My adorable little brothers and sisters.
As I went farther, I found Jend and the others. Pochi looked worn out... he definitely pulled all-nighters. Not just Mary and Nex, but even the kids who had left the orphanage and become independent were there.
Jend approached me with a slightly nervous expression.
“Rosarin, even now, would you... pick me instead? I swear I’ll make you happy—”
“Sorry.”
Look, His Grace Dirk has turned into the Dark Demon King and is directly ahead of us. Cheating is an absolute no. It could literally lead to the end of the world. I just sensed a dark aura in the direction I'm heading! His face is full of fury!!
“I know. Since you turned me down, make sure you're the happiest person in the world... Rosarin!”
Even with tears in his eyes, Jend gave me his blessing.
“Of course!”
As long as Dirk is with me, I’m confident we can be happy even at the ends of the earth! Oh, Dirk’s being purified. Thank goodness. Looks like the world has been saved.
“Congratulations, Oneechan.”
“Pochi... are you eating properly? How many days have you been up? Don’t push yourself too hard. If you wreck your health just to celebrate me, I won't be happy about it, you know?”
Don’t call me a mom. He sometimes works without even eating, so I have to check. Still, his coat looks dull. I bet he's been up for at least three days. When I stroke his cheek, he leans into my hand affectionately. Even though he's grown into a big guy, Pochi is still the adorable little brother who loves to be pampered.
“Yeah, this will be the last time I push myself for a project. Even if we're far apart, I'm still your little brother. I want to do in that country what you did for me... for us. I swear I’ll make it happen. Because I’m your little brother!”
“Pochi…”
He's grown up not just in size but on the inside too. And with the fake Rinds around, there’s really nothing to worry about. In fact, being able to summon that annoying old man only when needed is way too convenient.
“Once everyone’s fur is nice and shiny again, I’ll send you an invite.”
“I’ll definitely come visit!”
If I get invited to a fluffy heaven, there’s no way I’m not going!! Just looking would be enough to make me happy. Maybe someday, I’ll even get to hold Pochi’s kids!
“You never change…”
“……………… (nods)”
“Rinka said Oneechan is an eternal muffler!”
Fluff is love! Fluff will save the world!
“Oh, and of course, let me help with the Fluffy Fur Restoration Project. Looks like Oniichan’s already involved, though.”
“Hehe, thanks. Congratulations, Oneechan. Even if we’re far apart, I’ll always wish for your happiness. You changed my world in an instant—you’re my savior.”
“No, I’m not.”
Everyone’s getting carried away. I just did what I wanted. I don’t remember changing Pochi’s world.
“Thanks to you, Oneechan, I got to eat delicious food and meet a kind Mama and Papa. I even managed to face Papa-sama and Mama-sama. I wanted to stay Mary forever and be with Nex, so I was planning to run forever. Oneechan... your Rosarin power is incredible!”
“…………… (nods nods)”
“No, no, no, no! I am not some Valkyrie or whatever—what do you mean by ‘my power’!?”
Don’t go giving me weird supernatural abilities. I don’t have any kind of “Rosarin Power”! Stop nodding, Nex!!
“Maybe it’s the power to involve everyone before you know it and make them happy? Something like that. Oneechan, you’re the best big sister in the world!”
“………………… I’m grateful. You saved Mary… I don’t know anyone stronger or kinder than Oneechan.”
“Nex just said a long sentence!?”
“… That’s really not the point. Oneechan, thank you. No matter what happens, we’re always on your side. We wish you happiness.”
“Ugh, uwooooh… thank you!”
Has anyone ever seen Nex talk this much before? No, never! I’m seriously touched!
“I guess I’m one of those who got saved by Rosarin before I even realized it.”
“Ordo…”
We met as assassin and target, and when I refused to kill him, he insisted I take responsibility and ended up staying with us.
“I thought you were a crazy owner who made no sense... but over time, you turned me from a tool into a human. Words like ‘thank you’ aren’t enough. No matter what happens, I’ll always… do anything for you, Neesan.”
Out of all of us, maybe Ordo’s grown the most since that incident. I used to wonder if I was doing the right thing by imposing my values on Ordo, who was raised as an assassin. So I’m really, really happy!
“Ordo’s trying to make me cry… You’re my precious little brother too, Ordo. If you ever need help, your big sister will be there for you!”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“That's right. Ordo too... even if we’re not blood-related, you're all my precious children. If anything happens, tell me.”
My father’s gentle yet strong words almost made me cry. But I held back, because if my makeup smudged, I’d look awful. My adorable little brothers and sisters have all grown into adults with wonderful smiles.
Alongside my proud feelings, I also kind of wished they wouldn’t say things like “if anything happens,” because knowing this bunch, something really might happen.
What do you think about this chapter?
