Twelfth day of the month of Saturday. It's a sunny afternoon and I'm on top of the bell with a deck brush in hand.
　The bell is nearly five meters in size, so I need to use the deck brush to wash myself.

'Here, Belle, be quiet,'
Cough.

　I rub it with a lot of force and Belle makes a comfortable squeal. It's very cute and soothing, but don't twitch too much because it's about to fall off.

'Cui!'
Yeah. Thank you, then Lynn, take care of the tail area over there.
Cukes!

　The one who came with a small brush in his mouth is Lindblum the white dragon Lindblum............................Linn, who has joined the family since the third day of the earth month.
　It looks like she's going to help me, so I ask Lynn to wash Belle's body around her tail.









''Phew, done.''
Gah!
Cui!

　After finishing washing Belle's big body and drying it with a magic tool that produces warm air, Belle's fur is fluffy and wonderful to the touch.
　It's soft enough that even I can feel that it's fine hair, and when I lean against it, it's comfortable, like a soft comforter.

　I lean against Belle, who is lying face down on the ground with Lynn on her chest, and she lays her tail on top of me like a blanket.
　It's so comfortable that I could take a nap as it is........hmmm, it's hard to wash a body of this size, but I feel like fatigue is a necessary expense for this feeling.

''.........Kite, thank you for your hard work. Yes, go ahead.
'Thank you. Mr. Zeke.
No, no, Belle and Lynne have them too.
Gah!
Cuh!

　While I'm taking a break, Zeke comes in with a tray in one hand and a container that looks like it's about two meters long in the other hand.
　He seems to have prepared a drink for me, and I thank him for it.

　The cold drink, which tastes almost like lemon water, soaks into my tired body comfortably, and I smile at Belle and Lynn, who are drinking the drink as well.
　Hmmm...it's kind of a relaxing, comfortable time...I've been pretty hectic lately, and I feel relieved when I'm doing this, it seems to put my mind at ease.

''Hmm, you look tired.
'I knew it, didn't I?　I didn't realize it, but it's been so hectic lately...
Tiredness builds up where you can't see it...
Yeah?　Oh, yes. Go ahead.

　After smiling and saying a few words of concern, Zeke-san looks at me and moves his gaze towards me.
　Since I used to be unable to speak with Zeke-san, we used to exchange eye contact and gestures, so I knew immediately what he was thinking about.
　Can I sit with you?　So I nodded and moved my body to give him a little space, and Zeke sat down in a beautiful position and leaned against the bell as I did.

''It's kind of nice to be relaxed...''
'Yes. Time like this is a luxury.

　Sitting side by side with Mr. Zeke, I stare at the clear blue sky.
　It's true that Zeke is right, this kind of relaxed time may be the most luxurious thing I've ever had.

　Before I knew it, Lynn, who had finished her drink, had moved to my lap and was curled up in my lap, sleepy or not, and a little while later I could hear her little sleepy breathing.
　Smiling at the sight, I suddenly ask Zeke, who is next to me, a question.

''Speaking of which, I overheard you.......Zeke-san, are you taking a few days off from the day after tomorrow?''
Yes, I'm going to Rigforesia for four days to see my parents.
Is this for Miss Rey and Miss Fia?
'Yes, I've written to you to tell you that my voice is back, but I haven't reported it directly to you yet.
Okay.

　Apparently the rumor I heard from the servants was true, and Zeke-san will be taking a few days off from the day after tomorrow to return to Rigforesia.
　It's true that Zeke-san's voice only returned after she returned from the Treasure Festival, and I'm sure Ray-san and Fia-san would like to hear their daughter's voice.
　Especially since those two seemed to dote on Zeke-san...

And while I'm at it, I thought I'd take a look around, since I'm back home.
Yeah, you're having fun.
Do you think so?
Yes, I quite like the green scenery of Rigforesia.

　It should have been about two months ago at the most, but it makes me feel very nostalgic for Rigforesia.
　When I think back, that was my first experience of going out outside of the royal capital.......Ray-san and Fia-san were fun people, and I want to see them again.

　When I was thinking like that, I saw Zeke-san glancing at me, and I tilted my head.
　Then Zeke-san's cheeks color a little and he opens his mouth in a reserved manner.


Yes?　What is it?
Well, would you like to come with me, Kite?
Huh?　Me too?

　I was a little surprised by the unexpected words, but the proposal itself was very appealing.

''Yes, well, my father and mother both wanted to meet Kite, and... wow, I wondered if that would be more fun than going alone...''
Okay.
Of course, it's partly for Kite's convenience, but...

　I couldn't help but notice that Zeke's little voice murmured to me while his cheeks were stained, and I couldn't help but feel a little nervous, as he was so cute.
　I put my hand to my chin to cover it up and think about my current proposal for a bit.

''It's a tempting proposition but won't I go and get in the way?''
'I think my father and mother would be rather pleased to be disturbed, really. He used to write to me all the time and say he wanted to see Miss Kite.

　I didn't have any particular plans, and I've been wanting to go back to Rigforesia, so it's just as well.
　I asked them if I didn't want to intrude on their family's time too much, but it seems that Ray-san and Fia-san are also honored and want to see me.

''Well then, with your permission, may I go with you?
Oh, yes!
''Later, since it's a good time, let's talk to Aoi and Yona as well. I think the two of them would like to go to Rigforesia again.
Huh?　Oh, oh, yes ... yes ... yes ... I agree.

　I suggested it would be more fun with more people anyway, but for some reason, Zeke's shoulders slumped with a gulp.
　Huh?　I didn't get the impression that I wasn't a fan of the noise...

Well, did I say something wrong?
'No!　Absolutely nothing, sir.　Let's invite you both to join us!　Let's do that!
Oh, yes.

　I ask, and Mr. Zeke shakes his head widely and stands up, his face turning red.
　What is it?　I don't know what I'm talking about, but....









　After that, I approached Aoi and Yona along with Zeke-san, but the two of them refused me as quickly as they could.
　However, for some reason, both of them said something incomprehensible while looking at Zeke-san when they refused.

''I'll refrain from doing so. I don't want to be kicked by a horse so.......
''Just like senior Aoi, I don't want a horse kick.
...horses? Why?
"...Good luck, Zeke. I'm rooting for you.
Kaito-senpai is probably a formidable opponent. I know exactly how you feel. It's a fight!
''Thank you so much. I'll do my best.

　It was an exchange that didn't make any sense to me at all, but Zeke-san seemed to understand what the two of us were trying to say, and he seemed to be gripping my hand and making up his mind about something.

　Dear Mom and Dad--I was invited by Zeke-san to go out to the city of Rigforesia again. It's a shame that Aoi and Yona rejected me, but I'm really looking forward to seeing Rei-san and Fia-san again - I'm really looking forward to it.