The rock house couldn’t be seen as nothing but a normal gigantic rock from outside, Miharu’s who entering inside it was taken aback.
The first things that entering their field of vision was a spacious living room.
A round table and sofa set in the middle of the room, there’s also stairs that continue toward the loft in the corner of the room.
Because of the magic tools that lighting inside of the room, they could see that there’s many doors in the inner side.
「Please sit on the sofa」
Taking the initiative to made a movement, Rio was leading them to sit on the sofa that was placed in the living room.
Miharu’s also timidly sitting on the sofa at the opposite side of Rio.
「Well then, should we continue with the talk from before」
Rio saying that while looking at the three.
And confirming their mental condition to hear the story.
「I saved you guys since I sensed a huge reaction of space-time magic」
Rio bluntly said that.
「Space-time ……. Magic？」
A question mark appearing on the face of the three.
Even if the word “Magic” does exist in the earth, this type of skill practically never exist.
So their reaction is just natural.
「Yeah, magic does exist in this world. Magic is a skill to causing a change in the world phenomenon by pouring magical power to the magic formation, it’s hard to understand when I’m just explaining it vaguely like this right. That’s why ……」[TL : it also exist in the earth too, there’s even immortal magic in the island where I’m living in, or more like a curse. Oh they’re basically everywhere in underground society]
While saying that, Rio taking out pen and paper from similiar writing instrument and placed it on the table, and then making a sketch of geometric pattern.
「Though it’s extremely a basic one, this is a magic formation」
After showing the pattern drawn on the paper to the three, he put it on the desk.
The three was looking curiously at the pattern.
「Though each one of the figures and letters that was drawn have it’s own meaning, I won’t explain that for now. And when we pouring our magical power into the drawn pattern like this ――」
Rio pouring his odo after placeing his hand on top of the paper with magic formation drawn on it.
Thereupon, light gushing out of the magic formation as it’s starting to meddling toward mana.
A small water polo with around several centimetres in diameter manifesting on top of the geometric pattern, then falling in accordance to gravity and soaking the paper.
「This is how it changing the phenomenon of this world. This is magic. What I show just now is a magic to produce water. Though the quantity of the magical power poured is small, it could bring forth small amount of water」[TL : Unfortunately magic or spirit arts isn’t strong enough to cure Rio/Haruto V-Curse]
The three was looking at the paper that become wet with water as if being engrossed by it.
In addition, though the one he drew is currently the magic formation that didn’t need any catalyst, the effect of the magic[魔術] will rise even further even with the same amount of magical power by using the catalyst.
The same thing can also happen with magic[魔法], many magicians carrying around a high quality cane as a catalyst. [TL : The previous magic is using Majutsu[魔術] which means sorcery or black magic, while this line magic is using Mahou[魔法] which means magic or witchcraft]
「A ……… AMAZIIInG！」
Coming to their senses, the first to react was Masato.
His eyes shining brightly, it’s as if he’s dancing in delight as his excitement completely exposed.
「THIS IS AMAZING！ HARUTO-ANCHAN! WHAT IS THIS! 」
「Can you shut it for a moment. Your voice is too loud」
Aki was giving a hateful glare at Masato who’s shouting loudly on her side.
But, as Masato ignoring her rebuking look —.
「I mean, you’re also seeing that right, Aki-neechan？ Water just appeared from empty air！ It’s magic！ THIS IS MAGIC！ 」
Was how excited he’s as he’s talking in a loud voice.
「I know. It certainly was amazing but, there’s no need to be that excited right」
Aki answered as if amazed by his reaction.
Though she camed down with Masato answer, she is more surprised about the existance called this house.
(Like hell I’ll be surprised just because a little amount of water appeared out of nowhere. )[TL : She got the point here]
Was what she thought.
Miharu is smiling while looking at their interraction.
「Since you want to hear the continuation of the talk, will you calm yourself first Masato-kun」
Rio said that to Masato who’s still in high spirit.
Thereupon, Masato feel a little awkward.
「okay. I’m sorry! 」
Rio let out a weak smile at Masato who’s apologizing while scratching his head.
「This one magical power is directly supplied by me but, there’s the type that can also absorbing magical power on it’s own, and the type that need aria. Well, I think we should left this one first as it is. And then ――」
Rio following explanation by sequential order.
「I already said space-time magic in the beginning but, the level between space-time magic and magic to produce water is like heaven and earth. You might vaguely noticing how difficult it were to interfering with time and space right？ 」
「…… You’re right. It’s like reaching something impossible in a normal way right」
Aki answered while holding her head.
「Yeah, I don’t mind even if you’re aware of that. By the way, since there’s no magic in the earth, all of you should be unable to use magic. Are you okay with this ？」
After saying that, Rio paused for a moment while looking at them as if to gain their consent.
Catching Rio line of sight, The three slightly nodding their head.
「If it’s come to that, then there’s only one thing left which is an un-doubt a truth. And that is the fact that someone of this world is using space-time magic to summoning you guys」
Thus Rio stating his own deduction.
Though the problem is that even Rio didn’t know who’s the one that summoned Miharu’s. [TL : You should send your gratitude to them(Author-san, who summoned Miharu) and truck driver-san who send you flying to another world]
「I wonder if there’s something abnormal happened before you guys come to this world. Can you please tell me since I don’t mind even if it’s something trivial? 」
「Even if you said if we know something, we’re already on the prairie before we ………. Ah, that’s right Miharu-oneechan has said something about light right？ 」
Aki was looking at Miharu.
「Yeah. Vortex of light spreading in a moment from our acquaintances ……. Takahisa-kun and Satsuki-san………. I think they’re also being swallowed by it along with us. I really didn’t sure about it myself since it really just in an instant but …….. 」
「Vortex of light ……… 」
Maybe Rio recalled about the characteristic phenomenon for the space-time magic.
(Maybe, Actually seeing it is faster than explaining it.)
So he think.
「Is this feel similiar to that ？ Please look carefully on top of the desk」
After saying that, he gathered the attention of Miharu’s to the top of the desk.
「Discharge[Release]」 [TL : The “Release” here using kanji [解放], while the “Discharge” is the furigana written in katakana[ディスチャージ]]
When Rio reciting the aria, the space on top of the desk distorted a little then swirling to a vortex.
In just a moment, a complete tea set appearing on top of the desk.
The black tea already brewed and placed in the pot.
Inside of the room that shining brightly due to the magic tool, the distorted space that can be seen due to it being dyed in a pale grey color.
「Y-Y-Yeah. N-Now that you showed it, it gave off the same feeling…….. Though I think the scope was even bigger than this」
Miharu answering while nodding her head vigorously.
「Is the vortex of light appeared from your male acquaintance or female acquaintance ？」
「Ah, ehm, I think different vortex materialized from them. And it[vortex-es] might be going toward us while it’scolliding at each other」
「I see ………… Here you go」
Rio dividing and filling the tea into four cup while hearing Miharu answer.
When receiving the cup, though they’re bowing in gratitude, they’re looking a little on guard.
Rio smiling wryly at their reaction, when he drink the tea in front of them, the three also timidly starting to drink the tea.
「Delicious …….. 」 [TL : Why my family said that the caffeine in my tea rivaling that in coffee?]
The moment she taste the tea, Miharu eyes opened wide.
