Chapter 23
Chapter 23
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Did You Wait Long?
The sun had completely set.
Stars embroidered the sky,
and deep blue darkness enveloped the entire world.
No signs of people,
no lights on the street.
The whole world seemed asleep, wrapped in silence.
I looked down at my hands full of luggage.
"...I want to fly."
But I couldn't anymore.
I had to live here with the child,
and to do that, I needed to avoid unnecessary attention and suspicion.
"Pretending to be human is hard too..."
A long sigh escaped me.
On the way to the cabin,
I carried far too much in my hands.
Food for the child,
things the child needed,
even the stuff Hubert told me to buy.
The weight wasn't an issue,
but the bulk made it cumbersome and inconvenient.
My hands were tied up, and the bags kept bumping into my body.
When I spread my arms to avoid that, they snagged on branches or bushes.
'...Annoying.'
I recalled my conversation with Hubert just moments ago.
When I returned to the bookstore,
there was way more luggage than what I'd bought earlier.
Besides what we'd picked out together,
he'd bought groceries on my behalf,
and added other things he thought I'd need without a word.
"What's with all this?"
"All necessary stuff."
"Ugh..."
Hubert shrugged leisurely.
A faint smile played on his face.
Still, he briefly explained what each was for and how to use it.
Before I knew it, quite some time had passed.
"Hm, it's gotten pretty late."
"...Yeah."
"If you don't know how to use something, just let me know anytime."
"Okay. Thanks."
I glanced outside.
The red sunset was vanishing beyond the window.
Foot traffic on the street had died down, and stars sparsely dotted the sky.
'...Oh, right.'
I needed to ask Hubert something.
I'd promised the child I'd bring something tasty.
"Hey, is there a place nearby that sells something delicious?"
"Hm? There is, but most places are probably closed by now."
"I see..."
A small sigh slipped out.
Breaking my promise to the child didn't sit well.
"Hmm..."
Seeing that, Hubert thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
"How about you make it yourself?"
"...Me?"
"Yeah. It's late today, so use the bread I bought instead, and tomorrow morning, you can make breakfast yourself. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Me making it...
Since Hubert had organized everything, it seemed doable.
But—
"If I make it... will she like it?"
"Hoho, why wouldn't she? Handmade food has meaning in itself."
Hubert chuckled lightly and patted my back.
His words somehow rang persuasively true.
'Make it myself...'
Cooking was new to me,
but it didn't sound bad.
"Alright. I'll make breakfast tomorrow."
"Hoho, good thinking. Just follow the book, and it won't be hard."
"Yeah. I'll head back now. She's waiting."
"Take care."
I gathered all the bags by the counter.
Hubert watched me silently,
then glanced at the bundles in my hands.
"You planning to carry all that?"
"Yeah."
"Seems like too much... How about taking just the essentials and coming back tomorrow?"
"Coming back here is more hassle."
"Hoho, you too."
And so, I carried every last bit.
Again, a bag caught on the bushes.
I tilted my head back slightly and let out a long breath.
'Should've listened to Hubert.'
Going back and forth to the village,
or walking with hands full of luggage.
Which was more annoying?
Lost in such pointless thoughts, the cabin came into view before I knew it.
"Huh...?"
It was time more like early dawn than night.
Yet,
the cabin's lights shone brightly.
Had she fallen asleep with them on?
Or was she waiting awake?
I quickened my pace a bit.
"......!"
"Hm?"
A thumping sound came from the door.
Before I could set down the bags, the door burst open.
The quiet forest path
brightened the instant the door opened.
The one who'd opened it was the child, practically hanging off the door.
She'd barely gripped the handle with her arms,
leaning her whole body to push it open.
"...Huh."
"!"
Crawling marks trailed on the floor.
Small bloodstains dotted the path,
and her knees were scraped again.
Even so,
upon seeing me, the child—
smiled broadly, looking relieved somehow.
She reached out her arms toward me,
then lost balance and slipped.
Her small body sprawled on the floor, but
even then, she smiled at me again.
I hurriedly set down the bags and scooped up the fallen child.
"Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"......"
The child's hand gripped my robe tightly.
I gently wiped the tears pooling in her eyes.
"...Did you cry a lot?"
"......"
"You waited so patiently, but I couldn't bring anything tasty."
"......"
The child looked up at me.
Then, as if to say it was okay, she slowly shook her head.
Just happy I was back,
she leaned her face against me and let out a high-pitched laugh.
I lowered my gaze to check her knees.
"Hm, need to apply medicine again."
"......"
"Next time, don't rush to open it. You'll get hurt."
"......"
"But thanks for today."
The child nodded with a smile.
Her feelings of waiting
reached me without words.
Her expression,
her gestures,
her eyes told me so.
'You waited for me to come back.'
That feeling
came through as vividly as if spoken aloud.
I entered the cabin.
The fireplace still held a small flickering flame.
I gently set the child down in front of it and stood.
"Cold, right? Stay here."
"......"
Her small hand clutched my robe.
As if she didn't want to let go.
"It's okay. I'm not going anywhere for a while."
"......"
"Too much hassle to go back to the village, so I brought all the luggage."
The child gave a small smile.
This time, just the corners of her mouth lifted slightly,
yet it seemed somehow joyful.
"Wait a bit. I'll move the stuff inside first."
"......"
Her small hand let go reluctantly,
very slowly.
Finally, she nodded slowly.
I moved the luggage inside.
Food first,
then the child's clothes, dishes, daily necessities, blankets, and so on...
The small cabin quickly filled with bags big and small.
I pulled out just the blankets for now.
Spread them near the fireplace to keep warm, then glanced at the rest.
The luggage that had annoyed me the whole way.
Now unpacked, it seemed even more daunting where to start.
"Sorting this will be a chore too..."
"......"
The child, staring at me blankly, pouted her lips.
A slightly sulky expression.
Her cheeks puffed up, eyebrows slightly raised.
"Hm?"
"......!"
As I tilted my head at her, she patted the floor, signaling me to come.
As if to say she'd waited long enough.
Her gesture was so bold, a laugh escaped me unwittingly.
"Got it. Coming now."
"!"
I grabbed the bread Hubert bought and headed to her.
I decided to forget the rest for now.
Could sort tomorrow if needed.
As I approached the fireplace,
her two arms opened wide, as if she'd been waiting.
Small,
but a clear welcome.
I carefully lowered myself beside her.
Without hesitation, she leaned into me.
Poof—
Her small head touched my chest.
Like tension released, her breathing slowed gently.
I held the child in my arms.
She'd been fighting sleep; her eyes were softly closing.
"...Mm, guess no bread tonight."
"......"
"Nah, tomorrow's fine. Sleep. I'll apply the medicine."
When I tried to lay her on the blanket,
she gripped my robe tighter.
Seemed she'd waited plenty today.
Half-lidded eyes,
cheeks puffed again.
"Alright. I'll carry you."
"!"
Her face brightened instantly.
As if the sleepiness from moments ago was a lie.
Eyelids heavy,
but mouth corners clearly upturned.
A smile saying her wait was rewarded.
"Mm..."
"......?"
Why was that?
I had a feeling.
Tonight too, I'd have to lie beside her...
Specifically,
like last night,
she'd cling to me the whole sleep.
I shrugged leisurely.
"Was gonna read the cookbook all night."
"......"
"Got it. I'll just lie with you tonight."
"!"
Hearing that, she beamed.
Was it that good?
The antiseptic stung,
yet she bit her lip and endured.
"......"
"Good job enduring. You did well."
I stroked her after the stoic treatment.
She clutched my clothes.
As if asking to stay together.
As if wanting rest beside me.
Seeing her, I let out a small laugh.
"Got it. Let's sleep together."
"!"
Holding her,
I moved to the blanket by the fireplace
and lay down with her in my arms.
"......"
"...Sleepy?"
Her eyes closed.
Her breathing even and peaceful.
Stroking her bangs with one hand, I murmured softly.
"Tomorrow, I'll definitely make something tasty."
"......"
The corners of her mouth lifted ever so slightly.