The large number of caterpillars must have been gathered by Koruko for Loa.
While we were discussing what to do about Loa’s meal, Koruko went outside.
After hearing the conversation, Loa caught the caterpillars that seemed suitable for eating.
What a truly kind and clever chicken.
“Luria ? What is going on here?”
But Mother was furious.
“Uh… food?”
“Food? Whose?”
“Umm… the birds’?”
When I glanced at the owl, it walked over to the caterpillars and took a bite.
“Ha!”
“Ha? No, the caterpillars are—”
—Flap flap flap—
From the window, five birds, a hawk and sparrows combined, flew in.
All of them were carrying caterpillars.
“Peep~”
“Wait a second…”
Ignoring my mother, who was making a strained face, the birds chirped and began putting the caterpillars into the basket.
“This… Is Luria making them do this?”
“Yes. Luria is making them do it.”
“I see, the basket was prepared too…”
The basket was likely prepared by Koruko. Koruko must have searched for a suitable basket to put the caterpillars in from inside the room, then placed it behind the bed.
But I couldn’t say, “Koruko and the birds did it on their own.”
Koruko and the birds did it for Loa.
If someone was going to get scolded, it would be me.
I gathered the birds and said, “Come here.”
I petted Koruko, the owl, the hawk, and the sparrows, one by one.
“Thank you.”
“…Luria . Why did you do this?”
Mother was behind me, so I couldn’t see her expression. But I could tell from her voice that she was angry.
“…Because… if we don’t have a birdcage, the food will run out.”
“So, you’re not trying to eat them yourself?”
“I wouldn’t do such a thing. But Luria made them do it.”
“I see.”
When I explained that I wasn’t gathering them to eat, the anger seemed to fade from Mother’s voice.
“I’ll have the birds’ food delivered. So, stop making them gather caterpillars.”
“…Hmm, but…”
“Luria ?”
“Understood.”
If I resisted any further, Mother might start watching me closely and give me work to do here.
Instead of hoarding the caterpillars, I’ll directly hand them to Loa from the birds.
“Don’t let them gather caterpillars anymore, okay?”
“Got it.”
Mother hugged me tightly and patted my head.
“Koko!”
When Koruko flapped its wings happily, it came over to press its body against me.
Thanks to the caterpillars, the damage to my clothes’ shoulder and my sword training with the owl had been forgotten.
Koruko may have planned to bring the caterpillars while Mother was here, to cause some distractions.
If that’s the case, Koruko is as much of a strategist as I am.
“Hmm. Koruko is amazing.”
“Koko.”
I gently petted Koruko.
“The caterpillars…”
“Kyuu kyuu!”
Just as Mother was about to speak about the caterpillars’ fate, Carro rushed over and immediately ate one.
“Ha!”
Being a strategist, I realized this was Carro’s plan.
Mother was likely about to say, “Go throw away the caterpillars.”
So, I moved to prevent that from happening.
“Carro. The caterpillars are food for the birds, okay?”
While being careful not to be seen by Mother, I winked at Carro, signaling.
“Kyuu~”
Carro nodded while holding a caterpillar in both hands and eating it.
“The food for the birds that is hard to get.”
I subtly conveyed to Mother that the caterpillars were important for the birds’ food.
“So, the ones who already have food, like Carro, shouldn’t eat them.”
“Kyuu.”
“Until the birds’ food arrives, the caterpillars are precious.”
When I glanced at Mother, she sighed heavily.
“Alright. Luria . I’ll instruct the delivery of the birds’ food before noon.”
“Thank you!”
Once the food arrives, the birds’ food situation will improve.
Then, Loa should be able to get some of the birds’ food too.
“That’s good, Luria -chan.”
“Yeah, I’m glad.”
Sara, who had been tense all this time, seemed to relax.
She had been worried that I might get scolded.
‘I wondered what would happen,’ Kuro also seemed to be relieved.
“Mother, I’ll take responsibility for these caterpillars.”
“Responsibility? What exactly do you mean?”
“I won’t let even one escape.”
“I see, that’s important.”
“I’ll make sure all of them get eaten.”
“Yes, that’s important. But there’s one more important thing, right?”
“…Hmm?”
What could it be?
“Oh, Luria won’t eat them?”
“Well, of course, that’s important. But that’s not it.”
After hearing my response, Mother seemed a bit flustered.
She had always been cautious about me eating insects, so it was surprising that she hadn’t anticipated this.
“I won’t eat them, but… hmm.”
“Luria not eating them is obvious, okay? You can’t eat them. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
Mother repeatedly emphasized this.
“There’s one more important thing. Don’t let them gather any more.”
“Eh?”
“Eh? You don’t need to gather any more since the birds’ food will arrive by noon. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
With Mother’s strong insistence, I had no choice but to agree.
“Don’t let them gather caterpillars anymore. Understood?”
“Got it.”
“And the caterpillars?”
“I won’t make them gather any more.”
“Good, that’s settled. And I’m sure you understand, but caterpillars and caterpillars are of course off-limits, right?”
“I understand.”
Though caterpillars and worms weren’t allowed, I thought maybe beetles would be okay.
“Of course, beetles and cicadas are also not allowed, okay?”
“Yes, I understand!”
Mother’s sharpness is troublesome.
