As we left the jewelry store, the sun was already going down, probably because we had been walking around the streets of Queles for quite a long time.
　I moved to a place where there was no sign of people and then took the beacon back to my house.

'Welcome back. It's quite late today.

A lot of things have happened.

It's about time for Luna to get up.

　When we got home, we were greeted by Luna sitting in a chair in the living room, petting Moffitt.
　Moffoot on her lap is also pooh-poohing when she sees us.
　Recently, me and Sisha have been hunting together, so Luna wakes up around sunset.
　Normally she's back before she wakes up but she seems to have gotten a little late because she's been busy looking for a store.

　More importantly, it's unusual that Luna is the only one in the house.
　Usually Esther was in the living room to greet us.
　Noll would be in the kitchen, as she would be making dinner.

'What's wrong with Esther?'

I'm making rice with Nole.

'Esther?　That's unusual.

　I didn't know Estelle was cooking - she did a lot of laundry and cleaning and stuff with her magic, but I'm sure she wasn't involved in cooking.
　What kind of windstorm is that?
　When I was wondering that, Luna was silent and geezing at me.

''What's wrong?''

I see you two are getting along well these days.

Well, not really. Huh?

Ha, yes. Not much different than usual.

I see.

　Me and Sisha looked at each other and replied, and then Luna gave a short reply and started stroking Moffitt again.
　Hmmm, she doesn't really question me or anything, but I think she might be a little suspicious.
　Since Luna thinks so, Esther and others are even more so........................I can't take it so easy with my gift plan.
　Afterwards, as I was resting in a chair, Nol came out of the kitchen.

'Oh, welcome back! You're back, aren't you?

Hey, I'm back.

　He's wearing a blue apron and is totally in cooking mode.
　The last time I was cooking with her, she was humming and handling a knife, and she must like cooking quite a bit.
　........I'm not sure how many ingredients he was picking up and eating.

'That outfit of yours, Nol, it's starting to look better and better.

'Yes. You look great in your apron.

No need to praise him so much, it will only lead to more side dishes!

　Oh, there are more.
　The hair tied up in a knot is swinging from side to side, looking very happy.
　He's really simple, or rather, easy to understand.....
　I like that about Noll, though.
　Following her, Esther, who was wearing a black apron, also came in.

'Oh, I didn't know you were back. Do you want to take a bath?　Do you want to have dinner?　Or is it ... me?

Dinner, please!

I'm so tired.

　Esther's cheeks are puffed out at my reply.
　I didn't expect to hear such a cliché........

''Does Esther cook too?''

'Yes, he's teaching me a lot of things while helping Noll. Your brother doesn't pay attention to me, so I have a lot of free time.

Oh, hey I'm sorry.

You don't have to apologize. Hey, Sisha.

Well, I'm sorry to be the one to ask you this, but...

　Estelle looks at me with a smile and then calls out to Sisha as well.
　

　After finishing that kind of agony, and after eating and taking a bath, I decided to discuss the jewels with Sisha on the walkie-talkie.
　It would be even more suspicious if we were to go to one of the rooms to talk under such circumstances.

''So, what should we do about the gift?''

Hmmm, I don't know what to do.

''At this rate, we'll have to act sooner rather than later. Even Luna-san seemed to be getting suspicious.

'Well...'

　After Estelle, even Luna was beginning to feel something.
　Even now I haven't come up with what to do, but if I don't decide soon, she might get the idea.
　Ideally, I would have acted on it tomorrow... but I don't know if I could come up with a solution that easily.

''Even if it's something other than a ring, we should still get his opinion on the design and such, right?

''That's right. If it's just a matter of size, I'm sure there are many ways to go about it, but...''

'You might not say it, but there's a chance you'd prefer the other decorations, or that they'll think you're secretly in love with them.

"Ugh, that's sad...

　If it's Estelle or Luna, even if they don't like it, they're likely to be happy that it's our gift.
　But if it's a gift, I want to give it to someone who will like it.
　Then again.....

You can't just give it to Estelle and the others and let them decide.

'In the rough, it's a bit... let's think of something better to do.

I don't know if that's a good idea.

　If it's a necklace or something like that, they'll accept a slight difference in taste.
　As long as I gave up the ring, it would be enough of a surprise...but...would that really be enough?
　Then, after a while of worrying over the walkie-talkie, growling cis-hah over the walkie-talkie, an idea came to me.

'Oh, I've got one idea.

Really?

'No, wait. I've got an idea, but I don't know if this is the right one. Besides, I'll have to talk to the jeweler about it...

''Okura-san is still lacking in confidence. It's rare that you say a good idea, so please say it with confidence and bash it out.'

"I know you're trying to pick a fight.　Totally ... then I'll tell you what?

　Sisha is still saying things that make it hard to decide whether she's praising me or fighting with me.......................I'm not sure about that.
　I quickly told him what I thought, and Sisha said that would be fine too.
　All right, well then, I'll go to the jewelry store tomorrow and ask him about it.

