Close friends.
As I went further, I discovered an unusual pairing. The two physically pale people looked slightly uncomfortable.
“Rosarin, is it really okay for me to be here?”
“Rosarin, don’t you think I’m out of place? And even the kids…”
Ernst and Cedar-kun were fumbling awkwardly. What were they going to say? The little ones smiled and congratulated me. “Oneechan, you look pretty! Like a princess!” What sweet kids… “So, can we have some sweets?” Of course, of course, I’ll give you lots later. You’re a cheeky bunch. Still, Cedar-kun is so considerate.
“Ernst, Cedar-kun, you’re both my close friends, aren’t you? Thank you for coming even though you’re so busy—twice, no less. I invited the little ones too because I wanted them here.”
“Close friends… Yeah, that’s right. Rosarin is my best friend!”
Was Ernst influenced by Aldin-sama or something? When did he turn into a light-element type? I’ve always thought this, but there’s not a trace left of the withdrawn bean sprout he used to be!
“I see… I also think of you as a friend… and a benefactor. If I hadn’t met you, I’d probably still be stealing.”
“Would you, though? You’ve got a green thumb. I feel like if we hadn’t met, you would’ve built an amazing farm and made a living selling vegetables.”
If only Yggdrasil had been activated, he probably would’ve grown crops well. He would’ve been able to get by.
“… But I probably wouldn’t have met Milfi. My mother would’ve died of illness, and my father… he’d probably have been executed in prison. I wouldn’t have been able to return to being a proper noble. I’d have been too busy trying to survive to give the kids a proper education. Worst case, I might’ve ended up adopted by that stupid noble.”
“Hmm…”
That’s… yeah, that might be true. Especially about Cedar-kun’s father. I do wish we had met earlier.
“I’m grateful that we met. And congratulations!”
When I first met Cedar-kun, he was thin and ragged… even so, he lived desperately, protecting his family.
Seeing him now, grown and smiling, fills me with deep emotion.
“Thank you. From now on, please take care of my brother too. I’m counting on you.”
Cedar-kun is the only one who can barely manage to control my brother. He nodded with a slightly stiff smile.
“… I’ll do my best.”
“And you don’t need to thank me. Thanks to you, Cedar-kun, I’ve been saved countless times. It’s give and take. We’re equals, always.”
“… Yeah.”
With a serious expression, Ernst spoke to me.
“Cedar had it really rough. No, not just him. Compared to Jend and the Nex group… I had it pretty easy. Even so, I shut myself away in that tiny room… If it weren’t for you, Rosarin, I would’ve stayed in that lab forever, never knowing there was more fun to life out there. Thank you, Rosarin.”
“No, Ernst, I just happened to be the trigger. Eventually, you would’ve stopped being a shut-in on your own.”
“Nope. If you hadn’t come, I’d have stayed shut-in forever. No doubt about it.”
You don’t have to say it with such pride. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Congratulations, Rosarin. Thank you for coming into my life.”
“Thank you, Ernst. I’m the one who should be grateful we met.”
We smiled at each other. Then, my father, who had been silently listening all this time, spoke up.
“… I’ve heard a lot about Cedar-dono from both Ru and Rosarin. As their father, I’m grateful you’ve become a good friend to them. I ask that you continue to look after my children.”
With those words, Father bowed to Cedar-kun. Naturally, Cedar-kun panicked.
“P-Please don’t do that! I mean, sure, when Ru goes on one of his wild rampages I think, ‘Seriously, should I cut ties with this guy?’ or I get shocked by Rosarin’s outrageous behavior… But they’re both true benefactors and irreplaceable friends. I do get in trouble sometimes, but they’ve helped me protect and regain things far more important than that. Honestly, I’m so deep in debt I don’t know how to repay it.”
Cedar-kun… you don’t need to make it sound like a loan. Just the fact that you’re managing my brother earns you change back.
“No, Ru’s a complicated guy under that exterior, and he’s shy. Yet he spoke of you all with a smile. As his father, I’m happy he has friends like you. I doubt Ru or Rosarin think of it as a debt. Still, I’d appreciate it if you could help them when they’re in trouble.”
“I will, absolutely!”
Looking Father straight in the eye, Cedar-kun nodded. What a good kid.
“Um, Duke… uh…”
“You were close with Jend, weren’t you?”
“Eh, ah… yes.”
Oh, Ernst just went into shy mode? Well, my dad *does* look scary.
“Jend and the others are like my children. Thank you for staying close to them.”
“Y-Yes!”
Later, I asked about Ernst’s unusual reaction, and it turned out that, aside from the former head of the Magic Court, Ernst hadn’t had any proper adults around him. Apparently, my father was like an ideal adult man to him—quiet, cool, and dignified.
When I told mother, she just said, “He’s just not good with words. Papa’s adorable, isn’t he?” Personally, I think he’s both cool and cute. If I told him that, he’d probably get flustered.
Kaasama nailed it!
What do you think about this chapter?
