Digital Exclusive Bonus SS: First Impression
"Hey? He's not crying at all, is he? Maube said his little brother cried really loud when he was born the other day. Is this one okay?"
Looking at the baby born just a few hours ago in Mother's arms, I asked, and Mother spoke to me gently.
"Ike, this isn't 'this one,' it's Mars. You became Mars's big brother today. Maybe Mars is frail and can't even cry, so you have to protect him, Ike."
"Yeah! If anyone bullies Mars, I'll beat them up!"
"Even so, it seemed easier than with Ike, but how are you actually feeling? Is it not hard to stand? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Father asked Mother worriedly.
"It was so hard with Ike, maybe it's because it's the second one. I really don't feel any pain, and I feel like I could dive into a Dungeon right now."
Mother didn't seem to be pushing herself; she looked the same as always.
"I see. But if there's any change in your condition, tell me immediately."
Father has been worried about Mother's health this whole time.
"Thank you. Ike, it's late, so go to sleep. Starting tomorrow, I'm counting on you as a big brother."
I looked at the clock; the short hand was pointing at eight.
"Okay. Goodnight, Father, Mother."
"Ike, aren't you going to say goodnight to Mars?"
"Yeah. It would be bad if I woke him up. Bye-bye."
Father nodded at my words, and after they both said "Goodnight," I looked at Mars drinking Mother's milk while sleeping, and returned to my room.
Thus began my life with Mars.
A few days later.
When I woke up and went to Mother immediately, Father was already there, and Mars was drinking milk in Mother's arms.
When I entered the room, Mars followed me with his eyes as if he could see me perfectly. Mars's eyes were a beautiful gold color.
"Hey, Mother? Can babies see immediately?"
"That's not true, you know? Mars probably won't be able to see properly until April or so. His eyes are open, but even if he can see, he should only be able to see things up close."
"But I think Mars can see me. When I move, Mars's pretty eyes move."
"Actually, I was thinking the same thing as Ike. I feel like Mars can see clearly..."
It seems Father was thinking the same thing as me.
Mars looked at me while drinking Mother's milk, but soon fell asleep.
"Mother. I want to hold Mars too."
"I suppose so. You can hold him like I am now once Mars's neck is steady and you become stronger, Ike. If it's just Ike sitting and holding Mars on his lap, another month or two should be fine."
"Neck is steady? Necks don't sit, do they?"
When I asked back instinctively, Mother explained it carefully, but I didn't understand very well. I just understood that holding him was still a long way off, and that I needed to get stronger.
"How do I get strong?"
"That comes from playing energetically outside, eating lots, and sleeping lots. Want to play outside with Father now?"
"Yeah! I want to play Hero!"
"Hero" is a game I'm hooked on with Maube lately, where everyone becomes a hero and defeats the Demon King with their own made-up moves.
When I answered, Father worried about Mother again.
"Maria, I'll go play with Ike. You might not be able to sleep, but at least lie down and rest your body. When Ike naps, I'll watch Mars, so please sleep then."
"Thank you. I'm not very tired, but since we don't know what might happen, I'll take you up on your offer. You be careful too. Take care of Ike."
Without waiting for Mother's words, I left the room and dashed outside with the Holy Sword (tree branch) kept in the entranceway in one hand.
"Ike, sit cross-legged."
One day, Mother told me to sit cross-legged, so I did. Mother stood behind me, slowly placed Mars on my legs, and sat down as if wrapping around me from behind.
"Ike, try holding Mars's head gently, like you're wrapping around it. Mother will do it with you."
When I held Mars's head gently as told, Mother supported Mars's head from under my hands to ensure I absolutely wouldn't drop it.
Father sat in front of me, also reaching out his hands to watch over me and Mars, ready for anything.
Mars looked a little anxious, but when I put my finger into his small hand, Mars gripped my finger.
"Mother! Mars gripped my finger!"
"You're right. Maybe Mars is relying on you, Ike. Make sure to take good care of Mars."
When Mother said that, I couldn't help but think so... no, I could only think so.
"Yeah! Leave it to me!"
When I answered, I felt the strength of Mars's hand gripping my finger increase.
Several months later.
"Take this! Explosion Slash!"
"Finish him! Flowing Water Slash!"
I was playing Hero in the yard with Maube as usual when Maube asked me a question while looking at Mars, who was watching us from inside the house.
"Ike, your brother Mars doesn't cry at all, does he? And isn't he always looking at you?"
"Yeah. Mother said he's no trouble at all, a really good boy. Also, lately he's started following me around crawling."
"Heh. He's already crawling? My Gaimo was born earlier, but he can't crawl yet."
Gaimo is Maube's younger brother.
I haven't seen him yet, but Maube said Gaimo has a big head and round eyes.
Is Mars early, or is Gaimo late...? I don't know yet, but just as I was thinking Mars must be early, Gaimo—who was looking at Mars—pointed at him in a slight panic.
"Hey! Isn't he trying to stand up?!"
When I looked at Mars, he was putting his hands on the wall from a crawling position, trying to stand up.
I involuntarily shouted, "Do your best!" As if responding to my cheer, Mars managed to stand splendidly with his hands on the wall... but he could only stand for a moment before falling over immediately.
Mother is usually near Mars, but unusually, she isn't there now. Maybe she went to the bathroom.
"He's gonna cry huge tears now."
Maube said with a "yikes" expression. True, he hit his head, so it must hurt a lot.
And since Mars is a baby, he might not even understand what happened. I think he might cry just from the shock.
I threw away the Holy Sword, hurried inside, and rushed to Mars, but Mars took an unexpected action.
Without crying or showing signs of pain, he was putting his hands on the wall trying to stand up again.
This surprised Maube, who had entered the house with me.
Without caring about us, Mars was desperately trying to stand up.
"Mars!? What was that sound just now!?"
Mother arrived a little later than us.
Then, looking at me and Mars:
"Mars, when did you learn to pull yourself up? And Ike, protecting Mars so well... thank you."
Mother showed a slightly relieved expression.
Me, protecting Mars?
When told that, I looked at my own posture. Unconsciously, I was on my knees behind Mars, arms outstretched so I could support him whenever he fell.
It might be my imagination, but looking at Mars's expression as he saw me behind him, he looked relieved... no, he looked like he was relying on me.
And the next moment, Mars succeeded in pulling himself up again, but he immediately toppled backward.
I wrapped my hands around Mars's stomach as he fell and caught him.
Behind me, Mother was crouching, ready just in case I couldn't support him fully.
"Ike, thank you. I'm counting on you from now on too."
Mother hugged me and Mars from behind, enveloping us.
Mars, held in my arms, turned around, and from his cute face, a feeling of gratitude came through.
"Yeah! Because I promised to take care of... to protect Mars!"
If anything happens to Mars, I will definitely protect him.
Thus, the story of me and Mars began.
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