034: Two Rests

October 4, 2020 - 8 minutes read - 1527 words

“Hmm…” Al

I awake to a cool winter temperature and a dazzling sunrise. Perhaps it is too early for me to get out of the futon. Of course, maids like Sarah and cooks like Bartolo would already be awake to prepare breakfast and handle early morning chores. Unlike the modern world I came from, this world is still in the rhythm of going to futon and waking up with the sun’s schedule.

I have the option of staying up late by utilizing Light magic, but I’m only a six-year-old child. Children of my age are forced by their body to get plenty of sleep every day. Before I go to sleep, I practice magic until I exhaust my magic energy, which causes me to want to go to sleep.

Right now, I’m still sleep. Furthermore, it’s chillly outside and I don’t want to leave my warm futon. Why are futons so attractive in winter? No matter how hard I train, I don’t know that I would beat the magical attraction of a warm futon in winter.

“Oh, futon. I don’t want to leave you. Absolutely” Al

I whisper sweet nothings to my futon and enjoy the slight warmth from the sun. Ahh, it feels like my body is floating in air, so happy. Once you have fallen asleep, you can’t feel the comfort of lying in futon. However, when waking up, you can enjoy the comforts of a futon and pillow.

“No… I have to go pee.” Al

If I get up from the futon, the cold, dry air will attack me in the blink of an eye. I’ve got to decide whehter I should leave my comfortable nest or brave the cold to deal with my bladder. I’ll have to choose one. Is this a conflict that all people will encounter, even heroes?

“No… I have to go to the bathroom.” Al

I can’t even enjoy going back to sleep when I have to visit the bathroom. In other words, if I ever want to get a little more sleep before really getting up, I’ll have to deal with the bathroom problem. But just before, I was making promises with the futon. Can I break those promises so quickly?

“Augh” Al

My heart is so conflicted.

I’ve decided… I’ll deal with the problem.

I open a heavy eyelid.

“Ugh!” Al

The sunlight pierces through my opened eyelid like a laser. What kind of punishment is this for simply opening a single eye? This toilet journey is starting out rough. Still, I have to move forward.

I slowly exit the futon.

“Ah ah ah ah! It’s cold!” Al

Cold air hits my feet like a shower of knives. I want to put my feet back under the covers immediately. I still have time, the covers have some residual warmth that would warm them back up.

But there is a greater problem at hand! My bladder is giving more signs that I have to deal with its problem. I have some pride, if I were to lose to my bladder, I would be ridiculed. As a man, I can’t let that happen. I feel sorry for my poor futon this morning.

“I’m sorry” Al

Once my whole body is out, midwinter rages around me. I put the covers back in place to conserve what heat is stored within. I can’t walk over to the bathroom, I’ll just Transfer to make it quick. I appear in the bathroom and pull down my pants…

“Huh?! What a dream, that felt too real.” Al

The season is still only autumn. Naturally, there is no winter breezes yet and nature doesn’t rage within the house even in winter. The morning air is a little cold when you wake up, but without a breeze, you’ll quickly get used to it. Finally, I have a bed in this world, not a futon.

“Oh! Tell me I didn’t wet the bed from that dream.” Al

I open the covers and check the crotch area. Peeing in dreams is dangerous, you never know when that command might actually happen.

“Safe… all dry this morning.” Al

All good this morning, no pride damaged.

“Ok, let’s roll over and get a little more sleep.” Al

In my dream, I couldn’t have a nice second sleep, let’s do one now.

Knock, Knock!

“Al, are you awake?” Silvio

My brother Silvio is knocking on my door from the hallway.

“Still asleep” Al

“Hey… Al?” Silvio

“It won’t work” Al

“I haven’t said anything yet!” Silvio

“Still no good” Al

“No, it’s for your own good” Silvio

“No! I don’t want to hear. Go somewhere else” Al

“Huh… I understand” Silvio

I don’t know if Silvio lost the will or if I amazed him with my stubborness, but Silvio leaves the door. It’s messed up my first attempt to go back to sleep. This is weird for Silvio to be up and about so early in the morning, wonder what’s happening. I’ll worry about that later, I’ll get back to sleep first.

