Chocola and I spent half a day exploring the surrounding area.
After some searching, we discovered a fairly large lake a short way to the east.
It’s too far to walk but quick enough to reach at a run—though if it’s just for water, the western river is closer. Basically, it’s a perfect distance for a trip in the carriage.
After checking the area for any magic power crucibles or troublesome monsters and finding none (for now), we set the destination. Then, with everything prepared back home, we finally attached the harnesses to Pochi’s shoulders the next day.
※※※
「Kyu-ru-ru-ru! Kyu-ru-ru-u!!」
Pochi, overcome with excitement, let out a happy whinny, shaking with energy while the family looked on, amused.
「Yay, picnic! Bento!」
Mint, perched on his back, seemed equally thrilled.
「Sui-kun, are you sure we’re not missing anything?」
「I’ve got the lunch, the mat, drinks, and…fishing gear. Yep, I think we’re all set.」
「Hmm. Usually, the carriage’s full of stuff, so it’s kind of new having so much space.」
「Well, maybe today Chocola could take it easy and ride inside?」
「Kwuun…?」
With the whole family chattering cheerfully, we set off through the gate.
「Pochi, I know it’s a short trip without cargo, but bear with it, okay?」
「Kyuru? Kyu!」
He tilted his head at my words, but he looked content as he plodded along.
「He doesn’t seem to mind.」
「Hmm. I don’t think he cares about cargo or distance.」
「Yes, he just loves the feeling of being helpful and having a purpose.」
Mother, sitting on the driver’s bench, looked like she could feel something in the reins linked to Pochi. That alone made organizing this picnic worthwhile.
The winter sky was bright, clear, and cloudless as far as the eye could see. We’d need to keep an eye on the weather, as snow could be problematic, though rain would be manageable.
「Sui-kun, any idea how long till we get there?」
「Probably about three hours.」
「Then we’ll have half a day to enjoy the lake.」
「Yeah. I brought firewood, too, so let’s take it easy and make a day of it.」
「Hey, how big is the lake?」
「It’s pretty big. I hadn’t gone that far east before, so I didn’t even know it was there.」
「Right. It’s been nearly a year since we settled here, and the forest is still full of places we haven’t seen. There must be so many more to discover.」
「Maybe it’s time to start making a map or something.」
In late December, we raced through the forest to install observation devices, but we didn’t have much time to explore thoroughly. Besides, our focus was on the middle parts, so we barely touched the deeper areas. Just as Karen mentioned, we actually don’t know much about the inner depths—we only have a grasp on the hunting grounds and the paths to places like Sidera and the Dragon Village.
「There must be plenty of places with good views or interesting spots, like that cliff the other day.」
「Good idea, but if we expand our territory too much, it might confuse the animals.」
「True. Probably best to keep these visits occasional.」
「…Sui. ‘The other day’, what is?」
「Oh, that’s…sorry, it’s a secret.」
「Secret…even from me?」
「Yeah, even from you, Karen. Right, Chocola?」
「Bark!」
Chocola, who’d been lying quietly in the carriage, let out a bark and slipped past Mother, jumping down from the carriage. Maybe he wanted to protect the secret, or maybe he just felt like walking outside.
「Hmm. That’s not fair.」
「Karen, boys just have things like that. No matter how much we pry, they’ll never talk.」
「Did Uncle have things like that too?」
「Oh, absolutely. Your real father, Luis, would sneak off into the nearby mountains with your uncle, always going on about some secret hideout or something.」
Mother’s voice was gentle as she spoke about Karen’s parents. Karen, too, listened with a soft smile.
—Then, with that smile, she pinched my arm.
「Ow!」
「Punishment.」
「Yes, ma’am…」
Turning her head with a huff, I leaned over and gave a light kiss to Karen’s hair before peering out of the carriage. The cold air felt fresh, invigorating.
「Mother, let me take over.」
「All right, go ahead.」
We switched places, and I took the reins. Over the past year, I’d gotten pretty good at handling the carriage.
Keeping an eye on our surroundings, I gently guided Pochi with subtle pulls—go, turn, slow down, speed up, stop. Just as I communicated my intentions to Pochi through the reins, I could feel his responses in return. A little cautious around a bush, excited to move ahead, shifting right to avoid rough ground, pulling harder to get up a slope.
It was reassuring, dependable… I understand now. Pochi loves pulling the carriage because he’s proud to be relied on by his family.
「It’s nice to be needed, huh, Pochi?」
「Kyu-ru-ru!」
When I called to him, he let out a delighted whinny.
「Bark…sniff sniff.」
Chocola was sniffing the ground at his own pace.
「Hey, don’t wander too far, okay?」
「Bark!」
「Shocola, Mint keep eyes!」
Mint jumped down from Pochi’s back and ran over to him. Chocola, looking flustered, rushed over to Mint, took the hem of her skirt in his mouth, and barked to bring her back to us.
「Heh, Chocola sure acts like an older brother.」
「Mint probably thinks she’s like a big sister to him, too.」
Now that I think of it, Mint seems a bit taller.
Watching her and Chocola play by Pochi’s side, I held the reins firmly in my hands.
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