“Kent, the line seems to have moved,” Marie said.
“You’re right. Is it almost our turn?”
Kent and Marie were not there to visit. They were there to offer prayers for those who had died in the recent incident. Because of this, they waited quietly for the line to move, not engaging in much conversation. People who arrived later joined the line behind them, but despite the line advancing, its overall length didn’t change much.
“Ah, ahem. Welcome. Please stand before the statue and offer your prayers to the Goddess.”
When it was Kent and his companions’ turn, Catherine noticed their arrival. However, Catherine was fulfilling her role as a Saintess, so she gave them the same instructions as the others who had come to offer prayers, telling them to pray to the Goddess.
(Even if it’s a prayer to the Goddess, it’s still Hanako, isn’t it? I shouldn’t think too deeply about it right now.)
The statue of the Goddess that Kent and his companions were about to pray before was a perfect replica of Hanako. Kent found it strange to be praying for the deceased to someone he knew, but since they were there for a solemn reason, he decided not to dwell on it.
(Somehow, Al is also praying earnestly.)
Kent glanced to the side and saw Al, unlike her usual self, praying towards the Goddess statue with a serious expression.
“Thank you.”
When Kent and his companions finished their prayers, Catherine and Cindy bowed slowly and thanked them, just as they had done for the other visitors. Kent, Marie, and Al bowed in return and moved away from the Goddess statue.
“Al, you were praying very seriously, weren’t you?”
“I am a wood attribute fairy, so I recognize the preciousness of life and death. Even if the Gods were acquaintances, as they are Gods of this country, I believe one should show reverence, even if one has some reservations.”
“I see.”
Kent was impressed by Al’s reasoning, finding it characteristic of her.
“Our business here is done. Shall we head back?”
“Yes, let’s.”
“Understood.”
After offering their prayers, Al returned to her usual demeanor, and Kent and his companions decided to return home.
“I’m so bored,” Marie said.
“Indeed,” Kent replied.
Kent and his companions returned home and were relaxing in the living room’s kotatsu. With a nationwide directive for everyone to rest, they couldn’t go out under the pretense of killing time and had no choice but to spend their day at home doing nothing.
“Master, Marie, I’m going to go check on the home garden,” Al announced.
“In that case, I might join you. Although Al and Catherine handle the main care, I think I can manage the watering,” Kent offered.
“If you’re going, I’ll come too,” Marie said.
Since Al had mentioned checking on the home garden, and Kent and Marie had nothing else to do, they decided to go along.
“Wow, I haven’t seen it in a while. It’s really grown,” Kent remarked.
“It has. So many things look ready to eat. Cucumbers, eggplants, radishes… I wonder if they’ll fit?”
“Um, Marie, are you perhaps trying to eat with something other than your mouth?” Kent asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Heh heh, that’s a secret,” Marie whispered with a grin.
Kent and Marie were surprised by the home garden, which they hadn’t seen in a while. Previously, it occupied a small space, but it had now expanded to cover the entire backyard. The outer perimeter was walled off, perhaps for security, making it impossible to tell the state of the garden until they stepped inside. A wide variety of crops were being cultivated, and the colorful vegetables and fruits were eye-catching. Marie seemed to be contemplating something as she gazed at the cucumbers, eggplants, and radishes.
“Even in the cold winter, I can easily grow them using my abilities,” Al said.
“I’m amazed by your abilities, Al. Thanks to you, we can be self-sufficient with vegetables, which is a great help,” Kent expressed.
“Heh heh,” Al chuckled.
Al was skilled at regulating plant growth, allowing her to cultivate plants to harvest even in environments where they wouldn’t normally grow in winter. Because of this, Kent’s household didn’t need to buy vegetables and could be self-sufficient. Kent, genuinely praising her efforts, gently stroked Al’s head, acknowledging her contribution.
“I do want to try this size, you know… but if it gets too messy and GOBBLE GOBBLE, you might not enjoy it, Kent. I’m so conflicted,” Marie mused.
“Um, Marie, are you still at it?” Kent inquired, having been lost in thought for a moment.
“Eh? I haven’t put it in yet! Ah, n-no, it’s nothing. J-just choosing ingredients for dinner,” Marie stammered, clearly flustered.
Marie was agonizing over three radishes of different sizes. When Kent spoke to her, she visibly paled and adopted a demeanor that suggested she was trying to hide something.
“Al, is it okay if I water the plants?” Kent asked.
“Yes, it’s fine. The watering can is on the shelf near the entrance,” Al replied.
“Waa, I’ll help too!” Marie chimed in.
Kent, intending to do the watering, asked Al where things were kept, as he wasn’t sure. Marie then offered to help and followed behind Kent.
“How cute! What is this with the long nose?” Marie exclaimed.
“This is a decorative watering can shaped like an elephant. I wonder if creatures like that exist in this world?” Kent mused.
Marie held a green watering can shaped like an elephant, which was on a shelf.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Marie said.
“They’re not really this color. They’re about 3 meters long, and weigh around 5 tons,” Kent explained.
“F-five tons? My weight is fifty… so, that’s about 100 times more! I’ve revealed a maiden’s secret to you, Kent!” Marie blurted out, her cheeks flushing as she realized she had unconsciously revealed her weight. Leaving aside whether she was a “maiden,” Kent had inadvertently learned Marie’s weight.
“This red one is an octopus,” Marie said, pointing to another watering can.
“It is. But watering cans like these seem more like children’s toys. I feel like they might not be very efficient for watering the garden,” Kent commented.
On the same shelf was a red watering can, shaped like an octopus. These watering cans were typically used by children for playing in the sand and, in Kent’s opinion, were not very efficient for gardening.
“Master, it’s not about efficiency, it’s about appearances. Just watch,” Al said, answering Kent’s question.
Al took the elephant watering can and began to fill it with water from the outdoor faucet.
“After filling it, I water like this,” Al demonstrated.
Al then proceeded to sprinkle water from the watering can onto the soil of the nearby mini tomato plants.
“How adorable,” Kent murmured.
“How precious,” Marie agreed.
Seeing Al’s actions, Kent and Marie understood the appeal. The sight of a young child sitting and watering plants was somehow heartwarming and soothing.
“So, it’s about the appearance rather than efficiency. Though, I usually use this,” Al explained.
“If you have something this convenient, why didn’t you bring it out sooner?” Kent exclaimed.
Once the watering can was empty, Al returned it to the shelf and produced a large drum-style hose reel from somewhere. Kent couldn’t help but wonder why she hadn’t brought it out earlier.
“Marie, please turn on the faucet,” Kent requested.
“Got it. Here goes!” Marie responded.
*Splash!*
Kent decided where to aim the hose and directed Marie to turn on the outdoor faucet. As Marie complied, water gushed from the end of the hose Kent was holding.
“Kent, it’s a rainbow!” Marie exclaimed.
“You’re right. It doesn’t rain here, so seeing a rainbow feels rather special,” Kent replied.
The water Kent sprayed arced through the air. As the sunlight hit the droplets, a small rainbow formed. Since it never rained in this country, Kent found even this artificially created rainbow to be precious.
