I didn’t expect Mark to leave so suddenly. But he left that night on a carriage for Gaisha. Apparently, the couple had been arguing over the matter for a while now, but a summons came today which forced my uncle’s hand. The departure wasn’t anything special. As a matter of fact…Romy…ran away. She locked herself in the bedroom after Mark did his best to give her a child, and refused to come out. So, I was the only one at the door to send him off on his journey.

“Mark…I’m serious.” I send him a dangerously stern look and he jokingly pats the top of my head through the doorway. He doesn’t seem to notice my tone.

“Wow, Myrr. You’re getting taller! I’m sorry. I might miss your seventh birthday, but I promise you, I’ll make it up to you with a cool present when I come back!” With pretends to be surprise at how much I’ve grown. However, I’m in no mood for small talk.

“Mark.” I grab his hand and pull him down to my level. Face to face, I let a little bit of the old me out. The one who wasn’t afraid of anything on Earth. He stops talking and listens, the joking smile fading from his lips as he senses my mood. I’ve done my best to conceal this part of myself from him, but today, I think it’s okay if we stop pretending and really talk man-to-man.

“What is it, Myrr?”

“Go and win. If you’re in trouble, survive. No matter what. Don’t even think of letting us down. If you die, I’ll study magic until I find a spell that can resurrect you. Then I’ll let Romy punish you for making her cry.” I say some ridiculous things. However, in this world, in this moment, they are not cheesy. Every word I utter is dead serious. “Also, that Order of yours. I disapprove of such institutions. Come back safely or I may just join Romy on that crusade.”

“…” Mark does not reply for a while. Finally, he just ruffles my hair one last time. When he turns to go. I have to admit, he really does seem like a real paladin, heading off to war, in that shiny half plate armor. “Myrr…you’re a strange kid. But my gut tells me that you’re not a bad one. Take care of your aunt. Until I come back and can give her a kid, you’re all she’s got, you hear me? You have to take care of her!”

“I will.”

“One more thing.” Mark looks back one last time. He points at me. “This isn’t for Romy, this is my advice as your uncle. Will you listen to me?”

“Come back safely and I will.” I reply. He nods seriously.

“This is a personal request from me for your future happiness. Myrr…when you first came here, you barely smiled. To be honest, when you did, it creeped me out. You looked…like you were in pain. I was worried that the incident with Mephis had traumatized you too badly as a child. But after Glacia came, after all the training with Romy, and maybe, even some of the days we spent together, I saw you change. When I see you today, playing with Natalia, even protecting her from the other kids, I feel so proud that I’ve been a part of the young man you’re becoming. Like I said, this isn’t for Romy, this is for me. Please…keep growing. Don’t let me leaving, stop you. Keep charging forwards and when I come back, we’ll have a drink together, as men! That smile that you’re starting to find, protect it so that I can return and see how big it’s gotten!”

“Heh, but you’re going to win the war quickly, so I’ll still be a kid by then, right?” My eyes are stinging again. Maybe I have allergies. Or maybe that damn roof is leaking. Mark really should have fixed it before leaving. How irresponsible of the man of the house. Running away and ignoring his problems. “We’ll hide it from Romy and have a drink together when you come back.”

“Until I return then!” Mark strides out of my life just like that. Halfway to my seventh birthday, I find myself alone in a house that feels too empty. I’d like to say that things were okay after he left. Heh…I really wish I could. But you know how they say lightning never strikes twice? Unfortunately, that’s definitely a lie. Just like how Glacia left without warning, Mark’s departure was an equally shocking calamity. And no matter how manly us two idiots tried to be about it, we had no idea how it would affect Romy. She was always so tough, my invincible superhero who would fly over and stop the very rain if it bothered me. I think I just got this idea that everything would be okay because Romy was still here.

But sometimes the storm is bigger than you think…

#

Natalia’s Naming Ceremony is a tougher affair than I expected because of Mark’s departure. In the end, I used my winnings to buy the red brooch from Yan’s shop, the next morning, and headed over to the Demi-Cat’s residence. When I leave, Romy still hasn’t come out of her room. I’m worried. Now that I think about it, when she’s not training me, or bullying Mark, what does Romy do? Maybe I need to find a way to cheer her up? But she won’t answer the door.

