85. Saten of the Cecilia Family. And, Mage Saten (1)
After granting Estia's wish,
I had fulfilled all the children's wishes and was able to return to my ordinary daily life.
In the mornings and afternoons, I taught Luna and Hare combat.
After that, I taught Saten—a very ordinary routine.
"Mister, I can't understand this part."
Saten asked me a question while looking at a book.
What part couldn't she understand?
I looked down at the book Saten was reading.
"Which part don't you understand, Saten?"
"All of it. I don't understand any of it."
Saten answered with a furrowed brow.
Was today's lesson material too advanced for Saten?
Saten was giving somewhat irritated responses.
"Mister, why did the protagonist risk a dangerous fight to save his friend who was captured by enemies? He had poison herbs in his bag, so he could have just poisoned their dinner and been done with it."
"...That would be one method, but it seems the protagonist was worried about his captured friend."
"From what I can see, the protagonist only survived thanks to the author's help. The protagonist is a complete idiot."
'Lionel's Adventure'—the lesson material I had prepared.
It was a novel about young Lionel going on an adventure and learning the importance of friends and family.
However, Saten was over-identifying with the protagonist Lionel and feeling frustrated.
To Saten, who had read many books, the content seemed quite lacking.
I spoke to cool down Saten's coldly burning head.
"I understand the parts you don't get. But not everyone thinks the same way. The protagonist Lionel would be the same."
"I know that too. But there is an optimal move, and I just didn't like that the protagonist ignored good judgment."
...Using poison to massacre enemies is the optimal move?
It was certainly an efficient method that used the least force to kill, but...
"Saten."
"Yes."
"...The protagonist is 8 years old."
"What's the problem with that?"
An 8-year-old kid can't massacre people with poison to rescue a kidnapped friend.
Sometimes Saten would get irritated at things she couldn't understand.
Mainly regarding content involving emotions.
I decided to explain the content so Saten could grasp normal emotions.
"Saten, generally an 8-year-old child can't kill people using poison."
"Why not?"
"Because they would feel guilt about killing people."
"Guilt? Then would I feel guilt if I killed someone?"
"You probably wouldn't feel it, but please don't experiment with it."
Absolutely no experiments.
I strongly urged Saten that it was absolutely forbidden.
Saten nodded, saying she absolutely wouldn't do it.
"Okay, I won't experiment with anything you dislike, Mister."
"...That's a relief then."
Was it because of the wish from last time?
It seems she learned something.
After understanding Lionel's reasons for acting, Saten asked about another part she didn't understand.
"And here. I don't really understand the family worrying about Lionel leaving on a journey. The families I know don't act like this."
"..."
After that,
I diligently explained the novel's content to Saten.
Saten understood some parts,
but tilted her head at other parts she couldn't grasp.
In the end, Saten couldn't resolve those questions by the time class ended.
"...It's time to prepare dinner. Let's end today's lesson here."
"Yes, thank you for your hard work, Mister. Not all my questions were resolved, but I'll try asking the other kids. About what family means."
"Asking the other kids...?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
There are many problems.
Honestly speaking, Luna was the only one in the Hero Party who came from a normal family environment.
Asking the others wouldn't be helpful.
However, I couldn't stop Saten from doing this.
*...Isn't this almost a first?*
Wasn't this almost the first time Saten was asking the other kids something?
It was nearly a first.
When a young bird tries to flap its wings for the first time, you can't break those wings.
I answered Saten, who was still pondering the lesson content.
"...No problem at all. Try asking the others, I'm curious about their answers."
At that answer, Saten nodded and left the room with BlackMeow.
What answers would the other kids give?
Worry preceded curiosity.
"...I should prepare dinner."
*I can't understand this at all.*
Mister explained it thoroughly enough,
but I still can't understand it well.
Saten couldn't understand family at all.
After class ended, she pondered alone, but with too few samples, she couldn't reach any conclusion.
"Thinking about my family won't lead to any conclusion."
Samples.
I need some other samples.
I need to obtain information that will help me understand this content.
Thinking this, Saten knocked on a door.
Knock knock—
—...Who is it? Ah, is it Mister...?
"..."
—Ah, Mister...! C-come in...!! It's okay for you to come into my room...!
Creeeak—
Saten entered in response to the invitation.
When she saw Saten's face, Hare's expression soured.
