43 This Hero and The Morning After! (1/2)

”Oi, Onii-san, I'm hungry. Wake up.”

I grumbled as I slowly awakened. Kany was lightly kicking my stomach in an effort to wake me up faster. The sky was no longer dark, but instead I could see the faint glittering of dawn. The grass in front of me glistened with the morning dew.

Slowly, I brought myself up from my sleeping position. I got out of my sleeping bag to stretch. The slight chill of morning greeted me and assisted in the process of removing the lingering slumber from my body.

”Kenjiiii! I'm hungryyyyy!”

”That sounds like a you problem, Tael.”

”It's gonna be an 'our' problem if you don't start cooking, Onii-san.”

”What are you, gremlins?”

As our group began its daily banter, I could hear the shuffling noises of Erana awakening.

”*Yawn…* Ah… Good morning…”

Erana was wiping her eyes lazily in the morning light. I don't know why, but I'm nervous when I look at her now. I can't look her in the eye. Maybe it's because the ambience from last night is gone?

”Oi, what's breakfast?”

”Huh? Oh… I think I planned oats and igripps today. It's nothing special but it's pretty good when you add a few spices to it.”

Kany sat obediently on the ground in response to my answer. Tael also appears to be acting more obediently. It seems as if food is a good way to calm them down. I should keep note of that for the future.

Now that I think about it, these two were alone together all of the previous night. I hope they were fine with being alone together for that long...

I reached into my rucksack and pulled out a jar that was filled to the brim with oats. Since I knew that this would be a multi-day trip, I had planned our meals ahead of time. I will restock on supplies when we get to Mulbik tonight.

I scooted myself towards the still burning fire and placed my cooking pot on top of it. I then poured some water into the pot and the oats followed suit. Once I had finished preparing the oats, I pulled out a small orange fruit called an ”igripp” which has a very citrusy taste that is reminiscent of an orange. I pulled out my adamantite knife and began to slowly peel the igripps one by one.

”Woah…” Tael let out. It seems that my ability to cook simple breakfast items is impressive to him.

”You should open a restaurant, Onii-san.”

”Really? It's just oatmeal...”

”Maybe, but if your dinner last night was an indication then you have some good skills!”

I simply shrugged at Kany's declaration. It seems as if the basic ability to cook oatmeal should not be taken for granted in this world. If I fail as an adventurer, at least I have a backup plan.

”Thank you for cooking for us, Kenji-san.”

I suddenly felt a chill go up my spine as I heard Erana address me. My sluggish morning nerves have been woken back up by my anxiety at the anticipation of how Erana will act towards me now.

Erana seemed to take this as my morning nerves, so she just went over to Kany and they began to help each other smooth out their hair. I, meanwhile, continued to prepare breakfast. As I was doing so, Tael shuffled himself very close to me and subtly cast a spell.

(So… Did anything juicy happen last night between you and Erana?) I heard Tael ask in my head.

(N-No! We just talked!)

(Oh? Then why are you acting so nervously? Honestly Kenji, pulling moves on our first night! You sly dog!)

”S-Shut up!” I blurted out. It seems like I didn't respond with my mind, but instead with my actual voice.

”Hm? What's wrong, Kenji-san?”

”N-Nothing! Haha! I just had a bug fly near my ear and it was annoying!” I said as I turned towards Tael.

(Hey man, you gotta be careful! I cast this spell quietly so they wouldn't know what was going on!) I heard in my head.

(Well it's not like you're making it easy for me! Why do you need to get in my business so much?)

(So there IS business!)

(N-No there's not!)

”I knew it, you two are having some psychic talk.”

Tael and I both turned around in shock as Kany was standing over us. Despite being the shortest member of the group, Kany appeared to be larger than life right now with her arms crossed and a strong frown on her face. This was dumb of me, I should have expected the rogue to sneak up like this.