●

　The day after I discussed it with Sisha, I went to the jewelry store and told her what I had come up with.
　He replied that it was okay, and we decided to leave the rubies and topaz at that shop to have them processed.
　I was told it would take three days to process them, and I would go to pick up the jewels on the fourth day, when they would have been processed for sure.
　For three days until the day of the pickup, I hunted with the Nors as usual to avoid suspicion, and the day finally arrived.
　On this day, Sisha and I went out to hunt alone again.

Well, I'm sure it's all ready to go, and since we're done hunting, let's go get it.

'This day has finally come!　I'm having too much fun and I'm having more of a blast hunting today than usual!

"Hey, idiot!　Don't wave that around!

　After today's hunt, it's finally time to go pick up the jewels.
　Sisha is happy to buzz around the magic blade happily.
　''You're not safe, though!　The snatched wood is half torn off!
　I calmed the excited Sisha down and quickly took a beacon to Queles and went to the jewelry store.

'Excuse me!'

Oh, Okura-sama, we've been expecting you.

Thank you for choosing our store.

　As we walked into the store, apart from the woman who did us a favor, there was a man with us.
　He looks as young as the female waiter.
　Did he happen to be gone the other day?

'This is the ruby and this is the topaz. Please confirm.

Thank you.

　A man holds out a small black box to us.
　We take it and open the box to find a red, shiny jewel in it.
　It was an oval shape with more faces cut into it than we could count.
　Even a little light in the store shines on it, and it's so beautiful that it's hard to believe that the gemstone is the original.

　Oh ... it's amazing. I didn't expect this level of finish.
　Maybe it's because I got it, but it looks better than the existing ones in the store.

　My idea that I talked to Sis-Ha about was that we should just have the jewelry worked on and then hand it over to Estelle and the others.
　After that, I'm going to let her choose what kind of jewelry she wants.
　What I confirmed with the jeweler was that no matter what kind of cut it was, it could be made into the ornaments I wanted, and he said it was no problem at all, so this idea was adopted.

'Wow, wow!　Okura-san!　Look, look at this!

Hey, shut up!　Calm down a bit!

'Because it's so beautiful!　You can't just sit back and watch!

　Sisha, who was next to me, was also shouting.
　I looked at her topaz to see what her topaz looked like as well, it was a thin rectangle, the cut face was made parallel to the sides.
　In addition, there is a fine face cut into that face as well, and it's as bright as my ruby.
　I guess I can't help but get excited when I see these...and they're really amazing.
　They said it was beautiful in the rough, but it's an order of magnitude different.

'Well, sorry for the fuss.

No, I'm just delighted that you're pleased with my work.

You're the one who worked on the jewelry...

　This man processed this gem for me....
　I wonder if he's here today because it's the day I'm giving it to him?

My wife tells me you asked me to work on a quality gemstone, and it's a really good quality one.

Oh, you and your wife own this shop?

'Yes. I'm in charge of the metal, and my husband takes care of the jewelry.

　Oh, so these people are a married couple.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you are good at.
　I was sure that the woman was doing everything by herself.
　When I was satisfied with the jewelry, I put it in a box, wrapped it in paper and had it wrapped with a ribbon.

'Well then, we look forward to seeing you again. Good luck with your work!

'Haha thank you very much.

　We left the jewelry store as the clerk saw us off.
　Good luck with that........not that I'm going to confess or anything.
　It's not that I'm not nervous, but I'm just giving it to you as a thank you.

''Ufufu, I can't believe you're able to finish it off so beautifully.......this will definitely make them happy!

I hope you're right...

Okura-san is really a worrier, isn't he? He's a man, so you should have confidence in him at times like this, you know!

'Oof!　Sisha is just too confident!　Normally these things make me nervous!

'Oh well, we're still going to give it to you, so let's think positively to make you happy.

　Sis-Ha, who was walking more high-strung than usual while skipping, patted me on the back.
　I don't know why you're so confident.
　I'd love to share some of that positive thinking with you.
　You can't get frustrated even if you are hit and shattered by Sisuha...I really respect that.

　I was going to go straight back to my house and hand over the jewels as soon as I could........

It's just........Huh?

　There was no one in the living room. Even when I went to the kitchen, not even Noll was there, probably because it was still early today.

''There's no one here. For now I'm going to go to Luna's room.''

What, hold on.

'Okura-san, please go to Esther-san's room and do your best!

　Sisuha went to Luna's room in a hurry.
　Uhehe........................Seriously? I was thinking of giving it to you and Sisha in the living room.......
　Maybe Esther would be in the room.........................but I'm extremely anxious to give it to her one on one.

　Still, Sisha has already gone, so I belly up and move to Esther's room.
　Then I knock on the door.

'It's open.'

I'm coming in.

　I knew he was in his room and he answered right away.

'Oh, welcome back brother.

Yeah, I'm back.

　When I walked in, Esther was sitting on her bed reading a book.
　Her room has a bookshelf with a number of books lined up in it.
　It looks like there are a lot of thick books from my mess, and other things I bought in town.
　It looks neat compared to the room full of Noor's stuffed animals.

