Chapter 246: Returning to This Place Then...
The original plan to have a camping team-building event at the ranch over the weekend was canceled. The planned campsite area was currently under construction, and the Matsuya Group construction team was already using the spot to rest—they had set up their tents there. So, the plan had to be scrapped.
But it didn't matter. It was a good opportunity to explore the surrounding area and experience the local culture of Furano.
...
And so, on Saturday at 8:30 AM, in front of the Stardew Valley Ranch's hilltop villa:
"Hold on! Jashin-chan, what are you doing getting in?"
Ryohei Tanaka asked, surprised. He had just opened his door, sat in the driver's seat, and fastened his seatbelt when he glanced in the rearview mirror and saw Jashin-chan hop into the back.
"Hm? Aren't we going out to have fun?" Jashin-chan propped herself up on the seat, settling into the second row. She blinked her beady eyes and tilted her head, asking back.
"Emmm... We're not coming back for lunch," Ryohei Tanaka said tactfully.
"..." Jashin-chan, who was also looking at Ryohei Tanaka in the mirror, mulled over his words and instantly understood. She pointed at herself, her eyes widening, her expression shifting to one of sheer disbelief.
"Wait! You're all going out to have fun without me!? Leaving me here alone to cook for other people!?"
"Is this right!? Is this appropriate!?"
Jashin-chan was very unhappy. It was bad enough her vassal didn't treat her like a master, but now he was treating her like a workhorse... How outrageous!
"You're not alone, Minos is here too," Ryohei Tanaka corrected her, trying to entice her. "We'll bring you both back gifts when we return. And I'll give you each a big red envelope."
"As if I need your chump change!" With her ATM (Medusa) right beside her, Jashin-chan's backbone was straight, and her words were firm. She knew the "big red envelope" wouldn't contain much money; Medusa could satisfy her needs for small cash, so she wasn't impressed.
"..." Ryohei Tanaka was choked up by her response. He gave up on the idea of leaving her at the ranch to cook for the construction team and compromised. "Fine, fine, if you want to come, come along."
As he spoke, Ryohei Tanaka pulled out his phone to call Minos.
Since Jashin-chan was coming, that left only Minos at the ranch with the construction crew. He felt bad leaving her alone, so he figured he'd take her along too, since the car had room.
But unexpectedly, Minos refused!
She said they could take her out after the project was finished.
Ryohei Tanaka was quite astonished by this, and his understanding of the cow-girl's diligence and capability deepened. He agreed to her request.
"..."
Seeing Ryohei Tanaka proactively ask Minos to come, Jashin-chan got upset again.
Why was he so reluctant when I wanted to go, but he actively invited Minos? It's not fair!
The scummy snake mulled it over, lowered her head, and in a burst of dramatic flair, sighed, "I never get that kind of treatment!"
Medusa felt a pang of pity and immediately began to stroke her head, about to say something—
Only to see Jashin-chan gesture at her own chest and say thoughtfully, "Is it because my chest isn't big enough?"
"...What the hell are you babbling about!"
Ryohei Tanaka, who had just ended the call and put down his phone, looked at Jashin-chan in the rearview mirror, utterly speechless.
'What a wild thing to say! What does this have to do with your chest size? Are you sick!'
'Did you catch it from Lucoa?'
'But I've never even seen you two talk!'
"Jashin-chan!" A faint blush appeared on Medusa's fair, pretty face as she scolded her.
"..." Yurine Hanazono glanced at Jashin-chan in the rearview mirror, then looked at Ryohei Tanaka.
Feeling Yurine's gaze, Ryohei Tanaka looked back with an expression of pure innocence.
Lucoa, sitting in the third row with JII, covered her mouth, enjoying the drama. "It's very possible, you know!"
"..." JII said nothing, merely perking up her ears, listening curiously. The child was being corrupted!
"Yurine, they're slandering me, you've got to control them! Especially Jashin-chan... Is there a new weapon you've been wanting? I'll buy it for you."
Ryohei Tanaka said this while setting the navigation on the car's center console. He planned to take them to Furano City first, then to the surrounding attractions.
"Vassal, what are you saying!? Are you even human!?"
Jashin-chan's face darkened when she heard Ryohei's words. Her fists clenched.
This wretched vassal, afraid she was living too comfortably and not dying a miserable enough death, was he?
She really, truly wanted to stab him sometimes!
"Obviously, I am a normal human." Ryohei Tanaka chuckled lightly, starting the car and following the navigation toward Furano City.
...
Furano is a tourist city, and it was currently peak season, so the streets were full of visitors.
The group's first stop was the Furano Market. This was a must-visit place, famous for its diverse food experiences and local specialties. The group ate and shopped their way through, buying quite a few things.
The second stop was the Furano Wine Factory.
They toured the winemaking process and tasted several types of wine and grape juice, all for free. Because of this, when they left, Ryohei Tanaka bought some wine and grape juice.
He would have felt bad not buying anything. They had such a large group, and they had drunk a lot of samples. Ryohei wasn't one to take advantage like that. This was probably one of the factory's profit models anyway. No admission fee and plenty of samples—if they caught someone like Ryohei who didn't like to freeload, they were guaranteed to sell some products and make a profit.
...
After visiting two spots, it was nearly noon. The group discussed it, found a well-rated restaurant online, and had a big seafood meal.
Afterward, they went to a more affordable place and packed up enough food to take back to Minos and the construction crew.
After dropping off the food, Ryohei Tanaka and the others went to Furano's most famous attraction—Farm Tomita!
They admired the rainbow-colored sea of flowers, which covered over 12 hectares, and experienced the feeling of riding the sightseeing "Norokko" train and a tractor through the flower fields. Then they went to the observation deck to overlook the panoramic view and take commemorative photos.
Finally, they bought lavender products, picking up specialty items like lavender pillows, essential oils, and sachets.
...
In the evening, the group went to the "Ningle Terrace" (Forest Fairy Terrace) next to the New Furano Prince Hotel. It consisted of 15 small log cabins in the forest, selling handmade crafts. You could also watch artisans making wood carvings, candles, and more, which was another local feature.
The 15 cabins, illuminated by warm-toned lights, had an excellent atmosphere, like a real-life fairy tale village!
Ryohei Tanaka had read online that it was even more beautiful when it snowed.
He and Yurine... and the others... made a promise to come back together in the winter when it was snowing.
Returning to this place then, it would probably be a very special experience...
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