Chapter 8: Living in This World

After seeing off Leon and the Sage, Shou and Falco organized the supplies they had brought and then had dinner.

Since Leon had brought soup today, Shou didn’t have much to do.

Apparently, the entire pot had been prepared at a town tavern.

Afterward, she enjoyed a bath—one that could be described in Japanese terms as a natural hot spring with flowing water.

She took her time washing up, making sure to clean her underwear thoroughly, then put on a new, slightly oversized set of sleepwear.

Leon had bought them a size up, saying she’d grow into them soon enough.

At last, she had graduated from wearing Falco’s shirts to bed.

When she got out, Falco was already waiting.

He helped dry her hair, then, as she sat on the bed, he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

It was a little tight, Shou thought.

This wasn’t something he usually did.

Normally, they simply shared a warm blanket in silence, drifting off to sleep together until morning.

But today, Falco had been scolded quite a bit.

Shou let out a small chuckle and patted the arms holding her.

Still…

She thought back to everything that had happened.

She had been hunted by a goddess.

Reincarnated.

Turned back into a ten-year-old.

Picked up by a stranger.

Now she spent her days hunting slimes.

And on top of that, she could use healing magic.

Compared to that, Falco being lectured seemed like nothing in comparison.

Truthfully, she was still worried about the family she had left behind.

Even though she had been told they would eventually be hunted as well, that didn’t erase the pain of being separated from them.

They must be grieving.

Her mother, her father, her sister, Sayako.

Her mother, who had cherished and raised her with so much care.

A woman full of life, who got along well with her father, almost as if they were fated to be together in every lifetime.

But—

"That’s ridiculous. In my next life, I’ll find someone new. If you get the chance to be reborn, you should live differently each time. You should do the same, okay?"

Her mother had said that once, leaving her father visibly deflated.

If she could see Shou now, she would surely say, Enjoy yourself. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.

And as for herself?

"I’ll have fun too, so don’t worry about me."

That’s what she would say.

Right.

She had to keep living.

And if she had to live, she might as well make it as enjoyable as possible.

Shou let out a small laugh.

"What’s funny, Shou?"

"Falco, do you have a mirror?"

"Yeah, in the washroom. Oh, it’s placed high, so you probably couldn’t see it."

"I didn’t even know it was there. I want to check."

"Wait, I’ll take you."

"It’s fine, I just need a chair."

"I said I’ll take you."

Falco lifted Shou up and carried her to the washroom, switching on the light.

"Here, can you see?"

"Wow."

There, reflected in the mirror, was her ten-year-old self.

Her fluffy, jet-black curls danced around her youthful face.

She had once straightened her hair to make it easier to manage, but now it was back to its natural state.

Her eyes were a light brown—much lighter than the dark brown she had in her past life.

Her face, too, was still her, but slightly different—subtly altered to match this world.

A bit more Western-looking.

But it didn’t feel unnatural.

She glanced upward—

And saw Falco standing behind her in the mirror.

His features resembled hers: dark, wavy hair and light brown eyes.

But unlike hers, his gaze was uncertain.

Was he like an older brother?

A father?

In age, he looked about the same as her past self.

He reminded her of her old coworker, Saeki—someone who lacked confidence.

Why?

Why wasn’t he confident?

Why was he uneasy?

Shou slowly reached out and placed a small hand on his cheek.

Falco leaned into it.

Was he really just the caretaker the goddess had assigned to her?

No.

He was just a stranger who had happened to pick up a lost child.

He had no obligation to care for her.

And yet—

He didn’t want to let go.

He wanted to stay together.

And now, he was feeling anxious—wondering if he should let Shou go, if that would be better for her.

Such a kind person.

Shou reached out with her other hand and gently pulled Falco’s face toward her own.

Their foreheads touched.

Thump.

"Shou?"

His warmth seeped into her.

His hands, still holding her, were warm too.

She would live in this world.

With this person who had taken her in.

Shou pulled back slightly, meeting Falco’s gaze.

"Falco, please take care of me until I grow up."

The uncertainty in his brown eyes melted away—

Replaced by joy and kindness.

"You can count on me. We’ll always be together."

No, no.

Just until I’m grown up.