Chapter 26

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Leaving Logan's hut and retracing the path.

Since there's a teleportation option, one might think there's no need to walk, but today is a special picnic. There's meaning in the walk.

It's a little lonely to be alone. I wonder if it's impossible to bring Logan along. If I went back now, he might come along, saying something like, "You're such a hassle," or something.

Come to think of it, I don't have any acquaintances or friends my age. That's a bit lonely. It would be nice to have friends to share fun times with. Maybe I should visit the village more often.

I wish I had brought Silvio-niisan. He might have come if I had invited him to read a book in a scenic spot.

The self-defense team's training ground I passed earlier was empty. Is today's training over?

I head for the mountains, passing through the bustling square.

"Oh, Alfred-sama. Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, ma'am."

"Oh, I'm not that old."

"That's not true."

"Good afternoon, where are you going today?"

"I'm just going to play in the mountains a bit."

"Be careful, okay?"

I continue on, responding to the greetings from the villagers.

"Hey, Mr. Seven Wonders!"

"Hey! It's rude to point!"

"Okay."

Huh? What did he just say? And I think there's more to scold him for than just pointing.

Turning around, I see his mother bowing with a wry smile.

What's this "Seven Wonders"? Like a school ghost story? I'd like to talk more with that mother and son. Ah, they're already gone.

"Oh, it's Al. What are you up to today?"

"Wait, is this Alfred, Elinora-sama's younger brother?"

"Really? Elinora-sama talks about you all the time?"

Oh no, I've run into Elinora-neesan. And she's brought two women who look to be around her age.

"My name is Emma. Nice to meet you."

Emma, with her short, bluish hair, stands beside me, her blue eyes meeting mine.

Her slender limbs are very beautiful, and she seems like a kind older sister. I'm sure this Emma-neesan will be nice to me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Alfred, the second son of the Slourette family. My sister is always in your care."

I greet Emma-neesan with a childlike smile. I've done this kind of greeting many times in Japanese business.

It's said that a person's first impression is decided within the first ten seconds.

"Hello," "Nice to meet you!"—during these greetings, the brain decides the impression of the person.

I need to flatter the kind Emma-neesan as much as possible. It's hard to change a first impression later.

"Wow, impressive. You really are Elinora-sama's brother."

"Do nobles receive this kind of education as a matter of course?"

"No, Sheila. Al is just being silly."

For some reason, Elinora-neesan says coldly, looking annoyed.

What's wrong? Irritated? Is it a bad day?

"Really?"

Sheila, with her long, wavy brown hair, approaches. Her hair flutters with each step, and her heavy chest sways heavily.

Wow. I wonder how many men's dreams and hopes are packed in there. I almost bow my head in reverence to her divine presence but manage to hold back.

I quickly look at Elinora-neesan, who seems a bit calmer.

"I suddenly feel like punching Al."

"What!? Why!?"

"Just a feeling."

As always, she's good at reading my mind. I've heard that all women are psychics. It's true.

"Come on, come on. It's mean to hit your brother."

Doudou. Emma-neesan, calming the wild horse.

She's such a good person. I wish she could be my real older sister.

"So, what are you up to today, Alfred-sama?"

Sheila asks in a soft tone, as if trying to change the mood. The weather is nice, and I feel a bit sleepy.

"I'm going to play in the mountains today."

"Oh, the mountains. Near the plain?"

"Yes, that's right."

"What are you going to do there? Build another weird house? Or go fishing in the river?"

Weird house! How rude! I'd be angry if someone made fun of my home, even though I've never been angry at Elinora-neesan.

"Picnic. I'm going to eat in a beautiful, natural place."

"That sounds nice. Eating in a beautiful place!"

Sheila seems unexpectedly interested.

"Right. The weather is nice today, so why don't we come along?"

Emma-neesan also seems enthusiastic.

"Sure. We have nothing to do in the afternoon, so let's go."

What? Elinora-neesan is coming too?

"Okay, but didn't you eat at Celia's restaurant?"

"We've been training since morning and are still hungry. We'll get hungry again if we move around."

"Again, if you eat so much, you'll get fat like in winter..."

"Huh?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Ah, you'll feel like moving, right? Haha."

Danger. I almost stepped on a landmine. I have a bad habit of saying too much. I need to be more careful. Emma-neesan and Sheila's faces had completely fallen.

"So, about the lunch boxes..."

"Al doesn't have one either. I'm sorry, but let's have Baltro make four quickly."

"That's great. Baltro's cooking is delicious."

"Phew..."

Wow, Elinora-neesan said something very kind because of the company. She usually tells me to do it myself, saying, "Just have Baltro make it." I wish they would come to my place. Right now, I can offer them a set with Rumba and Silvio-niisan. Sheila likes to eat, right? Baltro will come too!

"Let's go to the mansion then."

"Okay!"

And so, the four of us head to the mansion.

By the way, Rumba has recently taken a liking to my room, cooled by my ice magic, and is enjoying it as if it were a summer retreat. He's quite amusing to watch.

The other day, I played shogi with Rumba and, as a penalty game for losing, I told him to "hop around the courtyard like a rabbit!" He hopped cutely with his hands on his head, which made me laugh a lot because it was so unexpected from such a large person.

When he came back, he asked, "Why were you laughing? Was it that funny?" I taught him the real way to hop like a rabbit, and Rumba's face turned red. Apparently, he had done this in the capital too, as his master, the guild master, had taught him.

He's quite silly, but he's helping with the village's heavy work and new house construction, so I hope he stays in the village for a while longer.

× × ×

Back at the mansion, I ask Baltro to make the lunch boxes quickly. While complaining, "Do I have to?" he efficiently prepares four lunch boxes. What's this? Is Baltro a tsundere too?

I find it a bit eerie that the older men around me are suddenly becoming tsunderes, but I quickly finish the preparations.