Chapter 23.
He quickly helped me to my feet but still couldn’t tear his gaze away from me.
Then, as if he suddenly realized something, his face turned bright red, and he abruptly jumped back, putting a wide distance between us.
Yeah. I finally understand why he acts like this now.
Ugh. This scholar again…
I sighed and asked,
“Are you back to your senses now?”
He lifted a fist and cleared his throat awkwardly, nodding.
“Ahem. Hem. Your cooking… is certainly effective. Th-thank you.”
“Your jaw? I couldn’t control my strength earlier. Is it okay?”
Looking closely, it did seem slightly swollen.
It was a little funny to ask after hitting him, but…
If I hadn’t done it, he really might’ve died.
“My jaw is fine. If I ever lose control again, please… deal with me the same way.”
“Good. Thank goodness. Let’s go home. I think you got way too stressed catching Hirata…”
This fragile little thing…
I swallowed back the rest of my thought and left the kitchen with Kaizen.
The rabbit couple, curious about what we’d been doing inside, was waiting on the sofa with wide, round eyes.
“Thanks. I used the kitchen well. I made a lot of fried chicken in there—eat it for dinner later.”
For anyone besides Kaizen, the effect would probably just be a boost in mood.
I infused that chicken with a positive-lighting spell.
They were the only beastfolk who hadn’t eaten my churros during the festival.
But soon the entire village would regain their memories. If the couple remained the only ones who didn’t, that would only make things harder for them…
So I left it as thanks for borrowing the kitchen.
“Are… Are you already leaving?”
The rabbit couple stood up from the sofa, eyes wide.
Zeke was playing on the floor under the sofa with a toy.
“Yeah. Just endure missing us for a bit. We’ll see each other again soon anyway.”
“……?”
They looked confused, but I didn’t bother explaining. They’d know soon enough.
“We’re going. Thanks again for the kitchen. Zeke, see you next time.”
Zeke lifted his head from his toy and gave a tiny wave.
Even after what happened today, he was still playing so innocently. That kid was tougher than he looked.
“W-wait, please!”
Just as we were about to leave the inn, the lady came rushing out, arms full of something wrapped tightly in cloth.
“It’s not much, but please accept this.”
And before I could react, she shoved the bundle into my arms.
Inside were rice and various ingredients.
Surprised, I looked up to see her watching me with warm eyes.
My own eyes prickled at her kindness.
“We couldn’t buy anything at the store, so this is perfect. Thank you—we’ll eat well.”
“No, thank you. I didn’t even properly express my gratitude earlier. I was too frantic then, but… thank you so much for saving Zeke.”
Both of them bowed deeply.
I waved my hand.
“You don’t have to be so grateful. It’s not like I did it for free.”
“Even so…”
The lady still looked at me like I was some lifesaving benefactor.
My chest felt strangely ticklish.
“See you next time!”
After that final goodbye, we left the inn.
We were heading toward the village entrance when Hamma appeared in the distance, snowy hair flying wildly as she ran.
“Romi! Hero! Where have you two been?!”
The house rabbit was furious.
I calmed her down as she scolded us with fists planted on her waist, spit flying as she ranted.
“Relax. Kaizen almost died, so we had no choice.”
“W-WHAT? HUUH?!”
Hamma trembled all over.
Then she whipped her head toward Kaizen, who had already walked ahead toward the village entrance, and glared fiercely.
“To think my seven years almost rewound again without me knowing…!”
“Yeah. I protected your seven years.”
Her puffed-up cheeks deflated, and she let out a huge sigh that could’ve shaken the village.
“Haaah… I can’t take my eyes off him for even a second. If he dies again, I’m not letting it slide!”
“Okay, okay. Let’s go. He needs to rest. You delivered the note properly, right?”
“A-ah, that’s actually what I needed to tell you!”
She whispered even though no one was around.
“The chief already regained his memories! He understood the note instantly!”
“What? Then why didn’t he follow you?”
“He looked like he had a lot on his mind, so I followed your instructions and just tossed Hirata’s head at him… and he screamed and ran away…”
She looked deflated, so I patted her head.
“You did well. That old man’s too cowardly to ignore my warning anyway.”
I’d threatened him enough. He wouldn’t dare overlook it.
Besides, he knew what would happen if he did. His nights would be… chaotic.
Now all I had to do was wait.
Tomorrow if we were lucky—within three days at the latest.
Enough. No more thinking about the chief.
First, I needed to stabilise Kaizen.
I turned away from the village and walked quickly.
The moment we got home, I laid Kaizen down and kept him from moving even a finger. Then I cooked three meals a day and fed him on schedule.
Checking on him every single hour like a critical-care soldier for two whole days—
And finally, his gauge recovered to three bars!
“Whew. I really need to get rid of that skull soon.”
As I muttered to myself, Kaizen—looking much better now—asked suddenly,
“What skull?”
“There’s something huge above your head. A really nasty one.”
“……?”
He touched his head, feeling his scalp. Finding nothing, he frowned.
Of course he can’t see it. Only I can.
I sighed and was debating what to make for lunch when the front door suddenly burst open.
“Romi!”
Hamma came running in, unusually excited. She set down a wrapped bundle and said proudly,
“Tada! Guess what I made?”
She whisked off the cloth.
Shining cooking tools sparkled underneath.
I rushed over in surprise.
Frying pans, a set of three pots, a huge cauldron, a perfectly sharpened knife and scissors—everything I had asked her to make.
“Wow. You finished all this already?”
“Ahem. I am the most talented blacksmithing rabbit in the village!”
Ignoring her smugness, I inspected the tools.
Even with my untrained eye, they looked incredibly sturdy and high-quality. The coating on the frying pan was amazing.
“Hamma… You’re pretty good, huh?”
“Of course! Now keep your promise!”
She puffed out her belly expectantly.
“What promise?”
“You said you’d build me a house…!”
She pouted as if I had forgotten.
I ruffled her hair.
“I’m kidding. I’ll build it. But we’re eating first.”
“Yesss! You really mean it?!”
She hopped in place, thrilled.
Meanwhile, Kaizen looked miserable, clicking his tongue from where he lay with one arm as a pillow.
“Do you have some illness that prevents you from being quiet?”
“Hmph! Maybe you can sleep on dirt floors, but delicate house rabbits like me need indoor beds!”
“I never said I preferred dirt floors!”
“I know. I can tell by looking around! And weren’t you the one who said living under the same roof with a woman you’re not betrothed to is improper? Hmph.”
“It is only because of our current situation!”
“Suuure, if you say so.”
Looking at the gleaming pots gave me an idea for what to cook.
I pulled out my notebook and scribbled a quick sketch.
Then I called out to the two squabbling behind me.
“Stop fighting and come here.”
“……?”
“……?”
Pointing out the window, I assigned each of them their mission.
