I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game Chapter 9

I should make something simple and prepare a portion for Siad, too.

Whoosh.

I opened the refrigerator first, having gotten Siad’s permission to use it. There was quite a variety of ingredients inside.

“Lots of vegetables… sausages, eggs, milk, meat. He’s got everything!”

I carefully took out the utensils and ingredients, making sure not to make too much noise.

“…I hope Siad isn’t a picky eater.”

Since everything was in his refrigerator, I figured it would probably be fine to use any of it. I minced the garlic and cut an onion in half.

As I chopped it into small pieces, my eyes watered a little from the sharpness of the onion, even though I’d soaked it in cold water for a while.

“Ugh.”

Wiping away my tears with a tissue, I drizzled olive oil into a frying pan.

Then, once the oil began to sizzle, I tossed in all the ingredients I’d chopped.

The aroma of food spread through the kitchen in no time.

I opened the kitchen window halfway to let the air circulate.

“The evening air is so nice.”

Beyond the window, I could see the darkening evening sky, the gravel road, and the bright streetlamps illuminating the houses in the distance.

I took a moment to admire the scenery while stir-frying the vegetables, then made shallow cuts in the bite-sized sausages.

Once the vegetables had turned golden brown, I tossed in the sausages and stir-fried everything together. The cuts I’d made in the sausages opened up as they cooked.

Flower shapes!

Looking at the little sausages blooming into adorable flower shapes made me feel like I’d gone back to my childhood.

Now, for the sauce…

I mixed an appropriate amount of tomato sauce and ketchup from the refrigerator and tasted it.

“Hmm…”

It was a little bland. I sprinkled in a spoonful of brown sugar.

Then I poured the sauce into the sausage and vegetable stir-fry, which I’d already seasoned with salt and pepper, and mixed everything thoroughly. Finally, I covered the pan with a lid to let the flavors soak in.

That’s done.

I took out a wide bowl and cracked three eggs into it.

I added the leftover chopped green onions from earlier and a little salt, then took out a square frying pan.

After pouring a thin layer of beaten egg into the pan, I concentrated on carefully rolling it up from the edges.

Pour, roll. Pour, roll.

“Phew.”

I finished cooking and transferred the rolled omelet to a plate, looking down at my handiwork.

“Perfect.”

A beautiful rolled omelet.

The yellow, rectangular omelet looked so fluffy that I could practically feel its softness just by looking at it.

I reheated the remaining potato soup in the pot, poured it into a bowl, and set it on the dining table.

Potato soup, rolled omelet, sausage and vegetable stir-fry.

Something felt missing without rice to go with the side dishes.

I’ll buy some rice later and make rice balls or packed lunches.

I stretched my arms high above my head. I’d hardly done anything, yet I felt exhausted.

Stamina: 20/100

“Ah.”

Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I looked at the stamina bar.

Your stamina is low. Rest is recommended!

When your stamina was low, you’d feel tired regardless of the time.

It can’t be helped. I’d better eat this and go to bed early.

After finishing a light meal, I closed the kitchen window, tidied up the area, and returned to my room.

I immediately threw myself onto the soft bedcovers and hugged my pillow.

I really did enter the game.

Even now, I could hardly believe I was living in the same house as Siad.

The same went for Kais, whom I’d met today.

If I fell asleep now, perhaps…

Maybe I’d wake up in the hospital and realize this had all been one bizarre dream…

I had no way of knowing whether I’d still be here when I opened my eyes again.

Caught between feelings I couldn’t quite distinguish as either regret or relief, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

There are still so many villagers I haven’t met yet.

If I woke up somewhere else, I might be terribly disappointed.

And if I opened my eyes in the hospital, another painful day might begin, just like all the others…

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[Saving Data…]

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[Day 2]

Ding!

“Mmngh…”

I jolted awake at the sensation of an alarm ringing inside my head.

Still groggy, I cracked my eyes open.

