Chapter 34: A Wish Fulfilled

“Is tea alright?” (Grandma)

“Yes, thank you.” (Jade)

Grandma went to the kitchen and brought out a tea set for two.

Even though there was sugar on the table, she didn’t take any and started drinking.

“Huh? You’re not going to put sugar in it?” (Jade)

“I don’t like sweets. I don’t mind if you use it all.” (Grandma)

“Sorry, but using up everything is a bit…” (Jade)

What’s going on? Didn’t Grandma have a sweet tooth?

Was it just Dorami’s misunderstanding?

But she said there were loads of sweets on the table, and she even bought donuts today…

“Were you expecting a guest?” (Jade)

“Nobody would want to visit a mean old hag’s house.” (Grandma)

“That’s not true at all. You even cooked for us, didn’t you?” (Jade)

“You were cleaning. It was the least I could do.”  (Grandma)

“And, didn’t you leave your donuts for Dorami?” (Jade)

“I just forgot to eat them.” (Grandma)

“And you were even careful not to let Dorami touch the wall.” (Jade)

“If she touches the wall, she’ll cut her finger. I don’t like having blood on the walls.” (Grandma)

I thought she was just scolding Dorami, but she was just afraid that Dorami was going to get a splinter from the wall.

Her speech is a bit rough, but after spending the day with her, I could tell that she was a nice person.

I still have some doubts about the sweets and the donuts, but if my guess is correct, then—

“By the way, do you two live in this town?” (Grandma)

“No, we only stopped by here on the way during our journey. I live in the capital in Kingdom of Sundeil.” (Jade)

T/N: スンディル (Sundeiru), it’s read as su- not sa- but I think it’s read as sun.

“I see… Then, I suppose I have to thank you now.” (Grandma)

“Thank me…?” (Jade)

She nodded slightly and smiled through her wrinkled face.

“For bringing that girl here, thank you.” (Grandma)

I knew it.

I had my suspicions, but—

“You realized that it was Dorami, didn’t you?” (Jade)

“Of course. We lived together for a year. Although she’s grown a little taller, my eyes won’t be fooled.” (Grandma)

So she really did know about Dorami living here from the very start.

No wonder she talked about Dorami eating cold food. And, now that I think about it, it’s strange to suddenly accept some stranger’s help to clean your house for free but she agreed without any hesitation.

But, why did she pretend as if she didn’t notice?

As I was wondering, Grandma started talking.

“Don’t you think this house is too big for just one person to live in?” (Grandma)

“I guess so. There are a lot of rooms, and there are also four beds.” (Jade)

“It was a long time ago, I lived here with my daughters. So many decades have passed since then. Everyone grew up, became independent, and started to live their lives in other towns.” (Grandma)

“Children do eventually have to leave the nest, after all… It makes you feel happy and lonely, a really complicated feeling…” (Jade)

“Do you have children too?” (Grandma)

“No, but I do fantasize about having my own someday.” (Jade)

My favorite is having a picnic delusion.

The whole family goes out on a picnic, and a child who is tired from walking asks me for a piggyback ride.

When I give my second oldest son a piggyback ride, the eldest son, eldest daughter, and second daughter get jealous and start fighting over who gets to be carried by me.

However, Garnet-san telling us all that lunch is ready will put an end to the quarrel, and everyone will enjoy a delicious meal.

The children would forget that they were even arguing and would begin playing. Then, Garnet-san would lean on my shoulder and start dozing off.

Listening to the cheerful voices of my cute children and my beloved Garnet-san’s breathing, I also end up falling asleep.

But then, the children would run up to us and beg us to play with them, and the whole family would end up joining in.

And after that wonderful time with my beloved family, we head home while discussing where to go next.

When I think about how such a fun life would end… I can’t help but empathize with Grandma’s problem.

“You’re a strange child. Well, I can’t really talk about others. When I ended up alone, I still often fantasized about my kids.” (Grandma)

“You’ve endured well. Just thinking about eventually parting ways is painful, and yet…” (Jade)

“They each have their own families now. I can’t ask them to come back. And, it’s not like I’ve been lonely all this time. After all, one day, I suddenly had a cute roommate.” (Grandma)

“Since when did you notice Dorami’s existence?” (Jade)

“On the second day.” (Grandma)

“That’s pretty fast…” (Jade)

“That’s because I saw her eating the leftovers in front of me while I was dozing off during the meal.” (Grandma)

That was a very bold move for the second day.

She must’ve been so absorbed in eating that she didn’t even notice Grandma was awake.

“But you didn’t speak to her then?” (Jade)

“When I saw her hurriedly trying to eat her food while being scared, I felt sorry for her. In that state, I knew that she had no home to go to, so I pretended not to see her. If she knew that I did, she would have run away in fear.” (Grandma)

I see.

It all makes sense now.

“You also prepared a mountain of sweets for Dorami, didn’t you?” (Jade)

“I felt bad for her only eating leftovers every day. Making sweets for her was fun, it reminded me of the good old days.” (Grandma)

When she lived with her children, she probably used to make them sweets.

When I have children of my own, I’ll make some sweets too. It’ll be a good memory someday.

“Thank you for taking care of Dorami for a year.” (Jade)

“I should be the one thanking you. The year I spent with that girl was a very happy time for me.” (Grandma)

“If Dorami hears about it, she’ll be glad.” (Jade)

“I don’t want her to know. If I become too greedy, she might get scared again, you know?” (Grandma)

“Greed… is it?” (Jade)

“I’ve come to love that girl as my own granddaughter. If she had nowhere to go, I officially wanted to let her live with me. But… I guess she thought she’d be scolded. She panicked and ran away.” (Grandma)

“So that’s what happened…” (Jade)

“I was worried about where she was and what she was doing. I was relieved when I saw her doing well. I didn’t actually believe in the wishing fountain, but it seems to be effective.” (Grandma)

I see. Grandma, did you wish to be reunited with Dorami?

