CH 275

“Nn ……”

Suddenly, I felt a presence, and I sat up in a daze. When I opened my eyes to go to the bathroom, I saw that I was in a dream. If I’m here, then–

“I knew it, you’re here.”

A boy with green hair was sleeping next to me, breathing softly. I shook Sephiro’s body, wondering if he was also sleeping this time.

“Sephiro, Sephiro, wake up.”

“Nn …… Nn- …… Fuah.”

He woke up with a fluffy expression on his face, sat up and looked at me, then puffed his face and bowed his head.

“Good morning, Lars-oniichan …… What? I look like a human again! Yay! I can talk to you!”

“Wawa!?”

As before, Sephiro climbed into my lap, where he was sitting on his knees and leaned his back against me. It’s not heavy at all, but he’s close.

“Do you like to be carried? Well, you’re just a kid, so I guess that’s how it is. I used to run around the mountains when I was your age, though.”

When I patted his head, he narrowed her eyes tantalizingly and opened his mouth, looking up at me.

“It’s not decided whether I’m a boy or a girl, you know? I’m a spirit, after all!”

“What!? I-Is that so?”

“Yes! The body is a tree, and I multiply by seeds, so there’s no need for …… gender, right? I’m sure it’s not necessary.”

Sephiro told me about it, I agreed with him. As he swayed happily on my lap, he opened his mouth as if he had an idea.

“Ah, I also like Makina-oneechan, but I prefer Lars-oniichan’s magic power, so would it be better if I’m a girl? Would you be happy if I was a girl?”

“No, if you’re a friend of mine or a friend of mine, it doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl.”

“Muu ……? Friends …… I want to kiss big brother like Makina-oneechan!”

“!?

Sephiro was not convinced and said something outrageous. I think he simply wants to be treated the same as Makina because he doesn’t have the concept of a lover.

“I’m not going to kiss you. More importantly, why did I come here again? Do you know, Sephiro?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. …… Oh, yes, thank you, big brother.”

“What is it all of a sudden?”

When I was relieved that we had gotten off topic, Sephiro stepped off my lap and bowed deeply. When I wondered what he was talking about, he looked a little sad and smiled.

“The “Wiseman’s Soul”, as my grandmother said, was a jewel made from the lives of my friends, but it also contained the life of the Treant, the mother that humans call who gave birth to me. That’s why I was so sad.”

“I see, I didn’t know that ……”

The moment I saw that, I knew that Sephiro was very sad, but that’s to be expected when his mother figure is dead.

“Yeah …… But, I’ve got a big brother so I’m not lonely. Lars-oniichan and Makina-oneechan and Grandma Fath and Auntie Basleigh are with me!”

“Ahhhh, and make Basleigh-sensei as a big sister.”

“What? You want me to call her Basleigh-oneechan?”

I nodded silently, feeling that children are sometimes cruel, and patted Sephiro’s head.

“As long as we’re alive, we’ll be together. When I get my tamer’s license, I’ll let you out of the cage so you can go move on your own.”

“Wow! As I thought, you’re so nice! Yeah, you promise!”

“Stop kissing!?”

“Chie!”

I guess I shouldn’t have mentioned the gender ……, but I’m glad he’s feeling better anyway. After I pulled Sephiro off, I decided to ask him another question.

“Hey, didn’t Cephiro become able to use a skill? Do you have any idea what happened when I appraised that jewel?”

“…… When I look at big brother, this place beats faster …… What is this? Eh? Skill?”

“Yeah. The thing just like my [Super Jack-of-all-Trades].”

“Ah, yeah, is it the thing that just popped into my head? Toh!”

“Whoa!?”

“Ehehe, Hug♪ Um, I think the thing that’s called skill is [Solar Striker]?”

…… The name of the skill is pretty cool considering Sephiro’s appearance. I heard that it’s an attacker type ability, but I wonder what it does.

“What’s the effect?”

“When I’m in a tree, I do this kind of thing, but it seems to get really good. I feel like the offensive power of the branches is stronger when they are exposed to the sun’s rays? It seems to be able to do other things, but when I’m in a cage or inside the house, it’s the same as usual.”

“I see. I guess I should think that you get more powerful when you’re exposed to direct sunlight? I’m sure I can count on you outside.”

“You can count on me!”

I feel like he’s starting to sound like a girl ……? Don’t tell me that his gender is being pulled in the direction he thought it would go? No, he’s a spirit and he doesn’t have a gender, so it should be fine.

“Y-Yeah, I guess I should get my tamer certification as soon as I can.”

“Yeah! Ah-ah, I want to stay with you in this form.”

“Well, that’s because you’re in a dream. I’ll take good care of the Wiseman’s Soul.”

When I said that, Sephiro nuzzled into my chest with a big smile on his face. He seemed to be crying a little, but at that moment my vision bent awkwardly.

“It’s like I’m waking up.”

“Looks like it! Well then, I look forward to working with you again!”

“Of course. I’d like to see the “Solar Striker” when things settle down.”

“I’ll signal you when I find a quiet place where we can do it. Oh, I’m going to wake up–“

“See you later, Sephiro.”

I watched as Sephiro on my lap chuckled, looking a little sad, and then became dazed.

“Oh ……?”

I opened my eyes and saw that it was definitely the ceiling of the inn, so I sat up and stretched. Then I looked slowly at Sephiro, who was supposed to be asleep by my bedside–

“Zzz……”

Sephiro, in his usual tree form, was lying slack-jawed on the ground with his branches spread out.

“Phew ……”

I’m glad I didn’t turn into a humanoid or something. …… I felt an unnecessary sense of relief and got ready for the day.

He’s very close with mall children ……!

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Hyaaaaa! It’s Christmas Eve!”

You’re really into it. What happened to your lover? Did you find some?

“……”

…… I’m sorry …… Don’t look at me like it’s the end of the world ……

(T/N: I just noticed this too, but it looks like the view count is decreasing instead of increasing. Hahaha ^_^)