'I didn't see Noll in the living room, is he out?'

'I think they go inside the Moffitt's cabin and play together. He said it's always easy to spend time in that place, in that nice, sunny meadow.

Well....

　That guy is playing inside Moffoot's hut?
　It's true that that inside is the perfect space to play with Moffoot, but........

　S-, more importantly, I have to figure out how to give the jewels to him now.
　I went in there without thinking about it, but how do I cut it out.......just give it to him normally?　
　Or should I give it to you while saying something like that?　I don't know!　I don't know, I have no experience!

...What's wrong with you that you're so nervous?

'What?　I'm not nervous.

Huh, you don't think I don't know that I'm a big brother-watcher?

　Closing the book she was reading, Esther looked at me, smiling.
　I would like you to stop that observation. I don't know how you can spot me when I haven't said it out loud.

'So, what can I do for you by coming to my room?'

Well, I'll just, uh...

　In the end, I couldn't think of anything, so I took the box out of my bag and held it out to Esther while my mind almost went blank.

''It's quite a pretty box. What's wrong with that box?　Maybe it's a gift to me ... or something.

Yeah, I do.

What ... really?

Yes.

　She asked me if it was a gift in a joking tone, and I told her immediately that it was.
　Then the smile disappeared from Esther's face and she opened her eyes to stare at the box intently.

'Can I open it?'

Yeah.

　Hearing my reply, Esther carefully opened the wrapping of the jewelry box.
　Then she opened the box containing the rubies, and then she just fell silent and stopped moving.

'Well, it's a ruby, and at first I was going to give you a properly finished one as an ornament, but I don't know what Esther likes. But, but I've chosen the jewels properly in my own way, and the store and all that...

　I spoke quickly, as if to make an excuse, but halfway through I realized there was no response from Esther.
　I looked at her closely and saw that she was shaking her body and shifting her upper body back and forth.
　I tried to wave my hand vertically a little in front of her face, but she didn't respond.
　............................What's going on?　I've never seen Estelle like this before.

'Hey, Estelleux.'

Oh I'm sorry...

　I put my hands on his shoulders and he finally responded by bouncing his body up and down.
　But still a little dazed or less responsive.

''........Could it be that this is what you've been sneaking around with Sisha lately?''

'That's right. I'm sure Sisha would have given it to Luna by now. When I went to the Lugen Valley, Sisha told me that I should repay her for the necklace with jewelry.

'Oh ... yeah. Sisha said that, didn't she?

　I could give it to you, but I'm not sure Sisha's going to be okay with it.
　Well, it's better to worry about yourself than worry about others.
　I don't understand Esther's reaction somehow, and maybe she didn't like it.......

''Well........this gem wasn't good enough for you?''

No, your brother picked out the jewels for you. How can I not be happy about it?

Well that's good.

　Apparently you are pleased with it.
　If they're pleased, my expectation was that they'd say a lot of things to tease you more.
　I thought you'd be too quiet to expect it.

'I'm just too happy and I'm going to explode with all kinds of things, so I need to calm down.

''Well yeah, you're right. I'd better let that settle in.

　Oh what's going to blow up?
　Was that gesture earlier calming you down?
　It seems like it would be bad if Estelle goes out of control, so let's not say anything that might provoke her too much.
　Maybe it was the right thing to do the way I gave it to her.

'It's a bit late to say it, but thank you, brother. I'll treat you like a big brother and I'll take good care of you.

Oh, oh. But it's not finished yet. You can make the rest of it into an ornament that Esther likes. I've already asked the jeweler to come with me.

''So it was just jewelry. I'm so happy that I'm going to fall over just for this, but hmmm.......

　Estelle puts one hand on her cheek and looks at the jewelry with a licking gaze.
　I'm glad to be able to make you happy, but is it just my imagination that I feel a very dangerous atmosphere?

It's a very good idea. I'm sure you're not going to be able to get away with it.

'Yes, I know. I rather owe you an apology and thank you.

Oh, go ahead. I'll go back to my room for a bit then.

　Now you understand why I used to go out with Sisha a lot, so it's probably a relief for now.
　At any rate, the objective was accomplished, so I left Esther's room.
　And when I was about to close the door....

"Oh, wait.

Hmm?　What's wrong with you?

　Estelle got off the bed and came trotting toward me.

'Can I ask you to squat down a bit?'

I don't mind, but...

　The moment I bent down a little as I was told, Esther put her hands around my neck.
　I wondered what was going on, and I felt a warm soft touch on my left cheek.

''Hmm........''

'Eh....'

'Hmmm, I did it. It was really good to see you, brother. Thank you.

　Esther released her hands from her neck as the soft object against her cheek left her.
　Then she put one hand to her own lips and smiled at me while her face turned bright red, and returned to her room and closed the door.

　........eh?　What?　What did he just do to me?
　That softness, could it be the lips....what?