The Great Totori House-Building Operation

Tori scampered about with a pitter-patter, pitter-patter. From one root tip to another. Sniffing with its nose. Perking up its ears.

Cute... I watched contentedly. How could it be so adorable? With its round body. Fluffy tail. Pointed ears sticking up. The more I looked, the more it resembled Totoro—it was uncanny.

I was lost in a daze, staring at Tori, when—

-Heyyy!

The spirits fluttered over in a flurry.

-You're not favoring Tori over us, right?

-Huh?

-Not more than us? Right?

Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?

-Not more than me?

-What about me?

The spirits swarmed in a mob and cried out.

-You like Tori more than us?

Their words were pouty, but their faces looked desperate. At the sight, I replied gently.

Psh. Of course you guys are the best.

In that instant, the spirits' faces lit up radiantly.

-Waaah! Really?

-We're really the best?

-Yeah, yeah!

They'd gotten the answer they wanted—the spirits buzzed around ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠excitedly. I chuckled at the sight.

They're jealous, huh.

Well, yeah. A new monster had suddenly appeared, so it made sense. And not just any monster, but an incredibly cute one.

They say the same thing happens when raising kids. The firstborn gets anxious when the second is born.

Guess that's it.

Then I'd just have to take extra good care of them so they wouldn't feel left out.

As I was thinking that—

Oh! Skill levels went up! I immediately checked the descriptions.

Nice!

Mana absorption would increase now.

One less thing to worry about.

I rustled my leaves proudly when—

Whoosh! A cool breeze blew.

The sun was already dipping low. Sunset stretched long through the forest.

The leaves took on a red glow. Whoosh! Another chilly gust.

The cold made me feel truly alive.

A lot's happened, huh.

Got hit by a truck. Picked an option. Turned into a plant. Took down the queen mana earthworm monster. Met the spirits and Tori.

So many events. Come to think of it...

...What do I do with Tori?

It's alone in this Pirel Forest right now. No other Totori in sight.

Looks like it'll stick around for a while...

Where should it sleep? Just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on the ground? That seemed wrong.

As I pondered—

Pitter-patter. Tori approached.

“Kku-wung?”

It tilted its head, gazing up at me with round eyes. My branch reflected in those clear orbs.

...

Damn. How could I make such a cute little thing sleep on the dirt floor? No way. Absolutely not.

Tori needed a house. But it was already late today...

For tonight, maybe tuck it up on a branch?

I could cover it with leaves for warmth. I'm still a sapling, but Tori was so small, it should work. Hand-palm sized, after all.

Should be fine.

I called the spirits.

Hey, can you tell Tori to sleep on the branch tonight?

-Sure!

-Leave it to us!!

The spirits puffed out their chests and zipped over to Tori.

-Sleep on the branch!

-Nights are cold!

-How 'bout it? Grateful, right?

-Say thanks quick!

...

Spirits... Thanks, but why do you look so proud?

I rustled my leaves awkwardly. Meanwhile, Tori waddled over grumpily.

“Kku-wung!”

I lowered a branch toward it. Tori clambered up clumsily.

Then... wriggle wriggle. It settled in.

A tiny weight settled on the branch.

...

For some reason, it felt nice. Tonight, somehow... I'd feel less lonely than usual.

“Kkuuu-wung~”

-Grab this!

-Think you can catch it?

Giggle giggle.

A lively morning after so long. Tori and the spirits were playing tag.

Spirits flew ahead. Tori chased behind.

-So fast!!

-Can't catch me?!

“Kku-wung!”

Tori bounced on its hind legs. Hard to believe these were the same spirits jealous yesterday.

Good thing.

They'd gotten close quick. I watched warmly, swaying my branches.

Time to get started.

Today, I'd build Tori a house. This precious encounter deserved the best. I even wanted it to settle here permanently.

For that, it needs a comfy home first.

But...

What kind of houses do Totori live in?

Dig burrows? Nest-like twig huts? Or mud huts maybe. If burrows, I could help with roots.

As I mulled it over—

-What's wrong?

-Something bothering you?

The spirits had gathered around, blinking curiously.

I want to build Tori a house, but I don't know what theirs look like.

They glanced at each other.

-I saw it!

-Me too!!

One shot up a hand, and the rest chimed in rapid-fire.

-Totori houses have stone walls!

-Yeah! Yeah!

-Roofs of twigs and big leaves!

-Stone houses!

Oh.

Got it.

So we'll need stones, twigs, and leaves.

As I wondered how to get them—

The spirits locked eyes and shouted brightly.

-We can help!

-Yeah! We got this!

-Super quick!

Uh... really?

-Of course!

-It's your request!

-We don't like Tori, but... for you!

They were so eager to help. I felt grateful but guilty for using them so much.

So I cautiously offered.

Then... as thanks, I'll give you a gift.

-Gift?!

Their eyes sparkled.

-What gift?

-What is it?

-Tell us! Tell us!!

Their manic gazes startled me.

Well... nothing special.

I only had one thing anyway.

One leaf each.

Silence fell.

Hm. Disappointed? Yeah, they could touch my leaves anytime... Calling it a gift was lame.

But their reaction floored me.

-Mine!

-Me too! I want one!!

-I want your leaf too!

-All of them?!

Uh... no, just one. To the one who works hardest...

Before I finished—

-I'll ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠get it!!

-I'll be first!

-I'm the fastest!!

The spirits all flew off.

...Kids?

They wanted leaves that bad? I laughed in disbelief when—

“Kku-wung!”

A sound from below. There was little Tori, hugging a stone as big as its body. Round eyes sparkling up at me.

...You joining too?

“Kku-wung!”

Tori cried out vigorously. I was speechless.

House-building went faster than expected. Or rather... it was total chaos.

The spirits really started fetching materials. Rolling flat stones from the river. Carrying twigs. Flying with huge leaves clutched tight.

They eyed each other competitively.

-I'm doing great, right?!

-I'm better, right?!

-I'm the best, right?!

Bickering nonstop. But their hands never stopped.

Yeah, yeah. You're all great.

They all perked up and worked harder. Oh. This works well.

Tori kept up too. Tiny body hauling stones diligently.

Spirits placed stones. I supplied moist soil with roots. Tori packed it into the gaps with its paws.

“Kku-wung. Kku-wung.”

Its round body swayed back and forth.

When energy flagged—

“Kku-wung~”

Tori danced to grow a tomato. Plucked one, chomped heartily.

“Kku-wung!”

Back to smearing soil. Self-charging, huh.

Spirits munched tomatoes too, chattering.

-Yummy!

-So sweet!

-Me too! Me!

-One more!

The house took shape nicely. Flat stones stacked tight. Gaps filled with soil. Twigs laid over top.

As the sun dipped—

Last one.

The final leaf settled gently on the roof.

“Kku-wung!”

Tori stomped excitedly. Clearly thrilled. It dove inside.

“Kku-wung~”

A satisfied sound echoed out. Good. It likes it.

Thump thump thump. Tori bounced around inside. Corner to corner. Sounded happy.

Soon it dashed out. Ran to me and—

Kkuuu-wung!

Raised both arms high. No explanation needed. It was saying thanks.

Good job.

I shook my leaves warmly. Then a window popped up.

I stared blankly at the window.

Huh? Resident?

And the skill got stronger?