第８０９堀：里帰り (Part2)
"Yuki, isn't it a bit much to spoil Mikos like this..."
"I know when to draw the line. Right?"
"Yes. I know when it's time to get serious, so for today—or rather, for just now—please, Kagura, let it slide."
"Hah. I suppose I have no choice. Princess Stasia, General Agil. My apologies."
"No, don't worry about it. I understand the urge to move about freely when returning to one's homeland after so long. That said, one must never let their guard down."
"Exactly. Besides, I sprint back to my lab whenever I get the chance. It’s only human. You aren't the type of people to get angry over something so trivial, but to those looking to trip you up, it’s a perfect excuse for a scandal. Just be careful."
"Yes, sir."
Princess Stasia and General Agil are right. Thanks to Yuki-sensei and the establishment of intercontinental exchanges, I’ve managed to secure a firm footing as a diplomat, but there are still plenty of people who try to threaten or cajole me. I can't stand being intimidated by the likes of them, and I don't want to cause any more trouble for my parents or Yuki-sensei, or risk them losing faith in me.
As I was steeling my resolve with those thoughts...
"Still, these sprawling grasslands and the mountains standing in the distance... it's quite a view."
"It reminds me of a certain classic animated film. Should we hang a giant swing from the sky? I think I could pull it off right now."
"That sounds dangerous for a dozen different reasons, Taiki-kun. Don't."
Yuki-sensei and the others are talking about something absurd as usual. A swing from the sky? That sounds impossible no matter how you look at it.
Just as I was thinking that, my ear was suddenly tugged.
"Ouch!?"
"What are you spacing out for? Lead the way. Or were you planning on having General John and his men, who are deployed here, guide us instead?"
"No, no, that won't happen. Leave it to Mikos-chan. Everyone, this way."
With that, I began walking toward my hometown—no, my home village—when...
"...It really is empty, isn't it?"
"Shut it, Kagura. Don't go making fun of someone's hometown."
It seems this city-bred young lady doesn't care for walking through these rustic fields. Fine, so it’s not a bustling metropolis. I’m just a country bumpkin, a potato girl, okay?
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean it like that."
"Then what did you mean?"
"Um, it's hard to put into words, but... it feels so vast. Like there's nothing here to obstruct the view."
"?"
As I tilted my head at Kagura's cryptic remark, Yuki-sensei walked up from behind.
"Kagura has spent her whole life being hemmed in by expectations and pressures from those around her. She’s likely unaccustomed to this kind of liberation. Weed is a chaotic place, and at the end of the day, it's all artificial."
"But she's seen wide-open spaces before, hasn't she...?"
"Right. I mean, I admit Mikos-chan's hometown is rural, but even in Baide, you’d see scenery like this once you stepped outside the city, wouldn't you?"
I can understand the sense of vastness, but you can see scenery like this anywhere once you leave a town. I still don't quite get what Kagura means by "vast."
"Ah, how should I say this... I suppose it’s that when you’re here, you feel released from your work. Since this is Mikos's home, for Kagura, it’s like visiting a friend's house—her heart feels at ease. She’s probably also relieved to see that Mikos is relaxed."
"I see. That explanation makes sense."
"Well, look at that. Despite all your complaining, it sounds like Kagura actually likes my hometown."
"I never said anything bad about it to begin with. It was your attitude..."
As we chatted, a group of horses that didn't look particularly sturdy came toward us.
"You lot!! Who goes—wait, Mikos!?"
"Oh. Hey, Dad."
"I've told you, don't call me 'Dad.' We are nobles, after all; call me 'Father,' as I've told you so many times..."
I cut off my father before he could launch into his lecture.
"Dad. I'm home!"
"Hmph. Welcome back."
We exchanged our usual greeting, and he gave me his usual response. Hearing those words, I finally felt like I had truly returned. Things are busy, but for today, I’m going to enjoy being back at my parents' house.
Oh, and of course, I’ll be sure to introduce Yuki-sensei.
To everyone away from home: Have you been back to visit your parents lately? If you go back, you’ll find yourself remembering all sorts of things—the good and the bad. For some, it takes a bit of courage.
Oh, by the way, my parents' house is only a thirty-minute drive away, so I don't really have any grand, emotional revelations.