"I told Mister to come in... why are you coming in...?"
"I came in because I have something to ask."
"...Are you ignoring what I said?"
"What exactly is family, Hare?"
"...Family?"
Hare couldn't quite understand.
She never expected the word "family" to come from Saten's mouth, and didn't know how she could be so shameless while ignoring what was said.
*But still...*
This is the first time Saten has been this curious about something...
It wouldn't hurt to answer, would it...?
But in exchange...!
"...L-later, say something good about me to Mister...! Tell him that Hare's words were the most helpful...! Then I'll tell you...!"
"I can do that much."
"O-okay...!"
Having obtained what she wanted, Hare
decided to answer her fellow study companion Saten as sincerely as possible.
"F-first of all...! I didn't have a mom or dad...! I lived with my grandma...! So it's different from other people...! But from my perspective, family is..."
Warmth...!
"Even when you're together in a cold place, it's warm...! Even when it's hard, it's warm...! It's like a match...!"
"Hmm, like a stove? Something you can throw in like firewood when you need it—"
"N-no...! That's not it...! I mean it warms your heart...!"
Saten's way of thinking was dangerous.
Hare frantically corrected Saten's words.
Saten didn't know why Hare was flustered, but understood anyway.
"...So for you, Hare, family is warm."
"Y-yeah...! Even though I don't have a mom or dad... it was warm...! I don't have grandma now, but...! It's okay because I have Mister...!"
"Hmm, I understand."
Warm.
Saten didn't know what it felt like in her heart,
but she understood it with her head.
However, one question arose in Saten's mind.
*...Then what does my family feel like?*
I still don't know that.
Having gotten her answer, Saten left Hare's room.
Bang—!
And she wandered the hallway looking for her next target.
Saten's eyes spotted a good target in the courtyard.
"One! Two! Three!"
"Luna."
"Huh? Saten? What brings you to talk to me!"
"I'm curious about something. What is family to you?"
"My family!? My family has my cute little brother and my parents and—"
"That's not what I mean. What does your family feel like?"
"Feel like?"
Hmm...
Feel like...
Luna thought it over thoroughly and instantly answered with the word that came to mind.
"My family feels noisy! Boisterous! Annoying but fun!"
"Hmm, noisy. My family is quiet though."
"Really? Well, some places are quiet! Anyway, my family is noisy!"
"Yes, I understand."
I understand perfectly what it feels like.
A noisy feeling.
I understand it very well.
Having obtained the information she wanted, Saten was about to head toward the last person.
However, Luna wanted to talk with Saten a bit more since it had been a while.
"A-and I was sorry about last time! So! Saten, want to train with me?!"
"No, I'm fine."
"Then want to talk with me?! I'm bored, so let's just chat! How about it?!"
"No, I'm fine. I have things to do, so I'll be going."
"O-okay..."
Dejected—
Saten left the dejected Luna behind and fled toward Estia.
*I absolutely must not train with that woman.*
Since Saten went to bed late, she was able to observe Luna's previous training session.
Starting late at dawn, and when she woke up from sleep, Luna was still training.
Saten had long since defined Luna.
*She's a monster.*
A stamina monster.
Her head is stupid, but her body can't be ignored.
Saten, whose body still ached where Luna had hit her last time,
approached the last person and asked her question.
"Estia, what is family to you?"
"...I don't know that stuff! Don't ask!"
Slam—!!
Of course, she didn't get an answer.
Estia didn't seem inclined to answer.
"But why is she under the blanket? It's not even time to sleep yet."
As expected, that woman is the most incomprehensible.
Thinking this, Saten headed to her own room.
BlackMeow was on her shoulder, and after confirming no one was around, Saten asked.
"...BlackMeow. What is family to you?"
"Meow—?"
"...Right, a cat can't answer."
I was stupid to ask.
Saten let out a sigh.
In the end, she hadn't grasped what family meant, so her heart wasn't at ease.
"What does family mean to me..."
And.
What would be the reaction of the family who thinks I'm at a brothel right now?
When will it arrive?
The letter that hasn't arrived even after several months.
"A response should come soon... did the family abandon me?"
Saten was curious about the Cecilia family's reaction,
but ultimately didn't understand what she wanted.
"I should ask Mister after all."
Saten walked forlornly toward her room, muttering to herself.
Her chest
stung a little.