Oh. It's going to rain.

I muttered to myself in the middle of my work.
Maybe it's because I'm a water person, but I can read the signs of rain. About an hour ago, I was able to detect its presence and degree.
My father also stopped his work and looked down at me from the top of the stepladder. I report the result of my reading to the question in his eyes.

It's going to take a while. It can get strong, so I might be worried.

My father pondered for a moment, seeming to prioritize the information over the fact that I had failed to speak respectfully.

"I won't be home for a while.

Now that the rainy season has begun, I'm going to stay at the hut on the duke's property if there's going to be a long rain. If something happens in the garden, I can take care of it immediately.

I'll let your mother know you're staying here.

As soon as I say this, I gather the wind in my palms and make a bird. I release a small bird into the sky, just a little bit out of my hands. Then it flew in the direction of my house. It's just a simple spell that fizzles out when it reaches my mom, but she'll understand it because it's a signal I always use when the laundry is in danger.
My father watched silently and resumed his work without saying a word.
Water is my best magic, but that doesn't mean I can't use other attributes. It's just that the aptitude attribute is the attribute that is assigned the most in the status. There are no other attributes that have zero value. However, since there is too much difference between the values of the aptitude attribute and the inappropriate attribute, it is common to strengthen only the aptitude attribute.
In my previous life, I was conscious of the balance of the party, so I practiced other attribute magic as much as I could. If you use it, it seems to strengthen you to some extent, and the wind attribute, which was about half of the water attribute, has grown to three-fifths. It's not like you can see your status, so it's just a feeling. It would be nice if you could see the numbers yourself, like in games. It's a good memory of my past life that I used to raise the defense of the sisters who were healers because of their high hate value, or raise the magic defense of the warriors because it was too low.
Well, I also helped my sister in her otome game. I remember struggling with the short training period of the mini-game. Which game was that?
I'm not interested in the target, so I couldn't remember no matter how much I thought about it. Instead, I remembered that the purpose of the mini-RPG was to go get herbs to break the curse on the monster's territory.
Well, anyway, I've been practicing other kinds of magic, thinking that it would be useful to use even simple ones. Darkness, which has an image of being dangerous, is only useful in hide-and-seek, where it can mask your presence when you are in the shadows.
He never uses magic other than the one he is suited for. Except in front of his family.

"Isak.

Hey, girl. Don't get too close to the branches falling down.

Unable to move with the stepladder propped up against me, I use only my voice to call out to him.
I'm currently adjusting the height of the trees around the fountain. The fountain has been drained in preparation for the rainy season, but the swan sitting in the center of the fountain is not made of stone but of crystal, so it still looks cool. I'm always afraid to polish that swan, it looks so expensive.
A young lady anxiously watches over the fountain as the branches intermittently fall. I guess she's worried the branches will hit me. It's okay, though, because my father would never make such a mistake.
I start picking up the branches just as he comes down from the stepladder. When I call out, "It's all right now," the lady comes up to where no branches have fallen.

Do you want it for firewood?

"No, it's raw wood, I can't do that right away. No, it's raw wood, so I can't use it right away. I'll just gather it up, tie it up, and pile it up next to the shed. We can't dispose of it because the rain will come.

It's my father's job to tie them up with hemp rope and pile them up. It's too much for a little guy like me. I'll just gather them up in one place.

"How do you know it's gonna rain?

I'm a water person. Didn't I tell you?

"I'm a water person." "Didn't I tell you?" He asked me curiously, and when I answered, he said he hadn't heard. It's my fault for thinking I told her, but I don't think she needs my information.

Now get back in there, you're going to get your dress wet.

But there's something I haven't told you yet: ......

When I urged her to return to the mansion before it rained, she was reluctant to do so, saying that she hadn't finished her report until today. No, it's not like you have to tell me everything that's happened. Is this part of your daily routine, young lady?

Oh, okay. I'm staying at the cabin today, so just let me know when and I'll be there.

There's nothing to do while it's raining. After making preliminary preparations, I would periodically check on the situation, and if it was bad, I would take first aid, but basically I would work after the rain stopped.
The lady's face lit up at my words.

"So, is the sun going down today?

"Hmm?　Yes. It'll be a while.

Then I'll run an errand for you after dinner!

Okay.

I'll see you later," he said, and went on his way.

She looked so happy. Why?

I couldn't think of any reason why the lady was in a better mood, so I tilted my head. It would be strange if the lady came to the servant's place, even if it was just for a walk. It seems that the young lady has recently gained strength and is no longer exhausted from dance practice. I can't deny that she's been working out as she moves around the garden looking for me here and there. Normally, I should be the one to visit her, but I have work to do. And I haven't been summoned by the lady.


Well, I haven't been to the mansion since I greeted the Duke. I need to take a bath and change before I go. Oh, and I need to get the kitchen to share the ingredients for dinner.
While gathering the branches, I think about the order of the next day's schedule. When I stay at the cabin, I'm the one who cooks the meals. I'm trained to help my mom at home, because my dad can't. My dad can cook a whole meal. He can cook a whole meal, and it tastes good, but it's too wild to cook every day. He is not a husband and wife, but he has a clear division of roles at home. My mother does the basic housework, and my father does the hard work. I can't do the heavy work yet, so I help with the housework. When I told my mother that I would help her with the hard work when I grow up, she said she was looking forward to it.

