Babysitter

As I was sitting I looked at the shining sphere up in the sky

Its combination of blue color and green coupled with some white was simply breathtaking. The stars all around only enhanced this beauty

"Should I return?"

I was not sure.

I didn't know

But I chose to stay here, my story was here

'Who are you?'

A voice. I looked around but couldn't see anybody.

Perhaps I was starting to hear voices

Well then let me introduce myself to them

"I'm a simple human"

Of course a simple human wouldn't be able to live on the moon and my time was limited as well

'Human?'

"Yes, a human. You see that sphere in front of us? That's where I come from."

'Earth'

"Yes, that's it's name"

'How did you come here?'

"Hmm do you want the long version or short version"

The voice did not answer.

Well that's fine by me. Oh the earth was getting out of sight, I guess it's thi for today

—--

Few days passed

I was currently walking through the moon in search of anything

'Why do you keep walking?'

"To find a story"

The voice often questioned me. At first I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me but then I scrapped that idea. Still I continued to answer it

'Story?'

"Yes, story. Ever read one?"

'No'

Really? That's sad

"Want me to tell you one?"

'..Yes'

Oh it accepted. Over the few days the voice would always disappear after I attempted tell it a story

"Hmm how about this one"

"~A long, long time ago, in a place known as the sea of shadows, there was a stone in the shape of a girl."

'Girl?'

"Haha, yes. Here let me show you an example"

A clay appeared as I focused my mana and put more mana into it. I slowly changed its shape to a girl. But since I'm showing a girl, I should show a beautiful one right?

Then I started to turn the clay into the most beautiful girl I've seen.

The clay now had a pristine clear surface, long blonde hair and bright red eyes.I tried to replicate her clothes from back then but it wasn't perfect.

"This is a girl"

It didn't answer so I continued my story

"With such beautiful hair and sweet lips that anyone would become infatuated with her. Surrounding the girl was an ankle high sea of water and stone flowers blooming towards the sky"

As I kept continuing the story I tried to replicate it with clay

"Even though no one knew why she was like this, the girl was a princess whom many people wished to awaken. But when the princess awakened the people who had waited and wished for her had all disappeared"

'Why?'

"Because humans are weird creatures. Their lifes short, their dreams big, they continue to walk."

'Will you also disappear?'

"Perhaps, if I can't find a story that is"

'But this place has no stories'

"Then I will go, go away to find a story."

'Will you not return?'

"Hmm I don't know. Maybe when there is a story"

It once again kept quiet. My mana reserves were drying out quickly

"Then I'm going to continue"

"Water in the sky, sky in the water. They asked her to wrap this cold world with warm ice. She was no longer sure exactly who had asked this. Because the many people who wished for it had all cleanly disappeared by the time she woke up"

My story continued.

It was funny whenever I thought about it

"She was now alone, and she passed the time by coming up with theories as to what had happened. One theory was that everyone had died due to the malfunctioning. But as long as she was alive, that couldn't have happened. She had continued to provide any necessities, so it couldn't have been any sort of accident that had annihilated everyone either."

I tried to create machines from the clay but failed to do so.

"The next theory was that everyone was sleeping. There was a good chance that they had decided that staying awake was too troublesome and all closed their eyes together. She stretched out her senses over the surface of the world but could find no human presence. The humans really had disappeared completely from this land."

"As she slowly discredited one theory after another, she stumbled upon the laws of the land. According to these rules, residents were prohibited from loving other residents. Anyone who broke this rule was punished by exile down to the Earth. "

'What is love'

The voice came back again with it's questions

"Love is different for each being so there is no correct way to describe it but if I had to explain it myself… I would say it's a feeling of wanting to stay with certain things. For example you can love your neighborhood, your home, your pets and you will never want to leave them. But the general term for Love is feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment."

I created some images of homes, animals, and humans and placed some hearts around. It looked really childish but I didn't know what to do.

'Love…'

"But Love is also understanding. Hmm well to understand it better you should see other humans."

So I continued my story.

It continued with the princess waiting and waiting till one day meeting an alien. The alien would come next to her every day and talk while filling a tank. He would live thanks to the machines left by the humans and so on.

