Author: Suisei
Translator: Rinkage

Character page: Here

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Chapter 169 – I went on an outing with my girlfriend and the kids

Today was the day I went on a picnic with Cecilia and the others. The weather was clear, and it didn’t look like it would rain, but I brought an umbrella. The meeting spot would be in front of the town gate, and Cecilia had arranged for a carriage.

Once we get close to the mountain, we’ll hike up on foot to a spot with a great view. We’ll enjoy the scenery, eat lunch, and then return.

It was decided that Cecilia would make the lunch, but I realized that depending on her for everything doesn’t feel right. As such, I carried a slightly larger backpack. Inside, I had packed drinks, a blanket, handkerchiefs, towels, some long-lasting sweets made by the macho pastry chef, and other miscellaneous items. With everything ready, I headed to the meeting spot.

Since I had arrived too early, no one else was there yet. So, I leaned against the gate wall and waited for Cecilia and the others, idly watching the passerby. Soon, a familiar carriage came into view.

As the carriage approached and stopped before me, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw who stepped out. I ran up to her without hesitation.

“Ah, Youki-san. You’re already here. Sorry, did you wait long?”  [Cecilia]

“No, I just got here. Right on time.”  [Youki]

“Is that so? Well then, let’s go… I made the lunchboxes, so please look forward to it.”  [Cecilia]

Her smile made my heart skip a beat. I felt incredibly grateful to have a girlfriend.

“Ah, there’s Captain~!”  [Sheik]

“Good morning. I look forward to spending the day with you.”  [Quinn]

When I got into the carriage, I was greeted by Sheik, brimming with energy, and Quinn-kun, reading a book. Fiora-chan, on the other hand, was already fast asleep. It had slipped my mind that we wouldn’t be alone; we had kids with us.

“…Same here.”  [Youki]

With the picnic members all gathered, the carriage set off towards our destination.

“But Fiora-chan sure sleeps a lot, huh? Is she always like this at home, too?”  [Youki]

I asked Quinn-kun as I glanced at Fiora-chan. The person in question was sleeping soundly while wearing the same cat-ear headband.

“Yes. She sleeps a lot at home, too.”  [Quinn]

Even though the carriage shook quite a bit, it didn’t disturb her sleep. This girl was probably more challenging than Clayman in various ways.

“If there’s something she’s passionate about, she’ll get motivated… Oh, and she wakes up when she senses mother is coming home.”  [Quinn]

“What’s with that wild instinct? And how does she react to Clayman?”  [Youki]

“She just keeps sleeping.”  [Quinn]

It sounded like Clayman was underestimated by his own daughter. Cecilia, who was listening to our conversation beside me, sported a somewhat troubled look. Judging from what Quinn-kun said, it was safe to assume that the father’s authority did not exist in that household.

“But when father comes home and starts to relax, Fiora wakes up. Then she will beg him to play with her.”  [Quinn]

“Seems like Clayman is loved after all.”  [Youki]

I imagined Clayman lying on a sofa as Fiora-chan asked him to play with her. The scene I envisioned was a typical, heartwarming family moment.

“Though, I have seen him use his shikigami to keep her company sometimes.”  [Quinn]

“What the heck is he doing?”  [Youki]

It could be seen as neglectful parenting, but perhaps it was Clayman’s unique way of bonding with his child.

“Fiora seems to be fine with it. Besides, father doesn’t completely ignore her. However, mother will sometimes intervene. Like when she calls us for dinner, and he doesn’t come, the first round will begin… While they are arguing, Fiora and I will start eating first.”  [Quinn]

“…Sounds like you’ve got your hands full, Quinn-kun.”  [Youki]

I had learned that other people’s family affairs could be pretty complex. However, what was scary was how unusually quiet Sheik was. He used to be really loud the last time I travelled with him in a carriage.

“Cecilia, what’s up with Sheik? He’s sleeping, but is he feeling unwell?”  [Youki]

“Apparently, yesterday, while he was mixing some medicine, Tiel-chan came over, causing his work to get delayed. He ended up going to bed late.”  [Cecilia]

“Ah, I see.”  [Youki]

It made me wonder how long he had to listen to her. His head bobbed in sync with the carriage’s movement, so he was probably wholly asleep.

