“N-gu, it hurts, it huurts“

“Hiii, do not come closer!“

“Where? Where is he?“

“Stop it, stop it, stoooop it“

“I’m scared, it’s dark, hii-guh“

A child is crying all the time.

A child fell down and hurt himself.

Like a scared puppy, a child ran away.

A child lost his parent in a crowd, and is now lost himself.

A child is being bullied.

In the middle of the night, a child awoke.

Every child of the same age is different.

The places are also different.

The reason behind my tears is also different.

But none of the above are the same child.

—————Help me, mother!!

「G-Good morning」(Shinichi)

「Ah, u-un. Good morning」(Rinko)

She, Nakamura Rinko, was slightly puzzled by his words of common morning greeting. It was not the first time he greeted her. It was just different from what she imagined.

「I’m sorry, did I wake you up?」(Rinko)

She tried to apologize, but his face told her “there’s no need to apologize”. He was up on the futon, a little drowsy, but that stopped her from finishing what she started. She only planned to do what was “appropriate for a parent”, but as soon as she opened the door, he jumped up and was prepared to fight.

「…………No. It’s the time I usually get up at」(Shinichi)

He replied, wiping his expression off his face. Rinko never encountered such an att.i.tude before. It was probably the door that woke him up. Because of his caution. Even in sleep, he was intensely sensitive to any signs of movement around him. That was necessary for him “in the past”. Identify someone from behind. Sense someone standing behind the door, and so on. When recalling his past life and thinking about his life today, there was one difference – manners. Rinko thought that it was sad, but she still smiled.

「Breakfast for Amaryllis –chan will be over in a minute. Change your clothes and put them in the laundry basket」(Rinko)

「Ah, yes. Thank you very much」(Shinichi)

「Fufu, don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about it. Because we’re family」(Rinko)

Feeling a little embarra.s.sed, the boy laughed and nodded with a troubling look on his face. She thought she shouldn’t worry about the bewilderment and pain that she was suppressing, considering all that has happened. Rinko came down to the dining room on the first floor because they had to wait for everyone. There was no sadness on her face, but in her mind she was thinking “even if I’m impatient, it’s worthless”. Meanwhile, hearing the sound of descent down the stairs, the boy breathed out in relief.

「Kyui, kyui」(Fox)

He shook his head when he heard the anxious cries near his feet.

「I’m fine, it was just a nightmare. Today it was embarra.s.sing content………I wish it was. It’s painful to see now.」 (Shinichi)

A mother is the main figure and force behind a little child. Even while wearing a fake smile and laughing feebly, you can look up at her and see the sadness in her eyes, but she still won’t say a thing.  Child that is nothing more than a crybaby and a wimp does nothing but embarra.s.s his own mother. The feeling of pain was far apart from the one of embarra.s.sment.

It was the sixth day after his return from Farandia. He-Nakamura Shinichi, started his new life as a part of the new Nakamura family. After his experience, this peaceful everyday life is a strange thing for him.

Little time was needed for the Nakamura family to finish their breakfast. Toast, bacon and an egg with salad were today’s menu. Either the new Nakamura family is a western food lover or there are a lot of those menus. It turns out Rinko misunderstood something a bit, but it was all cleared up later. The people unaware of the fact were washing dishes side by side in the sink.

Thanks to that, they ate until they were satisfied. She-Amaryllis was dozing off in the living room. There are two reasons she dozed off, one, because she felt anxious and was guarding him through the night so she didn’t sleep, and two, because warm sunlight on her skin, coupled with a full stomach made her drowsy. Shinichi was cleaning when he saw her and signaled his approval with his eyes. She was suddenly attacked by a partner larger than her.

「Kyaa-u!」
「Kyuui!?」

One of her swaying tails was suddenly grasped and pulled. Reflexively, she was about to take a mid-attack posture, but when she recognized the “one” responsible for this, she gave up midway.

「Ah, oh!」
「Kyuu!!??」

She was held at the half-point of her tail and forced to hang like that. Both Rinko, cleaning, and n.o.buhiko, reading the newspaper, became pale in an instant. His partner is a protected animal. It’s not possible to keep her, but she won’t get away from Shinichi, so she’s living in the house. Thankfully, there was a law in place that respected the creature’s intentions.

Originally from the danger zone on Garesuto where creatures constantly fight for domination, this is a look at her status, worthy of her reputation.

