Once I finished scolding Alice and sent her packing before Rei-san and his wife could notice, it seemed Sieg-san had wrapped things up on her end as well. Both Rei-san and Fia-san were now sitting on the ground in formal seiza, looking thoroughly bedraggled.
"Honestly... to think this is how you greet me the moment I get home."
"We have no excuse."
They spoke in unison, but I was absolutely certain they weren't actually reflecting on their behavior. I could feel it in my gut—they would definitely do the exact same thing next time.
As that thought crossed my mind, Rei-san and Fia-san stood up, their faces softening into gentle smiles that were a far cry from their previous antics.
"Anyway, welcome home, Sieg. I'm relieved to see you're doing so well."
"Father..."
"Hearing Sieg-chan’s voice again just made me get a little carried away. Truly, I’m so happy you can speak again."
"Mother..."
As I expected, both of them had been worried about Sieg-san from the bottom of their hearts. The joy they felt at her recovery was unmistakable. Watching the strength of their family bond made me feel like an intruder, but then Rei-san and Fia-san turned their attention toward me.
"It’s been a while, Miyama-kun. I’m glad to see you again."
"It has. And thank you... thank you so much for everything you’ve done for Sieg-chan."
"No, please. I’m just really glad she’s okay."
Rei-san and Fia-san were actually quite similar to my own parents. They were usually bright and a bit airheaded, but the way they cherished their child was clear as day. I smiled, feeling a wave of nostalgic warmth.
It would have been a lovely moment if it had ended there.
"So, by the way, Miyama-kun. How far have things progressed between you and Sieg?"
"What!?"
"Oh, stop it, Rei. You shouldn’t ask young people such prying questions."
"Hahaha, fair enough! I suppose it's safe to assume you’ve already sealed the—Gbugh!?"
A heavy-looking fist slammed directly into Rei-san’s face. The sentimental atmosphere was vaporized in an instant. It’s important, so I’ll say it again: completely ruined.
"Honestly! Have you learned nothing!?"
"Wait, Sieg! L-Look, as a father, I was just trying to confirm my daughter's status!"
"C-Calm down, Sieg-chan. Rei didn't mean any harm by it..."
And so, Rei-san found himself being disciplined by his daughter once again. After watching the chaos for a while, it finally seemed to settle down, and Rei-san stood up while clutching his bruised face. Despite being a handsome elf, his face was a total wreck—though he fixed it instantly with Healing Magic.
"Goodness, my daughter’s love is a heavy thing. By the way, Miyama-kun."
"Yes?"
"Is it possible that you just aren't interested in women?"
"Excuse me?"
The man was talking nonsense again before the metaphorical ink on his apology had even dried.
"No, this is a serious concern! To be traveling with the lovely Sieg and not feel a spark of lust? Could it be that your functions as a man are—"
"No, that's not it! I mean, I actually have a lover!"
"What!? What is the meaning of this!?"
"Wait!? Rei-san!?"
Hoping to clear up a very dishonorable misunderstanding, I blurted out the truth. Rei-san’s expression immediately turned grim as he grabbed both of my shoulders and began shaking me violently. He was surprisingly strong—or maybe I was just that pathetic.
"To think you’d overlook our lovely Sieg to pursue someone else! Just who is this nobody from parts unknown!?"
"Father... Kaito-san’s lovers are the Underworld King-sama and the Death King-sama."
Rei-san, who had been aggressively hounding me with overbearing fatherly energy, froze the second those words left Sieg-san's mouth. Then, with movements so efficient they bordered on artistic, he dropped his knees and hands to the ground in a single motion.
"I am terribly sorry."
It was an incredibly refined, flawless dogeza. I wasn't sure which of the two he was apologizing to, but Rei-san’s shoulders were trembling like a leaf.
"P-P-Please... do not tell the Death King-sama about this..."
"I won't."
As I suspected, Isis-san was the one he truly feared. Rei-san looked piteous, his face turning a sickly shade of blue as he shivered.
Once Rei-san finally recovered from his terror, we finally began walking through the streets of Rigforresia.
"But really, Rei-san, Fia-san, are you sure it’s alright for me to stay with you?"
"Of course. We’ve already prepared a room for you."
"Yes, don't be shy. Make yourself at home and relax."
"Thank you very much."
For this trip, I was going to be staying at their house. Initially, I had suggested that Sieg-san stay with her parents while I found an inn, but they insisted I stay with them.
As we walked through the city, however, something strange began to happen.
"Ah! Could it be... Miyama-sama!?"
"Eh? Ah, yes?"
"You’ve returned! Here, please take this. They're fruits from my own garden!"
"Eh? Uh, thank you very much."
The owner of a fruit stall called out to me and pressed a gift into my hands.
"Kyaa! It’s Miyama-sama!"
"Wait, really!? Ah, Miyama-sama!!"
"Wh-Whoa, hold on..."
"We’re huge fans, Miyama-sama!"
"Please, shake our hands!"
"Fans!?"
A group of young elven women swarmed me for handshakes.
"Good to see you, Miyama-sama. Welcome back to Rigforresia."
"Uhm, i-it’s been a while."
"If you have the time, please pay a visit to the elders. Everyone would be delighted to see you."
"Ah, y-yes, of course."