It did not take long for the princess to learn the Alien's origin. Afterall he was from a human form the blue planet.

He had come here, without anything other than himself, without seeking any rewards. 

The days continued, the princess now had hands just like humans and tried to become more human. He imitated vocal cords and talking but he didn't pay heed. Instead the more she tried to become closer to him he would move farther away.

One day she asked him, "Have I become more Human?"

The human turned around and answered, "To be honest, your body is more like a coral"

This was his first and last compliment and it was the first day her legs were free from the ground

This continued on for another half a year

But it ended suddenly

He carried her into his ship. She was surprised by this but she had become weak recently so it was easy to get her on

She was anxious about leaving the Sea of Shadows but she was happy as long as he was there. In the small space of the ship she closed her eyes happily.

"I came to the moon because I was tired and gave up. Someone like me has no reason to love others"

Hearing the noise she woke up but her body couldn't move. Even if it could, the door would not open. She had already been separated from the planet

The ice covering the sky cracked like a dream.

"I do not think what you felt towards me was love. You simply do not understand humans"

Pressing against the window she had forgotten the long forgotten law. If you loved a person from there, as a punishment you would be separated forever.

"There are lots of suitable matches for you on Earth. You should live there."

He stayed there. But she understood. She understood this was the best choice for him, because she loved him.

*Cough*

Blood came from my mouth. It seems my time is almost up. Sadly I wasn't able to finish my story

'Are you going?'

"I am"

Few days have passed since I came here but this was the limit for me.

'Will you come back if I get a story?'

Probably not.

"Of course"

But I still lied.

"It may take a while but I will come eventually"

*Cough*

My mana was almost depleted. I tried to lay my body but I felt like my head hit something. I looked over and saw a crimson figure

'Can you show me where you are going?'

As my head was supported by the crimson figure I used all my left mana to create a beautiful place. One that it could show to others

As the blue flowers came out from the ground and the clay on the ground transformed into a blue castle I tried to imitate the Reality Marble I've seen but it all fell down. This was my limit

As my eyes slowly closed I saw two crimson eyes looking at me with an expression I could not understand

[User died]

[Mystery: 1,360,528]

As the body on its lap lost all life it looked up towards the blue planet.

'I will make a story just for you, so don't forget to come back'

—-

It was 1888

"Oh sir, a kid stole your wallet!"

What? I checked my pocket and indeed the place that should be full was empty. I turned to where the man was pointing towards and saw a kid running.

"Thank you"

That money was important!

I rushed behind the kid as I tried to catch him. The kid turned to alley so avoiding the people around me I entered as well

"Sorry, passing through."

As I kept apologizing to the people I was still running as I caught the thief when he was about to jump

"Now, now where are you going"

A punch came from my right but I just caught it

"That was rude"

While I caught the punch I couldn't catch the kicks

"Oof, hey stop it."

Well in the end it was just a child. It didn't even hurt

Not giving up the child continued.

As I looked at tit's clothes it was the usual, a kid probably abandoned by others. Living in the garbage he was smelling

"Look kid, if you don't stop I'm going to give you to cops"

He tried a bit more but then gave up seeing he was not affecting me

"Good, now I will release you but don't try to run away. The result should be obvious"

He nodded his head so slowly I dropped him. Thankfully we were in an alley where there was no one

"Now, care to tell me why you stole my wallet?"

A quiet voice came but I couldn't hear it

"A bit louder please?"

Before he was able to answer his stomach growled signaling the reason

Why me.. I couldn't leave him like this as well

I stood there and thought about what to do. Should I feed the kid? But that's just a temporary solution. Adopting him will also not work. If he is doing this then there should be more kids behind this.

Hmm should I just hire him and the rest? The job I do isn't heavy anyways and it won't hurt to hire more than one kid. I got enough money and a place for them to stay as well.

"...How about this kid? I will feed you but then you will work for me"

He didn't seem convinced with this. This one is not so dumb at least.

"The job isn't hard. I will teach you how to write and read, lantern when I write a book you are going to copy it"

It was honestly useless. I really didn't need them but this was the only thing I could imagine at the moment. 

