I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game Chapter 22

I raised my arm and quickly wiped away the slight sheen of sweat on my forehead.

“This is fun! I can keep going for as long as you need!”

Though, to be honest, my legs were starting to ache.

Still, I flashed him a spirited smile, assuring him that I was happy to help for as long as there was work to be done.

Siad’s Affection +30

Siad shook his head with a radiant smile.

“You have already been more than enough help.”

For a moment, I almost imagined flowers blooming brightly all around him.

An angel is smiling…

All my fatigue melted away.

“I feel terrible that you had to work so hard because of me. I shall calculate your wages once we return home, so—”

“I won’t take any!”

I had been feeling rather proud of myself, but I immediately sprang up and refused.

“I didn’t help you because I wanted money.”

“Even when an act is done out of kindness, one must always provide fair compensation for labor.”

His logic was flawless, but that didn’t mean I wanted to accept payment without a fight.

It wasn’t as though I’d helped him expecting anything in return.

“Then please calculate the cost of everything I’ve used while staying at your house, too, and let me know how much it is. I’ll pay you back in full, even if it takes a while.”

After throwing his own words right back at him, I looked down at the ground and pretended to be distracted.

Apparently, I looked so sulky that anyone could tell I was upset. I could practically feel Siad’s gaze prickling the top of my head.

“…Very well.”

I cautiously raised my head at the resigned sigh that came from above me.

“I shall gratefully accept your kindness, Miss Miel, and put this to good use.”

“Great!”

I nodded cheerfully.

“It is already well past noon, so we should probably have lunch soon.”

“Has it really gotten that late?”

I stretched, marveling at how quickly the time had passed.

Crack!

An inexplicable sound came from my spine.

Siad’s gaze dropped to my waist. As silence settled between us, I pretended nothing had happened.

“My bones…”

“Nothing happened.”

“I shall examine you.”

Refusing to be treated like one of his patients, I hurriedly fled the herb garden.

“I’m perfectly fine!”

I didn’t want an examination!

Dodging Siad’s hands, I dashed away. When I reached the yard, I took a deep breath of the earthy scent and paused to catch my breath.

Stamina: 55/100

Even though I’d been careful to minimize my movements, harvesting for several hours straight had taken a considerable toll on my stamina.

“I’m hungry.”

“Please eat first. I’ll organize the herbs before having my meal.”

“Let me help you organize them, too.”

Siad shook his head while holding a basket overflowing with herb leaves in both hands.

“Different herbs require different storage locations and preparation methods, so it’s rather complicated. It would be faster if I handled it myself.”

“Hmm… I guess we can’t help that, then.”

Considering efficiency, I reluctantly accepted his reasoning and backed down.

“Then I’ll make your lunch, too. How about sandwiches?”

“I’ll prepare my own meal, so you only need to make yours, Miss Miel.”

“You don’t want to eat together…?”

A trace of dejection slipped into my voice before I could stop it, and he flinched.

I glanced at Siad from the corner of my eye as I headed toward the kitchen.

“But I can make them really well…”

I muttered timidly to myself, just loudly enough for him to hear, hoping to convince him.

“…Please include vegetables and cheese.”

“Yes!”

I answered energetically, as though I’d never been timid in the first place, and hurried over to the refrigerator.

“Can I add a slice of ham, too?”

“There should be some prosciutto we purchased at the store earlier.”

“Okay, I’ll use that! Take your time organizing everything, Siad.”

I took out the ingredients I needed from the refrigerator and happily got started.

I should use the baguette I just bought. And what else would go well with prosciutto…?

As I scanned the contents of the refrigerator, I grabbed a generous handful of arugula.

Its pleasantly bitter taste would pair beautifully with a sweet dressing.

Next, I took out an onion and a cucumber.

He said he likes vegetables, so I should add plenty of different kinds. It’s been so long since I last ate cheese that I can barely remember what it tastes like…

After considering the cheeses laid out before me, I settled on Emmental, the one riddled with little holes.

It would look pretty if I sliced it thinly.

For the dressing, olive oil and honey~.

I washed and prepared the ingredients, then used a bread knife to slice through the large baguette with a satisfying shhk, shhk.

I opened the baguette after cutting it in half and carefully spread on a sauce made by mixing olive oil and honey.

Grrr…

I was so hungry that I wanted to tear off a huge bite right then and there.

“Be patient…”

I whispered softly to my stomach.

I layered thin slices of Emmental cheese inside, then began piling on the remaining vegetables.

“Oh! There’s the fruit Priam gave me, too!”

I took an apple out of the basket and sliced it thinly. Once I added it to the arugula, onion, and cucumber, the sandwich became absolutely enormous.

All that remained was to put the top half of the bread back on and press down gently to keep the ingredients from spilling out.

“It looks so delicious!”

Visually, it was absolutely mouthwatering.

Although, since I’d been so generous with the ingredients, the bread had split open a little.

It’s fine. If anything falls out, I’ll just pick it up and eat it.

The five-second rule applies worldwide.

A while later, Siad finished his work and sat across from me at the dining table.

“Let’s eat!”

Without hesitation, I took a huge bite of the sandwich.

The crisp crunch of fresh vegetables filled the air, and a medley of flavors spread across my tongue.

Delicious.

The salty prosciutto, the fresh crunch of cucumber and arugula, the subtle sweetness of the fruit, and the rich, nutty flavor of the cheese.

The combination was absolutely perfect.

Siad took a bite as well, then spoke in a tone that suggested he was quite pleased.

“I seem to be indebted to you in several ways today. You helped me harvest the herbs and even made sandwiches for me.”

“I’m usually the one who owes you so much more. And food tastes even better after working!”

I smiled at Siad while chewing my sandwich.

Siad’s Affection +15

He looked at me and gave me a faint smile before pulling out a tissue and handing it over.

“You have some sauce around your mouth.”

I accepted the tissue awkwardly.

“Oh! I guess it gets messy even when I open my mouth wide.”

I wiped the corner of my mouth, then finished the entire sandwich without leaving a single bite.

“I’m stuffed…”

It had been a satisfying and filling meal.

Stamina: 90/100

My stamina was fully replenished, too.

“What do you have planned for today?”

“Hmm, now that I’ve eaten, I’m going to use my garden plot ownership certificate.”

“You’re always busy. Are you planning to start farming?”

“I want to start small with a vegetable patch first! I’m going to sow the seed collection, and I’m curious to see what will grow.”

After clearing the dining table, Siad glanced over a small bookshelf. He took out a book and handed it to me.

Since Siad was giving it to me, I accepted it without hesitation.

[Everything About Farming, Vol. 1: Now, This Is Soil]

“It’s a farming book?”

“It’s a basic reference book I had. I thought it might be useful since you’re planning to tend a vegetable patch.”

“I love it!”

Reading books about farming could increase my Farming EXP, and I could also receive buffs when performing related activities.

“Since you’ve prepared a meal for me, allow me to read it to you.”

“You’re going to read it to me, Siad? It’ll probably sound more like a fairy tale than a farming book.”

I sat down beside him in anticipation. Siad took the book and opened the first page with elegant poise.

“…Farming is like raising a child. Whether you care for it all day long or leave it neglected without a second thought, it will not grow properly.”

He placed a bookmark between the pages and began reading the opening paragraph in a voice as soft and comforting as cotton candy.

“The key to farming is to provide what is needed at the right time while maintaining a patient mindset, without becoming anxious over every little change.”

Farming +10

Farming +10

Little notifications indicating increases in EXP popped up one after another with cheerful chimes.

With Siad reading it aloud, this sounds like some kind of cultured literary work.

I stifled a laugh and listened attentively to his voice.