Hmm?
What's up, Sakura?

　Sakura, who was talking with Mom, turned her gaze in the direction of the day after tomorrow. Mom, who was wondering about this, turned her head in the direction that she had been looking at.
　I naturally looked in that direction as well, but beyond that, I couldn't see anything but an endless field of flowers. There is no way that there is anything else in this world except us.
　But in spite of this, the cherry blossom put its hand to its ear and tried to hear something. Sakura possesses the Military Characteristic "Super Hearing". It is able to pick out sounds that are incomprehensible to humans and even those that are far away. Can you hear something?

It sounds weird....moaning?
What?

　Moaning!　Oh, my God, that's scary!　Horror-like!　I don't remember setting that up, though!

.........no........ I feel like the baby is limping...
"Oh.

　My dad and mom walked quickly, 'By any chance........' Eh?　What?
　We hurriedly followed them, too.
　A few minutes' walk away, we found a baby in baby clothes, buried in a field of flowers. He was groggy, looking as if he was about to cry.

'I knew it. I knew it. I'm so proud of you, you didn't cry!
Duh...

　The mother picks up the baby from the field of flowers. Could that child be...no way.
　The mother smiles and soothes the baby as she turns the baby toward me.

See, Fuyuka. That's your brother!
Huh?

　I knew it. A pair of black, full-blown eyes are turned on me. This is my.... My sister was born, wasn't she?
　I see, because I designated that entire house as the area of effect of 【Connect】, I pulled even this sleeping child into this side of the house.

''So it was Fuyuka, after all, Fuyuka. Did you come into my dream to meet Fuyuuya-kun?
In my dreams. That's my girl, you're very attentive to your brother.
'No, no, Mr. Spelling. She's my daughter, too.

　They're both fussing over the baby while having a weird argument. Oh, were they both so stupid as to be parents?　If anything, I'm sure he was more of a laissez-faire kind of guy when it came to me. I left it up to my grandpa.
　I felt a little jealous, but those feelings were blown away when Mom handed me the kid, "See?

Duh.
Wha....?

　Fuyuhana stretches out her little hands to me like autumn leaves. She's so cute. It's not the first time I've held a baby, but I wonder if it's because she's my sister that she looks the cutest.

'Whoa, whoa!　Cute, that is!
It's true!
'This is cute. I assure you.

　Linse, Sue, and Sakura surrounded me, but Fuyuka looked at them curiously, not showing any signs of crying.

''Fuyuka,'' you say.
I had a hard time deciding whether to call her 'Fuyuka' or 'Touka', but I decided on this one because I thought it would be a pity if the nickname was 'Tou-chan' for a girl. I thought it would be a pity if her nickname was 'Toh-chan,' even though she's a girl, so I decided on this one.

　Mom is explaining to Yumina with a chuckle. That nickname was almost given to me in elementary school, me. Your father, who is laughing behind your mother's back, has probably had that experience too. It's "Fuyuichiro," right?

"Daaaaah.
Oops.
Wa.

　Fuyuka twisted around and reached for Linse, who was at her side. She's a girl who isn't afraid of things. She seems to have quite an aggressive personality. .... like your mother.

Go ahead, hold her.
Are you sure you're sure?
You're my sister-in-law, so it's only natural. You don't need to be shy.

　After Mom's words, I slowly handed Fuyuka to Linze. Even though I'm careful not to drop it, Fuyuka was fluttering her hands towards Linse as if she was hurrying, quickly and quickly.

''Duh, duh.''
Nice to meet you, Fuyuka. I'm Linse, your sister-in-law.
Duh!

　When Linze spoke to her, Fuyuka returned her good-humored smile. Is this the kind of smile that would make a flower smile? Hey ma'am, there's an angel?

Oh, can I get in your arms?
Just be careful you don't drop them, and I won't mind.

　I guess I wanted to hug her too, and Else asked my mom for permission to do so. Everyone else took turns hugging Fuyuka and smiling happily. 'You're irresistible, my sister.

''She smiles a lot, that she does.
You're making me smile.

　Lou peers at Fuyuka, who is giggling as if she's spluttering in Yae's arms.