An elderly elf I had met at the Harvest Festival after-party greeted me with profound respect. It seemed everyone we passed was looking at me with incredibly favorable eyes.
"Uhm... what exactly is going on?"
"Ah, you see, Miyama-kun is something of a celebrity here in Rigforresia."
"Why?"
"Well, you set an unprecedented record at the Harvest Festival and then used your wish to ask the World King-sama to restore the city. Thanks to that, the defensive walls are stronger than ever, and our relationship with the Spirit Race has never been deeper. On top of that, you’re clearly a favorite of the World King-sama herself. You’re basically a hero here."
I stood there, stunned by Rei-san’s explanation. No, no, no—Lilliwood-san was the one who fixed the city, and that Harvest Festival record was only possible because of her help in the first place. Why was I getting all the credit?
"Oh, by the way, most of the residents believe Miyama-kun was the one who drove off the Black Bear, too."
"Since when!?"
"And there are already books and plays based on your exploits."
"Books!? Plays!?"
Apparently, the situation was far more extreme than I had imagined. I was literally unconscious during that Black Bear incident!
But Rei-san was right; every person we met looked at me like I was a famous idol. Being hailed as a hero without my knowledge was incredibly unsettling. It was enough to give me a headache, but the rumors had clearly spread too far for me to stop them now.
Should I ask Alice to clear things up? No, if that went sideways, people might find out I was also close with the Phantasm King.
"Come to think of it, I heard the Death King-sama came to buy the books about you. Apparently, she praised them so highly that they’ve already greenlit the sequels."
Isis-san! What are you doing!?
Seriously... how did my life become this?
Treated as a hero in a way that made me want to crawl into a hole, we finally arrived at Rei-san and Fia-san’s home. I felt like I finally understood Noin-san’s pain. This was beyond embarrassing.
"That took longer than I expected. We should probably start on dinner."
"You're right. I'll take care of it. Rei, show Miyama-kun to his room."
"Right, leave it to me."
We were supposed to have arrived just after noon, but one thing had led to another, and evening was already approaching. Fia-san headed for the dining hall while Rei-san led Sieg-san and me up to the second floor.
"Uhm... Father?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Does this house even have enough rooms? Where are you planning to put Kaito-san?"
Just as Sieg-san noted, the house wasn't that big. It was plenty for three people, but there weren't many extra rooms, and certainly nothing like a guest suite.
"Oh, don't worry. Miyama-kun will be staying right here!"
"Father?"
"Yes?"
"Isn't this... the room I used to use?"
The room Rei-san led us to was, as it turned out, Sieg-san’s old bedroom. She lived in the Kingdom of Sinfonia now, but she had lived here before Rei-san became a Court Mage, so it made sense she had a room. But wait... I was staying here? What about Sieg-san?
"Uhm, Rei-san... if I’m staying here, where is Sieg-san going to sleep?"
"Eh? What are you talking about? Sieg will be in here too, of course."
"What!?"
To my tentative question, Rei-san replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What are you saying, Father!?"
"Well, we have so few rooms, you see. But don't worry! I made sure to swap out the bed for a double-size one!"
"What!? T-T-T-That’s not the point! K-Kaito-san and I in the same room..."
"Good luck, Sieg. Your father is rooting for you!"
"Why are you making this about that!?"
Sieg-san, her face turning a deep crimson, tried to corner Rei-san, but he was completely unmoved.
"Uhm, Rei-san... maybe I really should find an inn..."
"Fia and I were both so looking forward to having you stay with us, Miyama-kun. Please don't say such heart-wrenching things."
"Eh? Ah, sorry. My apologies."
"Kaito-san!? Don't let him manipulate you!!"
"Sieg, surely you wouldn't be so cruel as to kick Miyama-kun out of our home, would you?"
"T-That’s... well, no, but..."
Rei-san was a master at this. He knew exactly where my soft spots were, and I couldn't bring myself to refuse when he made such a pained expression. Even Sieg-san looked like she was being slowly sucked into his pace.
"Besides, you're just sharing a room. It's not like I'm telling you to do anything specific. Unless... are you worried a 'mistake' might happen if you're together?"
"I-I-It won't!!"
"Then there's no problem, is there?"
"Huh? Wait, that's not..."
He had us. At this rate, there was no way out. I figured I could just sleep on the floor. I gave up on arguing and started trying to figure out how to cause the least amount of trouble for Sieg-san.
"Oh, by the way, Miyama-kun."
"Yes?"
"Rest assured, this room is completely soundproof. You understand why, right? Also, Sieg’s underwear is in the third drawer of the dresser on the right. The Preservation Magic is set to deactivate as soon as you open it. It's not like she'd notice if one went missing—Gah!?"
Another iron fist crashed into the face of the grinning, thumb-upping Rei-san. Why on earth did this father know exactly where his daughter’s underwear was kept? Actually, I decided it was better not to ask.
As I watched Sieg-san continue to pummel her father, I realized something. Her attention had been completely diverted from the fact that we were still sharing the room.
Dear Mother, Father——
I received a hero's welcome in Rigforresia that left me more than a little unsettled, but all of that agitation has been completely wiped away by a new crisis. I don't quite know how to explain this, but it seems I'll be staying in the same room as Sieg-san.