Chapter 72.1

Chapter 72: That time when I had a casual onsen trip with my family Part 1

TL: kizen

ED: Filip/Gecko

I feel sorry for the rest of the islanders but Ill be taking three days off starting today .

On my first day there, Ill meet up with the three idiots, then ask Latte to take a day off . Ill probably feel restless during the second day so Ill go out to play with the kids . As for the third day, Im thinking of taking my family on a trip to the island . Ive told them before that Ill let them see whats happening on the island so Ill just use that opportunity to do just that .

However, everything doesnt go as planned so Im not yet sure what will happen .

Well then, if things work out as planned, Ill be back in two days together with my family so until then, Ill leave things here to you . Ill bring Fleurs flower pot with me so let me know through her if anything happens

Gotcha

The cat-eared old man doesnt talk much as usual .

Im back~

Nobodys home Well, I came back around the time they finished eating breakfast so Im sure that Suzuran is with the pond-oneesan to feed the fish and ducks . In the meantime, I just left Fleur-sans pot in a sunny area in our house .

As long as I leave a note that says not to put it outside since its weak to the cold, it would be fine to leave her here even when it snows in winter . Come to think of it, snow doesnt fall on that island and its not too cold during the wintertime as well .

Well anyway, I guess Ill just laze around until someone comes back .

I should restock the barley tea

I roasted some wheat on a frying pan then let it cool down once it started emitting a fragrant scent . While I was putting the barley tea into the pouch I always kept them in, Suzuran came back .

Welcome home

Im back . Anything changed while I was gone?

Thats good then . Im going to brew some tea so do you have any requests?

Ill have whatever youre having

Barley tea it is then

After brewing the tea, I gave it to Suzuran then sat on a chair . As she sipped on the tea, being as sharp as she is, she noticed something different about me and asked .

You seem restless . Do you have something you want to talk about?

Well, yes Things on the island are starting to settle down so why dont we take a day trip there in two days

If Latte can take a day off, I dont mind

Alright, if thats the case then I can follow my schedule . I should let the kids know not to make any plans with Perna-kun and the others

After that, I continued to leisurely spend time with Suzuran .

Ah

Hm?

The village chief, I forgot that he asked me to let him know when you came back

I see . Ill go meet with him after I finish this and relax a bit more . Come to think of it, its been a while since Ive relaxed like this

The corners of Suzurans lips raised a bit so that was probably her laughing . Unfortunately, she doesnt show that much emotion . Im sure shed be cute if she laughed after all . I guess that just nerves her a bit since I already lose to her whenever she tilts her head when shes asking for something .

After that, I slowly finished up my second cup of tea then took my time resting .

Well then, Ill be off

Its fine just leave him and come home if he starts working you too hard you know?

That may be so but Im acting as a consultant for the village chief so I have to do my best for the villages sake

Ill make sure I can

The chiefs the elusive type so I just went to the center of the village then will all of my strength, shouted .

VILLAGE CHIEF!!!

After a while, the village chief suddenly came out from the shadows in front of me .

Good morning . Ive heard from Suzuran that you were looking for me

Umu, its not such a serious problem but With the number of villagers increasing, were reaching the point where I can no longer match the name to the villagers face

If thats the case, why dont we gather everyone and have them write down their names, where theyre from, where theyre currently residing, and the number of people in their family . I wonder if its alright to ask them to write their gender down as well?

Ive already done that . There were a lot of submissions

Well, how about you make districts and arrange the documents to go to wherever district theyre located . For example, with the village square as the center, you divide the village into four districts . You can divide it up into even smaller sections if you want but lets just limit it to nine per district to avoid confusion . If you go with that, that corner over there will be district one section one[TL: Im not really sure if thats how this naming scheme should be translated but its the best I could come up with Should I use sector instead of section like in Final Fantasy 7?]

While saying that, I drew a simple illustration on the ground with a stick then continued with my explanation .

Lets see, how about we make the area around my house district 3 section 5

Its built on the left side of the road leading to Aegirine thats just across the fields so its not that difficult to find .

Also, since the watchtower is on the outskirts of the village, should it be part of district 1 section 4 or section 7? At any rate, there will be thirty-six boxes all in all so would that be manageable?

It might be difficult since well have to sort all of them out but lets do it . Iya, youve helped me out a lot, Caam-kun

Its not really a big deal since its a method thats often used in towns

I see, I see . You went to the town to work after all so youre different

Having said that, the village chief walked off to someplace again . That didnt really take long, did it? Well, Im just glad that he didnt make me accompany him all over the place .

When I got back, Suzuran was outside preparing lunch a bit earlier than usual .

Welcome back

Im home . Do you need help?1

*Thud!* She cut the chickens head off then handed it over to me .

Drain the blood and pluck the feathers . Ill prepare the rest inside

okay

Ive already seen that multiple times but I just cant get used to it . Its mainly because of how the blood comes flying out like that . At any rate, I held the chicken by the legs to drain the blood then carefully plucked the feathers . Suzuran will get mad at me if I dont cleanly pluck off the feathers so I need to do it carefully but decisively . Once I was done, I took the chicken inside the house .

Your plucking, its gotten better

With that said, Suzuran received the chicken then started removing the internal organs and such .

Caam is better at putting the seasoning so Ill leave the rest to you

After saying that, Suzuran left the chicken spread out on the chopping board and let me handle it .

Since it couldnt be helped, I began by boiling the chicken . After a while, I removed the chicken tenders, broke it into small pieces then removed the scum of the broth before putting it back in the pot . Then I added the onion and cabbage, seasoned it with salt and pepper, then finally added a lightly beaten egg to finish things off .

With that done, I cut the remaining chicken into bite-sized chunks, seasoned it with salt and pepper then sauted it . I also added some finely chopped carrots, spring onions, and garlic then shredded the cabbage, and some dried tomatoes preserved in oil . I just steamed the cabbage enough to remove the moisture then mixed it with the pasta that was boiled in a different pot, and its done .

Whats the dish called? It is what it is . I just mixed ingredients together after all!

Chicken tender soup with cabbage and spring onions and the other is cabbage pasta .

The kids were playing with Perna-kun and the others but they came back for lunch . When they got home, they were surprised to see me there .

Otou-san, welcome backWelcome back papa

Oh hey, Im back

Latte also came home shortly after that .

Ah . Its Caam-kun! Welcome back~

Hey, Im back

Todays meal was made by Caam huh? Im sure its delicious~

After peacefully having our lunch, I started discussing my plans with them .

I have something I want to discuss . Im thinking of taking everyone with me in two days to the island but what do you think? I know that Latte wont be able to ask the oba-chan at the farm for a day off all of a sudden but

Got it . Ill try to get a day off

Lily and Miel too, dont make plans to play with that other kids on that day okay?

kay~

You need to train us in exchange

But, if Latte-okaasan manages to get a day off work tomorrow, well have to go to the island then so we probably wont have time for it

Then how about this evening! Its still pretty bright after all!

Im planning to drink with Perna-kuns father and our other friends so I cant . Sorry

Mu

I patted Lilys head then went to the kitchen to wash the dishes .