At the Northern Fort

Today is the day to go on a family vacation. This is the third round, so this is the last family vacation.

The first and second ones didn't have flowers in the flower fields or were hit by the desert heat, but what happens this time?

Where is Father going? It's a little exciting. I hope it's not hot.

"This time... I'll definitely take you to a beautiful scenic spot..."

My father was so determined when he came to pick me up with my mother.

"Where I'm going today... regardless of the season... it should always be beautiful... Besides... even during the day, it's a cool place..."

"Well then, I guess so!

Nodding to my words, my father took me and my mother to the fort. Meet the Knights of the Ship's Eye who accompany you as escorts and set off for a family vacation as a regular member.

--I wonder, did my father become a little anxious after his family trip failed? First, he went to check the status of the destination by himself.

"Did you bring the jerky? I missed my last meal."

Yes, there is.

While I was waiting for my father, my mother was making sure of Tina.

And a white mist appeared in front of our eyes, and it became a human form. My father is back.

"Father, how are you?

……

The father returned with a subtle expression. The sights and environment of the destination have changed and it doesn't look like they are depressed, but it doesn't look like they have changed and I'm not relieved.

Father says afraid.

"This destination... was different than when I visited it before..."

"Yeah!?"

I wondered if I could see the beautiful scenery again this time, so my father continued.

"The view was still beautiful....."

Well then, that's good.

"Well then, that's good!

Say what you think and encourage your father. My father got a little lost, but he finally nodded in my light words.

"Well, let's go...."

Now that we had all travelled, we arrived in a lush forest.

"What, the forest again? But here....."

Although my mother looked bored for a moment, she immediately opened her eyes.

"Beautiful forest."

Kicks, Tina, and Reka, as well as the Knight of the Ship's Eye and the Chief of Branch who came with me, looked around the trees in the woods whispering, "Wow."

Because almost every tree had beautiful autumn leaves. There are few green leaves and they are dyed red, yellow, and orange. Such colorful trees are not found in the forests of Mt. Snow 'urea, where coniferous forests abound.

"It's beautiful....."

While reflecting the autumn leaves in my eyes, I murmur with emotion.

Then Father opens his mouth a little bit harder to say.

"... this is... not the place to go... The destination is just a little further....."

"Really?

I thought you wanted to show me this autumn leaf.

After our leading father, we also move forward. Within five minutes of walking, the forest stopped and the view opened.

"Wow, wow!

I raise my voice as I walk through the forest.

There was a large lake, surrounded by a forest of autumn foliage. Little waveless lake surfaces are mirrored, with beautiful red and yellow trees inverted.

"How beautiful!

"Wow, this is the place."

Beautiful lake.

Tina's eyes twinkled, and the knights and captains of the ship's eyes shouted. Reka and Kix also saw the scenery in front of them, and I shook my tail and ran to my father.

"Father, this is a beautiful place! This is where it's coming from?

"Oh, that's right...."

Seeing me and everyone happy, Father looks happy as well.

"When I came in the summer... the forest was green... but I was surprised that it was so flashy..."

The seasons have changed, the forests have turned autumn, and the scenery my father wanted to show me may have changed, but it must have become more beautiful than the summer scenery. I think the result is good.

"This is a different place from my father's, right?

I look at the big lake surrounded by the forest and ask. It's similar to my father's place, but the shape of the lake and the state of the forest are different.

Recently I went to the forest where my father lived, but the trees weren't as leafy as here. Probably not the same type of tree that grows in the forest. I heard that the temperature difference between morning and noon is more beautiful and autumn foliage, so the climate may be slightly different.

Father nods slowly to my question.

"That's right, no... But I just remembered... This is the lake I used to live in when I was a kid... It was my father's home....."

"Yeah!? Is that so!?"

Now you finally remember that? But when I said my father was a child, it was more than a thousand years ago, and I can't help but forget it.

"You don't have a father anymore, right?

I ask with loneliness. That young Turban in his dreams said that the Spirit of Water is now his only father.

Father nodded and said as he stared away.

"Ah, he's already dead...."

I see.

After silence, I ask my father again.

"Don't you think Father wants a family with lots of water? Why don't you want to make another one?

