A Bracelet from the Heart ⑦ – Mineha and Ruriha.
The next morning. In my room, on my bed.
I was somewhat faintly conscious, yet at the same time, felt like I was more than half asleep.
As I was unreservedly enveloped in that sensation, I heard voices from somewhere.
The voices were quite close.
“So…”
“Isn’t that too much…?”
“Really?…”
“Next, this…”
“Then, cut that…”
What is it? I wonder.
I hear voices. Two of them, in fact. They seemed to be having a very cheerful exchange.
I slightly opened my eyes. I could see something. Since I was sleeping on my side, it wasn’t the ceiling.
That something was slowly, gently swaying.
That something was large, beautiful, and possessed an alluring roundness. Moreover, there were two of them.
The one on the right was white, and the one on the left was black.
Those two were swaying side to side, jutting out, swaying side to side, and jutting out, repeating this motion.
Each time, I felt they looked incredibly soft and very pleasant.
I was overcome by an urge to touch them. To knead them.
What on earth could this be?
While vaguely wondering, I honestly followed my desire and gently touched the black one on the left.
“Kyaaahhh!?”
A cute scream rang out.
Eh? Whoa! Just as I thought it was smoother and softer than I expected, I was startled.
And then, my consciousness fully awakened. I instinctively jumped up.
Turning around, Mineha-san, her face bright red, was glaring at me.
I knew instinctively. Ah, this is, well, bad.
“Oh my, how bold of you this early in the morning.”
Right beside her, Ruriha-san, the owner of the other bottom, was chuckling.
Yes, what I had touched was a butt. And it was Mineha-san’s butt.
Mineha-san and Ruriha-san were making breakfast.
They were in their grown forms, not Fairial.
In my room, there was a kitchen area with a small gap separating it from the bed.
So, when they stood there, their butts were naturally clearly visible from the bed.
There was a time before when two people stood there.
Mineha-san and Ms. Pachira. I can’t forget that magnificent view.
I didn’t touch them that time, though.
“Wof!!!”
Mineha-san roared.
“Y-Yes! I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help but touch Mineha-san’s butt—”
“You don’t have to say it! What do you think you’re doing, suddenly?!”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Honestly… You startled me, you know!”
“I apologize!”
“Oh my, it sounds as if it would have been fine if it wasn’t sudden.”
“Wh-What are you saying!? Mother, please be quiet!!”
“Oh my, how scary. And Wof-san, good morning.”
“G-Good morning.”
Ruriha-san greeted me with a smile as if nothing had happened, then continued.
For some reason, she emphasized her bottom in her white skirt. Why?
“If you’d like, would you care to touch my bottom too?”
“Eh… Huh?”
“It might not be as firm as Mineha’s, but I’m confident in its softness and size.”
“Eh, well, but…”
Ruriha-san’s bottom, outlined by her white skirt, was magnificently large.
I could tell just by looking that it was round and soft.
Ooh, so this is a peach-like bottom, I thought with admiration.
To be blunt. I want to touch it. If I could touch it, I’d want to knead it.
“Mother!! That’s enough!!”
Mineha-san shouted, embarrassed.
Even so, Ruriha-san laughed merrily.
“Half of it was a joke.”
Does that mean the other half was serious?
Then, Ruriha-san secretly winked at me. I gave a wry smile.
“…Once again, Mineha-san. Ruriha-san. Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Is that breakfast? This smell is…”
A unique spicy aroma. It’s curry. No doubt about it. Oh, curry…
“I told you before I’d make it for breakfast, didn’t I?”
“You did mention that.”
“A professional’s taste is delicious too, but I wanted you to try our family’s flavor if possible.”
“It’s the first time I’m learning, and it’s been a while since I’ve eaten it too.”
She seemed somewhat happy as she warmed the pot.
In a frying pan, she was stir-frying pan-mame. Is that a substitute for naan?
“Aren’t you going to eat it with rice?”
“Rice?”
“Rice with Curry Roux?”
So it’s called Curry Roux.
Could it be they don’t know about curry rice?
Come to think of it, when I was treated to it before, there wasn’t any rice either.
It was pan-mame, several kinds of stewed beans, or chicken.
I thought it was strange back then too, but I figured they were intentionally making it authentic to its origin.
So I had assumed rice was a separate thing. I was convinced of it.
It’s a preconception from my past life’s memories that curry naturally comes with rice.
Fairial’s curry dishes didn’t include rice.
In that case, I’m sure I had some Thai-style rice I bought cheaply.
Saying a quick “excuse me,” I took out a Pot from under the kitchen counter.
Opening the Pot, there was a bag. Inside the bag was long-grain rice, similar to Thai rice.
“What are you going to do with this? I can cook it, but it won’t be enough for the three of us.”
“Then, excuse me. Please put this in a pot with water, cover it, and heat it. Once it boils, stir it, and cook until the water is gone. Please taste it occasionally. It’s ready when it’s fluffy and steaming hot.”
“Got it. I’ll try.”
“Oh my, how obedient.”
“What is it?”
Pouting, her cheeks flushed red, she glared at her mother.
Ruriha-san gave a wry smile.
I thought she’s become much more natural compared to when she used to call her ‘Mother (formal)’.
Before the Thai-style rice was ready.
This was the perfect timing.
“Um, there’s something I want to give to both of you.”
“What is it?”
“Oh my.”
“Could you both close your eyes and hold out your arms?”
“Close our eyes? Alright, but…”
“Oh my, what could it be?”
Mineha-san did so boldly, while Ruriha-san seemed a little shy.
Mother and daughter extended their arms to me.