After looking at her charming figure, Rio decided to advance the talk from before.
「In that case, there’s high possibility that you acquaintance also in this world」
「I-Is that true！？ 」
Aki asking with the upper-half of her body ebnd forward in excitement.
Rio turning his line of sight to Aki.
「Uhm, it’s just a possiblity. In the first place, I think that they’re the target of the summoning. I think the three of you just accidentally dragged in」
Wa his answer.
「Being dragged into it ……. Our oniichan is somewhere in this….. 」
Aki muttering in low voice.
「Maybe. I think They’re being separated from you guys is because the interference of their space-time magic has messed up your transfer coordinates」
Rio explaining as if answering Aki words.
「Then, how far we …….. ？」
「……. I don’t know the exact location but, I can roughly guess which kingdom」
Rio was thinking that the possibility is very high that the acquaintance of Miharu’s is within one of those six pillar of light.
「I-Is that true！？ 」
And “poof”, Aki complexion becoming brighter.
「Yeah, but I think it’s a bit difficult to find him at once. I know nothing but the fact that he’s being summoned somewhere in this area and at random, there’s even six of those location. I think those two also already moving from that area or……. 」
Rio paused his answer as if being troubled by it.
Though he didn’t dare to say it, since there’s also the possibilities of them being caught by evil person like the three.
「Ah …….. 」
Maybe because she suddenly thought of such possibilities, Aki complexion turned anxious again.
Miharu and Masato also showing a gloomy expression.
When he’s looking at those three.
「……. I, due to a certain reason travelling around those country. I’ll try to looking for the information about those two during that time」
Rio bluntly said that.
That just how stand out that event was.
there’s already great number of them Even if it’s just the eyewitnesses, so he might find some information during his journey.
「Thank you very much. Please」
The three was bowing their head deeply.
But, they somehow showing discouraged look as if being tormented by vague anxiety even after they’re rising their head.
「Well then, should we have dinner first? You can’t live unless you eat right. I’m going to cook after this」
Rio said that as if trying to change the gloomy atmosphere.
「For the time being, since I’ll be using normal ingrendients, I’ll hear if there’s any request. I wonder what it’ll be？ 」
At least he want to raise it by eating delicious food.
Since the current him can do nothing but this.
Though the three of them looking at Rio as if becoming a little senile —.
「Eh, Ah, Ehm ……….. I’ll also help you！ Since I know their taste very well」[TL : I used to think that clumsy wife who can’t cook is just a myth, only to realize that I was too naive …………………….. Fried rice with curcumin]
Soon, Miharu hurriedly offering her help.
「Ah, Yeah. Ehm, may I ask to help you then？ 」
Rio slightly stiffened to Miharu unexpected proposal then he smiling as he immediately responding to her.
「Yes. If you insisting on that！ 」
Miharu was eagerly clasping her hand tightly.
「Ah, I-I’ll help too！」
Thereupon, Aki who sat beside Miharu also want to help them.
「Don’t you dare. Aki-oneechan is hopeless at cooking. The hamburger from before was turned into charcoal right」
Masato quickly said that from Aki side.
Aki expression turned into the angry one.
「S-Shut up！ That’s just accident！ Beside, oniichan said that it’s delicious！ 」[TL : You’re a hero, sayonara, Takahisa]
She rebutted.
と、そう反論した。
「No way, how can aniki even praising THAT. I mean the other dishes are –」 [TL : Eh! there’s still more!?, You’re a true hero, Takahisa, RIP]
But, Masato also didn’t yield to her.
The gloomy atmosphere until a while ago as if vanishing by the two of them who clamoring at each other.
Before they know of it, the atmosphere of this place become brighter, Rio and Miharu was looking at Masato and Aki with thin smile.
Not even trying to defend Aki, it seems Aki is completely couldn’t triumph the trial of cooking even from Miharu view.
「I’m glad that Miharu-san is helping Since I need to make dishes for four people. Both of you can enter the bath[Ofuro] first」
Rio suggesting that as if trying to pacify those two.
When hearing the “bath[Ofuro]” word, Aki was staring dumbfoundedly.
「T-This place is even equipped with bath？」
Such comfortable place, this house is.
For Aki who was thinking that they’ll be sleeping outside on the prairie as it is.
Far from just for enduring the wind and rain, this house is even equipped with bath.
Though the series of surprise left her astonished, she’s extremely happy that she can enter the bath.
「Yeah, the door over there is connected to the open air bath. You can use the towel in the dressing room as much as you like」
Such thing is —–.
「Eh, AH, yes. Then I’ll accept that offer………. Thank you very much」
Aki’s timidly told her gratitude.
「O~h, thank you very much！ HARUTO-ANCHAN! 」
Aki became envious of Masato on her side who can easily saying his gratitude without any problem.
「Then, can I accompany you since I’ll teach you how to use the simple tools？ Please follow us too, Miharu-san」
Just like that the four of them going into the bathroom, after he explaining about the important point to easily using something like soap and magic tools in it, they decided to enter the bath starting from Aki.
It seems Masato was exploring the house since sometimes ago.
By the way, the house is installed with space-time magic of expansion for it’s inside, the size inside the house become slightly unnaturally bigger than the outside rock.
「Then, let’s start cooking. I should give a brief explanation about how to use the kitchen first right」
Incidentally, it’s just the two of them when they’re returning to the kitchen, Rio talking to Miharu.
「Yes, Please teach me！ 」
Miharu replied while bowing politely.
Just like that, he teach Miharu about how to use the magic tools that will produce water or fire, the placement of the cookware, the storage of the seasoning, cool dark place for the ingrendients.
After that, they deciding on what to made and began to cook.
The menu is salad and japanese centered dishes, rice, miso soup, karaage*, stir-fried vegetables, kinpiragobou** and, ohitashi***. [TL* : Fried chicken in starch][TL**: Chopped burdock root[sometimes carrot] cooked in sugar and soy sauce][TL***: Boiled greens in bonito flavoured soy sauce]
When looking at the cooking preparation, and astonished, that both of them can work efficiently without hindering each other.
Somehow Rio was happy with that.
Because he can cook shoulder-to-shoulder in this way with the girl that separated from him for more than 20 years if he include his previous life.
He send a fleeting glance at Miharu. [TL : Even I was speechless at this guy]
The form of Miharu who was putting an apron lend by Rio was extremely family-oriented. [TL : Damn it, that fried rice incident left a huge trauma in my heart]
As if she was experienced in cooking, there’s no hestitation in her movement.
「Miharu-san is extremely skillfull at cooking huh」
「No, how can I. Haruto-san is also skillful. This is the first time I see a man who can cook like this among the man that I know」[TL : Coz he’s an incurable bachelor for life]
「I’m driven to learn it since it’s necessary. It’s not that great either」
「Nono, the way you prepare the ingrendients is extremely careful, I think you even put an extreme consideration in it 」
「No, even if you said that ――」
The two of them mutually praising at each other.
Incidentally, when they’re looking at each other face they lost themself and simultanously giggling a little.
「Ehm, please say if there’s something that you didn’t understand」
「Yes. So far it’s alright. Thank you very much, Haruto-san」
Miharu saying her gratitude while giggling a little.
「Beside, thank you for a while ago」
「A while ago？」
Rio tilted his head as he didn’t know thank you for what she’s referring to.
