That's what I was thinking about.

'Yoo-hoo, Gerald,'

　Mom appeared with a glass of water on a tray. Behind her, her little sister, Sierra, is also attached to her.

　At two years old, Sierra was still not weaned, but she could talk and walk now.

Mom sometimes says with a wry smile, "All she has to do now is get rid of her tits," but for now it seems that Sierra will not live up to her mother's expectations.

'Yoo-hoo, Nii-taan.

　Smiles and laughs.
　Super cute.

　Unlike Mom's dead leaf colored hair, Sierra's hair is a beautiful chestnut color. Her round, steeplechaser-colored eyes move well with curiosity, and her smile shines in her adorable mouth.

　I'm sure this is what an innocent smile is all about.
　Just looking at her makes me happy.

The way she waddles up to me, saying something like "Nitan, Nitaan~" and waddling over to me, makes me want to protect her, which makes me want to protect her.

　The way she staggered to the right and left, holding out both hands to me, and came closer to me while wobbling, made me smile.

　This kind of, how should I put it, the warmth that bubbles up in my chest?

　It's like the air just by being there made me feel at home. What is it, really? What is this cute little creature?

　It's really cute.

"Come on, Sierra, we're almost there, bro, stay strong!

　As Sierra walks over to me, I can't help but feel my voice heat up as I wait for her.
　I bend down lightly to support her, and eventually her face settles against my chest.

　The smell of milk like a baby.

　Wow, she's really cute and cuddly, she's a seriously cute little creature.

The only thing I can think of is that it's really cute.　Great!

　I'm going to give you a big pat on the back. Because he's amazing. You can walk like that when you're two years old!　You can walk right up to me, okay?

　If it's not cute, what else is cute?

Heh.

　A smile.
　I wonder why the child's unique way of laughing with his whole face is so mellow.

　I hug Sierra, squeezing her.
　

　What a beloved creature. I want to sleep with my arms around it like this.

　I hope they make a pillow like this.

"Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hug you too hard?

Mmm, that's more like it.

　This is not gonna work.
　I'm losing brain bandwidth.

　She's so cute. When I squeezed her even harder, Sierra hugged me back.

　Aaaaah, this guy can't be married anywhere else. Be your brother's wife, be your brother's.
　I won't give Sierra to anyone, you know. I'm sure of it!

　And he said he was playing catty with Sierra.

'Yes, water. You've been working pretty hard today.

Oh, yeah. Thank you. I've been meaning to try out some spells. I wanted to make sure it works.

　'I don't want to get in trouble for making a mistake like that anymore,' she continued, and Mom smiled kindly.

I'm glad you're right. I don't like wasting food, you know.

...Yeah. I don't want my mother's cooking to go to waste. It's already delicious.

Oh dear. You're still a little girl, but you're getting better at flattery.

Don't call me a child!

　But you know what? The food you make is really good.
　I have never had such a delicious food in my previous life.

　It is true that the seasoning is not as good as in my previous life, and since we are in a farming village like this, I don't think we can make elaborate dishes.
　Still, the taste of a dish isn't all about the ingredients and the way it's prepared. I think it's also important to know who the person who made it is.

　The warmth of the food is very important. You can't get that warm feeling from a dish made by a housekeeper.

　So I will never waste such a warm meal again. I won't let it go to waste.

"Shiera-mooh, Shiera-mijiu!

　As I was making a secret vow in my heart, Sierra spoke up from the side.
　It seems that Princess Sierra would like some water.

''Oh, yes, yes. I'll give you half of mine.''

　As I say this, I hand Sierra the half-empty glass of water.

　Then Sierra, who was about to drink the water, drops the cup from her hand. The water spilled from the cup soaks her clothes.

'Ah.'

Oh my God you're wet.

　Me and my mom yelled out.

'It can't be helped. 'Sierra, let's get you dressed.'

No, that's okay. I can dry you off now.

　I said and pointed my palm at the dampness of Sierra's clothes.

　Then my mom gives me a worried look.

'.........Gerald-chan.

Yes, sir.

Sierra is not like soup. Unlike the soup, she is irreplaceable to us. If by any chance you do to her like that you know what I mean?

Don't worry, I won't, and I promise you that this time you will be safe.

Are you sure?

It's true!

Do you believe me?

I guarantee it!

Are you sure?

I'm sure of it!

Are you sure?

So it's true!

Do you believe me?

I guarantee it!

.... are you sure?

'So, tell me you're sure - how long is this conversation going to last?　You just did the same thing completely over and over again!　Scary!

　There was a momentary glimpse of a future that would be an endless loop.
　I gave one cough to cut off that future.

'It's really all right. Watch - 'wipe away the d*mned clinging dampness'.

　A warm breeze released from my palm.
　It immediately dried Sierra's damp clothes.

　The effect of this subtle sense spell was 'drying'.
　The power to dry wet things.

　With this, she would be able to easily dry her laundry even on a rainy day.
　Even if you hang your clothes out to dry in your room, they won't get damp and won't smell as bad.

"That's great, Gerald!　I knew you would do it!

　Wow, my mom is winning. It was an innocent reaction like a little girl's, but as I was suspected a while ago, it's kind of subtle and white.

''Nii-san is amazing!''

　I knew Sierra was going to be honest and cute. I love you. What a wonderful creature.

I feel like ... my mother distrusted me to the hilt just now.

It's all in your head.

Is it my imagination?

Yes. I would never doubt you, Gerald, because you're Russell's child! He's me and Russell's child!

　I couldn't help but let out a wry smile at her blunt words, though.
　Well, it's just like your mother to be easily disguised as that, so I guess it can't be helped that I'm no match for her.

The best thing to do is to have dinner, both of you. I'm already hungry.

As a matter of fact, so am I.

You, boy, I want some food!

　Me and Sierra followed my mom into the house, holding hands as we followed her into the house.