Chapter 401: Gathering
After using Teleportation to return to the House, Rishu sniffed at me, his mouth forming a slight frown. I had made sure to recover my Magic Power before coming back so as not to worry him, yet he still reacted with that subtle expression.
“Do I smell weird?”
Is it the scent of pine resin?
He looked suspicious as he sniffed, but it seemed I passed Rishu’s inspection. He stretched out his front legs and lowered his upper body, wagging his tail in excitement. His expression shifted to a playful invitation. Dogs really are expressive creatures.
For a while, I played tag with Rishu, darting around the grape trellis. He would take a few steps back, stop, and look at me. That was my cue to dash toward him, and he would leap back, creating a little distance again. We repeated this playful routine.
When Rishu seemed satisfied, I caught him and began to pet him vigorously. His fur felt cool to the touch, but it was soft and fluffy like a puppy’s. It was a strange sensation.
Today, it seemed I was being invited to a card game, which was really just a chance to vent to the Butler. Given that the topic would be about Es, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it would be unpleasant. But card games are fun, so it was a dilemma.
After preparing dinner for Rishu, I Teleported to Kanum’s House. I peeked into the room at the back of the Card Game Room.
There he was. Daifuku was sprawled on the bed, lying on a zabuton. He was not curled up but rather stretched out with his belly exposed. His paw pads and nose were pink.
The zabuton noticed me and flicked its horn. It didn’t look my way, but its whiskers twitched, so Daifuku must have sensed my presence too.
I quietly sat at the edge of the bed, extending my fingers to shake hands (?) with the zabuton’s corner, then held my hand in front of Daifuku’s nose. —May I pet you?
It seemed to be okay, as Daifuku rolled over toward me. As I gently stroked his throat and cheeks with my fingertips, he nudged against my hand, demanding more attention.
Dogs are usually happy no matter where you pet them, but cats can be picky. However, Daifuku would eventually allow me to pet him anywhere after a while. If he wasn’t in the mood, he wouldn’t let me touch him at first. But today, I could pet him to my heart’s content!
The zabuton remained still, carrying Daifuku on top.
Recently, it seemed the zabuton had figured out that I was moving around a lot, as it often stayed by Grandfather’s side on the Island. However, when it got too hot, it would sometimes escape to Kanum’s side.
It seemed to enjoy carrying things, as it usually had Daifuku on it in this room at Kanum’s. Whether it was the original zabuton or just a reflection of it was a mystery, but it seemed to have originally been a cushion meant for the Spirit’s Branch, so maybe that was the reason?
◇ ◆ ◇
“Hey. Don’t mind me.”
“Welcome.”
I greeted Dinoss as he entered through the back door and climbed the stairs.
“Am I the last one?”
Dinoss asked, glancing toward the game room.
Retze and Karn were already in the room. There was no sound, but Dinoss must have sensed their presence.
“Note hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Hope he didn’t run away…”
Dinoss frowned, a crease forming between his brows.
“Note is strong at cards.”
If we were betting, I thought Dinoss and I would be the ones getting cleaned out. While Dinoss seemed to be the strongest when something important was at stake, I had a feeling he was just as likely to lose.
“I’m not talking about the game. Ah, looks like he’s here.”
Dinoss stopped and looked down.
Just then, the Butler’s voice announced the arrival from the entrance.
“Alright!”
Dinoss rushed down the stairs more roughly than usual to greet the Butler.
What’s with that? He seemed to be a mix of irritation and excitement.
Since there was no point in both of us going, I continued up the stairs to the game room. Dinoss was quick, so I was a bit late.
“Note has arrived.”
“Ah, everyone is here.”
Retze replied, with Daifuku resting on his lap. Not sensing Daifuku’s presence, Retze sat with his legs slightly apart, so Daifuku was actually draped over his legs, flowing down between them.
The zabuton, which had been trying to lift Karn from below, noticed me and flew over, poking me with its horn.
“Hold on a second. I need to finish cooking.”
Food before the game.
When I said that, the zabuton nodded once—bending at a thirty-degree angle in the middle—and returned to its task of lifting Karn. I wondered why it was trying to lift him.
The zabuton should be able to see the Ball of Light, right? Haulon next to me had a strange expression, but if Karn ignored it, he’d better keep ignoring it, or Retze would catch on.
“I can tell you’re talking to the Spirit. Just be careful not to let it slip outside, alright?”
Retze warned me.
“Yeah, yeah. Is the drink wine?”
“Yeah, please.”
“Understood.”
“Okay.”
After receiving their responses, I took out a bottle of wine.
In the center of the room was a table for games. It used to have four chairs, but now there were six. The table was cleared of food, and a side table was placed between the chairs, where snacks and drinks were prepared.
Sometimes, one of us would be stretched out on the three-seater sofa at the edge. The shelves were filled with game boards collected from various places, along with trinkets and wine I had bought, and wine glasses—creating a cozy space that felt like a secret base for friends to hang out.
And I was actually able to invite friends over!