The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
"Hmm."
I was reading a book about martial arts.
It didn't just cover various combat tactics—it also talked about the proper mindset for battle, how to maintain one's spirit, and what one should be mindful of while fighting.
It was all incredibly fascinating.
It's not enough to just train physically. I need to actively absorb this kind of knowledge as well.
"...Rain."
"Hm? ...Oh, Nina."
Before I knew it, Nina was standing right beside me.
I'd been so absorbed in my book that I hadn't even noticed her.
"Sorry. I got completely caught up in reading."
"No... it's... okay. Um... I have... a favor to ask."
"A favor?"
"I'd like you... to come on a walk... with these two."
Kuu and Kou emerged from behind Nina, each giving a cheerful cry.
Apparently they were looking forward to their walk, their tails wagging happily from side to side.
Nina's three tails were swaying restlessly as well.
"I'm asking too. Sorry to interrupt your studying, but how about taking it as a little break?"
Floating gently through the air, Tina came over and backed Nina up.
"If it's just that, I don't mind. It's not like I have to cram everything in right now anyway."
"...Thanks, Rain."
Tina quietly whispered into my ear.
"...Normally, since Nina's the one raising them, she'd be the one taking them out for walks by herself... but I'm a little worried."
"...It's okay. I understand how you feel. Besides, I was starting to feel like getting some exercise anyway."
"...That's just like you, Rain. That kind of thing scores you a lot of points."
Points... with whom exactly?
I decided not to ask for the details.
"On!"
When I looked over, Sakura was gazing up at me with sparkling eyes.
She was holding her own leash in her mouth, wagging her tail enthusiastically.
"You want to come too, Sakura?"
"On! On, on, on!"
She looked absolutely overjoyed.
A little later...
After getting everything ready, Nina, Tina, Sakura, Kou, Kuu, and I headed outside.
Kou and Kuu didn't need anything, but I clipped Sakura's leash onto her just in case.
She was smart enough that she didn't really need one...
Still, because she's so big, some people might feel uneasy if she wasn't on a leash.
"Alright, let's go."
I took hold of Sakura's leash.
Nina climbed onto Sakura's back, while Tina—in her doll form—sat atop Nina's head.
The three of them together made quite the combination.
Kuu and Kou walked happily beside Sakura.
Every now and then Sakura's tail bumped into them, but they only seemed to enjoy it more, playfully frolicking around her.
"Wow..."
Riding on Sakura's back, Nina looked incredibly happy.
She was enjoying the unusual point of view, her eyes glittering with excitement.
"Sakura... am I... too heavy?"
"Wuff."
"Ehehe... thank you."
Sakura had probably meant, Not at all.
I couldn't understand her words, but after spending so much time together, I could more or less tell what she was trying to say.
"But... I want to walk too."
After we'd gone a little farther, Nina climbed down from Sakura's back.
"Walking... is fun."
"Then I guess I'll use my own two feet too."
"Kuu!"
"Kon!"
Kuu and Kou let out cheerful cries, as though welcoming Tina.
Then they each snuggled up beside her, toddling along together.
"Walking together... like this... is fun."
"Oof."
Nina smiled as she said that, and Sakura barked in agreement.
Yeah.
Moments like this—peaceful and unhurried—really are important.
They're soothing... calming...
They wash away not only physical fatigue, but mental exhaustion as well.
And they fill me with the energy to give it my all again tomorrow.
Maybe next time, instead of just Nina and Tina, I'll invite everyone else too.
"Ah, it's Rain and the others!"
"Hello."
While we were out, we ran into Luna and Sora, who appeared to have been shopping.
"You're all out walking with Sakura and the others."
"Mmm... it looks like so much fun. Why didn't anyone tell us about an event like this?"
"Sorry, sorry. It's not that we kept it a secret—it just happened on the spur of the moment."
"Then we'll join in from here!"
"Yes. It looks like a wonderful time."
Luna and Sora joined our little group.
"Rain, let me have Sakura's leash. I shall lead Sakura!"
"Sakura, let's enjoy our walk together. Sora and I will stay with you until you're completely satisfied."
"On!"
Really!?
That was the expression in Sakura's sparkling eyes.
And then...
"Awoooooo!!!"
"GYAAAAAHHHHHH!?"
Sakura suddenly burst into a full-speed sprint.
Unable to withstand the tremendous force, Luna and Sora were dragged right along behind her.
The three of them disappeared from sight in the blink of an eye.
"I kinda had a feeling this was gonna happen."
"Then you should've stopped them..."
"Teehee♪"
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