''She doesn't seem to be very shy, does she?
That's my darling sister. She's got a lot of heart, or something... I'm sure she'll be a great lady in the future.
Hey, hey....

　I couldn't help but plunge into the conversation between Hilda and Leanne. What's a "woman hero"? I'm not going to be able to get a good look at it. Well, as long as she grows up to be a kind girl, that's fine.....
　You'll be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

Well, Fuyuka is here, we're having fun, so don't worry about it, you're going to be a Buddha.
No, well yes.

　What can I say? Being prayed to by one's parents for one's own spiritual growth is quite a peculiar thing....
　Mom and Dad think it's just a dream made up from the memory of reading Himura's name, so I don't blame them.
　I felt like I could just blurt out the truth about everything, but I'm only here as part of the Shinigami training program, so I can't come here freely.
　I may be able to come with the World God's permission, but even the World God would not be able to make accommodations for me many times. It's not a good idea to be seen as favoritism just because you're in the family.
　It's a good thing that you've decided to go to the other side of the world. I'm going to be able to have a look at the way you're looking at it.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


I was surprised when I got a call from my elementary school teacher. Fuyao hadn't come to school even though she left home in the morning. We were fretting about an accident or kidnapping, and then the police department called us. What do you think I was doing?　We were going down the river on a raft. On the way, the raft broke and he saved me from drowning. He was a foolish boy.
Why do I have to go on a raft again?
He thought he could raft down the river faster than he could walk to school. If they could, what were they going to do the next day?

　Enough about that.........
　Behind me, in a field of flowers, my mother was holding an exposition contest about me.
　I can't stand it anymore and my dad and I are away from everyone, eating Lou's homemade food that was stored in [storage].

It's so nostalgic. Was I in the second grade or something?
I'm a freshman.

　I got the idea for the raft down the river from the book "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" that my dad gave me. I learned that even a child can make a raft.
　But we couldn't make a decent one with some scrap wood, old rope, and a child's strength. It disintegrated just a few minutes after we left the boat and sank in the middle of the river. We were really lucky that it wasn't the middle of winter.
　After that, I was scolded by many people.... Only to my grandfather, 'You didn't build it right! And I was blamed for my inexperience in raft making skills.
　But maybe it's because she thinks it's a dream, or maybe it's because she thinks it's a dream, but since a while ago, Mom doesn't hesitate to talk about people's black history.... No, even if she doesn't think it's a dream, she doesn't hesitate to talk about it.
　Everyone is completely at ease with her and is asking her all sorts of questions. I don't want you to insinuate too much black history........

But Fuyao-kun's marriage, isn't it? Even though it's a dream, congratulations to you. I'm so happy........
Things are going to be a lot of work from now on, but...
Fuyao-kun. Marriage, you know, is something that works better if the man takes a step back. If you want to lubricate your marriage, that is.

　Hmm, my wives are often the type to step forward without me taking a step back. On the contrary, they just drag me along. Many women in the other world are quite active, and they are the type that speaks their mind clearly.
　Even the (supposedly) most docile Linse speaks her mind to me.
　On the other hand, she's so dependent on me that I feel ashamed of myself as a man if I'm always depending on her. I know it's just the vanity of a man.

Let's just get rid of that thing. There's no point in showing off to your family. A family accepts everything, even the uncool parts, so a man's pride and pretensions are meaningless.

　........Well, I'm sure you're right.
　I don't think that if someone asks you about your past mistakes, you'll think it's uncool and that people will hate you for it. I don't think it's possible for me to hate you for listening to your past stories.

"Fuyao's first love was Sachiko-chan, the sister next door.
It's just that it's one thing to be embarrassed and another to be embarrassed!

　I devour the lunchbox Lou made while listening to Mom's unstoppable story behind me. Oh, God!　This is delicious!

Buuuuuuure....
Is that a winter flower?　Do you want to sleep?

　When I turned around, I saw Fuyuka, who was in my mother's arms, letting out a small yawn and letting her eyelids melt.
　It's not unreasonable. She had been asleep, but was connected to my consciousness by [Connect] and pulled to me. Even if he wasn't a baby, he should be mentally exhausted.
　Or was she trying to protect her brother's honor, so she had to be thoughtful? You are a good sister. I'm happy for you, big brother........

