New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Daifuku and Shiratama

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

The following day.

It was the first morning I greeted in the villa. A room with tatami flooring, a wooden bed, and when I opened the window, I was met by a snowy landscape. The weather was fine, and the light streaming through the window felt unusually bright. It seemed that snow had fallen during the night, and the sunlight was reflecting off the snow on the ground, illuminating the room.

I shivered.

“…Cold.” (Gentoku)

It was cold. There was a fireplace, but burning firewood, every time was bothersome. There were also stove-type magical tools, but this villa did not have any.

For now, today I should go to the Commerce Guild, buy a large quantity of materials, and install air conditioners in every room. The way of magic character for “warm wind” had not yet been registered, had it?

In this world, fireplaces that burned firewood were the main form of stoves, and among magical tools, those that used a magic stone of “heat” embedded in something like a daruma stove were the common type. The entire stove would heat up, and that heat would warm the room. That sounds dangerous.

“For now… air conditioners in every room, and a kotatsu on the first floor. Today will be a shopping day… hmm?” (Gentoku)

“Meow.”

“Mew.”

On the blanket spread in the corner of the room, the white Hundred-Year Cat was lying down.

Yesterday, a kitten had been born. It toddled unsteadily around its mother. Its eyes were not yet open, and after wandering about a little, it nestled close to their mother to nurse. The mother cat licked the kitten tenderly. They were adorable.

“I suppose I should prepare a litter box and a scratching post for the cats.” (Gentoku)

I got out of bed, shivering from the cold, and changed my clothes.

 

—

 

When I went downstairs, the atmosphere felt heavy.

“…” (Rosso/Verde)

Rosso and Verde sat gloomily, avoiding each other’s gaze.

I did not enter the living room but instead went into the kitchen. In the kitchen, Miles-san and Schwan were preparing breakfast, while Ao and Blanche were seated and drinking tea.

I approached Miles-san first.

“Gentoku-sama. I am borrowing the kitchen. Breakfast will be ready shortly.” (Miles)

“Ah, thank you. Um… it feels kind of gloomy. Did something happen?” (Gentoku)

“I cannot say from my mouth.” (Miles)

“Then, tell me, Schwan.” (Gentoku)

“I’d rather not…” (Schwan)

It seemed that neither of them intended to talk. Leaving the breakfast preparations to them, I went over to Ao.

“Hey, good weather today.” (Gentoku)

“Good morning, Oji-san.” (Ao)

“Good morning, Ojii-sama.” (Blanche)

“Yeah… did something happen?” (Gentoku)

When I asked Ao in a low voice, she nodded.

“Yesterday, those two made up, right? But when we woke up this morning, they were both naked in bed together.” (Ao)

“Eh.” (Gentoku)

“Ojii-sama, please do not misunderstand. The two of them drank too much and kept saying they were hot, so we helped them undress, and they crawled into the same bed to sleep, that is all.” (Blanche)

“I… I see.” (Gentoku)

“And… since they kissed yesterday and woke up naked today, they’ve been acting gloomy.” (Ao)

“Ah…” (Gentoku)

They were probably embarrassed. It was that kind of awkward “what have we done…” atmosphere. They had not fought again, just felt uncomfortable.

When I asked Blanche to handle it, she nodded.

“Rosso, Verde. Pull yourselves together. We are going to my villa today.” (Blanche)

“Eh… me too? Is that all right?” (Verde)

“Yes. Fufu, Verde is already our friend. That is why I am inviting you to my villa.” (Blanche)

“Blanche… thank you!!” (Verde)

“…Verde. I am your friend too.” (Ao)

“Ao… I am sorry for everything. I…” (Verde)

“You already apologized. So that’s enough. Rosso forgave you too.” (Ao)

“Rosso…” (Verde)

“…Ah, enough already!! We said everything that needed to be said. It’s over!! Verde, from now on, we’re friends. We’re staying in Leredore for a while, so let’s have fun!!” (Rosso)

“…Yeah. Yeah!! Let’s play and go adventuring together!!” (Verde)

Verde smiled and wiped her tears.