I have to take care of my parents for what I couldn't do in my previous life.

I'm not serious. As the Duke pointed out before, I'm at an age when I would normally want to play, and there are times when I do. But regret from memories of a previous life changes my priorities.
In my previous life, I was just an ordinary schoolboy. I didn't want to inherit a tofu shop because I felt it was lame, so I hunted for a job and took all the household chores my mother did for me for granted. I worked part-time just to have money to play with, and I only studied hard enough to be able to go on to higher education.
And I regretted it before I died.
The cause of death in my previous life was an accident. But I would have died either way.
I got a job offer and all I had to do was enjoy my student life until graduation. When I took a physical examination because I needed to submit it to my employer, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given three months to live. I thought it was some kind of joke, but when I saw the doctor's expression (cao), I despaired that it was real.
On the way home from the hospital, I was so confused as to how I was going to explain to my family and friends that I didn't even notice the pouring rain. My eyes were open, but because I was walking without seeing anything, I had a car accident. It was clearly my fault. I'm sure the driver was very unhappy.
I really respected the work of my stubborn father, who was always fighting with me. I was young, so I felt ashamed comparing myself to the people around me, but I decided that if I couldn't produce results in my work by the time I was thirty, then I would bow to my stubborn father and ask him to let me take over the tofu shop.
I was so naive to believe that I had a future.
I'll try not to be so stubborn this time.
That's what I've decided now, based on my memories of my past life.
I regretted being so stubborn. No matter what people say, be proud of what you think is good.
When I finished gathering the branches, my father patted me on the head with a chuckle. He doesn't talk much, but praises me for my actions when I do. I'm a little embarrassed, but more than that, my face is smiling with happiness.

Let's hurry up.

My father turns his back to me and drops to his knees, saying that it's starting to look doubtful. He drops to his knees, a bundle of branches in his hand.
I understood his intentions and gladly climbed on his back. I climbed up, grabbed his short head of hair firmly, and he stood up. The tension rises as my vision suddenly becomes much higher.

"Whoa!

My father walks on, unconcerned about my strange voice. My father, who is probably over 190cm tall, is carrying me on his shoulders, and I'm over two meters tall. It's pure fun to be able to look down at something that I usually look up at.
I was so excited that I almost forgot to ask my father to do something.

"Dad, come to the kitchen!　I need you to share the ingredients.

He turns around and heads for the kitchen. It's like you're piloting a robot. There was a robot that responded to the castle in the sky by voice.
I asked the old man in the kitchen to give me some of the leftover food, and my father carried me on his shoulders until we reached the hut. Our compasses were too different, so my father walked by himself and got there very fast. I believe it's genetic and I'm hoping for the best.
But the "hut"...
A hut that I can look up to even with my father on my shoulders. It's just a shack compared to the Duke's mansion, which is frankly bigger and better than my house. There is also a storage area for gardening tools, so all the living space except for water is concentrated on the second floor. The house is made of wood and bricks, and is sturdy against wind and rain.
Even if such a house is located away from the garden, it is hidden by the greenery of the garden and can only be seen when you come close to it. How big is this garden? You could easily get lost. If this is the case with the duke's house, the royal castle must be a disaster zone.
I haven't seen any dust or cobwebs in a long time. I'm grateful that they regularly clean this far away from home. It makes me feel a little rich, like having a villa even though I am a commoner. There are dukes everywhere.
I got off his shoulders and received the food he had brought for me. At the front door, I use a hand towel to clean off as much dirt as I can see, and ask my father to take a bath first. In the meantime, I prepare the meal.
After dinner, I was just getting out of the bath when the lady's messenger came.

Dad, I'm sorry. Just hang the laundry in the room, please.

Pointing to the basket of laundry that I had washed while taking a bath, I hurriedly looked for my cape. Then, my father put a large hand towel on me and roughly wiped my hair.

"Whoa, whoa.

I guess he didn't dry my hair properly. I thought it was okay because I was going out in the rain now.



Thank you. I'm off!

At the end of the day, he even threw on a cape for me. I put on my hood and walked up to the messenger waiting at the door, closing the front.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

The messenger gave me a subtle look when he saw my hair, which had been wiped roughly and was now splashed all over, but he led me to the room where the mansion was located. I was allowed to hang my kappa on the jacket rack at the servant's entrance.
He asked me to sit on a sofa in what appeared to be one of the rooms.

I'll go get the lady.

With a bow, the servant disappeared behind the door. He was very polite, even though he looked dubious. It seems that being a guest of the lady takes precedence over me being a commoner.
I wonder how the servants of the mansion perceive me. If the duke hears about it, then he must know about the lady's habit of reporting me. The old men and brothers in the kitchen with whom I've been in contact have been friendly to me. The only other person I know is the butler, but I've never talked to him, and I can't read his expression.
While I was thinking about this, the lady opened the door and came in.

"Sorry to keep you waiting.

