Ch.324Failing NPC. (5)

Sometimes I dream.

“Take it, a letter from #%#$.”

It’s a dream where the person I love most in the world appears.

“I’m sorry, what does this sa—”

“You idiot, have you been playing around until you reached this age? How many letters has it been, and you still can’t read? Well, that’s why you’re doing @%%!@# now.”

But I can’t like this dream. I always hate this dream.

“What…? What did you just say…?”

“Dead. You idiot. They’re not giving support money anymore. Damn it. It was good money. Tsk!”

The person I love collapses, unable to even wail. And like a broken doll, they repeat the same words, standing frozen in place for days. I wish they wouldn’t. I wish they would go inside, eat meals, and sleep warmly. But such wishes don’t reach them, and even after many nights pass, they remain collapsed in that spot, muttering.

“…Sorry, I’m sorry. Because I’m, I’m weak… Because I, I couldn’t take good care of you. I’m sorry.”

They only move their withering body to build graves to commemorate someone. Only when the graves made by their hands become two.

And they stop doing what they loved. What was their reason for living. They only move when it seems the cabin with the graves might be attacked by monsters. No, not the cabin. They only move to protect the graves. Because the cabin where you and I lived has changed too terribly to be called a cabin anymore.

“…It’s okay. Today, today is peaceful too. So, you can come back anytime…”

They mutter the same words in front of the graves in the cabin where only the ceiling remains, and they guard those graves for years. And from some point, as the mountains begin to be painted black, they remain alone. Continuing to guard that place.

“Are you @%%!@# of this place?”

“…Who are you?”

“I am here to eliminate the demon disrupting the continent…”

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

Don’t listen to that person.

“…I’ll guide you. Follow me.”

The voice doesn’t reach. The heart doesn’t reach either. The end of the dream is always the same. So, ‘I’ hate this dream.

“May your next life be happy.”

I hate those people who leave you behind, cold and lifeless. I hate the people who lied. And I hate ‘myself who only dreams these dreams.’

So, I hate this dream. But.

-…Rustle.

“Mmm…”

“Oh my, our Ira is awake?”

“Huh? B-brother?”

On days when I dream, your face is always the closest to me. That’s the only thing I like.

*

Whether it’s because it’s truly high-class or because the road is well-paved, I’m not sure. But anyway, it was quite a comfortable carriage ride.

“Brother~!!”

“Oh my! Our little sister. You’ve grown so much in a year?!”

“Brother! Brotheeer!! It’s my brotheeer~!!!”

“Yes!! My little sister!! It’s your brother!! Your brother~!!!”

Has anyone ever experienced a level 600 little sister running at full speed to hug your neck? I guarantee I’m the world’s first.

With tear marks around my eyes from yawning in my sleep, I receive my little sister who rushes at me with a cracked voice. Honestly, I start hearing the sound of my neck breaking.

Haha! My sister is so strong!! Her strength is impressive even though she hasn’t raised her strength stat much! At this rate, her brother will die!! Wow, my HP is decreasing!!

“Brother! Brother!! Why were you so late!! I, I made a really precious friend at the academy!! And I studied hard and got into the top 10!! And!! I got first place in practical skills…!!!”

“Oh my, oh my, really? My sister is amazing! First in practical skills?! Wow, I should buy you something delicious!!”

As Ira, who was lying on my lap, gets up and immediately grabs my neck, wriggling up while reporting everything, and I respond to everything, I gradually feel her voice becoming tearful. Ah, as expected.

“And, and…!! Brother, sniff. Brother! Even though I missed you, sniff, I didn’t cry. Sob…!!”

The things that happened to me honestly felt like they occurred over just two or three months, but for Ira who was waiting, it must have felt like an eternity. Unless she had grown into a child who says things like “Brother? Ah, you smell, don’t come close” because of puberty, it must have been an incredibly long time for Ira. So.

“Waaaaaah!! Brother! I hate you!! Stupid!! You’re late!! Too, hiccup!! Too late…!!”

“Oh dear. I’m sorry, our princess. Your brother is stupid. I really came too late, didn’t I? I’m sorry. Don’t cry. Okay?”

Saying she hates me, that I’m late, but still not letting go of my neck while crying her eyes out—my sister’s actions are absolutely legal.

After crying her heart out saying how much she hates her mean brother, and reporting in no particular order what happened at the academy, in Natie, and in the Muller territory, Ira finally started to calm down and began wiping her tears with the back of her hand… no, Gor wiped them with a handkerchief.

“Here, Lady Ira. I understand you’re happy, but if you talk while crying, it will be difficult for the master to understand, right? Sniff.”

“Sniff!!”

After wiping even Ira’s nose, Gor stored the handkerchief in her own body and returned to observation mode, looking truly like a capable maid. Haha, it’s been a while, so it feels really fresh. Gor, have you become quite skilled in that area?

