Chapter 6 – I can make that declaration (part 2)

Editors: Puissansa & Momielxai

First Published on Ainus.h.i.+

I hid my jealousy and maintained my smile.

「Mimosa really is a good girl.」

I spoke in the gentlest tone I could manage.

「…Un.」

Mimosa-chan nodded vigorously and hugged me.

….Even though she looks to be about 8, her height was roughly the same as mine.

It's somewhat shocking.

「Ah- erm?」

「What is it?」

「Mimosa Bathory, 8 years old. Can you tell me your name?」

She introduced herself all of a sudden.

It was rather cute.

At this moment, I felt that my smile was no longer forced.

It couldn't be helped, right?

She really was cute.

「I'm Ria. 11 years old.」

「…older?」

「Yeah.」

「Then, you're Nee-sama!」

Nee-sama!?

I wonder why this gave me a yuri yuri feel…

This is what I yearned for in my previous life as a male – which I had given up on after becoming a girl – but right now the feelings were welling up in my heart…

Though when faced with the excessively sparkling pure eyes of Mimosa-chan, my wicked thoughts were blown away.

「Ano- Nee-sama?」

「Yeah?」

While I was still in the midst of confusion, Mimosa-chan caressed my stomach.

Ah- this is bad. She will think I'm fat.

To put it bluntly, it's a woman's shame.

Wait, isn't this the self-awareness of a woman? I started panicking a little.

「Is there a baby inside?」

Mimosa-chan's face was dyed with surprise.

Her servants too, raised voices of shock.

Appearance-wise, Mimosa looked to be around the same age as me.

This is inevitable too, right?

Her hand that was caressing my stomach without reservations withdrew with a start.

But, I rea.s.sured her.

「It's fine, try touching it gently?」

I held her hand and slowly placed it on my stomach.

My baby – who could read the atmosphere – kicked near Mimosa-chan's hand.

「Fuwawawawawa!? It went pokon! It went pokon, Nee-sama!!」

「Un, it's a greeting.」

「h.e.l.lo! I'm Mimosa!」

Uhha-☆

What is this soothing atmosphere?

The servants around seemed to feel the same way.

This is moe, isn't it?

She went kya-kya as she put her ear to my stomach.

If we become close, I'm going to make her cry again…

I felt a little depressed.

I'll be leaving this town tomorrow after all.

Leaving her behind, as her brother did…

I once thought that way.

I drew water from the well closest to my house, on the west side of town.

I lifted up the bucket full of water with both hands, 「yoisho」.

Back when I was a guy, I could probably hold a bucket in each hand, but now it's laborious for me to walk even with just one bucket.

If this had been Makugaia's port city of Soyuze, right now, I would have already received many helping hands. But in Aphaze, despite feeling many concerned gazes, it's rare for anyone to step out to help.

It's probably a difference in the citizen's dispositions.

Nevertheless…

As someone with the memories of a modern-day j.a.panese, this feels more comfortable.

When I'm truly in need of it, I do receive help.

It takes me 5 minutes to get to the well, but 15 minutes to get back. Entering through the backdoor, I poured the water into the water jug beside the kitchen.

「Hafuu…」

I panted, and sat down on a round stool in the kitchen to take a short break.

There's still so many things I need to do. But as a pregnant mother, I couldn’t even manage simple tasks.

It's kind of frustrating.

Still…

「I really want to eat something sweet…」

Girls in general likes sweet stuff.

As someone who used to be male, I didn’t really like sweet stuff that much.

But recently, I kept craving for sweet things.

Could this be the craving that pregnant mothers have, similar to the craving for sour food?

I stroked my 『8 months pregnant』 belly while pondering.

….Now then, I can't keep slacking off.

I still didn't have enough water for the day, and the traps I was granted permission to set in the sea, river and forest also needs to be checked….

「I need to focus.」

I reinvigorated myself and stood up energetically.

「Pardon my intrusion. Nee-sama, I brought a souvenir~」

Mimosa-chan's voice came from the entrance.

Totatota, she hurried over.

「Sorry for the intrusion.」

Her attendant said as she entered behind Mimosa-chan.

「Welcome, Mimosa. You sure are lively today as well.」

I greeted her with a smile.

In the end, I did not go to Mir. I stayed behind in this town of Aphaze, instead.

The reason being that I could buy a plot of land with a detached house cheaply with the a.s.sistance of the Bathory family, which was the head of Elder a.s.sociation.

While I'm at it, I should mention that with their help, I could use the valuables I had on me directly as payment as well.

Of course, I did consider other things, such as what I was going to do from now on.

After giving birth, I will focus on taking care of my child for 3 years, and live on my current funds, before going out to look for work.

Since I bought a plot of land with the house, I still have at least this much a.s.sets secured. Even if I won't be hired with my 11 year old appearance, when I’m around 14-15 , I would have grown up, so it will be easier to get a job.

This is all thanks to the Bathory family….or should I say, thanks to Mimosa-chan's attendants, making things so easy for me.

a.s.sets-wise, I've easily doubled it now.

That is why I stayed in this town.

Furthermore, I was introduced to embroidering for sale at home and it has gained me a small amount of income.

More importantly…

「Nee-sama!」

Mimosa-chan is here.

She's the first friend I made since I reincarnated.

Unlike the lip service from my time as a n.o.ble, this is a real…

…. – although she feels like an imouto – friend.

That's why.

Since I made a friend.

It can't be helped that I changed my initial plans, right?

I spent about 5 years in this town.

Giving birth and raising.

The most crucial and tough period was spent here.

In retrospect, I had my share of bitter experiences in this town, but…

「Sorry, I'm not yet done with today's ch.o.r.es.」

「It's okay! Mimosa will help a lot, so let's finish it quickly and go play!」

I don't hate a single aspect of it.

I can make that declaration.

Omake

The flow of events so far:

Anecdotes of future generations

The King fell for her at first sight when she was 14, it was a mutual love and she entered the palace as a concubine

Sailed east to Freedom City State from port city Soyuze via inland sea

Took up residence in Mir and was moved by the town people's spirit ← currently here

Reality

Kidnapped and locked up in the palace at the age of 11

After spending 2 months in Soyuze, sailed to Freedom City State

Took up residence in Mir and Mimosa-chan p r p r*← currently here

(TL note: short for peropero, which is a sfx for licking)