(TL: My first table on wordpress sucks xD, I’m still experimenting so it might change in the future)

They don’t know it, but there are more stats, her magic is AAA and her skill is C+ rank. Skill may seem inferior to other stats, but if you were to compare it to others on Farandia it’s already top-notch. She takes pride in her high rank and could easily kill a baby with a swing of her tail. She never separated from Shinichi up until now. She was quiet so she had been forgotten. Looking from afar, it seemed like an emergency, like a giant dragon with three necks in the eyes of the couple. Their son tried hard to trample her tail, but she didn’t have the slightest intention to hurt the baby.

「Aii, kyaa-wa-!」

「KyuiiKyuii!!」

“Please stop it younger brother!

Aaiiya the tail’s coming off! Please stop!!“

Are you going to stop him? It’s a child from a different mother, but it’s still his younger brother. Further on, it’s a little baby that doesn’t know anything. She can’t raise a hand against a little baby. All the while, the couple were at a loss for words, completely stunned, frozen in place. Shinichi slowly lifts up the little fearless baby that made her into a toy.

「n, yaa-, a-!!」

「Kyukyuu!」

「Hey Shinji, no……it hurts hurts. She’ll cry cry you know?」

While holding the baby, Shinichi gave an example of opening and closing the hand so the little baby could see. Then the baby repeated his movement and let her tail go.

「nn, nai, nai」

「Kyuu, kyuuu……」

「Un, great Shinji…..sorry」

Did he understand what Shinichi said or was it pure imitation? Anyways, he praised Shinji by stroking his head for being obedient and promptly letting off her tail. He turned and apologized to her with a wry smile, however since she was just freed she escaped to a small distance away from him and the baby. She shook her head left and right implying she doesn’t mind.

「Da-uu-, ya-!」

「Oh, oh. Well, cheer up.

Now, how did you get out of the bed?」

He vigorously moved both of his hands as if he wanted to appeal to his older brother to play with him. Shinichi turned to Rinko, she nodded and he then proceeded to play with his younger brother. Amaryllis was watching them from a distance with a calm but gentle expression on her face.

「………The first time they met face-to-face, I’m surprised Shinji accepted him so well. I guess it’s expected, they are brothers after all……」(n.o.buhiko)

She was glad, the sight was very heartwarming for her, since she thought her child was considerably shy and wouldn’t so easily play with a stranger. Dealing with Shinji, Shinichi’s face revealed an exceedingly gentle and soft expression.

「It could be also that Shinichi is good at dealing with babies, a quality from his past family life.. He takes care of the baby well……really」(n.o.buhiko)

It was his father talking about him, recalling the past. Therefore, it’s a little sad, since the brother with whom he should be on good terms distanced himself. If her opinion is accepted, maybe this reunion is lucky. Well, thinking about such things now is only denying the current happiness.

「You……」(n.o.buhiko)

It was harsh to watch him, as his wife, retreating deeply into his thoughts and not finding the answer.

「………Shinichi-kun looks happy, look」(Rinko)

Half-guessing, she pointed at the scene of the two sons playing together. He was all smiles, playing by screaming and waving a toy for his brother, since a baby can’t communicate, the same way he remembered his father playing. His son, lost in a harsh environment for 8 years had not changed and the sight moved him to tears.

「Aah, that’s right. Good……Shinichi really made it back home.」(n.o.buhiko)

With an overwhelming smile, Rinko continues speaking.

「I’m happy too. That I could give Shinichi a younger brother. And that our son is able to be a brother to Shinichi.」

It was her who had given him the name 『Shinji』, because he is the younger brother of the, until recently, missing 『Shinichi』. He was glad, but still didn’t want to name him 『Shinji』, but since she was persistent, unyielding and thought it was good, he succ.u.mbed and the baby was named 『Shinji』.

「Thank you, I’m really taken care of by you.」(Rinko)

「That’s why we’re married. I will take care of you even more in the future!」(n.o.buhiko)

The husband, a year older than his wife, was smiling wryly, his chest beating. In his mind, he felt deep indebtedness to her.

「W-Well……as expected of a man. I want to do my best to earn even a little bit more.」(n.o.buhiko)

「Yes yes, I’ll be patiently waiting for you～」(Rinko)

The difference between general trading company workers and elites was too much, therefore she turned her gaze to her sons, ignoring her husband’s disheartened voice. The scene was one of a distant brother and a one-year-old brother playing together and yet, it has only been a few days since returning and coming to live with them. To Rinko and his father he seems like an ordinary boy with complicated circ.u.mstances.