He didn't say anything, thinking he was interested I continued

"You can call other kids as well if you accept it. I will provide each one of you with a room so you don't need to live here, as well as money after each month. I will give each one of you 5$ at the end of the month"

It was already way too much considering I'm giving them a place to live, a useless job that won't benefit me and they were just a child.

"I will be going now and here"

I pulled out a dollar and gave it to him. A shockingly high number which confused him. Child from where it comes from there is more than you can imagine

"Take this and get yourselves things to eat. If you decide to ever accept my offer I will be waiting here at this exact time."

I got up and left after that. The child also stared at me before going deeper into the alley. I could only hope they wouldn't get into trouble because of the dollar I gave.

Thankfully the next he was there. Still wearing dirty clothes but now washed up coupled with 5 more kids.

That day I took them back to my home, and changed their clothes. Now looking like a true gentleman I started to teach them as I had planned but there was a problem.

Few years passed

Apparently the kid I caught and one other was female. Now at this time making women work was.. well I won't get into it but I planned something else with them.

"Joanna, follow jow Jane is kneading the dough."

I hit gently hit her white hair as she was kneading

"Agh"

"Don't act like it hurts. Now continue, you don't think you can open a restaurant with those filmy skills right?"

I was going to make you kids the best chef around here with my extensive food knowledge.

Over the years even more children came to work under me and I accepted all of them. It was kind of ridiculous I was currently the "Father" of way over a hundred kids. Every year another set would come and start to work under me.

It felt wrong, like I was growing children and binding them to me but I never forced them in anyway. Even the grown ones happily continued to work under me and help look at the new kids

I had to eventually buy a lot of land for them to be able to take shelter. Still some had to live in the same rooms because there were simply not enough rooms.

"Joanna, what did I tell you!? You are cutting apples too small. No need to show of your knife skills"

Still I was managing except for one. This kid, the one I took on first, was still with me. I even promised to open a special restaurant for her but no

"What am I going to do with you Joanna"

I could only shake my head over my biggest failure

"sorry"

She didn't look sorry at all

"*Huff* Anyways, the rest can go. You are free today."

Every kid taking off their aprons was rushing and following them was an adult

"Joanna you stay"

She stopped and turned around slowly. I pointed towards a chair next to me

She silently sat down while frowning

"Don't show me that face. You have been here for 30 years already, the others are already married and have children but you are still here. What happened to that 'I'm the leader' thing? Look at this, those wound still persist even to this day"

I moved closer to her and gently touched her scars on her face. They were indeed ruining her face

"But-"

"No buts! I'm getting older Joanna, I can't look after you for long. Like others you need to leave at some point. I know you are just pretending to failing, I saw what you can do"

She looked sad, now I was feeling bad. I got myself a chair and sat next to her

"Okay I'm sorry I screamed at you but you need to realize it. I know you Joanna, you are probably the smartest kid I've seen but why are you not using it on other things except trying to stay here?"

She looked embarrassed. What did you think I wouldn't realize? I'm your Mo- ehem Father after all

Her olive green eyes turned and looked at me

"I.. I just want to stay here"

*Hah* What am I go- I got an idea. 

"Hmm about this then. Just like the old times, I will offer you a job and the rest"

If you don't want to leave I will provide the best job for you

"I will make you the next head after me"

Her smile told me everything I needed to hear

Even more years passed

Now I couldn't move anymore, keeping an eye on all these kids made me age earlier I'm saying.

"No.. don't die"

This kid, she still didn't want to leave me

"Heh.. kid, it's too late for… that now"

"But.. but"

Don't cry kid, it really makes you look ugly. Just look at the rest who are standing quietly

"Joanna.. tell me.."

Before my last sentence I smiled at her. 

"are you.. happy with your choice.. back then"

She burst out crying while hugging me

"Of course.. of course. We are all happy.. "

She continued but I couldn't hear it anymore.

There I took my last breath

[User died]

[Mystery: 1,375,428]

That was the day the biggest orphanage's founder died. The father of thousands childs that were left on the stress all had come under his wings.

From that day onwards the second owner Joanna, the first child filled the founders step till on 1967 where she too stepped down and appointed the third owner.

She soon died on 1973

—--

The world was harsh, so grow to be a good girl

In my hand there was a baby girl, her origins unknown to me but also didn't matter to me

She was the only one alive I could find in this hellhole

The year? Unknown

The place? Unknown 

Those two alone signaled enough for me to understand. This child was the reason I was here, her story was one I must fill.

