This installment is a bit short.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, married.
Wife: Suella Henderberg
Memoria Tris
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee)
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class)
Position: Warrior
“I’m not interested. Fortunately, my husband makes more than the average person. I’m content with my current life. And you, don’t look so disappointed.”
“I thought you’d say that.”
Magic Aptitude: 10. Such a prodigy, even if she were a woman in her fifties, the Demon Lord’s Army would desperately want her.
Therefore, I could predict Suella’s answer to my mother’s invitation to join the company.
It was a typical “one-hit, two-cleave” response from my mother. She rejected it without even a hint of hesitation.
My father, showing his displeasure next to me, didn’t betray my expectations either. I patted Suella’s shoulder with a wry smile, accepting his reaction.
“Besides, I’m old now, aren’t I? My body can’t handle that kind of strain anymore. I’ll leave this kind of work to young Jiro.”
With that, Mother went back to drinking. She headed to where Miruru-san and Smilasta-san were, so further questioning would be futile. The moment she returned to her seat, I almost blurted out “You liar!” as she started laughing heartily, her back to me. But I didn’t. I knew that if I said anything, the object she held in her right hand – a cup that had magically transformed into a beer mug – would be flying at me at high speed.
However, I knew my mother was still very much active. Last New Year’s Eve, she was telling a story with a drink in hand about how she got into a brawl with some indigenous jungle dwellers and beat up all the men in their village. As proof, my father, in his drunken state, even showed me a photograph. It depicted Mother, arm in arm with indigenous people sporting unusual tattoos, smiling amicably. But I remembered clearly that the faces of all the men in the picture were bruised and battered. Naturally, Mother was unharmed.
That’s precisely why I say it. Even if Mother joined this company, she could demonstrate top-tier abilities. But wanting to avoid working in the same place as my mother, I remained silent. I might get told something by the supervisor later, but I suspect Mother would likely refuse even if the president himself asked her.
The banquet continued, with what was more of a surprise than trouble, and most of the members ended up drunk. The clock struck past midnight, and I felt grateful for this flexible workplace, knowing tomorrow was a holiday.
“You know, we rushed through the introductions, but are Suella and Memoria alright?”
While the main cleanup would be tomorrow, I busied myself with tidying up some of the dishes. Accompanying me were Suella, who was refraining from drinking due to her pregnancy, and Memoria, who was also moderating her alcohol intake. The rest of the men were grabbing sleep in the living room, while the women had moved to the bedrooms. So, it was just the three of us here.
“Yes, well, I was a little surprised, but…”
Suella was flustered, way more than “a little,” but I didn’t say that.
“Kirika-san, no, Mother-in-law, was a kind person. Her aura was somewhat similar to Jiro-san’s, so I enjoyed myself. Oh, and she laughed and said to definitely invite her to the wedding.”
“I was told that too.”
“Even if we don’t invite her, she’ll probably just barge in based on her intuition.”
The image of her forcefully storming into the wedding venue flashed before my eyes.
“Ah, speaking of which, it was all so hectic I forgot to ask Muil-san about something.”
“About Grandpa?”
“Yeah, you know, the contract with the spirits I mentioned before.”
“That? You’re right, if it’s Grandpa, he’s acquainted with the Elder Council.”
“As a human, I have less time with Suella and them, so I need to sort this out while I still can.”
“But is that alright, Jiro-san?”
“What do you mean, Memoria?”
“A contract with a spirit itself isn’t a problem, but the one you intend to form is with an upper-class spirit. That means…”
“Giving up being human?”
“Yes.”
I instinctively reached for a cigarette, then immediately stopped upon seeing Suella. Instead, I scratched my head, trying to organize my thoughts.
“It’s not a big deal. Well, I mean, if my personality changes drastically or my soul gets corrupted, I’d reconsider, but that won’t happen, right?”
“I haven’t heard anything to that effect.”
“Then it’s fine. If I can be by your side, I have no attachment to my body being human. Mother and Father will understand if I explain it to them.”
“Hoh, haven’t you gotten good at talking like you understand things, my son?”
My body flinched reflexively. Looking back slowly, I saw my mother standing there, grinning, holding two cans of beer. I thought she’d gone to sleep, but perhaps she woke up on her own intuition.
