v2 Chapter 6: The Same Old Adults

Shou, feeling pleased with herself after obtaining magic stones much more impressive than those from slimes, finished her meal prep and returned to hunting slimes. The master healer subtly reminded her to stay closer to the carriage while she hunted.

As the sun began to set, four hunters returned, looking satisfied. Though everything was packed in their storage bags, making it hard to tell, it was clear that they had managed a good haul.

"Shou, what are we using for tonight’s dinner? We caught a variety of things."

Leon asked.

"Hmm, I hunted a Winged Great Lizard today, so I’ll use that."

Shou answered, showing the neatly prepared skewers, all ready to be grilled.

"Wait, you hunted a Winged Great Lizard? The master healer did?"

"Hmm? No, I did."

"You did? Shou, you—"

"If you caught any birds, I’d like to save them for tomorrow."

"We did, but…"

Leon stared at Shou in confusion just as Falco returned from speaking with the master healer. With a relieved sigh, Leon turned to him.

"Shou says she hunted a Winged Great Lizard."

"Yeah, I heard from the master healer. Even though it’s just grasslands, apparently she didn’t notice the lizard until it got quite close."

"Huh? I did notice it."

Shou’s eyes darted away.

"Shou."

"I’m sorry. There were so many slimes for the first time in a while, and I got caught up in hunting them."

She drooped her head in shame.

"I know you wouldn’t lose to something like a Winged Great Lizard, but caution is important for a hunter."

"I’m not a hunter."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

She mumbled something under her breath but nodded obediently about the importance of caution. Seeing this, Falco patted her head lightly.

"This is your first big prey, huh? I’m looking forward to eating it."

Leon observed the interaction.

He had expected Falco to scold her more harshly—after all, Falco was always so protective of Shou. But instead, there was nothing but trust between them.

If Falco had any doubts about Shou’s abilities, he wouldn’t have left her alone with the master healer in the first place.

At some point, both of them had grown.

Feeling warmth in his chest, Leon heard the master healer speak in a leisurely tone.

"Shou has grown quite a bit. I can’t even lift her up anymore."

"Lift her up?"

Falco turned to him.

Shou quickly looked away.

"Hmm? Oh, I didn’t lift her. She was too heavy, so I just hugged her gently instead. Hahaha."

What do you mean, ‘hahaha’?! Master Healer Sain!

Shou threw her head back in exasperation.

"Shou won’t even let me pick her up anymore! Shou!"

"Oh, I think the meat should be just about ready."

"Shou!"

"Wah!"

Falco swiftly scooped her up.

"You’re neither too big nor too heavy for me."

"Falco."

Still held in his arms, Shou let out a small sigh.

"It’s weird for someone old enough to hunt Winged Great Lizards to be carried like this."

"It’s not weird."

Shou gave in.

She gently wrapped her arms around Falco’s head, letting her fingers run through his curls.

I don’t like curly hair on myself, but I like Falco’s curls.

"Alright, let’s eat the meat, okay?"

"Just a little longer."

"Fine, fine."

By the time Falco finally let go, the Winged Great Lizard meat was perfectly grilled.

Leon, suppressing a grin, thought to himself—Is Shou really the only one who’s grown up?

Lyla and Dred were also grinning to themselves, while Shou looked mildly annoyed at them.

Meanwhile, the only two completely satisfied adults were the master healer and Falco, happily sitting by the fire.