Volume 5 Chapter 2 Interlude ② – Shushu-ria
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
In a chamber deep within the temple near Zerlant Royal Palace, Queen Asuka sat with the kingdom’s dignitaries, including Aaron and Puruun. At the center stood Akari, cradling a baby in her arms. A priest emerged slowly from the back of the hall.
”An oracle has spoken,” the priest said, bowing respectfully to the queen before approaching Akari.
He raised his right hand over the child, closed his eyes, and murmured, “Her name shall be Shushu-ria.” (T/N: Means ‘to unite people’ in the ancient Elf language.)
A cheer erupted, followed by a wave of applause. Today, according to the Elf calendar, was the most auspicious day of the year. To mark the occasion, Queen Asuka and Yuuta’s newborn daughter was named through a sacred divination ritual.
”A fine name, Shushu-ria,” Aaron muttered, stroking his chin.
”What does it mean, Sir Aaron?” Puruun asked, tilting her head.
”In the ancient Elf tongue, it means ‘to unite people.’ A fitting name for the next queen, don’t you think?” he replied.
”Indeed, it’s perfect,” Puruun said, nodding.
Akari approached Queen Asuka and gently handed her Shushu-ria. “Congratulations on the naming, Your Majesty. It’s a wonderful name,” she said, bowing deeply.
Asuka returned the bow. “Mama Akari, please continue to guide me and Shushu-ria in the years to come,” she said warmly.
Yuuta, Shushu-ria’s father, was absent from the ceremony. By mutual agreement with Asuka and Aaron, he and Asuka would soon divorce formally. Many Elf nobles disapproved of a human man so close to the queen, and Asuka had pragmatically accepted that maintaining their friendship would suffice. Akari, however, would remain Shushu-ria’s caretaker, though legally she stayed Aaron’s wife to avoid issues of status. Neither Yuuta nor Akari minded much—they had little attachment to formalities, and for the sake of the kingdom’s stability, they agreed without protest.
* * *
A month after Shushu-ria’s naming ceremony, Akari visited Ilman with the queen’s permission. At Lord Mihail’s estate, Yuuta was waiting.
”Yuuta, the baby’s name has been decided,” Akari said, smiling.
”Yeah, I heard. Shushu-ria, right? Means ‘to unite people,’ doesn’t it? Reminds me of ‘shushu’ from our old world—you know, those hair ties. Maybe there’s a connection,” Yuuta said, chuckling. “Karin’s name means something like ‘to connect’ in this world too. Funny how the sisters ended up with similar names.”
”Who knows?” Akari said, her eyes softening. “But… how long has it been since we talked like this, just the two of us?”
”Too long,” Yuuta replied. “I finally made it back to this world, but everything’s been so crazy I’ve been on lockdown.”
”Well, the baby’s name is settled, and the queen asked me to be her wet nurse for now,” Akari said.
”Yeah, and once the queen hands me the divorce letter, I’m heading back to Kashiwagi Manor to start farming,” Yuuta said. “I passed my industrial research to the Melon Research Institute, so now it’s time to grow those rubber trees I brought over. How’s Karin doing?”
”She’s still with the spirit clan,” Akari said. “Ms. Claudel told me her right-arm surgery went well, and she’s in rehab with them. I’m thinking of having her assist me at the Royal Palace when she returns.”
”That’s good to hear,” Yuuta said, his voice softening. “But, Akari, I’m really sorry. It feels like my mess made it hard for us to be together.”
”It’s fine,” Akari said gently. “Our hearts are still connected. But tonight… let’s just say, like Puruun would, we’re going all out until morning.”
”Huh? How do you even know about that?” Yuuta asked, startled.
Akari laughed. “Never mind, never mind…”
They slipped away to a VIP suite at a hotel arranged by Lord Mihail. With Akari working at the Royal Palace and Yuuta bound for Kashiwagi Manor, they wouldn’t see each other often. Tonight, they intended to make unforgettable memories.
”Wow, Yuuta, you’re still full of energy,” Akari teased, her eyes sparkling.
”Says you, Akari—you’re still plenty lively yourself,” Yuuta shot back.
”Oh, come on, I’m past fifty,” she said, laughing. “But being with you like this? It makes me so happy.”
”Just fooling around would be a waste,” Yuuta said with a grin. “I’m aiming for at least three rounds tonight.”
Akari chuckled. “Well, let’s start with this,” she said, leaning in to take him in her mouth, her movements slow and deliberate.
It was too much for Yuuta, who hadn’t indulged in months. He succumbed quickly to Akari’s touch. “That one doesn’t count,” she said playfully. “Three more, and you’d better finish properly.”
She guided him to her, moving slowly, their rhythm building. They continued through the night, lost in each other. Yuuta wondered if Akari was the one he loved most. He felt guilty thinking of Puruun, Ellulu, and Melon, but his connection with Akari felt unmatched. Still, he knew future children could complicate Shushu-ria’s claim, a point Aaron had stressed firmly. Tonight was an exception, permitted by Asuka and Aaron, though they’d face trouble if it got out.
”Yuuta, want to hold Shushu-ria?” Akari asked suddenly.
Yuuta hesitated. “I’d love to, but… I don’t have the right to, not with my human blood. Aaron’s made that clear.”
”…Yes. Maybe not right away. But I’ll make sure to tell her. I’ll tell Shushu–ria all about your good points, Yuuta—over and over, until she knows them by heart. So one day, you’ll be able to hold her properly.”
”Thank you, Ms. Akari.”
”Heh. Then for now, Yuuta—hold me instead!”
