The Story of Gothic Lady Who Met a Grave Keeper in Another World - Chapter 19

What? It’s night already!

 I stopped moving the needle.

 Time passed in the blink of an eye as I thought about the design, made the pattern, cut the fabric, and sewed.

 Today was an intense day.

 I woke up to find that the new house that had been built, Mr Thorden had collapsed, Mr Sciuto arrived, I turned over the boxes in the warehouse, and I was able to communicate with Mr Thorden in writing, and then I was able to devote myself to my hobby of sewing.

“Though, as expected, I’m tired.”

 Oh, yes, the bath.

 I remember there was a bath in this house that Mr. Thorden built for me.

 I want to take a bath. I want to soak in the tub.

 I went to the bathtub, tapping my hips, which were stiffened from leaning forward too much, and flopped down.

 By the way, no shoes are allowed in this house.

 I decided so.

 I asked Mr. Thorden to take off his shoes as well.

Besides, I have a foot injury.

I wish I could make shoes as well as clothes.

 I had a chance to try my hand at shoemaking at a workshop once, but the process of stretching leather using a mould is impossible unless you have a workshop dedicated to that purpose.

‘’Well, maybe people in the past made shoes without a workshop, just by cutting cloth and leather together,” I wondered out loud.

 The boots that Mr Thorden was wearing and the shoes of the people I saw on the street were all sophisticated and practical.

 Just as there are proper seamstresses in this world, there are surely shoemakers.

 Compared to those who specialize in learning and making a living at it, my sewing skills, let alone shoemaking, are a complete joke.

 Thinking of this, I took a closer look at the bathroom.

 There is a bathtub. The bottom of the bathtub is corked.

 It is polished, but I can tell that it is not new by the way the cork is darkened.

I wondered, “…… used bathtub …… did they give it to me from somewhere ……? But, um, is this the faucet ……? The faucet is connected to a mysterious tank, and this tank is piped ……”

 It leads out of the room.

 I left the bathroom.

 Walking along the pipe extending from the bathtub, I reached the kitchen.

 In the kitchen, there is an iron pot on a higher level that holds water and boils water, and the pipe from the bathtub leads to the bottom of the pot.

 Ha-ha-ha. I read about that.

 Boil the water in this pot in the kitchen, turn on the bathtub faucet, and the boiling water flows into the bathtub.

 And the water is automatically pumped from the well by the hand pump in the kitchen.

‘’It’s amazing,” I said. It’s just like my grandma’s house in the country! I didn’t even know you could take a bath without electricity!

 I was so impressed that I was shaking with emotion.

 I worked the hand pump diligently to fill the iron pot with water.

 Then, it stopped.

I asked myself, “ How do you light a fire? What is that? I mean, this house is bright! Why?”

 I have not lit a single candle since daylight.

 And yet, light is leaking from this house, which is supposed to have no light source at all.

 I fluttered back into the living room and looked at the flickering light on the wall.

 It was fire.

 It’s on fire. When did it happen? Automatically?

 I gently remove the lantern guarding the flickering flame.

 Then the flames grew bigger and soared up and escaped through the window with a giggling sound.

“ … Eh?”

 Was the fire …… laughing at me?

 No, I mean, he escaped, the fire. It got a little dark in this house, didn’t it?

 Thinking there was no way, I opened another lantern. Again, the flames flew around the house, laughing, lightly scorching my hair, and flew away.

 At that moment, I heard a hard knock on the door of the house, and I jumped up lightly.

 I could guess who it was.

‘And Mr Thorden! Um..! Fire! The fire just flew in!”

 I opened the door in a panic and spoke rapidly to the large man who appeared as I had expected.

 Ignoring me, Mr Thorden took off his shoes and snapped his fingers toward the Cantera, the flames of which had gone out.

 Once, twice.

 And the two cameras I had extinguished lit up again.

“ …… Huh ……?”

What was that?

 Magic? Magic? If there are zombies, does that mean there’s magic?

 I mean, you went straight for the fire with no motion, but you came because you noticed the flames escaping from my Cantera? Really?

 As I stood there with a strange look on my face, Thorden’s eyes suddenly fell on my hair.

 My hair was slightly scorched by the flame I had let escape.

 Instantly, Mr. Thorden’s expression changed.

 He plunged his hand into the flickering lantern, caught the escaping flame, and squeezed it.

 Only black soot remained on his hand.

 …… Wow.

 Now, that …… he killed something, didn’t he?

 I think he killed something, like a living flame, didn’t he?

 While I was shaking inside, Mr. Thorden whistled, and this time a flame wandered in through the window and sat in the lantern.

 Mr. Thorden brushed the soot off his hands and looked at me.

‘Yiela o dun.’

…What? What?

 Did you just say something? Yes, you did, didn’t you?

 Maybe, just maybe, are you saying ‘ Don’t touch the fire?’ 

 Maybe that’s what you said, right?

 I struggled for a long time and pointed to the lantern.