She's panting and holding something. It looks like a book of some kind. She was followed by a maid who I had seen before, pulling a cart behind her. There was a tea set on the cart.

"Miss, ...... and Ms. Catrin.

"Yes.

When I said the names that the lady had told me, Ms. Catrin was surprised that I didn't expect her to call me.

"Oh, I'm sorry to be so rude about a woman's name. I'm Isak Baumgele. My name is Isak Baumgartner. I'm an apprentice gardener.

"My name is Katrin von Lehar in the service of Master Ludia.

She bowed and greeted me with a polite tug on her skirt.

You must be Miss Lehar.

You can call me Katrin.

"Well, I'll take your word for it. I'm so lucky to have a cup of tea made by Katrin.

Oh, ......, it's not that good.

I've always wanted to try it because she always brags that it's the best.

I've been wanting to try it because she always brags about it being the best.

I'm sure you can understand. I'm not going to say anything else.

The other day I made this kind of tea. The other day she made me this kind of tea, she said she wasn't frightened anymore, and she's been smiling a little bit lately. ......

Why are you telling me this?

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it. But she has a low physical attack power, so it doesn't hurt.

You really love her, don't you, Katrin?

"Shut up already!

She screams more like a scream than anger. Katrin's eyes rolled back in her head and she started to laugh.
We stopped at the sound of her laughter. The young lady's face grew a shade of red.
When Katrin noticed the girl's condition, she managed to bite down on the smile that hadn't stopped.

I'm sorry, ....... I'm sorry, but you two seem to be getting along so well.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who's a little embarrassed, but seeing Katrin's smile seemed to take the edge off.

I don't mind.

The young lady pretended to be unconcerned. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm not sure what to say. What's with the hair?

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"This? My father wiped it off for me.

I appreciate that you've cleaned yourself up, but you're not doing enough. You should at least brush your hair.

Because we can't keep her waiting at .......

I'm not saying that. Cathrin, make the tea and bring me the brush. Then you can leave.

Yes, ma'am.

As instructed by the lady, after making us tea, Katrin-san brought the brush. As soon as Katrin left, the lady sitting across from me, still in the middle of her tea, came over and started brushing my hair.
I sipped my hot tea and let her do the same to me.

"You're making the tea cold.

Katrin's tea is good even when it's cold.

The young lady struggles with my hair, which seems to be bothering her. I wondered if combing my hair would help, since it was washed with soap, unlike her beautifully groomed hair.
But I've come in the rain, so the warm tea is soothing. It's delicious. Thank you, Catrin.



"......, are you making that noise on purpose?

The lady asked suspiciously as she combed her hair.

The tea tastes better when it's warm.

It would be rude to hold the teacup in both hands and drink it noisily. However, I have Japanese memories, and I can't shake the idea that hot tea should be drunk this way. Someday, I hope we can drink green tea in this country. I think the leaves are the same as black tea.
It's just a matter of mood, but when I drink it normally, it's not enough.

Do you want to try it?

"No!

"No!" It seems that the way of drinking from a teacup was not suitable for her.
She seemed to really want to tame my hair, which had always been a bit springy, so she kept brushing it for a while. She kept brushing my hair for a while, not giving up until I had time to ask her what had happened while we hadn't met.

What have you got for me, young lady?

I asked her when she had finished speaking. I had finished brushing her hair, and it was more silky to the touch than usual.
When I asked her, she happily took a book from the table and showed it to me. It seemed to be a picture book with a princess and a dragon on the cover.

It's one of my favorite books! I've always wanted to show it to Isak.

I don't know how to react, so I stare at the book.
What should I do?

I don't know how to react, but I stared at the book and wondered, "Is ...... too childish for Isak?

The young lady misunderstood my reaction and covered half of her face with the book and looked at me regretfully.

"No, ...... not that. It's not that I don't want to read it.

It's not that I don't want to read it.
It's not that I don't want to read it, it's just that the pictures suggest that it's probably an adventure story that I would enjoy.
It's not that I don't want to read it.

"I can't read.

I just can't read or write. I can read and write Japanese, but not the language of this country.
The literacy rate of the common people is low. Sign makers always add pictures along with the words. Paper and ink are expensive, and books are a luxury that only wealthy families can afford.
It's strange that I didn't like it in my previous life, but when I can't, I want to study it. For a while I went to a sign shop and learned to read only familiar words. But beyond that, I have no idea about grammar.

"Oh, ......, I'm .......

The lady's gaze wanders aimlessly.
It's natural for her to think that the other person can do what she can do as a matter of course. There is nothing wrong with your daughter.
And yet, when she tried to apologize to me, I clasped her cheeks with my hands.

"......?

So...

So," he said, lifting her off her feet and sitting her between my knees.

You read it.

I smile at her as she turns and looks up at me, trying to understand the situation. She smiles at me.

It would be nice if you could teach me how to read as well.

When I made a further request in a selfish way, the apologetic expression on her face finally disappeared.

I can't help it.

She smiled at me. That's fine, I guess.
I don't want her to feel sad or sorry for something I'm fine with.
She should be full of her own happiness as usual.
I prayed for her to keep smiling as I followed the words in her voice as she read them.