I slowly open my eyes, and I can see the morning light has filtered through the curtains. I turn to the side and see Chantal stretching with a soft groan.
"Mmm… morning, Motegi-kun..."
"Morning..."
"You were amazing last night, you know that? I think my legs are still sore. Seriously, I can barely feel them now..."
"Haha... is that so?"
It's true, though. We'd gone at it like animals last night. I'd lost count of how many times we came or how many times we screamed each other's names.
Then, we both get up and start getting dressed. As Chantal adjusts her top and slips on her leggings, she glances over at me curiously.
"So hey, what kind of stuff do you sell in your store anyway?"
I look over my shoulder while slipping on my tracksuit.
"Hygiene stuff, mostly. Toiletries. And some kitchenware too."
"Whoa, really?! That's so cool! Sounds like a fancy store or something!"
"Not really. I sell them cheap."
"Eh?"
Her eyes widen in surprise, so to make it easier, I reach into my dimensional storage and take out a small lineup of my toiletries. I place them on the bed, making her even more curious.
"Well, check this out..."
"What are these, Motegi-kun?"
First, I take a clear potion bottle filled with white liquid.
"This one's shampoo. It's for cleaning your hair and scalp. Just pour a little, massage it into your hair, then rinse it out with water."
"Ooh! It smells so fresh! Like mint!"
"Exactly. Helps your hair smell nice too."
Next, I unwrap a small cloth bundle.
"This one's deodorant. You scoop a little out and rub it under your armpits. Keeps your body fresh and odor-free all day."
"No way…"
Then, I continue with the other small cloth-wrapped package.
"Here's toothpaste. You use it with a twig or cloth to brush your teeth. Twice a day, after waking up and before bed. It keeps your mouth clean and your teeth strong."
"That's amazing, Motegi-kun!"
Finally, I hold a small bottle of clear liquid.
"And this one is sanitizer. Just rub it on your hands before eating. It kills invisible things on your hands and keeps you from getting sick."
"I've never seen anything like these… I mean, not even once in my life."
"These are the most popular items in my shop. They sell out fast."
"No wonder, they're amazing!"
After that, I say something to her that makes her light up with ideas.
"And you know what? I actually might want to add wood products too."
"Really? Motegi-kun, you seriously came to the right country!"
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
I'm confused, and clearly have no idea what's she talking about.
"You can find the best timber and bamboo right here in Misdaras! Seriously, this place is a goldmine for that stuff!"
What?
How?
"Wait… I thought Misdaras was known for livestock and poultry..."
Then, she suddenly bursts out laughing.
"Pfft... hahahaha... yes, that's true! But c'mon, don't forget where we are! Misdaras is a jungle country, remember? That means tons of trees and loads of bamboo too. It's kinda obvious if you think about it, right?"
"Ah, you're right..."
Yeah, I guess that does make sense.
Jungle means trees. If there are trees, there are also timber and bamboo. And how oblivious I am to those simple facts.
I can already imagine the things that I will make with my [Carpentry] skill, and it makes my hands itch to start building. Also, I can imagine the moment I place them on the shelves, the store won't just sell hygiene products and cookware anymore, it can become a full-on lifestyle shop.
"Hey, Chantal... would you be able to come with me to look for timber and bamboo today? I'd love to get a head start."
Yeah, I should get my hands on those materials, and the best way to do that is to have her accompany me because she knows this country after all.
"Ahh… I really want to, Motegi-kun, but today's my nephew's birthday. I promised I'd pick up a present for him."
"I see..."
Her nephew's birthday, huh?
That's disappointing.
However, she suddenly perks back up and assures me, and I feel relieved about it.
"Don't worry! I'll be done by this afternoon. Once I'm finished, I'll come find you. We'll go together, okay?"
"You do? Thank you, Chantal!"
"Of course, Motegi-kun!"
Then, Chantal and I step out of our room together. Once we stand in front of the inn, Chantal turns to me and promises me something.
"Motegi-kun, let's meet back here later, okay? I'll go pick up the gift for my nephew first. Once I'm done, we can go together this afternoon."
"Alright, I'll come back here once I'm done too."
"Then it's settled! See you later, Motegi-kun!"
"Yeah, see you later, Chantal."
And just like that, we go our separate ways. She disappears into the busy street, and I head down toward Yomogi's house.
The walk doesn't take long. Arriving there, I climb the stairs winding up to her treehouse, and once I reach her door, I knock it lightly to announce my presence.
"Yomogi, it's me. Motegi."
There is a short silence. Then, her voice comes from inside, soft but startled, like she's been caught off guard while busy with something.
"M-Motegi-chan? A-ah… y-you can come in!"
"Excuse me…"
I slowly open the door, and I can see her room is empty. I try to call her, but she doesn't answer.
"Yomogi?"