That’s why it makes her angry she has to monitor him.

Just remembering the playful manner in which her superior ordered her makes her tremble in anger because only she can understand how long her husband has waited for him to come home. And then, just hearing his joyous voice when he came back home. And immediately after, the order which she couldn’t agree on came without a moment’s notice.

8 years ago, an organization, to which she belongs, dealing with problems from the different world was established. At that time, technology and knowledge about it was released to the public. Since then, people from Garesuto and Earth began to interchange. Adjustments have been made on a political level, but nonetheless, various problems appear here and there in a private exchange.  From the beginning, several corresponding sections have been prepared beforehand for things that were to be expected. For example, the crimes committed on Garesuto are in the jurisdiction of a peace maintaining organization called『Different world crime control』, made to respond to the high technology and crimes committed in the different world. The post Nakamura Rinko belongs to is a mobile unit that single-handedly undertakes first response situations at the j.a.panese branch office. It’s hard work, going first to the site, a.s.sessing the situation and making a report. However, there is a lack of good photon handling personnel. In accordance with that, they’re treated as high rank – high payment. The welfare program is perfect and she felt no problems upon her return from maternity leave.  On Garesuto, such a mobile team dealing with first contact is equipped with photon tools. Their missions range from arresting illegal travelers or preventing and neutralizing the illegal transport of goods. Rinko wasn’t surprised such an instruction has been made.

「……monitor Shinichi!? Eh, wha-what do they mean by that!?」(Rinko)

It was the third day after his return. That very day they left him alone at home. Top management officials transferred from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and ordered her to do it. Surprised, she asked again to confirm the order. From her perspective, this person ordering her is only interested in achievements and rising up the ranks in his career. He seemed the type of person that sparks a psychological aversion in everyone he meets, in a manner that anyone dealing with him will think he lacks something as a person. She is a person who follows orders she can respect, but for this one she required an explanation.

「You, I want to know why」(Rinko)

Her question is troublesome, but realizing she won’t move without him answering it to some extent, he started logically listing reasons with a cold, emotionless voice.

「Nakamura Shinichi.

He definitely matches various data about his ident.i.ty. He should have been dimension drifting in the dangerous area for 8 years, but he was only there for 2 years. I do not know the specificity of this abnormality.」(Unknown officer, explanation mode)

Though his tone was polite, it sent shivers through her spine and she couldn’t retort. It was a phenomenon she herself and everyone else around her thought was unnatural. The whereabouts of this junior high school student in a dimensional drift for 8 years were unknown. He should have been over twenty, had he actually lived through those 8 years.  Disregarding his haircut, his face would have matured and become one of a high school student. Even she was able to recognize Shinichi from a picture. Further on, he couldn’t hide his surprise about the year being 2022. Considering it all, it is highly unlikely that he is acting.

「You know it too, but if you fall in a dimension hole, you end up in Garesuto. For time slips to appear in the reverse travel is rare. However, it is usually just one month more or less, two months at maximum. A time slip of 6 years is impossible, but it actually happened.」(Unknown officer uses condescending tone)

It is difficult to believe, but his body was examined. Since the result confirmed he was 15 years old, there was no choice but to admit it happened. On the other hand, when Garesuto was scanned a month ago, he was not found. It could be that he fell into a dimension hole and drifted back one month later and that was the mainstream opinion so that minor detail wasn’t considered a problem.

「Wh-What connection does that have with the order for him to be monitored? It is certainly unnatural, but even scientists in Garesuto don’t completely understand dimension drifting!」(Rinko)

The fact is that, statistically speaking, a time lapse of around one month was the limit. It is also said that time doesn’t exist in the s.p.a.ce between dimensions. There is no harm for flesh and blood creatures if they are there, between dimensions, for such a short time. However, staying in that place for 6 years is impossible.

「Certainly, there is no need to move out just for that. His unnaturalness is not only in that Nakamura-san」(Unknown officer being a smug b.a.s.t.a.r.d)

As if this case was his favourite, the officer showed her what he meant by “another unnatural thing”.

「There was an investigation of the place where he returned in order to further confirm it was Garesuto he returned from, and according to a report from an a.n.a.lysis group they couldn’t identify if it was Garesuto, in fact they couldn’t even trace it.」(Unknown officer, back to explanation mode)
「Eh, but they should have been dispatched because there was a report that a hole has opened」(Rinko)

「Correct. Therefore there should be traces of it opening. However, they do not know where it is. Technically there is a trace of energy left when migrating from one world to the other as a drift trace back. It was never found despite the fact that he just arrived.」(Unknown officer, investigation 101 lesson)

Quite the contrary, it was said that there was no trace of something coming through. Since he wasn’t detected, they thought it was just a dimension hole.

