“A little late, but happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday!”
“Marcia, congratulations!”
“Thank you!”
On October 19th, the members of the Jin Family gathered on Hourai Island to celebrate Marcia’s birthday.
Her actual birthday was October 10th, but with the 15th—the day of the fragments' closest approach—looming just five days later, no one had been in the right frame of mind to celebrate. Consequently, the party had been postponed until the 19th.
“I’m really glad you all went through the trouble of holding this for me,” Marcia said.
Personally, she wouldn't have minded waiting until next year.
“We couldn’t very well let it pass by,” Jin said with a smile. “I’m grateful to everyone here, so I wanted a chance to show it.”
“Is that so? I feel like I’m the one who’s always being looked after by you, Jin.”
“I suppose it’s mutual then,” Reinhard cut in. “Everyone helps each other out in the end.”
“That’s true.”
“You’re right about that.”
Reinhard held a glass of his favorite white wine, Ehrlich's 3454. Whenever his glass reached the bottom, a maid golem was there in an instant to refill it.
“Still, this time was quite an ordeal,” Reinhard remarked, reflecting on the night of the 15th. “All we could do was watch the sky.”
Jin shook his head. “That’s not true. You and the others made sure the residents didn't descend into a panic.”
“Rai-nii, that kind of quiet support is very important,” Elsa added, backing Jin up.
“And Lishia, I’m sure it was difficult for you as well.”
“Eh? Oh, m-me?” Lishia stammered, caught off guard by the sudden mention. “Y-Yes… the villagers were certainly in an uproar, but once I explained there was no danger, they managed to calm down.”
“It’s because people like you were there that I could head out on the mission with peace of mind,” Jin said.
Elsewhere, a different conversation was unfolding.
“Oh, look, Juliana-chan smiled!”
“Daa!”
“Her cheeks are so squishy. She’s adorable.”
The women were gathered around Berche, fussing over her daughter, Juliana.
“She’s grown quite a bit already,” Stearena noted with admiration.
“Children this age grow up in the blink of an eye,” Martha said, watching Juliana with a warm smile.
“She doesn't cry at night, so she’s a very good girl. It’s a big help,” Berche said, looking slightly sheepish. Apparently, she had been told she was quite the crybaby herself as an infant.
“Well, everyone relies on their parents one way or another as they grow up,” Martha remarked.
“Grandmother!” Hanna interjected.
“Oh.”
Hanna, who had been standing nearby, cut Martha off and stole a timid glance toward Jin.
“...Thank goodness.”
Jin was currently occupied, laughing and chatting with Goose.
(It doesn't look like Onii-chan heard her,) Hanna thought, feeling a wave of relief.
Just then, Reiko approached Hanna and poured her some citran juice.
“Thank you, Reiko-oneechan.”
Reiko gave her a gentle smile. “Not at all. Hanna-chan, thank you for your consideration toward Father,” she whispered softly.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Um, since everyone is here, there’s something I wanted to discuss.”
Once the party had settled into a comfortable lull, Jin looked around at the group and spoke up.
“What is it, Jin?”
“We’re listening.”
All eyes turned toward him.
“To get straight to the point, I’d like to officially add Sion and the rest of the demon race to the Jin Family. It might seem a bit late to bring it up now, but...”
No one raised an objection.
“Kufu, it really is a bit late for that,” Saki teased.
Given how often they visited the demon territory and interacted with the clans, it already felt like they were part of the group.
“Also, I’m thinking I’d like to investigate Onogoro Island more thoroughly. Not through forceful means, of course.”
“I think I understand why,” Reinhard agreed. “I get the feeling they aren't exactly entities meant to protect this planet.”
“Exactly. They didn't do a thing this time, after all,” Saki added.
“That’s true. Though if we’re using that as a standard, then perhaps I’m no different...”
The moment Jin muttered that self-deprecating thought, a chorus of denial erupted.
“That’s not true at all!”
“Don't say that.”
“That isn't it!”
“Nothing of the sort!”
The voices overlapped, everyone eager to shoot down his remark.
“Jin, you clearly explained your origins to us, and more than anything, you’ve devoted yourself to this world,” Reinhard said.
“He’s right,” Toa added. “With your power, Jin-kun, you could have conquered the world if you wished, yet you chose otherwise.”
“Jin, you helped me the very first time we met,” Beena said. “You’re completely different from that golem called Helente.”
“Thinking back, Jin, you agreed to my request even though there was barely anything in it for you,” Marcia said. “And thanks to that, I was able to win the race!”
“Exactly. It’s simply foolish to compare Jin-kun with that Helente,” Stearena insisted.
“Y-Yes, that’s right! Jin-san, you’re my benefactor—the one who showed me the path I should walk!” Lishia exclaimed.
“Onii-chan is just Onii-chan!”
“That’s right, Jin is just Jin,” Hanna and Martha added.
“Everyone...” Jin was moved.
“Yes. Jin-nii is my Master. He is a person this world cannot do without.”
Finally, Elsa spoke up, taking Jin’s arm as she stood by his side.