TNZKMA 123

TN: I’ve removed all the Page Breaks I could find, which should fix the problem of missing the second half of the chapters.

 

１２３

 

Leaning against Mom’s tree, I sat there absentmindedly, thinking about how much had happened to her and Dad since I died.

[I’ve been in this world for one year now. How long have you been here, Mom?]

[Well… I don’t really know. There’s no sense of seasons here, so it’s hard to tell. Also, it’s been a while since I’ve been this clear-headed. Usually, I just stand here in a daze…]

I wondered if Mom’s tree was just an ordinary tree most of the time. I turned around and gently touched Mom’s tree. It felt surprisingly warm, unlike a tree at all.

[There’s a slight connection between me and the moving tree. So when you came into the forest before, I knew it was you. But I couldn’t move… At first, I only had a vague feeling that it was you. But as you were wandering around in front of the moving tree, my mind gradually became clearer. However you were the first person to ever come here, hence when I was conscious that I was in this place. But I’m usually just state that’s like half-awake.]

[When did you die, Mom?]

I’m the child Mom had when she was 18. So, there’s an 18-year difference between us. Since I had been buried for about 47 years after I died, if Mom had lived until then, she would have been 80.

[I remember that. I was 52.]

[52, which means, um, um…]

I sat down and used my fingers to calculate. When I ran out of fingers and tried to take off my shoes, Mom’s tree extended her branches towards me.

[Thank you.]

I thanked Mom’s tree and used the branch to help with my calculations.

Subtracting 18 years from Mom’s age of 52 means she was 34 when she died. Since I was 15 when I died, that means Mom died 19 years after I was buried.

[So, it’s been about 19 years since I was buried when Mom died. That means you’ve been reincarnated for about 30 years. What about Dad?]

[He’s the same.]

[Huh? The same?]

[Yes. I remember clearly. While I was lying there, knowing I was about to die, Masaya was lying beside me. We both died together, looking at each other’s faces.]

[Why die together?]

[I don’t remember the details, but I clearly recall the moment of death. Masaya and I died together at 52. I might recall why if I think a little more.]

[That’s amazing, even though I don’t really understand. It’s great you were together. I want to die with Saine, too. Or if not, I’d prefer to die first. Saine is older, but incredibly strong, and I want him to live longer than me. I really don’t want to be alone.]

I was really envious of Mom and Dad, who had been able to die together.

[Wanting to die first because you don’t want to be alone is a bit selfish, isn’t it? But Saine allowed it. He will die after me. He’s strong, so maybe he can manage being alone, but I still think it would be lonely. It’s incredibly lonely, and everything becomes cold here.]

I looked down and tapped my chest.

[I don’t want to make Saine sad, but I really don’t want to be alone… I’m truly pathetic.]

Mom’s tree swayed its branches gently.

[That person must really care for you.]

[… Yeah.]

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I looked down and gave a small, awkward laugh. It felt like introducing a partner to my parents, even though Saine is my husband, not just a lover.

[I’m a guy, and Saine’s a guy too, but… I really… I love Saine…]

I said that in a faint voice, but still directed it to Mom.

[Mom, do you accept him?]

[Well, I can’t really say whether I accept him or not.]

[Why not?]

[Who am I to make such grand statements?]

Mom replied somewhat dismissively.

[Isn’t it strange that my partner is a guy?]

[Not at all.]

[Really?]

[Whether it’s a guy or a girl or whatever doesn’t matter. You chose him, didn’t you? You love him, right? And he loves you too? Then that’s all that matters. There’s no problem.]

Mom’s voice was firm and clear, and it was obvious she meant it. I felt a wave of happiness.

[Liking or disliking someone is a personal matter. No matter what others say, it doesn’t change anything. I was told many times by my own mother to break up with Masaya, and Masaya was told the same. We were both foolish and useless, but we couldn’t separate. Even when we ran away and came back, we were together.]

[You and Dad fought a lot, but you were really close.]

I said with a chuckle, and Mom playfully tapped me with her branch.

[Be quiet.]

Her voice sounded a bit embarrassed. I continued to smile, rubbing my head. It’s nice for a child when their parents are close.

[If you were close, why did you cheat?]

I wondered about this again, now that I have Saine as my husband.

[That’s a different issue.]

[Is it?]

I wasn’t sure what to make of it.

[Sometimes, you just want to try something different. If you ate ramen all the time, no matter how much you like it, you’d get tired of it, right? Occasionally, you’d want something like udon or soba.]

[Saine said that food is different. If there’s no pork, you can switch to chicken, but you can’t just change partners.]

[… I see. So you were the one being taken?]

Mom teased me, and I hurriedly covered my mouth.

[Well, I’m a male Reincarnator. As a husband, it’s supposed to be that way.]

I explained, flailing my arms, while Mom laughed, shaking her leaves.

[Well, that’s fine. Unlike me, you’re honest about it. Let that husband of yours take good care of you.]

I blushed deeply and nodded vigorously.