“Sniff. Brother.”

“Yes?”

“Actually, I don’t really hate you.”

“Really? Brother loves Ira the most in the world.”

“…I love brother the most too.”

-Hug.

Was she concerned about saying she hated me earlier? My little sister corrected herself saying she doesn’t hate me, then grabbed my neck again and started rubbing her forehead against my chin. Haha, her body has really grown a lot, but her behavior hasn’t changed at all from a year ago. Like that, the now-calmed Ira started telling me about the friends she made at the academy, about Grace or Latina who sleep next to Gor, and also about how Ragni fled(?) to the Empire.

Hahah. Ragni, you ran away? You’re in big trouble. Ira is really angry.

“And. Earlier I also leveled up in the dungeon! I fought monsters with Gor! Piyaki fought too! So, now…”

“You want to become an adventurer like your brother?”

“…Yes.”

As Ira, who had been excitedly talking about various things, lowered her voice at the end as if checking my reaction, a fatherly smile spread across my face without me realizing it. She’s probably worried that I’ll say it’s dangerous and not allow it. Ah, stop it, corners of my mouth. My cheekbones hurt.

“Ira. Brother has something to tell you, want to hear it?”

“Hmm?”

When Ira tilted her head curiously with her purple eyes sparkling at my words, her bright rose-red hair followed the movement smoothly. Ah, how did our sister grow up to be such a cute beauty!! Brother has no idea how to send you off to another man!!

“Actually, brother got fired as an adventurer. Lost my job again.”

“Huh?”

“Eeeeh?!!”

“…?”

At my words, Ira and Gor opened their eyes wide in surprise. And simultaneously, a brown-haired girl gave an even bigger reaction and sat up abruptly. The status window showing “Grace Muller, second daughter of the Count family,” Ira’s friend, froze in that position, then after making eye contact with me, awkwardly lay back down. Hmm, Ira’s friend is quite interesting?

“…Ahem! It seems I was reading the atmosphere, knowing Lady Ira was reuniting with her master.”

“Haha. Hey, if you’re not tired, would you get up? You’re my little sister’s friend, right? Ira. Won’t you introduce us?”

“Yes! Grace! This is my brother, get up and say hello! Brother! This is Grace, my favorite friend! She’s a noble lady? Isn’t she very cute!”

“Cute…!! *cough* I-I’m sorry. I heard you two talking and tried to pretend I was still sleeping, but I was surprised and failed. Ahem! I am Grace Muller, second daughter of the Muller Count family. Ah, I’m the top student in the elementary division at the academy! And I’m Ira’s best friend!!”

I couldn’t help but smile at the girl who greeted me admirably and elegantly from her seat. Wow, I never expected our Ira to make such an interesting noble friend! Amused by her bold self-introduction, I placed my hand on Ira’s head and greeted her back.

“Thank you for your courteous greeting. I am Jack, former forest keeper, and former gold-rank adventurer. Among family members, I hold the position of Ira’s most precious brother.”

“……”

When I smiled as kindly as possible, trying to respond to her introduction in a polite and benevolent manner, she somehow raised her eyebrows and began to stare at me intently. Huh? Why? Is it because we just met? I know my kind smile might not score high points, but is it bad enough to be stared at like this?

“…So you’re Ira’s brother.”

“Yes! He’s my brother! What do you think? Isn’t my brother cool?!”

“He certainly is good-looking, but…”

“”…?””

Looking at me as if something wasn’t quite right, almost as if she were appraising me, the girl’s gaze made Gor and me look at each other and tilt our heads in confusion. What’s this? Could she be a noble daughter steeped in elitism? That’s not it, right? Right, Gor?

“…Ira, come here.”

“Huh? Okay!”

“I’ll cover your ears for a moment?”

“Eh? Okay.”

Grace beckoned to Ira, who was on my lap, and embraced her in the already cramped space as if trying to shield her, covering her ears before directing a brown gaze filled with hostility toward me.

Huh? What’s this? Really elitism? No, right? Please don’t make me have to filter out Ira’s friend. I don’t want to see Ira sad…

“So, are you currently unemployed? If you’re unemployed, how do you plan to raise Ira from now on? Do you have a proper plan?”

“…Eh?”

“Hmm.”

“Do you have a proper plan for how to handle academy registration fees and grade-level tuition going forward?! Huh?! Academy tuition isn’t something a commoner without a job can afford, you know?! Plus, Ira is still growing!! If you don’t have money, what about Ira’s food expenses…!!”

Oh, my goodness. It seems my self-introduction failed spectacularly. Even Gor started nodding at the words of Ira’s good friend, leaving me to awkwardly scratch the back of my head.