「Aren’t tried to change the atmosphere that turned gloomy just now? By saying that you’ll cook for the dinner. That was truly saved us」
「Ah, it’s actually nothing like ………」
Rio smiling awkwardly while replying to her.
「Thank you for worrying so much for us. Please say if there’s anything that can be done by me since I’ll do it」
「….. Yeah, thank you very much」
Rio replied while smiling happily.
☆★☆★☆★
At that time, Aki who fastening her hair up was looking absentmindedly at the night sky with her body sinking in the stone open air bath.
(Today is full of surprise)
When she think about the time she came to another world, almost became a slave, but saved immediately, and even taking care of them in the end,
But one thing to say is, nothing can stop Rio.
Only that was certain.
「Haruto, hu~m. Haruto……」 [TL : So here the explanation, it’s look like the japanese under assumption that most foreigner mistaken their “R” for “L”, thus they’re mistaken the First Haruto[ハルト] as Hard/Hald/Halt while the second Haruto[春人] is the correct pronounciation. though they’re totally wrong with that, Foreigner[especially country which using alphabets] didn’t have any difficulties when saying “R” or “L” like japanese[Most japanese can’t say “L”, you will know if you look at their katakana, and hiragana table since there’s no “La-LI-Lu-Le-Lo” in it]]
Aki expression turned sour when she muttering that name.
Amakawa Haruto.
Was the name of her older brother.
The son of that man who left the house and abandoning her crying mother.
The person who’s was following the father who abandoning her mother. [TL : I won’t be surprised if it turned out that the author is actually fan of KimiMachi]
The boy who might be the loved one of Miharu.
As various information intertwined and mixed in her head, she feel this hard to describe swirl of emotion inside her heart.
Aki loved her mother.
The kind and gentle mother who’s pouring her love to Aki. [TL : And cheating behind her husband back, it might be rape though]
Though she heard that it was her mother fault that caused the divorce, after the divorce, her mother was extremely suffered.
Though she didn’t show it on her face, she stand firm and smiling at her during the day, and often cried alone when the night come.
Aki always watching that kind mother even before she turned 4 years old.
At last when she married for the second time when Aki in the middle grade of elementary school, she finally stopped crying at night, she didn’t know whether her mother already recovered or not.
There no chance that Aki will like the man who abandoned that mother.
She’s also unable to like the haruto who left with that man.
(This isn’t something like reason)
That’s why they’re never touching the topic about Haruto’s in the house, her family didn’t know the fact that Aki loathing Haruto’s.
But, Miharu is the only one who know that she loathing Haruto’s.
Because she once burst into rage in front of Miharu when she happily talking about Haruto.
And said “How can you like that jerk”.
Since then, though they’re still on good term, she never talk about Haruto.
(But, maybe Miharu’s still like haruto)
Aki was vaguely feel that.
Though Miharu received the confession of many men in her middle school, she rejected all of them.
(There’s certainly many men who love Miharu though they’re not confessing their love)
Sendou Takahisa, Aki older brother is also one of the men who love Miharu. [TL : Could it be that she’s actually really popular?]
People will know immediately when they see Takahisa attitude to Miharu.
Because he’s sticking on Miharu side like a guardian deity is the reason why the other men didn’t approach her during the normal times.
Looking at Miharu who always rejecting their confession, though the surrounding people come to the conclusion that Miharu might like Takahisa, Aki vaguely couldn’t think so. [TL : Could it be Miharu is actually female version of Haruto? A female type FLAG-BREAKER]
That was because she know an existance called Haruto.
Aki remember that Miharu and Haruto is extremely close.
Anyway, their distance is really close, they’re intimate.
The atmosphere between the two of them is completely like that of newly-wed married couple, the two was really close to the point that there’s no gap for her, Haruto sister to enter between them which made her jealous.
But, she feel that such atmosphere didn’t exist between Miharu and Takahisa.
In the first place, Miharu came on a good term with Takahisa was due to Aki.
Takahisa and Masato is the child of Aki mother second husband from his previous marriage.
Takahisa came to know Miharu due to Aki who was yearning for her as if she’s her own sister even after Haruto left.
From that time, because Aki was yearning for Miharu as her sister, Takahisa and Masato who’s coming along naturally also became on good term with Miharu.
Takahisa is falling in love to Miharu at the first sight, since then, he keep appealing to her without even confessing his love.
Though Aki’s trying to help Takahisa who’s her older brother, she didn’t know how special Takahisa is for Miharu.
But, since Takahisa wholeheartedly thinking about Miharu, she couldn’t help but to instinctively wishing for Miharu to also responding to his feeling. [TL : Now we got male version of Sayo]
At least, she absolutely didn’t wish for him to lost to someone like Haruto.
（That’s right, how can to that man son ….. ）
Aki mood unintentionally turned sour when he recalling an existance called Amakawa Haruto after a long time.
（Now I feel guilty for what I did to Haruto-san today……. I mean it’s because that idiot Masato keepcalling him “Haruto-anchan”）
Even is she know that the Haruto that save her isn’t Amakawa Haruto, she couldn’t help since a complicated emotion always swirling in her heart whenever she hear that name.
She let out a deep sigh to let out that emotion.
（……… Come to think of it Haruto-san said that his real name is Rio, how can it turn like that？)
Suddenly, Aki was thinking about the reason why Rio using an alias.
（Uhm, he said that he didn’t want his personal information to leak to outsider, I wonder if I can ask him ？）
She then recalling their consent to not tell anyone about Rio personal information without his approval, she think that isn’t it made her wanting to hear more about this and that.
There’s no one but Rio to protect them, she couldn’t bring herself to hurt his feeling by poking her nose into his private matter.
Beside, there’s also things that she didn’t want to hear and she didn’t have any plan to inquiring about it due to curiousity.
It might be something that highly classified.
（……. Nevertheless, father and mother must be worrying right）[TL : They already made a “New” one]
Aki face turned gloomy as she think about the people that not in this place.
She might be unable to meet the rest of her family soon.
She feel extremely sad when thinking about it.
（Moreover, Oniichan and Satsuki-san is also …….）
She’s also worried about the two person that was somewhere in this world.
Satsuki was the senior from Miharu and Takahisa middle school era.
She’s one year older than them, she who’s an excellent person to the degree being paid attention as the next student council president is a daughter of a company president of famous enterprise.
Though Aki had talked to her several times, there was an image of a perfect superwoman without any flaw in her.
The was unexpectedly coming home together before coming into this house.
（How can it turned into this. Well, there’s no need to worry if it’s Satsuki-san though. I get this feeling that person can easily adapting wherever she is….. ）
It’s from the image of Satsuki that she know, even if they can’t talk in this world language, she though that Satsuki might be able to do something about it.
（Beside, oniichan is also a superman. Different from Masato）
Aki was smiling lightly as she’s recalling about how mismatched the things that the two of them can do despite being similiar sibling.
For Aki, Masato and Takahisa is her important siblings.
Though Masato is a little mischievous, even that didn’t change the fact that he’s important to her.
The Takahisa that she know is someone who’s excelling both in literacy and martial arts.
He’s kind, have a strong sense of justice, it seems he didn’t have any flaw but, there’s some point that he actually similiar to Masato.
