Date Invitation

“I wonder what kind of person Shinobu will marry. You can be a little dangerous, so maybe it would be good to have an older, more reliable person take the reins.”

Oh, this is a dream.

I know this because I actually had this conversation with my grandmother when she was alive. She was preparing lunch in the kitchen, and I was helping her peel potatoes.

My hands were much smaller than they are now, and I was trying my best to peel potatoes with a peeler because a knife was still too dangerous.

“I wouldn’t do anything dangerous.”

“Mm, Shinobu is a good kid. I wonder if I can live long enough to see my great-grandchild’s face. If I keep saying things like this, will grandpa get angry at me for being hasty again?”

The rhythmic sound of grandma chopping vegetables is soothing. I was still small and helped out on a platform.

Grandma and Grandpa are both dead now, but I want to introduce you to Krish-san. Grandma seemed lonely after Grandpa died, so we often talked on the phone, and she always talked about my future.

She said she was looking forward to me finding a girlfriend and me introducing her.

I suddenly noticed that my hands had gotten bigger. Just like now, I stared at my rough, calloused hands.

Looking at them like this, I realized I was growing up properly too. The potato that used to stick out of my palm looks small in my hand now.

“Oh, Shinobu. You’ve grown up so much since I took my eyes off you for a second. You’ve become such an adult.”

Grandma was smiling. That’s right, since I’m dreaming about you, I’ll tell you about Krish-san, even though it’s a little embarrassing.

 “You see, Grandma, I’ve got a lover who’s older than me.”

“Oh my! Oh my, what should we do? Grandpa, Grandpa!!

This is terrible. I have to cook red rice.”

Grandma wiped her hands on her apron and hurried into the living room.

I followed the sound of slippers and found Grandpa reading a horse racing newspaper on the veranda.

The cherry blossom tree in the garden was in full bloom, and the falling petals were very beautiful.

“What’s with all the noise? I’m busy right now.”

It’s been a while since I’ve heard Grandpa’s voice.

“Grandpa, this is no time for horse racing. Shinobu has got a lover who’s older than him. We should celebrate tonight.”

“What are you talking about? Shinobu is only 8 years old. It’s too early to have a lover… This is amazing. Shinobu, you’ve grown up a lot.’

Grandpa looked up from the horse racing newspaper while rubbing his eyes as he looked at me and exclaimed in surprise. I felt a little proud and scratched my nose.

‘I’m 19 now.’

‘Right, 19. Next year is your Coming of Age ceremony. Grandpa will buy you a hakama. Or would you prefer a suit?’

‘Before that, let’s celebrate. Shinobu, what do you want to eat tonight? Maybe fried chicken?’

I can eat grandma’s cooking one more time!!

I love grandma’s fried chicken and birthday cake, but if this is the last time, there’s something I really want to eat.

‘You know, I want to eat squid and radish stew.’

It was grandpa’s favorite food and grandma’s specialty dish, and it was on the table every day when I came to visit. It was delicious, but I would get tired of it if I had it every day, so it was ranked pretty low on my list of side dishes.

If there was one thing I could eat grandma’s cooking again, I always thought this would be it.

“Oh, that’s not the same as always.”

“Mm, but this is good. It’s my favorite of grandma’s cooking.”

“Hahaha! You’re my grandson, after all. Your taste buds are similar, aren’t they?

Shinobu’s lover is older too. You’re like grandpa in that way too. It’s good to have an older wife. Right, grandma.”

“What are you talking about in front of your grandson?”

Ah, that brings back memories. I wish I could have spent more time with grandpa and grandma.

“So, what’s your lover like? Is she pretty?  “

“His name is Krish-san and he’s really cool. He’s my hero.”

“Oh, he’s American? Our family has become global, hasn’t it?”

Grandpa, you know the word “global”? I’m sure you’ll be surprised if you find out that Krish-san is a man.

I want Grandpa and Grandma to know how much Krish-san cares for me, and how much I love him.

“You see, Krish-san is from another world, and he’s a man.”

“A man…?”

Grandma looked at Grandpa with a surprised face. Grandpa was the same, and it looked like they were having a conversation with their eyes.

They looked at each other for about five seconds, and Grandma nodded slightly.

“Are you happy now, Shinobu?”

“Yes. I’m very happy. Krish-san is the captain of the young knights in the other world, and everyone loves him. He’s saved me many times, and he’s cool like a hero, so he’s popular with the ladies.

I thought he wouldn’t pay me any attention, but he became my lover, and said in front of my friends I made over there that he would cherish me.

Now we’re living together, and every day is fun. I think it’s amazing every day that someone comes home to me and I can say “welcome home.” Mom and Dad often come home after I’m asleep, so I didn’t get to greet them very often.”

I tried my best to tell them about the other world and Krish-san. How I felt sick like I had motion sickness when I went through the gate for the first time. How I was mistaken for a child and given sweets. How I started a family with Pochi, Hanako, and Pyonkichi. How I became friends with Norn and the others. How I was attacked by a thief and Krish-san came to help me.

And how I love Krish-san. 

Grandpa and Grandma listened while nodding.

“Yes. That’s right. You’re happy.

Grandpa and Grandma are happy if Shinobu is happy. Because Shinobu, you look so happy when you talk about this Krish-san. Just by looking at your face, I knew he was treating you well.”

“Krish has a good eye for choosing Shinobu. Shinobu is my proud grandchild. There aren’t many children as good as Shinobu.”

Grandpa and Grandma laughed, “That’s true.” I’m really happy to have two grandchildren.

