“Is something wrong, Maki?” Sers notices that I’ve stopped walking and turns to look at me with concern. His eyes scan me from head to toe, searching for any sign of discomfort or something unusual.
“What did you just say? The girls are living here? Since when?” At first, it catches me completely off guard. Thinking about it a little more carefully, there’s actually nothing wrong with it. The holidays have started, and this is a warm and peaceful place. It’s just a little strange.
“Yeah, they’ve been living here since shortly after you disappeared. They’re staying in your house, just like they did before the last semester started. Everyone in town already recognizes them as your wives. The townspeople are pretty happy to see them around.” Sers answers naturally. I had forgotten how carefree he can be about certain topics.
At that exact moment, four people enter the range of my senses, almost as if Sers’ words had summoned them. One of them moves much faster than the others. Her higher rank allows her to pull ahead.
I finally see the first one approaching like a rocket. Sers immediately understands the situation and quickly moves aside next to Ivad.
I’m attacked by a crushing hug powerful enough to leave me breathless and knock me to the ground. The first to arrive is, of course, Brendu. The princess is much faster than the others. I could feel her enhancing her mobility with her abilities.
“Where the hell have you been? Why are you only showing up now? Why do you look like nothing even happened?” She’s crying and gripping my clothes tightly. Tears stream down her face and fall onto mine.
“I missed you... we missed you.” Her gray eyes are red from crying.
At that moment, the others arrive as well. Their bodies crash into us. Tears are running down their faces too, and dozens of questions come flying at me, each one more intense than the last. I can feel the weight behind every word.
“I’m sorry... I’m always getting into trouble or disappearing somewhere. Thank you for always waiting for me and always being there for me. I truly appreciate it. I love you all very much.” My words come sincerely from the heart. For a brief moment, shy smiles appear on their faces before the crying intensifies all over again.
After several minutes spent lying on the grass listening to their complaints, they finally agree to get up. They have no intention of letting go of me. They’re holding onto my arms as if I only need the slightest opening to escape.
“I’m not going anywhere, I promise.” When we sit down beside my brother and his girlfriend, I think they’ll finally let go. I’m wrong. They’re still holding onto me, although at least their grip loosens slightly.
“Are you sure?” Sol asks, giving me a judgmental look.
“You made us worry and ruined our makeup. I’m not letting go.” Marga adds.
“I’m recharging my Maki energy. I’m not letting go.” Arisa is actually rubbing her cheek against mine.
“I already gave you some space, and then you disappeared. I’m not making the same mistake again.” Brendu punches me lightly in the ribs with her free arm.
“Girls, let’s go get cleaned up. You can’t stay in that condition when the whole family arrives.” Ivad stands up from her chair and invites them to follow her. They still look reluctant. “Sers will keep an eye on him and won’t let him go anywhere.” Only then do they finally release me.
“I’m putting a tracker on your forehead if I come back and you’re not here.” Brendu says before leaving. I laugh because I assume it’s a joke. I stop laughing when nobody else is laughing.
“That’s actually a great idea. I’ll ask my father if he can send some kind of device like that.” Marga rubs her chin thoughtfully.
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I stare at them for several seconds, completely confused. They all turn around and leave without another word. I can hear them discussing how to attach the strongest tracker possible to me, one capable of locating me anywhere.
For my own peace of mind, I’ll assume they’re joking. I want to believe the entire tracker discussion is just a game. Honestly, it doesn’t even sound like a terrible idea. NO. I refuse to accept having a tracker attached to me.
I slap myself simply for even considering the possibility. That is not normal.
“I admire your physical strength, but I admire your balls even more for being with all four of them. I couldn’t handle even one of them, let alone all four together. You’re truly destined for greatness.” Sers bursts out laughing.
“They bring me far more happiness than headaches. I can’t complain at all.” I let my body sink into the sofa. “That’s when I’m with only one of them. When all four are together, it’s a different story.” I let out a long sigh.
“Give me a preview of what happened. Did you fight someone strong?” Sers is incredibly impatient. “A diamond rank or a grade 5 monster? No, that can’t be right. The difference in power is enormous.” My brother must notice my smile because he stops speaking halfway through.
“Seriously? Which one? Did you win? Someone must have helped you.” He can’t believe it could be true.
“Both. That damned bastard ended up badly injured. I don’t know if I could have defeated him in the end, but I definitely gave the monster what it deserved, even if I could have died at any moment if I made a mistake.” I remember the final moments of the battle. “And for your information, nobody helped me. Both fights were one-on-one.” A proud smile forms on my face.
“I helped you.” I hear Glia complain.
“Well, Glia helped a little by strengthening my healing and death mana. She was also the final distraction that allowed me to land the decisive blow against the monster.” My sister is right. Without her, I would have had to fight much more defensively.
“Don’t you want to come out and say hello? Everyone will be happy to see you.” I ask Glia.
“I was planning to come out when everyone gathered, but I changed my mind. I’ll come out now and enjoy a little sunlight while everyone arrives.” She finishes speaking, and a second later Glia appears beside me.
“You’re seriously insane. I could understand you defeating ruby ranks while you were sapphire rank, but beating a diamond rank or a grade 5 monster is completely different. Jurisdiction is no joke.” He’s genuinely shocked.
Sers rises from his seat, walks over to Glia, and gently strokes her fur. “How have you been, Glia? You’ve become bigger and stronger than before. Thank you for always taking care of my little brother. I think he would have gone crazy or died without you.” The smile on Sers’ face is one of the most sincere I’ve ever seen.
“Everyone knows he’d be hopeless without me. At least they give me the credit I deserve. Maybe I’ll abandon him and stay here with them for a while.” Glia jokes mentally.
“Glia says she’s very happy to see you again. She also says she’s grateful she met me because I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to her, that she couldn’t live without me, and that she’s thankful I appeared in her life.” I repeat my sister’s words exactly as she said them.
The look on Sers’ face makes it clear he doesn’t believe me at all. Glia only smacks me with her Imra.
“You’re right, Sers. I would’ve gone crazy without Glia’s company during the hardest moments.” I smile at both of them.
“Why don’t you talk? I know you can do it, but you’ve avoided it all this time.” She’s incredibly intelligent and powerful. She also told me she could communicate with others if she wanted to. She simply chooses not to.
“Hmm... maybe I’ll do it today. I feel more confident about speaking with family for the first time.” She answers after thinking for a while.
Time flies by. I spend it talking with Sers about everything that has happened over the last few months and about the current position of our territory. I’ve just learned that my father will most likely be promoted to Baron next month. He’s the next candidate and fulfills all the requirements.
The support of the Marquis, the Duke, the new Viscount, and the King of Juka is a tremendous advantage. There’s practically no way he won’t be promoted next month. I’ve also learned that more governors have started supporting him, probably to earn the favor of a future obsidian rank—namely me.
In the middle of our conversation, I turn around and see two people walking calmly toward us. A warm smile immediately forms on my face.
My father and mother.
My father is gently supporting my mother. For a moment, she seemed ready to run straight toward me. He whispers something into her ear to calm her down, and they continue walking toward me at a steady pace. I stand up from my seat to greet them.
“Son.” My father’s voice is strong and warm at the same time. “You’ve become stronger. We’ve all been waiting for you.” His voice tries to sound calm, but I can feel his Imra slightly unsettled.
My mother can’t hold back any longer and pulls me into a tight hug. “One day, you’re going to scare me to death, I swear. But... I’m so happy to see you again. I hope I can keep saying those words every time you leave and come back.”
Her words create a knot in my throat. I hug both of them tightly. I can’t keep pretending to be strong in front of them anymore.