“Mmm~ I actually fell asleep. Big sis, put me down—I’ll lead you home!”
The little girl rubbed her sleepy eyes and fidgeted uneasily.
Judging by those two suns about to sink below the horizon, I must’ve been asleep for quite a while.
This pretty big sister must be exhausted.
“Shh~ Just whisper directions in my ear.
Bro... Big sis is a lot sturdier than you think...”
I pointed toward my younger brother, who was still fast asleep, and spoke softly to the little girl.
I knew my body well. Carrying two children barely felt like any weight at all.
As for being tired, that had never been an issue.
After all, my ‘Strength’ stat was already maxed out.
“You’re so gentle, just like Mom...”
It was as if I’d touched something deep in the little girl’s heart.
She gently stroked my hair, as if she were caressing a work of art.
What had driven these two young children to venture into a place like this?
Why were they trying so hard to earn money?
Even if it might cost them their lives, was it because they didn’t know any better—or because they’d already made up their minds?
Rows of houses built from brick, stone, and mud lined both sides of the street.
Smoke rose from the chimneys. Someone was probably cooking, and the rich aroma drifted through the air and reached my nose.
“Grrr~”
My stomach let out an ill-timed growl.
The smell of food made me realize that ever since I’d arrived in this world yesterday...
...I hadn’t eaten a single thing.
“Are you hungry, big sis? Let’s go home and eat! We can sell the berries tomorrow!”
The little girl hopped down from my back with a mischievous smile, took my hand, and hurried toward the village.
“Hey! Isn’t that Hill? Why are you back so late? Your mom’s been worried sick!”
A middle-aged man carrying a loaf of bread spotted the little girl returning from outside and greeted her like an old friend.
“Ahaha, I picked tons of berries! I’ll sell them tomorrow, and then I can get Mom something tasty to eat!”
Hill cheerfully greeted the man.
She proudly showed him the basket on her back, packed full of berries.
“What a good girl. If that little rascal of mine were half as thoughtful as you, I’d be happy.”
The middle-aged man said it with a look of exasperation.
“Oh, come on! Big Brother Aru’s working hard to earn money at the Adventurers’ Guild!”
Hill ran over to him and made a face. I watched them quietly.
There was no sense of an elder lecturing a child in the way the two of them talked.
They sounded more like friends. They must’ve been really close to get along so well.
“Huh? What’s this? Oh my, you’re covered in blood! Are you hurt?”
The man approached, noticed I was covered in blood, and froze for a moment. Then he spoke with concern.
“This is the big sister I met in the forest. She saved us when monsters attacked! All that blood is from the monsters. Big sis is super strong!”
Hill ran to my side, wrapped both arms around mine, and shook it happily.
“What? Monsters? Who told you to go to a place like that? Do you have any idea how worried your mom was about you two?”
At her words, the man immediately turned stern and pointed at Hill, showing the concern of an elder.
“Waaah, you grumpy old monster! Big sis, help me!”
“Hehehe.”
Seeing Hill hide behind me so quickly that she wouldn’t dare show her face, I couldn’t help finding it amusing.
He cared so much about Hill, and when he saw me covered in blood, his first reaction wasn’t suspicion—it was concern. What a kind man.
“......”
“......”
Hill and the man both froze as they watched me hide my smile behind my hand.
The golden glow of the setting sun adorned a flawless face.
Fierce sunlight seemed to burn in those golden eyes. She was as captivating as a Valkyrie returning from battle.
“What an incredible beauty...”
The man stood there dazed for quite a while before coming back to himself. Two red patches rose on his dark cheeks.
“Big sis is mine!” Hill spread her arms protectively in front of me, glaring at the man with contempt.
“All right, here—take a few loaves of bread to eat at home!”
The man scratched his head awkwardly. He already had a beloved wife.
Even if the girl in front of him was more beautiful than he could comprehend...
He’d never betray his wife. Yeah, probably not...
“Hehe, thanks, mister! Bye!”
Hill grinned as she took the bread from the man.
Then she took my hand and led me on.
Along the way, many villagers cast curious glances my way.
Feeling awkward under their gazes, I pulled my collar higher to cover my face.
I mean, even I’d been captivated by my own face at first.
The villagers, who’d never seen anything like it, were bound to be even more taken with it.
But before long...
...I was dismayed to realize the villagers weren’t interested in my looks at all.
They were staring at my blood-soaked clothes......
“Guess I really do need to change...”
A bunch of outfits flashed through my mind.
A nurse’s uniform, a sailor uniform, a gothic dress, a shrine maiden outfit, a tight-fitting uniform......
Holy crap, stop those terrifying fantasies, you idiot.
You’re a man! Can’t you just wear some ordinary clothes......