After a few moments, I hear some footsteps coming from another room. And then, she appears, and the sight of her makes me immediately freeze.
She stands in front of me, wearing a soft orange kimono patterned with delicate white flowers. The color of the fabric somehow matches perfectly with her short, cropped orange hair, her perked ears, and the swaying fluffy tail behind her.
But more than that, she wears it loose.
Both her shoulders are exposed, completely bare. Her smooth skin catches the light, and the neckline dips low enough to show her cleavage and sends my brain into static. And honestly, I can't deny how elegant yet sexy she is.
"This… this is my tribe's bridal robe. I wore it back then… during my marriage ceremony. What do you think?"
She looks away and fidgets with her sleeve, and I'm still recovering.
"Does it look good on me?"
"Of course! You look incredible, Yomogi..."
"T-thank you…"
Her cheeks flush the moment I praise her.
I clear my throat, trying to not stare too hard.
"So, why are you showing me this?"
"I was thinking… I'd like to bring it with me when I move into your home. If that's alright. I mean… it's the only dress I have."
Man, she's too sweet!
"Of course. Don't have to worry about it. And once we're home, I'll make sure you have plenty of cute dresses. As many as you want."
Her ears perk, and her tail flicks happily.
"Thank you, Motegi-chan. Really…"
Then, I smirk as a naughty idea pops up in my mind.
"Actually… I want to see you wear that thing in our next adventure..."
"Ehh? Are you sure?"
"Yes."
She is surprised at first and goes silent for a moment as she thinks about it. But then her lips curve into a teasing grin, her eyes glinting playfully.
"Well then… I guess I'll do it. You want me to wear this in the labyrinth, huh? Naughty, naughty, Motegi-chan..."
"Ehehe, sorry..."
I laugh and feign apology. But deep down, I know that there will be an awesome view waiting for me.
"You know, Motegi-chan… today is my son's birthday. I was planning to visit his and my husband's graves later. Would you… like to come with me?"
"If you really want that, then yes. I'd be honored to go with you."
She smiles faintly, and her voice softens when she asks that. And for a moment, I was almost unable to speak. The fact that she invites me into the most private part of her past and pain somehow feels heavy for me. I don't know why, but it feels like she trusts me or acknowledges that I'm no longer just a passerby in her life.
"Thank you, Motegi-chan. Please wait here, I'll get changed first."
"Sure, take your time."
Her eyes glimmer, and a grateful smile appears on her lips before she returns towards her room.
After she disappears, the house feels quiet again. I sit at the low table, listening to the peaceful jungle noise outside... until a sudden knock and a familiar voice echo from the door.
"Yomogi! You ready yet? Can I come in?"
No way...
But before I can react, the door slides open, and standing there is Chantal, with a handful of meat skewers in one hand and a bottle of what looks like a beer in the other. And both of us are surprised because of each other's presence in this place.
"Motegi-kun?!"
"Chantal?"
"Why are you here?!"
"You too. Why are you..."
Before I can finish, Yomogi comes out from her room, and she is surprised too.
"Motegi-chan, I'm rea... Chantal?!"
Chantal, again, is surprised.
"Yomogi?!"
Then, the three of us just stand there for a few seconds, staring at each other.
What the hell's happening right now?
"Hold on... do you know Motegi-kun?!"
"And you too... how do you know Motegi-chan?"
Both of them are confused, and so am I. Maybe I'm even more confused than they are.
"Wait, you two know each other?"
"Yes!" "Yes!"
They answer me at the same time, and I try to understand it. And then, something clicks in my mind... what Chantal said earlier that morning about her nephew's birthday.
Don't tell me…
"Hey, Chantal... that nephew you mentioned earlier… the one whose birthday's today…"
She cuts my words, nodding with a soft smile and lifting both the skewers and the beer.
"Yeah. That's Yomogi's son. These skewers are his favorite, I brought them for his grave. And this beer is the offering for Yomogi's husband."
"As I thought…"
And just like that, Yomogi and Chantal reveal more of their past. Yomogi speaks up first, then Chantal follows, and both of them are smiling softly.
"Motegi-chan... actually, Chantal always comes with me every year when I visit their graves. The two of them knew her well. My husband knew her well, and my little one adored her. She used to play with him all the time back then."
"Yomogi's pup, he's already felt like a nephew to me even though I didn't have one. And her husband, he was the strongest wolfkin I've ever met."
Chantal pauses for a while before she continues speaking.
"When I heard that storm took them… it tore me apart. But seeing Yomogi still standing, still trying to move forward like she does… it broke my heart even more. But it also made me proud of her, because I didn't know if I could be that strong like her if I was in the same situation."
I look at the two of them, suddenly seeing a bond much deeper than I thought. This wasn't just old friendship. This was family.
Chantal glances down at the skewers and beer in her hands.
