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427 p3. Secret Meeting and Returning to Goza Village [4]

「Paula-san, we’re back.」

「Oh, welcome back! Did you enjoy yourself?」

We immediately responded to that question.

「Yes.」

「It was so much fun!」

「It is an unforgettable experience.」

「Hahahaha, that’s good. Dinner will be ready soon, so please wait a moment.」

We accepted her kindness and sat at the dining table.

Dinner was ready in no time.

「This is amazing…」

「Wow, it looks delicious!」

「What a strong aroma…」

The dining table was lined with extra-large rolls of cabbage, extra-large servings of fried rice, and impressive roasted pork.

「Fufu, there’s still a lot more! Don’t be shy and eat up!」

「「「Itadakimasu.」」」

We put our hands together before the meal.

I reached my chopsticks to the cabbage rolls in front of me and stuffed them into my mouth.

「…!」

――Delicious! Simply delicious.

The strong sweetness of the cabbage exploded in your mouth. Pushing aside the flavor of the minced meat that should have been the main dish, this flavor that claims to be “I’m the main character today” is undoubtedly from Goza Village.

「W-What a destructive power!」

「This is not a simple cabbage roll!」

Ria and Rose excitedly shared their impressions.

「Fufu, it’s delicious, isn’t it? All the vegetables from Goza Village are first-class!」

Paula-san smiled and said something that made me very happy.

After that, we enjoyed Paula-san’s exquisite dishes such as hamburgers, fried rice, and beef stew.

「「「Thank you for the meal.」」」

「I am happy that you three loved it.」

If I were to describe my current state in a nutshell…a full stomach, this is exactly what I’d call a full stomach.

(I’m surprised that I even ate so much…)

It was so delicious that I ate too much.

「Fuu, that was delicious….」

Ria, who always has a tremendous appetite, satisfactorily rubbed her stomach.

「Ria-chan, you have a great appetite! Every cook will surely be happy if their cooking is eaten completely!」

Ria and Paula-san seemed to get along well, and they were having a good time talking.

In the meantime, Rose and I had a lively chat about which dish was the most delicious and which vegetables are top recommendations from Goza Village.

After taking a short break, I washed away the sweat and fatigue in the large public bath.

After that, I changed into pajamas, and we gathered in my room and played until late at night. We had a peaceful and fun time playing cards and board games.

「…Oh, is it already this late?」

「No way!」

「Time flies when you’re having fun.」

The time was midnight.

If we don’t go to sleep soon, it will affect us tomorrow.

「It’s a pity, but shall we call it a night?」

「Yeah, lack of sleep is the worst enemy for your skin.」

「It can’t be helped.」

I quickly cleaned up the messy room and sent Ria and Rose off.

「Good night, then.」

「Good night, Allen.」

「Nights, Allen.」

The two then returned to their respective rooms.

After that, I quickly got ready for bed and crawled into my old, nostalgic bed.

(Phew… For some reason, I’m pretty tired.)

Long distance travel + leisurely experience in the great outdoors + table games with everyone.

I had been in an excited state all this while, so I didn’t feel any tiredness, but… When I lay down on the bed, fatigue rushed in at once.

(It’s a pity that I couldn’t go to the village, but today was really fun…)

It would be nice if every day could be like this.

I was full of happiness and I tried to fall asleep, but there was one problem.

「…It feels a little lonely.」

I glanced to the side, but of course, Ria wasn’t there.

The usual breathing rhythm, the usual warmth, the usual sense of security, the existence that was always beside me―wasn’t there. I felt a strong sense of emptiness in this situation. This big bed seemed so wide and cold.

(I wonder if this is what you call ”missing human skinship”’…?)

As I was idly thinking about such things, a big yawn escaped my mouth.

It seems that I’m reaching my limit.

「Fuwaa… Let’s go to sleep…」

I slowly lowered my eyelids and sank into a deep slumber.

■

The next morning―joyful voices echoed at the dining table.

「–Tasty! Delicious! Exquisite!」

「Hahahaha, it’s really worthwhile to cook for this girl! There’s more! Eat as much as you want!」

「Wow, thank you!」

While watching the exchange between Ria and Paula, Rose and I quietly ate our bread.

「I can’t believe she can eat that much early in the morning.」

It’s already been a year since I started living together with Ria, and I’ve seen this scene countless times, but no matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing just how much she eats.

「Fuwaa… I’m really jealous that she can eat as much as she likes and can still maintain that ideal body figure…」

The still half-asleep Rose muttered. 　

「Ideal body figure… Rose, do you really pay attention to your figure?」

「Yes. Diet restrictions are, of course, necessary but also a chest massage in the bath– W-What are you trying to make me say!?」

「Ah… I’m sorry…」

I accidentally asked the question in the flow.

It’s common sense not to ask a woman about her body shape. This is a common sense that has been passed down even in ancient writings.

I must reflect on myself so that I do not make the same mistake again.

Just like that, time passed in a blink of an eye. It was 10:30 am. About time to return to Orest.

「Are you going back already? You are not in a hurry, are you? You can eat at least lunch…」

Paula-san said while lowering her eyebrows dejectedly.

「Sorry… But the new semester starts tomorrow, so I think we’ll go home a little early today and prepare for tomorrow.」

「I see. It can’t be helped then.」

I then turned to Ria and Rose.

「Have you two checked if you missed anything?」

「Yeah, all okay.」

「No problem here either.」

When it was finally time to leave――there was something on my mind, so I decided to ask it.

「Um… Paula-san, can I ask something?」

「What is it?」

「…Goza Village exists, right? It is a real village, right?」

At that moment, her face stiffened.

「Allen… have you caught a fever?」

With a worried look, she put her right hand on my forehead to check the temperature.

Apparently she thought I was sick.

「S-Sorry. It was nothing. Please forget that.」

What stuck in my mind were those words that Tenshi-sama once said…

【A territory called “Goza Village” does not exist in this country.】

She must have surely mistaken it.

「I don’t know what it is, but you have to take care of your body, alright? Because you’ve always been reckless since the beginning.」

「Okay. Thank you for your consideration, Paula-san.」

As I bowed my head, Ria and Rose said their farewells.

「Paula-san, thank you for the delicious meal!」

「Thank you for your hospitality.」

「Yeah, Ria-chan, Rose-chan, you can come visit again anytime! I’ll cook you a lot of delicious meal!」

After parting with Paula-san, we headed back to Orest.