60-60. Departure

My heart shrank the moment I heard Isabella's words.

What had I done?

Was it a nuisance to be in this house in the first place?

One unpleasant thought after another pops into my head.

Isabella saw the look on my face.

Yeah, it's not that I don't like having Rico in the house. I'm sorry for giving you the wrong idea.

He apologized.

'Oh, I see,'

I pat my chest in relief.

'Huh?　Then why?

You've got a lot of skills. It's as if God gave you that skill. I just think it's a shame that you have this skill and are sitting in a shack with no one around. You should be doing something. I can't help but feel that, you know.

When I hear Isabella's words, I'm at a loss for a response.

There is something to be done.

I was moved by those words.

With Issa and Isabella-san, it's not bad to live together.

However, ever since I came to the other world, I have always lived with the guilt that I had abandoned Tetsuya-san.

When I thought about what I should do to live from now on, I would save as many people as possible. At that time, I realized that this was the only thing I could do to get rid of the sin of abandoning Tetsuya-san, even if only for a little while.

Nevertheless, I have taken care of this house, and I have become very close to Issa and Isabella-san. The decision to say goodbye is a very sad one.

I didn't have an immediate response.

I don't care if you don't want to leave, I don't care if you stay. I'm not bothered by your presence, in fact, it's just that all I've got to show for it is good things. But if you do decide to leave, please take Issa with you.

What?

The words were a little unexpected.

He used to live in a town, though. "He used to live in a town, the Free City of Wafol, a big town a long way from here. A friend of his brought him here because his son and his wife died. When he was about three years old, I think. He's been living here ever since. Don't you feel sorry for him? It was just the two of us, no friends, and sometimes we had to eat. I've only known life here, so I couldn't move into town. I think she should be somewhere else, where there are other people around.

But Issa seems to be happy.

That's just what I think because it's all I know about this place.

'What about you, Isabella? You'll be alone.

Ha-ha, from the time my husband died about thirty years ago to the time my son came to me, I was all alone for about twenty years. I'm used to it.

Isabella laughed in a way that was really nothing.

'Besides, you can store water for your skills, can't you?　In fact, I've got a barrel full of it stored up now. With that, we'll be able to live a good life for a long time.

When [Rainbow-colored divine water] is transferred to a cup or bucket, it loses its buoyancy and accumulates. After that, even if you don't drink that water, new water will come out of the cup or bucket.

Once it grows to its limit, it won't increase any more. That would be a waste of time not to increase, so I've always transferred it to a bucket when it reaches its limit and then transferred it to a barrel for storage.

I'm sure there was a fair amount, at that point in time, but I don't know how long the effect will last. I just had a hunch that it would last forever.

'Well, I have to ask Issa's opinion... if she says she's going to go, I don't mind taking her with me. If I have to leave the house, that is.

Then I'll talk him down. I'm sure he'll say he won't go at first, but I'm sure he really wants to live in the city. I'm sure he'll go in the end.

Three days after I told them that story, I told them that I was leaving the house.

'Ehhh!　Riko-eechan, you're leaving!　No!

'Issa!　You are not to interfere with what Liko decides. I'm sure her power will be useful to many people. You shouldn't be here.

...

Issa didn't like it at first, but after hearing Isabella's words, she agreed.

The question is now.

'Rico-onesan. Take care of yourself even after you leave this house. I will never forget you, Rico-onesan.

What are you doing? Issa is going with Rico.

"Huh?

When Issa heard Isabella's words, she looked dumbfounded.

'Nah, what are you talking about, Auntie?'

Didn't you hear me?　I wanted you to leave this house with Rico and live in town.

No, I can't do that.

Why?

You know, because I'm bothering my sister.

Rico said he wouldn't mind if Issa went with him.

When Issa heard those words, she looked at me. I just nodded without uttering a word.

'Oh, I can't leave you alone, Auntie!

'Issa, you don't plan on staying in this house forever, do you?　There will come a time when you will have to go to town eventually.

'Yes, that may be true but that's only when you're grown up...'

No, you must go now. If you don't go while you're young, you won't know what to do with your life in town.

But.....

Yeah, well, don't think about me. I've been alone for a long time before you came along. I'm not going to miss you now that you're on your own. We have water for Liko, so I don't think it's too much trouble for her to survive.

....

Issa listens in silence.

Watching her from the side, I thought her mind was in turmoil.

You lived in the town until you were about three years old, so you still have a vague memory of that time, don't you?　Don't you want to go?

...town.

Issa seemed to be remembering something.

Issa was still very young, and she must have remembered a memory from when she was three years old.

Then, after a long time of pondering, Issa decided to

I want to go to town.

Issa has come to the conclusion that Isabella had expected.

A few days later, Issa and I left our home and set off on a journey to Vafol, the town where we now live, where Issa used to live.

Take good care of Issa for me!

As we parted, Isabella shook my hand and told me so.

There was a thin layer of tears in her eyes. It was then that I realized that her words about not being lonely were a lie. But considering Isabella's feelings for Issa, I decided it was best not to mention it specifically.

Yes, sir.

I responded by squeezing Isabella's hand back.