We get to Ray-san and Fia-san's house, and while it's a bit hectic, we move to the dining room as it looks like dinner is ready.
　There, I see Fia-san laying out a lot of food, and Ray-san opens her mouth, looking somewhat happy.

''Oh?　It's a big deal today.
'Yeah, Zeke's voice is back, and Miyama-kun came to visit. I put my arm around it.
...looks good.
She's my cooking teacher, so she's pretty good at it.

　The food lined up on the dining table, with a home-like atmosphere, looked very tasty, and I could tell that Fia-san was a good cook just by looking at it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to tell that she's a good cook just by looking at her.

''Come on, Miyama-kun, sit down.
....

　The moment I heard those words, a nostalgic scene flashed in my mind.

--See, Kaito. Sit down, you worked so hard today, mom!
--Zzzz, zzzz, aren't you a little extravagant?
--Because it's Kaito's birthday!　I even baked a cake!

　It's a really nostalgic memory, a childhood memory of happiness and love that was taken for granted.

--It's really a fond memory, a childhood memory of happiness and love.
--Uggh, well, I guess I'll just have to cover it up with affection...
--I hope it's at a coverable level.
--What?
-- sorry.

　Thinking back on it, the cake was terrible... it was a mess of cream and the sponge was a bit burnt... but it was good.

...Miyama-kun?
'Oh, excuse me!　Excuse me.

　In a way, the scene of a family reunion, the first time I've seen it since I came to this world, seemed to remind me of the old days and I froze.
　I'm not going to be able to get to know them, but I'm going to be able to get to know them.

""Itadakimasu"
"...Oh, Fia, you've raised your arm again, haven't you?
'Mmm ... delicious. After all, I'm still not as good as my mom.
'Thanks, I'm Zeke's mother too, in case you're wondering. I won't let you get chased away so easily.

　While listening to their happy voices, I also bring the food to my mouth.
　That's right, it's true that Fia-san's food is very tasty.......home-style and simple in taste, but with a great deal of warmth.......how should I put it, it's like the taste of my mother.
　The seasoning isn't very strong, but the taste of the food is so delicious that it slowly seeps into your body. It was just the way I liked it.

Miyama-kun, how do you like it?
'Yes. It's so good.
That's good--Miyama-kun!
"...what?　Oh, what?

　I responded to Fia's words with a gentle smile and asked her, and for some reason, Fia looked at me with a guffawed expression on her face.
　I noticed by her reaction, and before I knew it, tears were running down my cheeks.

''I'm sorry!　Didn't it taste good?
'Kite, are you okay?　I don't know if there's anything wrong with you...
'Oh, no, no. This is, um....

　Somehow my tear glands seemed to have loosened up when I remembered my mom and dad.
　To Fia-san and Zeke-san who are asking me with concern, and Ray-san who is looking at me with equally concerned eyes, I hurriedly wipe my tears with my hand and shake my head.

''Well I just remembered my parents........''
Well no, that's not surprising. You can't help but worry about your parents back in the world.
No, my parents.... my parents passed away when I was very young.
Well, I'm sorry.
No, it was a really long time ago, and I'm putting my mind to rest.

　I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my parents. I still remember my mother and my father well.
　But I've come up with my own answers to their deaths. If I'm still standing here grieving, they won't be able to relax, thanks to Kuro, I can think of a way to do that.

''It's just that I feel a little bit like, um, how do you put it, I feel like I'm reminded of a time when we were all together as a family at dinner.''
I'm sure Kite's parents must have been very kind to her.
'Yeah ... oh, they were a bit like Mr. Ray and Fia, they were bright parents.

　Yeah, really, Ray and Fia are a lot like my dad and mom.
　My dad was usually very cheerful, and sometimes he'd say a few unnecessary words that made my mom mad at him, but he was a great father who was very kind and dependable.
　Mom was always really cheerful and smiling, she was very clumsy and bad at housework, but she was always positive and cheerful.

'....Miyama-kun, would you like another drink?
'What?　Oh, yes. I'll take it.
Okay, well, I'll help you with that.
Thank you.

　As if to switch the air that had become a little damp, Fia-san cheerfully announces and gives me another drink.

'Miyama-kun, just like Fia said on the way here, you can think of it as your home,'
'Oh, yes. Thank you.
'Of course you can think of me as family. If you and Zeke get married, you actually will and you can call me your father-in-law - buh-heh?

"Ha-ha-ha.

　The gentle concern made me smile naturally.
　I suppose you could say it was unfortunate that I lost my parents so early but I was truly blessed with a connection.
　I have people who care about me. To have someone to comfort you when you're down is a miracle.

　Dear Mom, Dad, I'd be lying if I said I was completely separate from the two of you. But you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine here, and I'm feeling really happy. I may be a long way from being a full-fledged adult, but I'm still laughing today.












　We continued chatting for a while after dinner, and when I was thinking that I was going to finish bathing and then just go to bed.......I was suddenly approached by Zeke.

''........Kite, would you like to go for a short walk?''
A walk...?
Yes, I feel like getting some night air, so would you mind coming along if it doesn't bother you?
Okay. Let's go.

　I had no reason to refuse, so I accepted the invitation and walked out of the house with Zeke.
　The city of Rigforesia at night is very quiet, and the stars shining in the sky are beautiful, and the comfortable night breeze makes me feel somehow peaceful.

　As it was, Zeke and I began to walk together, not having any particular destination in mind.
　We rarely spoke to each other, and although we walked in silence, we were never uncomfortable... but strangely, I felt somewhat at ease.

　

''........Eh?''
....
Well, uh, I'm sorry, Jeez, Mr. Zeke!

　

''........Kite-san is a very strong person. He always works hard and straightforwardly.......I really respect him.
No, no, I'm not that big of a...
''Even if you think so, you are someone I can truly look up to...I always got courage and energy from your hard work, Kite. So sometimes I want to return that to you, too.
Well I appreciate that, but here, what's the situation?
...No?
No, no!
"...Good.......so let's just keep this up a little longer....

　What is it?　This feeling.........although I should be very nervous, I can truly feel at ease.
　Zeke has always been a kind, gentle, dependable and mature woman an older sister you can count on.
　I was an only child, but if I had an older sister........would it be like this?　Do I think of Mr. Zeke as a sister?
　　I don't think I'll get an answer right away... but it's not unpleasant at all.
　I don't know why, but the tears that were supposed to stop once............are about to fall again.