It was the 30th of the Month of Wood. Using a teleportation magic tool, I made my way to the vast fields behind Kuro’s house. Raz-san kept this garden as a hobby, growing everything from vegetables and fruit to rice.
The scale of the place was so immense that it felt like it far exceeded the definition of a "hobby," but Raz-san insisted she only did it because she enjoyed the work.
As I arrived at the fields, I saw Raz-san fluttering toward me from the distance, her small wings moving busily.
"Kaito-kun-san! Hello!"
"Hello, Raz-san."
"Yes! I’m so happy to see you, Kaito-kun-san! What brings you here today? Are you here for some vegetables? Or did you run out of rice?"
Raz-san was a Master of Agriculture, and the produce harvested from her fields was incredibly delicious. Because of that, I often came to her for my supply of vegetables and rice.
I had offered to pay for them before, but Raz-san had adamantly refused, claiming she didn't need money for something she did as a hobby. In the end, we settled on a bartering system where I gave her things like sweets in exchange.
However, bartering wasn't my goal today.
"Actually, not exactly... well, I heard it was your birthday, so I came to celebrate."
"Oh? You remembered my birthday, Kaito-kun-san?"
"Yes, of course. Happy birthday, Raz-san."
"Hooray! Thank you so much! I’m so happy!"
Hearing my congratulations, Raz-san raised both hands in genuine delight. She fluttered her wings excitedly, flying in circles around me.
She was technically my senior by thousands of years, but there was something undeniably adorable about her.
"I’m planning to attend the birthday party at Kuro’s house later, too. I just wanted to come by and say hello first."
"I'm so glad! I’m very, very, very happy that you came, Kaito-kun-san!"
"Ahaha, I’m glad you're pleased."
"I am! Raz has finally turned 10,652! I’m finally joining the ranks of adult women!"
Isn’t the bar for adulthood set a bit high? I wasn't even sure how to respond to someone that much older than me, but seeing how joyful she was, there was no point in dampening her spirits.
"E-Err, I think you’re already plenty grown up, Raz-san."
"You think so? Is Raz an adult woman?"
"Y-Yes... You’re a wonderful adult woman."
"I see! If you say so, Kaito-kun-san, then it must be true! Raz is an adult woman! Ehehe, if you ever have any trouble, Kaito-kun-san, you can count on the adult Raz for anything!"
What is this cute creature? The way she puffed out her small chest to its limit was beyond endearing.
"Oh, right. I should give this to you now... This is a birthday present from me."
"Thank you so much! Am I allowed to open it?"
"Yes, of course."
"Yay!"
Since Kuro’s entire family would be gathering for the party later, I figured it would be quite noisy. I decided it was better to give Raz-san her present now.
She opened the gift—which I had prepared specifically in her size—with a beaming smile.
"O-Ohhh... It’s a muffler!"
I had agonized over what to get, but I eventually decided on a Red Woolen Scarf. I remembered her saying once that she wasn't good with the cold. I had worried it might be a bit late in the year since it was starting to get warmer, but she seemed genuinely happy, which was a relief.
Raz-san excitedly wrapped the muffler around her neck, her smile as bright as a blooming flower.
"It’s so warm! Thank you, Kaito-kun-san!"
"I’m glad you like it. I think it turned out alright, but I apologize if there are any parts that aren't knitted perfectly."
"Huh? This muffler... did you knit it yourself, Kaito-kun-san!?"
"Y-Yes..."
The scarf I gave her was something I’d knitted while under the tutelage of Illness-san. I was a total amateur, but thanks to her being such an excellent teacher, I think the final product looked decent enough.
Hearing my confession, Raz-san’s expression shifted to one of pure shock. She reached up to touch the muffler around her neck several times.
"...A-Amazing! To be able to knit a muffler... K-Kaito-kun-san... are you a genius!?"
The bar for being a genius is surprisingly low here.
"No, I just had a very good teacher."
"That’s not true! You’re amazing, Kaito-kun-san! You’re very, very, very amazing!"
"Ahaha, thank you."
"Raz should be the one thanking you! I’m so, so happy to have your present!"
Hearing her praise and gratitude delivered with such a pure, honest smile, I felt a gentle warmth spread through my chest.
"Once again, happy birthday."
"Yes! Thank you! Kaito-kun-san... I love you so much!"
I felt a sense of true happiness from the bottom of my heart, soothed by the sheer cuteness of Raz-san as she lunged at me to express her joy with her whole body.
From that day forward, regardless of the season, Raz-san was never seen without that Red Scarf.