Early summer in June.

I, Ruka Yamamoto, came to help my grandparents’ farm at my birthplace, which is about an hour away by train.

Both grandpa and grandma, who work on the farm, are still in good health, but I still often come to help them out as a way to show my gratitude.

The pesticide-free vegetables harvested from this field are so well received by the owner-chef, Fujisaki-san, that they are often used in the dishes at La Forge.

When Fujisaki-san heard that I was going to help out this time, she said, “Please let me help out too!” But I managed to persuade her not to, because farm work is very hard.

And I don’t want her to ruin her precious time off in the first place.

“Ruka, thanks for coming as always~”

“Other than Ruka, none of my grandchildren have come to help me at all~”

My grandparents love to see me every time I come over.

“Haha, they must all be busy. Saika couldn’t come today because of club activities, but I’ll bring her along next time.”

“I’m glad that Saika grew up to be a kind girl~”

While chatting with my grandparents, who looked a little sad, I changed into my farming clothes.

“I really wish the other grandchildren would learn a little from Ruka and Saika.”

“Come on! They miss both of you and Grandma and Grandpa! I’ll make sure to bring them back next time.”

Because of such an ugly appearance, I am treated as a disgrace to my relatives and shunned by my cousins.

So it might be hard to convince them, coming from me.

But I’m determined to try to get them all together again for Grandpa and Grandma, who are missing them.

“Ruka is really a sweet kid~”

“Yeah! Rumi also came here this morning! Well, she didn’t come to help, she just came to beg for pocket money~!”

“I was just glad to see her in good health.”

Just as the two of them started talking, my cousin Rumi, who was in the same grade as me, walked across the hallway with her blonde hair fluttering.

I smiled as much as I could and talked to her.

“R-Rumi! You came too! You’ve grown so matured while I haven’t seen you for a while! Haha…”

“—Tsk!”

Rumi looked at me and clicked her tongue out with an offended expression.

“Hey! Rumi! Greet Ruka properly!”

Grandpa scolded her sternly, but Rumi looked at me scornfully.

“Haa? Why do I have to say hello to this guy? It’s embarrassing already that we’re even related to this guy.”

Rumi spat this out and sat down in the living room and began to watch the TV showing popular idols.