Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 176 - Aisha, Heart — Heartbreak

I opened my eyes.

Mm......

The women's gathering had ended, and my sisters fell asleep quickly after that. I wasn't sure why, but tonight sleep wouldn't come for me.

I got up and glanced back at them before slipping out of the room.

Honestly.......

Eris-sister's sleeping posture hasn't changed one bit since forever. Sprawled out like she owns the bed. And she's pregnant, too.

I went over and adjusted her into something reasonable, then pulled the blanket up over her.

Though knowing her, she'd be back to that starfish sprawl within minutes.

"Mm...... maybe Eris-sister just finds that position comfortable?"

Sylphie-sister and Roxy-sister were sleeping like proper, well-behaved people, at least.

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I walked out to the kitchen.

I grabbed a pouch of milk, warmed it up, and poured it into a cup.

Truthfully, I'm not that fond of milk. But my brother likes it. He likes it hot. He used to add two sugar cubes, but now he won't add even one.

Do men really grow averse to sweetness past a certain age?

Either way, I didn't add any sugar.

I always like trying things the way my brother takes them.

I lifted the cup and took a small sip.

"Mm...... it's okay......"

Hot, though. That part was nice.

I carried the cup outside.

I drew a long breath, taking in the smell of the grass in the early morning dark. And then, without quite knowing why, a folk song drifted up from somewhere in the back of my mind. I'd heard it in a village during that stretch of time I spent adventuring alone.

"I am content with what I hold right now."

"I wish time would stop in this moment."

"Perhaps it will fade soon enough — not fully savored, but that's alright."

"When thoughts drift back, yesterday's colors slowly wash away."

"I am always at ease, wherever I am."

I hummed it softly, holding the warm cup in both hands, and wandered into the yard.

Mm.......?

"Brother?"

"You sing beautifully."

"Brother heard all of that?"

"Every word. Where's that song from?"

"A village under the Kingdom of Bilijian, from when I was traveling. It's good, right?"

"It's mainly that Aisha has a lovely voice."

"Oh, brother, honestly~ Do you want some? I can't finish it."

I held the cup out to his lips. He took it from me naturally, easy as breathing, and sipped.

"Brother, why are you still up?"

"Mm...... the girls' sleeping postures are a bit of a disaster."

"Let me guess~ Lara Greyrat, right?"

"Lara Greyrat...... and Windsor, too."

"Windsor? Really? I figured she'd be the neat, tidy type."

"Windsor takes after her mother. Aside from personality, she's basically a miniature Eris — likes swords, likes dogs, hates learning to read, and sleeps like she's trying to conquer the bed......."

He smiled as he listed all the ways Windsor resembled Eris-sister.

It was a wry smile. But to me, it looked like happiness.

"Lara Greyrat...... ugh...... she wrapped herself around my entire head in her sleep. I nearly suffocated."

"Lara Greyrat's love is a lot to handle~"

We talked like that, drifting slowly around the yard, until we ended up beside the stable.

Where Dom used to live. It was spotless now. No sign of disrepair, no neglect. My brother had clearly been having someone tend to it all this time.

"Aisha."

"Mm?"

"Don't you want to raise another horse?"

"No. I don't want to go through that kind of goodbye again."

"Is that so......"

"It is. So, brother, you absolutely have to outlive me. You gave that medicine to Miss Nanahoshi, which means you have to stay healthy and live a long, long life — longer than me and Eris-sister both."

"I'll do my best."

"You have to take care of yourself!"

Mm?

My brother's brow furrowed.

He coughed lightly.

"Can we not talk about things like that when the mood is this nice?"

"Fine, fine."

He handed the cup back to me. A little milk still left at the bottom. And before he passed it over, he quietly warmed it with magic.

So thoughtful~

I didn't hesitate. I tipped the cup back and finished what was left in one go.

"Alright. I'm going to sleep."

"A little bit~"

"Mm-hm. Then go sleep. I'm tired too."

We walked back inside together. I stopped by the kitchen to put the cup away, then made my way down the hall to the bedroom door.

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