Leon Greyrat: The Second Son - Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 31 - Travelling

— Aisha Greyrat —

Clutching my brother's red scarf, I felt a warmth envelop my body, a different kind of warmth than the one coming from the bright sun above.

When I pulled it up to my face, I could smell the scent of sweat and grime from constant use, which might sound gross, but it also smelled like Big Brother, so it wasn't bad at all.

It made me feel safe... happy.

After all, by smelling his scent, it reminded me that my brother would do anything to protect me.

But while knowing that he would do anything for me made me feel giddy with joy, it also made me feel... guilty.

Here, on the Demon Continent, things were tough.

Much tougher than back home.

And with Norn and I here, slowing him down... I can't imagine how hard it's been for Big Brother.

No, I didn't have to imagine.

I remember the first week after we arrived here, after all, where Big Brother looked like he hadn't slept at all.

I knew I was a burden, and I accepted that... but that didn't mean I would have to stay one.

Even if only a little, I wanted to be helpful.

So...

"Big Brother?" I asked, tilting my head, just like Mother taught me in order to ask for things I wanted. "Can I ask you something?"

Pausing his maintenance on his sword, he looked back to me. "Of course. Is there something wrong?"

"Not exactly..." I tilted my head down. "Just... do you think you can teach me something?"

He frowned in confusion. "'Something'... What exactly do you want to learn?"

"Magic, writing... anything that would be useful!" I answered.

His frown deepened. "Where's this coming from?"

"Just... we-"

"We don't want to slow Brother down!" Norn interrupted me.

Huh? Was she... thinking the same thing as me?

Honestly, I didn't think my sister was one to think so much.

Well, two voices were better than one.

"Yeah!" I continued. "We wanna be helpful!"

And not be a burden.

I didn't expect to be able to make us go faster compared to if we weren't here, but at the very least, I didn't want to make things harder.

Sheathing his sword, Big Brother readjusted himself on the lizard so that he was facing both of us, his face stern as his eyes moved between me and Norn.

Eventually, he released a sigh before placing a hand on each of our shoulders.

"Listen, you two," he said. "While it might not seem like it, you are already being a great help just being here with me."

I shook my head. "No we're not! I remember..."

The first week.

Before we met Ruijerd, how tired he got, how hurt he got... all because he was watching out for us and needed to protect us.

That... I hated that.

"Anyway! Don't lie! I know we're a burden!" I said.

He smiled before shaking his head. "I'm not lying. You two are the greatest moral support I could have. Just one hug from my cute sisters keeps me energized for the whole day."