(Surprise! Another new chapter in less than a week xD Since I was still brimming with ideas after finishing the previous one, I decided to continue with the next chapter. But just a heads up, don't expect the same thing to happen for next chapter or any future ones~ :D)
It's been a long time since Maya ate any decent food. For the past 5 years that she had been bedridden, she had only eaten porridge and soup. The food wasn't that appetizing.
"Mother, how's the food? Does it taste nice?" <Misomi>
After savouring and swallowing the food in her mouth, she spoke up with a satisfied look.
"It's delicious, Misomi. Even the porridge you made before already tasted good. So the food we have now taste even better!" <Maya>
"I'm happy to hear that! Mother, from now on you can finally eat better food!" <Misomi>
Misomi put a bit of serving from each dishes on the table and placed it on Maya's plate.
"Though I could definitely make dinner taste better, the ingredients and seasonings we have are limited. I can only make do with what we have in the kitchen." <Misomi>
Misumi expressed her dissatisfaction.
She really intended to make a variety of dishes that would taste amazing for her Mother, who can finally eat solid food. However, due to their poor state, it was impossible.
While talking about how there was barely any ingredients left in the kitchen, Maya suddenly remembered something.
"Eh, Misomi, what day is it today?" <Maya>
"Err... It's the 5th day of the 3rd month? Why?" <Misomi>
"Well, isn't it perfect? Isn't the 6th day of every month is when the Food Merchant usually comes to our village? So Shin, if you want to eat ramen for dinner tomorrow, you can go buy the ingredients then, right?" <Maya>
"Oh? If that is the case, I'll do just that then." <Shin>
Shin became happy knowing that he might be able to eat ramen tomorrow.
"Great! Misomi will help you pick the ingredients to make the Ramen. Assuming she still remembers them?" <Maya>
"O-Of course, I remember! It's important information that I don't wish to forget!" <Misomi>
"Alright, alright. I Understand." <Maya>
They continued their dinner while talking about various stuff.
...
Once they had finished their dinner, it was already about 8 PM.
Shin's group was lounging around at the dining table after finishing their meal.
They stayed for quite some time to the point that they have no clue where to stay for the night. Their original plan was to camp out, but they have yet to buy any equipment to do so.
Misomi left the kitchen after finishing washing the dishes. When she entered the dining room, she saw them deep in thought. As if realising their situation, Misomi gave a solution.
"If you would like, you can stay here for the night? Fortunately, I have an extra bed in my room. And there are a few more mattresses that I can give for the rest to sleep on. However..." <Misomi>
She looked at Shin with a troubled look.
Misomi wanted to suggest to Shin that he can sleep on the sofa outside, but telling a guest to sleep outside was a little rude.
Suddenly quiet all of a sudden, Shin spoke up.
"It's fine. I can just sleep on the sofa. You three go ahead and sleep in Misomi's room." <Shin>
Shana & Iris wanted to rebuked but before they could open their mouth, Shin continued talking.
"No arguing. There is no space on the sofa for the two of you to fit in. So please sleep in the room." <Shin>
Hearing that there was no chance for them to slide their way in, they pouted in disapproval.
"Then what about Kagura? Don't tell me she is sleeping with Shin-Sama!?" <Iris>
"What are you saying? Obviously she is sleeping in the room with you two?" <Shin>
"Huh?" <Iris>
Iris couldn't believe that Kagura isn't bothered on the fact that she won't be sleeping with Shin. She looked at Kagura as if telling her that 'why don't you want to sleep with Shin-Sama? Don't you love Shin-Sama?'
At her questioning gaze, Kagura spoke up.
"What? I am not like you two. My relationship with Master is different from you two. I'm his sword, not wife. That's why I'm not really concerned whether I sleep with him or not." <Kagura>
Hearing Kagura's sound argument, Iris sighed.
Finally settling their stay overnight, the girls went to Misomi's room to arrange the beds and mattresses. Misomi gave Shin a blanket in case it gets cold. After finishing their preparations, they took a bath.
Needless to say, both Shana & Iris forced their way to bath with Shin, despite the bathroom being small. They insisted to do this since they couldn't sleep with him. Shin just let them without arguing.
Kagura didn't want to disturb Shin and his wives, so she decided to bath with Misomi. She had wanted to ask either Shana or Iris to help her bath since she never did such a thing before. In the end, she threw that idea out after seeing how they wanted to bath with Shin instead. So she asks Misomi instead. Since she knew her origin, Misomi won't be curious about why she never bath before.
After all of them were done with bathing, Shin says his good nights to the 4 of them before heading to the Sofa to sleep.
...
The next day, Misomi and Shin's group went out to buy the ingredients from the Food Merchant.
It was supposed to be a simple trip there, buy the needed groceries and then go back home to cook. However, a problem arose. Everything was going smoothly. The Food Merchant was present as intended, the ingredients were picked, and all that they had to do was pay.
Since Shin had volunteered to pay for the ingredients, he was about to do so. As he was about to take the money out, he realized something. Ever since he came to this world, he had yet to earn any money from this world.
He took out the money he had in the game but the currency was different.
Luckily Iris had money with her, so she paid instead.
While walking back, Shin got depressed that he had forgotten such an important matter and even worse, his wife had to pay for him.
Iris consoled him, saying it was fine. As a wife, she said it was her duty to provide whatever her husband needed. Iris was happy deep down that Shin had to rely on her, after all the times she relied on him back then.
As soon as they returned, Misomi went on to make the Ramen along with Maya. Since it's been a long time since they last made Ramen, it will take more time and both of them had to do it together.
Maya told Shin that it will take about 2 hours to make and prepare. So instead of sitting around and wait, Shin decided to go out for a while to kill time.
