The House Key

Author: Ryusui
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2121hw/45/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

A week since taking the ecological survey request. After that I’ve been spending time without taking any requests. I meant to take leftover requests other people didn’t take, but there weren’t any that looked fun…
So now I’m leisurely loafing. Loafing at Mami’s house with Chii-chan. No, I’m teaching magic.

“Once you can feel that gently warm thing, next the goal is to be able to move it. It just takes a really long time, so let’s take it slow.”
“Okay!”

Even after you can feel mana in your own way, from there it’s very long. They say move mana, but when it comes to how to move it I can’t explain.
Just now I held Chii-chan’s hand and actually moved Chii-chan’s mana for her. But that only lets her know what happens if it moves. You know the result but not the method.
This you can only find your own way for, so I want Chii-chan to do her best.

“By the way, Chii-chan. Where’s Mami?”
“Nnn…”

Ah, she’s concentrating. I won’t get in the way.
I came here an hour ago. Then, Mami was just about to go out. She looked at me and seemed a little lost, but I was asked to watch the house. She said she’d be a little late, though.

“Um… Entrance ceremony, she said.”
“Entrance ceremony…”

Um. Entrance. Entering school, right. Something like a ritual for that, maybe. Sounds fun.
Everyone drawing magic circles and using magic together… no. There’s no magic.

“Chii starts kindergarten tomorrow too!”
“Then you won’t be here if I come at noon?”
“Yeah.”

I see. That, well, can’t be helped. The two of them have lives too, so tying them down with just me is a bad thing. I understand that much.
But I’m a little lonely.

“Ah, right. Chii-chan.”
“Nn?”
“Sorry a second.”

I put a hand on Chii-chan’s head as she goes mmm, and start the magic I prepared. Hmm… Okay, good. This is safe.

“Mami next, I guess.”

I don’t have urgent business, so I’ll wait leisurely.

 

I eat gummies the viewers gave me before with Chii-chan. We watch TV while we eat. Maybe because of the time, but they’re doing a news program.
Watching it is a little embarrassing.

‘Visitor from another star meets with the Prime Minister’
‘The talks were amicable, a related party reveals’
‘Policy to continue exchanges going forward’

There’s a lot of news about me. Too much. A little, yeah. Is it something to pay that much attention to?
I’m chewing gummies with an indescribable feeling when I hear the door open.

“I’m home.”

Mami. She comes running patter-patter and comes into this room right away.

“Rita-chan, sorry!”
“Mm. Don’t worry. I know you two have lives too. More than that.”
“Yeah.”
“Come here.”

Mami tilts her head but sits in front of me. I put a hand on that Mami’s head and start the same magic I used on Chii-chan earlier. For now, I think this is a relief.

“Rita-chan, did you do something?”
“Mm. A little perception interference. Things related to me should stop reaching you two.”

Pretty special magic. Simple perception interference isn’t that hard, but the conditions were pretty messy. Messy enough I had Spirit-sama help with the fine adjustments.
I really wanted to finish it myself, but if I took too long the problem might happen first. Even so it took too long.

“That sounds like amazing magic…?”
“Mm. I worked hard.”
“Aha. I see. Thanks, Rita-chan.”
“Mm.”

When she thanks me with a smile, I think it was worth working hard. Satisfied.

“Then I’m going out.”
“Okay. Where?”
“Mm. Undecided. Chat lottery.”
“I see. Last time I had you come to my house, so this time I’ll stay out of it.”
“Mm.”

Either is fine with me, but if Mami cares, that’s fine.
I tell Chii-chan to do her best and am about to teleport, when

“Ah, wait a second.”

I’m called so I interrupt the magic. I look at Mami, and she takes something out of her bag.

“I’ll give you this.”
“Mm…?”

Something silver, long and thin and flat. When I tilt my head, Mami tells me right away.

“This house’s key. You might not need it with teleport, but hold onto it just in case.”
“Mm…? Is that okay?”
“Yeah. I got permission from Mom too. Use it anytime.”

What do I do. Is it really okay. A house key is something pretty important in Japan, I think.
I look at Mami, and it’s an extra-special smile. This is the kind I can’t refuse. Then I’ll take it, and be absolutely careful not to lose it.

“Thanks.”

When I thank her, Mami nods looking happy.