“I just wanted to have a private drink with my son before bed. Don’t be so wary. What you’re saying is true.”
She popped open one of the cans and handed me one. I accepted it, opened it, and we drank together. Suella and Memoria, sensing the atmosphere, quietly excused themselves, covering the sleeping parents with blankets and tidying up dishes.
“Aren’t they good kids?”
“Right?”
“Indeed. They’re almost too good for you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Are you underestimating your son too much?”
“When it comes to me, you’ll always be a son who needs doting on.”
“Is that so?”
I had no desire to argue that I wasn’t a child anymore. Even though they had a permissive parenting style, they raised me. I felt a sense of gratitude for that. So, I silently downed my beer.
“What do you mean by ‘giving up being human’?”
“Exactly that. My appearance won’t change, but my lifespan will, and I’ll be able to do things that normally aren’t possible.”
Being asked was, in a way, convenient. I explained the spirit contract in detail.
“Haa, it seems there are still many things in this world I don’t know.”
“It’s not surprising, but you accepted it readily.”
“Well, of course. After seeing the real thing? I don’t consider myself so stubborn as to disbelieve it.”
I expected more probing, but Mother accepted my story smoothly. I was taken aback, thinking she would say something else. However, she seemed a bit lonely. Her usually cheerful laughter was absent, perhaps partly due to everyone else sleeping, but likely for other reasons as well.
“Hey, Jiro. How far do you think a parent’s job goes?”
“What’s with the sudden question?”
“You’re about to become a parent too. You should be able to answer a question like this immediately.”
Still, she was my mother. With a wry smile, as if to say “It can’t be helped,” which Suella and Memoria would probably say was just like me if they saw it, I replied.
“For me, a parent’s job is only over when their child has a child of their own, and they see that child grow into an adult. That’s when it’s finished.”
“You’ll even look after your grandchildren?”
“Of course. After all, only when you reach that stage can you prove that your own child has become an adult. Only then can I finally lift the burden from my shoulders. It means my child has grown into someone capable of raising their own. Listen, Jiro. Raising a child means taking on responsibility. It’s not just about providing money. It’s not just about working. Children are mirrors of their parents. A single action from a parent devoid of affection can change a child’s growth.”
“…”
I vaguely understood what my mother was trying to say. Of course, she wanted me to be responsible as I was about to become a parent. But more than that, my mother, based on her own experience as a parent, was trying to teach me not as her son, but as a man about to become a father. It would be easy to object. I could just say, “I am me.” But I had no intention of doing so.
“So, become a great parent like me. Although I’ve lived freely, I don’t think I made mistakes in raising you. After all, you grew up into a fine man capable of capturing such wonderful women.”
To say otherwise would be to invalidate my mother’s actions just now. Ah, how long has it been since my mother last patted my head? It was as if she was praising me for doing a good job.
“You’re saying that yourself?”
“Of course, I am. After all, I have a filial son who makes me so glad to be your mother. He truly feels my love.”
“Hmph.”
Why would my mother say such embarrassing things? I felt myself blush. As if trying to escape, I took a drink of beer, and finally, my mother began to laugh.
“So, Jiro, don’t worry about it and move forward. If it’s the path you’ve chosen, I won’t say anything to interfere. And if you get into trouble, tell me. Even if you step outside the bounds of being human, you’re still my son. I still have enough strength left to pat your back until I kick the bucket.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be pushing me?”
“Ha! I’m not that soft. You better be careful not to be kicked in the rear.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll strive to do my best.”
Honestly, she’s just like my mother. Even when she’s a frail old woman, she’ll probably still be kicking me. And her way of encouraging me is just too clumsy. After all…
“Jiro.”
“Huh?”
“Be happy.”
“Of course.”
Though I was using the alcohol as an excuse, the amount of alcohol wasn’t enough to truly get drunk. I had to pretend to be drunk to say such words. Ah, perhaps today’s beer is the most delicious I’ve ever had.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, married.
Wife: Suella Henderberg
Memoria Tris
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time Employee)
Magic Aptitude: 9 (Quasi Demon Lord Class)
Position: Warrior
Today’s Word:
She is a little too strong, but she pushes me forward.
That is greatly appreciated.
That concludes this installment.
We hope you continue to enjoy this work.
If you found it interesting, please bookmark, rate, and leave your thoughts!