Though I failed to get Romy to come, Natalia is thrilled just to have me show up. She practically squeals when I give her the brooch. It’s not giftwrapped or anything, sorry, I’m not that nice. Honestly, though, I think even if I gave her another twig disguised as a practice sword, she would still love it. After the events of last night, it’s tough to act happy for Natalia. But her strange family is oddly reassuring to be near. Though I want to smack her dad, Pisa, for not buying his little girl anything in the past, when I see how small their house is, it’s kind of hard to be angry at them. Compared to Natalia’s house, the Rainstopper Estate is practically a palace. I swear Natalia’s room isn’t even big enough for an actual kitten, let alone a growing Demi-Cat.

“Thank you, Myrr! I’ll treasure it forever!” My cute minion adopted-sister smiles with a childish joy that makes me feel marginally better. She immediately opens the clasp and pins the brooch to her shirt. “Look, Mother! Isn’t it pretty?”

“Absolutely! But isn’t that the workmanship of the Desert Demi-Cat Tribe from Kashan?” Nadasha sniffs the brooch curiously. “This is an expensive gift! You must be sure to serve Myrr properly in the future!”

Wait.

Hold on.

Rewind that.

Serve?

“Uhh, it wasn’t that expensive. Also, could you repeat what you just said?” I cock my head and Pisa just chuckles. While Nadasha looks like a mature version of Natalia, (not going to lie, the Demi-Cats would murder at an anime convention or something. It’s like they have a built-in cosplay. And they really stay in shape), the head cat of the family, Pisa, is sleek and regal looking. His orange hair is cut short and I can only hope I age as well as he does. Like I said, Natalia’s family dresses in very rough clothing, clearly money is tight. However, I think if it was Earth, they could all pass for one of those picture-perfect model families you see in magazines. You know, the ones which pretend to be poor for commercials, but are all perfectly toned and athletic under the make-up?

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“Errr, sorry, Myrr! I forgot you told me not to tell mother!” Natalia apologizes with twitching ears, and at first, I’m not sure why she’s apologizing. Then my neck gets extremely hot and I start looking for exits. Crap, this is dangerous! She actually told them I asked if she wanted to be my maid?! Am I going to get reported to the Isekai Police?

“Hehe, considering Myrr can afford to buy Kashan crafts, I’m sure he will be able to take care of you well! I’m so glad he’s considering hiring a maid in the future!” Pisa chuckles and comes over. Clasping me on the shoulder, he puts on a serious expression. The male Demi-Cat has a goatee that is streaked with silver hairs. It twitches and I’m reminded of a cat’s whiskers as he whispers in my ear, “Please, Young Master. Our family will be in your care one day! If Natalia is lacking in any way, just tell us and we’ll make sure she realizes the error of her ways!”

Wait…why do your eyes look like Romy’s, too! I’m not a social security check! My wallet is empty! I had to cheat a bunch of degenerates just to buy the brooch! And it’s fake!

“I-I think there’s been a misunderstanding…”

It’s too late to go back now though. The problem is that once Natalia’s parents misunderstand something, it’s impossible to correct them.

“Nonsense, you will hire Natalia, and she’ll be able to move out soon. I mean, look at her room, it’s so small! She needs a proper place to grow! Only someone like you can provide the proper environment for a young kitten to grow!” Her father shoots down my objections with a hearty chuckle. But nothing he says makes any sense!

Only someone like me?

What about you, her father!

Take some responsibility for your actions!

Is this how Demi-Cats raise their young?

Some sort of messed up tough love?

For her part, my adopted sister doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with what her parents are saying at all. After she blows out the candles on her cake and announces that she’ll be keeping the name she was given at birth, the party ends without incident. Afterwards, I intend to leave, but when I see Natalia’s heartbroken expression as I start to creep towards the door, I can only stay a little longer. I mean this is too sad right? I’m the only one who showed up to her party, and I’m actually a reborn man, not even a real child? Ugh, I can’t leave like this.

“Want to go take a walk around town?” I offer and Natalia immediately nods her head repeatedly.

“Mhm!” The girl who just turned five follows me out, proudly puffing out her flat chest and displaying the brooch I gave her for everyone to see. When we pass by Yan’s shop, he gives me an odd look before showing me two thumbs up in the shop window. Tch…at least your fake was pretty good. It even fooled some actual Demi-Cats into thinking it was from the Kashan Desert Demi-Cat Tribe. Though with Pisa and Nadania, that isn’t saying much. Protects against evil and helps the wearer fall in love? Yea right, if you’re willing to sell that brooch for 40 coppers, there’s no way it’s anything but a fake!

