"Brother Jin, dinner!"

Erza came to call Jin, who was absorbed in his research.

"Oh, is it that time already?"

The next thing he knew, it was dusk. It was almost 6:00 p.m.

"Don't push yourself too hard."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

Erza rebuked him as he returned, and Jin apologized.

"We've been waiting for you, Jin-sama.

"You've come, too, Mine?"

Yes, I helped her cook dinner.

The dinner was a purely Japanese menu consisting of rice, miso soup with fried bean curd and okara, grilled fish similar to horse mackerel, oshinko (pickles), and natto (fermented soybeans).

"Oh, okara miso soup.

"Hmm."

It may depend on the region, but eating fried bean curd in miso soup with okara is surprisingly tasty, as the bean curd absorbs the miso soup to a moderate degree.

The director of the hospital used to make this dish for me when I was in the facility, partly because it is inexpensive.

Jin also likes the combination of taro and okara.

"Yes, it's delicious!"

His favorite menu makes his chopsticks move forward.

At ......, Jin notices that Elsa's chopsticks are not moving.

"Huh?　Erza, are you not eating?"

"....... ......I'm kind of hungry."

Jin knew that Elsa was not the kind of person who would eat while she was cooking, so his answer was strange.

Then one possibility occurred to him.

"Is there something wrong with her?"

However, it is impossible for Erza, who is also an excellent healer, to be sick.

"...... not bad, I think."

However, Erza's complexion was not so good when she answered so.

"......I'm sorry, Sai. ......I was smelling the food and I felt sick. I'm really sorry."

Erza apologized and hurriedly got up from her seat and ran out of the cafeteria.

"Elsa ......"

After swallowing the last mouthful, Jin also got up to leave the diner after Erza.

But Meane stopped him.

"Jin-sama, it's okay."

What?

"Erza's not sick.

What?

Meane looked at Jin, who was twisting his head in confusion, smiling.

"I could explain it to you, but I'm sure Erza would prefer to talk about it herself.

"?"

Then Erza returned. She looked paler than before.

"Erza, are you all right?

This time Jin got up from his seat and rushed to Erza's side.

"No, I'm fine."

Then Erza squeezed Jin's hand.

I'm sorry for worrying you. I'm ......, um... ......."

After saying that, Erza blushed and turned her head down.

"Elsa?　What's wrong with you?"

Jin asked, more concerned, and finally Erza looked up.

"...... baby."

"What?"

"...... baby ...... is born."

Erza said and turned her reddish face down again.

"......"

"............"

".................."

A silence passed between Erza, Jin and Meine.

The silence was broken by Reiko's voice.

"Congratulations, father."

Hearing her voice, both Jin and Erza come to their senses.

"Elsa."

"......"

"Thank you."

With short words, Jin let go of Erza's hand, put his hand behind her back, and hugged her gently. Meane and Reiko quietly left.

"Jin ......"

"Thank you, thank you."

That was all Jin said, and he hugged Erza tenderly. Erza hugged him back.

Erza hugged him back.

"Well, when did you find out?

"...... yesterday. I was feeling kind of lazy, so I talked to my mother about it, and she said that it might be possible.

After hugging each other for a good fifteen minutes, the two of them talked in the <> without water.

They were sitting side by side, not facing each other, with Jin holding Elsa's shoulder.

In case you are wondering, Meane and Reiko are cleaning up the mess.

"So, I gave myself a <> and ......"

"I had a child."

"Hmm."

"I see. ......"

I was going to tell you when Jin brother was free. But Mother told me to tell you myself.

"Yes, that's what I wanted to do. I'm glad you told me."

Jin put his hand on Elsa's shoulder.

"Are you cold?"

"I'm ...... fine."

From now on, you take even better care of yourself than you have in the past.

"Yeah, I know."

"Oh, have you seen your mother-in-law in the Shoro Kingdom?"

"...... not yet. I thought I'd tell my brother Jin first.

"I see. Then let's go tomorrow.

"......?　I thought you were busy."

But Jin laughed and shook his head.

"I'm not so pathetic that I can't take that much time.

Now that we have a good idea of what to expect, the main thing is to conduct experiments and verify the results, and the old man can take care of that.

After that, we'll inform the whole <>."

"......?"

Erza nodded her head, her cheeks flushed.