ALL NOVEL chapter 99
99: Goodbye, [Character Name]
That is a life that will die in about five years.
There was a creature called a slime. It was a cold, trembling, mysterious lifeform.
Even though it had a body structure that would be dismissed as “impossible” in the scientific world, in this world where magic energy exists in life, it is a common existence and even a popular pet.
When I was young—I remember being disgusted when I first saw it and thought, “What is that eerie lifeform…?”
At that time, I had a resistance to slimes, and I was thinking things like this:
“People in this world are creepy, as this thing is being praised as ‘cute’ and even has special segments on morning shows.”
Well, but… I have to live in this world too, right? And apparently, it’s considered “cute” by society, right? Well, let’s see. I absolutely don’t think it’s “cute” though.
Huh… It jumps, doesn’t it? It jumps a lot. What’s with that happy bouncing? Huh…
Oh… It’s gentle. Ah, it’s a poikilothermic animal. But it comes to people because it likes warmth. Huh.
It looks soft, but it’s quite sturdy. It seems it can even carry a child. But I guess it would fall off and get hurt… Ah, I see. It seems to have enough intelligence to consider the person it’s carrying. And it won’t let just anyone ride on it. I see.
Should I watch videos or something?
A talking slime? Are you kidding? It doesn’t talk. It just goes “plurun plurun”… Well, maybe it sounds like it’s saying “food.”
“A video of a slime climbing all over a child who wants food desperately”? Oh, wow. It jumps. It jumps. Oh, it’s eating marshmallows, the main food. You even find food cute… You…
And so, due to such circumstances, I found myself thinking about slimes all the time when I was a child.
At that time, I was still just a kid.
I didn’t have any income, of course, and I didn’t even have the means to take care of one life form, let alone a slime, and I couldn’t find any benefits other than “cute” in keeping such a thing.
But “cute” is a huge advantage.
And… now I have an excuse.
“Slime-chan.”
On her third birthday, when I asked my daughter what she wanted, she requested a slime.
Yes, now I have all the “reasons.”
I realized the enormous advantage of “cute.”
It is being requested by my daughter.
And the slime’s lifespan is about five years… At around the time my daughter turns eight, she will experience the “death of a living being.” There is data that suggests it is good for moral education.
I’m in trouble… There is definitely no excuse left…
If there are no more excuses… I have to do it, right?
“`
Alright, then, Sara… Let’s ask Mom for permission.
“Mama is strong…”
This sense of “understanding”… Sara is indeed much smarter than the average of her generation.
Normally, children under three shouldn’t be able to have such meaningful conversations… Well, I wonder… Kids these days seem to be smart…
Well, anyway, Sara is smart.
Both Sara and I looked at each other with serious expressions and nodded.
Mom is strong. If asked what exactly is strong, I would like to answer “grip strength”… but it’s not that kind of explanation. It’s like an unexplainable power dynamic between us.
I inserted my hands under Sara’s armpits and assumed the “Sara Shield” position.
When we want to convey a significant decision, it’s more likely to be accepted if I go with the Sara Shield rather than unarmed.
Milim was in the parents’ bedroom writing.
Lately, she has been working on creative activities aiming for a “secondary income through novels or manga,” which had been the couple’s goal for a long time.
I approached Milim, extending the Sara Shield to her.
I asked—Sara, what do you want for your third birthday?
“Juice.”
Youuuuu!
You! You betrayed me!
I released the Sara Shield stance and put Sara down on the floor for a moment.
I crouched down and had a secret conversation with my daughter.
Isn’t that wrong? What did you say earlier?
“Papa.”
That’s right.
No, “that’s right” is not the answer.
I tried my best to stimulate Sara’s memory… Look, earlier we were watching the magic image board (television) together…
During this morning time, every day, before going to the nursery… an animal starting with “S”… bouncing around, hopping…
However, Sara suddenly stood up and walked towards Milim.
I… I can’t predict her actions…
Milim, holding Sara, came to me as I knelt on the ground, despondent.
“Rex… It’s no use. Sara’s memories won’t last long…”
That’s right.
A toddler’s memory doesn’t last long…
But I don’t have the **concentration to keep talking about the same topic**…
“I have to speak up for myself instead of relying on Sara.”
I was taken aback by those words.
That’s right, I had been waiting for all the reasons to align for me to keep a slime as a pet.
I would say things like, “Well, now that I have a reason, I can’t help it,” but deep down, I had always been waiting for the reasons to align.
Keeping a slime as a pet wasn’t because of Sara’s request.
It was my own dream…
“Rex, if there’s something you want, tell me.”
Milim… I…
I want to keep a slime…
It’s been my dream since I was little…
“Rex… this rented place… no pets allowed…”
Ah… yeah…
Yeah…
Goodbye, slime…