Chapter 155 – Fernet-san

Master and Heart-san came back covered in dust.

Gain-san’s mom was laughing. “My my, boys sure are full of energy.”

Master was being treated like one of the boys too, so I let out a little chuckle, but somehow he noticed and shot me a glare.

Teehee.

“Mind if I borrow the bath?”

“It’s down that hall. You, go show them the way.”

Gain-san’s dad led the two of them out of the room.

“Marie. What do you think those two were up to?”

“You shouldn’t pry too much.”

Fernet-san just snorted a “fufun” and wasn’t listening to a word anyone said.

He’s really just a big kid. Outside, he’s so sharp and cool, like a totally different person.

“Hey, I wanna have some of auntie’s stew. I love it.”

“Oh, you say the nicest things. Then we’ll make stew for dinner. Laura, give me a hand.”

Hearing that, Beeger-san happily took Berg-kun from Laura-san.

“Nice! We get to eat that today, huh?”

“Beeger loves it too, doesn’t he?”

Heh, everyone loves it. Can’t wait.

Gain’s mom and Laura-san rolled up their sleeves and headed to the kitchen, so I followed right behind.

“Um, would it be okay if I helped out?”

“You must be tired from the trip. Just take it easy.”

Laura-san said that as she reached up to open the cupboard door and pull out a big pot.

“No, um… I’d really love it if you taught me how to make stew.”

“Haha, that’s music to my ears. Then could you grab the veggies from that box over there?”

“Yes!”

If I’m going to become Gain-san’s daughter, I want to learn all this house’s flavors.

And pass them down as my own family’s recipes! Kinda cool, right?

I grabbed a potato and showed off my peeling skills.

“My, you’re quite good.”

“Ehehe. I used to help Grandpa out sometimes, so…”

Lily’s way better, but I think I’m pretty decent myself.

Gain’s mom nodded, then took out a small amount of herbs with a minor healing effect and started chopping them.

They’re weak to heat, the effect is faint, and they have no smell or flavor. What’s the point?

“Those make the meat super tender and take away any off-flavors.”

“Ehh!? They do that?”

I was staring hard at the herbs when Laura-san explained.

“It’s wisdom handed down from our ancestors.”

“Heh. Then I can pass it down too!”

I flashed a smile, and Gain’s mom smiled back with narrowed eyes.

Is this what a secret family recipe is? Ufufun.

Ahh. I really wish I could introduce Lily to such warm people.

At the very least, I’ll bring some back as a gift. I got fired up and started taking notes.

“Marie, thank you for Gain.”

“Yeah, we were so worried he’d end up single for life.”

The two of them exchanged glances and nodded.

“I’m the one who’s truly grateful—for everything so far and everything to come.”

“It’s just a piece of paper, but some bonds let you call each other family forever without one, while others bring peace of mind precisely because of it. I think this is the best way.”

The two of them smiled at me, warm and enveloping.

I’m so glad they said that. I want to become someone like them.

“I’m Gain’s mom, but I think of myself as your mom too. Don’t hesitate to rely on me anytime.”

“It would’ve been nice if he’d gotten married, but he’s an adventurer. Expeditions keep him away for so long…”

Adventurers are away from home a lot, so they often marry others in the trade…

Come to think of it, Master’s been cozy with that diner lady for years, but I’ve never heard any romantic rumors about Gain-san.

Fernet-san’s popular, so he goes on dates with girls now and then.

Ted-san’s too straight-laced to picture, but Gain-san—the big brother figure to all the adventurers—doesn’t strike me as someone who’d lack for admirers…

“Everyone~ Stew’s ready~”

The moment I poked my head into the living room, all the guys jumped up and started clattering around, setting plates on the table and hauling the pot from the kitchen.

It felt just like a big family reunion.

“Hey, hey. What were Sid-san and Heart-san up to?”

Fernet-san asked, face beaming as he shoveled stew into his mouth, eyes sparkling.

“Fighting.”

Heart-san said it bluntly.

“Why?”

Gain-san and Fernet-san said in unison.

Yeah, seriously, why?

“Just ’cause. Right, Heart?”

“Yeah.”

Guys just fight on a whim, huh.

No clue.

“I don’t get it at all.”

Since Fernet-san said it, maybe those two really are the weird ones.

“Was gonna do some paperwork.”

“Paperwork?”

Those two chimed in together again.

“Heart’s basically my son already, but we didn’t have the papers. If Gain and the others are doing it, we figured we should too. No big deal.”

Master said it plainly, glancing at Heart-san.

“Me too~!”

“Haa~!?”

Everyone there—including me—made faces like we’d just deflated.

Fernet-san’s the baby of the family, but he’s nobility, right? Even so…

“Siiiigh… You…”

Gain-san sighed even deeper, looking exasperated.

“It’s fiiiine~. My family won’t mind.”

Everyone looked off at an angle for a second, then went, “Ah,” like it all made sense.

Ehhh…? And they buy it. Just what kind of family does Fernet-san have…?

“We’ll think about yours once we get your family’s okay.”

Fernet-san nodded happily at Master’s words.

A few days later, he came back with proper permission in hand and was bragging everywhere that he and Heart-san were brothers now.

“Is that really okay?”

“He’s always been like that.”

Heart-san was smiling too, clearly not hating the idea of more family.

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