Moreover, when it comes to Miharu, becoming a little jealous might be just like a tiny scratch on the jewel. [TL : that scratch will eat you later, is this a foreshadowing?]
But, setting that aside, he’s an ideal and perfect older brother.
（Yeah, he definitely was safe. Beside, Haruto-san said that he’ll try to looking for them）
Aki gradually stopped her breathing and sink her body till half of her face sinking in the bath to calm her feeling.
And then, thinking about Rio.
（Haruto-san seems like a really nice guy, so it should be okay）
With his age that same as Miharu, He have an extremely calm atmosphere and well ordered face.
Though he didn’t seems that strong, he have frightening physical strength which made him very reliable.
Thereupon, her imagination going a little strayed to various ways but.
That was Aki impression of Rio.
（Why did you want that person, Miharu-oneechan. Well they’re different person anyway, how can there’s such coincidence that that they’ve same na …….. ）[TL : Must I insert a tsukkomi here?]
And then.
「BUHHAAA」
Aki’s reaching the limit of holding her breath as she’s coming out of the bath.
She’s taking a deep breath while looking at the bathroom in her surrounding.
「Nevertheless, this open air bath itself is extremely ridiculous ……. It’s extremely obvious that the size inside of the bathroom didn’t match with the size that I saw from the outside」
She’s muttering in astonishment due to out-of-norm facilities.
Since it’s called open air bath, though there’s dressing room inside, the bath is estabilished on the outside.
The bathtub is divided into two type, cypress bathtub and rock bathtub, each have different water temperature.
A noren* installed with Rio playful mood at the entrance gave the feeling of reservation bath during a travel. [TL*: The sign that usually hanging at the entrance of the bathroom]
Though she couldn’t enjoy the scenery since the bath is being surrounded by wall, the open ceiling let her to enjoy the night sky.
And, since it’ll be cold in the rainy day, they can close the ceiling.
By the way, the hot water always kept clean due to spirit tools, there’s no need to clean it regularly except during regular maintenance.
Wooden floor boards spreading over the surrounding of the bathtub, Aki was trembling due to the excitement unbecoming of her age because of the atmosphere of the place that somehow look like a hiding place.
If she must said it frankly.
It’s really comfortable.
Though it’s not enough to be explained with just that.
「Geez, I won’t be surprised if there’s something else …… 」 「
Aki muttered with cramped smile.
Recalling many crazy event that happened up till now.
A person who can run with speed that couldn’t be think will come from someone who’s carrying two person with him.
Taking out tea and house from empty air.
Camping while carrying a hiding place that was equipped with open air bath must be a norm in this world. [TL : ……….]
(That’s right, this was normal for this world.)
(Let’s just keep it that way)
「Haa~, the hot water is syoo~ go~od ……」
The nice fragrant of the shampoo that she used sometimes ago to wash her hair is tickling her nose and washed away her stress.
Though she enjoyed an excessively long bath since it’s feel so good, she’ll feel dizzi if she didn’t leave soon.
After thinking that, Aki stepping out of the bath.
After changing her clothes, she goes back to the living room.
When she’s taking a look in the kitchen, Rio and Miharu was cooking harmoniously in the kitchen.
「…………」
Though she tried to call then, somehow she stared intently at them.
Though she somehow feel a deja vu when looking at them together like that from behind, that deja vu vanishing right away.
After shaking her head a little.
「Thank you for your help, Haruto-san. The hot water is so~goo~d」
Aki is called to Rio with cheerful voice.
「AH, I’m glad then. Then, can you help me to tell Masato-kun since it’s his turn to enter the bath？ 」
「Ah, Yeah. Understood」
「And, since there’s cold beverage inside that box over there, you can drink as much as you want. The glass is inside that shelf」
「T-Thank you very much」
Aki said her gratitude as she’s bowing timidly.
It was truly perfect.
Just like that, after she’s calling Masato to let him know that he can enter the bath, Aki was on stand by as she drink ice tea in the living room.
（Such sweet fragrant. It gave off a tropical feeling）
Thus, she enjoying the fragrant of the tea that entering her glass.
Thereupon, Masato stepped out of the bathroom soon.
「Then, should we have a dinner soon」
Rio called Masato and Aki when the dishes is done.
The aroma that stimulating their appetite enveloping the living and dining room.
Though she know that appetizing aroma since sometimes ago, she couldn’t confirm the menu since somehow she’s unable to call the two who we’re cooking together at that time.
When She’s standing from the sofa and left for the dining table, delicious meals already arranged on that place.
「Japanese style ？ 」
Aki was solidified when she saw the many kind of dishes that lined up.
「Uwoo, it’s look sooo delicious！」
Masato’s looking at the lined up menu while spilling drool from hir mouth.
「Then let’s eat. Please sit where ever you like」
All of them then sit on their respected chair with that signal.
The seating arrangement is Rio and Masato sitting on the opposite side of Aki and Miharu.
Miharu’s serving the miso soup while Rio’s serving the rice.
「Then, Itadakimasu*」 [TL : Let’s dig in]
「Itadakimasu」
「Ittada~kima~su」
「Itadakimasu …….. 」
As if already decided on what to eat first, Masato was stretching out his chopstick without hestitation toward the karaage.
Then stuffing his mouth with the piping hot karaage.
「It’s sho Goo~d！」
The meat juice of the karaage that made with high quality chicken meat is spreading inside his mouth, Masato face look extremely delighted.
「This karaage is so very extremely delicious！ The outside is crispy and the inside is juicy！ Is Miharu-oneechan the one who made this？ 」
「Uhm, That’s made by Haruto-san」
「Is that so. Haruto-anchan is awesome. This chopped burdock root is also delicious」
「That was made by Miharu-san. The balance between the flavor and crispness is superb right」
While saying that, Rio also savouring the flavour of the home cooking made by Miharu.
The compatibility with rice is outstanding, thus his chopsticks moving quickly.
Even the stir-fried vegetables that came with the meal is crisp.
「Thank you very much」
Miharu smiling as if being embarassed.
「This rice is also delicious」
Aki who was eating from the vegetable tasting the rice and stated her impression in amazement.
That’s right, the quality of the rice is extremely good.
Might be the reason.
Rio bring back the rice seed since he want to cultivating it in Seirei no Tami village with the cooperation of Dryad.
Though there’s some variety, amongst that, he choose to bring the kind that liked by Japanese.
Even Compared with the the rice that was being improved for many years in Japan, he still can say that the quality of this rice is higher.
Rio’s not the only one who ate such delicious rice in this world.
In the first place, for Strahl region which staple food isn’t rice, they never cultivating rice except for one area.
Even if the rice being cultivated is very small in volume, the japanese won’t like it with just not sticky large grain, so it’s only raised as the ingrendients for soup and salad*. [TLC* : ごく少量だけ栽培されている米も、日本人が好みそうにない大粒で粘り気のないものだけで、サラダやスープの具材用に育てられているだけだ。]
「There’s no need to hold back since we still have a lot of them」
Rio’s smiling while looking at Aki who’s eating the delicious meals.
Thereupon, Aki look delighted.
「Yes!. Thank you very much！ 」
And said her gratitude.
That’s the first meal of this four people.
If only this good time can last forever.
He won’t ask for anything.
The gentle atmosphere was drifting around from the beginning till the end of their dinner.
