Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

Chapter 84.2 - The First Year at the Academy - The Wall To The Top (2)

After leaving the Milad Temple, we temporarily disbanded.

Lambert and Felix went to the Miltiva Temple, while Elfimia went to the Ractos Temple for prayers.

I had been praying in both gods when I was in Reedwald, but they still didn't grant me any sacred magic, so I decided to go home.

As I walked alone on the way back, I went around the shops and food stalls, buying any food that caught my eye. F

or larger quantities or time-consuming dishes, I had already placed orders in advance. I planned to pick those up with Ted and the others later.

Carrying my hands full of purchases, I headed towards my home on the main street.

I saw a regular carriage pass by from the direction of the gate.

I glanced sideways and saw that it was fully occupied. Perhaps there were many visitors from elsewhere.

Before coming to Selene, my mother used to call it enemy territory. In reality, it kept a moderate distance from the center, and the Council was working hard for self-independence. It might be because of this aspect of Selene that it was a good city to relax and enjoy.

When I arrived home, I started preparing to receive guests. Although I had finished cleaning the day before, I went over it again just to be thorough.

While doing so, Ted popped his head in and said, "We're here!".

Gemma, Nails, and Lily were with him.

There was still time until the scheduled evening, but they had come quite early.

"You're here quite early. I'm still preparing."

"We came to help."

As they entered, chattering and talking, it seemed they were considering my feelings.

In that case, maybe I should ask them to help with the cleaning.

Just as I was about to say that, I stopped moving when I saw the last person.

She's a woman in her 30s, thin and with a melancholic appearance.

"You must be Nails'…"

"Yes. I'm Nails' mother, Dana."

She introduced herself, bowing deeply.

And in that posture, she spoke words of gratitude.

"Thank you very much for inviting my son today. I've always wanted to express my gratitude for the trouble he causes, but I didn't know how to properly thank a nobleman's son…"

"Understood. That's enough. Please raise your head."

I said, trying to stop her, but Dana froze in place. I wonder… she seems to be trembling a bit. Is she scared?

"Oh… it must be cold there. Why don't you come inside?"

I invited her, Dana didn't move, but her trembling intensified.

Seeing this, Nails gently pulled his mother, who had stiffened up, inside with a smile.

Amidst this tense exchange, "Oh, it's warm!" Ted and Gemma were already comfortably relaxing in front of the fireplace.

Upon realizing this, Dana's expression became even more strained.

It seems she's more wary of the nobleman's son than I thought.

Ted and Gemma tend to forget about these things, but this is a natural way.

Nerio used to bow like that too.

The neighborhood children mistook it for a game and jumped along with him.

In any case, teaching him the sword and inviting him were my decisions.

There's no need to worry about showing gratitude, but…

"Do you have any plans after this?"

"No, not particularly…"

So, the two of us were supposed to spend time together with Nails.

In that case, it's simple.

"How about Dana joining us? It must be lonely to celebrate the New Year alone."

"Oh, no, I…!"

Dana immediately declines. But for some reason, Ted interrupts.

"That's a good idea! Let's celebrate with Nails' mom too!"

"Yeah, let's do that. Alter-sama is a kind person, and everyone is nice!"

Encouraged by Nails' words, Dana becomes even more troubled.

Then Lily chimes in.

"I also request the same. With so many people, we're short-handed."

Pleaded by Lily, Dana's expression turns to despair. And she gives in.

I feel like I'm doing something really bad.

I just invited her casually.

On the other hand, Ted and the others are overjoyed by Dana's participation.

Except for Nails, they're all children who have lost their parents.

There must have been some interaction going on without my knowledge.

I don't think the Academy group will complain.

Maybe it's because they seem mature.

They're unusually understanding.

"Well then, let's begin. Ted and the others, I'll leave the cleaning to you. Once that's done, let's go get the dishes. Dana and Lily, prepare the tableware and do the plating."

With my command, everyone disperses and goes about their tasks.

Cleaning seems to be going well.

Should I help Lily and the others?

Heading to the kitchen, Dana and Lily have laid out the purchased dishes.

The dishes were classic skewers, galettes with diced meat and vegetables, croquettes made by mixing diced meat and potatoes and deep frying them, and so on.

I ask Dana whether to make any changes or plate them as they are.

Lily and I follow her instructions.

At first, Dana was hesitant and awkward.

But she seems to have realized that I mean no harm.

She relaxes quite a bit.

While working, I ask casually.

"You seem quite familiar with this. Do you cook for work?"

"No, I work at the outskirts in the grazing fields."

If it's the grazing fields on the outskirts, it's beyond the south gate.

So we may have passed by each other a few times.

"The outer pastures and farmlands were created as job opportunities for the poor. I've been working there since my husband passed away."

Dana calmly mentions her husband's death.

And while counting the plates, she…