Ascendance of a Bookworm

It seems that in this town, clear winter days are designated for gathering Paru. Last time, since it coincided with a day off from work, Father and Tulli went to collect Paru, but today Father had to work.

I thought maybe this time we’d give up on Paru picking, but Mother put her hand on her coat.

“I’ll go with Tulli today.”

Paru is a precious winter food, and to me, it’s a fruit that yields creamy coconut milk, olive oil, and a slightly sweet okara.

Since we found out that the leftover pulp after extracting oil can be used as a substitute for okara, our menu has expanded a bit. Thanks to this, Mother seems more motivated than ever.

Oh, by the way, the okara pancakes we made at Lutz’s house the other day were the first sweets I’d had in a long time. Lutz’s family keeps chickens, so they always have eggs, and since they trade eggs, they also keep milk on hand. I’m a bit envious.

Lutz’s house has more abundant ingredients than ours, plus lots of boys to help with labor, making it a very convenient environment for cooking.

Okara pancakes—ah, did I decide to call them Paru cakes? The Paru cakes were well received, as was the mayonnaise made from Paru oil, egg yolks, and salt, and the potato salad seasoned with mayonnaise and salt.

...If I were to reincarnate, maybe I’d want to be a child in Lutz’s family.

Since Paru has many uses, I want as much as possible at our house. So, although I’m quite useless when it comes to going out, I want to do my best to support in any way I can.

Go, go, Tulli! Don’t lose, don’t lose, Mom!

However, when Mother and Tulli go to the forest, the family struggles with what to do with me. I have no stamina, I’m sickly, and useless. They can’t take me to the winter forest. On top of that, they say they don’t know what I might get up to if left alone, so they won’t entrust me with house-sitting.

Isn’t that a bit harsh?

While eating breakfast, Father, deep in thought, suddenly clapped his hands as he got ready for work.

“...That’s it! Myne, why don’t you wait at the gate with Dad?”

Father will take me to the gate. Mother and Tulli go to collect Paru in the forest, then pick me up at the gate on their way back. That way, they can go to the forest without worry, and I won’t be left home alone.

“That sounds good. Let’s do that! Myne, you’ll be with Dad then, Tulli.”

“Okay! I’ll come pick you up later, Myne.”

Mother praised Father’s idea, quickly prepared what they needed, and left with Tulli.

Paru gathering can only be done until around noon, so they have to leave early.

I suppose that means the Paru gets picked quickly. It’s such a delicious and useful fruit, after all.

“Well then, shall we go to the gate?”

Waiting at the gate, huh.

Well, maybe it’ll be a change of pace from staying at home. If Otto is there, maybe he’ll teach me some new characters...

Honestly, I’m getting bored just staying at home. Since I failed to make papyrus substitutes, all I can do are play with stone tablets or weave baskets. I never thought I’d be so at a loss just because I don’t have books.

By the way, the songs that often play in my head lately are “Spring, Please Come” and “Radio Calisthenics.” If spring doesn’t come soon, I can’t even go outside to make clay tablets.

So, to build strength so I can go outside, I started doing radio calisthenics every day. My family looks at me a bit strangely, but I think it’s important to steadily work on what I can to build stamina.

To be honest, back in Japan, I didn’t pay much attention to health, so I don’t really know where to start.

“Oh, Dad, is Otto here today?”

“Ah, he should be.”

“Yes!”

I have something to look forward to while waiting at the gate. I excitedly get ready. The essential item for going out is my stone slab. I bundle up in clothes, put on my coat, pack the stone slab into the tote bag I knitted during winter, and I’m ready.

“Dad, let’s go!”

“...Myne, do you really like Otto that much?”