Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 88 - A Day, Aisha

A Leisurely Day

After watering the flowers, I headed to the stables to feed Domi.

Domi is getting fatter by the day. If we hitched her to a carriage right now, would she even be able to pull it?

"Here."

I held a carrot up to her mouth. She immediately spat out the grass she was chewing and went straight for the carrot in my hand.

So horses actually do have fairly discerning taste buds. At least in Domi's mind, carrots beat grass every time.

Once the yard work was done, I practiced swordplay for a while in the courtyard.

Father has been teaching me swordsmanship on and off for about half a year now.

He knows a great many things, so what he teaches tends to be all over the place.

I don't find it particularly difficult, though. If anything, over these past six months I've picked up his various sword styles without much trouble at all.

Hmm... though I've already learned them, I still make a point of asking him to teach me from time to time. The main reason is simple: it makes Father happy.

"Aisha~ Aisha~"

Before I could even raise my sword, Sylphie-sister's voice came floating in from the courtyard gate.

I lowered my sword and turned around.

"What is it?"

"Would you like to come out and walk around with us?"

Roxy-sister was standing beside her. She didn't seem to have classes today either.

So they deliberately picked a day when Brother was busy? Heh. Then I absolutely have to tag along.

"Sure, give me a second."

I put everything away and jogged over to Sylphie-sister's side.

She was wearing a hood, bundled up quite tightly.

Thankfully it's winter. Though honestly, winter is really the only season when Sylphie-sister steps outside for a stroll at all...

The two of them were walking hand in hand, and when I reached them, Sylphie-sister took my hand as well.

"Rudy isn't here, so we're counting on Aisha to protect us."

"Leave it to me!"

They're so adorable.

Neither of them has a figure that's especially... hmm... alluring, exactly, but they're just genuinely cute.

Maybe that's the type Brother likes? During his adventurer days there were all kinds of women around him, and he never showed the slightest interest in any of them. Back then I assumed it was because of Eris-sister, but looking at it now, it seems more like he simply wasn't interested in that sort of thing to begin with.

Hmm...

Turning these pointless thoughts over in my head, I let Sylphie-sister lead me into the marketplace.

The layout here reminded me a little of the city planning back in Fittoa Territory. The further in you go, the more expensive the goods get.

We were heading inward. Curiosity got the better of me.

"Uh... Sylphie-sister, Roxy-sister, are we buying something on the pricier side?"

The title "sister-in-law" had always felt a bit strange to Sylphie-sister-in-law, so she'd asked me to switch to "sister" a while back. As for Roxy-sister — well, she'd always acted like she didn't mind one way or the other, but she might have been just a little self-conscious about her age after all. Either way, when I made the switch she didn't object. She actually looked quite pleased about it. Over time, "sister" just stuck.

"That's right~ Want to guess what it is, Aisha?"

Expensive...

Sylphie-sister and Roxy-sister are clearly not the type to splurge on luxury goods.

Hmm? Or maybe they are? But Brother has never bought them jewelry or accessories or anything like that...

"Is it something Brother asked you to pick up?"

"Not at all."

Roxy-sister smiled.

"It's actually something we're buying for Rudy."

"For Brother?"

My question went unanswered. I was pulled into a jewelry shop.

Jewels everywhere, catching the light from every angle. They were beautiful, I'll admit that. But I couldn't picture Brother wanting any of them.

Not that money is an issue for the family, of course...

I hadn't even had time to process where we were before Sylphie-sister and Roxy-sister had already started browsing.

Rings, it looked like.

As long as they're happy.

I was just about to find somewhere to sit when Sylphie-sister pulled me back to the display counter.

"Aisha, you pick one too."

"Eh... I'm not really into this kind of thing..."

"Hmm? Is that so? But we're buying these for Rudy, you know."

"Brother probably doesn't like wearing rings..."

I tried to brush it off.

Sylphie-sister gave me a teasing smile.

"Is that so? We're each buying one to give to Rudy. That way, all those women out there will know he already has wives~"

"Eh?"

Staking a claim.

So that's what this is.

"Alright, don't overthink it."

Sylphie-sister held my hand and turned to the shop attendant.

"Could you find a ring with a gemstone that matches this lady's hair color?"

"Of course."

A few minutes later, the attendant set a ring on the counter.

The stone was very close to the color of my hair. Red, but not the bright, vivid red of Eris-sister. Deeper than that. Wine red.

I shifted my weight, not quite sure what to say.

Then a quiet, gentle voice reached my ear.

"It's alright. If you like it, just get it."

Roxy-sister. She reached over and stroked my head softly.

I think I'm starting to understand why Brother loves them.

"Then we'll take the emerald green, the cyan blue, and this wine red one. All three."

Sylphie-sister's easy confidence caught the shop clerk off guard for just a moment before they snapped back into a smile and collected our gold coins.

On the walk home, I held the ring up over my head and turned it slowly in the sunlight.

Beautiful.

I glanced over at the two of them. They were talking the way they always do, chatting about small things, debating what to make for dinner that night.

Sylphie-sister noticed me looking. She smiled and patted my head.

They didn't bring it up again the rest of the way home.

Just the three of us, walking. Talking about nothing in particular, and nothing in particular at all.

➤ Next: One Day, Rudeus