The rock house couldn’t be seen as nothing but a normal gigantic rock from outside, Miharu’s who entering inside it was taken aback.
The first things that entering their field of vision was a spacious living room.
A round table and sofa set in the middle of the room, there’s also stairs that continue toward the loft in the corner of the room.
Because of the magic tools that lighting inside of the room, they could see that there’s many doors in the inner side.
「Please sit on the sofa」
Taking the initiative to made a movement, Rio was leading them to sit on the sofa that was placed in the living room.
Miharu’s also timidly sitting on the sofa at the opposite side of Rio.
「Well then, should we continue with the talk from before」
Rio saying that while looking at the three.
And confirming their mental condition to hear the story.
「I saved you guys since I sensed a huge reaction of space-time magic」
Rio bluntly said that.
「Space-time ……. Magic？」
A question mark appearing on the face of the three.
Even if the word “Magic” does exist in the earth, this type of skill practically never exist.
So their reaction is just natural.
「Yeah, magic does exist in this world. Magic is a skill to causing a change in the world phenomenon by pouring magical power to the magic formation, it’s hard to understand when I’m just explaining it vaguely like this right. That’s why ……」[TL : it also exist in the earth too, there’s even immortal magic in the island where I’m living in, or more like a curse. Oh they’re basically everywhere in underground society]
While saying that, Rio taking out pen and paper from similiar writing instrument and placed it on the table, and then making a sketch of geometric pattern.
「Though it’s extremely a basic one, this is a magic formation」
After showing the pattern drawn on the paper to the three, he put it on the desk.
The three was looking curiously at the pattern.
「Though each one of the figures and letters that was drawn have it’s own meaning, I won’t explain that for now. And when we pouring our magical power into the drawn pattern like this ――」
Rio pouring his odo after placeing his hand on top of the paper with magic formation drawn on it.
Thereupon, light gushing out of the magic formation as it’s starting to meddling toward mana.
A small water polo with around several centimetres in diameter manifesting on top of the geometric pattern, then falling in accordance to gravity and soaking the paper.
「This is how it changing the phenomenon of this world. This is magic. What I show just now is a magic to produce water. Though the quantity of the magical power poured is small, it could bring forth small amount of water」[TL : Unfortunately magic or spirit arts isn’t strong enough to cure Rio/Haruto V-Curse]
The three was looking at the paper that become wet with water as if being engrossed by it.
In addition, though the one he drew is currently the magic formation that didn’t need any catalyst, the effect of the magic[魔術] will rise even further even with the same amount of magical power by using the catalyst.
The same thing can also happen with magic[魔法], many magicians carrying around a high quality cane as a catalyst. [TL : The previous magic is using Majutsu[魔術] which means sorcery or black magic, while this line magic is using Mahou[魔法] which means magic or witchcraft]
「A ……… AMAZIIInG！」
Coming to their senses, the first to react was Masato.
His eyes shining brightly, it’s as if he’s dancing in delight as his excitement completely exposed.
「THIS IS AMAZING！ HARUTO-ANCHAN! WHAT IS THIS! 」
「Can you shut it for a moment. Your voice is too loud」
Aki was giving a hateful glare at Masato who’s shouting loudly on her side.
But, as Masato ignoring her rebuking look —.
「I mean, you’re also seeing that right, Aki-neechan？ Water just appeared from empty air！ It’s magic！ THIS IS MAGIC！ 」
Was how excited he’s as he’s talking in a loud voice.
「I know. It certainly was amazing but, there’s no need to be that excited right」
Aki answered as if amazed by his reaction.
Though she camed down with Masato answer, she is more surprised about the existance called this house.
(Like hell I’ll be surprised just because a little amount of water appeared out of nowhere. )[TL : She got the point here]
Was what she thought.
Miharu is smiling while looking at their interraction.
「Since you want to hear the continuation of the talk, will you calm yourself first Masato-kun」
Rio said that to Masato who’s still in high spirit.
Thereupon, Masato feel a little awkward.
「okay. I’m sorry! 」
Rio let out a weak smile at Masato who’s apologizing while scratching his head.
「This one magical power is directly supplied by me but, there’s the type that can also absorbing magical power on it’s own, and the type that need aria. Well, I think we should left this one first as it is. And then ――」
Rio following explanation by sequential order.
「I already said space-time magic in the beginning but, the level between space-time magic and magic to produce water is like heaven and earth. You might vaguely noticing how difficult it were to interfering with time and space right？ 」
「…… You’re right. It’s like reaching something impossible in a normal way right」
Aki answered while holding her head.
「Yeah, I don’t mind even if you’re aware of that. By the way, since there’s no magic in the earth, all of you should be unable to use magic. Are you okay with this ？」
After saying that, Rio paused for a moment while looking at them as if to gain their consent.
Catching Rio line of sight, The three slightly nodding their head.
「If it’s come to that, then there’s only one thing left which is an un-doubt a truth. And that is the fact that someone of this world is using space-time magic to summoning you guys」
Thus Rio stating his own deduction.
Though the problem is that even Rio didn’t know who’s the one that summoned Miharu’s. [TL : You should send your gratitude to them(Author-san, who summoned Miharu) and truck driver-san who send you flying to another world]
「I wonder if there’s something abnormal happened before you guys come to this world. Can you please tell me since I don’t mind even if it’s something trivial? 」
「Even if you said if we know something, we’re already on the prairie before we ………. Ah, that’s right Miharu-oneechan has said something about light right？ 」
Aki was looking at Miharu.
「Yeah. Vortex of light spreading in a moment from our acquaintances ……. Takahisa-kun and Satsuki-san………. I think they’re also being swallowed by it along with us. I really didn’t sure about it myself since it really just in an instant but …….. 」
「Vortex of light ……… 」
Maybe Rio recalled about the characteristic phenomenon for the space-time magic.
(Maybe, Actually seeing it is faster than explaining it.)
So he think.
「Is this feel similiar to that ？ Please look carefully on top of the desk」
After saying that, he gathered the attention of Miharu’s to the top of the desk.
「Discharge[Release]」 [TL : The “Release” here using kanji [解放], while the “Discharge” is the furigana written in katakana[ディスチャージ]]
When Rio reciting the aria, the space on top of the desk distorted a little then swirling to a vortex.
In just a moment, a complete tea set appearing on top of the desk.
The black tea already brewed and placed in the pot.
Inside of the room that shining brightly due to the magic tool, the distorted space that can be seen due to it being dyed in a pale grey color.
「Y-Y-Yeah. N-Now that you showed it, it gave off the same feeling…….. Though I think the scope was even bigger than this」
Miharu answering while nodding her head vigorously.
「Is the vortex of light appeared from your male acquaintance or female acquaintance ？」
「Ah, ehm, I think different vortex materialized from them. And it[vortex-es] might be going toward us while it’scolliding at each other」
「I see ………… Here you go」
Rio dividing and filling the tea into four cup while hearing Miharu answer.
When receiving the cup, though they’re bowing in gratitude, they’re looking a little on guard.
Rio smiling wryly at their reaction, when he drink the tea in front of them, the three also timidly starting to drink the tea.
「Delicious …….. 」 [TL : Why my family said that the caffeine in my tea rivaling that in coffee?]
The moment she taste the tea, Miharu eyes opened wide.
