Can I brag about my very devoted wife to you?

My wife’s kindness and care

Three days after Riko and I declared ourselves lovers, a quiet rain started to fall in Kamakura City, and the Kanto region entered the rainy season earlier than usual.

I think many people don’t like the rainy season.

Of course, I’ve always felt the same way. However, for some reason, this year’s rainy season was different from the usual rainy season. I felt uncomfortable far less often, and it was strangely easy to spend time there. It was a week after the start of the rainy season when I realized this.

On my way home from my part-time job, I was running away from the pouring rain, and the moment I walked into the front door that Riko opened for me, I felt the air around me lighten up.

“Nnh?”

What is it?

Has the heaviness that used to cling to me disappeared?

“Minato-kun? What’s wrong?”

“…! No, it’s nothing.”

I couldn’t figure out what the strange feeling I felt was, so I hurriedly shook my head. Riko tilted her head a little curiously and then followed me down the hallway.

As I walked into the living room, where the aroma of delicious food was wafting through the air, I stopped to look at the phone that had been left on the dining room table. It was probably Riko’s phone that she had touched just before she greeted me. The screen of the phone was still lit up, showing a calendar application.

Huh. Riko, were you looking at the calendar again?

For some reason, Riko has been checking the calendar app on her phone whenever she has free time.

Of course, I’m not peeking at it. But when Riko’s phone comes into view, there is always a calendar on the screen.

I wonder if she has something important planned.

As I looked at Riko, thinking about this, she was standing by the window, turning up the curtain to check what was going on outside.

“I just checked the weather forecast, and it looks like it’s going to rain again tomorrow.”

Then she looked back at me with a smile.

“So, tomorrow’s P.E., I guess the boys and girls will meet in the gym.”

“That would be nice.”

“You’re happy?”

“Yeah. Because the only time we get together is when it’s raining. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Minato-kun in gym class.”

“What the…!”

Riko said something outrageous, which made me scream out in disbelief.

“I’m not the type to be active in sports, and I’m not worth watching, you know!”

“That’s not true. I can watch you forever, no matter what you’re doing, Minato-kun, you know?”

“…!?”

Riko lowered her eyes in embarrassment. How am I supposed to take that statement?

When I was stumped and at a loss for a response, Riko lowered her eyebrows a little and casually changed the subject.

“I like that it’s raining, but I’m troubled that the wind has died down…”

Looking out the window again, Riko mutters with a sigh.

“Is there any problem that the wind stops blowing?”

“Yeah…”

She closed the window and came to my side.

“You know, if it’s not a problem, do you mind if I add one more electrical appliance to the living room?”

Riko asked hesitantly.

“Of course not! I mean, you don’t have to check with me. This is Riko’s house, too.”

“…! …Yeah. That’s right. It’s Minato-kun’s and my house, right? Hmm.”

Riko’s cheeks blushed, and her eyes glistened with happiness. While not knowing why Riko’s face had turned red, I was fascinated by her expression.

“Minato-kun?”

“Oh, sorry, I’ve been in a daze! Um, what electronics does Riko want to add?”

“Um, well, I wanted a circulator.”

“A circulator, like that fan thing?”

“Yes! But unlike a fan, it generates a straight breeze, so it’s easy to circulate the air in the room. When there’s a wind, I can lower the humidity in the room just by opening the window, but when the it stops like now, it’s difficult to do that. So I’ve always thought it would be nice to have a circulator in those situations.”

When I heard the story, I reacted with an “Ah”.

This year’s rainy season has been more pleasant than usual. The true reason of the feeling I had when I walked in the door today.

“Could it be, Riko… that you’ve been taking care of the humidity outside the living room? For example, the front door… Well, I thought about it when I came home today. I’d say the air feels lighter in this house, more comfortable…”

I asked, and Riko nodded her head.

“Yeah, but actually.”

I followed Riko, who beckoned me happily, and headed for the door again.

“I’ve been hiding some secret stuff in here.”

With a slightly proud look on her face, Riko pulled out a plastic case from behind the shoe box. In the case were rolled up newspapers and bamboo charcoal.

“Newspapers and bamboo charcoal can help absorb moisture. So I set this up in places in the house where moisture tends to accumulate. Other than here, it’s also under the sink, in the closet…”

“…! I didn’t notice that at all…!”

Indeed, if I recalled again, it was not only in the living room and the entrance. Even when I was in the kitchen or the changing room, I didn’t feel the uncomfortable feeling of gloom that I usually got during the rainy season. Also, this year, I had no trouble sleeping.

“But with this set, won’t the bedding get heavy with moisture?”

“Oh, there’s this thing called a dehumidifying mat under my futon.”

Apparently, without my knowledge, Riko had created a comfortable environment for me in many ways.

“Riko, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it for a long time. Also, thanks. So that’s why this year’s rainy season is totally different.”

“Really? I’m glad. I was hoping it would make Minato-kun feel a little better during the rainy season.”

“… Oh.”

Needless to say, I was touched by Riko’s overly healthy concern.

“I used to hate the rainy season, but thanks to Riko, I think I’m going to like it.”

I really thought so, but when I put it into words, it sounded so exaggerated and embarrassing. But I didn’t regret it because Riko gave me a smile like a flower.

“Oh, and if you need a circulator for the rainy season in the living room, I’ll get one.”

If it cost as much as a fan, it would cost at least 20,000 yen. I could get by with my part-time job. However, Riko did not agree.

“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll buy it, okay?”

“No, but that’s not how it works…”

“I have everything ready for such an occasion.”

Riko lightly puffed out her chest and tapped her heart.

Ugh, that’s so cute…!

That’s what I thought in my mind…

“Ready for what?”

“I’ll see you in a minute!”

As I watched Riko pacing down the hallway, she disappeared into her room.

I waited for a minute or two. When she came back to me, she had a bankbook in her hand for some reason.

“Here you go! Minato-kun, look at this.”

“…?”

Puzzled, I took the bankbook that was offered to me. Riko urged me to turn the page, and the moment I saw the numbers printed on the page, I let out an unpredictable cry.

“What’s this much money!?”

There was an amount of money on there that I had never seen before.

Translator & Editor: Riciel