I didn’t expect the sweatshirt to get dirty right after I got changed. And now I have nothing to wear.
I’m handed some clothes from my school days, but they don’t fit. I have to make do with a very tight shirt under a very tight jersey.
The two little ones start slapping me, like they’re trying to make maple leaves.
My big brother went to get me some clothes, but didn’t ask my size. I hope he doesn’t crash his car, with how much he was laughing at me in these clothes.
Come to think of it, he can tell what cup a woman wears by sight alone. Maybe he knows my size too.
I never thought I’d be on the receiving end of that special talent.
“Can you wait until dinner?”
Asks my sister while peeking at my face.
There’s still curry, but no more rice. They’d have to make more.
“It’s okay, I’m not that hungry.”
I had something to eat in the bullet train, so I’m not really hungry. It’s more like if I had food in front of me, I’d eat it.
“I see. But how did you do that? You accelerated really fast.”
When I saved our mother…
I grin again, and run my fingers through my hair. I hear the shirt rip, but let’s ignore that.
“Some fat guys can really move.”
Nice line, me.
Sadly, fat guys aren’t seen positively by society, but there are good things about it. Like being strong and resilient, not being blown away by wind, having energy stored.
And health?
…I’m okay, so it’s okay.
My sister looks exasperated, and changes the subject.
“There’s a dungeon near where you live, right? Have you been there?”
“…I have.”
“Hm, for a diet?”
“No, I got fat after going there. You should be careful, because it changes people’s shapes.”
“Is it that bad!? My friend was asking me if I wanted to go with her, but I guess I should watch myself.”
“You should. Look at me.”
As we talk, now it’s Masafumi who looks exasperated.
“Dungeons don’t do that. Aren’t you just eating like crazy, Haruto?”
“But he did get fat really fast. We didn’t see each other for two months, and he was like this. Can that happen just from overeating?”
Eating like crazy… I guess I did. I indulged in that ant queen honey.
My sister looks at me, and I look away.
She looks exasperated again. I feel like I’m being judged, so it’s my turn to change the subject.
“So, when are you due?”
“In six months. Mom and Yoshina are in seven.”
“…So mom really is pregnant.”
“I told you on the phone, she is.”
“I know, I just can’t believe it. Isn’t dad working too hard?”
My father turns around from the TV, surprised to be mentioned all of a sudden. And he has a big smile on his face.
“I’m still young.”
“Shush.”
I say to him as he puts his hand on his white hair like he’s embarrassed.
Meanwhile, the kids are reaching for my face. I guess that’s all that’s left for them to leave marks.
I dodge the hands, and hold them in a tight hug.
They cry and yell, surely with joy.
◇ ◇ ◇
I put on the new sweatshirt my brother brought me, and it fits me perfectly. He really has a sharp eye.
I can’t help but worry that he might be a pervert.
“Please just don’t commit a crime.”
“What?”
“You really do have some perverted interests.”
“I don’t!?”
His fierce denial makes him seem more suspicious. Well, it’d be worse if he admitted it.
◇ ◇ ◇
It’s getting dark outside.
The sushi we ordered arrives, and the beers are already out of the fridge. We also have karaage, green soybeans, salad, and some other stuff on a table that we all crowd around.
The three adult women are pregnant, so they can’t have alcohol. It’s just us guys.
“Mom, how are you doing, actually? Isn’t having a baby tough on your body and wallet?”
I ask as the alcohol starts getting to me.
My siblings are having babies too, and that comes with a lot of costs. I want to help if I can, but I can’t help with the physical part.
I assume my brother and sister will help, but they also have new lives on the way. I’m sure they won’t have that much time.
“It’s okay! I raised three healthy children, and your father said he has twenty more years of work ahead of him. We’ll manage.”
Dad, you’re working until close to eighty…?
“I can work forever!”
“That’s your imagination.”
My brother cuts down our father’s enthusiasm.
It’s rough, honestly. Most companies set their retirement age to sixty-five, but who knows if my father will retire when he gets there.
Even if he found a different job that required physical labor, we can’t know how long his body would keep up.
He’s not fat, but he’s skinny. He doesn’t look like he has all that much stamina. And he has gout from all the years of drinking.
Nevermind working, we don’t know if he’ll live that much.
The same can be said for my mother. She looks young again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean her lifespan has been stretched. I wish she’d think about what to do if something happens.
“We’ll rely on you three if something happens. Treat your new sibling well.”
Says my young mother as she gently rubs her stomach, and I nod strongly.
Then we keep chatting as I drink beer.
We don’t have anything in particular to talk about, but my sister and my sisters-in-law talk about what kindergarten they’re sending their kids to, and book recommendations about raising kids. My brother and brother-in-law chat about old manga, and financial products.
The kids are bored with this, so they watch anime on the TV.
It looks fun. And as I keep drinking, my mother looks at me with a surprised expression.
“Haruto, are you crying?”
“Ah?”
I touch my face, and I’m surprised to feel it’s wet.
“Ah…”
This reminded me of them.
I get up and go to the bathroom.
I throw up.
Again. And again, to the point where my stomach is empty.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry… I’m sorry.”
As the others worry about me, I keep apologizing, not even knowing who I’m talking to.
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
<<Previous Chapter Index Next Chapter>>
Why this chapter and the next ones missing on the ‘Index’ page for this novel? Is it only me?