NOVEL NEXT Chapter 170: Crayons for Christmas! (4)
"If you want to hear more... quickly give me more tangerines...!"
She was also eating a ton of tangerines.The pile of tangerine peels was astonishingly large.How peaceful.
—Meow.
Molumolu was sprawled out on the warm floor where the heater was blasting. He looked like a marshmallow melting over a fire.My father was gently petting Molumolu when he suddenly asked, as if curious.
"What kind of animal is this?""I don't know either.""I see."
And that was the extent of my conversation with my father. Though I had spent 2 years having strange experiences in a strange world, I still didn't have much to talk about with my father.I suppose for a father and son, it's enough to just show our faces to mean we're doing well.
When I have a son, will we also have nothing to say to each other?It seemed likely.Thinking about it that way, I was glad the children from the future were three daughters instead of three sons. If they had been three sons, I really don't think I could have handled it.
"Where's Tywin?"
I asked my mother.She pointed to my sister's room.
"She's using the laptop in Rumi's room."A laptop, huh.There's nothing better than a computer for keeping kids occupied when they visit for the holidays.I opened Harumi's door to find Tywin using the laptop.
"Do you know how to use it?""Yes, I do."
It was true.Tywin was quite adeptly handling my sister's laptop.The way she was searching various things online using multiple languages didn't seem like a 6-year-old child who had just arrived in this world yesterday.I could tell what she was searching for.
"Making any progress?""There are many posts about strange experiences in a place called France. Though it's hard to tell if what's written on the internet is true or not, it seems to be the most likely place...""France, huh..."
It was a country I had never visited before.In fact, I had never traveled abroad on this Earth at all.I was thinking maybe I should take this chance to see the Eiffel Tower when Tywin stood up from her chair.Then she stared at me intently.
"What is it?""...I have a request.""A request?""If you helped, we could find my mother in no time. So quickly that it might be faster than blinking once."
Faster than blinking once...It may sound like an exaggeration, but it wasn't at all. The current me was in an almost omnipotent state.But Tywin seemed to have some issue.
"I don't think I should accept your help. There's something I can't accept myself... To make up my mind in various ways, I feel I need to do this with my own power.""So, you're saying you want to find Elle Cladeco on your own? By yourself?""...I know it's a very shameless thing to ask..."
Tywin was extremely restless.I said to her.
"What if I change my mind and decide not to adopt you?""......"
Tywin became even more restless.Being a smart kid, she probably knew well that she wasn't in a position to ask favors from anyone or to object to someone else's decision.
"A little kid worrying about adults. At your age, you should be throwing more tantrums and being stubborn with adults. Do as you like. But take this with you."
Swish—I grabbed Molumolu who was wandering around nearby.Reaching into the furball's coat as it wriggled, I felt something.
—Meow.
"Here."
It was a doll.It looked exactly like the doll I had given Tywin as a gift before.Of course, that one had been put into Molumolu's experimental solution by Tywin, so this was one that Brigitte had sewn separately by herself.By the way, Salome had prepared the yarn and Cariote had made the needle by sharpening an arrow.It should be a meaningful item, made through the combined efforts of three women.
"I've imbued it with my power. If you earnestly wish in your heart to return somewhere, you'll be able to go back. It's charged with magic, so it should be easy to use.""......"
Tywin took the doll from me.After examining it closely, she nodded as if she liked it.
Pop—Soon she left the room and even went out of the apartment.Her attitude was as if she couldn't wait any longer.In fact, Tywin had been very patient.Even though she must have wanted to find Elle Cladeco right away, she had stayed quietly in this apartment out of consideration for me and the other adults.
"Already running away from home, huh."
But I wasn't particularly worried.Tywin was diligent, so she was sure to return home sooner than I would.
* * *
"Brother, look at these! The photos turned out great! Aren't they so cute!"
In the afternoon.Harumi returned with the children.All the kids were wearing winter coats or padded jackets, fur hats, and scarves, and they did indeed look cute.Like child models.
"Naru ate 31 flavors of ice cream! They were all cold!""The place called the luxury department store was a very nice place for this Cecily. Everything was sparkling and beautiful to look at.""...Hina bought a game console. Aunt swiped Grandpa's card..."
The children seemed to like their aunt.Come to think of it, I had liked my aunt since I was young too.Harumi giggled, "Hehehe-"
"They're really too cute! Brother, can't you leave just one behind when you go back? Huh? Huh? Leave just one behind!"
