Spring has come.

It's been a month since I came to the White House to take care of you.

Sasha and Luther can call me father and mother, but I still can't say that word clearly. Both of you are telling me that we have a lot of time... but I still have to wonder if my presence is in the way.

Even so, life itself is a familiar thing, and you don't have to worry about eating alone. Sasha and Luther both work for the Sorcery Society in the Central District of the Kingdom.

And over the past month, Stella had a lot of opportunities to spend time with her because the Magic Academy was closed....

Giggle

……

Around noon.

Now there's only Stella and me at home. Sasha and Luther are going to work as usual. When it comes to what I've been doing in the past month, I've been doing mainly housework during the day.

Sasha complained that she didn't welcome me as a housekeeper, but I asked her to let me do it because I like it.

I have taken care of my mentor, and I have considerable skills in housework. Sasha smiled and said, "I'll tell Lydia."

At that time, I remember my spine tightly. She swore in her heart not to upset her master's sister...

And when I was cleaning the house, Stella followed me from behind. She stares at me with her half-eyed eyes.

When I flipped over and looked at her, she quickly hid in the shadows. I had brown hair protruding in one cell, but it looked funny.

"... jeez"

Hmm.

Why is she staring at me? Maybe you're watching me? Perhaps you're confused when your parents tell you that someone will suddenly become your brother.

After all, what we should do here is talk.

If Stella finds out that I'm harmless and that I'm not harmful to the White House, she'll be relieved.

That's how I approached her.

……

Surprised, I'm hiding my whole body, but I'm still moving towards her. Then I decided to bend my knees and align myself with her gaze and try to speak up.

"What can I do for you?

"... ah, uh..."

Don't look at me like a jerk. She is standing still staring at the floor and touching her hair in a busy manner.

"It's not impossible to be surprised when someone you don't know suddenly arrives. I just want you to know that I'm not the one that's harmful to this White House."

"But what's the matter with you...?

Pocahonta-like expression appeared.

Mm... I've never had contact with a younger person than myself, so I can't grasp the distance well. It may have been difficult to use words.

"... I'm not going to do anything bad."

"Uh-huh...."

The story is cut off there. I don't know what a one-year-old girl likes. Besides, I grew up in an environment where adults were always there, and I never had the opportunity to communicate with that generation of people.

I didn't know what option was best here.

Afterwards, keep cleaning, wash the laundry and then dry it all at once. Stella keeps following me around while I go through the chores.

I don't know what to say, but is she for a purpose? You don't believe me, you keep watching me... but it's not like that.

Such a question of mine would soon clear up. [M]

"Well....! Ray made it all!?

"Oh! This looks delicious!

"... Gokuri"

Today, Sasha's late return meant that I would cook dinner. I am told that I don't have to do it, but I like housework in general, so there is no problem.

There were a lot of ingredients at home, so I tried making a beef stew. I also made bread myself. It was just right because I had time. In addition, vegetable assortment was also prepared.

I've already tasted it myself, but I think it was quite delicious.

"Oh, it's delicious...!

"... this is it! Won't it taste better than what my mother made!!?

At that moment, Luther's face twisted. It's a blind spot from me, but I'm sure they must have pinched my thigh. I watched the situation and expressed my gratitude with a bitter smile.

"Thank you."

Speaking of Stella on the other hand, she was eating in a state of confusion. He ate silently without saying anything in particular.

"Refill!!

A vibrant voice echoes indoors.

She thought she was an adult girl, but now she has a very happy smile. Maybe I was atrophied by my presence.

"Ah, I'll get it right away."

I make a lot of beef, so I'll take her plate and put in some extra beef stew as soon as I can. Stella also said to me, "... thank you very much."

Not only me, but Sasha and Luther looked at her with a smile.

Everyday life at the White House is generally peaceful. However, the feeling of loneliness in this heart will never clear up.

And the next day and the next day, Stella followed me around. It was becoming a daily routine. When I look behind me, I panic and hide in the shadows.

I wonder if there are any friends, but I'll ask them about it.

"Stella"

"......!

I'm shaking my body, and I'm staring at me. He didn't turn his eyes toward us before, so he may be making some progress.

"It's a long vacation, right? Can I go play with my friends? I'm home."

"... ah, um... well..."

It was in the last few days that she realized she wanted to say something to me. I'm not monitoring you, I'm looking for an opportunity to talk to you.

However, I decided to try to encourage you to stay like this because you don't understand.

Then Stella grabbed the hem of her clothes and raised her face.

"Ah, I want to go play...!

"Ah, good to go."

"Oh... oh, oh, oh..."

Oh?

Oh, what do you mean by that?

With that in mind, Stella raised her voice.

"I want to play with oniichan...!

It feels like being hit in the chest. What should I describe? Seeing Stella like that, I was impressed. That's what oniichan said, but you've been wanting to play with me for a long time and you've been watching me... yeah...

Call me brother and tell me you want to play. I was really happy.

I see. Fine. What are you playing at?

When Stella heard my words, she had a bright smile like sunflower.

"Forest! I want to go to the forest!

"Forest? I see...."

After that, I checked a lot, but I got the information that girls like introverted play. They tend to like doll play and toys.

But Stella seems to prefer to play outside.

"Okay, let's go. I have experience in the jungle. I am somewhat familiar with the forest. You can count on me."

"Jungle...!? Wow, wow!

So we headed for the woods, which are nearby.