Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: My Longtime Friend (2)
I arrived at the cabin door and pushed it open with one hand.
As the door swung open, the cozy warmth of the fireplace wafted gently out.
The child's trembling eased just a little.
"Warm, isn't it?"
"……."
"Come on in."
"Excuse me."
Rakiss glanced around the cabin interior for a moment.
Piles of materials in one corner,
the rabbit still munching on hay,
and the hearth and books that hadn't been tidied up yet.
After leisurely taking it all in, Rakiss perched on the windowsill.
The setting sun's rays filtered softly through the window.
I carefully set the child down.
"……."
"It's okay."
"……!"
The child, still wary of Rakiss,
peeked at us cautiously at my reassurance, then toddled over to the rabbit.
Even after scooping the rabbit into her arms,
she glanced back at us carefully.
Rakiss met her gaze and smiled lightly.
"You're doing well, Row."
"Yeah."
I nodded slowly, then remembered something.
I needed to prepare dinner.
Chat with my old friend could wait.
"Sorry. Mind waiting a bit?"
"Hm?"
"Gotta make dinner."
"...You?"
"Yeah."
I tied on the apron hanging in the kitchen.
Loren had insisted it was essential for housework.
And she was right.
It kept dust off,
splashing water from dishes away, and cooking stains at bay.
But—
today, it seemed I'd discovered yet another use.
"What's so funny?"
"……."
My longtime friend had been holding back laughter from the moment I put on the apron.
Rakiss was always more expressive with his emotions than me.
Still, it was rare for him to laugh so openly.
His shoulders shook.
Chuckles echoed through the cabin.
The wide-eyed child looked back and forth between Rakiss and me.
"Why are you laughing?"
"...You're adapting... better than I thought... Row."
"Am I?"
That was a relief, at least.
If to his eyes,
I seemed like I'd adapted.
I was still clumsy enough to agonize over what to make for dinner.
As I rummaged through the ingredients Loren had given me,
Rakiss's voice came, his laughter subsided.
"Don't mind me, Row. Take your time. I'll just look around."
"Okay."
"But in return, could you make some for me too? I'm curious about food made by you."
"Sure. Got it."
More work, but gladly for his request.
'Dinner... pancakes... that work...?'
Loren had given me a recipe for unsweetened pancakes, perfect.
Instead of syrup and whipped cream,
seasoned savory with sausage and potato salad.
'You can tweak it like this, huh.'
Fun.
Cooking was.
Far more variable and free than alchemy.
You had to mind ingredient ratios and prep,
but as long as you nailed the key value of 'taste,' most things were fine.
'Alright. Pancakes it is.'
My old friend, unlike me,
seemed to enjoy both sweets and savories.
Plus, the child loved them. Good enough.
I carefully measured the flour.
Mixed water, eggs, and butter into batter,
added baking powder, soda, and seasonings.
All while feeling their stares piercing me, as if by appointment.
One gaze soon drifted away.
Rakiss's.
Slow footsteps wandered leisurely through the cabin.
As I fetched water to boil the potatoes, I watched him.
My old friend observed the cabin
with eyes brimming with curiosity and delight.
Like when he examined his creations.
'He's enjoying himself.'
I stepped out to the well.
Winter was winter.
The sun had vanished in a blink, leaving dusk.
I hurried to draw water.
Come to think of it,
Hubert and Loren had said so.
Need indoor water access for the child's comfort.
Heard they'd call someone to install it, but no clue how.
They knew my ignorance well
and kindly offered help, but I declined.
Couldn't drag them here
in midwinter,
to this harsh forest.
'Especially not Hubert.'
He often needed rests strolling the village.
No way he'd endure these rugged mountain paths.
'There must be a way.'
I drew water leisurely and returned to the cabin.
The child, sitting by the door, crawled toward me sniffling.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"……!"
She clutched my pant leg tightly.
Her tiny hand trembled, yet gripped with all her might, as if refusing to let go.
'She's not usually like this.'
She'd patiently waited before during well trips.
"Just a sec. Gotta sort the water I drew."
"……."
"Wait with the rabbit."
Her hesitant hand slowly loosened.
Scared of Rakiss, maybe.
I set the potatoes boiling and gently scooped her up.
"……."
"What's up? Scared of Rakiss?"
"……."
"It's okay. He's my old friend."
Rakiss watched silently.
His gaze on the child as gentle as ever.