I was curled up in my blankets like a silkworm cocoon, dangling precariously at the edge of the bed.

Chirp-chirp! Chirp!

Sparrows chirped to announce the morning, and a cool breeze drifted in through the gap in the window.

I knew instinctively.

I’m still at Siad’s house…

I sluggishly squirmed around in my sleepiness, nearly nodding off again, when a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

“Mmm… Come innn.”

I staggered to my feet and opened the door.

No, wait. I was sure I’d gotten up and opened it.

“Lady Miel.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from beside my pillow.

It was as gentle and warm as the blankets I was currently buried in.

“Gasp!”

Apparently, I’d been so half-asleep that I’d only imagined opening the door for him.

I shot upright and reflexively wiped my mouth.

“You said it was all right for me to come in… Good morning.”

As I blinked away the remnants of sleep, Siad’s face came into view, more dazzling than the sunlight.

“G-good morning, Siad…”

Siad, dressed far more neatly and impeccably than I was, gave me an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry for waking you when you were sleeping so soundly. I have to go out this morning, so I came to give you the key. If you go out, please remember to lock the door.”

I accepted the key he held out to me, still a little dazed.

“Y-yes. Thank you…”

“By the way… Did you prepare the food on the dining table yourself yesterday?”

“The food… Oh! That’s right. I made a portion for you, too, but I forgot to tell you. Did you eat it yesterday?”

I’d intended to sleep for just a little while, but I ended up sleeping soundly all night.

“I did. It was delicious. I ended up making a guest prepare a meal for me, too.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

I smiled proudly, my voice still husky with sleep.

“I’ll take care of my own meals, so there’s no need for you to go out of your way to prepare anything in the future.”

Despite the words that seemed to establish a boundary, Siad’s expression remained warm.

Siad’s Affection +10

The indicator above his head confirmed it, too.

Feeling secretly pleased, I walked Siad to the front door.

“I just wanted to make something for you. Is your arm all right now?”

“It’s perfectly fine. I only came to give you the key, so please get some more sleep.”

“I was going to go out soon anyway. What time will you be back, Siad?”

“I’ll probably return around three.”

I continued accompanying him all the way to the front door.

“I see. Have a safe trip!”

“…I’ll be back.”

“See you later!”

I waved both hands to send him off, then took a refreshing morning shower.

I slept and woke up, and I’m still inside the game.

Thankfully, my body still didn’t hurt today.

Stamina: 88/100

“In that case…”

After changing, I ate a hearty meal using the food I’d made yesterday, then put on my shoes.

“Time to go meet the other villagers!”

My goals were to get my own house and raise the villagers’ affection to Level 5.

I’d managed something similar when I played the game, after all.

I’ve done this before. Let’s get it done quickly!

Whoosh!

I swung the door open.

A bright exclamation mark was hovering above the mailbox in front of the house.

It was a quest marker.

There were three letters inside the mailbox, so I picked out the one marked with an exclamation point and opened it.

To Our Visitor in Node,

You can receive guidance on settling into the village at the Town Hall.

Upon completing your resident registration, you will receive a settlement support package.

The Town Hall is the white building opposite the central clock tower.

Please refer to the enclosed map for its location.

A small map was printed beneath the letter, with an X marking the location of the Town Hall.

I stared excitedly at the letter bearing Node’s seal, then carefully folded it back into the envelope and sealed it.

Ding!

Achievement: First Letter!

Receive your first letter.

“Oh, an achievement.”

It wasn’t anything particularly special, but collecting achievements was always satisfying.

I vaguely remembered that the settlement gift from the Town Hall had been pretty generous, so I was secretly looking forward to it.

I might even be able to find a part-time job there!

With a light, confident step, I set off from the house.

Town Hall: Open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

“Ah.”

I’d failed to get there right at opening time.

I raised my head to look up at the clock tower.

The second hand was pointing to nine in the morning.