Chapter 8 …
One Year
Another half year had passed since Prune and I began sword training.
The season had completely turned to autumn, and I could clearly feel winter’s footsteps approaching.
Yes—it had already been one full year since Hoshi-san and I drifted here. I wonder what’s happening to Akari and my parents… There’s no point in worrying, but every time I think about it, my chest still aches. Hoshi-san seems the same—lately, she often cries in her sleep, as if she’s dreaming at night. All I can do in those moments is gently pat her head.
“Yuta. Today, I will land a hit for sure!”
Prune, overflowing with killing intent, charged at me.
We started sword training on the same day, but I had the advantage of prior kendo experience. So at my current level, I wouldn’t go down so easily. Still, honestly, her improvement is astonishing. In terms of talent, she might actually be above me.
In fact, after she steadily kept up with squat training and her body had noticeably become more solid, Barua discovered I was secretly training her at night.
At first he was very angry, but Prune defended me, saying I was properly thinking about her training. In the end, I was granted permission to continue.
According to Barua, Prune and Melon’s mother had been killed by a magical beast outside the village. Prune naturally harbored hatred toward magical beasts because of that, but the truth was that monster attacks outside the village were fairly common, and the village lacked manpower. Her real goal was simply to become strong enough to help everyone. Barua eventually gave in to her determination.
“Here I go—”
“Whoa, careful. That thrust was really good! Even I barely dodged that!”
“Hey—don’t dodge, Yuta!”
That’s asking too much…
Seriously, she’s incredibly stubborn.
After training ended, Hoshi-san made tea, and Prune and I took a break.
Recently, I had been spending a lot of time with her, and she almost felt like a real younger sister. Come to think of it… that stubbornness and cheerfulness… Prune is kind of like Akari.
Thinking about Akari made me feel a little sentimental, when Prune suddenly spoke.
“Yuta has been in the village for one year now. So, when are you going to have children?”
“Eh?! W-why children?”
“Because Yuta and Akari are mates, right? You should properly make children. The more family members, the more fun life becomes.”
I didn’t know how to respond…
While I was flustered, Hoshi-san spoke up from the side.
“Yeah. Children… are nice, right. I want one too.”
Eh? H-Hoshi-san, with me?!
“But Prune-chan,” she continued, “I actually have a child in my original world. And I still can’t forget that child. So I’ve been asking Yuu-kun to wait a little before having children.”
“Ohh… being separated for a year must be lonely.”
“Yes. That child is a girl. Her name is Tomori. She looks quite different, but her personality is very similar to yours.”
“Then it can’t be helped! Akari-mother! I’ll hug you for now!”
Saying that, Prune tightly hugged Hoshi-san.
Watching that scene, tears nearly spilled from my eyes.
“Yuta, are you lonely too?”
Melon said that and gently pressed herself against me, patting my head kindly.
“Haha… you two really are kind sisters…”
That night, inside the straw bedding, Hoshi-san spoke to me.
“Yuu-kun, are you awake?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“What Prune said during the day… about children.”
“Eh? Ah, well, that is…”
“Ahaha, don’t panic, Yuu-kun. I’m not saying we should do it right away… but if we’re going to keep living here without finding a way back to our original world, maybe we should make a decision at some point…”
“Meaning…? Don’t tell me…”
“Yes. If it’s not a burden… maybe becoming real mates with you wouldn’t be so bad…”
“Ah—well—I mean, for me that would be totally fine, actually…”
“Really?”
“B-but Hoshi-san, that decision is still too early! We’ve worked so hard to adapt to this village, learned the language and swordsmanship… and in about two years, that Go-tech guy, the elf, might come! I haven’t given up yet!”
“Heh… you’re right. Maybe I got a little weak at the one-year mark. But Yuu-kun, I’m getting older every year, while you’re still young and have your whole life ahead. Even if we settle here, it’s okay for you to find another partner too. Just remember that.”
“Hoshi-san! What are you saying?! If I become mates with anyone, I want it to be you! Besides, are there even other human women here?!”
“Now now, Yuu-kun. I don’t think mating is only about reproduction. Prune-chan… once she grows up a bit more, she might become even better than Akari.”
“Don’t joke about that!”
I looked at her face—and froze.
She was crying heavily.
“Hoshi-san…”
“…Sorry, Yuu-kun. I think I got broken after Prune-chan hugged me. I worry so much about Akari, and I want you to return to your world… but I can’t do anything. Honestly, maybe I just want to escape it all. Living peacefully here with you as mates… part of me thinks that wouldn’t be so bad. I’m such a terrible mother… thinking like this about my daughter’s boyfriend… I might as well just die!”
“Hoshi-san, calm down…”
But my words didn’t seem to reach her.
What should I do?
I made a decision.
I lifted her up and hugged her tightly.
Then, I kissed her.
Her arms wrapped around my back, and she returned the embrace just as strongly. Our tongues intertwined in a deep kiss.
Damn it… whatever, I don’t care anymore…
And then—
Without thinking, I whispered:
“Tomori——”
In that instant, Hoshi-san froze.
Still holding me, she slowly collapsed sideways onto the straw bedding.
“Ah… Hoshi-san! I-I’m sorry!”
“….”
“A-Akari-san…”
“Alright! That concludes the one-year reincarnation prank!”
A moment later, she suddenly sat up.
“Prank?”
“Yep. A prank. A proper one-year anniversary prank for a tragic human couple who were found collapsed after kissing when they first arrived and were mistaken by villagers as mates!”
“W-what… Hoshi-san, I was serious just now…”
Before I could finish, she gently hugged me.
“Yuu-kun… thank you. I almost became a terrible mother. You and Akari are deeply connected, aren’t you? Realizing that… somehow made me feel better again.”
“Hoshi-san…”
“But just a little more… let me recharge you a bit more. Then I think I can hold on for another year…”
Ahaha…
Yeah… maybe this is fine.
And so, I held Hoshi-san until morning… and was held by her as well.
