Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 57 - Reunion 2 — Heartbreak

"Miss Aisha, word came from the horse market. Your beloved horse should arrive the day after tomorrow."

"Okay~ I want fish for lunch~"

"Of course."

Stagnant.

That's the only word I have for myself lately.

Brother won't let me take on quests. I spend my days at home, alone, tending to the flowers and plants.

It is fun, admittedly.......

But Eris-nee isn't here, so my swordsmanship hasn't budged, and my magic has hit a wall.

Brother has always used Voiceless Casting, so there's actually quite a bit of incantation-reduction theory he doesn't understand as well as I do.

I won't pretend I'm not the least bit impatient. But I know some things can't be forced.

"Milia."

"Here."

"Go to the Guild this afternoon and keep an eye out for anyone asking after my brother."

"Understood."

With that settled, I went out to the courtyard to practice.

By my count, Norn-nee and Mother should be arriving within the next few days.

"I hope everyone gets here safely."

I murmured it to myself, then started on my Magic Eye.

I hadn't meant to keep it from Brother. I just forgot to mention it that one time, and then one time became always.

Hmm... maybe it's better this way. I can surprise him someday.

I fired an ice spell into the air, activated my Magic Eye, and scattered the magic before it could land.

Honestly, for any magician, running into someone with a magic-absorbing eye is a complete disaster.

"Why can I only disperse it? The name is Magic Eye, not Magic Scatter Eye..."

After a whole afternoon of practice, I heard Brother come home.

The usual check for injuries. Then we bathed, and ate dinner together.

I know the logic, of course. Just taking on quests couldn't possibly hurt Brother. In all his years as an adventurer, he's never come back wounded.

As a magician, Brother is simply perfect.

But still...

If I'm being honest, I check him for injuries because I want to be close to him. Saying that out loud would be mortifying.

Good thing Brother has never once minded me running my hands all over him.

Sleeping together... that, he won't allow.

His reason is that I've grown up. But I'm only ten. Sharing a bed shouldn't be strange at our age, should it?

I could absolutely pester my way into it if I wanted. But I'd probably just end up becoming the annoying little sister in his eyes.

I definitely don't want that.

"Keep an eye on the Guild these next few days. Norn and Lilia-mama should be arriving soon."

"Mm!"

Brother must be feeling uneasy too, deep down.

What if there's no word? What if they don't show up?

Those thoughts cross my mind, and they must cross his too. We just don't say it.

........

4 days later, on an ordinary afternoon, I was brushing Domi's coat.

Milia, who I'd sent to the Guild to gather information not long before, came rushing back home.

"Miss Aisha, someone at the Guild is asking for you and Master Rudeus."

"Names?"

"Lilia Greyrat, Norn Greyrat — and one more she didn't give."

"I'll go now."

I got Domi settled and headed for the Guild.

The moment I walked in, eyes turned toward me.

That's just how it is. I'm the little sister of that Rudeus.

They probably assumed I'd finally come to take on a quest.

I ignored the stares and walked straight to the front desk.

"Were there people here just now looking for me and my brother?"

"Yes. They're waiting in the VIP room. I'll take you there."

I stepped inside and found Mother, a slightly stiff Norn-nee, and... Syl... Sylphie-nee.

I hadn't even opened my mouth before Mother pulled me into a hug.

"You've worked hard."

"Not at all..."

Our reunion was quiet. We just held each other for a while, and that was enough.

Sylphie-nee was wearing a standard adventurer's mage robe, and the staff she carried looked like the one Brother had given her.

She'd tucked her green hair out of sight, but you could still catch a faint glimpse of it.

"Brother... where is he?"

That was Norn-nee. She sounded a little nervous.

"He took on a quest. He should be back soon."

"Oh... okay."

Norn-nee let out a quiet breath.

Out of the corner of my eye, Sylphie-nee did too.

Sylphie-nee looks the same as before. The hood hid most of her hair, but her face has definitely gotten prettier...

She's exactly the type Brother would like.

"Sylphie-nee, thank you for everything on the road."

I lowered my head and bowed.

"It was nothing. Traveling with Norn and Aunt Lilia was genuinely fun."

Sylphie-nee smiled and patted Norn-nee on the head. There was a softness to it that almost made me forget she had any combat ability at all.

But I remember. Sylphie-nee, just like Brother, is a Voiceless Casting mage. And she earned Brother's recognition when she was still very young.

"Then let's all head back and wait for Brother together?"

They all nodded. I took the lead and started guiding the way.

The whole walk back, Sylphie-nee stayed alert. Her staff was tucked inside her sleeve. I could also sense, just faintly, that she was still afraid of anyone seeing her green hair.

Back in our old hometown, Brother's presence meant no one ever mocked her for it. After the Teleport Incident... she must have had a hard time.

We reached the front door. The maids opened it without being asked.

"Miss Aisha, dinner and rooms have been prepared for your guests."

"They're not guests. They're family."

"Of course. My apologies."

Norn-nee looked genuinely surprised. Sylphie-nee and Mother both had the expression of people hearing something obvious stated aloud.

As if achieving a life like this had been simple for Brother.

We only moved in half a year ago, though...

"Mother, Norn-nee, Sylphie-nee — would you like to take a bath first?"

"Yes. It would be better to see Master Rudeus after washing up."

"Mother~ if you call him 'Master Rudeus' to his face, he's going to get upset."

"It's a habit... I'll work on it."

Norn-nee nodded. Sylphie-nee hesitated for a moment, then nodded too.

"I'll have Fili and Milia draw the water. Three floors, one bathroom each — just head in when you're ready. Brother has plenty of house clothes that work for anyone, so don't worry about that."

After that, I went out to the courtyard and watered the flowers.

Then I fed Domi a carrot.

"Brother~ come home soon~"

➤ Next: What They Call a Mother