Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 120 - Leaving the Nest

In the weeks after Zenith woke up, our family lived what could genuinely be called a happy life.

Zenith and Lilia would come over often to cook together, teaching Eris alongside Roxy and Sylphie how to make meals more delicious.

Sometimes they'd sit down for afternoon tea, with Zenith and Lilia guiding Eris and the other two non-pregnant ladies through the finer points of child-rearing.

Paul and I were thoroughly left out.

At night, of course, I had the full and undivided love of my wives. As for Paul's situation, I wouldn't know.

......

On an ordinary morning, I slipped out from my wives' arms and headed to the courtyard to get some exercise.

Eris's belly had grown quite large, so I'd banned her morning sword practice. Resting and taking care of herself was enough.

She complained about it, naturally. But she loved the child more than she loved complaining, so it stayed at that, just complaints.

My own morning training, though, wasn't something I could skip. So today, same as always, I was up early.

The moment I stepped into the courtyard, I saw Aisha.

A light drizzle was coming down. Aisha was sitting in the grass, staring at nothing.

I walked over, about to say something, when I caught it, she was crying.

She heard me coming and turned her head.

"Hm...? Brother?"

She wiped her eyes and smiled at me.

"Aisha... what's wrong?"

"Domi died."

She said it plainly, after drying her tears.

Domi. The horse Aisha had raised all this time.

I'd never really tended to her myself. Feeding, grazing, that was all Aisha, with Lilia stepping in when Aisha was busy.

Died, huh...

So that horse had gotten on in years after all.

I moved closer and sat down in the grass beside her.

Aisha leaned her head against my shoulder, easy and natural, and said quietly:

"Domi really liked the rain."

"Did she?"

"Yeah... every time it rained, she'd make this funny noise and want to get outside and run around."

"So you'd let her out?"

"Every time I saw her like that, I'd let her loose in the courtyard."

Aisha drew a slow breath and added:

"So I keep thinking — was it because I let her do that? Maybe she caught something, and that's why she died so suddenly."

I didn't know what to say.

Aisha stayed quiet against my shoulder for a moment, then shook her head.

"I checked her over. Domi was healthy..."

"How old was she?"

"28. Horses usually live past 30. But Domi just... died last night, in the middle of the storm. Very peaceful."

"I see... she loved the rain so much. Going like that — maybe it wasn't so bad."

"Yeah. I hope so too..."

We sat together and let the drizzle fall on us.

Maybe we wanted to feel what Domi had always felt.

Or maybe, right then, we just wanted to sit in the rain.

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"Are you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

"That you'll die before Sister Roxy and Sister Sylphie."

I went still.

It was true. I'd never thought about it.

But it wasn't really a question that needed thinking about.

"I'm not afraid. If I can make the people I love feel loved, within whatever time I have, that's enough."

"So that's how Brother sees it."

Aisha let out a slow breath.

Her hair was damp and a little messy.

"Brother, do you remember our promise? That after Mother Zenith was healed, I'd tell you something."

"Yeah, I remember."

"I've decided not to say it."

"Huh?"

"Hehe. But I did hear some things from Orsted..."

"You still want to go adventuring?"

"Yeah..."

A thousand reasons to say no rose up inside me.

But...

Aisha was my little sister. That was all.

I had no real right to decide her future. And even if I tried to hold her back, I probably couldn't. Aisha listened to me because I was her brother, not because she had to. She was no weaker than me now. She had every right to go after what she was curious about, to leave my side.

I reached over and ruffled her damp head, and smiled.

"Hey... if you want to go, go. Bring teleportation scrolls. Write letters regularly, don't forget. Get some emergency items from Orsted. Keep a low profile. Do you know where you're headed? You still remember how to read a map, right?..."

I kept going. One thing after another. When I finally surfaced, Aisha was watching me with soft, amused eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"How old am I?"

"17. Almost 18."

"Yeah."

Aisha smiled.

"Brother."

"What?"

"Can you hug me?"

"You're soaking wet."

"Are you going to hug me or not?"

I made a face about it. Then I pulled her in anyway.

She was still in my arms. Just quiet. Just there.

I felt her breathing, the slow rise and fall of it, and something settled into place.

Aisha had really grown up.

I used to think it, "Aisha's grown up," "she's become such a beautiful young woman", but those were thoughts from a distance, watching her.

Now I was holding her.

And I felt it.

"Aisha."

"Hm?"

"Everything I said just now — did any of it actually get through?"

"Yeah..."

"If you're not confident about something, don't take the risk. If you get hurt, come back. Orsted's healing magic can handle any external wound. And before you leave, say a proper goodbye to Father and Mother. Also, "

"Brother... you're so annoying."

"You can find it annoying and still listen. If you're going to travel as an adventurer, don't draw attention to yourself. Your name is well-known now. You should disguise yourself..."

I went on until there was nothing left to say.

Aisha had her eyes closed in my arms. I couldn't tell if she'd fallen asleep.

I gave her a little shake. She murmured softly:

"Still awake~"

"Did you actually take any of that in?"

"All of it."

"When are you leaving?"

"Now."

"That soon... your sisters-in-law aren't even up yet. Can't you wait until they wake up and say goodbye?"

"It's okay. They understand me. I'll leave Father and Mother a letter."

"Alright, then let me go get your things ready..."

Alright.

I wasn't going to pretend. I was sad.

Of course I was sad. My little sister was leaving, and there was no knowing when she'd be back. Teleportation magic existed, sure, but somehow I knew Aisha, she wouldn't use it.

13 years she'd been at my side, from the time she was 4 until now, 17 years old.

Today she was leaving.

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"You're sad, aren't you?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. Sad. And I really don't want to let you go."

"If Brother... no, never mind. Brother definitely wouldn't do that anymore."

She started to say something, then shook her head and smiled.

"Brother, do you love me?"

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to."

"Eeh~ But you used to say it so easily, 'I love you, you know', just like that. Now you're all embarrassed~"

"Sure, sure. I can't win with you. I'm going inside to pack your things."

I stood and started toward the house.

"Brother!"

Her voice caught me at the door.

"You don't need to! Orsted gave me a ring, it holds things. I already have everything I need."

"I see..."

So she'd had this planned all along.

"Brother."

"What now?"

"I love you, Brother."

She stood up after saying it, brushing the grass off her clothes.

"Nothing you want to say to me?"

Her tone was too sincere. It caught me off guard, and I stood there for a long moment.

"Yeah.

Thinking it over,

I smiled.

"Safe travels. I love you too."

➤ Next: A Small Drinking Party