Chapter 79
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The moment of connection between Sena and me under the starry sky is rudely interrupted by the appearance of an insensitive and ill-timed individual—none other than Sensei, of course.
Seeing us two in such a good mood, she flashes a mischievous cat-like expression, as if struck by some idea. Then, she starts sniffing around. Sensei turns her back to us and wanders about, following the scent. It doesn’t take her long to discover the fact that we had a barbeque, just the two of us.
And then, to my disbelief, she shakes that outrageous body of hers to its fullest extent and stomps her feet, exclaiming, 「You ate meat, didn’t you?! That’s not fair! Me too! Me too!」
It seems that for her, meat was more important than playing tricks. Even though we try to gently tell her 「Let’s do it again tomorrow」 since we’ve just finished eating, it’s no use.
「I want it! I want it! I want it!」
Sensei starts throwing a tantrum.
「We just ate too, so please, let’s do it tomorrow.」
Tantrums won’t work when it’s a no.
Feeling a bit sorry for her, I suggest we do it tomorrow and even go as far as to beg her.
Sensei glances at me briefly, then:
「It’s not fair!」
She lies down on the spot and starts flailing her legs.
The sight of a full-grown adult throwing such an undignified tantrum is quite something to behold—or rather, something I’d rather not see. But if you consider it as a negotiation tactic, it’s arguably the most powerful card with unbeatable destructive power.
Troubled, I turn to Sena for help.
Sena nods as if to say, 「I understand.」 Then, despite her usual expression, she shows me a clean thumbs-up.
Oh, how reliable!
「Ichiro, I can still eat plenty more.」
Ah, I see (I realize).
It’s a perfect pincer attack.
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And so, moving quickly from late at night, we end up throwing another barbeque to satisfy their demands and manage to get through the situation.
It’s a very chaotic time.
But it’s a comfortable time.
I love… spending time with these two more than anything else.
Since meeting them and spending time together, I’ve rarely remembered the suffering—the inexplicable tightness in my chest that I used to feel, something I couldn’t do anything about on my own.
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The next day, around lunchtime, Sensei and I are preparing to descend from the mountain again.
It’s impressive to see Sena diligently and busily packing my magic bag with her usual medicine pouches, various talismans, and mysterious decorative items (?).
Although I say, 「You don’t need to worry so much,」 if I were in her position, I’d definitely be worried too. Sure enough, I can feel that Sena is worried about me.
「By the way, son-in-law.」
Sensei calls out to me, either aware or unaware of my inner thoughts.
「You looked so unwell before coming here, but now your complexion has returned to normal.」
That’s right.
I had been deficient in essential nutrients due to being away from Sena—away from the Hidden Mountain—for quite some time.
When I straightforwardly convey this fact to them,
「What? Vitamin C or something? It’s not like you were on a sea voyage.」
Sensei says, looking upward.
Looking at the two of them makes me worry.
What I’m saying is just common sense, yet they don’t get it. They really are handful.
「What do you mean, ‘what’? It’s obvious, isn’t it—」
Geez, I’m really worried about these two. They really can’t manage without me, can they? Hehe.
「It’s Senaium, of course.」
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Senaium is the ultimate nutrient that can be replenished by interacting with Sena, the beautiful, proud, yet kind and gentle maiden standing before my eyes.
While it can be absorbed through conversation, more efficient intake is possible through close physical contact with her.
When Senaium is depleted, Yamada Ichiro’s unforgettable emotional wounds open up, and the memories that once destroyed his brain flash back as trauma. As a side effect of these symptoms, mental and physical discomforts are triggered.
These symptoms are alleviated, improved, and eventually cured by ingesting Senaium.
Current research has also revealed that ingesting Senaium significantly enhances both mental and physical strength, and we intend to continue investigating its effects and increasing the intake amount.
Regarding the dosage and administration of Senaium, it is believed that more frequent and larger intake is better. Therefore, it is highly recommended to ingest it in large quantities, high purity, and high frequency, preferably before deficiency symptoms occur.
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Well, well.
I explain in detail.
Sigh, I guess I’m just too meddlesome?
Yet Sensei opens and closes her mouth, mumbling 「This is dangerous!」 with sweat on her forehead.
What’s dangerous?
I just answered because I was asked.
「Huh? Did I do something wrong again?」
Huh? Did I do something wrong again?
「Eek!?」
Huh? Did I do something wrong again?
Sensei lets out a small shriek.
What’s wrong, Sensei?
It’s okay. There’s no problem at all.
That should be the case, but for some reason, Sensei looks at Sena as if seeking help.
Sena quickly comes to my side and tells Sensei:
「That’s right. I also need to replenish my Ichiroishin.」
A mysterious scream of 「Hiaaa!」 is said to have echoed through the Hidden Mountain that day.
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「I’m sorry. It looks like I can’t come down right away after all.」
Sena says, looking into my eyes as she comes out to see off Sensei and me as we leave the cabin.
「But, Ichiro, when you’re in danger, I’ll stake everything I have to save you.」
The petite Sena embraces my arm with both of hers.
Her floating kimono seems to respond to her emotions, enveloping my body.
There isn’t much I can say to Sena.
Don’t worry, it’ll be alright.
When I get back, let’s take it easy, the three of us.
I feel frustrated at my own inability to express anything beyond such trite words.
However, as if understanding my feelings, Sena releases my arm and says,
「Have a safe trip, Ichiro.」
She sees me off.
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First, we descend to the town and meet up with Thomas from Vienetta and Milo, the son of the leader of the manly mercenary group.
We immediately mount the Eagle Dragon and head towards the manor where Ashley and Anon are.
On the way, there’s no shortage of events, like Milo being inexplicably scared of Sensei, or Thomas looking at me with unusually sparkling eyes, but we manage to reach our destination without any major incidents.
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As soon as we arrive at the manor, the capable Anon has already made many arrangements, as expected.
Some of these require Sensei and me to be present.
The most urgent matter is a request for communication from Chloa, the vice master of Vienetta, who had just woken up this morning.
Not wanting to keep a child who’s just recovered from illness waiting, we head to the room with the Contact Pearl inside the manor.
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