I'm going to leave now.
You done?

　I stood up while putting Lou's lunch away in [Storage]. I've reached my goal, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye if I stay too long. Dad looks up at me with a regretful look.

'I can't stay here for too long,' he says. Fuyuka looks sleepy, so I'd better get back.''
Well, that's too bad.

　Maintaining subspace in [Connect] consumes divine power. It won't last for long. We have to get home before that. ........And I still don't want any more black history to be exposed.
　Dad gets up and we head over to the others. When Dad praised Lou's cooking, she was happy, turning red. Mom, on the other hand, had a difficult look on her face.
　Grandpa and Dad are both good at cooking, but Mom isn't so good at it. For me, the taste of my mother is rice balls and sandwiches. Maybe that's why my mom's rice balls and sandwiches are so delicious. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. No, I think it's the same for my father.
　I wanted to have that onigiri and sandwich again, but....

Are you going?
Hm. We can't let Fuyuka stay up too late, you know.
Wha...

　Fuyuka twists in her mother's arms. This is quite a sleeper. We have to let her go soon.

You'll be home for the Bon Festival. I'll make a horse out of cucumber or eggplant. Oh, and drag your father along with you. He can't be seen in your dreams, just like you. Tell him to come and see his granddaughter.
No, well, when I see you...

　I'll answer vaguely to Mom's words. No, I don't know where my grandpa is. Is he in the heavenly realm?　I don't think it's my grandfather's fault that he doesn't appear in my dreams.
　It's doubtful that he'll be able to come to Obon, but I'll definitely come again someday. I want to see the winter flowers that have grown up, too.

Well, we'll be going on with our lives. Take care of yourself, both of you. I'll see you again with Fuyuka.
You don't have to take care of yourself. Well, just have fun with your friends. Don't make them cry, okay?
'I look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully we'll be able to spend more time together next time.

　I think that as you become more competent as a god race, you will be able to stay in the spirit world for longer periods of time. I'll have to work even harder to become that.

"[Disconnect]

　Disconnecting from the spiritual world. Eventually, my vision became blurry and fuzzy and we returned to the real world.




''Hmm....''

　You stand up from the carpet. Yeah, you're clearly conscious. It's frustrating that your gaze has returned to its original low position, though.

'Hmmm...?'
Huh...?

　Initially, Su and Yumina woke up, followed by everyone else, who also began to regain consciousness.
　Everyone woke up from their dreams, but the mothers who were put to sleep by [Sleep Cloud] should still be asleep.

''........hmm?''
What's the matter?

　Now let's retreat, I thought, when I felt a strange sensation. No way..........
　I opened the curtains in the living room and looked into the garden and saw the World God standing there. Eh, why!
　They are waving their hands in the moonlight to me, who is looking through the window. And behind him is a person who hangs his head 《Kobe》. ........Who is that?
　Opening the window with a crash, I put on the sandals I had left behind and stepped outside too. They don't fit and it's hard to walk in them....

I see it ended successfully.
What is the matter with you? Oh, I'm sorry. My mother seemed to have done something rude...
No, well, it was inevitable. It was all my fault. It was a little, well, quite scary, but...

　The World God lets out a dry laugh. Hey, wait, what kind of being freaks out a god, My Mother?

'So, um ... how's it going over there?
Hmm. He's a subordinate god.
What?
Oh, no, no. No, no, no. He's a different god from the Dependent God who rioted in your world.

　Oh, I was surprised. I thought that neat god had come back to life.... Well, unlike that neat god, he's young. I mean, she's a woman........
　The Neat God was a slender old man, but this subordinate god was a little older than Hanakoi's sister.......in her late twenties.
　His black hair was short and his body was slender. The atmosphere resembles that of Morobane's sister.

I'm going to have to say it. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

　Oh, that neat god!　When I was surprised, the subordinate god, who said he was my instructor, began to apologize with his head bowed.