After looking at her charming figure, Rio decided to advance the talk from before.
「In that case, there’s high possibility that you acquaintance also in this world」
「I-Is that true！？ 」
Aki asking with the upper-half of her body ebnd forward in excitement.
Rio turning his line of sight to Aki.
「Uhm, it’s just a possiblity. In the first place, I think that they’re the target of the summoning. I think the three of you just accidentally dragged in」
Wa his answer.
「Being dragged into it ……. Our oniichan is somewhere in this….. 」
Aki muttering in low voice.
「Maybe. I think They’re being separated from you guys is because the interference of their space-time magic has messed up your transfer coordinates」
Rio explaining as if answering Aki words.
「Then, how far we …….. ？」
「……. I don’t know the exact location but, I can roughly guess which kingdom」
Rio was thinking that the possibility is very high that the acquaintance of Miharu’s is within one of those six pillar of light.
「I-Is that true！？ 」
And “poof”, Aki complexion becoming brighter.
「Yeah, but I think it’s a bit difficult to find him at once. I know nothing but the fact that he’s being summoned somewhere in this area and at random, there’s even six of those location. I think those two also already moving from that area or……. 」
Rio paused his answer as if being troubled by it.
Though he didn’t dare to say it, since there’s also the possibilities of them being caught by evil person like the three.
「Ah …….. 」
Maybe because she suddenly thought of such possibilities, Aki complexion turned anxious again.
Miharu and Masato also showing a gloomy expression.
When he’s looking at those three.
「……. I, due to a certain reason travelling around those country. I’ll try to looking for the information about those two during that time」
Rio bluntly said that.
That just how stand out that event was.
there’s already great number of them Even if it’s just the eyewitnesses, so he might find some information during his journey.
「Thank you very much. Please」
The three was bowing their head deeply.
But, they somehow showing discouraged look as if being tormented by vague anxiety even after they’re rising their head.
「Well then, should we have dinner first? You can’t live unless you eat right. I’m going to cook after this」
Rio said that as if trying to change the gloomy atmosphere.
「For the time being, since I’ll be using normal ingrendients, I’ll hear if there’s any request. I wonder what it’ll be？ 」
At least he want to raise it by eating delicious food.
Since the current him can do nothing but this.
Though the three of them looking at Rio as if becoming a little senile —.
「Eh, Ah, Ehm ……….. I’ll also help you！ Since I know their taste very well」[TL : I used to think that clumsy wife who can’t cook is just a myth, only to realize that I was too naive …………………….. Fried rice with curcumin]
Soon, Miharu hurriedly offering her help.
「Ah, Yeah. Ehm, may I ask to help you then？ 」
Rio slightly stiffened to Miharu unexpected proposal then he smiling as he immediately responding to her.
「Yes. If you insisting on that！ 」
Miharu was eagerly clasping her hand tightly.
「Ah, I-I’ll help too！」
Thereupon, Aki who sat beside Miharu also want to help them.
「Don’t you dare. Aki-oneechan is hopeless at cooking. The hamburger from before was turned into charcoal right」
Masato quickly said that from Aki side.
Aki expression turned into the angry one.
「S-Shut up！ That’s just accident！ Beside, oniichan said that it’s delicious！ 」[TL : You’re a hero, sayonara, Takahisa]
She rebutted.
と、そう反論した。
「No way, how can aniki even praising THAT. I mean the other dishes are –」 [TL : Eh! there’s still more!?, You’re a true hero, Takahisa, RIP]
But, Masato also didn’t yield to her.
The gloomy atmosphere until a while ago as if vanishing by the two of them who clamoring at each other.
Before they know of it, the atmosphere of this place become brighter, Rio and Miharu was looking at Masato and Aki with thin smile.
Not even trying to defend Aki, it seems Aki is completely couldn’t triumph the trial of cooking even from Miharu view.
「I’m glad that Miharu-san is helping Since I need to make dishes for four people. Both of you can enter the bath[Ofuro] first」
Rio suggesting that as if trying to pacify those two.
When hearing the “bath[Ofuro]” word, Aki was staring dumbfoundedly.
「T-This place is even equipped with bath？」
Such comfortable place, this house is.
For Aki who was thinking that they’ll be sleeping outside on the prairie as it is.
Far from just for enduring the wind and rain, this house is even equipped with bath.
Though the series of surprise left her astonished, she’s extremely happy that she can enter the bath.
「Yeah, the door over there is connected to the open air bath. You can use the towel in the dressing room as much as you like」
Such thing is —–.
「Eh, AH, yes. Then I’ll accept that offer………. Thank you very much」
Aki’s timidly told her gratitude.
「O~h, thank you very much！ HARUTO-ANCHAN! 」
Aki became envious of Masato on her side who can easily saying his gratitude without any problem.
「Then, can I accompany you since I’ll teach you how to use the simple tools？ Please follow us too, Miharu-san」
Just like that the four of them going into the bathroom, after he explaining about the important point to easily using something like soap and magic tools in it, they decided to enter the bath starting from Aki.
It seems Masato was exploring the house since sometimes ago.
By the way, the house is installed with space-time magic of expansion for it’s inside, the size inside the house become slightly unnaturally bigger than the outside rock.
「Then, let’s start cooking. I should give a brief explanation about how to use the kitchen first right」
Incidentally, it’s just the two of them when they’re returning to the kitchen, Rio talking to Miharu.
「Yes, Please teach me！ 」
Miharu replied while bowing politely.
Just like that, he teach Miharu about how to use the magic tools that will produce water or fire, the placement of the cookware, the storage of the seasoning, cool dark place for the ingrendients.
After that, they deciding on what to made and began to cook.
The menu is salad and japanese centered dishes, rice, miso soup, karaage*, stir-fried vegetables, kinpiragobou** and, ohitashi***. [TL* : Fried chicken in starch][TL**: Chopped burdock root[sometimes carrot] cooked in sugar and soy sauce][TL***: Boiled greens in bonito flavoured soy sauce]
When looking at the cooking preparation, and astonished, that both of them can work efficiently without hindering each other.
Somehow Rio was happy with that.
Because he can cook shoulder-to-shoulder in this way with the girl that separated from him for more than 20 years if he include his previous life.
He send a fleeting glance at Miharu. [TL : Even I was speechless at this guy]
The form of Miharu who was putting an apron lend by Rio was extremely family-oriented. [TL : Damn it, that fried rice incident left a huge trauma in my heart]
As if she was experienced in cooking, there’s no hestitation in her movement.
「Miharu-san is extremely skillfull at cooking huh」
「No, how can I. Haruto-san is also skillful. This is the first time I see a man who can cook like this among the man that I know」[TL : Coz he’s an incurable bachelor for life]
「I’m driven to learn it since it’s necessary. It’s not that great either」
「Nono, the way you prepare the ingrendients is extremely careful, I think you even put an extreme consideration in it 」
「No, even if you said that ――」
The two of them mutually praising at each other.
Incidentally, when they’re looking at each other face they lost themself and simultanously giggling a little.
「Ehm, please say if there’s something that you didn’t understand」
「Yes. So far it’s alright. Thank you very much, Haruto-san」
Miharu saying her gratitude while giggling a little.
「Beside, thank you for a while ago」
「A while ago？」
Rio tilted his head as he didn’t know thank you for what she’s referring to.