Then let it be a good one

I will teach you, I will protect you

"Yumina"

—

"Ba-baa"

"Yumina, relax a bit"

Aren't I looking after childs a bit too much?

"Good job Yumina, now open again"

I was feeding the child in some unknown home. There was nobody around here so I was stuck with her

The biggest problem I-

"Ba-baa! Magic!"

I could only facepalm hearing her. Really, she turned out to love magic and was more drawn to black magic but was it okay? Surely.

"Okay Yumina. Papa is going to show you magic but first you need to finish the bowl. There is only one left. Come on, look , a plane is coming. Open wide, Aaaaah"

As she opened I fed her and emptied the bowl. 

"Okay now what kind of magic do you want to see"

"Bl-ack!"

Hmm

*Whistle*

I called a bird with magic and pulled a few feathers out of it.

Showing a basic witchcraft I shot the feather like bullets

"Wah-hahaha"

She was clapping her hand as she watched me

"Now it's time for sleep, come"

If I didn't eat anything then she would last for a few days.

There was a huge food problem but that's fine, if she survives all is fine

I will die to my sickness anyways, so she is the priority

—-

"Father"

"Yes little Yumiko"

"Watch me!"

She brought out her hands as black circle appeared around it. Suddenly the sky turned back as clouds gathered but it soon went away after she stopped

"How is it? How is it Father?"

"Hahaha my Yumiko is so talented"

She really was! It is really humiliating when here standing with thousands of her age I was not doing as good as her

Both in health and magic, well rather witchcraft.

She was really successful at it.

"Father, father can we go hunting?"

"Sorry little one, father is tired"

Just let me rest a little bit

—

Years were passing fast.

My conditions was getting worse as well

"Father, what is a mother?"

"Mother is one who gave birth to you of course"

"Then where is she when Father is here?"

"She.. had something so she had to go. Don't worry, Yumiko. You will see her in the future"

—

"Father, am I doing this right?"

"You are putting in too much power. If you do it like this it won't be stable"

Teaching magic sure was hard.

She stopped in the middle of it though, that's weird. She always loved practicing magic

"What's wrong?"

"Father can I ask you something"

Of course. I nodded as a response

"What is nothingness?"

Nothingness? That's simple really

A simple book appeared on my hand and as I opened it I started to explain

"Now Yumiko, what do you see inside this book?"

"Words?"

"But what are words to this book? They are not simply words, they are books' contents. The text, it's font, its size, the story, the images, all of them what shapes a book to be.. well a book."

"But how does that explain nothingness?"

Now, now

"Patience, now all of this content makes a story right? But what if we removed some parts of it. Like let's say the ending. Now this story is an incomplete one and the book is unfinished right?"

"Of course"

"That's wrong though. Sometimes endings aren't necessarily the things that finished a book or the story. The one who finished the story and the book is the writer. But what if the writer didn't exist, then what will happen to the book?"

"It will be nothing?"

"Exactly. Its contents, if it has an ending or not, doesn't matter."

"But that's bad!"

"It is, so do try to prevent it okay? Live your life and create your story, then when you finish it do show it to father"

"Understood!"

I patted her head

"Good"

"But father, if I'm writing my story then what will you be?"

With a smile I answered

"I will be the one to hold everything. Now go to bed, soon we will go out"

"Yey! Goodnight father"

"Goodnight, Yumiko"

I hope I can find someone to take care of you before I die.

—-

Going through the streets of the city I looked through if there were any magus around but surprisingly there was only one

I had expected to find few more honestly

Let's just hope he is someone nice

Entering a small bar with Yumina hidden under clothes I found a rather young looking man.

"Hahaha my friend drink drink"

He seemed too energetic but let's give it a chance

"Hey, do you have time"

The man turned back and faced me

"Oh, old man. What is it? Do you want to drink with us? What do you say Brishisan?"

He turned to his other friend but he looked considerably older than him. One was 20 while the other was 40, it seems like it is normal around this time though so I didn't say anything

"Fine, what is it"

Locking his eyes he seemed to test me

"Won't invite me for a drink?"

