Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 37

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 37   Second adolescence

Not only mom but also Marie, huh?

She’s only ten, so I don’t think there’s a problem, but there’s still some resistance, just like with mom.

It’s not as bothersome because she’s my older sister.

But it’s not like I’m completely unaffected.

When the skin is exposed, I can’t help but look.

Anyway, I have to keep calm.

It’s okay; I’m calm.

Entering the changing room at the end of the hallway, I quickly discard my clothes.

Covering my private parts with a towel, I immediately enter the bathroom.

The early bird catches the worm.

Being late is fatal.

“Oh my, boys are quick, aren’t they?”

“Come on, Shion, wait.”

I won’t wait. It’s dangerous to wait.

The bathtub is just big enough for three people.

The usual way is to rinse off the dirt before getting in and soaking in the bath.

By the way, there seems to be something like soap.

It’s surprising, but soap itself has been around on Earth for a long time, so it might not be that strange.

Though the scent is a bit weak.

I quickly rinse off the dirt with hot water and scrub with soap.

However, the dirt is quite stubborn, doesn’t come off easily, and it permeates my whole body. It’s the worst.

“Come on! Wait for me!”

“Hehe, be careful not to slip.”

Oh no, what a situation.

Both of them have come in.

But I’m desperate to avoid looking and wash my body.

I sense their presence coming from beside and behind.

Ugh, what a quick reaction.

It’s as if they’re like kobolds.

“Mom will wash your hair for you.”

It seemed to be my mother who was behind me. Without my consent, my mother began to wash my hair. Next to me, it seemed like my sister was washing her body.

“Ouch! It, it stings…”

“But you have to wash properly.”

“I-I know…”

Even though I usually only hear deep voices in the bathroom.

What’s going on? Just hearing a woman’s voice makes it feel like a completely different space. No, no, what am I thinking? They are my mother and sister.

There’s no way I would have any impure thoughts about my family. None at all! And then, something soft hit my head. Instantly, my face grew warm.

“I-I’ve had enough, okay!”

I hastily poured water over my head to rinse off the foam and got into the bath.

“Mmm, geez! You don’t have to hurry that much!”

Well, I have to hurry. It’s too defenseless. It’s only natural since there are only family members, but for me, it’s not that simple.

It’s like the feeling of becoming an adult and suddenly having a younger mother.

Or perhaps, if the mother’s stepchild was a girl. The actual ages are different, and considering my mental age, my sister is quite a bit younger.

Oh, I don’t know what’s what anymore. Anyway, I have to get through this time. I soak in the bath for a bit and then quickly get out. Let’s go with this. While my mom and sister are washing, I keep avoiding eye contact.

While Mom and my sister were washing themselves, I kept averting my gaze.

I mustn’t look. If I do, I’ll be in trouble.

Desperately squinting, I focused my eyes in the opposite direction, contemplating the day after tomorrow.

After a few minutes of soaking, it seemed like the two of them had finished washing.

Let’s get out now.

A quick wash with a crow’s bath is good enough.

I need to escape from this heaven-turned-hell as soon as possible.

“I-I think I’ll get out now.”

I hastily tried to get out of the bathtub.

“Oh, no, that won’t do. You must properly warm up. Besides, we finally get to bathe together…”

Ah, Mom is making that sad face again.

Certainly, it wouldn’t count as bathing together like this.

At least soaking in the bath together for a little while might make Mom more satisfied.

Resigned, I returned to the bathtub.

“Well, just a little longer then.”

“Hehe, thank you, Shion-kun. Now, let’s get in, Marie-chan.”

“Yeah. Hehe, it’s the first time for the three of us to bathe together. It might be fun.”

Don’t look so happy about it.

Now, I might be even more trapped.

I averted my gaze from the two and continued counting in my mind.

Just a few more minutes, and it should be fine.

Until then, empty my mind, and keep my eyes away from them.

That’s the plan.

While thinking about this, Mom embraced me from behind.

Once again, something soft and weapon-like hit the back of my head.

Are you doing it on purpose? Are you doing it on purpose?

Suddenly, blood throughout my body began to boil.

This is bad. Worse than expected.

I’m not completely against it. But, umm! I can’t say that I like it.

It’s troubling. I don’t really understand my own feelings. I don’t see my mother as that kind. But, I don’t see her completely as a mother either.

It’s very difficult to explain in words. The elasticity hitting my head is dulling my thoughts. I have to endure it. If I endure it a little longer, I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

“But both of you have grown so much. Not too long ago, I still thought of you as babies.”

“Oh? Is that so? I don’t know if I see myself that way. I’d rather become an adult sooner.”

“Hehe, there’s no need to rush. You’ll become adults soon enough. When you become adults, you might even wish time didn’t pass so quickly.”

“Hmm, I can’t imagine that.”

“It might be challenging for both of you, but cherish the present time.”

Those words carry weight.

I’m an adult too, so I understand, but time is finite. However, the appreciation for the importance of time comes with adulthood. And even as adults, effectively using time is challenging. I don’t think I can do that either.

“I don’t really get it.”

“It’s okay not to understand. Just remember. It’s okay as it is now because both of you are doing your best.”

After that, Mom shared some everyday conversation and some insightful stories. Come to think of it, I haven’t had many opportunities to talk with Mom like this. So, I missed the chance to leave the bathtub.

Mom’s words were quite enlightening, but the sensation hitting my head is disrupting my thoughts. It’s not good. It’s the limit. This is the limit. In various ways. It’s about time to get out.

“Oh, I think I’ll be getting out soon.”

“Really? Make sure to dry off quickly so you don’t catch a chill.”

“Y-yeah. See you later, Shion, Mom.”

Oh no, what a situation.

My sister has decided to get out first.

If I leave now, we’ll end up drying off together.

I have to wait for a while.

I listen only to my sister’s fading footsteps and keep avoiding eye contact.

However, my mother didn’t let go of my body. It seems like it will take some time to escape from this gentle restraint. As I was thinking about what to do, I heard a giggling voice from above.

“Shion-kun, it’s okay not to be so shy.”

“I-I’m not really shy…”

My mother seemed to see through me. My true feelings were exposed, and my face grew even hotter. My mother tightened her grip on my arm. Her chest pressed against my head. I panicked and looked up at my mother, unable to say anything. My mother smiled sadly.

“I’m sorry, Shion-kun. I’m sorry.”

Why is she apologizing?

Why does she have that expression?

I didn’t understand, and I didn’t have the courage to ask for the reasons.

I could only perceive some emotion transmitted through Mom’s arms.

I touched Mom’s arm, trying to comfort that emotion even a little.

After that, a silent atmosphere enveloped us.

In the midst of feeling Mom’s heartbeat, body warmth, and resilience, I could only be bewildered.

After a while,

“Hehe, I’m sorry. Maybe it’s time for Mom to get out soon. Shion-kun, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll stay in a bit longer.”

I couldn’t look at Mom.

I couldn’t leave together.

And, well… various problems were happening.

“Yeah. See you later, then.”

“Yeah, later.”

I avoided looking at Mom and lowered my gaze.

When I heard the sound of her leaving the changing room, I finally relaxed my shoulders.

Honestly, I felt a bit lightheaded.

I wanted to get out soon, but I had to wait a little longer.

I was the one who wanted to apologize.

Yeah, sorry about that.