“Grandma, it’s time to celebrate!! You got some good sake from Tanaka-san. Give it to me.”

“Oh, you said you were going to drink that on New Year’s Day.”

“No, no, no.  I’ll come here many times for New Year’s, but this is the only time I can celebrate Shinobu’s first love. There’s a set price for alcohol for celebrations. I have to offer it at the altar and report to my ancestors.

Now, Shinobu, come over here for a second. Let me see how much you’ve grown.’

I sat next to my grandfather and he hugged me tightly. My forehead was scratched by his beard, which hurt and itched.

‘Grandpa, it’s scratching me!!’

‘Look, Grandpa. Shinobu is in pain.’

‘What’s wrong with doting on my cute grandson.

Kids grow up so fast. Shinobu, who was so small, has grown into such a handsome man. Grandpa is so happy. He must be tanned and healthy.’

It’s true that he’s grown up, but I wonder if he’s handsome. Tibot, the pumpkin knight, just called him “young.” 

Grandpa rubbed his chin against my face, which made my forehead itch even more. I cried out, “Ouch, ouch.”

“My beard hurts…?”

I heard a sparrow-like bird chirp. I was woken up by my own sleep talking, and scratched my forehead while staring blankly at the manly Adam’s apple in front of me.

It was the first time I’d ever had a dream where I knew I was dreaming. The demolished house and the cherry blossom tree in the garden that had been cut down were still there. I felt nostalgic, and my grandpa and grandma were fine.

It was a good dream… I was disappointed that I couldn’t eat grandma’s stew, but I was able to tell them about Krish-san. More than anything, I was happy that I was able to talk to them again, even though it was just a dream.

It’s strange. Even though I only dreamed about grandpa shaving his beard, my forehead still itches after I woke up.

I wondered why, and tilted my head when I felt something prickly. I moved my eyes upwards to see what it was.

“Oh… that’s unusual. Krish-san is still asleep…”

The thing that was making my forehead itch was Krish-san’s beard. His beard had grown while he was sleeping, and it was touching my forehead as we slept.

Usually Krish-san is the one who wakes up early, and I get woken up by a head pat, but today Krish-san is off work and is still in a dream.

I didn’t know how holidays in this world were decided, but apparently the day after a night shift is actually a day off.

Until now, he’d go to work in the evening, come back the next night, and go to work again the next morning, so I thought the job of a knight was tough.

 Actually, after the night shift, he can go home after handing over to the knight who came in the morning, but as the captain of the young knights, Krish-san had a lot of other things to do, so he stayed behind and voluntarily came to work the next day.

Apparently, Felix-sama told him that he was able to go home early yesterday.

I understand that he’s busy and worried about his subordinates, but it’s no good if work is affected without Krish-san. He told him to take a proper rest while there are no complicated cases and train his subordinates so that they can think for themselves and do their work.

Thanks to him, Krish-san has a day to relax today, so I have to be grateful to Felix-sama.

But it’s really unusual. It’s the first time I’ve seen Krish-san sleeping. I stroked the beard on his chin which had grown prickly overnight with my fingertips.

I don’t dislike beards because my grandfather’s beard was often prickly, but unfortunately I seem to have a thin beard and only a few thick hairs grow.

 I thought the area under his nose looked dark, and then I noticed that it had a thick, downy mustache that made him look goofy. I would have preferred it to be more defined.

I’m kind of envious of guys with scratchy beards. It looks kind of manly and cool.

I was enjoying the rough feeling and moving my fingers back and forth, when Krish-san’s big hand grabbed my finger.

Oh no, I woke him up. He was sleeping so comfortably.

His eyelids slowly opened, revealing his beautiful yellow-green eyes. They were sparkling with the reflection of the morning sun. I was entranced, and he gave me a kiss on the fingertips he was holding.

“Good morning.”

His voice was a little husky when he just woke up, and it was really sexy. It was completely different from my sleepy nasal voice. It’s amazing how cool he sounds even when he just woke up.

“Good morning, Krish-san. I’m sorry for waking you up when you were sleeping.”

“No, this is the first time I’ve been woken up in such a cute way.”

Ugh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that, but it seems like he found out I was up to something naughty, and I feel kind of embarrassed.

 “It looks like it’s going to be a nice day today.”

“Mm, it looks like it’s going to be hot.”

The air is cool in the early morning, but the sun is starting to shine brightly, and it looks like it’s going to be a very nice day today.

Today I get to spend the whole day with Krish. What should I do? Maybe we’ll brush Blanche and the others together? Or maybe I’ll make an elaborate meal?

But that would be the same as always. I feel like I want to do something special. It’s a little late, but what should I do when I’m dating.

“What are your plans for today, Shinobu?”

“I was just thinking about what to do with Krish-san.”

“In that case, why don’t we go out to the next town?”

Going out to the next town… My cheeks heat up when I think about it.

Is that a date? A date, right?! ?

Wow, it’s my first date ever! ! Up until now, I could only listen to my friends talk about how they were going out to have fun after school, but now I’ve been invited out on a date that I’ve always dreamed of!!

I want to brag to someone, anyone! But of course, since it’s just me and Krish-san, I’ll brag to my grandparents in my heart!!

Grandpa, Grandma, I did it! I’ve been asked out on a date!!

I nodded several times, and my head, which was still resting on Krish-san’s arm, rubbed against his arm and my hair got all tangled up.

I was smiling even while Krish-san was straightening my hair, which had been standing on end due to static electricity, while laughing at me.

“Mm, shall we go out together?”

I received a kiss on my forehead as a “good morning” greeting with a big smile.