>>6150030“Are you really doing well?” you ask, also telepathically. Watching his expression carefully. “I'm... Concerned, son. You still look like you're in as rough a shape as you were a week ago.”
“Oh, that.” he replies with his thoughts, sighing out in what seems like relief. “Well, turns out that this new look's permanent. A side effect of what happened to me, just like not being able to sleep anymore.”
“Wait, what?” you reply, eyes widening at this. “For how long?”
“Since I woke up after having that piece of Death in me. I haven't been able to sleep since.” he replies, and for just a moment you see the weariness and pain in his eyes. Not from physical tiredness, no. This is something deeper, something worse. “I can see it, I can... <span class="mu-i">Feel</span> it all the time now. Death. When I look at someone, anyone, I can see how much life they have left. How long they have left to live.”
Silence hangs between you both at this, Megumin noticing her husband's expression and turning to him, asking him something you don't hear as you try and comprehend the burden he's carrying. The weight of that sort of knowledge, how it would no doubt weigh on him. No wonder he looks so drained, that insight must be draining. And as you glance to your wife, who is also looking curiously to you, wonder how you'd react to knowing just how long she has left in this world? Or your friends, your children, your grandchildren. What a burden he's carrying.
“But why can't you sleep?” you ask him, putting that aside and focusing on your son's condition. “Do you need to come home to sleep, or-?”
“No no, it's not surroundings. I'm just... Beyond that now.” he replies, further confusing you. “My body was changed by Death, according to Lord Jergal I'm not even entirely alive anymore.”
“What?!” you exclaim, everyone turning to you as you realize you'd shouted that aloud. To which Chilli laughs, standing up and addressing everyone.
“I'm sure my looks are garnering some questions in all of you, that you all are concerned for my health so I'll address it now.” he says, everyone looking to him. “Yes, this new look of mine is permanent. You all don't have to keep asking me if I'm okay, because I'm fine. But I do thank you all for being concerned for me.”
“Oh thank goodness. I was worried about you turnin' to skin and bones.” Chaya, who'd teleported into the box as he started speaking says, and to your surprise she also brought Hit and Caulifla with her. The assassin's gaze looks at Chilli with an appraising eye, you see his posture change. Despite his hands in his pockets, you can tell he's a moment away from attacking. “Glad to know it's just a side effect.”
cont