“… o-dan?”

 Mr. Thorden’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment.

 Then there was a gentle affirmation.

 Let me see……… is a fire called an “o-dang”? Or is a living flame called “o-dang”? I don’t know which one it is, but I don’t care either way!

 Since I was in the mood, I dragged Mr. Thorden to the kitchen.

 I pointed to the fireplace, which I had no idea how to light, and said, “Oh dang.”

 He shouted, “Oh,” and I wondered if there was some mysterious power behind it.

 As I watched him, I wondered if he was using some mysterious power to light the fire. He took a match out of his pocket, transferred the flame to the sawdust, and lit the firewood in the usual way.

 As it was, he handed me a box of matches.

I thought to myself, ‘…… is–Do you have matches in this world?!’

 I sighed, and Mr Thorden took a half step back with a sound escaping him.

 Oh, I’m sorry, I gave you a scare, didn’t I? No, but I did, didn’t I? If there are matches, why is there such a mysterious flame in the centre of this house?

 Oh, or it is something like a ‘ flame that won’t go out’? Are you saying that the flame in Cantera is capable of being used as a light because it doesn’t go out? I see!

“Eri?”

“No, it’s nothing. It’s okay.”

 I let out a deep sigh and put the match I had received away in the cupboard.

 This time, Mr. Thorden was not nervous.

 He stared at the bag and mumbled something.

 I didn’t catch it, but it was probably a thank-you. I’ll just leave it at that.

 Let’s assume that it was not something like, “I don’t need it,” even if we are wrong. That is the key to a smooth relationship.

 Anyway, now I can take a bath.

 Thank you, thank you, thank you.

“–?”

What?

“–? –? —-“

 Mr. Thorden looked around the room with a twitch.

 Is there anything else you need?

 We don’t have lotion or anything, do we?

 It wasn’t in the supplies that Mr. Sciuto delivered.

 But there might be some. Maybe they exist in this world, just not in Mr. Thorden’s possession.

 In the meantime, let’s ask …….

 I’m free until the water boils.

 I pull Mr. Thorden along and sit him down at the dining room table.

 On a new piece of paper, I drew a picture of liquid in a bottle and cotton.

I point to them.

“…..?”

 No response. 

Well, you know. Even if it existed, Mr. Thorden wouldn’t know, right? Even if he did know, I’m not sure this would get the message across. … This is the case for Mr. Scuito.

 Also, how about a toothbrush?

I’ll draw a picture of a tooth and a brush. 

“….Oh.”

 There is a reaction. But his expression is not good. 

He does not have a spare toothbrush, does he?

 But I desperately want one. I want one as soon as possible.

 And then there’s …….

Grumble.

 Suddenly, my stomach rumbled.

 I gasped and held my stomach in a panic.

Wow! This is not right! This is different from that! I’m so hungry!

 Come to think of it, I haven’t had anything to drink or eat since the old clothes fiasco.

 Perhaps Mr. Thorden noticed that, too. He got up with a start and flounced out of the house, immediately bringing me a loaf of bread and a bottle filled with some kind of liquid.

 Grateful, embarrassed, and thirsty, I quickly gulped down the contents of the bottle.

 Wow, this is delicious! This tastes like very good wine!

 Wine! Wine! Oh, wow!

I thought it was water, so I gulped it down! Isn’t this …… bad? It’s suddenly quite …… alcoholic!

“Eri…?”

“Hey, wait a minute ……! It tastes like water.”

 The first thing to do is to make sure that you have a good idea of what you’re getting into.

 I got up and staggered to the kitchen.

 I drank from the water jug with a ladle, then ran out of energy and collapsed to my knees.

I couldn’t …… stand up! What’s this drink ……? Oh my God, I’m spinning “…. My eyes…”

“Eri!”

 Mr Thorden turned blue and helped me up.

 But my body was so limp that I felt as if I had no strength.

 I was drunk.

 I was completely gone. This is not good. It’s not good at all!

 No, it’s rather good, isn’t it?

 No, it’s not bad. I’m starting to enjoy it a little. Hehehe.

“Well, you, Mr. Thorden, what on earth are you going to do to me by making me drink such strong alcohol? Hmm? You have such a worried look on your face. Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m just leaning against you.”

 When I smiled at him, it seemed that Mr. Thorden finally understood the situation.

 He stiffened while holding me in his arms and looked up at the ceiling, at a loss for what to do.

 Of course. You’ve never taken care of a drunk before, have you?

 Have you ever had a drink with someone? No, right?

 Do you want to have a drink with your big sister? Let’s do that.

 I got up with the help of Mr. Thorden and went back to the dining table.

 I put my mouth on a bottle of good wine, took a sip, and pushed it to Mr. Thorden.

“Hmm.”

‘…… Eri?

“There you go! You should drink it, Mr. Thorden. Drink, drink, drink with me.”

 When I offered him a drink, he was a little troubled and tipped the bottle as he was told.