Since Gai had started working as an adventurer, he rented a place for himself so they could flirt all they wanted at his place. Although, it wasn’t like they held back when they did it in my room anyway. In any case, Sheik could finally relax. After all, he had been Tiel-chan’s primary doctor and conversational partner for a while. I could probably say a few words of encouragement when he wakes up. No, I could buy him something next time.

I’ll splurge on a gift. No, that’s not like me. It’s typical of me to dump everything on Duke… I’m the worst. Maybe I can invite Duke and Happiness for a surprise get-together. It’s been a while since the four of us hung out.

“Youki-san, you seem to be in a good mood.”  [Cecilia]

“Yeah, I was just thinking about something. I guess it’s because today seems like it’ll be a relaxing and laid-back day. My mind feels clear and free of stress.”  [Youki]

“Recently, whenever we went out together, it had been for a purpose, like a guild mission or mediation. But like you said, this time, we’ll be able to take it easy… I’m quite excited about it, too.”  [Cecilia]

Cecilia smiled as she gazed out the window, her hair fluttering in the breeze. She looked so beautiful in that moment. I was also looking forward to today’s outing, so we shared the same sentiment. If Sheik and the others weren’t here, I would have already reached out to hold her hand.

As my uncertain feelings settled, I listened to Quinn-kun’s grumbling about his family, admired the scenery outside, and chatted with Cecilia. Before long, we arrived at our destination.

We left the carriage at the rest area at the foot of the mountain, with the coachman staying behind to watch over it. Once everyone was ready, we began to climb the mountain… or so we thought.

“Sheik, you really aren’t getting up!”  [Youki]

Even after I shook him, he kept repeating, “Five more minutes,” showing no signs of actually waking up. And it wasn’t just Sheik, either.

“Fiora, wake up.”  [Quinn]

“Zzz…”  [Fiora]

“Come on, get up and start walking.”  [Quinn]

Fiora-chan was also sound asleep, leaving us in a predicament. Since it was a day trip, any delay here would mean less time to enjoy the mountain scenery. It wouldn’t be good to spoil them, but there was no other choice.

“Should I carry them on my back?”  [Youki]

I lifted Sheik so that it looked like I was carrying a sack of rice over my shoulder. This method allowed me to carry both of them and climb the mountain. It was a brilliant idea, if I say so myself.

“Youki-san, if you do that, people will think you’re kidnapping them. It’s suspicious…”  [Cecilia]

“Seriously? Then how about carrying on in my arms and giving the other a piggyback ride? Though that would be pretty tough on my posture. No, I can’t do it because of the backpack. We’ll have to go with the kidnapping style. Otherwise, we have to wake one of them up somehow. If it’s Sheik, I can wake him up no matter what it takes.”  [Youki]

“Please stop. What are you planning to do to Sheik-kun?!”  [Cecilia]

Back at the Demon Lord’s castle, when he wasn’t listening, I did some crazy things. So did Duke. But even then, Sheik kind of enjoyed it.

“This time, I am thinking of using mid-level wind magic, ‘Tornado’, and mid-level water magic, ‘Aqua Pressure’, to create a water tornado and wash him up until he wakes up.”  [Youki]

“Don’t!”  [Cecilia]

Sheik was happy when I did that before. I used magic to envision it as an amusement park attraction. When Happiness joined in, we flooded the room, so we all happily received a scolding from Duke. It was nostalgic.

“Ah, enough already! Fiora-chan, please at least walk by yourself.”  [Cecilia]

“Mumble… poof.”  [Fiora]

Fiora-chan somehow pulled out a familiar piece of paper from her pocket. It was a shikigami that Clayman used. She absentmindedly threw it, and with a poof, it emitted smoke. What appeared from the smoke was a rugged-looking stone golem. It was a simple golem without a face, but cat ears were on it. Upon seeing the unexpected scene before us, Cecilia and I were stunned.

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