「It is possible that someone erased the traces, that was concluded from the situation by the a.n.a.lysis group. Since he pa.s.sed through, it was ascertained it was not natural. After receiving the report, it was determined in the office that it was something different from the usual dimension drift.」(Unknown officer, having  a brain, unlike someone in this novel)

「I would understand if I was ordered to investigate that, but why the order to monitor him?」(Rinko)
It was logical, but that still doesn’t explain the order to monitor him. She could understand if it was an order to investigate and interrogate, but the reason why it was needed to monitor him was beyond her.

「The selected approach for this matter comes from various upper echelons. There is a good chance that someone else has pa.s.sed together with him illegally. He himself as someone with an all D status is out of the question. Amaryllis has high ability, but to erase traces of high technology, no matter how knowledgeable she is, is impossible for her. 」(Unknown officer, throwing the ball in someone else’s court)

It’s reasonable to think that there is a third party involved and it’s highly unlikely that it’s hiding in this office where they are, right in the middle of the Department.

「A guy using something like an invisible cloak to escape is possible. There is a chance he will come to Nakamura Shinichi’s home. Even if it’s a remote possibility he might come there, I won’t take any chances. I will find him.」(Unknown officer, an unexpected gambler)

「Bu-But he was in a danger area where no one can enter. How was he supposed to meet someone……」(Rinko)

「The only evidence are his testimony and Amaryllis. The main habitat for that creature is there, but it could be somewhere else too.」(Unknown officer, mercilessly crushing her arguments)

「But if he was in another location, he would have returned by regular means already!」(Rinko)

Ever since first contact 8 years ago, the Garesuto side was very thorough. She a.s.sumed it was one of the cards they played in their negotiations with Earth and even now, that hasn’t changed. To many people in that world who know of Earth, black-haired j.a.panese individuals stand out and are easily found. Another reason they are found so quickly is that everyone in that world is obliged to help by the order of their leaders. The only way for them not to be found is if they are in an area that even people from Garesuto cannot enter. Antic.i.p.ating her reasoning, the officer struck preemptively.

「Indeed, but it took two years for him to commit a crime, if not then, it was just a matter of time until he committed it. In fact, that a child with such low abilities is under protection from Amaryllis for 2 years is just miraculous, don’t you think? The creatures there have all A at the least. 『I was in another place in that world committing a crime and couldn’t be found』. Something like that, I think is a realistic idea.」(Unknown officer, being judge, jury and executioner)

「I understand what you’re saying, but after all, it’s just circ.u.mstantial evidence. What, since I just met him after 8 years and since I didn’t know him before, him being my stepson suddenly clouds my judgment!?」(Rinko)

He heard her, knowing it wasn’t even a long-shot to paint her as an accomplice, it was the Hail Mary of Hail Mary’s. The six years of difference will be investigated by monitoring him. She has gone too far asking to live in the same house and stepped outside of her bounds. Suddenly, gasping, Rinko realized something and a certain concern appeared on her face.

「No way. Is that why the adopting was faster than usual?」(Rinko)

After he was discovered, his birth and parentage already became clear by the third day. Testing and listening still continued normally. And yet, Shinichi was done exceptionally fast and left in the care of the Nakamura house. When she finally realized and asked if that was the reason, the officer nodded.

「You’re quite perceptive. Generally, it’s also because the result of the physical examination was normal. It’s good luck for us that you’re his father’s wife. It’s easy to monitor him. He would be monitored outside, but inside the house it would be difficult.」(Unknown officer, revealing his evil plan)

Stating the facts with a cold voice. So selfish. She was already boiling with anger towards him who doesn’t care about others feelings. Still, if she were to throw a fit in rage here, she supposed there would be some serious consequences.

「……Being in charge is no different. The information team and search team do not have any leads. This order is for you to disregard your family relationship. Usually, it’s normal for someone in this position to be removed from duty, so consider yourself lucky.」(Unknown officer, showing his tender side)

From what the officer said, she surmised that for them it is no problem. And considering she was ordered by a superior, any problem will be cleared. Since it’s personal, they know she can’t be trusted, but they also know she has the ability to run a criminal down. Also, she wanted to know what was happening here.