“Al”

“…” Al

Why does my sister and brother speak so differently? In the case of Eleanora, she’s so forceful, right? She’s serious about what she’s saying now? I can feel a sort of aura from her. How did I get so much meaning from a two-letter word?

“You’re already awake, right? You just finished a conversation with Silvio when I walked by, didn’t you?” Eleanora

If you only caught the second half of that response, you’d think Eleanora was filled with jealousy. When you encounter female jealousy, you shouldn’t say anything to make it worse, right? So I’ll stay silent so I don’t make anything worse.

“I’m coming in…” Eleanora

She didn’t wait long, that was a quick decision.

The bedroom door opens roughly with a squeak. I wonder why I didn’t lock it yesterday night. Even if I regret it now, I can’t fix it.

“Get up Al” Eleanora

Eleanora calls to me, but I’ll play like I’m still asleep and snore a bit. Who would look at me and not thing ‘What a cute little brother’? Eleanora strokes my chestnut-colored bangs…

Then puts all her strength into her hand and grabs me by the face.

“Ouch! It hurts! It hurts! My face!” Al

It’s like an Iron Claw is gripping me.

“Did you really think that act would fool me?” Eleanora

“Yes, I was stupid when I did that, I wasn’t fully awake yet.” Al

Eleanora relaxes her arm, but keeps her hand gripping my face.

“Can you let go with your hand?” Al

“Not yet” Eleanora

Well, that’s great. Is she going to put a collar on me?

“Today is the second day of the harvest festival, so why are we getting up so early. I thought Count Melna and Viscount Lolina said they were going to relax in the mansion today.” Al

“Viscount Yulina. Al has such a malformed mouth, is that where the remarks come from?” Eleanora

Malformed mouth or a flat chest, which would be worse?

“Augh, that hurts! I didn’t say anything to you, did I” Al

“It was my women’s intuition saying that you were insulting me” Eleanora

Does she really have an oracle in her head?

“Anyway, we’re going to do sword practice all morning today.” Eleanora

“Dad didn’t say anything about that yesterday” Al

“They decided to do it this morning. Count Melna and Rumba came by to participate as well.” Eleanora

Well, Rumba just appeared randomly. Usually he’s working around in the village these days, why would he have come today? I’m sure he said he planned on returning to the royal capital before winter arrived. He’s talked about returning in the spring to settle down in the village. Sounds fine by me since he’s funny and kind. Plus, a B-rank adventurer would be nice to count on.

“I’d just be in the way, I think I should sit it out” Al

“You were nominated directly by Count Melna and Rumba” Eleanora

“Can you give me Silvio as a shield?” Al

“…shield…” Silvio

Hmm? Did I hear something from the hallway?

“I can’t give you Silvio, he couldn’t hold up to that.” Eleanora

“…can’t hold up…” Silvio

“Ah that’s right, Silvio has low defense.” Al

When I’ve tried to use the Silvio Barrier in the past, I’ve observed the low defense stat.

“…low defense…” Silvio

“If you understand the situation, get up and come on.” Eleanora

It can’t be helped if I’ve been called by Count Melna. Let’s leave the going-back-to-sleep to another day. Finally, Eleanora is no longer gripping my head. Is there a mark? I rub my forehead as we leave my room.

“Silvio, what are you doing over there crouched down? Are you coming to practice?” Al

When I made it into the corridor, I saw Silvio crouched over leaning against the wall for some reason.

“Al… today’s lesson. We’ll need to be prepared…” Silvio

Silvio is talking with a serious look. Hmm? Does that mean that today’s practice will be tougher due to Count Melna and Rumba?

“Yeah, let’s try our best” Al

I reply with a smile, let’s both try to survive!