The Boy Who Died Protecting the Party Is Resurrected 10 Years Later and Is Doted On – The Companion He Thought Was a Boy Had Become an Overprotective Big Sister - Episode 4: The Little Sister (Now Older) Who Loves Her Big Brother Very Much

Episode 4: The Little Sister (Now Older) Who Loves Her Big Brother Very Much

Phil finished his journey by carriage and returned to the base city, the labyrinth city Rustiria.

“Umm, the inn we were staying at was…”

“Ah— That place, I think, the landlady went back to her hometown five years ago. So it’s gone now—”

“I-I see…”

“The weapon shop and item shop changed too—”

“Huh…”

Although he should be familiar with it, seeing the greatly changed townscape before him, Phil began to gradually feel the passage of ten years.

“Then where are we staying…?”

Raika was guiding him through the changed town. While being pulled along by her, Phil asked. He stumbled slightly.

“Here it is!”

Beruda was walking at the front. At that moment, she stopped and pointed to a large building ahead.

“…That’s a really nice-looking inn.”

“Wrong! This is our party house!”

“P-Party house?!”

“Yup! Amazing, right? Right now, we’re an S-rank party, so we’ve got plenty of money!”

“S-rank?!”

—It seems that Phil’s goal of becoming a top adventurer had already been achieved… by his companions alone.

“But taking ten years is no good…”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

“If you had been here… we would’ve reached this level in just three years.”

“Sorry… Phil…”

Even though they’d accomplished something incredible, the two were somehow wrapped in a somber atmosphere.

“After coming this far, what are you two even saying?! You’re both weird!”

Phil couldn’t help but shout.

“No, we only made it because we followed your words… we don’t have talent.”

“Even the obvious stuff, like how important preparation is before entering a labyrinth… we didn’t really understand it until you were gone…”

Saying that, the two lowered their heads.

“Phil, the leader of this party… can only be you…”

Apparently, in the memories of these two, Phil had become somewhat idealized.

“B-Being the leader of an S-rank party out of nowhere is way too much for me!”

It seems that ten years is enough time to change a person this much.

“…Anyway, let’s go inside first. I want you to meet Menou as soon as possible.”

“Menou…!”

When Beruda mentioned his little sister’s name, Phil snapped to attention.

“…Yeah, you’re right. I want to see Menou too. I’ve kept her waiting for so long.”

And so, the three of them went inside the magnificent party house.

＊

The inside of the party house was very spacious and neatly organized.

Considering that Beruda and Raika normally mess up rooms, this meant that someone else who liked cleanliness must also be living here.

“Umm, Menou is probably… in the alchemy room again today—?”

“Most likely. Lately, she’s been holed up in that room all the time…”

It seemed that Menou had become an alchemist.

Compared to Phil, she lacked magical talent and wasn’t the type to stand in front and fight like Beruda or Raika. So if she chose to become an adventurer, this was a reasonable path.

“This way, Phil. Come with me.”

“O-Okay.”

Phil was led by Beruda to a heavy door in the basement of the house.

“Menou is beyond here. First… it’s best if you talk to her alone. —Because you’re her brother.”

“…I will.”

Prompted by Beruda, Phil slowly opened the large door and stepped into the alchemy room.

At the center of the room was a large cauldron. And in front of it stood a long-haired woman wearing a black pointed wizard’s hat. Her hair was the same silver color as Phil’s.

“Welcome back, Beruda.”

The woman spoke. Her back was still turned to Phil, who had just entered the room.

“I know without you saying it. …It didn’t go well again, right?”

She spoke in a dark and cold voice. It was unimaginable from the formerly cheerful, sickly little sister.

“It’s not your fault… what happened to my brother… That’s why, I—”

“Menou… right?”

The moment Phil called her name, the woman’s shoulders twitched. And her movements stopped.

When she slowly turned around, her expression was full of shock.

“O-Onii…chan…?”

She staggered slightly and asked in a trembling voice.

“It’s been a while, Menou.”

Phil said, taking a single step forward and continuing.

“Do you… still call me Onii-chan?”

“Of course… because you’re my Onii-chan…!”

Menou answered with tears welling in her eyes.

“That way of talking… kinda reminds me of little Menou.”

Phil felt a bit reassured sensing a part of the Menou he knew in the woman before him.

“Onii-chaaaan!”

But in the next moment, Menou leapt at him, sobbing.

“Ummph?!”

“Uwaaaaahhh!”

Strongly embraced, Phil’s face was buried in her chest. And he became painfully aware of how different she was now.

Mixed with the scent of herbs was the nostalgic smell of Menou. And above all, she was soft.

It was the same softness and springiness that reminded him of when they used to press their cheeks together.

“Puha! Y-You’ve… gotten way bigger than me…”

Phil said these words. He was flustered by his completely changed sister. 

“Onii-chan…! Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chan Onii-chaaaaan!”

Meanwhile, Menou kept calling him over and over before continuing:

“You said we’d see each other again soon…! But look, I’ve gotten this big already! Onii-chan, you liarrr!”

“…S-Sorry for leaving you alone… Menou.”

Though bewildered by his slightly unhinged sister, Phil firmly hugged her back with both arms.

“I… will never let you go again…! If you leave me alone again… I won’t forgive you, Onii-chan!”

“Eep.”

At that moment, Phil felt a hint of fear toward his sister for the first time.

His instincts were rejecting the sight of an adult woman acting like the little sister from his childhood.

“Onii-chan is… all mine…! Only mine…!”

“Y-You’re scaring me, Menou… you’re an adult now, so calm down.”

“I’m not an adult! Right now I’m Onii-chan’s little sister! I’m just a helpless baby who can’t do anything without Onii-chan! Understand?!”

“Y-Yeah…”

It seemed like the peaceful, loving sibling relationship they once had… could never be restored.