Drawn Mochi Volume 5 Chapter 13.1: A Stormy Competition*7

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“Still, heaven seems weird… I wonder if it’s actually hell…? If so, it’s a half-baked hell…? Then heaven? Or have I come to a place that is neither…?” (Lila)

　When we returned to the forest, the bird was standing in the middle of the stables, looking proud.

　And under their stomach, Lila was grumbling as she was being warmed.

　…It’s not hell. It’s not even heaven. This is just a forest.

“You brought Lila with you. Thank you.” (Tougo)

　I stroked the bird, and it turned puffed its chest chirped.

　…Then the bird, which had been warming Lila, shifted a little and let Lila out from under their belly.

“…Um, good morning.” (Tougo)

　When I greeted her, Lila blinked her eyes… and then smiled.

“I’m not sure if you’re an angel or something? No wonder you’re such a weird guy.” (Lila)

　The first thing Lila said about what I am. Well, she as expected would be surprised. Sorry…

　Around Lila (that is, around the bird, I guess), the horses came up to her and asked, “Are you okay? Are you okay?” It seems that Lila is popular among the horses. I’m glad to hear that.

“So, is this heaven? Hell? Or neither?” (Lila)

“Um… We’re beside my house.” (Tougo)

“…so, you mean heaven?” (Lila)

“No, that’s not it…” (Tougo)

　Lila crawled out from under the bird and sat back down in front of it. Then, her size relative to the bird, kind of makes her look like a chick.

“I died, right?” (Lila)

“You are alive. Look.” (Tougo)

　When I pinched Lila’s cheek as she said something outrageous, she had an indescribable look on her face. She was like, well… Well, she was troubled.

“Um… why did you bring Lila with you?” (Tougo)

　I asked the bird. After all, it was the bird that brought Lila. Personally, I wish it would happen, but I didn’t consult with the bird, nor did I talk about it in front of the bird, so this bird is the only one who can explain why Lila is here…

　However, the bird just seemed to be happy and proud as it cooed.

　…This guy seems to be quite mischievous.

“…So, this is in the forest of Redgarde territory. It’s next to Tougo’s house. Besides, this bird is just a bird. That’s all for the explanation.” (Fay)

　I then told Lian and Ange that I was home, brought them with me, and explained everything to Lila over tea at my house.

　Fay did most of the explaining. Well, because Fay is the one whom Lila seems to trust the most out of all of them. From Lila’s point of view, Fay seems to be an aristocrat who should be respected, and she listens to what Fay has to say.

　And, from Lila’s point of view, it seems that she is convinced that I am a resident of the afterlife, but Fay says he does not think so. I don’t know. I wonder what that means…

　Well, that’s fine. For now, if Lila only understands that “It seems, I’m not dead, I was just brought to the forest of Redgarde territory by a mysterious bird…”

“…I see. I understand. That means I will continue to be a live-in worker as per the ruling, right?” (Lila)

　And Lila, looking much more firm than before, says so…

“Ah… well, I guess so.” (Fay)

　Fay scratched his head, looking a little confused.

“It’s probably Tougo who has something to do with you, not me.” (Fay)

“Yep.” (Tougo)

　Fay gave up the conversation, so I decided to talk to Lila.

“Umm, why don’t you live here instead of the Redgarde family mansion?” (Tougo)

“…here? I don’t really mind. There’s straw and it’s fluffy, and it’s not that cold.” (Lila)

“No, that’s not it. When I say here, I mean the forest. It doesn’t mean you have to live in the stable. I’ll build a separate house for you! And I want you to live in this forest…” (Tougo)

　…That’s where I got into trouble.

　I want to talk to Lila and see more of her paintings. And I want to paint her. But how can I call this work?

　I was troubled. I was very troubled. Work. Work. Work… that would convince her that she had done the work of a thousand gold coins, that kind…

“…as a model, for now?” (Tougo)

“What? For now, for now?! I mean, why am I a model?” (Lila)

“Actually… I feel like your role is as an advisor, um…?” (Tougo)

　I’m trying to put it into words, but it’s not going well. So I decided to honestly tell her.

“Um… I want to talk to you, and I want to look at your paintings. I also want to draw you. But I can’t think of a way to make it into a job. Do you have any ideas?” (Tougo)

“…Is that a job?” (Lila)

　Lila was shocked, but all I could do was nod. Yes. That’s the job.

“I thought you’d come up with something different.” (Lila)

　I see. Something different. …What different job?

“What can you do anyway?” (Tougo)

“I can do some farm work, though I am not as strong as a man. I can manage a small field by myself. I can spin yarn and weave using a loom, to some extent. I can do embroidery and imitate a seamstress. I can also do lace knitting. And, yes, I can do all the housework. I was once employed as a maid. ” (Lila)

　That’s amazing! So you can do all kinds of handicrafts!

　I guess weaving would be classified as textile design or something like that. That’s amazing. I’ve never done that, but I’d like to try it.

“After that… Well, I can help with the preliminary preparations for the magic painting. Things like turning magic stones into powder. Adjusting slime liquid, etc.” (Lila)

“Are ou knowledgeable in magic painting?” (Tougo)

“Eh, yes. Most of the noble houses had me do magic paintings…” (Lila)

　Then her job is decided!

“Then I want you to teach me magic painting, and weaving and stuff! I’d like to see some embroidery! Be my teacher!” (Tougo)

　…And so, Lila’s job was decided.

　Her job is to maintain a small field. Ms. Croix said something about wanting fresh vegetables. It’s hard to go to the city of Redgarde to buy them, so it would be nice to have them nearby. Lian said Lian would also help with this.

　And then there was the housework help. Since Ms. Croix is doing all of it, it was decided that it would be nice to have another person to do the housework.

　And… my teacher!

　She will teach me painting and handicrafts. Especially, I’m a complete amateur in magic painting, so I’d love to have her teach me!

“…I wonder if it’s okay, to end like this.” (Lila)

　Lila has a somewhat unconviced look on her face, but I think it’s really cool!

　Then, Lila was taken by Ms. Croix and they decided to go to the city of Redgarde together. By the way, Lian and Ange will also join. Fay and laocles will stay home with me.

　In short, they were going shopping for daily necessities. She was kidnapped by a bird with nothing but her clothes on, so she didn’t have anything to change into.

　So, we went to get her some necessities for her daily life, paying in advance out of her salary. We also went to buy clothes for Lian and Ange and some foodstuffs.

“…there were a lot of horses flying around.” (Lila)

“Ms. Croix is liked by Pegasus. It seems like Lila gets along well with the horses as well.” (Tougo)

　Fay was flying with the red dragon, and the Celeste siblings were flying with the Luans, but Ms. Croix and Lila each got on with a random Pegasus and flew off on them. Maybe Ms. Croix and Lila need a flying creature that’s the perfect size for shopping? Let’s ask later.

“…the unicorns are being clingier this time.” (Fay)

“Well… those guys seem to like women.” (Tougo)

　By the way, the unicorns seem to have taken a liking to Lila. Compared to Ms. Croix and Ange, I feel like Lila was liked best. For now, all the horses are very friendly. From the beginning. …Those with horns are easy for them to deal with.

　…I’m a little bit jealous.

And while everyone else went shopping, I decided to work on Lila’s house.