* * *
”So, MelMel, listen. In the other world, there was this thing called a shushu…”
I had some errands in the Royal Capital, so I dropped by Ellulu’s place. Since the princess’s name had just been announced, the entire city was in a festival mood. Ellulu seemed inspired by the name—or maybe it was just the alcohol—because she wouldn’t stop chattering.
”Yuuta brought rubber trees from the other world, but they aren’t producing yet. MelMel, can’t your lab make rubber alchemically? If we had it, we could mass-produce shushu hair ties. With the princess boom, it’d sell like crazy!”
”Are you sure you can just use the princess’s name like that?”
”It’s not her name! Shushu was already a thing in that world!”
”Aaah, what are you two making noise about now?”
”Ah, Big Sister Puruun. You were late, so we started already, and Ellulu’s been talking a mile a minute…”
Puruun arrived after finishing work at the castle. She was due to be promoted next year from Chief Secretary to Minister of Foreign Affairs, mainly to deal with the Empire. Despite her busy schedule, she made time for us. So now the second, third, and fourth wives were gathered together.
”Well, it can’t be helped. Honestly, not just Ellulu—I’m frustrated too. Yuuta finally came back, and now we’re banned from sex… Ah, Melon, sorry…”
”It’s fine, sis. But you’re right. I want another chance as well, but with this whole ‘no children’ rule… maybe it’s fine if it’s outside?”
”There’s still a chance of pregnancy that way. Ugh. Isn’t there some other method? Just using our hands feels unsatisfying.”
”Wow, sis, that’s crude, and you haven’t even been drinking yet…”
”There is one!” Ellulu suddenly shouted, making Melon jump.
”What the—Ellulu, don’t scare us. And what do you mean, there is one?”
”A way to have s*x without making children! I overheard college girls in the other world talking. They called it… condoms! Made of rubber!”
”I can’t even imagine what that looks like,” Puruun said, downing a drink.
”Well, it’s a thin rubber pouch you put over the man’s thing, and then you can have sex normally.”
”Eh… is that safe? Wouldn’t it tear from friction?” Melon asked nervously.
”That’s the point of rubber. It stretches a lot. Even with someone as big as Yuuta, it probably won’t break.”
Ellulu sketched a diagram eagerly. Puruun and Melon leaned in, fascinated.
”…I see. Alright. I’ll try to create rubber through alchemy,” Melon said at last, slightly tipsy.
* * *
The new year came. Puruun was officially appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. She would be traveling often between the Empire and Zerlant. Around the same time, Aaron was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Zerlant army. While talks with the Demon Clan and the spirit clan continued, the kingdom still prepared for deterrence with planned military reforms.
At the same time, Kashiwagi Manor was raised to Kashiwagi Territory, with Yuuta as lord. Though unusual for someone without a noble title, it coincided with his formal divorce from the queen. The Elf lords were told it was a kind of severance settlement. Considering humans lived such short lives compared to Elves and that Yuuta’s line wouldn’t inherit, the nobles accepted it in the end.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Capital, shushu hair ties became a massive fad during the princess boom. Ellulu’s boutique had started the trend, but Melon’s alchemically made rubber was only strong enough for hair accessories—not for underwear or condoms. So Ellulu wrote to Yuuta, demanding he send her the first rubber harvest from Kashiwagi Territory as soon as possible.
* * *
As spring neared, Karin returned from the spirit clan.
”Shushu–ria, huh… Hello, Shushu–ria! I’m your big sister!”
At the queen’s private chamber, Karin, reporting on her arm treatment, took the child from Akari and held her gently.
”And Karin, how was Chieftain Fedelate?” the queen asked.
”He has mellowed compared to when I first met him. But he still holds to his great ambition. He said if Gates can be used, he’d like to make use of them.”
”I see. The matter of Gates will be discussed among the three clans. As for that ambition… difficult indeed.”
”But why does the spirit clan insist they must expel Elves and Demons and dominate the continent? Why can’t they coexist? Whenever I asked, they just dodged the question…”
”Yes… if Yggdrasil were seized, Elves and Demons would both be imperiled. We must keep seeking coexistence. But that’s for future talks. Karin, please keep this between us.”
”Understood, Your Majesty. Still… don’t you think Shushu–ria looks big for her age?” Karin asked.
”Oh? You think so too? Mama Akari has said the same. But perhaps this is normal human growth, unlike Elves?”
”Well, I haven’t seen many babies myself. But back at the estate, one-year-olds were just starting to walk and grow teeth. This girl looks more like three or four. Right, mother?” Karin asked. Akari nodded softly.
”Could it be that mixed Elf–human children grow faster?”
”Wait—Mama Akari, if it’s just fast growth, fine. But if it also means a shorter lifespan, that would be a problem!” the queen said, suddenly anxious.
”Perhaps she should be examined properly,” Karin suggested. At that very moment—
”Karin onee-chan, play with Shushu!”
The child in her arms suddenly spoke in a bright, innocent voice.
Notes:
• Ilman – A large trade town two weeks from the Royal Capital, ruled by Elf Count Mihail and his eccentric wife Beyond; known for its noble mansion, role as caravan stop, and stage for intrigue mixing disease, politics, and secret plots.
• Melon – Puruun’s younger sister who is close with Ms. Akari and wants Yuuta and Ms. Akari to be together and have children.
• Claudel – The elf captain of the royal guard assigned to Princess Asuka. At first, she had a strong dislike for Yuuta, who is human. Now, Yuuta’s saffle.
• Fedelate – The clan leader of the Spirit Clan. He is kind, gentle, and shows a unique interest in Sofia. Fedelate is powerful, capable of using telekinesis and healing magic. He is intrigued by human emotions and experiences, especially love.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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