And so, the awkward dinner time came to an end.
Monica's uncle was still stuck to the floor.
I couldn't help but wonder if he had died... but upon closer inspection, I noticed that he was twitching slightly.
"Um, if you don't mind... I can provide some first aid..."
"No need. Thank you."
Aeris timidly suggested treating him, but Anemone immediately declined with a refreshing smile.
"My little brother is a strong boy, so he'll be fine. I'll just take his feelings. Thank you."
"Uh, um..."
"Instead, shall we have some tea after dinner? Can you help me with the preparations?"
"I-I'll help!"
"I-I'll help too!"
Aeris nodded, and Monica and Ciel also raised their hands to offer help.
The three of them disappeared into the kitchen, and the heavy atmosphere in the room lightened slightly.
"Well... I don't drink tea or anything, so I'll rest in my room."
"Ah... I should prepare to leave too. Excuse me."
Melia and Ruffie stood up from their chairs and hastily left the room.
Only Urza, Nagisa, and I remained at the table.
"...I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
Amidst that, I heard a low voice.
When I searched for the source of the voice... it was coming from beneath the floor, of all places.
"...I'm Leon and Monica's uncle, Oddman, Anemone's brother. I heard my nieces were taken care of. Allow me to express my gratitude."
"...So you were conscious. Or rather, you were actually alive."
I responded to the voice of the man who had his head buried in the floor.
Despite his foolish appearance, the man who introduced himself as Oddman had an unexpectedly deep and resonant voice. Of course, it didn't make him any cooler. In fact, his good voice only added to the funny nature of the situation.
"Monica has been restless ever since Leon and Ciel-jou entered the academy together. It was the first time she had been separated from her brother for months. Leon didn't even come home during the long vacation, so she was getting anxious. And then, when the report of his disappearance came, she couldn't bear it any longer. She threatened me and stormed into Alteriore."
"I see..."
"That girl is just as reckless as Leon. I thought she would go on her own if I left her alone, so I decided to take her with me. However... it seems she went on a big adventure while I wasn't looking."
"...I apologize for that. I'm sorry for neglecting my responsibilities as a guardian and causing trouble."
"You don't need to apologize. If anything, I thought this day would come sooner or later."
"What do you mean?"
As I asked, the lower half of Oddman's body emerged from the floor and swung its legs back and forth.
"That girl... just like Leon and my brother-in-law, she's a special person. Different from ordinary folks like us. She was born with a special destiny. She's not meant to end up in a small village like this. I always believed that one day she would spread her wings in a wide world... and thanks to you, she was able to get off to a good start. As an uncle and a substitute father, I'm really happy."
Using his legs as leverage, Oddman pulled his upper body out of the floor. His head, covered in dust, appeared, and he let out a sigh.
"I'll continue to rely on you for Monica's sake. As a merchant who has seen many people, I can tell... Your appearance may not be favorable, but at the core, you're a trustworthy person. Please guide my niece for me."
"...I can't guarantee that. I'm not a good person, and I certainly have no obligation to fulfill the request of a bamboo shoot sprouted from the ground."
I shrugged my shoulders and continued, "But..." before pausing.
"I actually quite like that kid, and I think she has value and potential to be useful. She's a rare and valuable talent. I promise I won't do anything to exploit her."
"Hmm, you're not exactly straightforward, are you? Even if your core is straight, your branches seem to be crooked."
Oddman chuckled and brushed off the dust from his body.
"If you ever need my help, seek out the Bestrow Company in the capital. I've made sure that you can reach me. Despite appearances... I'm a decent traveling merchant. I'll get you most things you need."
"Thank you for that."
"Well then, if you'll excuse me. The next time we meet might be at that girl's wedding... just kidding."
Oddman raised two fingers and tried to make a swift exit through the door. However, he encountered Anemone, who was holding a tray of tea, at the wrong timing.
"Ah..."
"Oh myAra ara... I didn't say you could leave yet. Why are you pulling your head out like that?"
"Well, nee-san... this is, uh..."
"I'm sorry, could you hold this for me?"
"Oh... sure."
Anemone entrusted the tray to Ciel and swiftly moved behind Oddman.
"There's no helping it... an additional punishment."
"Ooooooh!?"
With a dull thud, another hole appeared in the floor. It was a few meters away from the previous one, and once again, a strange object was formed.
