CH 208

Chapter 208 : Cucumber Field

The next morning, the sound of Ester knocking on the door woke me up just like yesterday.

I wanted to wake up before Ester came but it seems that my body is still not used to getting up earlier than usual.

I got up from my bed, approached Nicola who was still sleeping in the bed next to mine and shook her shoulder.

「Hey, wake up. Ester is here.」(Mark)

「Mmm… Five more minutes…」(Nicola)

I decided to leave Nicola for a while and went to the entrance.

When I opened the door, I saw Ester’s usual bright smile.

「Good morning, Mark!」(Ester)

「Good morning, Ester.」(Mark)

It was still dark outside but Ester’s smile was as bright as the sun.

After I greeted her back, I noticed that her clothes were drenched in sweat.

「You’re sweating a lot. Did you run all the way from your house?」(Mark)

「No, I came a little too early, so I was playing with the bouldering wall for a while. Ahaha… 」(Ester)

Ester replied shyly as she scratched her cheek with her index finger.

「I see. You could have just woken me up as soon as you came, you know?」(Mark)

「No, it’s okay. I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.」(Ester)

「Anyway… Here, use this towel. It’s still cold outside. You may catch a cold if you walk around like that.」(Mark)

I took out a towel from my Item Box and handed it to Ester.

She then wiped off the sweat from her face and neck with it.

「Thanks! I will wash this and return it to you later!」(Ester)

「No, you don’t have to. I usually wash that towel along with my and Nicola’s clothes anyway.」(Mark)

「If… you say so…」(Ester)

Ester returned the towel to me with an apologetic look, but when I was about to put it in my Item Box, Nicola dashed from her bed and snatched it away.

「Good morning, Ester-chan! Onii-chan, I’ll put it in the basket!」(Nicola)

「Huh?」(Mark)

Nicola then hurriedly went to the back of the house with the towel in her hand.

That’s weird…

She saw me put the laundry basket in my Item Box after I was done washing our clothes yesterday, so she should know that she won’t be able to find it anywhere in this house.

Don’t tell me…

『Oi, what are doing with that towel?』(Mark)

『*Kun kun* The towel… *kun kun* drenched in a cute girl’s sweat… *kun kun* …Don’t mind me. I’m just sniffing it a little.』(Nicola)

『Hey, stop it!』(Mark)

TL : *kun kun* = *sniff sniff*

I sighed spontaneously, astounded by my little sister who behaved like a pervert.

Seeing me sighing all of a sudden, Ester tilted her head.

「What’s wrong?」(Ester)

「No, nothing.」(Mark)

「Hmm? …Ah, that’s right! I almost forgot to tell you. When I passed by your field just now, I saw some plants with big fruits! They can be eaten already, right?」(Ester)

「Eh? I know they grow fast but isn’t it too soon? …Let’s go take a look.」(Mark)

「Un!」(Ester)

I put on my shoes and went outside with Ester.

I’m still in my sleepwear, by the way.

When we got to the field, I saw many big cucumbers. They grew healthy and lush.

They should bear fruit at least the day after tomorrow, so it’s way too early. Is it because I used water containing E-grade potion?

Anyway, I should eat one to make sure they’re edible.

I picked up one cucumber, used water magic to wash it, and cut it into two with wind magic.

「Ester, here. Let’s try it.」(Mark)

I handed over one piece of the cucumber to Ester, but she was just staring at it with a puzzled look on her face.

「What’s the matter?」(Mark)

「Are they common fruits in your town? How do you eat them?」(Ester)

「Eh? No one grows them in this village? They’re actually vegetables, not fruits.」(Mark)

「Is that so? I’ve never seen this kind of vegetable before.」(Ester)

Now that she mentions it, I had never seen cucumbers in this village so far. Not even in the village square when people are bartering.

I can find cucumbers easily in Fatia but apparently, they are a rare vegetable here.

「I see… You can just bite them but there’s a way to eat them more deliciously. Hold on.」(Mark)

I took out a cutting board and a knife from my Item Box. After that, I asked Ester to give back the piece of cucumber I gave her, and cut it into a few pieces.

After that, I took out a small bottle of mayonnaise from my Item Box.

「Here you go. Take a piece and dip it in the sauce in this jar before you eat it.」(Mark)

「Alright!」(Ester)

She took a piece, dipped it in the mayonnaise, and looked at it curiously for a moment before putting it into her mouth.

She then chewed the cucumber, making light popping sounds in her mouth, and then smiled brightly.

「Umm~!! It’s so yummy~!」(Ester)

Judging from her face, I can tell that she’s not lying at all.

After eating the first slice, she took the second one and ate it while explaining how it tasted in excitement.

「Its slimy texture is unique and the sourness from this white sauce matches perfectly with the refreshing taste of this vegetable! I’ve never tasted anything like this before! I feel like I could eat as many of these as I can!」(Ester)

「I’m glad you like it. Do you think I can trade them with other people in the village square?」(Mark)

「Of course! I’m sure everyone will like them!」(Ester)

That’s great.

Actually, there was one problem that had been bugging me.

I don’t mean to brag but the vegetables I grow are way more delicious than the normal ones. I was worried that someone might go bankrupt if I sold the same vegetables as theirs, but it seems that I can sell cucumbers in this village just fine since no one grows them.

Alright, I’ve decided!

I will become the trader of cucumber and mayonnaise in this village!