Leon Greyrat: The Second Son - Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 11 - Graduation

— Leon Greyrat —

It was the day after Rudy's birthday, and with my breath visible from the morning chill, I finished my morning workout just as the sun began to rise over the hills.

"Does it have to be outside the village?" Rudy meekly protested.

"Yes, it does. Otherwise, we might damage some of the farmland and houses. Come on, I've already got the horse prepared," Roxy explained.

"Can't we do it in the yard?" he persisted.

Roxy shook her head. "No, we can't."

Rudy pouted, "We can't, huh?"

Looking over at my forlorn little brother, I couldn't help but release a small sigh.

When he was little, I didn't think much of it, but now... it was quite obvious.

Rudy had never stepped foot past the garden walls.

Not only that, he was... afraid to.

I remember asking him to come along right when I started hanging out with Sylphy, as I wanted the two to become friends, but he was extremely reluctant to.

So much so that his legs trembled as I tried to pull him along.

Well... I suppose it was time for him to face his fears.

"But... aren't there monsters out there?" he asked.

"Huh? Not around these parts, no. Besides, even if there were, they would be weak enough that I can deal with them easily. In fact, you and your brother could probably handle them by yourselves as well," Roxy explained before frowning. "That's right... I remember hearing that you've never left home. You still haven't, have you, Rudy?"

Rudy scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Erm... no, I haven't."

"Even when your brother and his friend always play out there?" she asked.

He shook his head in response.

"Hmm... are you afraid of nature, perhaps? Ah! That's it! You're afraid of animals!"

Pff-!

Roxy... I don't think that's quite it.

I think he's just afraid of leaving the house just because, with no real reason for it other than fear of the unknown.

"N-No, I'm... not scared of animals," Rudy explained.

"Hehe, so that's all it is," Roxy smirked. "I guess, just like your brother, you also act your age sometimes."

Umm... I think she had the wrong idea, but I'd let it play out for now.

Maybe her obliviousness will help Rudy overcome whatever fear he had.

"Guess I don't have any other choice then," Roxy nodded to herself. "Hyup!"

"Bwuh!"

Contrary to my expectations, Rudy didn't struggle as he was placed onto the saddle.

Maybe it was because he had simply accepted his fate, or perhaps because he was in front of Roxy.

Lucky...

"There. Once we start riding, your fear will go away. Leon! Come on up!" she said to me.

"Got it!"

Heeding her call, I hopped onto the horse, with Rudy in front of me while Roxy clambered up behind.

However, since I was getting a bit taller, she couldn't easily see over me, and decided to rest her head on my shoulder.

...That feels nice.