*Tap. Tap. Tap.*

“Myrr?” At first, I think that Natalia is just going to ask me about something random. But she goes on to worriedly talk about the misunderstanding with her parents, “You know, if you don’t want to hire me as my maid, you don’t have to. My parents just want me to be independent. But it’s not your responsibility to take care of me.”

You’re damn right.

I stayed strong and never let those gold-diggers live in my apartment in my last life.

I’m only six in this one, no way I’m going to support a worthless leech now!

Not that you’re a leech, Natalia. I’m just talking about the principle of the matter!

I’ll happily take you in as a slave maid when you’re older. Because you’re cute my sister.

“Are you really okay with them trying to get rid of you?” Immediately after saying that, I wince. Oops, that came out wrong.

“It’s the Demi-Cat way.” Natalia isn’t offended. She continues to strut through Sines, showing off the brooch to anyone that we pass. I catch sight of a few village children watching us. Yan is trying to get my attention from his shop window. I think he wants me to do something. He keeps pointing to his chest. Oh, he wants me to advertise his product. Well, sorry buddy, but I bought it full price, so I’m not going to help you sell your fakes. Besides, she’s my sister, not my girlfriend. So, it’s not like it worked! I’m very much still a bachelor!

“But, isn’t it a bit harsh?” I poke a little bit deeper, trying to get to the bottom of the Demi-Cat mentality. Natalia pumps her arms and twirls. Her orange hair flies around, reflecting the light like a little flame atop her head. As she spins, her ginger tail pops out from under her oversized shirt. “I didn’t get to spend very much time with my parents. So, I don’t know how I’d feel about being chased out.”

Technically true in both my lives…

“They just worry because I never made any friends. And they struggled a lot when they were my age. Father, doesn’t want me to have to work like he did. That’s why he thinks being a maid would be a great job.” Natalia suddenly acts awfully mature. I double check to make sure it’s really the same little girl walking beside me. Yup…still five. But what an adult thing to say. Do Demi-Cats mature faster than humans? But then why is she so terrible at learning magic chants?

“Huh, well, if you still feel that way when you’re older, the position will be open, I guess?” For some reason, I kinda feel like this line sounds familiar. The little girl nods, and her furry ears twitch as she immediately agrees. Unknowingly, I’ve accidentally copied the words my teacher left that rainy night.

“Naturally, after all, you’ve already agreed to it. So, Natalia will be your maid for life.”

If I was listening closely, I might have caught something odd about what she said. Maybe I should have seen the broad smile that was a little too big in that moment. But my thoughts are preoccupied with Romy’s seclusion. I’m all too familiar with bad situations and spending too much time alone. It seems in this world, there’s no such thing as therapists or anything. With Mark gone, I’m all Romy has.

During the walk, I buy Natalia all sorts of snacks and treats. She goes crazy over each one, and I feel great. Now I know this sounds creepy, but it’s not like that. She’s my future employee adorable sister. So naturally I need to spoil her on her birthday. By the time we hug and say goodbye, she’s very happy. Full and satisfied. I think I’ve succeeded at my job as an older brother. As she skips off home, the red brooch flashes on her shirt, and I think that Natalia is really the cutest kid. Maybe I shouldn’t have given up on having kids in my last life. Heh…yea right! After seeing the way, I treated my parents, as if I’d want to deal with the same crap they did!

Honestly, if I had known what was coming next, and how this world would reveal its true colors in the coming days, I would have bought Natalia every treat in Sines. But my gift isn’t omniscience. I can’t see what is really coming. On Earth, seeing a few seconds ahead was enough to conquer all hardships. In this new reality, there really are terrifying dragons hidden under every well. All you have to do is look a little bit closer and you’ll find them. Maybe if I had paid attention, I’d have thought a bit more about how powerful Mephis and Romy were. The guardians at the beginning of my life were already so strong. Hell, even Mark’s strength, so far above mine, should have been enough to clue me in to how brutal the world really was. People called me a genius, and I should have seen it. Just like my last life, the compliments were making my complacent. But those peaceful days, that beautiful childhood…hehe, I trained a lot at the beginning when Mephis left, but somewhere along the line, my resolve for revenge wavered without me knowing it.

I should have worked harder.

Monsters don’t just train a lot.

No warrior was ever truly made just by banging sticks in a dojo.

No mage ever reached the top, sticking to their school’s curriculum.

No…

That’s not how it works…

Monsters…are born on the battlefield.

The more beautiful things you have, the more others wish to take from you.

I needed to become a real monster if I wanted to protect all these precious things I was enjoying.

I just didn’t know it yet.

And that’s the hardest thing for someone who can see the future to see.