True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 69 - The Festival Pt.3

Arthur Leywin POV

"Arthur! Rimuru!"

My Mom's voice cut through the festival chatter like a lightning bolt, making me wince. Several students nearby turned to stare, some hiding grins behind their hands. I caught sight of Lilia a few steps away, giving me a sympathetic look - clearly relieved it wasn't her mom doing the shouting this time.

"Mom, we're right here," I called back, trying to keep my voice steady despite the mix of embarrassment and fondness warming my chest. "The whole festival can hear you, you know."

Beside me, Rimuru was already bracing himself with that resigned smile of his. We both knew what was coming.

True to form, Mom practically flew from the cart, her auburn hair streaming behind her as she rushed toward us, skirts billowing in her wake. I barely had time to brace myself before she wrapped both Rimuru and me in one of her infamous bone-crushing hugs.

"Oh, my boys!" The familiar scent of lavender enveloped us along with her arms. Even after all this time at the academy, that smell still meant 'home' to me. "I've missed you both so much!"

When she finally released us (probably because she needed air), her hands immediately went into full mother-hen mode, fussing over our robes and trying to fix my messy hair. "Are you eating enough? You look thin. And Rimuru, dear, your collar is crooked. Have you been sleeping properly? Those books under your eyes tell me otherwise."

Dad approached at his usual peaceful pace, his deep blue eyes twinkling with amusement under those fierce eyebrows. His muscular frame and beard gave him an imposing appearance that was completely betrayed by the gentle smile on his face. He gave me a knowing look that clearly said, 'Your mother hasn't changed a bit.' We'd had this silent conversation countless times before.

"Alright, dear," he said, placing a calming hand on Mom's shoulder. "Let the boys breathe. We have the whole day ahead of us to thoroughly embarrass them."

"Lily!" Aunt Tabitha's voice rang out next, making several more students jump. Her usually neat black hair was slightly disheveled from the journey, but her light blue eyes sparkled with excitement as she spotted her daughter. "Lily, there you are, sweetie!"

Poor Lilia looked like she wanted to sink into the ground as Aunt Tabitha swept her into an enthusiastic embrace. Her long brown braid swung with the force of the hug, and her hazel eyes darted around nervously at the onlookers. Her face turned the same shade as the magical lanterns floating overhead. "Mom," she protested weakly, "people are watching..."

"Oh, let them watch!" Aunt Tabitha declared, adjusting Lilia's academy robe with the same motherly precision Mom had shown us. "My little girl is all grown up and doing so well at the academy! Have you been eating properly? Your face looks a bit thin..."

"She's been studying too hard," Mom chimed in, finally releasing me from her grooming attempts. "Just like these two. We need to make sure they're all taking proper care of themselves."

Uncle Vincent's arrival brought a welcome distraction. He approached with his characteristic easy stride, adjusting his glasses with one hand as he took in the scene. Despite his proper attire, there was nothing stuffy about his warm smile and the mischievous glint in his reddish-brown eyes.

"Well, well, well," he said with a hearty chuckle, clapping a hand on my shoulder. His grip was firm, almost challenging. "Look at you, all grown up. Ready to take on the world, are you?"I couldn't help but grin at his words, feeling more at ease with his familiar banter. "Well, I'm certainly trying," I replied, straightening up a bit under his gaze.