 No response.

 What? You’re not drunk? What’s wrong?

It’s strange. It’s alcohol, isn’t it? Why am I the only one yelping? Give me some.

“Mmm.”

 I put my mouth to the bottle that Mr Thorden was holding and took another sip.

 Hmm, it’s really alcohol.

 Then, that’s it. He’s a big guy, so he doesn’t get drunk after a little bit.

Drink more, drink more. Drink, drink, drink until you are drunk.

 As I continued to offer him more alcohol, he finally drank the entire contents of the bottle in one gulp.

 No reaction.

 No way.

He is a very strong drinker, isn’t he? Oh, it’s so boring. Don’t you have any more? Do you always drink something stronger? Oh, that’s nice. Oh, I’ll have some bread, too. Bon appét*t!

 I nibble on the bread.

 It’s delicious. But the bread is a bit bland.

 I want more alcohol. I want more alcohol.

 I reach for a pen and draw a picture of alcohol on a piece of paper.

Will it get the message across? What do you think?

 Mr. Thorden looked at the picture I had drawn on the paper and frowned.

 He shook his head from side to side.

 I became unhappy.

“Why? It’s okay, just a little bit! Please, please, just a little more!”

“Eri ……”

Don’t make that face, Mr. Thorden. I’m not that drunk yet. But if I had a little more to drink, I’d feel great!

“Eri……!”

 I clutched at Mr Thorden and tried to get him to stop.

 I thought he was going to run away, but he didn’t move.

 You are growing up, young man. He’s growing up.

 I’ll pat him on the head.

I patted Mr Thorden’s head, but he grabbed my hand firmly.

 What? What is it? Did I make you angry? Did I make you angry?

 As expected, I shouldn’t have treated him like a child, I see.

 Even though he’s younger, he’s still a grown man…right…sorry, sorry.

 …… No, I’m sorry. Did I just do something really rude?

 I mean, what?

 Wait, what is this situation?

 Am I on Mr. Thorden’s lap right now?

“……, you’re a little bit …… knocked down, aren’t you?”

 I couldn’t speak fluently, but my head was a little clearer.

 I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to do that, but I’m going to do it.

 Yes, I think so.

 I put one of my feet on the ground, which had been completely suspended in the air.

 But I couldn’t get off.

 I was held firmly at the waist and could not go down any further backwards.

 He has one arm around me.

Don’t make me do it.

 I don’t know why Mr. Sciuto’s words came back to me at the worst possible time.

 I wish I could have remembered them earlier.

 But I can’t help it, can I? It was over drinks, right?

 I wondered if Mr. Thorden would let me off the hook.

 Fearfully, I finally looked at Mr. Thorden’s face.

 What if he was glaring at me with eyes like a wild animal?

“Um, …… Thorden?”

‘Ah…… You……’

 Mr. Thorden did not look at me.

 He was staring frantically at the floor and just looked distressed.

 I was at a loss and about to cry.

 What …… should I do?

 What? Is this my fault? This is my fault, right?

 I’m the one who …….

 I made you cry ……!

 Isn’t this that one?

 I’ve read it in a comic book! It’s about a guy who gets drunk and comes on to a weak girl and she cries and he comes back to himself! The reverse version! 

 Well, right now, I’m the one who’s bound tight and can’t move a millimetre!

 But that’s it.

I’m not holding him down so that he can’t run away.

 It’s more like he’s straining desperately to keep me from getting any closer.

 But he doesn’t notice that I’ve sobered up a bit.

 What should I do about it?

 Let’s see…

 At any rate, it doesn’t seem like there’s anything I can do to get out of control, so I’ll just stay quiet for a bit.

 If I don’t show that I’m harmless, I’m not going to be able to get out of this stuck-in-the-millennium situation for the rest of my life.

 Oh, that’s right!

 Let’s just go to sleep! Let’s pretend to be asleep!

 It is quite common for drunks to suddenly fall asleep.

 I took a deep breath and slowly relaxed my body.

 Although it was unnatural, I tried not to lean on Mr. Thorden, but I relaxed my shoulders and neck and felt like a marionette.

“… Eri?”

 I felt a little less tense.

 All right, you can leave me like this, young man.

 No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for scaring you like this, I’m sorry.

 …… Hmm?

 What is it? He just picked me up? How could you pick up a grown woman like that, so easily, with no motion?

 Amazing. So powerful.

 So? Where are you going to carry me? You’re not thinking of throwing me in the grave while you still can, are you? You’re going to be okay, right?

 I thought, and then he laid me down on the living room sofa.

 What a gentleman. 

 I’ll apologize properly tomorrow. I will learn a hundred different ways to apologize from Mr. Sciuto.

 But I was mistaken at the time.

 I had completely misjudged Mr. Thorden as a person.

 I had invited him in while I was preparing the bath.

 And Mr. Thorden is aware of it.

 I did not realize what it meant until he took off his clothes while I was pretending to sleep.