Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 84 - Return to Daily Life 3

"Ooh! You're the boss's big brother? Hello, my name is Rinia-nya!"

"I'm Pursena-desu! Hello, boss's big brother!"

I'd barely recovered from my cold when Aisha dragged me out to the market, and here we were, running into Aisha's... friends?

If I hadn't already seen the two of them sprawled in front of Aisha begging for dried meat, I might have believed that.

Come to think of it... -nya? -desu?

Ohh... it's like those cartoons from my previous life. Verbal tics and everything.

I reached out and shook their hands. Politeness is politeness.

"Hello. My name is Rudeus."

Hmm. These two are the ones who'd been tailing me around campus, aren't they? I never bothered to confront them, but I'd spotted them a handful of times.

Right now, though, neither of them was looking at me. Both sets of eyes were locked on Aisha, like they were waiting for orders.

Aisha had one hand pressed to her forehead, expression flat.

"You two... just carry our things."

"No problem-nya!"

"Leave it to us-desu!"

She handed them everything heavy, fertilizer, potted plants, the works. They took it all without complaint.

Beastmen really are something. If Ghislaine is the baseline for their kind, are these two in that league as well?

I was still turning that over when the more energetic one, the cat-girl, sidled up beside me.

"Rudeus... uh... -sama? What should I call you-nya?"

"Teacher is fine. I work at the university."

"Ooh! Rudeus-sensei, have you ever been to the Great Forest?"

The Great Forest.

"I have."

"Ooh! Was there a woman named Eris with you back then-nya?"

"Yeah. Why? You know her?"

"Yes-nya! You two are benefactors of the Beastmen-nya~ Boss Aisha's name already sounded familiar, but once I confirmed your name and Lady Eris's name, I knew for certain-nya."

"We were just passing through. Calling us benefactors is a bit much."

So that's why they follow Aisha's lead. Because she's a benefactor too.

"No, no, no! You really are benefactors-nya. My little sister and Pursena's little sister were both saved by you. Thank you so much-nya."

She bowed her head low.

Beastmen have manners. Huh.

"Ah! What is Rinia doing-desu?"

"Listen-nya, he and the boss are..."

After Rinia finished explaining, the two of them bowed together toward Aisha and me.

"Huh? We've known each other this long and neither of you recognized my name?"

Aisha asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Be... because... the boss is so young... we didn't think to connect it-nya..."

"Tha... that's right-desu... it's all Rinia's fault! She was still thinking about how to overthrow the boss's rule just the other day-desu..."

"Don't you dare frame me-nya! I have never thought that, boss!"

"Rinia dares to think it but won't admit it-desu..."

So they really didn't know Aisha was their benefactor.

Then what was that complete submission I saw earlier all about? Could Aisha's actual hobby really be...

"Brother, what are you thinking?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

Aisha sighed and waved a hand at the two of them. They obediently fell into line in front of her, waiting.

"Alright. Take these things to my doorstep and hand them to the maid. You know where I live?"

"No problem-nya!"

"Of course we know-desu!"

"Then off you go."

Aisha walked up to them and murmured something close to their ears. Whatever she said, they left half-terrified and half-laughing, waving back at us as they went.

"Brother~ shall we go visit Mother Zenith?"

Aisha lifted the fruit basket and smiled.

"Yeah. Let's go see Mother."

...

We arrived at Paul's front door. Aisha knocked.

A few seconds passed, and the maid I'd hired for them answered.

We handed her the fruit basket and went inside. It was afternoon, and Paul was apparently out on patrol. I'd told him he didn't need to keep working, but he'd just smiled tiredly and said:

[At least let me have something to do. I don't know what I'd do with myself at home.]

"Mother!"

Aisha's voice pulled me back. She ran ahead and threw her arms around Lilia.

"What brings you two here?"

"We came to see Mother Zenith."

"Mm. Come in."

I greeted Lilia and followed her to Zenith's room.

The space was full, all manner of things arranged with care, evidence of someone being well looked after. There was a recliner in the corner too, one Paul must have bought.

He probably spends a lot of time lying here beside her.

Zenith was sitting up in bed when I reached her.

The same as always.

I sat down at her side and spoke quietly, more to myself than to her.

"Mother. In about a year, I'll be getting married."

"There are three of them. You know all three — Eris, Teacher Roxy, and Sylphie. I think your favorite was always Sylphie, wasn't it? You watched her grow up. You only met Eris once, so I'm not sure what you make of her. As for Roxy... her age doesn't match the way she carries herself. Not that she's childish — I just want you to know you don't need to worry about any kind of generation gap between us..."

I held her hand and kept talking. A lot of things I'd been meaning to say.

She blinked. Her fingers shifted, just slightly.

"Mother. Do you approve of me marrying all three of them? I know you follow the Milis faith... uh..."

No reaction.

As expected.

I sat with her for a long time.

Paul came back eventually. He walked in and sank into the recliner.

"Mother, now that Father's here, I'll head out."

I started to stand — and felt my hand caught.

Zenith was holding it. Both hands, gripping tight.

"Mother..."

Paul and I looked at each other. I sat back down.

Slowly, Zenith raised her hands. She cupped my face. She stared at me, unblinking, fixed, as though trying to memorize every detail.

I didn't know what it meant. But something settled in my chest, certain and quiet.

Her consciousness is still there. Not a feeling. A fact.

She's still in there.

After several minutes, her hands fell. The strength drained out of them, and she drifted back to that hollow stillness.

I looked over at Paul. His face was open, cautious, the expression of a man who doesn't dare hope too hard.

"Ru... Rudeus... Zenith, she's... does that mean..."

"I think so too. Her consciousness is definitely still there. For some reason she can't control her body, but she's aware. She's present."

Paul rose from the chair without another word and went to her. He put his arms around her and held on.

"It's alright... this is enough... as long as you're still in there..."

He was smiling. I stepped out and left them to it.

Aisha was in the kitchen with Lilia, working on dinner.

Lilia looked up the moment she saw me.

"Young Master Rudeus, won't you stay and eat?"

"I'll pass. Sylphie and the others have probably already started on dinner."

"Is that so. Then I won't push."

I glanced at Aisha beside her.

"Aisha, stay and eat here tonight. Norn will be back soon too."

Aisha nodded.

"Alright. I'm still coming back to sleep at your place tonight, though."

"Mm. Spend some time with Mother Lilia."

"You're so naggy, brother~"

I watched the two of them, Aisha and Lilia, easy and warm in that small kitchen, and smiled.

Then I left.

By the time I made it home, the sun had already gone down.

➤ Next: A Day with Roxy