Another bowl!"
"Eris-sama, we're out of soup already."
"Eh, it wasn't enough!"
There's a new addition to the dining table, a tall woman with red hair. That tall woman is Eris.
As a matter of course she came home; as a matter of course she took the guest room; and as a matter of course she began to live here. [1]
By the way, Ghyslaine booked a room at a nearby inn instead. Maybe she was shocked at how Eris was acting, or maybe she's trying to be considerate for us.
In any case, Eris stayed.
She would go out sometimes, but basically, she's always home. She'll watch Sylphy make the meals, or watch Roxy prepare for classes, or watch Aisha and Lilia take care of the house, or spy on Lucy and Sylphy when they're together.
In any case, when she's not doing anything, she would just watch. Especially when Sylphy or Roxy are busy with one thing or another, she would look with a troubled expression and へ.
Eris has changed since when we last met. What I mean is, she's prettier now. She's tall for a girl, her body is well-proportioned, and appropriately dressed with a leather jacket like Ghyslaine's, and a light black undershirt and trousers that are easy to move in.
Anyone can see, at a glance, the muscles chiseled on her well toned body. They're not at all budging, but layered tightly. It's hard to look away.
Particular to note are her chest, thigh, and waist. Explosive, tight, explosive. The childish face from five years ago has disappeared, and what's left is a cool beauty.
No longer a girl, Eris has now transformed into a mature female.
For some reason or another, I could never find a chance to talk to her. While rushing back and forth to report about my battle, I lost all opportunity. Even with an excuse, for whatever reason, just seeing her from behind makes my heart race.
On more than one occasion, I tried to make conversation with her, but my timings were always off... As soon as I try to come up with a topic for conversation, her piercing stare would make my chest pound. By the time I recovered, she would have already looked away. For awhile after, I couldn't stay calm, and only with time would my heartbeat return to normal.
Is this... fear? Nah, a joke, it's a joke.
This must be, yes, a crush. Looks like I fell for Eris. Once again I have fallen for her. Maybe I'm that simple, but at death's door, to suddenly see her valiantly arrive to my rescue, push back Orsted, and even bet her own life to protect me, with her outline still carved vividly in my memory, it would be odd if I didn't fall for her.
Right now, I'm but a maiden in love, Maiden Rudi, who has transformed into an angelic high school sophomore.
Yet.
I heard this from Sylphy after coming home. In the past few years, Eris has been single-mindedly training at the Holy Land of the Swords for the sole purpose of fighting Orsted by my side. The cause was the fight with Orsted at Red Dragon Lower Jaw. Seeing me practicing [Magic Disturb] afterwards, she mistakenly assumed that I intended to challenge Orsted. Although I never felt a tremendous difference in strength between us back then, Eris thought otherwise and decided to leave and train.
From Eris's perspective then, it was I that betrayed her. Almost like she left overseas to train, only to return to find her lover with another woman. Unfaithful, cheater.
How our opinions differ on this point, we have already talked about it, so she should understand.
Still, her heart must be in turmoil. With a temperament like Eris, even coming at me with a knife isn't exactly out of question.
If I just tell her, [I have fallen for you again, please be my wife], it doesn't feel exactly right.
Besides, I really am scared of what Eris would do. I don't get what she's thinking at all. Like, what's she keeping to herself? The Eris I used to know would just inconsiderately say whatever she wants.
[Rudeus! I love you! Let's get married! Come to my bed tonight! Don't even think about getting any sleep! Rudeus belongs only to me!]
Things like that.
Yet, she said nothing. Not even talking to herself. Just silence.
Unless...
Several days ago, she put her life on the line to save me from Orsted. Up till then, she had placed me upon a pedestal. For five years, she trusted that I have been just like her, working constantly to become stronger. Yet I didn't. Even though I was working hard in my own way, but not like her. I got my ass whupped by Orsted. Eris must have saw how pitiful I looked back then. Not only that, but I already have two wives. The Eris, who had already reached Sword-King at the Holy Land of the Sword, must have fell disillusioned by what I became.
She said nothing. So maybe, she's just getting ready to leave in a couple days and is just trying to figure out how to break up with me.
With those thoughts in mind, I'm even more scared of talking to her, scared of getting dumped. To hear from the cool Eris, [You're nothing now!] I'll feel hurt.
If that happens, it would only be right, but I would be dejected. Well, if that's the case, please just go ahead and say it already... Ugh, sigh.
Anyways, we should really talk this out. Have a good heart-to-heart, and then consider the future. Having said that, the timing is off, and I'm getting nowhere.
I say nothing, and Eris also says nothing. Each day just drags on and on. If possible, I want to settle this before Orsted contacts me again. But I don't know what to do. Do I just keep dragging on and live with Eris like this?
With those thoughts in mind, Roxy suddenly asked.
"So, when's the wedding reception with Eris?"
She said.
"Wedding reception?"
"Yeah, I had one too, so shouldn't she get one too? I need to ask for a day off that day, so if you can tell me when..."
I fell silent listening to Roxy. Roxy furrows her brows watching me.
"Don't tell me, you haven't said anything yet."
I can feel my embarrassment. Everyone in the family has already talked about it, and they're all set to welcome her in.
Aisha of course, even Norn has begun to treat Eris as part of the family. Not just that, Norn and Eris always chat with excitement over stuff about Ruijerd. Unexpectedly, those two got along really well.
Nobody had any objection, only I have yet to pull the trigger.
"Rudi, you can't keep running away. Eris has been waiting for you."
Roxy points with a finger, putting up the air of an older sister.
"Waiting?"
"That's right. She has been waiting for Rudi to say, [Leap into my open arms!] the whole time!"
Roxy spreads her arms as she said, how cute!
"Eris would never say something like that... Rather, isn't that what Roxy wants?"
"Hey! I'm being serious here. Quit joking around!"
Roxy puts up a serious face while keeping her arms spread.
... What a joke, is that really the case? Eris has been waiting to hear those words from me. Is she really someone like that?
No, Roxy would never lie. This is a true revelation, a sign from God!
If even Roxy is giving me a push, then I really can't hesitate anymore.
Courage, come to me, I must go. I'll properly say it, we'll talk, and if she rejects me, I can find comfort in Roxy's and Sylphy's bosoms.
Okay.
But before that. Abruptly, I spread my arms to test.
"Roxy, leap into my open arms!"
"I said quit joking around already..."
Roxy stops herself and looks into my eyes, then looks around, checking to make sure no one's around.
Then, she wraps her raised arms around my shoulders. A simple leap, right into my embrace.
Her slightly prominent tummy pressed up against me.