They decided to stroll around the outskirts of the forest and enjoy nature. As usual, both Shana & Iris are clinging close to Shin. Kagura was peacefully enjoying her own stroll behind them.
They practised fighting with Kagura and Shana against any monsters they encountered during their stroll. Shin had also let Iris fight some weaker monsters, training her to be able to fight and getting used to it as well.
After some time had passed, they got back to the house.
When they were going to open the door, Shin smelled a familiar scent coming from the house. Undoubtedly it's the food he had desired and loved. He quickly rushed in.
"Ah! Shin, you're back. Everyone, please sit down, the food is ready. Misomi will bring it in in a short while." <Maya>
The four of them sat down. Shin stared fixedly at the kitchen entrance, waiting for Misomi to bring out the food.
Soon after, Misomi came out while carrying a big pot. She put the pot in the middle of the table. As she opened the lid, steam gushed out and the aroma of the food strengthen.
Smelling it, Shin wanted to dig in directly from the pot itself but he held it in. It will be shameful of him if he did that.
Not wasting any more time, Maya brought in the bowls and utensils. She placed each of them in front of everyone. She then one by one placed everyone's serving into their bowl.
"Alright, please dig in everyone!" <Maya>
"ITADAKIMASU!" <Shin>
Despite Maya saying that they can start eating, nobody did. Only Shin was the one to start eating.
As if waiting for something, everyone just stared at Shin as he began eating.
The reason being was that for Maya and Misomi, they were waiting for Shin to say whether the Ramen they made was to his liking. While Shana, Iris & Kagura waited because they wanted to see Shin's reaction as he eats the food that their husband said was his favourite.
Shin gulped down a spoonful, and then another, and another. Suddenly he stopped and exclaimed loudly with a big smile on his face.
"It's so delicious!!!" <Shin>
Hearing Shin enjoying it, Maya and Misomi were satisfied that the Ramen they had not made for so long was still delicious. while Shana and Iris were glad that their husband was very happy.
Not wanting to wait any longer the rest also began eating.
Not long, the pot of Ramen became empty. Shin enjoyed it so much that he took about 5 servings in total. The rest only took 1 serving each. Though it tasted delicious, 1 serving was what they could fit in.
"Thanks, Maya-San and Misomi! The Ramen you two made tasted just the same a what I remembered, if not even better!" <Shin>
"I'm happy that it is just to your liking, Shin-Sama!" <Misomi>
"Yes, I'm glad to make it with my daughter once again." <Maya>
Both of them conveyed their satisfaction.
After eating, everyone rested and drank some water, to digest the food.
While they were all resting, Maya finds it a good time to discuss about an important matter.
"Misomi, now that Mother is fully well, you no longer need to stay here with me." <Maya>
"Eh?" <Misomi>
Misomi was surprised at what her Mother suddenly brought up.
"Listen, why don't you go and follow Shin? Tag along on his adventure?" <Maya>
"But..." <Misomi>
"I have already talked with Shin. He said it's fine if you follow him, he doesn't mind it. In fact, he is delighted to have more companions to venture with, isn't that right, Shin?" <Maya>
"Yes. That would be great." <Shin>
Misomi looked alternately between Shin and Maya in hesitation. In truth, she really wants to go out and explore the world. She admits that she is getting bored of living in this village. But what is keeping her from leaving is her Mother. She wishes to stay with her Mother whom she loved.
"I know what you are thinking Misomi. But let me tell you, you are no longer a kid. You don't need to be with me all the time. Now that I am better, there is no reason for you to stay with me or take care of me. I can do that on my own now." <Maya>
Maya one-sidedly told her this fact. With nothing to argue back with, Misomi stood silence.
Looking at her troubled face, Shin gave a suggestion that will help Misomi with her struggles.
"Why don't we do this? Since you are worried about your Mother, why don't we bring her along? At least up till we reach the capital? Once we are there, I will buy a better house than this for your Mother to live in? That way you won't be troubled with your Mother's living condition and well being, right?" <Shin>
"That sounds good..." <Misomi>
Hearing Shin's great suggestion, Misomi slowly became satisfied. If her Mother lives in the capital, Misomi has nothing to worry about. They had lived in the capital in the past, so she will be somewhat familiar with the environment. Compared to this village, the capital will be much more safer and well guarded.
"Is that really fine...? Shin? I don't want to trouble you..." <Maya>
Maya voiced her concerns. She knew that rejecting Shin will be useless, she understood that he is the type of person who would help people without any second thoughts.
But if they were to go with his plan then Shin would have to use his own money to buy the house. Since she has no money herself to do so, she has to rely on Shin for this. Which troubles her.
Seeing Maya making a difficult face, Shin just casually assure her.
"It's fine, Maya-San. This can be paid by having you cook me more Ramen in the future. And if there is anything else that I need your help with, then I will have to trouble you also." <Shin>
Not wanting to reject Shin's kind offer, Maya humbly nods in agreement.
"Alright, if you say it's fine, then I guess it's fine." <Maya>
She would want to argue that the one dish of Ramen they had eaten earlier isn't enough to cover the whole debt for the cure Shin had given. But she just kept this thought to herself.
"Yayyy! Thank you, Shin-Sama! I will do whatever I can to repay, I promise!" <Misomi>
With that, their future plan is all sorted out.
They went to pack their belongings and clean up. While doing so, Shin used his Celestial Storage to store all their things in. At first, when he did that, Maya and Misomi were surprised, but they chose not to question much.
When they were finally done, the sun had already set. They took a bath, ate dinner and went to sleep. They then will be setting out first thing in the morning.
Authors notes:
(This second arc will be coming to an end. I hope it was an enjoyable story. Let me know if this arc was satisfying to read, or if you have any dissatisfaction, you can tell me about them! Maybe I can do something about them, but don't put your hopes up xD)