LGHTNOVELBOOK Volume 1 Chapter 114
“Isn’t this enough?” Rin-san, who had been helping me pick Sparkling Grass, asked reluctantly. So far, Rin-san had collected ten bundles, and I had six. This should be enough for now.
“Thanks. Try out what I told you tonight. It should be good.”
“Ugh, I won’t… Besides, isn’t that something you want to do for Kaede, not something men generally like?”
Well, you could say that.
“It’s the same thing. It’s not a big deal, right?”
“Well, yeah…”
This will be interesting.
“Do you know about Silky Grass?”
“Silky Grass? That’s a grass that grows at night. I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard of someone picking it.”
Night, huh…
“I don’t like the sound of that.”
“Better not. It’s dangerous at night, and the Self-Defense Forces are all over the place. Any hint of suspicion and they’ll detain you.”
Better not risk it. I’ll ask Kaede-chan to put out a request for it.
“Got it. Thanks.”
I took the Sparkling Grass from Rin-san and stored it in my bag.
“I didn’t expect to be picking grass this early in the morning.”
“It’s part of the adventure.”
“Where exactly?”
Rin-san seemed exasperated as we headed back to the gate to wait for the others.
While waiting, Nanapon arrived, wearing her familiar red cardigan and rabbit backpack. She hurried over as soon as she spotted us.
“Sorry I’m late!”
I checked the time; it was only 8:50 AM.
“You’re not late.”
Yoshino-san hadn’t arrived yet.
“I thought I should arrive early since I’m the youngest… This is what it means to be a working adult… So black…”
Don’t say ‘black.’
“We were here at 8:30. Rin-san was even earlier.”
Rin-san nodded in agreement.
“Anyway, let’s wait for Yoshino-san. It’s better to be early than late.”
I wanted to be polite, considering they are my seniors and have helped me a lot. I’d try not to provoke anyone.
“Understood. Here’s your status card and weapon.”
Kaede-chan handed me the items with a professional smile but full of joy.
“I’m off then.”
I waved to Kaede-chan and headed towards the gate.
Through the gate at Mireiyu Highway, various parties were gathered. As Okita-kun, I didn’t draw attention. Nobody’s interested in a guy in a tracksuit.
I found a spot to wait and saw Rin-san standing alone. I approached her.
“Good morning. You’re early?”
“Morning. I knew you’d come around this time, so I came early to keep you company.”
She’s really nice. Must be popular. Typical married woman.
“Thanks. Nanapon will be late, and Yoshino-san?”
“Not here yet. She’s always slow.”
I remembered she had said that before.
“What about today? Your husband?”
“He’s working on weekdays. I get bored at home, so I’m here to help.”
Makes sense. Home alone can be boring.
“We’ll finish by evening.”
“That’s good. I’m going to Ginza for sushi with Kaede-chan tonight.”
Adult date. Not sure if dinner counts as a date.
“Have fun! Oh, and whatever you talk about today, I won’t interfere.”
“Oh? Something up?”
“Nanaka’s Leokawa Nanaka, right? I get it.”
“You know about Nanapon?”
“Headquarters staff do. After the kidnapping incident…”
Makes sense Satuki-san reported it.
“Hmm, okay. But you won’t interfere? What about your job? You work under the chief, right?”
“Yoshino deals directly with the chief. I just assist. Frankly, I’m not that serious about it.”
“Is that okay?”
“The others are thinking about retirement. I’d retire right now if I could.”
She’s very open.
“Why? Bored?”
“I have a husband. My body isn’t just mine anymore. I want to retire before getting hurt. We have savings, and my husband earns well, so there’s no need to continue.”
I understand her feelings. Especially as a woman.
“But you’re not retiring?”
“I’ll stick around until the others retire. I grew up with Yoshino.”
“What about when they retire?”
“She’ll be fine. She has backup members. She’d be in demand. You could join her.”
“I could, but I don’t plan to continue long. I have Kaede-chan.”
Kaede-chan probably wants me to quit adventuring and stop being Eleanor-san. We have enough money.
“Make sure you don’t make her cry.”
“I know. Her smile is the best.”
She looks cutest when smiling.
“My husband’s said that to me.”
“Men think so. Charm is important.”
“Hmm… Charm, huh?”
The married woman starts pondering something. Why? It’s a bit naughty.
“Ah, right. Rin-san, do you know about Sparkling Grass and Silky Grass?”
I asked Rin-san, lost in thought.
“Sparkling Grass… It’s around here.”
“Really? I couldn’t find it yesterday.”
I only looked for 30 minutes.
“That was in the afternoon. Sparkling Grass only appears in the morning.”
“What?!”
How does that work?
“Yeah, see that area sparkling? That’s Sparkling Grass.”
Rin-san pointed, and I saw grass shimmering in the morning sun.
“That’s Sparkling Grass?”
“Yep. It stops sparkling when the sun rises more.”
“How does that work?”
I was puzzled.
“I don’t know. But it turns into regular grass later.”
“Like yesterday’s Fluffy Grass, Rin-san knows a lot.”
“I’ve been at this a long time.”
Rin-san crossed her arms and nodded deeply.
“Yoshino-san, with the same career, isn’t as knowledgeable.”
“She’s only interested in money.”
Makes sense.
“Let’s pick Sparkling Grass before Nanapon and Yoshino-san arrive.”
“What? Why? It’s such a hassle.”
She didn’t seem thrilled about morning weed-picking.
“I’ll tell you something good in return.”
“Something good?”
“Something that’ll make your husband happy.”
“Whatever…”
But she ended up helping me anyway.