We, having been watching Wataru and Leona's magic duel from a distance on a bench, were approached by Leona.

"Hehehe, I might have won in terms of strength, but I lost in terms of quantity. I won the match but lost the game.

"

"Well, for Nerune, she'd probably prefer multiple spells she can replicate over a single advanced spell she can't.

"

Though she said she lost, she looked quite satisfied.

Then, Rokuko clung tightly to my arm and glared at Leona.

"Leona, could you not get so close to Kehma?

"

"Oh come now, Rokuko-chan. Aren't we fellow date watchers today? We're friends, dear friends.

"

"That's one thing, this is another. I'm the one to protect Kehma.

"

Rokuko, with the vigor of one about to bite. Ah, I love it. I'm being protected…

"Hey, Kehma-san, did I do something to Rokuko-chan? She really seems to dislike me.

"

"I don't like you either, you know? You messed with my head before.

"

"… Did I? Mm, nope, sorry, I don't remember.

"

Leona apologized straight away. She genuinely seemed to have forgotten.

It's said that true evil is one who commits misdeeds without feeling guilty. She's truly like a wicked deity.

"First off, Leona, aren't you an enemy of Haku-sama? There's no reason for us to get along.

"

"Oh? Didn't I mention the other day that that was all just an act?

"

"That aside, I just don't like you.

"

"But I like you, Rokuko-chan? … And I'd like to get along with my in-laws.

"

"I'm not giving you Soto!!

"

Hey Rokuko, my arm hurts. Loosen your grip a bit.

"Oi, Leona. Didn't you say something about not laying a hand on your grandkid's partner?

"

"It's actually me who's being imposed upon… Kehma-san, what kind of upbringing are you giving to Soto-chan?

"

I'd been pretty hands-off, so being questioned on that stung.

Huh? Because Rokuko and I aren't making much progress, you think it's acting as a bad example and pushing others to be more aggressive?

There's some truth to that.

＊ ＊ ＊

After the magic duel with Leona-san, Nerune-san and I decided to have lunch on a picnic sheet spread out on the park's grass.

I'd momentarily hoped it might be homemade by Nerune-san… but it turned out to be sandwiches made by Kinue-san.

"Kinue is really good at cooking. She's what you'd call the perfect bride material, right?

"

"Indeed. She must be popular in the village.

"

"Among the three of us, she's the most popular. Next is Rei, and I'm the least popular.

"

"I like it, though? You, I mean, Nerune-san.

"

"… And~?

"

Ah. Right, not many would approach a woman who's been involved with a hero.

Even in Golen—or, perhaps, being with a hero doesn't matter. Unless the woman herself is uninterested.

"… Um, does that bother you?

"

"Not really~. I'm a huge introvert to begin with~, so I just concentrate on my magic research~.

"

From how she spoke, it might sound like she's sulking or blaming, but Nerune-san's grin suggested it was just a light-hearted joke.

… Yet, the possibility that she might genuinely think that way was one of Nerune-san's charming points.

"Oh yeah~. It's not like I can't cook either you know~? Like, I can bake and slice bread~. Toasted bread with cheese is delicious~.

"

"Ah, toast? I'd be able to make it if I had a toaster, but in this world… ovens are the best you can get.

"

"… Ah~, yes~… that's right~, isn't it~?

"

Ah. It feels like I just said something I shouldn't have.shouldn't have.

"Could it be that you've… made a toaster?

"

"Wha-what are you talking about~? I make bread in an oven~, really~, reeeeally~!

"

"Is it some kind of product in development? If so, it's like a corporate secret…?

"

"Yes, yes~, that's it~. You see~, there is a stovetop magical tool in the dungeon here, so I based it on that…? Or something like that~? It's not impossible~?

"

It felt like she was hiding something, but I decided not to pry any further.

"Any items you make that recreate Japanese tools or magical tools could become quite popular to sell. In fact, there are quite a few such items in the products from the Hero Workshop in the imperial capital. If I gave ideas to you or Kantra-san, would you make them for me?

"

"Ah~, we'd welcome that~, especially ones for personal use~. But we'd have to charge for the production costs~.

"

Nerune-san had her own work, so it looked like she didn't have enough hands to produce on a large scale.

If one wants to commercialize and sell at that level, it might be better to ask Kantara-san.

"Handmade magical tools by Nerune-san… I'd love that.

"

"Handmade, you say~… does that mean there are magical tools that aren't handmade~?

"

"Huh?

"

I was momentarily taken aback by her question, but considering it, there aren't any mass-produced items made in factories in this world. Everything is handmade by default.

"… Well, in my world, there were non-handmade items called factory products.

"

"Ohh~, a system for mass-producing high-demand products~!

"

Despite me having no intention of going that direction, Nerune-san latched onto the topic in an unexpectedly enthusiastic way. I then explained to her about conveyor belts, what factories entailed, division of labor, and everything I could think of about factories.

"Just like that. Machines—things similar to golems—make them.

"

"I see! That's very enlightening! Please tell me more!

"

Ah—I love her.

Looking into her sparkling eyes behind her glasses, I really thought so.

"Phew~. That was very informative~. Shall we get going~?

"

After our conversation, Nerune-san tightly grasped my hand.

The soft, warm touch of her hand made my heart race.

"Eh, where to? Fishing in the pond? Oh, I remember seeing Kehma-san and the others looking this way from the boat.

"

"Do you think there are fish in this pond~? … That's not what I meant though~. I was thinking of going to the Legendary Tree~.

The Legendary Tree. The goal of this date.

… Indeed, the sun was starting to set.

The end of the date, the time for my confession, was approaching.