Then, Miles-san brought over a large platter of sandwiches.

“Now then, breakfast is ready. Please eat plenty.” (Miles)

“Yay!! Verde, your attendant’s a great cook.” (Rosso)

“Yes. Miles is also a professional chef!!” (Verde)

“It looks delicious.” (Ao)

“Fufu, perhaps I shall have him cook at my villa for a while.” (Blanche)

“Of course, right, Miles!!” (Verde)

“But of course, Ojou-sama.” (Miles)

Miles-san bowed. To think he was actually a chef.

Then, Schwan spoke to me.

“Gentoku-sama, thank you. The Ojou-sama’s smile has returned.” (Schwan)

“No, I did nothing. This is thanks to Verde’s own effort.” (Gentoku)

Well, she had just gotten drunk, burst into tears, and poured out her true feelings. Still, seeing that smile again made coming to Leredore worthwhile.

 

—

 

Rosso and the others went to Blanche’s villa.

Left behind, I went to check on the Hundred-Year Cat and her kitten. As I descended the stairs, I saw the mother cat carrying one of her kitten in her mouth, crossing in front of me and heading outside.

“Hey, where are you going? It’s cold out there.” (Gentoku)

I followed her, and the mother cat went outside with her kitten.

She entered a nearby bush, and to my surprise, she relieved herself there.

Is she going outside so as not to dirty the house?

When she was done, she picked up her kitten again and returned indoors. To my further astonishment, she wiped her paws on the doormat before re-entering.

“What a smart cat… Well, she has lived 40 years after all.” (Gentoku)

“Nyaa.” (Mother Cat)

“Eh, did you just respond to me?” (Gentoku)

The mother cat lumbered over to a corner on the first floor.

I supposed that being on the second floor made relieving herself inconvenient. I decided to bring her a blanket. When I spread a blanket on the first floor, the mother cat lay down upon it.

I placed a bowl of water beside her, and for food, I served boiled mixed grains together with finely chopped fish.

The mother cat began to eat it quietly.

“A cat, huh.” (Gentoku)

It did not seem to be one of those common otherworldly tropes where the rescued animal or legendary divine beast transforms into a beautiful girl and falls in love with the protagonist, or receives some exaggerated, chuunibyou-style name and becomes absurdly powerful.

It was just a long-lived cat. That suited an old man like me. I would not want it suddenly turning into a pretty girl anyway.

“Hey, would you let me keep you? I’ll take care of you.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Mother Cat)

“In exchange, I’ll prepare your meals, and sometimes you can let me pet or hold you. There’s not much here now, but I’ll make this villa comfortable and pleasant for you and your kittens.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Mother Cat)

“Nya, nya.” (Kitten)

Oh, the kitten came over and rubbed against me.

It was still so small, with little flesh on its bones. When I petted it, I could feel only the hardness of the skull. The eyes were not yet open.

“Right, you need names.” (Gentoku)

Now, what should I call them? In another world, people might name them things like Garo, Knight, or Hakua, but I disliked that sort of thing.

A pair of pure white cats, mother and child.

“Purr…” (Mother Cat)
“Mew, mew.” (Kittens)

“Hmm… white, and right now you’re curled up all round… All right, you’ll be Daifuku. And the little round kitten will be Shiratama.” (Gentoku)

“…” (Mother Cat)

“Is that all right? You’re Daifuku.” (Gentoku)

“Meow.” (Mother Cat)

I supposed that meant yes. She yawned and curled up.

The kitten also yawned and curled up beside its mother, soon falling asleep.

“All right, I’ll take that as a yes. From today, you’re Daifuku, and you’re Shiratama.” (Gentoku)

And so, I began keeping cats in the villa.

A pair of white cats, the mother, Daifuku, and her kitten, Shiratama.

“Now then, I should buy air conditioners, a kotatsu, and maybe a heated carpet as well. I’ll need feeding bowls, a litter box, and plenty of fish. Time to head to the Commerce Guild.” (Gentoku)

For now, I would go shopping today and improve the living conditions of the villa.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)