It was already dark, so we went back to the inn for the day.
　We signed a contract, but we didn't clean it, so we couldn't move in right away.

　And the next day.
　The next day, we all started cleaning the house in the morning.
　We cleaned the house from corner to corner with the force of not letting a single speck of dust escape.
　Finally, the furniture we bought in town was brought in and the move was complete.

'Oh!'

　When Tina saw the house that looked completely different, she let out a voice that sounded impressed.

I didn't know this house was so beautiful.
They settled here before we did and you didn't know it?
It's hard to move things around because we were all alone..... That's why I only do the minimum amount of cleaning.
I see.

　It's true, that kind of thing might be troublesome if you're alone.

From now on, we can all share the responsibility. You're not alone.
Well yeah!

　Smiling, Tina laughed.



----------



　The first night in our new home.
　We all sat around the table and it was time to eat.

'You've kept me waiting!'
You did not see that tonight.

　Tina and Luna bring the food to the table.
　The two of them are the most confident in their cooking, so I left it up to them....

Oh, oh, oh, neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

　Kanade's eyes sparkled.
　I hope you can guess what kind of food the two of them made by their reaction.

'Looks amazingly delicious!　Tina and Luna made this!
Well, you know.
"Mmm, the fruits of our labor!
'Wow, that's amazing. It smells so good and it's so appetizing!

　This morning, Kanade was freaked out by Tina...
　He wasn't doing that now, and he was talking to me very openly.
　The power of appetite is great.
　Or is Kanade simple?

　...I'm starting to feel like it's both.

'What's the matter, Rain?　You're not going to eat it?　I didn't let Thora get to you, so you can rest easy.
Luna, what does that mean?
Yeah, it's a secret.
Okay, let's eat before it gets cold. You two, take a seat.

　Once Tina and Luna were seated, they clasped their hands together.
　They chanted, "Itadakimasu," and quickly reached for their rice.

'Ooh.'

　For now, I sipped the soup in front of me.
　It had a strong vegetable flavor and a gentle taste to it.

''Who made this soup?''
Oh, that's home.
It's really good. It's soothing... I could drink it as much as I want.
Oh, yeah?　It's embarrassing to hear you say that... eh... heh.
You meat!　Who has the meat!

　Kanade was sticky with sauce around his mouth.
　His ears twitched and his tail wagged as if to show he was in a good mood.

It's home, too. The key is to dip them in the secret sauce and take a long time to cook them.
Oh, nyah!　It's so good!
Ha, thank you.
Well do you want another?
Yes. Hey.

　Tina made a waving gesture and a plate of meat floated fluffily out of the empty kitchen, with the meat on it.
　Kanade shuddered, but his appetite seemed to win out over his fear, and he quickly reached for the meat and began to eat it with relish.

　He was a little worried about whether they would get along...
　From the looks of things, it should be okay.

'This salad is delicious. The dressing, I've never had it before... is this Luna?
Mmm, my own special salad.
What kind of stuff do you use?
'Well it's mainly wild berries. I added some seasoning to them and arranged them to be easier to eat.
Wow, you're pretty handy.
Our staple food is vegetables. If you ask me to make you a salad, there is no one who can do it better than me. On the other hand, I don't like to cook meat. I don't cook meat.
Oh, I see. That's the way it works.
....

　Suddenly, I noticed that Nina's hands had stopped.

'What's going on?'
...Huh?
Even if you don't like it?
'Really?　Mmm, don't like it. You'll never grow up to be as big as I am.
I think Luna's a bit small, sir.
I don't need Sora to tell me that.
No, I mean, it's not that, it's just... uh... it's weird.

　Nina speaks faintly, looking like she's looking at something dazzling.

'It's been such a fun... dinner... it's been a really long time since I've had... it's kind of weird...' Not because I don't want to. I'm happy I'm happy to have fun but it's just so unrealistic because I've given up a lot of things before. ...
I see.
'Oh, and I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ... I don't know what I'm talking about ...'
You don't have to apologize.
'Yes. Don't let those things bother you.

　Sora, sitting next to her, gently hugged Nina.
　Nina's tail twitches and wags.
　She seems to be delighted.

'Sometimes I think...'
What's this about?
I'm so happy to have met everyone... and I feel happy.
I'm glad you met Nina, too, Thora.
Me too!
Me too!
Likewise.

　Everyone talks about it.

　It hasn't been that long since I met Nina.
　But time has nothing to do with it.
　We've been through so much together.
　I believe that we have a strong bond with each other.

I know how Nina feels, and so does Sola.
Is that...?
'In some ways, I thought Sora and Luna were similar to Nina. The part where Rain saved her and took her to the outside world. They're the same.
In more ways than one, we owe it to Rain. I'd be scared if I hadn't met Rayne.
Yeah, what the...

　Nina gets a real look on her face as she takes in their words.
　She is very calm.
　It's a big difference from when we met.

　That Nina has come to smile so much........
　I'm as happy as I am.

''Well you know what, Rain,''
Yeah?
Uh, well... oh, thank you...

　With a slight stain on her cheeks, Nina flashed a smile.

The first time I saw it, I was in the middle of the night....
Okay.
So ... you know ... thank you.
It's Nina's power.
No I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for Rain's help and I'm very grateful to her. ...Thank you.
You're welcome.

　The straightforward gratitude directed at me...
　He was a little embarrassed.

'Rain ... and Sola, too, will show her appreciation.
Me too.
Up to two...
'I'm glad you've helped me, but also that you've brought Sola and the others into the fold.
That's how we got to know the outside world. If we had stayed in the forest, we would have remained dwarfed.
Luna, please don't tell me you're a recluse.
Isn't it true?
'Anyway ... we are grateful. After hearing Nina's story, Sola and the others just wanted to reiterate that... thank you.
Thank you!
"...Yeah. I've received both of your sentiments.

　I feel a bond between Nina ... and Sola and Luna.
　You can't see it, but it was definitely there.

"That's a good story.......can we be like everyone else?
I can make such a good meal, there's nothing wrong with that...
What evidence do you have for that?
My instincts!
It's not appropriate!
Then it's intuition!
I'm not going to change.

　Everyone laughed as Kanade and Tania talked to each other.

　The fun evening passed with a buzz...
　For a while, there was a smile on everyone's face.