"Wanna say hi?"
"……."
Her little shoulders flinched.
And after long hesitation—
she nodded ever so carefully.
"Good. Take it slow. Rakiss'll wait forever."
"……."
I patted the child in my arms
and slowly walked toward Rakiss.
She burrowed into me, peeking up occasionally.
True to form, my friend.
Rakiss waited quietly without moving.
"……."
"……."
A slightly long silence passed.
Finally,
the child peeked out from my arms and bowed her head small.
Rakiss beamed.
"Yes. Nice to meet you."
"……!"
Mindful not to startle her,
he replied softly, so very softly.
Her eyes widened.
Surprised by the kinder response than expected?
Her hand eased its grip on my shirt just a bit.
"……."
"Good job."
"……!"
Her eyes sparkled.
I stroked her hair gently,
and she blushed but let out a tiny smile.
Watching, Rakiss said softly.
"Let's get to know each other slowly."
"……!"
"My dear friend has started living again after so long, so I'll be dropping by often."
"……."
The child gazed up at me intently.
A faint ripple crossed her eyes.
Wanting to trust,
yet scared,
and a bit curious—
complex, yet utterly honest.
I patted her back slowly, carefully.
"It's okay."
"……."
"Do what you want."
"Row's right. This cabin's owner isn't me—it's you."
Rakiss added with a smile.
"If you don't want me here, I'll stay away, sadly."
"……."
The child stared at Rakiss.
Then, very slowly,
nodded toward him once more.
"……."
"Thank you."
Rakiss smiled,
with kind eyes.
The water boiled.
By now,
the potatoes should be done.
I sat the child by the fireplace.
"Need help, Row?"
"Nah. I'm good."
I fished out the potatoes and mashed them.
Added seasonings per the recipe and tasted.
Took a bite.
Odd flavor, so another.
'Not bad... but unfamiliar.'
Somehow subtle.
I tilted my head.
"Is this right?"
"What's wrong, Row?"
"Rakiss, ever had potato salad?"
"Yeah."
"It's kinda sweet and sour. Right? Come taste."
Then the child crawled over, eyes sparkling.
Rakiss, watching her closely, slowly extended a hand.
"Mind if I hold you?"
"……."
"Row's hands are full. He doesn't have six arms like me."
"……?!"
Her eyes went huge as she stared at Rakiss.
As I'd taught her,
she spread ten fingers,
glancing between them and Rakiss's arms repeatedly—
tilting her head in confusion.
She urgently looked to me.
I chuckled.
"Yup. Six."
"?!?!!"
"He's changed form like me."
"Different from you. I borrowed someone else's look. Yours are both your true forms."
His current manifestation was a middle-aged human.
Unlike his true self,
only two arms now.
Humans here all had two, standard.
Rakiss smiled and extended his hand further.
"Crawling must be tiring."
"……."
Her eyes wavered slightly.
After a brief hesitation,
she reached out her tiny hand very carefully.
Rakiss lifted her slowly.
"……!"
"I'll bring you right back."
As he approached,
her stiff body visibly relaxed.
I fed them both potato salad.
"How is it?"
"...Not bad, Row. Tasty."
"……!"
"Good. Glad."
Watching them,
I took another bite of potato salad.
A little sweet,
a little tangy,
a little salty—
yet umami-rich.
"...So that's it."
"Yes. That's right, Row."
"Gotcha. Won't be long. Sit tight."
I started on the pancakes.
First, sweet ones for the child,
then as Loren taught.
Added sausage and potato salad to the batter centers, folded carefully.
'This should do.'
With warmed milk,
I placed the finished pancakes on the table gently.
White steam rose faintly from the hot pancakes.
"Dig in."
"Oh... looks good."
"!"
Rakiss took a piece and ate.
Then nodded slowly.
"Surprisingly decent."
"...Surprisingly?"
"Sorry. Expectations were low."
I chuckled at him nonchalantly taking another piece.
I cut sweet pancakes for the child too.
She hesitated, glancing at Rakiss,
then stuffed her beloved pancakes into her mouth carefully.
"……!"
Her eyes rounded instantly.
Cheeks puffed, face blooming with joy.
"Tasty?"
"!!!"
"Good."
She nodded vigorously, whole body happy.
My longtime friend.
The child I found.
They savored the meal I made.
Why was that?
This dinner tonight—
I had a feeling it wouldn't sink quietly into memory.