That night, I talked with Nanahoshi.
In the house where everyone had fallen asleep.
In the living room, two people facing each other, illuminated by the moon shining through the window and the light of the fireplace, talked while slowly drinking alcohol.
It was just useless talk.
Stuff like Perugius's hobbies and how much Sylvaril admires Perugius.
Like how Orsted and Perugius have poor relations, but seem to recognize each other.
It was truly useless idle chatter.
"Rudeus, you're already a splendid adult."
While we were talking, Nanahoshi suddenly said that.
"Is that the case?"
"When I first met you, you were a small child like an elementary school student, and the next time you were like a middle school student. To be honest, there were times when I thought you were younger than me… However, recently you've been very adult-like. You got married, and had kids."
"It's not like getting married and having kids makes you an adult, though."
I honestly don't really understand this adulthood and childhood stuff.
There's no mistake that in my previous life I was just a big child, though.
"That's true. However, recently you've seemed much more of an adult than me."
"Is that the case?"
"Yeah, you've been thinking about various things such as your children and family… In comparison, I haven't been… I haven't changed at all."
"That's not true."
Nanahoshi has changed a lot from how she used to be.
She used to not let anyone approach her.
The invincible Silent Seven Star-sama.
"If it was the you from long ago, you wouldn't have played with my children or anything like that."
"Is that really so… However, that was because of the time when you saved me. Until then, I had never thought to get involved with the people of this world."
"In the previous world, would you have taken care of children?"
"… Probably… No, I might have been a bit cruel, because of entrance exams. My tests were coming up, too."
Entrance exams and tests.
It's got a nostalgic ring.
"I wonder how many years have passed over there."
"Don't say unpleasant things."
"Oh, sorry."
Since she came here, roughly 15 years have passed.
If 15 years passed over there, she would be like Urashima Tarou.[7]
It may be possible that as soon as she teleports, Nanahoshi ages 15 years, too.
"However, I somehow get the feeling that not that much time has passed."
"Why?"
With a drunk face, I told her my thoughts.
"Me and Nanahoshi were run over by a truck on the same day, right? However, I came here around 10 years before you. So the flow of time is probably different between here and there. That's why, you don't need to worry."
"Huh, is that s——"
Nanahoshi suddenly put on a thoughtful face.
"…………… Wait a minute. What do you mean, we were run over by a truck on the same day?"
Ah.
"Does that mean that you were there?"
"Ummm, that is."
"Wait a minute, huh, wait…"
Nanahoshi put her finger on her forehead and shut her eyes as if trying to remember something.
She suddenly raised her face.
"The fatass from back then."
Ah, Aaaaah… What have I done…
It's because of the alcohol. Even though I was so careful.
Or rather, that's rude. What do you mean by fatass? Although I was certainly obese…
"Uwah, I see, so it's that person, Rudeus is that person…! Eeeh, you became this cool, Heeeeh…!"
Nanahoshi put her hand to her mouth and opened her eyes wide.
Not good, she's become excited.
I thought she'd be disgusted, but she somehow seems happy.
"Um, Nanahoshi=san[8]… If possible, that is, I'd be thankful if you could keep it a secret from everybody."
"Why?"
"… If they find out, they may abandon me."
"I don't think they chose you because of your face, though…"
"Even so, there are things I'd like to keep a secret."
"… I guess so."
Nanahoshi dropped herself back onto the sofa.
So she understands. I thought she'd be obstinate and not cooperate with me, though.
"Since Rudeus is different from me; you're [reincarnated]."
"Yeah."
That's right, reincarnation.
I can't go back to how I was.
It's not like I intend to completely abandon everything from back then, but I don't intend to proactively go looking, either.[9]
In addition, I think my past life is something to be ashamed of.
I do think that I am the way I am now only because of how hopeless I was back then, but shameful things are still shameful.
"I understand. I'll keep it to myself."
"… Please."
Then, I thought back to my previous life.
"Oh, that's right, I was forgetting something."
"What?"
"Since you already know my identity… well, not really, but I want you to deliver this to my home from my previous life."
Saying that, I laid an envelope out on the table.
In this slightly thick envelope, my feelings for my siblings from my previous life are enclosed.
It's been twenty-odd years since I came here.
A lot of things happened in that time.
Because of those things, I think I can proudly say I'm different from how I was back then.
I'll only say that I'm different, though, I absolutely won't say I've become admirable or anything…
Anyhow, an apology for that time, reminiscences, and my current circumstances are all crammed into there.
If, by chance, Nanahoshi is sent to Japan and not a single day has passed, they may wonder what the hell I'm saying…
But, that's fine.
It's like self-satisfaction.
"I understand."
As if it were important, Nanahoshi put it into her bag.
"I'll make sure it gets delivered."
"I'm counting on you."
The destination isn't necessarily Japan.
There's no guarantee that she can make it back to Japan after she teleports.
But even so, she nodded.
"Also, take this."
I handed over one more letter.
Compared to the last one, it's very thin.
"If several years have passed over there, and you have nobody to rely on, no home, and nowhere to go… This letter asks my siblings to, even if just for a little while, take care of you."
"…!"
The hands that Nanahoshi received the letter with were trembling.
"That's…"
"Well, I was a parasite over there, so they may not listen, but… Just in case."
"You were a parasite?"
"Yeah, I was a jobless good-for-nothing."
When she gets there and meets my siblings, it'll get known anyway.
"That's a little hard to believe…"
Nanahoshi said that and looked long and hard at my face.
I wonder if her saying that is proof that I've done my best.
If so, it'll make me happy.
"However, if it comes to that, I'll use this thankfully."
As if it were important, Nanahoshi clutched it to her chest and bowed her head.
"Truly, for all you've done for me, thank you very much."
Nanahoshi returns tomorrow.
The experiments were perfect.
That magic circle is impeccable.
However, even so there is a tinge of anxiety in my heart.
The magic circle made with careful preparations and numerous experiments.
Nanahoshi is confident, and nobody thinks that it will fail.
However, there is a point to be concerned about.
There's only one remaining.
At the present, I don't intend to say that and make her anxious.
In the first place, Nanahoshi should already be aware of that.
However, she doesn't say it.
It may be she's already made arrangements for that.
"… Tomorrow, we're getting you home."
Therefore, that is all I said.
"Yes."
Nanahoshi nodded.
I get the feeling that some things can be accomplished as long as you have a strong will.