Chapter 58 – Peacefully, toward the future.
After my father’s first death anniversary, I decided to adjust to the rhythms of this world. No longer clinging to specific dates, I began marking occasions broadly by the seasons.
But when I glanced at the calendar, the miraculous coincidence was impossible to ignore.
March 21.
Exactly one year had passed.
It was on this day a year ago that Chocola and I ventured into the mountains, guided by the map on my smartphone. We pushed through the trees, climbed the slopes, and discovered this house.
And today—after a week-long journey from Sidera—we arrived in the depths of the forest.
「Mint, first say, I’m homeee!」
As the block wall of our property came into view, Mint leapt from the carriage, her small feet pattering as she dashed forward. With a nimble hop, she cleared the gate.
「I’m home! Father, we’re back!!」
Her triumphant declaration echoed through the air on March 21.
And so, the Hatano family returned to their cherished home.
※※※
Mother and Karen immediately knelt before Father’s grave, recounting all that had happened in Alfheim. While they offered their report, I set about unpacking our travel gear.
「Mint, wants help! What I do?」
「Then, could you open up the porch for us?」
「On itー!」
「Kuuun…?」
「You… don’t really have a task, so just sit and stay, alright?」
「Kyuuun…」
We parked the carriage in the yard and began unloading the luggage. Travel gear, bags of family clothes, and supplies we had stocked up on in Sidera—all carefully unloaded until the carriage was empty. Once done, I headed to the pasture to remove Pochi’s harness.
「Thanks for your hard work on the long journey, Pochi. You did great.」
「Kyurururu!」
「Chocola, go play with Pochi.」
「Bark!」
During our brief return earlier, we had checked the surroundings, so everything around the house should still be in good condition. The pasture was as it always was, with the grass we had cut before leaving now regrown after a month. I’d also reopened the dam to the watering trough, so the buckets would already be full.
「Don’t bother Pochi if he wants to rest, okay?」
「Bark!」
Returning to the yard, I took a moment to survey the rest of the property.
The vegetable garden—while not in terrible shape thanks to my magic, it still needed some care.
The English garden—seemed fine. Four Seasons-san and Color-san had tended to it while we were away. They’d been busy splitting their time between here and the other place. I’d have to think of a way to thank them.
As for the weeds in the yard and maintenance around the well—those could be tackled gradually whenever we noticed them.
「Sui-kun, I’m ready. Let me help bring in the luggage.」
「Thanks. Let’s start by moving everything into the living room.」
「Bark!」
「Oh, what’s up? Pochi, are you feeling tired?」
「Wafuu…」
Patting Chocola, who had wandered back into the yard, I said,
「I’ll go boil some water.」
「The bath!」
Karen’s face lit up with excitement.
「Chocola’s pretty dirty, too. Looks like today’s bath will be quite the event just to scrub off the travel grime.」
「Kyaau!?」
Chocola leaped away with a yelp, as though regretting his return, while Mint, bubbling with energy, piped up:
「Sui, anything help with?」
「Okay, then can you head upstairs and open the balcony doors? We need to get some air circulating through the house.」
「On itー!」
Giggling, Mint dashed off happily.
Watching my lively family, I couldn’t help but smile.
「Bark?」
「It’s funny, isn’t it? Just a year ago, it was only you and me. Back then, I couldn’t figure out why there was even a house in a place like this. And then—bam—isekai time.」
「Bark.」
「You saved me from that wyvern, fought off the shock bear, and Karen came rushing to our aid. Then we got the house powered up, reunited with Mother… But you know, the thing I think about most isn’t any of that. It’s the first night.」
Back then, it was too risky to go outside. There was no electricity, just darkness, and a strange moon in the sky.
I remember worrying about what would happen next, how long the emergency food would last.
And you, Chocola—you stayed right by my side through it all.
I’ll never forget the feeling of holding you close as we fell asleep that night. Not in this lifetime.
「Alright, let’s get that bath ready.」
「Bark!」
「And you’re getting a proper shampoo today, Chocola. Don’t even think about running.」
「Kuuh… grr…」
「No excuses. If you’re not clean, you’re not coming inside.」
——It’s been a year.
My second year in this new home will be with my family by my side.
With them, I’m ready to take bold steps into the future.
※※※
The next day at noon, we celebrated the first anniversary of our return with a feast.
Karen and Chocola, brimming with enthusiasm, had gone hunting and brought back a Gugalan Bull, a wild creature native to the Void Forest.
After preparing the meat, we turned the ribeye into massive steaks. The meal was rounded out with cheese-laden pizza, sautéed vegetables, and a creamy potato salad made from round yams. It was a hearty and extravagant spread.
Since the weather was so lovely, we ate outside in the yard.
The chill was gone from the air, replaced with a warm, pleasant atmosphere. The surrounding forest was vibrant, the plants bursting with life, their fresh green leaves gleaming under the sun.
Spring was fully here.
After the meal, we enjoyed a relaxed tea time.
Mint and Chocola raced around the yard, Pochi leisurely grazed on grass, Mother immersed herself in a book, and Karen and I sat side by side on the porch, gazing at the clear sky.
「…By the way, wasn’t it supposed to be about a week?」
As Karen kicked her legs playfully, resting her head on my shoulder, I casually asked.
Karen lifted her face and nodded.
「Hmm, they said it’d take about a week, maybe ten days. Should be soon.」
「I see… So, it’s about time.」
Whether it was mere coincidence or some subconscious premonition, as soon as we started talking about it—
From the garden’s far end, where a small path led to the gazebo, figures emerged.
A petite pair, Four Seasons-san and Color-san.
And behind them, a tall, poised woman with black hair swaying in a ponytail, a bright smile on her face. She waved with one hand as she called out.
「Hey, Sui-kun, Karen! Just like I promised, I’m here!」
Through Tir na Nog, connecting the Elf Nation of Alfheim and our place, Watanuki Alice-san had arrived at our home.
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