OP Sister Chapter 544: Little Star Orphanage

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Ares gazed at the goddess for a brief moment as she greeted him. The aura of motherliness she radiated always left him awestruck.

She was an exceptionally beautiful woman.

Kishimojin, a Japanese Kami of Child Care and Maternity, was considered among the weakest deities and was always excluded from the great wars.

Because of this, she was one of the few survivors from the Jipang Nebula, a realm primarily composed of Japanese Yokai, Demons, and Kami.

“I brought more food and goat milk,” Ares said, placing the items on the table. The children marveled at the array of delicious food.

“Oh my! You even brought rice? Thank you so much, Ares…” Kishimojin said happily. “It has been so long since I’ve tasted it…”

“Hm, I also procured this,” Ares said with a smile, revealing a small bottle of soy sauce. “I know you often reminisce about your homeland’s food, so I did my best to find some.”

“Y-You shouldn’t have…” Kishimojin replied, her gentle smile radiant as she softly caressed Ares’ large, muscular hand. “Thank you so much, Ares…”

“A-Ah… Hahah… it’s nothing,” Ares said, laughing awkwardly.

“No, it’s not nothing. I will never forget your kindness,” Kishimojin said. “Shall we enjoy a meal together now?”

“Of course,” Ares nodded.

Everyone gathered around the table to eat. Kishimojin had prepared stew again, which some children found repetitive, but they ate everything without complaint.

While enjoying the meal, Ares discussed Anna and recent events with Kishimojin and the children.

He did this every few days upon returning from hunting or gathering materials and food.

“You say they came from the past? That’s… I can’t believe it…” Kishimojin murmured, visibly shocked.

“Neither could I, but… Siddhartha was certain,” Ares said. “And you know how he is. He’s never wrong.”

“Buddha-sama is never wrong, indeed,” Kishimojin agreed, offering a brief prayer after her meal. “Will you stay after lunch, Ares?”

“I will. I need to… check on something,” Ares replied.

“Huh? Okay,” Kishimojin nodded. “If you need anything, just ask.”

“I will.”

After the meal, Ares walked to the garden, where several gravestones dotted the expansive landscape.

Some might have suggested that the ashes of Constellations like his father and the other Olympian Gods could be valuable materials.

But Ares would never consider desecrating their remains, so he had buried their ashes underground.

He then placed small gravestones for each of his beloved family members.

Their cosmic ashes had transformed this desert into a verdant oasis, providing sustenance for the children.

Ares approached his father’s grave, pouring a bit of red wine over it.

Then, he sat down.

“Hey, Dad, how have you been?”

He smiled bitterly.

“I’ve been alright… lots of things have happened so far… A girl named Anna arrived with her brother—ah! And she had a dog that’s a spawn? But not really? It’s confusing, haha.”

Ares continued, sharing everything he had seen and experienced with his dear father.

“You know… back then, when you were alive, we didn’t get along well, did we? I often said I hated you…”

Ares gazed at the flowers blooming near his father’s grave.

“But deep down, I always respected you, old man… And it wasn’t until I lost you all… that… that I realized how important you were to me…”

Ares shed a few tears as he recalled his family once more.

“I miss you, Father… I miss everyone…”

His large hands trembled as he gripped the soil tightly.

“…”

Kishimojin watched Ares from a distance, her expression mirroring his sorrow as she shed tears on his behalf.

It had become almost a ritual.

Ares would always visit to mourn his family, speaking to their gravestones as if they were still present.

He did so with near-religious devotion.

Even after all these years, Ares could not move past their deaths.

Perhaps to preserve his mental fortitude, he pretended they were still there… watching over him.

After a while, Ares stood and returned to the orphanage.

“Ares…” Kishimojin murmured.

“Ah… Kishimojin? Were you… watching?” Ares asked.

“I’m sorry…” she apologized.

“No… it’s fine,” Ares said with a bitter smile. “I must’ve looked pathetic, right? I apologize…”

“N-No… there’s nothing pathetic about missing your family,” Kishimojin said, gently holding his arm to stop him from leaving. “I… just wanted to tell you that… the children and I… we all consider you our family.”

“…!” Ares looked at Kishimojin, slightly surprised. “Really?”

“Yes…” Kishimojin smiled warmly, clasping his large hand with her two smaller ones. “Don’t you think the same?”

“I…” Ares murmured. “I never thought about it… But… I suppose…”

Ares still struggled to express these sentimental feelings.

For most of his life, he had been a reckless, battle-loving god of war.

Losing everything had forced him to confront his foolish ways, which he regretted deeply every day.

Kishimojin understood his struggles, which was why she persistently brought up these topics, encouraging him to open up, even just a little more.

To open his heart, if only slightly.

