I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 13

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I thought this was supposed to be a healing farming game.
Episode 13

I hooked the Fruit Basket over one arm and turned the doorknob; the wooden door creaked open.
“I’m back…….”
The moment I stepped inside, Siard emerged from the Kitchen and turned toward me.
“Welcome home.”
It had been so long since someone greeted me upon my return. The moment caught in my throat.
I stood there for a moment, looking at Siard with an ache I couldn’t quite name.
“Did you have a pleasant outing?”
His kind inquiry eased the turbulence in my chest, at least a little.
“Yes, I did.”
I smiled weakly and set the Fruit Basket down on the Kitchen table.
“You’ve brought fruit?”
“Oh, this is a gift. Friam gave it to me.”
“You’ve met with Friam, then.”
“Yes. You should have some too, Siard.”
“It’s good to see you getting on well with the villagers.”
“Yes…….”
I tried not to show my gloom and naturally looked away from his gaze.
“Are you not hungry? I’ve just finished baking a Meat Pie.”
“Ah, I’ll eat later…….”
Gurgle.
Before I could finish my refusal, my stomach churned loudly.
I pressed my lips together. Heat flooded my face.
My treacherous stomach had no respect for my desire to be alone.
“Pie tastes best when it’s fresh from the oven. Would it be all right if I cut you just a small slice?”
Unable to resist his considerate act of ignoring what had just happened, I sat down in a chair.
“Yes, thank you…….”
Siard brought the Meat Pie out of the oven and set it on the table.
The golden-brown crust looked wonderfully appetizing.
“Wow.”
My mouth watered.
I forgot my sadness entirely and leaned in to sniff the pie.
The rich, buttery aroma of the pastry mingled delicately with the scent of meat and spices within.
“It’s very hot.”
Siard’s hand came up to shield my face from the pie.
I looked up at him, eyes bright with anticipation.
“It smells amazing!”
Siard smiled softly at my reaction and raised the knife in his hand.
“I only hope the taste lives up to your expectations.”
It was an odd sight — so at odds with his angelic face — yet his technique appeared quite practiced.
As Siard drove the blade deep into the edge of the pie, the crisp crust crackled and gave way beneath it.
Rich sauce oozed through the opening.
He cut a generous slice and pushed it onto a plate in front of me.
“Thank you, Siard! You gave me such a big piece.”
I clapped my hands and exclaimed at the sight of the appetizing dish.
“It’s only just come out of the oven, so it will still be very hot. Please be careful.”
“Okay!”
I picked up the fork with eager anticipation.
‘It feels like the first time I’ve had Meat Pie since my mother made it for me when I was seven.’
Since I’d fallen ill, I’d eaten nothing but thin rice porridge. The thought that I could now taste something like this with a healthy body again stirred emotions I couldn’t quite name.
The moment I pressed the fork down, the crispy crust fractured cleanly beneath it.
I dipped the slice generously in the thick, reduced sauce and popped it into my mouth.
“Mmm!”
The taste awakened a forgotten joy in good food.
My mood lifting, I bounced my legs beneath the table.
“It seems to suit your palate,” Siard observed.
Siard, seated across from me, watched my reaction while eating the pie.
I covered my mouth with my hand and nodded vigorously.
“It’s so delicious.”
The buttery pastry was crisp, the sauce savory and rich, the beef stewed down to deep tenderness, the vegetables yielding softly to my teeth.
It was perfect harmony.
Lost in rapture, I cut through the warm pie with my fork without pause, sliding each piece between my lips.
My eager response seemed to delight Siard as well.
“It’s lovely to see you enjoy it so. Do have another slice.”
“Oh, but…….”
I glanced between the pie and Siard, hesitating inwardly.
As if reading my thoughts, Siard pressed the offer gently.
“It’s actually a pie I made as thanks for last night’s dinner.”
Hearing that, I found myself unable to refuse.
“In that case, I’m grateful for another slice…….”
Before I could finish speaking, Siard cut another slice and transferred it to my plate.
After that, I eagerly accepted every slice he offered.
“I know I should be polite about it, but I can’t resist when it’s this delicious.”

Siard’s Affection Level +5

Siard, who had set down his fork after just one slice, seemed content simply to watch me eat.
“There’s no need to hold back. It’s a pleasure to see you enjoy yourself so.”
Whether my appetite had awakened from physical labor or I was simply overjoyed to taste something delicious after so long, I couldn’t say.
“I’m full…….”
The pie, baked large enough to yield eight slices, had been nearly half consumed by me alone.
Looking at the now-sparse Meat Pie plate, I stole a glance at Siard to gauge his reaction.
“I’ve eaten rather a lot on my own.”
“I’ll keep the rest in the cold storage, so feel free to eat it whenever you like.”
And Siard, endlessly kind, granted me permission to keep the leftover pie without a trace of reproach.
‘An angel…….’
I paused mid-wipe of my mouth with a tissue.
Looking at Siard, I found myself thinking of another resident, equally kind.
“Your expression doesn’t look well.”
“Oh.”
“Is something troubling you?”
It was becoming hard to brush off his concern.
“Well, actually, earlier…….”
After wavering, I confided in Siard about what had happened today.
How I’d run into Friam by accident, received a Fruit Basket as an apology, and in my joy, had embraced him before quickly letting go.
“Of course I released him right away, but his reaction was so poor. When I apologized, he said it was fine, but his expression said anything but…….”
Siard, who had been listening quietly, placed the wrapped pie in the cold storage and spoke.
“So that’s why you seemed downhearted.”
I flinched.
“It showed that much……?”
I’d made a real effort to appear cheerful in front of Siard.
“Actually, when I was baking the pie earlier, I saw you returning through the kitchen window.”
“What?!”
“There was no spring in your step.”
“Ah…….”
“Still, hearing you tell it, it seems you’ve resolved things well — are you still bothered by it?”
At Siard’s question, my heart grew heavy.
“It’s just that, what I did thoughtlessly seems to have wounded Friam……. I ruined our first meeting, and that weighs on me.”
Watching Siard listen so earnestly, I caught myself and let my expression soften.
“But really, eating the Meat Pie with you has lifted my spirits.”
I answered brightly — and it was true.
I’d been treated to something delicious, and I didn’t want to burden Siard further with this worry.
“So I’ll think through this problem more carefully on my own! How was your day?”
“Much like any other.”
“Ah, but I don’t know anything about your usual schedule, do I? I’m curious what kind of day you’ve had…….”
My disappointed tone seemed to prompt Siard to pause and consider before he spoke with measured calm.
“This morning I inspected the garden and returned, then prepared several bottles of Potion and cleaned the surrounding area…… and baked a Meat Pie. As you can see.”
Siard gestured toward the empty dish before him.
I looked up at him with widened eyes the moment he finished speaking.
“A garden? You cultivate it yourself, in addition to your work as a healer?”
“It’s nothing so grand—merely tending the vegetables I use directly and the medicinal herbs needed for my potion work.”
“Medicinal herbs…… I’d love to go with you to the Medicinal Herb Garden next time!”
I gazed up at him with hopeful eyes and silently prayed: please.
Fortunately, his gentle nature led him to accept, assuring me he’d be happy to show me around.
“I’m planning to go tomorrow as well. If the time suits you, I’ll show you in person.”
“I’d love that. I absolutely must go with you! You can’t go without me.”
“Of course.”
On the surface, I’d made my interest in viewing the Medicinal Herb Garden clear, but my true intentions ran deeper.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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