Both of them have honey-colored skin, huh. Ah, right.
I took out the Bracelets from the pouch I had placed beside the bed.
A Bracelet with an amber gemstone set in a yellow band.
A Bracelet with a yellow gemstone set in an amber band.
I carefully slipped one onto each of their arms.
“You can open your eyes now.”
“Mm. Heeh…”
“Oh my, my, my.”
Both of them gasped in admiration upon seeing the Bracelets on their arms.
“For Mineha-san, this is a token of my gratitude for always taking care of me.”
“Hmph. Not bad.”
“Oh my, in that case, Wof-san. What about me? I haven’t been taking care of you.”
“Well, it’s… gratitude.”
I thought it would be strange to give one to Mineha-san and not to Ruriha-san.
Ruriha-san and I… well, we’ve had all sorts of things happen between us.
The time since we met is very short. In fact, it’s barely been a week.
But I feel like our relationship has rapidly, intensely, and deeply developed to a degree that belies that short time.
That’s why I had naturally decided to give her one.
“Wof-san.”
“Wah!”
Suddenly, Ruriha-san sat down on the bed and leaned in close to me.
“Hey, Mother!?”
Ruriha-san chuckled “ufufu,” hugged me, and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
The deep sensation of her lips on my cheek reminded me of that time.
The kiss from when we embraced. Ruriha-san quickly and smoothly pulled away and winked.
“A re-turn gift.”
“Mother!?”
“Mineha. What will you do?”
“What will I do— Ah!”
Just then, the pot boiled over. Mineha-san hurriedly turned off the heat.
The Thai-style rice was ready, and the curry, or rather, the Curry Roux, was also done.
Incidentally, the stir-fried pan-mame, the naan substitute, was also ready.
I poured the Curry Roux over the rice served in a deep dish.
It was a slightly dark, thick Curry Roux. I scooped it with a spoon and ate.
Mmm. Delicious. A unique, deep flavor. And it’s curry rice.
The rice is different, but this is definitely curry rice.
There are chunks of potatoes, carrots, and meat in it too. I wonder what kind of meat it is.
The two of them looked at me curiously.
They exchanged puzzled glances, and Mineha-san asked.
“Is rice really delicious with it?”
“You’ll know if you try it. You won’t know if you don’t.”
I ate with a mischievous smile.
Since the Thai-style rice was cooked properly, it went well with the curry.
“That’s true, I suppose.”
Ruriha-san deftly snatched my spoon. Then she scooped some and ate it.
“Oh, this is good.”
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing!?”
“…”
Even I was dumbfounded by this.
“Oh, it’s delicious. It could be a little spicier, though.”
“That’s not the point… Oh, whatever. Wof. I’ll have a little.”
“Go ahead.”
Mineha-san used the spoon she was holding to scoop some of my curry rice and ate it.
“Heeh, not bad.”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, with this, it certainly could be a bit spicier, mhm. It’s a different taste from pan-mame.”
Did she like it? She ate from my plate without hesitation. Ahh.
“Mineha. Wof-san’s will be all gone.”
“Ah, sorry. Wof. Is there any rice left?”
“There is. And here, have this too.”
“Thanks.”
She took the plate I offered and winked.
“Mineha. Mine too, please.”
“Yes, yes.”
Both of them had curry rice. The Thai-style rice disappeared in no time.
I ate the leftover pan-mame with Curry Roux. Dipping it in the Curry Roux.
Delicious. This isn’t bad either. Mmm. Not bad.
“This really is delicious. I… I prefer this.”
“Me too. I have to tell Chefuru.”
“Wof. You knew this well.”
“I just thought if it’s something you pour Curry Roux on, it might go well together.”
“That’s a good observation.”
I’m glad they both liked it.
And so, I ate the stir-fried pan-mame, dipping it in the Curry Roux.
Yeah. Delicious. Munch, munch. Delicious.
After I finished eating and tidied up, a little while passed.
The two of them said they were going to take a bath and went to The Witch’s House via the Teleport gate.
Well then, I lay down on my bed.
Gazing at the familiar ceiling, I wondered what I should do today.
Let’s see. The town’s Dungeon. Since it’s finally been unlocked, maybe I’ll go check it out.
I’ve never been below the 12th floor.
Knock, knock. There was a knock on the wall.
“Hey.”
“Mineha-san?”
When I looked, Mineha-san had come to visit my room.
She had just gotten out of the bath, and a faint steam was rising from her honey-colored hair.
She was lightly dressed and showed me the Bracelet on her arm.
“This, thank you.”
“It’s because you always take care of me.”
“I’m the one who’s indebted to you too, though.”
Mineha-san sat on the bed, a little reservedly.
I hurriedly sat up. Our faces got close, and my heart skipped a beat.
As if to hide it, I said.
“Still, I wanted to give something to the people I’m grateful to.”
“That’s not just for me and Okaa-san, right?”
“Eh? Y-yes. I’m giving them to people I’m grateful to.”
“Knowing you, I thought so.”
Mineha-san smiled and pointed with her finger to my forehead, left cheek, right cheek, and the nape of my neck.
“Mineha-san?”
“You’ve got one. A kiss mark on your neck.”
“Eh?”
It was just as I instinctively put my hand to the nape of my neck.
Mineha-san’s face suddenly drew close.
Something soft and light touched my lips for just an instant.
“——————!”
Mineha-san quickly pulled her face back and stood up.
“It’s because I’m grateful.”
She muttered that under her breath and left the room.
“……”
I was stunned for a moment.
A faint, sweet scent of honey lingered on my lips.
But it vanished right away.