「Although you are missing that kind of expertise, you are aware that people living together decide together.」(Unknown officer, captain obvious is obvious)

——Thank you very much for the praise!

Rinko bit her lip in order not to sarcastically retort. This is the first time she had a bone to pick with a superior officer, even his metaphor made her embarra.s.sed.

「Even though you are his parent now, you just met the other day. He will not suspect you, after all, you have to spend time together. Do your duty and disclose Shinichi Nakamura’s mask.」(Unknown officer, an unnaturally perceptive fella)

Thinking back on this conversation, Rinko felt she needed to congratulate herself for not losing to rage.

—The man, knowing the circ.u.mstances only from the report, selfishly orders her how to behave!

She wanted to knock him down and use him as a punching bag. Even though he is only formally her boss, he got that position due to hard work, because Rinko actually outranks him. Using violence is, naturally, not allowed. (Why? It’s perfectly normal) Shinichi’s face appeared in her mind and she calmed down. A face too quiet and too sad, understanding that 8 years have pa.s.sed for his family members. There was no choice, no mistake. It was correct. That’s the case. He didn’t blame his mother and sister for what they said and he stoically accepted it all. Recalling what he said, with a deadpan face, sorrow quickly overcame her anger.

「………I understand」

She accepted her duty so calmly that even she was surprised. She decided to protect him, since if she refused, the alternative was surely much worse. Given appropriate justification, this organization could take him away from them. Although it was fortunate they were able to meet (Shinichi, his father and her), she did not want to add to this man’s accomplishments. If that makes it easier for them to monitor him, she took the opportunity and returned home. That’s all she could do to let Shinichi and n.o.buhiko spend time as a family. Anyways, it’s not like anyone from the Department, except her, knows what happens inside the house. Her mind was firmly set, and she decided——-

n.o.body noticed a white mask watching all of them the whole time.

The orders couldn’t force Rinko to monitor properly. Everyday her report to the superiors was “an ordinary boy”. They would doubt it if it was completely the same every day, so she changed it a bit every time, because it was dangerous to report the events correctly to them. However, this did nothing to alleviate her worries. Could she succeed in deceiving, considering how persistent the authorities are?

「Un, it’s okay. I’ll protect him」(Rinko)

Even if they aren’t related by blood, he is still related to her in the family register. Of course he will never call her mother. She also didn’t completely think him a part of her family because he was her husband’s child. That was enough for her. Her motherly instincts arose when she saw him enduring it all that day. That also helped her become a better mother.

「What was that. Did you say something?」(n.o.buhiko)

「Eh, ah, no! I-I thought of making something Shinichi-kun likes for lunch!」(Rinko)

「It was breakfast a short while ago and look, it’s already noon?」is the sentence that was written all over her face, so she rushed with asking about the lunch. She had a feeling her husband thought something improper, but in the end discarded that thought.

「Ah, I see. I forgot that you’re a glutton. I think Rinko’s favorite will be fine with Shinichi……」(n.o.buhiko)

「Eh, I-I’m not gluttonous! I just eat more because I practice and have more physical strength than a normal person!」(Rinko)

Beet red in the face, she was denying all he said. It’s because she heard him say that she eats more than she works.

「Yes, is that so? When I met you for the first time, you finished a large steak serving before the time limit! I think that you’d easily succeed in challenging the menu.」(n.o.buhiko)

「Wa!!

Please don’t say that in front of the children! It’s embarra.s.sing!」(Rinko)

Rinko prevented him in saying it loudly, but she didn’t notice that that actually drew more attention. n.o.buhiko, on the other hand, was smiling happily.

「Isn’t it fine? Because I was surprised at that I met you」(n.o.buhiko)

「Such a beginning of love is not something you go telling around!」(Rinko)

Hearing what he said, Rinko was making ーkyaーnoises. This only encouraged her husband. He was enjoying it. Like father, like son. Shinichi truly takes after him. From the conversation, Amaryllis concluded they were similar.

「…………you’re flirting in front of……the children?」(Shinichi)

「Uーuー, aー?」

Hearing his son’s reaction, he sighed. His younger brother nodded in his place, while he was moving him up and down. It made him smile, but there was also a hint of worry at the back of his mind. How could he erase what he just heard from his mind. He patted Shinji’s head and put a smile on his face to cheer up. In the end, there’s nothing he can do about it.

————Hapiness of the family I had, disappeared because of me.

The sight of this happy family was heartwarming, but there was also a slight pain.

AN: I think you already noticed, but the main character is m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.tic.