked the impact. I could ignore it.

"Hey! Kururi, that's mean. Bullying such weak little ones."

What? I'm being scolded? But he...

"Please don't be so rough."

"Okay..."

The thrown radish was gently petted by Iris. It seemed to look up at me with a condescending smile. What is this guy? He's so annoying, I almost feel like the weeds from last time were cuter.

I'll use them to the fullest and then return them to the earth immediately. Just wait, radishes!

We immediately started the cultivation work with two humans and five radishes.

We divided the tasks and started working.

I held a hoe and started cultivating. It was a long time since I did physical work. It felt good to sweat.

Occasionally, this kind of work isn't bad. Studying all the time isn't good for the body.

I glanced at the radishes, and they were mostly working diligently. They seemed to be loyal to orders.

This way, I could focus on my own work.

Then, one of the radishes fell. It lost its balance when it raised its hoe.

Ah, it's the one I threw earlier.

Iris immediately ran over and helped it up, petting its head and comforting it.

"Are you okay? I'm sorry for making you do such tough work."

"Whit!" It seemed to assert that it was fine with a stern face. Showing off. I'm annoyed.

"Still so cute!!"

Iris hugged the radish again.

"Whiiii" The radish's face became even more lewd.

I ran over with all my might.

I immediately grabbed the flower on its head and threw it away from Iris.

"Kururi! What are you doing!?"

"Hey, he said 'Whiiii'! He definitely said 'Whiiii'!"

"Stop it! What! If you're going to be silly, I'll send Kururi home!"

"But he said 'Whiiii'..." He said it. He definitely said it.

I was scolded and trudged back to my work area. I glanced at the radish, and it seemed to be smiling down at me again.

I'll kill it! I won't forgive that radish!

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