Chapter 59

Entering the house, I called out to announce my return. Only Teisha was still at home.

I decided to tidy up my things and headed back to my room.

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, my cheeks were pinched.

Stiffening from the sudden action, Teisha leaned in to look at me.

"Sure enough. You don't look well..."

She frowned with concern.

"I noticed you were doing something at night."

I had tried to be quiet, but did I wake her up? As I felt a bit anxious, Teisha shook her head.

"You're a boy, after all. There are things you can't tell me, right?"

She leaned in, staring intently into my eyes.

"Still, you shouldn't overdo it. There are things only you can do, but there are also things others can do for you..."

She shook her head slightly.

"You're my child, right? It's not good to worry me..."

She gently shook my pinched cheeks.

"Akihiro, be strong. You're not alone."

I remembered the words from work, "You're taking on too much," and the familiar face of my mother. I nodded slightly while my cheeks were still pinched.

"Alright."

Suddenly, her hands let go, and she patted my shoulders.

Ah, I made her worry. I feel bad.

"Yes, thank you. I'll try not to overdo it."

"It's fine, just being nosy."

She smiled and returned to the kitchen.

Watching her back, I felt that this is the kind of parent who raises such a child.

I repeated my training in the yard.

Checking the range of magic is important. It directly affects the range.

With the movements of water magic, I could roughly gauge the range. It's easy to understand because it can be specified by coordinates.

Using the simulator, I tried it while floating lightly. It seems the range is a sphere of about 20 meters.

In short, if the opponent is within about 20 meters, I can act unilaterally.

Although I feel anxious about the gradual improvement in my magic proficiency, I remember Teisha's words.

Sigh, there's no point in being anxious. Yes, it's the same in society. Stay calm and focus only on the goal.

Now, my goal is to gain the power to protect those two.

The call for dinner came.

I had been quite focused. It felt like time suddenly started moving.

We gathered and enjoyed a warm meal together.

I must have been a bit rough.

Something hard and cold in my heart slowly melted.

Ah, it's been since I came here. Eating a meal with someone.

Being treated as someone's child. It's been a long time. My parents are old, so our relationship is distant.

Even when I got married, we kept a certain distance.

Being absolutely affirmed.

Such a feeling, which I haven't had in a long time, made something tense in me slowly relax. It was such a meal.

After the meal, I went back to the yard and started spear training.

Since the spear is in storage, I used a makeshift one like the previous Grave.

How do I deal with a group of three or more attacking me?

What if I'm suddenly attacked from behind?

Referring to FPS in movies and games, I continued to imagine parrying, deflecting, and thrusting.

The limit of about 50 minutes has now exceeded an hour.

My physical abilities are steadily improving.

However, I lowered my perspective. Hmm, my potbelly hasn't changed.

This, that. It seems I'm gaining muscle but the fat remains.

Well, there's no point in being pessimistic.

Drenched in sweat, I slumped and panted heavily.

I lowered my head and tried to catch my breath.

Suddenly, I noticed Rizu standing in front of me.

"Hehe"

From directly in front, she hugged my head.

"You're sweating."

"It doesn't matter."

I closed my eyes and got lost in the sweet scent.

"You're working hard. I know. But we're here for you, so relax."

It seems everyone is worried about me.

I feel a bit down, thinking I was so anxious.

"I love you. When we first met, there might have been some ulterior motives. But now it's different. Hiro?"

"Hmm? What?"

"I love Hiro. You prioritize not letting me or Fia get hurt. We also get sad when Hiro gets hurt."

Ah, that's right. It's a mutual thing, not one-sided.

"So, don't get hurt. Your hardworking appearance is cool, but I don't like seeing your heart hurt."

I looked up at her moist eyes.

"Rizu, I have something to say."

"What?"

"More than anything, I love you. I can't express it in words. I'm willing to sacrifice everything in this world. I don't want to let you go."

I raised my body and kissed her. It was sweet, long, and made everything melt away. I wouldn't mind becoming one with her.

The moonlight alone illuminated the world in blue. The faint sounds of insects, the wind, and the whispers of the world all blessed us.