Chapter 31: Meeting the Isshiki Family

Our Isshiki family was quite nervous about going on a trip.

Even though it’s called a trip, it wasn’t like we were going to a fancy hotel or a hot spring inn. We rented an entire log house in a nature-rich area, the kind of place you’d go for a school overnight study, to play and have a barbecue. That’s all it was.

But this was the first time we were doing it as a family.

“The log house is already built, right? We don’t have to build it ourselves, right?”
“I-I think… it should be fine. There were pictures.”
“…We’ll see when we get there. It’s about time we head out.”

This was the state of the three older members of the family.
Sena and Seika looked a bit anxious as they clung to Nina’s sides.

“Are we not coming home?”
“Are we never coming back?”

Maybe they were confusing it with a moving house, as the memory of moving was still fresh for them.

“We’re coming back home. The place we’re going today is super fun. It’ll be fine!”

Mutsuki was carefreely singing his current favorite song, which he seemed to have learned in kindergarten.

Most of the luggage for the overnight stay was for the kids. It wasn’t a large amount, so Mitsuru and I carried most of it. “It’s good training!” was Mitsuru’s recent catchphrase. While I appreciated his positive attitude no matter what, he was assimilating into the baseball team too quickly.

We walked to the station, took the train, and transferred partway. We took the local line with a single track to reach our destination station.

Mitsuru stood, staring intently at the displayed station names, determined not to miss our stop. The gentle rocking of the train lulled Sena, Seika, and Mutsuki to sleep, Nina also begins to row the boat lightly.

[T/N: 舟を漕ぐ (fune wo kogu)
Literally, “to row a boat.” is “To nod off or starting to fall asleep”]

For me, it was a pleasant scene that felt like the perfect holiday.

Once off the train, we caught a bus. Though there weren’t many buses, I had already checked that there was one at just the right time. After a short walk, we’d reach today’s destination.

I left my family outside the management building and went in. We were scheduled to meet Kirishima-san’s group there.

“—Ah, it’s Isshiki-kun.”
“Perfect timing. We’ve completed the check-in.”

Kirishima-san, holding the key, and Shiraishi-san, carrying a grocery bag, greeted us.

The two had rented a car and done the shopping before coming here. They had only recently gotten their drivers’ licenses, and messages of their struggles at the driving school had been shared with us.

“Thank you for your hard work. Thanks for doing the shopping.”
“We bought a lot, so let’s make sure everyone eats plenty.”

Shiraishi-san lifted the grocery bags with a smile, seemingly shining as brightly as an LED light turned on high. It must have been my imagination. Probably.

“I’ll take one.”
“Thanks. Just one, please.”

The bags were packed with meat and vegetables and were quite heavy. As I peeked inside, Kirishima-san pulled my arm.

“Hey, you should go first.”
“Got it.”

I exited the management building, with the two following soon after. The Isshiki family, watching us intently, looked surprised.

“These are Shiraishi-san and Kirishima-san, who taught me about adventure. We’re depending on them for several things today, so please greet them.”
“Nice to meet you.”

As Nina bowed her head first, the others followed suit.
With brief introductions from Shiraishi-san and Kirishima-san, I stood on the opposite side from earlier.

“This is Nina, Mitsuru, Seika, and Seina, and Mutsuki.”

“And that’s Ik-kun.”

After introducing the family, Mutsuki pointed at me and introduced me when I finished.
Being cute and well-behaved, I patted him on the head.

As the general introductions went on while on the move,

“…Shall we continue with introductions after moving to the log house?”

Kirishima-san suggested, and everyone agreed. The sunlight here was too intense.

◇

We continued the introductions over lunch at the log house. We explored the huge house, which could accommodate up to 10 people, and afterward, went outside.

At one point, when Shiraishi-san called “Isshiki-kun,” to which I, Mitsuru, and Mutsuki responded. When Kirishima-san called “Isshiki,” everyone in the Isshiki family reacted, resulting in them not addressing me.

Could it be that they don’t know my first name?

