Translated by Jyzciel

It's been 15 days since I started my life in the countryside.

It's been two weeks already since I came here...

I sat on the veranda, sipping tea, and gazing out at the central garden. Black beans and Kinako were lounging by them, relaxed in a prone position.

Suddenly, I looked to the side and spotted the dried persimmons that I and Chronos made last week. They seemed to be coming along nicely.

No signs of mold, and they've turned a beautiful color. If all goes well, maybe I can eat them next week... or the week after.

I had initially thought of a slower pace, but somehow, I'd been experiencing rather hectic days. Yet, it wasn't a burden. Despite the eccentric group I had around me, it felt strangely pleasant.

However, it seemed like my home was slowly turning into a fixed-menu restaurant, even though I kept insisting otherwise. Lost in thought, I squeezed between the Kuro-mame and Kinako and stretched out on the veranda, closing my eyes. I wondered how much time had passed since then.

I heard Kinako's loud barking and a few people's voices...

"Is this really the place?"

"Yeah, that's right. The house of the lady who makes delicious food, not a forest bakery." Hmm... this voice...

"Is it okay to just enter like this?"

Rubbing my drowsy eyes, I sat up. Two children had barged in.

"Hey, Big Sis!"

"You two...!" It was the squirrel beastfolk siblings who had arrived here recently.

"Are you doing well?"

"Yes, we were really grateful for your help back then." The two of them happily swayed their animal ears and tails.

"What brings you here today?" There were some people nearby who seemed hesitant to approach.

"Hello, our children received your help the other day." As I looked up, I saw a squirrel beastfolk couple who appeared to be the parents of the children.

They had come over to express their gratitude since they had completely recovered from the illness I had treated. I invited them to the veranda for some tea.

By the way, today's dessert was a pound cake loaded with nuts.

"Thank you so much." They said repeatedly as they ate the cake, bowing their heads politely to me.

"Oh no, it was nothing..."

Mr. Squirrel had a solemn expression as he bowed his head again, and then he continued, "I can say this now, but my wife's illness was quite serious. The doctors told us she might not live for long, and it was dire."

Really... White Snake Scale's healing power is incredible!

"Despite that, after having the soup you gave us... my wife's health improved rapidly, and she's almost completely cured now."

"Ah..." All I could do was smile wryly.

That's when Black Beans and Kinako approached, inviting the squirrel beastfolk siblings to play. The siblings looked at Rinoko and their parents, asking if it was okay.

"Sure, please feel free to go. While you're at it, would you like to check the condition of the garden?" With that, the two dogs happily jump out into the yard.

"Haha... they're very clever dogs." The wife giggled softly.

"They're indeed smart dogs. It's almost like they can read the air." the husband murmured while watching the children run off.

The wife looked at my face and gently took my hand. "We're able to be here like this thanks to you. I won't ask what kind of magic you used."

Magic... it might be a kind of magic indeed.

"In addition, I promise not to reveal anything about you, or the location of this forest bakery to anyone." The husband said with a very earnest expression.

First the diner, and now the forest bakery... Can't I be free from all this food shop series..?

"I haven't done anything. I believe those kids' efforts paid off somehow." After I said this, they both looked surprised for a moment. But then they locked eyes and nodded in agreement.

"That might be true... But we're grateful to you nonetheless." Both of them nodded repeatedly with moist eyes.

"Today, as a token of our gratitude, we brought this." Saying so, the wife gave a basket filled with walnuts.

"Thank you. Are you sure it's okay to give so many?" My eyes sparkled with joy.

"We can't give much more than this, I'm afraid." The husband scratched his head apologetically.

"No, receiving such fine walnuts makes me happy. I'm already excited thinking about what to make with them." At that moment, the squirrel siblings returned.

"Big sis, there were lots of corn ready to harvest in the garden."

"Really? Oh, I completely forgot about the harvest."

Then, the husband kindly offered, "Would you like me to help with the harvest?"

"Is that okay? We'd be happy to help." Followed by the wife

"Then, we'll help a hand too!"

"Please do."

After seeing the three of them off, I said to the wife, "Shall we use these walnuts to make something?"

"Sure, I'd love to help too." The two of them immediately began cooking.

"I'd like to make caramelized walnuts."

"Caramelized... is it?" The Wife tilted her head, likely not familiar with the term.

"It's simple but a very delicious treat." Then I took out the frying pan.

"First, we'll boil sugar and water. Yes, cook it until it develops a viscous consistency, bubbling up and slowly breaking."

"Alright."

The squirrel beastfolk wife also started making it, observing and following my lead.

"Next, add the walnuts. Stir with a wooden spatula until it crystallizes and turns white." Both of us mixed the walnuts earnestly.

"Looks good. Since it has crystallized, turn off the heat. Keep stirring until it's uniformly white."

"Then, put it back on the heat. This time, stir until the crystallized sugar turns into caramel."

"What is caramel?"

"It's this brownish, sticky texture. This part can be tricky, if you cook it too long it will burn. So, when it reaches the desired color, remove it from the heat and let the residual heat finish it."

"Does it look something like this?"

"That's perfect, it looks great."

"After letting it cool, fill it into a jar, and you're done. It's still a bit warm, but try one." The Wife picked one piece and tasted the freshly made caramelized walnuts.

"Wow, it's so delicious."

"See? It's really tasty."

We continued to cook various dishes using walnuts together until the three of them returned.

"Thank you so much for today. We came to thank you, but we ended up receiving so much again."

As usual, half of the dishes prepared with walnuts and the harvested vegetables were taken home by the squirrel beastfolk family.

"No, I'm the one who should say thank you."

"Big sister, can we come and play again?"

"You guys..."

While their parents were about to scold them, Rinoko smiled and said, "Of course, you can come to play anytime. Just make sure to get permission from your parents before you come. And you two, feel free to visit again as well."

"Thank you!"

「Woof!」  Kinako and Kuro-mame barked happily.

The squirrel beastfolk family had come to visit. It was good that their mother had recovered.

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