Chapter 82

Hmmm, hmmm, hmm.

The knitting is progressing smoothly. The yarn I’m using is of high quality, so it feels great to knit! I bet it will feel wonderful to rub my cheek against it when it’s finished.

I’ve been knitting in the living room after dinner at home, so I think it will be completed soon.

When I’m absorbed in this kind of handicraft, I’m happy that I snack less. People tend to eat when they’re bored, I guess.

When this is finished, I might go back to needle felting. Maybe I’ll try making a cat next.

Hmmm, hmmm, hmm.

Today, I’m going to the Handicraft Club with my knitting.

"Rika-sama, it’s coming along nicely. It will be finished soon, I’m sure."

"Really? It’s turning out so cute. Especially this tummy."

"Yes, I’ve been knitting whenever I have free time at home."

I’m being particularly careful with the joins between different colored yarns. I’m carefully, carefully shaping the round curves of the tummy, putting my heart into it.

"When this is finished, I plan to make a cat with needle felting. There are a few people in the Handicraft Club who do needle felting, you know."

"That’s right."

I smiled at the felt group.

They smiled back. Yes, we have a really good relationship.

So, Club President, please give me the application form soon. I know it’s in the clear file in your school bag, okay?

Even after the knitting is finished, I won’t stop coming to the Handicraft Club.

Once, on my way to the Handicraft Club, I ran into Enjo in the hallway, and he asked, "Katsuragi said you were a violent woman, do you know anything about that?"

I replied, "No, not at all. I have no idea what he’s talking about."

Enjo said with a knowing smile, "That’s what I thought. It’s hard to imagine such a gentle person like you being violent."

I laughed and said, "Of course," and continued on to the Handicraft Club.

Telling tales, huh? What a despicable guy... The next needle felting project will definitely be a dodo bird. I’ll stab it!

Finally, the knitting is complete. I took it to the living room.

In the living room, my parents and my older brother were relaxing and drinking tea.

"Oh, Rika, the knitting is finished?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh, you’ve been knitting a lot lately. You were making a stuffed animal?"

Ta-da!

I showed my family the completed knitting. It’s a small raccoon dog wearing glasses.

"This is for Father."

"Huh?"

I handed the raccoon dog to Father.

"I made a stuffed animal of the animal that looks most like Father. I made it for you, Father. Will you accept it?"

"Me? This one?"

Father held the stuffed animal I made in both hands and stared at it intently.

Actually, I had been making remarks that made Father doubt himself because of the shock of Ifuyu’s enrollment. My brother scolded me, and I reflected on my behavior.

I’m known to be a big brother’s girl, but Father has always been kind to me since I was little. So, I like Father too. The sight of a middle-aged man looking sad gave me a lot of guilt.

So, I made the stuffed animal as an apology.

Hand-knitted gifts can be heavy, but it’s fine between a father and daughter, right?

"See, it’s even wearing glasses. Don’t you think it looks like you?"

I sat down next to Father.

"Yeah, it’s good. Thank you, Rika. I’m very happy. But is this how you see your father? As a raccoon dog...?"

"No, Father is a bit overweight, so I imagined the round tummy. But a raccoon dog, huh? I see, that’s one way to look at it."

"..."

Father looked a bit complicated as he looked at the raccoon dog in his hands.

"It’s my first time making a stuffed animal, so some of the stitches are a bit off, but you probably won’t notice unless you look closely. This is my first completed piece."

"Wow! My first gift is from you?"

Father made a smug face towards my brother.

Father, you really look like a bad raccoon dog when you make that face.

"You’re lucky, aren’t you?"

"Yeah, yeah. But Rika, is Father’s tummy really that big?"

Father rubbed his tummy but seemed to be in a good mood.

"Yes, it is. Being overweight is bad for your health. Father should go on a diet."

"Is that so?"

"I know a good way to reduce belly fat. It’s hula hooping. I’ll lend you my hula hoop."

"You have a hula hoop, Rika?"

"...You still use it?"

Eh, Brother, did you say something?

"Let’s hula hoop together now. I want my beloved Father to stay healthy."

"Oh, right!"

My words about being beloved made Father’s mood soar.

I hope Father is okay. He might get tricked by others so easily. Don’t trust people’s words too much.

Father, holding the raccoon dog that looks just like him, was oddly pleased, saying, "I feel a bit embarrassed going into my daughter’s room."

Oh, Father. Could this be considered harassment instead of a lawsuit?

"Come on, Father. Let’s hula hoop to get rid of that belly fat!"

"Alright!"

Father started hula hooping vigorously.

"Ouch!"

"Father?!"

Father was taken to the hospital with a slipped disk.

Mother was furious.

In the hospital room, I accidentally said, "I’m sorry. I guess I gave you a cold water treatment for the elderly," and Brother scolded me, "He’s at a delicate age, so choose your words carefully!"

Yes, I’m reflecting on my actions...

Now, my handmade stuffed animal is being cherished in Father’s study.

Father is said to happily stroke the head of the stuffed animal from time to time.

Since he likes it so much, I thought I’d secretly give the raccoon dog a cane for a slipped disk when Father wasn’t around, but Brother scolded me again, "Are you really reflecting on your actions?"

Of course, I am. This is a sign of my love.