Leave just one behind?At those words, all the children who had been excited suddenly froze. Like squirrels faced with an eagle.My sister Harumi soon looked at the children's faces. Her expression was like someone looking at a goldfish bowl, wondering which fish to take home.Harumi's gaze turned to Naru.
"Naru? I like that Naru looks like me."
That was true.Naru looked similar to Harumi when she was young.Their personalities are similar too.
"Hiik...! Naru can't even do science homework...! There's no benefit in keeping me...!"
Naru desperately tried to emphasize her uselessness.Hearing this, my sister went "Hmm..." and made a nasal sound.She looked like a picky consumer.My sister's dark eyes now turned to Cecily.
"Then how about Cecily? Cecily is just like a doll. Auntie will take you on luxury department store outings every day. If we ask Grandpa for money, he'll give it in bundles.""I... I Cecily don't like luxury goods...! And I have bad sleeping habits and talk in my sleep a lot...! It would be troublesome to keep me...!"
Was Cecily's sleeping habit that bad?While I was quietly pondering, Harumi's eyes now turned to Hina.The relatively quiet Hina just trembled and couldn't say a word.
"...Hiik...!"
At this rate, Hina would be chosen.Finally, Harumi hugged Hina tightly.
"Then it's decided, Hina! Wow, hoky shh...! Look at those soft cheeks. Baby skin. Well, she is a baby.""Hiik...!"
Hina struggled and looked at me.Her expression was as if asking for help.
Pop—Of course, Harumi soon let go of Hina.
"I'm just kidding."
Whoosh—
Hina hugged my thigh.Soon Cecily and Naru also hid behind me.Seeing this, Harumi spoke as if lost in memories.
"No matter how well an aunt treats you, it's not the same as mom and dad. When I was young, I used to hide behind dad like that when aunt said she'd take me. It reminds me of the old days. So, brother, when are you planning to go back?"
My sister asked.I looked around.The living room and rooms were packed with people, making it noisy and bustling.To be honest, the house was a bit cramped, which made it uncomfortable.It was quite a mess last night when we had to lay out futons on the floor to sleep.
"I'm planning to leave now."
Since Tywin had left, there was no reason for me to stay here.No, is this a bit funny?This used to be my home, but now I'm saying there's no reason to stay.This place used to be the hometown and home I dreamed of.Thinking about it, I suddenly felt the reality of having grown up and moved out on my own.
"When you have time, come visit our house with mom and dad. The house is big and spacious."
I decided to invite my parents and sister to the "Junk Mansion" next time. The house was spacious with many rooms, a garden, and even a swimming pool.Soon it will be New Year's, so I could invite them during the long holiday.
"Sister, take care. Salome, you too."
It was time to say goodbye.My sister hugged Brigitte, Cariote, and Salome around the waist. They all seemed a bit surprised by her casual embrace of others.Cariote said.
"They say daughters often take after their aunts. It seems Naru takes after Harumi."
It was a sharp observation.The scatterbrained personality resembled Naru, the tendency for luxury resembled Cecily, and the somewhat sinister aspect resembled Hina?Anyway.It was time to return home.I wanted to stay longer, but this was an unplanned visit to begin with, and we were on our way back after finishing our journey in the desert, so everyone was tired.Moreover, this place was like in-laws' house for my wives.They must be tired.
"Son, can't you stay a little longer?"
My mother seemed quite regretful at the sudden reunion followed by a sudden farewell, but my father appeared more composed than expected.
"Knowing you're alive is enough."That's true.We could meet again in the future if time allows, so it didn't suit us to make a scene with tearful goodbyes.
"This Sifnoi... has acquired lots of cola in this strange world...! Surely no other nymph has had such an adventure, so this Sifnoi will become the top nymph in the Nymph Thieves Guild, surpassing even Kupanoi...!"
Sifnoi also seemed pleased, having received two bags of cola.Shall we go back now?
"See you again at New Year's."
Pop—I lightly tapped my foot.Before we knew it, we were standing in the lobby of the Junk Mansion.It was a farewell and return home faster than blinking.
"Wow, holy shh...! We're back home...!"
Naru threw her hands up.Soon Naru and the children ran to their rooms and began drawing pictures in their sketchbooks with the crayons they received as gifts from Santa Claus.Pictures of themselves.And Molumolu, Sifnoi, their mothers, grandparents, and so on.They sure featured a lot of people.