"You still haven't given up on your brother?"

Listening to my mother's words, I proclaim with my tail up.

"Because I really want my brother. Take a walk with my little snake brother!

Why, what's your ambition?

I keep turning to my father.

"Hey, Father. Why?"

If you don't tell me why, I can't give up my brother.

Then Father talks while he's lost. The reason was something unexpected that I did not imagine.

"I... love Milfilia so much... that I don't feel confident that my son is as cute as Milfilia."

Huh?

Is that why you're here? But my father keeps going like this.

"Besides, I'm afraid that things like spiritual instincts will work... and think about the inheritance first... If you love your son more than Milfilia... no matter what..."

Father looks anxious.

"I'm worried... because I don't know how I feel about my child..."

That's right.

I keep my tail down. If that's why I'm not sure I'm going to make a heir, I can't say I'm okay either... when I was wondering what to say.

Kix puts the luggage he was carrying on the shore of the lake.

"Something like my old mother."

"Kix's mother?

Father turns to Kix with me.

Kix nods and then talks to his father.

"I'm the oldest son, but when my mother got pregnant with the second, she was worried that the second would be as cute as me. On the contrary, I was worried that the baby was too cute to love me as much as ever."

"So what happened to my mother...?

Father asked him with a crush on his father.

Kicks replies with a smile.

"As a result, they both said they were so cute. He said he had nothing to worry about. The love for me didn't change, and I thought the second child was as cute as me. I don't know... I thought the love inside of me might be dispersed by increasing the number of children, but in fact, it's not like that, and the more children, the more love inside of me will increase infinitely.... and as a result of that, my anxiety went away, I said,"

That's nice.

Tina smiled and hammered.

"Have you ever thought they might be so cute?

The chief of the branch, who heard Kix's story, quietly asked his father.

"The mill is cute now, and the second child is cute. Have you ever thought that there would be two lovely beings? I think you're more likely than I am to lose love for either."

"It would be great if there were two lovely beings. I'm sure."

When Kix failed, his father opened his eyes as if he had been shocked by the idea.

Now you're thinking of making a slightly positive succession.

And so, the branch chief gets the sketchbook and crayon, and we line up the three parents and children.

"Then please sit in line in front of the lake. This time, I'm going to draw a picture of family harmony."

"This time too...."

I murmur in front of the chief of the branch who is showing motivation.

Nevertheless, as I was told, I would settle between my father and mother sitting in front of the lake. Then he posed as if the three of them were relaxing. Why is my father and mother Norinori?

"Doesn't Kix paint? You were good before."

"Yeah, I'm tired of it."

Kix was replying to Mr. Reka's question. I didn't seem to be interested.

Meanwhile, while looking alternately at the sketchbook with me, Mr. Branch Commander is passionately moving his hands with crayons.

Now that you're only looking at me, I'm sure you're drawing me. My eyes are serious. It's as powerful as a master trying to finish a masterpiece. Today, I also look like a fufuko gitsune.

Waiting for the painting to be completed with such thoughts in mind. And then...

"I got it!

(1) The chief of the support group wipes the sweat on his forehead and says.

"What do you think? I think I was able to draw it well....."

"Which one?"

Mother looks at the sketchbook handed over to the branch commander. My father and I peeked from the side.

Wow! I knew it!

The painting by the chief of the branch was still gentle and warm. And this time and I also feel quite attached to the expression of fuzziness. I feel like I'm the only one with a particularly detailed description.

It's pretty good.

……

Mother praises the painting and father nods silently. And my father reached out silently towards the sketchbook. Apparently I want this painting.

However, the chief of the branch said showing the mysterious obsession.

"I haven't finished this yet, so I'll take it home and color it before I give it to you. It's against my beliefs to give you something halfway."

When did you come up with that doctrine? And I leaned my neck, but my father nodded convincingly. I seem happy to have memories of my trip.

"Well then, shall we play ball again here?

So now Tina took out my bowling ball.

"If you play, you're in trouble!

As I say so, I receive my bowling ball and suck it into my mouth.

The third family trip was a very fulfilling one, with beautiful views, fun and lunch.