Compared to when I first met Illuna, she had grown much taller, from a little girl to a young girl.
In fact, she still had her school bag on her back, but from next spring she would be a junior high school student.
“Yeah, I just came back from school. Swings are fun, aren’t they!” (Illuna)
“Yes, it’s the first time I’ve been on the swings, and it gives you a unique feeling.” (Lefi)
“Oh, so it’s your first time. Well then, I’ll teach you another way to play on the swing!” (Illuna)With that, Illuna got on the swing I had just been sitting on and started to swing.
And then, in time with her momentum, she went, “Ei!” and one of her shoes flew off into the distance.
“This is a game called ‘Kutsubashi’ (shoe-skipping)! Whoever can make the shoe fly the furthest wins.” (Illuna)
“I see. Yuki, move aside. –Watch! This is the real kick of the dragon!” (Lefi)
“Oi, wait!” (Yuki)
Before I could stop her, Lefi swung her feet with all her might when she reached a good height on the swing.
It was then followed by the sound of a sharp blow through the air.Lefi’s shoes flew past me at such an incredible speed that my dynamic vision could only catch the faintest afterimage, easily leaping over the narrow confines of the park and eventually disappearing into the sky.
“…Ah!” (Lefi)
“Ah, jeez, you idiot! That’s what happens when you seriously kick something!” (Yuki)
Fortunately, there was a mountain in the direction Lefi’s shoe flew, so it would be okay as long as she didn’t hit anyone and hurt them…but…this one was really…
“Ah… it turned into a star, huh?” (Illuna)
Illuna looked at the direction in which the shoe flew away and burst into giggles.
It was not related at all, but seeing Illuna’s expression at times like this, you could see that she had grown up.
“Yuki, give me a lift home.” (Lefi)
“Oh, really, you…” (Yuki)
“I feel bad, so I’ll carry your luggage…” (Illuna)
“Thanks, Illuna, you’re a big help.” (Lefi)
“…I apologize for the bother.” (Yuki)
I carried Lefi on my shoulder and left the park.
Illuna walked next to me.
“But still…heh.” (Illuna)
“? What’s up, Illuna?” (Yuki)
“What?” (Lefi)
“I was just thinking that you guys haven’t changed since the first time I met you.” (Illuna)
“Well, this idiot’s stupidity hasn’t changed since we first met.” (Yuki)
I have many things to say, but for not now.
“Idiot, idiot, stupid” (Yuki)
“Yuki, I learned the triangular clasp from TV last time. And now I’m being carried on your shoulders. You know what I am thinking, right?” (Lefi)
“You’re being shallow. A threat like that makes me–gah, wait, wait, wait, give, give!” (Yuki)
“Geez, Oniichan, we have to go back soon!” (Illuna)
The three of us went home, side by side.
◇◇◇
“Hmmm, I guess that’s about right!” (Yuki)
I hung two ropes from a large tree in the grassland area and connected them to a board to make a swing.
I tried to check the durability by getting on it and putting all my weight on it and tugging on it, but…well, it appears to be okay.
And I guess you could say that my carpentry skills were getting pretty good. The day when I become known as the “Demon King of Carpentry” was near at hand.
“What are you making, Yuki?” (Lefi)
Lefi, who had been watching me, looked at what I had made and gave me a dubious look.
“This is a swing! Come on, Lefi. I am now testing its durability.” (Yuki)
“I don’t know what you are planning, but okay.” (Lefi)
I sat down on the swing and Lefi sat down on my lap as well.
Then I moved my legs and started to swing.
“Oh…hmmm, I see. This is quite fun.” (Lefi)
“Right? I don’t know why, but swings are fun. You can swing as hard as you can… like this–oh.” (Yuki)
“Ah.” (Lefi)
Perhaps we shouldn’t have been riding together.
No, if it had been Illuna and her friends, there might have been no problem, but it was not durable enough for two adults to ride.
When we sent it swinging as hard as we could, it was followed by a cracking sound of branches breaking. Before we knew it, Lefi’s body and mine floated gently in the air.
Next, gravity pulled us down and slammed us into the grassy field.
“Gghh!” (Yuki)
“Nuuuu!” (Lefi)
The two of us overlapped and rolled on the ground.
It hurts.
“I see…. A swing was a piece of playground equipment that teaches you the lesson that playing dangerously and making mistakes can be painful.” (Lefi)
“…Yes, it’s a play to learn that firsthand!” (Yuki)
“Here’s a Play for you.” (Lefi)
“Ow!” (Yuki)
Lefi getting on top of me and hitting me with a forehead flick.
“Damn it…next time if you’re going to make something, make it more durable. You’re guilty of causing your wife pain, now go back to being a pillow.” (Lefi)
With that, Lefi laid down on the grassy field, using my belly as a pillow.
“I will. And when I do, please accompany me again for the endurance test.” (Yuki)
“No. You’ll be alone and in pain.” (Lefi)
“You say that, but I’m sure you’ll go with me if I ask you to.” (Yuki)
“…Hmph.” (Lefi)
I laughed at Lefi, who just sniffled at me, acting as if she disagreed.
Enjoying the wind that swept across the area.
And the sunlight shining down on the meadow area.
Lefi’s warmth and weight.
When I touched her hand, she intertwined her fingers with mine and lightly squeezed it.
We continued to spend an ordinary time together.