"Hooo sure come come"

The other invited me so I sat down next to him while taking Yumika to my lap

"A child? You are a father?"

"Yes, is that a problem?"

"I mean.. not for us but"

His friend seemed to find out I was a magus so he stopped him. 

"Zelterch, it's fine. They are magus"

Zelretch?

"But-"

"Erhm sorry but what was your name again?"

He at first didn't understood it but answered anyways

"Oh so you have heard of me. Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg!"

It's him, that old man. Then it should be fine

"Can I ask you for one request?"

"Haah, I mean sure"

He seemed so different. Was he like this when he was young?

I looked at Yumika and she was sleeping.. when did she sleep? well it works for me

"Zelretch.. can you take care of my daughter?"

"..What?"

—-

It took few days to convince him but I was eventually able to do it. Apparently they were building some sort of guild as well so it was probable.

"Thank you, once again"

"No, it's fine man but honestly it's first for me"

This meant much for coming from him and I knew it. He probably didn't expect suddenly getting a girl as the alternative timeline stuff.

The sun was going down, one for day was ending

"Hey Zelretch"

"Yes?"

"You will grow up to be a fine man. I can see it but you are a bit too much of a prankster aren't you?"

"..."

"I know about your timeline magic"

He didn't seem as surprised at the fact

"This..-"

"Don't think much about it. I just wanted to tell you to be careful."

I laid down and closed my eyes. I was lucky to find someone this early but still muttered my last words to him.

"Do you use that magic to make her grow up to be a good child okay?"

Don't just use it for pranks

[User died]

[Mystery: 1,434,259]

—-

I turned back to the library. 

These last few ones were taxing on my mind.

Hah, I need something more relaxing. Specifically one with no kids.

I went over the few books that I experienced before and was on Modern times

I was planning to return again and kind of figure out what was going on on Fuyuki that night but before that it was time for a little vacation.

Selecting one I was certain

This was it!

—--

Moderns times again

It is a nice change of pace honestly

But it's been a while since I've been to Fuyuki again.

"I'm the one who feels like throwing up! For something like that to come from you!"

It was that quiet city I always knew. I specifically came back a bit later than when that night took place so It should be safe.

"You think of yourself rather highly! Stuck up Prissy!"

"SHUT UP"

Whoops, I accidentally screamed but it wasn't my fault. The others agreed with me

The girls making the commotion soon went out

Good

Okay forget about it, now let's just see and find my home

I got out of the airport and boarded a taxi. I told where my house was but apparently there were some address changes so he at first understand

"Hmm ah! You mean that lousy street"

Lousy? I mean I wasn't sure but okay.

We indeed reached the place I wanted to go.

It was night time, so I should go inside now.

Right when I was about to enter a loud noise came

Should I check it? Nah later.

This way.. hmm?

The world around me started to spin as the sky changed.

The lights were gone just like the voice

"Transportation?"

It was not a Bounded Field so maybe smoking of shit?

It does feel similar to going between reverse side of the world but not exactly

*CREEK*

A loud screeching voice started to come as I turned around.

I expected something huge to come out but there was only a doll and as soon as I came close to it it exploded.

My mind was going haywire, just what happened?

I found a card on the ground. Why would it leave this?

Picking it up, I looked at it.

There was nıthing but blurred images and text on it. It looked like it was shifting constantly but I wasn't sure so I put it in my pocket. It was probably some Maguses experiment, he would probably able to give it back when it's owner comes back

It was now sleep time

—--

Few days passed

Something was wrong

I could feel incredible mana functions over the city

I need to find the reason, the place is.. school?

What is going on in the school?

That doesn't matter i need to go there

"Open sesame"

Hmm yes, having little fun was acceptable

Anyways, entering the door now I was at the school but there was nothing around. The fluctuations were getting stronger. I could feel it but there was nothing around.

"Perhaps"

That weird world.. that was my only guess here so I acted upon it and entered inside and it seems like I was correct

There were… 6 people inside and it seems like 5 of them were fighting the single woman in black

One girl looked like she was about to fall while two others were already down. It looks like teenagers were defeated but kids were fighting? What kind of situation was this?

"That.."

Can someone explain it to me?