Pondering this doubt, we ventured outside to play. My name is Itsuki Isshiki. My first name is Itsuki, right? Surely it is. Then again, I seldom used it in front of Shiraishi-san and Kirishima-san.

I haven’t called them by their first names either… so I guess it’s mutual.

“….…”

Well, there’s no use worrying about it.

I’ve never really been called by my first name, even as a kid. It’s not something to be surprised about now.

Besides, I should be happy that the two ladies are getting along well with the Isshiki family.

Kirishima-san is extremely caring and quickly became very popular. With the agility to lead the front line in a dungeon, Mitsuru seemed on the verge of becoming her apprentice. Along with Sena and Seika, they were playing tag as a group of four.

Mutsuki clung to Shiraishi-san, with Nina nearby. The three of them headed for the shade for a walk.

I was thinking about what to do when Sena and Seika called me.

“Ik-kun, let’s play!”

Since the older group had an advantage, we decided to have them run with one leg. Later, we changed the rules so that those running had to carry Sena and Seika on their backs.

“Ik-kun, you’re fast!”
“Yuko-san, you’re fast too!”

“Damn… Brother and Yuko-san are too tough!”

Given that Kirishima-san and I were accustomed to dungeon standards, we still had energy even carrying grade school girls on our backs. Though we lacked short bursts of speed, Mitsuru noticeably struggled as time went on.

“Huff… huff… Damn, I won’t lose.”

When the trio returned from their walk, Mitsuru carried Mutsuki on his back.

“I won’t be defeated… by brother or Yuko-san.”

“Great spirit. Let’s do our best, Seika.”
“Yeah!”

“Ehh…”

For some reason, Kirishima-san seemed quite into it. She apparently has a general fondness for the younger ones.
Feeling a pat on my shoulder from Sena as she rides on my back,

“Ik-kun too, yeah!”
“Alright, let’s do our best!”

Encouraged by Sena, I had no choice but to give it my all.

◇

Watching Itsuki run around with a child on his back, Nina gave a troubled smile. She bowed her head slightly to Haruka beside her.

“I’m sorry, everyone seems to be really excited.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Yuko have so much fun. I’m grateful too.”

Seeing them happily running around, undeterred by the August heat, Haruka suddenly looked at Nina.

“Shall we join them?”
“Eh, does that mean Haruka-san will carry me on your back?”

“I used to be an adventurer too, so I think I could do it.”
“I’ll pass.”

“Alright.”

Nina and Haruka decided to watch from a slight distance.

Nina gave a sidelong glance at Haruka. Her long hair was tied into a single bundle, and she usually wore a gentle expression. She is a beautiful person. It was hard to believe she used to be an adventurer.

Somehow, Nina couldn’t fully grasp the concept of a dungeon.

“Can I ask about my brother?”
“Sure.”

“Is my brother strong?”

Haruka accurately understood the concern behind Nina’s question. Nina was worried if Itsuki would continue and return safely from venturing into dungeons.

–He’ll come back, surely.

Haruka remembered Yuuko confidently saying this. Haruka smiled gently and answered.

“He’s strong… but I think his strength as an adventurer lies elsewhere.”
“What is it? Itsuki-nii–what is my brother’s strength?”

Haruka focused her gaze on Itsuki, who was running afar. Doing so let her see everyone playing at once.

“Attraction, maybe.”

It was different from flashy charisma. More subconscious and expansive. Sometimes it was so indiscriminate that it even attracted monsters.

“For some reason, people are unknowingly drawn to be near Isshiki-kun… I think he has that kind of power.”
“Is that a good thing?”

“At least, for me and Yuko, it is.”

Seeing Itsuki collapse on the grass, laughing, Haruka said. Yuko and Mitsuru toppled down as if drawn to him, while Sena, Seika, and Mutsuki ran around them, giggling.

“It’ll be alright, Nina-chan.”

Watching the scene, Haruka reassured herself perhaps just as much as the girl next to her.

“Your brother will surely become an amazing adventurer.”