Chapter 147

Chapter 147 – Let’s Go on a Family Vacation! (2)

“Wow… It’s so big, isn’t it Jaja?”

“Dah!”

“Hmm. Wow.”

Aoi, who got out of the car with Jaja in her arms, looked up at the building and let out an exclamation of admiration.

Jaja replied cheerfully. Then Rouge, who was carrying a backpack, responded.

No, really.

What’s with the size of this thing? Is it okay for an individual to own this?

“Well it’s a cottage, you know. The original plan was to run it as a rental villa, but they haven’t found anyone to manage it yet. So my clients are treating it as their company’s recreational facility. Well, it seems they only use it during the summer season.”

Hmm? What do you mean?

My dad explained as he took out the cooler box from the back seat, but I couldn’t follow him.

Can you explain it a little more to me?

“A recreational facility is a facility that companies offer to their employees at a discounted price, Kunpei-kun. If that were true, there would have to be someone to do regular maintenance, but since they couldn’t provide one, I guess they can’t open one. It’s probably something like a pension that costs a certain amount of money, right?”

Ah, thank you for the explanation, Mikuma-san.

Mikuma sensed my confusion while unloading the trunk case from the car. She’s a really thoughtful person.

“But it’s not really a cottage at this size, is it? It’s more like a mansion.”

“Those who have it, have it. Money.”

“This area is a popular summer resort. I think this is a very expensive property.”

Coming out of the second van were Officer Doggy, Yuri-san, and Officer Inoue.

The two officers, who were rarely off duty, had even used their pay to join us on this trip, thanks to Yuri’s recommendation.

Because of the unexpected increase in the number of people, Officer Inoue had to drive as well.

After all, it’s three days and two nights, so we have a fair amount of luggage.

I wonder if Officer Doggy and Officer Inoue have come out to Yuri-san that they’re dating since they’re still together on a day off.

It was obvious to me that they were in a relationship, so there was no way Yuri-san hadn’t noticed.

“Nii-chan, can I go check out the river?”

“Nii.”

Here’s a pair of elementary school students who get along really well.

Shouhei and Koji pointed to a river a little further away.

“Okay, but don’t go in, okay? We’ll play after we finish cleaning. When we’re all together, okay?”

“Okay, okay. Let’s go, Kou-chan.”

“Nya!”

Oh, you’re running so fast. My little brother is a normal elementary school student in these kind of situations.

“Koji! Don’t go into the river, okay? Did you hear me!”

“Da.”

Saeki, holding Nana in her arms, warned Koji in a loud voice. It’s not like I don’t know how you feel.

I don’t think he’s going to listen. Well, it’s not a problem since Shouhei is with him.

“Au. Dah.”

“Uuuhhh, Nana, can we stop this now?”

Nana was happily touching Saeki’s cat ears with both hands.

She has been crazy about them since before we left, and she’s been doing it for three hours now, so Saeki is kind of worn out.

“Kunpei. I’ll watch Shouhei and Koji.”

“Ah, please, Rouge. That river looks pretty deep when it’s that big.”

“Hmm. Roger that. Leave it to me.”

Rouge, wearing a tight t-shirt and shorts, followed Shouhei and Koji in the direction of the river. That outfit was a gift from Mikuma, but honestly, I don’t know where to look. It’s not as big as Mikuma’s, but Rouge was also well endowed.

No, no, no. Disperse evil thoughts! Seal my worldly desires! Sleep, sad adolescent nature!

I can’t help but feel that Aoi and Mikuma are staring at me.

“There’s nothing more unexpected than a water accident. You can never be too careful. Inoue-kun worked as a lifeguard part-time when he was a student, and he is also certified, so don’t worry.”

“That certification came in handy in an unexpected way.”

I wonder why he got such a certification when he lives in a prefecture with no ocean… Oh well.

When a police officer says it, it’s very persuasive. I mean, Officer Inoue’s hidden qualification is just amazing. I guess a skilled hawk hides its talons.

I knew he was a Judo expert, but he also held dan ranks in karate and kendo, and until a few years ago he was a regular on the podium at various competitions.

Who would have thought that this good-looking (and a little old-fashioned) guy was actually a martial arts expert?

“But it’s a really refreshing and nice place. The river is beautiful, too.”

I agreed with my father’s words.

The river is a little downhill from the cottage, and it’s quite wide, even from here.

It was not so easy on the eyes as the river reflected the glaring sunlight of summer, but it also created a nice atmosphere.

The current was gentle, but it was still deep enough for a child to drown.

You can’t go in there unless you are supervised by me, father, or Officer Inoue. Don’t underestimate nature. That’s what you promised your brother, remember?

“Kunpei, take this too.”

“Hey, how many times do you think we’ve been going back and forth! Help me out a bit!”

I shouted in reproach at my father’s words.

Naturally, I’m the only one who’s been going back and forth between the building and the car.

I had to climb a large wooden staircase from the parking lot to get to the cottage, and even though it was so cool, I was already sweating.

“Huh? Why don’t you stop complaining and get to work?”

No, I know, but…! I know I’m supposed to do most of the heavy lifting because there’s a lot of women!

There was no way I could boss my middle-aged father or Officer Inoue around, and there was no way elementary school kids Shouhei and Koji could carry such heavy things.

Rouge and Aoi will be able to easily carry it, but my pride as a man would not allow it.

As a result, I had to carry all the large luggage that was unloaded from the car.

“Please let me at least complain!”

I whined as I carried the pile of luggage.

The BBQ set is too heavy! Was it really necessary to bring this?

“Haha, I’ll help you too, Kunpei-kun.”

As I was desperately climbing the stairs, I heard Officer Inoue’s gracious voice from behind me. Thank God! He’s really a good guy!

“It’s okay, Toshio-kun. Young people need to work hard in times like this. Besides, they’re already on summer vacation, so they can rest every day. It won’t hurt us working adults if we can take it easy for a change. Toshio and the others are police officers, so even more so.”

That old man said unnecessary things! And it’s a sound argument, so I can’t say anything!

“Guh, thanks for your hard work every dayyyyy!”

I couldn’t say anything, but thanks.

I shouted from the bottom of my stomach and ran up the stairs with all my might.

I’ll do my best!

“Dah!”

“Uwah.”

“That’s right. Papa is working hard.”

“Haha, we’ll give you a massage later, okay?”

“Hey, Kazamachi! I have a reward for you!”

The cheers from the girls, mostly from Jaja and Nana, motivated me to rush up the stairs.

In hindsight, there was no particular need to run up at all.

I only realized it when I was exhausted and collapsed on the floor.