「Aren’t tried to change the atmosphere that turned gloomy just now? By saying that you’ll cook for the dinner. That was truly saved us」
「Ah, it’s actually nothing like ………」
Rio smiling awkwardly while replying to her.
「Thank you for worrying so much for us. Please say if there’s anything that can be done by me since I’ll do it」
「….. Yeah, thank you very much」
Rio replied while smiling happily.
☆★☆★☆★
At that time, Aki who fastening her hair up was looking absentmindedly at the night sky with her body sinking in the stone open air bath.
(Today is full of surprise)
When she think about the time she came to another world, almost became a slave, but saved immediately, and even taking care of them in the end,
But one thing to say is, nothing can stop Rio.
Only that was certain.
「Haruto, hu~m. Haruto……」 [TL : So here the explanation, it’s look like the japanese under assumption that most foreigner mistaken their “R” for “L”, thus they’re mistaken the First Haruto[ハルト] as Hard/Hald/Halt while the second Haruto[春人] is the correct pronounciation. though they’re totally wrong with that, Foreigner[especially country which using alphabets] didn’t have any difficulties when saying “R” or “L” like japanese[Most japanese can’t say “L”, you will know if you look at their katakana, and hiragana table since there’s no “La-LI-Lu-Le-Lo” in it]]
Aki expression turned sour when she muttering that name.
Amakawa Haruto.
Was the name of her older brother.
The son of that man who left the house and abandoning her crying mother.
The person who’s was following the father who abandoning her mother. [TL : I won’t be surprised if it turned out that the author is actually fan of KimiMachi]
The boy who might be the loved one of Miharu.
As various information intertwined and mixed in her head, she feel this hard to describe swirl of emotion inside her heart.
Aki loved her mother.
The kind and gentle mother who’s pouring her love to Aki. [TL : And cheating behind her husband back, it might be rape though]
Though she heard that it was her mother fault that caused the divorce, after the divorce, her mother was extremely suffered.
Though she didn’t show it on her face, she stand firm and smiling at her during the day, and often cried alone when the night come.
Aki always watching that kind mother even before she turned 4 years old.
At last when she married for the second time when Aki in the middle grade of elementary school, she finally stopped crying at night, she didn’t know whether her mother already recovered or not.
There no chance that Aki will like the man who abandoned that mother.
She’s also unable to like the haruto who left with that man.
(This isn’t something like reason)
That’s why they’re never touching the topic about Haruto’s in the house, her family didn’t know the fact that Aki loathing Haruto’s.
But, Miharu is the only one who know that she loathing Haruto’s.
Because she once burst into rage in front of Miharu when she happily talking about Haruto.
And said “How can you like that jerk”.
Since then, though they’re still on good term, she never talk about Haruto.
(But, maybe Miharu’s still like haruto)
Aki was vaguely feel that.
Though Miharu received the confession of many men in her middle school, she rejected all of them.
(There’s certainly many men who love Miharu though they’re not confessing their love)
Sendou Takahisa, Aki older brother is also one of the men who love Miharu. [TL : Could it be that she’s actually really popular?]
People will know immediately when they see Takahisa attitude to Miharu.
Because he’s sticking on Miharu side like a guardian deity is the reason why the other men didn’t approach her during the normal times.
Looking at Miharu who always rejecting their confession, though the surrounding people come to the conclusion that Miharu might like Takahisa, Aki vaguely couldn’t think so. [TL : Could it be Miharu is actually female version of Haruto? A female type FLAG-BREAKER]
That was because she know an existance called Haruto.
Aki remember that Miharu and Haruto is extremely close.
Anyway, their distance is really close, they’re intimate.
The atmosphere between the two of them is completely like that of newly-wed married couple, the two was really close to the point that there’s no gap for her, Haruto sister to enter between them which made her jealous.
But, she feel that such atmosphere didn’t exist between Miharu and Takahisa.
In the first place, Miharu came on a good term with Takahisa was due to Aki.
Takahisa and Masato is the child of Aki mother second husband from his previous marriage.
Takahisa came to know Miharu due to Aki who was yearning for her as if she’s her own sister even after Haruto left.
From that time, because Aki was yearning for Miharu as her sister, Takahisa and Masato who’s coming along naturally also became on good term with Miharu.
Takahisa is falling in love to Miharu at the first sight, since then, he keep appealing to her without even confessing his love.
Though Aki’s trying to help Takahisa who’s her older brother, she didn’t know how special Takahisa is for Miharu.
But, since Takahisa wholeheartedly thinking about Miharu, she couldn’t help but to instinctively wishing for Miharu to also responding to his feeling. [TL : Now we got male version of Sayo]
At least, she absolutely didn’t wish for him to lost to someone like Haruto.
（That’s right, how can to that man son ….. ）
Aki mood unintentionally turned sour when he recalling an existance called Amakawa Haruto after a long time.
（Now I feel guilty for what I did to Haruto-san today……. I mean it’s because that idiot Masato keepcalling him “Haruto-anchan”）
Even is she know that the Haruto that save her isn’t Amakawa Haruto, she couldn’t help since a complicated emotion always swirling in her heart whenever she hear that name.
She let out a deep sigh to let out that emotion.
（……… Come to think of it Haruto-san said that his real name is Rio, how can it turn like that？)
Suddenly, Aki was thinking about the reason why Rio using an alias.
（Uhm, he said that he didn’t want his personal information to leak to outsider, I wonder if I can ask him ？）
She then recalling their consent to not tell anyone about Rio personal information without his approval, she think that isn’t it made her wanting to hear more about this and that.
There’s no one but Rio to protect them, she couldn’t bring herself to hurt his feeling by poking her nose into his private matter.
Beside, there’s also things that she didn’t want to hear and she didn’t have any plan to inquiring about it due to curiousity.
It might be something that highly classified.
（……. Nevertheless, father and mother must be worrying right）[TL : They already made a “New” one]
Aki face turned gloomy as she think about the people that not in this place.
She might be unable to meet the rest of her family soon.
She feel extremely sad when thinking about it.
（Moreover, Oniichan and Satsuki-san is also …….）
She’s also worried about the two person that was somewhere in this world.
Satsuki was the senior from Miharu and Takahisa middle school era.
She’s one year older than them, she who’s an excellent person to the degree being paid attention as the next student council president is a daughter of a company president of famous enterprise.
Though Aki had talked to her several times, there was an image of a perfect superwoman without any flaw in her.
The was unexpectedly coming home together before coming into this house.
（How can it turned into this. Well, there’s no need to worry if it’s Satsuki-san though. I get this feeling that person can easily adapting wherever she is….. ）
It’s from the image of Satsuki that she know, even if they can’t talk in this world language, she though that Satsuki might be able to do something about it.
（Beside, oniichan is also a superman. Different from Masato）
Aki was smiling lightly as she’s recalling about how mismatched the things that the two of them can do despite being similiar sibling.
For Aki, Masato and Takahisa is her important siblings.
Though Masato is a little mischievous, even that didn’t change the fact that he’s important to her.
The Takahisa that she know is someone who’s excelling both in literacy and martial arts.
He’s kind, have a strong sense of justice, it seems he didn’t have any flaw but, there’s some point that he actually similiar to Masato.
