Chapter 354: Spoiled Rotten

Chapter 354 - Spoiled Rotten

We ate the curry that brought back memories with tears in our eyes.

I thought I made a lot, but we all had second helpings until the pot was empty.

I didn't just have a full stomach, my heart was full.

And after a day with so much going on, I was physically and mentally exhausted, and drowsiness came over me.

So, we decided to split up the work, clean up, and rest for the day... but......

"Hey, Espie, don't you have to clean up? Slayer is washing the pots and pans in the river and he'll be mad when he gets back."

"It's fine~ it's fine~ ♪"

Espie lay down, using my lap as a pillow. She put her hands around my waist and purred like a spoiled child.

"Big brother, your hands have stopped moving!"

"Yes, yes......"

And just a lap pillow won't be enough for Espie.

"Good girl, good girl...... will this do?"

"...... un...... I forgive you...... Gush...... un...... ehehe."

I gently stroked her head.

Espie became a little tearful, but soon grinned happily.

"It's Big brother...... Big brother's smell...... Big brother's hand...... Gush, it's actually real...... it's Big brother ~ ......"

Espie is older than me now. Older than Sadiz.

The body that was once easy to carry has now grown a lot.

You're an adult, how long are you going to be so spoiled? I couldn't bring myself to say that. No, in fact, I'm happy too.

Even though she's grown up so much, she's still my little sister and I'll spoil her again.

So, I put my heart and soul into it, and worked really hard for my sister who waited so long.

If she's happy with something like this, I'll be happy to do as much as I can ...... and ......

"You've been waiting for over 10 years...... "

"Un...... I waited... it was dreadful... and I fought... and then I waited some more..."

"Oh."

"And by the way, I cut off all ties with my country."

"O, oh, I see. Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"I'll restrain Norja...... n, never mind that. Another time."

"Hmm? Huh? Did you just casually mention an amazing name?"

"It's fine! Anyway, I just waited!"

As one of the Seven Heroes, she defeated the Great Demon King...... but that wasn't the end of it. There was so much more to her life after that.

After I left them behind, both she and Slayer had very intense and difficult days......

"Earth Lagann was born and grew up, but never showed any signs of becoming Big brother......"

"Ha, haha......"

"After the Graduation Match, I thought about blowing all those guys away, but I managed to hold myself back......."

"I see......

"Slayer opened the Equipment Shop so that you could find him as soon as you got to Ghenkan......"

"Is that so......

"But I couldn't take it anymore, so I went to Cacretale anyway, but we missed each other......."

"Yes......."

"Amae, was it? She's not your only little sister, you know?"

"Yes, it's true."

"Anyway! There was loads, loads, loads!"

"Ah."

Espie complained while being spoiled by my lap pillow. I listened to her and nodded, continuing to stroke her head.

And even though Espie complained, she purred and snuggled on my lap every time I stroked her head.

I still wanted to feel Espie, so I didn't stop stroking her.

But......

"Ah......."

""Ah......""

Slayer returned with a shiny polished pot in his hand and glared at us both.

"Wh, what...... what are you doing, skipping the cleanup?"

Oops, Slayer looked sulky...huh? That reminds me...Ah, that's right!

Just then I remembered something ridiculous.

Surely, Espie and Slayer were dating, right?

So, right now, I was stroking her head while her boyfriend was away......

"Hmm~? What is it~? Slayer. I'm receiving ten years' worth of pampering from Big brother, so don't interrupt me, okay?"

"Eehh!??"

Hey, don't provoke your boyfriend either!

Even I would be pissed if I saw Kron, Shinobu, or Sadiz lying on a man's lap and being pampered by him when I wasn't there...... no, it's not like Kron or Shinobu are my girlfriends yet......

"What are you doing to Brother, Espie!"

"He's mine~! My Big brother~!"

"Brother, you're guilty too! Always favoring Espie......m, m, me too, I ...... I've been waiting for over ten years too......"

"Eh, that's it!? That's what you're jealous of!?"

He's jealous of Espie, not me! No, no, these guys...... these guys are......

"Hah, Espie. You move a little bit."

"Eh? Why, Big brother! I'm not satisfied yet~!"

"Only halfway."

"?"

Espie had been resting her head on both of my knees, but now she's only resting her head on my right leg......

"...... Hmm."

"B, Brother......."

"Right...here you go!"

I slapped my left leg with a pop.

"Well, I guess that can't be helped. How old do you think I am, Brother? I'm not so young that I would ask for such childish things, but if you want to pamper me, I guess it's my role as a younger brother to comply......."

But, as expected, Slayer wasn't one to jump on the bandwagon right away.

He made all kinds of excuses... and that's why I......

"Hey...... Slayer"

"Eh?! Wh, what is it, Brother.......?"

"Let me take care of you too... come on, come on. Please."

"B, Brother...... Hmm."

Hahaha, Slayer looks deeply moved and teary-eyed.

When I first saw him at the Equipment Shop, I thought he was the cool, handsome type......

"Ah~, Slayer ~, you're crying~, spoiled brat~"

"S-shut up, I don't want to hear that from you!"

"It's fine~, I am a spoiled brat. If you're not, then Slayer, you can just clean up by yourself."

"I, I received a direct request from Brother! So, this, um, has to be done."

Slayer came over to me eagerly, arguing lightly with Espie, and although he looked a little nervous, he rested her head on my lap.

As I stroked his head......

"You've grown up so much...... Slayer ......"

"...... Brother......."

He became as quiet as a curled-up cat.

I'm the younger one here. These are my older brother and sister. It's clearly a contradiction. But the feeling is genuine.

I'll always be their big brother. I told myself that, stroking their heads as if to reaffirm it, and savoring the happiness I felt right now.

『In a fashion, I am present as well, but...... hold on? If our journey henceforth will be as such...... the child may not give me any attention at all...... no! Yes, indeed, I will have less time to train the child! This is a grave issue for a master. Well, from now on, I only need increase the intensity and duration of our Vier practice sessions while he sleeps! Yes, let us proceed as such!』