I apologize for causing so much trouble in your world due to my negligence. I should have apologized right away, but I have not yet been allowed to descend to earth without my rank.
'Oh, no, look up. It's all over now.

　Dependent gods are gods on the verge of becoming an official god, so to speak. However, there is a range of subordinate gods, and if that guy who ran rampant in our world is a NEET, then this guy seems to be at a very high level of excellence that allows him to join the company temporarily.
　In other words, even among the subordinate gods, there is a hierarchical relationship between senior and junior, and this person seems to have been guiding that neat god. It must have been hard work........

"He's intolerant. He can't tolerate the slightest difficulty and will cut corners. I scolded him every time, but he never seemed to feel any remorse. Then one day he suddenly disappeared, and just when I thought he was slacking off again, something terrible happened...

　That must have been a surprise. It's like seeing your part-time student, who was your instructor until yesterday, on the morning news as a criminal.

Well, I told him it wasn't all his fault. He said he couldn't become a lowly god without atoning for his crimes, and so I took him to Fuyao-kun. That's why I brought him to Fuyao-kun.

　It's a discipline or something.... I think it's all the fault of that neat god.

'So, then. This girl says that she wants to be your sister's guardian god, but....
What?

　What's a guardian god?　I'm going to be possessed by a god, my sister!

''To be precise, not as a god, but descending as someone who lives on this earth, and in addition protect your sister.......like a bodyguard. Naturally, she can't use her powers as a god, but...
'No, don't bother doing that!　And I really don't care!
'Then you'll make me mad!　Please hear me out!

　Ehhhh.... Oh no. He's what I call a serious type. He's the type of guy who can't take a joke and is often seen in the honor student class. He can't move on until he's done with the problem properly. He's a god, though.

"Allow him. I mean, a human life is like a few minutes of god time. If it makes him feel better, let him do what he wants to do.
'Ummm...'

　It's true that I once thought about using a summoned beast as Fuyuka's bodyguard........ I gave up when I realized that my magic power was too thin in this world and I couldn't sustain a summoned beast.
　Instead, even though it's a subordinate god of the lowest level, if the god is still with me as a bodyguard, I don't have any more peace of mind.......

''But how?　In human form?
That would make things difficult, so I'm going to become an animal. I'm going to take the form of a pet that you can keep here, and I'm going to protect my sister.

　What a joke about God being a pet......... But the person in front of me must be serious......... I'm thankful for that on my part, and I'll ask for a favor here.

Then I'd prefer a dog. Both my parents love dogs.
A dog...? Okay.

　As soon as she said that, the Dependent God woman immediately transformed into a white wolf-like dog. Oh, wild. A Siberian Husky or maybe a dog of that type?

Is that all right?
'No, hmmm.... I doubt you'll keep her at this rate........
"What?

　Gunn!　The dog is a shocked, ears down, as if in shock. Oh, no, it's too wild. I have the image of a lone wolf, or perhaps an aura of 'I'm going to live alone', or something like that.
　I think the first impression is very important in order to be kept. Oh, I see.

Can you become a puppy?　I think the cuter and smaller they are, the more likely they are to keep them.
''I see. In that case.....

　The white dog shimmered and glowed, and in no time at all, he was a little puppy. Whoa, that's cute. Where was the wildness from earlier?

''How about this?''
'Perfect. Now all we need to do is show them how friendly we are and they'll be fine. Oh, and please don't speak the language, okay?
I know what I'm doing.

　With a snap, the white pup put his paws on the side of his forehead and paused in a sort of salute. No, that's just weird. I hope you're okay.

Sorry to give you so much trouble.
No, I appreciate it. I'm still worried.
It's a good thing that she's able to gather her magic, so she'll be able to use her recovery spell in case of illness or other emergencies. I'm sure she'll be able to deal with illnesses and other emergencies when the time comes.

　I see. That's a dependable bodyguard.
　When I turned around to find that this was a relief, the white puppy was being squirmed by my wives.

'It's so cute!　It's so fluffy!
"No, no, oh!
It's white!　Cute!

　That was some déjà vu. It's the same as when I was in amber. This is long overdue.
　...I wonder if I'm really going to be okay.