Moreover, when it comes to Miharu, becoming a little jealous might be just like a tiny scratch on the jewel. [TL : that scratch will eat you later, is this a foreshadowing?]
But, setting that aside, he’s an ideal and perfect older brother.
（Yeah, he definitely was safe. Beside, Haruto-san said that he’ll try to looking for them）
Aki gradually stopped her breathing and sink her body till half of her face sinking in the bath to calm her feeling.
And then, thinking about Rio.
（Haruto-san seems like a really nice guy, so it should be okay）
With his age that same as Miharu, He have an extremely calm atmosphere and well ordered face.
Though he didn’t seems that strong, he have frightening physical strength which made him very reliable.
Thereupon, her imagination going a little strayed to various ways but.
That was Aki impression of Rio.
（Why did you want that person, Miharu-oneechan. Well they’re different person anyway, how can there’s such coincidence that that they’ve same na …….. ）[TL : Must I insert a tsukkomi here?]
And then.
「BUHHAAA」
Aki’s reaching the limit of holding her breath as she’s coming out of the bath.
She’s taking a deep breath while looking at the bathroom in her surrounding.
「Nevertheless, this open air bath itself is extremely ridiculous ……. It’s extremely obvious that the size inside of the bathroom didn’t match with the size that I saw from the outside」
She’s muttering in astonishment due to out-of-norm facilities.
Since it’s called open air bath, though there’s dressing room inside, the bath is estabilished on the outside.
The bathtub is divided into two type, cypress bathtub and rock bathtub, each have different water temperature.
A noren* installed with Rio playful mood at the entrance gave the feeling of reservation bath during a travel. [TL*: The sign that usually hanging at the entrance of the bathroom]
Though she couldn’t enjoy the scenery since the bath is being surrounded by wall, the open ceiling let her to enjoy the night sky.
And, since it’ll be cold in the rainy day, they can close the ceiling.
By the way, the hot water always kept clean due to spirit tools, there’s no need to clean it regularly except during regular maintenance.
Wooden floor boards spreading over the surrounding of the bathtub, Aki was trembling due to the excitement unbecoming of her age because of the atmosphere of the place that somehow look like a hiding place.
If she must said it frankly.
It’s really comfortable.
Though it’s not enough to be explained with just that.
「Geez, I won’t be surprised if there’s something else …… 」 「
Aki muttered with cramped smile.
Recalling many crazy event that happened up till now.
A person who can run with speed that couldn’t be think will come from someone who’s carrying two person with him.
Taking out tea and house from empty air.
Camping while carrying a hiding place that was equipped with open air bath must be a norm in this world. [TL : ……….]
(That’s right, this was normal for this world.)
(Let’s just keep it that way)
「Haa~, the hot water is syoo~ go~od ……」
The nice fragrant of the shampoo that she used sometimes ago to wash her hair is tickling her nose and washed away her stress.
Though she enjoyed an excessively long bath since it’s feel so good, she’ll feel dizzi if she didn’t leave soon.
After thinking that, Aki stepping out of the bath.
After changing her clothes, she goes back to the living room.
When she’s taking a look in the kitchen, Rio and Miharu was cooking harmoniously in the kitchen.
「…………」
Though she tried to call then, somehow she stared intently at them.
Though she somehow feel a deja vu when looking at them together like that from behind, that deja vu vanishing right away.
After shaking her head a little.
「Thank you for your help, Haruto-san. The hot water is so~goo~d」
Aki is called to Rio with cheerful voice.
「AH, I’m glad then. Then, can you help me to tell Masato-kun since it’s his turn to enter the bath？ 」
「Ah, Yeah. Understood」
「And, since there’s cold beverage inside that box over there, you can drink as much as you want. The glass is inside that shelf」
「T-Thank you very much」
Aki said her gratitude as she’s bowing timidly.
It was truly perfect.
Just like that, after she’s calling Masato to let him know that he can enter the bath, Aki was on stand by as she drink ice tea in the living room.
（Such sweet fragrant. It gave off a tropical feeling）
Thus, she enjoying the fragrant of the tea that entering her glass.
Thereupon, Masato stepped out of the bathroom soon.
「Then, should we have a dinner soon」
Rio called Masato and Aki when the dishes is done.
The aroma that stimulating their appetite enveloping the living and dining room.
Though she know that appetizing aroma since sometimes ago, she couldn’t confirm the menu since somehow she’s unable to call the two who we’re cooking together at that time.
When She’s standing from the sofa and left for the dining table, delicious meals already arranged on that place.
「Japanese style ？ 」
Aki was solidified when she saw the many kind of dishes that lined up.
「Uwoo, it’s look sooo delicious！」
Masato’s looking at the lined up menu while spilling drool from hir mouth.
「Then let’s eat. Please sit where ever you like」
All of them then sit on their respected chair with that signal.
The seating arrangement is Rio and Masato sitting on the opposite side of Aki and Miharu.
Miharu’s serving the miso soup while Rio’s serving the rice.
「Then, Itadakimasu*」 [TL : Let’s dig in]
「Itadakimasu」
「Ittada~kima~su」
「Itadakimasu …….. 」
As if already decided on what to eat first, Masato was stretching out his chopstick without hestitation toward the karaage.
Then stuffing his mouth with the piping hot karaage.
「It’s sho Goo~d！」
The meat juice of the karaage that made with high quality chicken meat is spreading inside his mouth, Masato face look extremely delighted.
「This karaage is so very extremely delicious！ The outside is crispy and the inside is juicy！ Is Miharu-oneechan the one who made this？ 」
「Uhm, That’s made by Haruto-san」
「Is that so. Haruto-anchan is awesome. This chopped burdock root is also delicious」
「That was made by Miharu-san. The balance between the flavor and crispness is superb right」
While saying that, Rio also savouring the flavour of the home cooking made by Miharu.
The compatibility with rice is outstanding, thus his chopsticks moving quickly.
Even the stir-fried vegetables that came with the meal is crisp.
「Thank you very much」
Miharu smiling as if being embarassed.
「This rice is also delicious」
Aki who was eating from the vegetable tasting the rice and stated her impression in amazement.
That’s right, the quality of the rice is extremely good.
Might be the reason.
Rio bring back the rice seed since he want to cultivating it in Seirei no Tami village with the cooperation of Dryad.
Though there’s some variety, amongst that, he choose to bring the kind that liked by Japanese.
Even Compared with the the rice that was being improved for many years in Japan, he still can say that the quality of this rice is higher.
Rio’s not the only one who ate such delicious rice in this world.
In the first place, for Strahl region which staple food isn’t rice, they never cultivating rice except for one area.
Even if the rice being cultivated is very small in volume, the japanese won’t like it with just not sticky large grain, so it’s only raised as the ingrendients for soup and salad*. [TLC* : ごく少量だけ栽培されている米も、日本人が好みそうにない大粒で粘り気のないものだけで、サラダやスープの具材用に育てられているだけだ。]
「There’s no need to hold back since we still have a lot of them」
Rio’s smiling while looking at Aki who’s eating the delicious meals.
Thereupon, Aki look delighted.
「Yes!. Thank you very much！ 」
And said her gratitude.
That’s the first meal of this four people.
If only this good time can last forever.
He won’t ask for anything.
The gentle atmosphere was drifting around from the beginning till the end of their dinner.