Even though she doesn’t like sweets, she bought donuts because she expected Dorami to be hungry.

—THUMP

And then, there was the sound of something falling.

It looks Dorami fell off the bed.

Grandma smiled wryly.

“Looks like she hasn’t changed her bad sleeping habits.” (Grandma)

“Has she always done that?” (Jade)

“There weren’t any beds back then, so she would roll over and hit the walls while she was sleeping.” (Grandma)

Did Dorami really think that she wasn’t noticed…?

“I’ll go and tuck her back into the bed so she doesn’t catch a cold.” (Jade)

“That girl is lucky for being picked up by such a kind person.” (Grandma)

“I could say the same about you. Dorami will understand that you’re actually a very kind person.” (Jade)

“I don’t care if she understands me. I’m already satisfied just being able to meet that girl again.” (Grandma)

Even if you say that, I’ve already found out what misunderstanding you two have.

I want to help them reconcile.

But, that’s for tomorrow.

“Thank you for the tea.” (Jade)

I thanked her for the tea and headed upstairs.

And after putting Dorami—who was sleeping on the floor—back to bed, I fell asleep too.

The next morning.

By the time I woke up, Dorami was already up and about.

“Good morning. It’s unusual for you to get up this early.” (Jade)

“Dorami was so nervous that she woke up. She really has to apologize today…” (Dorami)

Dorami looked very uneasy.

If I tell her about what happened last night, she’d feel a lot better but it’s better if she hears about it directly.

Grandma only pretended not to notice, and an apology is only meaningful if you muster up the courage to apologize in the first place.

All I can do now is to give her a little push.

“It’s alright. If you apologize properly, she’ll forgive you.” (Jade)

“O-okay. Dorami will definitely apologize today.” (Dorami)

Just as Dorami steeled her resolve, there was a knock on the door.

Grandma wants to buy some fruits.

And she wants Dorami to decide on which ones to buy.

After receiving the money, we head to the main street.

I had a feeling somehow, and sure enough, it happened. Dorami bought some peaches.

She filled the basket with peaches and headed back to Grandma’s house.

“With this many peaches, Grandma will be in a good mood! And, Dorami hasn’t taken a single peach! It will show that she’s reflecting on herself, she hopes it’ll be conveyed properly…!” (Dorami)

“Yep. I’m sure she’ll forgive you. Are you going to apologize as soon as we get home?” (Jade)

The longer she drags it out, the harder it will get to apologize.

‘I wonder if Dorami understands that’, I thought to myself, but she suddenly made up her mind.

“Dorami will apologize once she returns!” (Dorami)

“You got it! I’m rooting for you, so go apologize properly!” (Jade)

“Dorami has strengthened her resolve!” (Dorami)

Since it’s decided, we have to get back home before her resolve wavers.

We walked straight home without taking any detours and returned to Grandma’s house.

When we entered, Grandma came out of the kitchen.

She was wearing an apron. Looks like she was making something.

“Dorami bought some peaches!” (Dorami)

“Thank you for your hard work. You can go relax in your room.” (Grandma)

After receiving the basket of peaches, she headed back into the kitchen.

Before she could head back in, Dorami called out to her with a hoarse voice.

“B-before that, Dorami wants you to listen to her!” (Dorami)

“What is it?” (Grandma)

“A-actually, umm… D-Dorami was actually secretly eating in the attic of this house! She’s really sorry!” (Dorami)

Dorami bowed her head deeply.

And when she fearfully raised her head… Dorami was stunned.

Grandma was smiling at her.

“Was my food delicious?” (Grandma)

“It was delicious… Both the cold and warm food, they were all delicious!” (Dorami)

“I see. Then, come and eat again.” (Grandma)

“I-is that alright? Dorami is a bad girl…” (Dorami)

Dorami looked down without any confidence.

Grandma gently caresses her hair.

“You’re a good kid. You properly say ‘itadakimasu’ and ‘gochisosama’ when you eat, after all.” (Grandma)

T/N: They just translate to the same thing ‘thank you for the meal’ so I just left it like that.

As Grandma caressed her, Dorami burst into a smile.

As if she suddenly remembered something, she ran upstairs and came back with a muffler.

“This is a souvenir!” (Dorami)

“What a cute scarf. Are you giving it to me?” (Grandma)

“Dorami chose it herself! It suits you, Grandma!” (Dorami)

“Thank you. I’ll take good care of it.” (Grandma)

Grandma wrapped the scarf around her neck and stroked it lovingly.

Dorami seemed happy that she liked it.

“Since I received such a wonderful thing, I have to give my thanks.”

“T-there’s no need…” (Dorami)

“I was going to make you a cake, do you not want it?” (Grandma)

“Eh?! Cake?! C-could it be that you’re going to use the peaches for the cake?! I-it will be really delicious… I-is it really okay to eat it?” (Dorami)

“You can have as much as you like, not just half this time.” (Grandma)

“Yay! Dorami loves Grandma’s cake~! She’ll help you out~!” (Dorami)

“You can just wait in your room.” (Grandma)

“If Dorami helps, she’ll be able to eat the cake faster! And, she also wants to help Grandma!” (Dorami)

“I’ll also help out.” (Jade)

“Really… You’re really good kids.” (Grandma)

We went into the kitchen while Grandma had a big smile on her face, and we made a very delicious cake.

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Translator’s Corner:

We’ve officially passed the translated manga with this chapter.

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