“Cleaning the garden really did take the whole day, didn’t it?”
Staring at the crackling bonfire, I could hear insects chirping in the distance.
Evening dusk. Only the far western sky still glowed faintly.
Without even looking up at the scattering stars in the midheaven, Fuuka let out a sigh.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted. I’m not happy at all.”
“Hehe, thank you for all your help, Fuuka-chan.”
The bonfire was made from the fallen leaves and dry branches scattered around the garden.
Truth be told, all Fuuka did was cautiously pick up small twigs while being careful not to dirty her dress, while Miyako, who had changed into work clothes prepared in the shed, did most of the work with a broom in hand.
“Your dress didn’t get dirty?”
“No. It’s fine.”
“But I have spare clothes for you too.”
“I-I couldn’t possibly wear such shabby clothes as a member of the Hamilton family!”
“Hehe, let me know if you ever want to try them on.”
“I might consider it if it were silk.”
It was a local tradition to welcome the first night after moving in with a lively bonfire like this – both to ward off animals and to signal that humans had settled here.
Watching the flickering flames and listening to the dry crackling sounds made me feel calm.
“Ah, it’s done cooking.”
What I pulled from the fire was a potato.
In this world where Miyako had been reincarnated, potatoes existed. While there were many unfamiliar plants and animals, potatoes were here.
That’s why we could do this – taking potatoes that had been pre-boiled in the kitchen and roasting them in the bonfire.
“Here, Fuuka-chan’s portion. It’s hot~”
“Wait, Miyako. Potatoes aren’t bread, you know? Using precious butter like this…!”
—Yes, we could make potato with butter.
“Hehehe, this is potato with butter!”
“Pota… with…?”
“Just try it.”
I had specifically gotten potatoes and butter before leaving the royal capital because I absolutely wanted to do this.
Fuuka cautiously took a bite.
“……………………Not bad.”
“Ehehe, see? See!?”
Poking at the bonfire, Miyako thought peacefully.
I’ve always loved the outdoors.
Though I got into otome games, I also loved leisure activities like camping, growing vegetables, and gardening.
After becoming an adult, it was just work, work, work, work.
Before I knew it, my life had unwillingly become just commuting between the office and home.
Ah. And now here I am, sitting around a bonfire under the night sky with my first love, the villainess.
“Ah~, I’m so incredibly happy right now~. I could just shout it. I’m happy!!!!”
“…I won’t be influenced by you, I assure you.”
As Fuuka gave me a cold look, I puffed out my cheeks.
It was exactly the same expression that had earned me the nickname “pufferfish mochi” as a child.
“Muuu~ I didn’t mean it like that~”
“Hmph. Weird face.”
“Ah, Fuuka-chan smiled.”
“…I did not.”
“Liar, you totally smiled~”
While we were having that exchange—
Fuuka’s eyelids began to droop.
For her, who suffered from chronic sleep deprivation, the combination of physical labor followed by a full stomach, enhanced by the healing sounds of the bonfire, was irresistibly sleep-inducing.
“Ah, going to sleep already?”
“U… not yet! I still have nighttime studies… beauty exercises…”
“Don’t push yourself, don’t push yourself. We promised to ‘do nothing,’ remember?”
“But…”
“I’m going to sleep too! We can take baths tomorrow!”
Saying this, I took Fuuka’s hand.
Perhaps because her sleepiness had peaked, Fuuka obediently followed, slipping into bed as soon as she took off her dress.
It didn’t take long before I could hear her gentle breathing in sleep.
“Ugh… I’m pretty tired too.”
Confirming this with a smile, I also stretched.
“Ouch, ouch. I’ll probably be sore tomorrow.”
Cleaning the garden all day really was tough.
I undid my tea-colored hair that I’d tied up for work and slipped into bed.
Staring at Fuuka’s back as she slept peacefully in the bed on the other side of the room, my eyelids grew heavy.
I hope Fuuka will say “I’m happy” in the remaining 13 days.
With that wish, I fell asleep.
“…Fuuka-chan, let’s become happy, okay~”
Former corporate slave Miyako savors the happiness flavored with potato and butter.