"This is all I ever bring. Just a few things I know they liked. But Yomogi, she's the one who goes all the way to Remantia every year just to get those Puncher Wood flowers for her son. I... no, everyone here respects that."
Yomogi approaches Chantal, rubbing her shoulders gently.
"It's more than enough, Chantal. Thank you for always remembering them..."
Honestly, this moment is really not in the script. But it's also heartwarming at the same time, the two women, who I thought were strangers to each other, are actually connected to the same grieving.
Then, Yomogi looks over at me and says something that surprises Chantal a little.
"Motegi-chan, should we head to the graves now?"
"Eh? You're bringing him too?"
"Yes."
Chantal blinks once, then smiles softly.
"I see… that's good."
I reply, then pause for a while as I look at their hands.
"Yeah, let's go... But I didn't bring anything to offer."
"It's fine, Motegi-chan."
Yomogi shakes her head, but I'm still unsure. And when I look at Chantal, she's smiling softly.
"If Yomogi's okay with it, then it's totally fine, Motegi-kun..."
Their answers somehow make me feel welcomed.
"I see. Thank you, I'm honored."
And just like that, we make our way to the graves.
We take a deep walk into the jungle, the path narrowing as trees grow taller and the light dims beneath them. Yomogi and Chantal walk ahead of me, and I follow just behind.
After several minutes, we arrive at a quiet clearing where dozens of plain, cylindrical stones are embedded into the ground. I keep following Yomogi and Chantal until they stop before two stones, one larger and one smaller, set close together.
Yomogi kneels and places one Puncher Wood flower on each. Chantal follows, setting a bottle of beer on the larger stone and skewers on the smaller. Just from that alone, I understand that the bigger stone belongs to her husband and the smaller one to her son.
Then, Yomogi and Chantal close their eyes and bring their hands together.
Clap.
Just once, and then, they bow their heads and fall silent. I understand immediately, so I follow quietly, closing my eyes and bringing my hands together too.
A few moments later.
Clap.
The sound comes again, and when I open my eyes, they have already opened theirs, and their prayer is finished.
Yomogi kneels again in front of the smaller grave, gently brushing her hand along the surface.
"Happy birthday, little one. Mommy brought you your favorite flower again this year. Do you like it?"
She smiles faintly, a mixture of warmth and grief visible there.
"How are you doing up there? Mommy is doing good, really is. But sometimes, when Mommy cooks dinner and it's just Mommy sitting there, it still gets a little lonely. So you better be smiling, okay? If you're not, Mommy will get sad."
Then, she moves to the larger grave, pressing her hand to its surface.
"How are you doing, my love? I'm doing good."
She takes a slow breath and lowers her eyes.
"Thank you... for watching over me during the whole trip to Remantia and all the way back here. I wouldn't have gotten those flowers for our son without you. And... thank you for letting me keep living. For not letting me sink into the past forever."
Then, she looks back at me before turning toward the grave again.
"This is Motegi. I want to move on with him... and live with him now. But I promise, I'll keep visiting. So please… give me your blessing."
Hearing her say all of that, so open and sincere, it makes me smile.
Then, Chantal crouches in front of the smaller grave and rubs her hand over it as she lifts the skewers.
"Hey, kid. How're you doing? I brought your favorite, see? Your usual meat skewers. Hope you still like 'em."
She lets out a quiet breath and tilts her head, then laughs lightly.
"Are you still the same pup who ran all over the grass and tripped over nothing? The same pup who made me play hero with you all day? I hope you do."
Then, she moves to the second grave and gently lays her hand on it.
"Yo, danna."
She uncaps the bottle in her hand and holds it up.
"Salute."
She takes a light sip, then pours the rest out on the grave.
When they're done, both of them look at me.
"You can say something too, Motegi-chan."
"Yes, Motegi-kun. We'll wait."
"Thanks. Excuse me."
I kneel beside the smaller grave first and give it a gentle rub.
"My name's Motegi. I've been getting along with your mom and Chantal… really well, actually. You must've been the cutest little guy, haven't you? With how much people talk about you… it's obvious how loved you are."
I let out a soft breath before I continue.
"Still, I wish I'd gotten to meet you even just once. And watched you grow. Wherever you are, I hope you're still loved and never forgotten. Not by your mom. Not by Chantal. Not by anyone."
Then, I move to the larger grave and place my hand on it.
"My name's Motegi, sir. I don't really know what to say, actually. I mean... Yomogi already said it all."
I close my eyes and smile faintly.
"But if you're listening, I just want to say that I'd be honored to take care of her. She's been through a lot, and I want her to be happy again. I won't let you down."
I stand up slowly, and then, I feel Yomogi rest her head against my left shoulder and Chantal lean against my right, crying quietly.
I wrap my arms around both of them and gently rub their hair, letting them keep pouring out their sadness.