“Kishimojin… Thank you for being here for me. It means more than you can imagine,” Ares said, mustering his courage.

“There’s nothing to thank me for. We built this together, didn’t we?” she giggled. “I also felt for the children and wanted a place where they could find shelter… Lord Buddha’s forest was nice, but… not enough.”

“Yes, he’s kind and didn’t mind the children, but his home is certainly… not suited for so many kids,” Ares said, laughing heartily.

After that, the two gazed at each other for a long moment, awkwardly.

There was indeed a spark igniting between them.

Gods who might never have crossed paths in the past were now bound by shared circumstances.

The children of the Little Star Orphanage watched from behind trees and bushes.

“Oooh, are they going to kiss?!”

“Come on, Uncle, stop being such a coward and tell her how you feel!”

“Nngh, this is so frustrating!”

“Ugh…”

To the children’s disappointment, nothing happened. After a brief, awkward laugh, Ares decided to return to the city.

“If there’s anything you need, just call me,” Ares said, as Kishimojin nodded, waving as she watched him depart.

“I will. Safe travels, Ares,” Kishimojin said with a gentle smile.

Once he was gone, Kishimojin sighed, her expression tinged with sadness.

“Oh, Ares-sama… How long will you torment yourself? What happened to your family was not your fault…”

Kishimojin sat near a tree, sighing.

She understood why Ares was the way he was.

He blamed himself for everything.

Since his family’s death, Ares had done nothing but hold himself responsible for that tragedy, that catastrophe.

It was largely because he had been reckless and nearly died, forcing his father to save him and perish in his place.

It was something Ares, at the time, never imagined his father would do after their many conflicts.

“I will continue praying for you…”

She closed her eyes and prayed. It was all she could do now.

Suppressing her Earthly Desires, Kishimojin remained unaware of the tainted black hue in the depths of her heart.

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“I see! Well, congratulations, Anna! I knew you would meet Gilgamesh if you went there, which is why I sent you there, haha…” Buddha laughed freely as Gilgamesh glared at him with an angry expression.

“Hey, Buddha, did you have to burn this girl’s eyes?!”

“I… didn’t do it intentionally…”

“And why didn’t you introduce me to Anna first? It feels like you wanted her all for yourself.”

“I never expressed such desires, Gilgamesh… please stop pretending to know my thoughts.”

“You burned her eyes and then gave her your Eyes of Nirvana, huh? That sounds suspicious to this great king. Almost as if you planned it because you foresaw her fate?”

“…Please, dear friend, stop these misunderstandings. Sowing discord among us will only bring calamity. We should work together instead.”

“I know, I know, I was merely analyzing things pragmatically…”

“Your Majesty, please stop fighting…” Anna pleaded, groaning in pain. The powerful presence of two Constellations was still overwhelming. “Um, Lord Buddha, may I ask a question about my brother? Is he well?”

“He is,” Buddha nodded. “I checked on him recently. To be certain, I have invited a few doctors who will arrive tomorrow. I know much about medicine, but their insights will be valuable too.”

“Ah, thank you!” Anna said, sighing with relief. “Despite falling into this tragic future, to think I would meet such wonderful people who care for me even after all this… I am truly fortunate, which is odd since my luck is always so low.”

“Hm, haha, don’t worry about it, Anna,” Buddha said, patting her head.

“Hey, who are you patting?!” Gilgamesh snapped, pushing Buddha’s hand away. “Anna! Don’t let this creep touch you! Only your great king can pat your head, you heard me?!”

“Eh?” Anna said, confused, as Gilgamesh gently caressed her head, nodding with a smile. “Uh, thanks? I don’t… understand.”

“Gilgamesh is greedy and possessive,” Buddha explained. “It is one of his greatest flaws, and I’ve told him many times he must let go of it to ascend further.”

“Greedy and possessive?!” Gilgamesh roared, ready to fight. “Say that again!”

His relationship with Buddha was strained, despite their alliance.

Though allies, their philosophies and approaches to life were vastly different.

Ares, at least, was repenting his past sins and learning Buddhism from Siddhartha in his spare time.

Gilgamesh, however, consistently rejected offers to study such arts, deeming them beneath him.

“Well, everyone has their own personalities, preferences, and differences, right?” Anna giggled. “We are all unique in our own way, but… that’s what makes us special… I think.”

“Hm, you’re not wrong,” Siddhartha nodded. “Now then, I heard you obtained the Kronos Heart? We are now one step closer to achieving your goal, Anna. With this, creating a path to the past you came from and aiding your return may truly be possible.”

“Me too! I can’t believe I have such a treasure!” Anna giggled. “I never would have found it otherwise, though.”

“Indeed, and he never would have parted with it, even if I had begged…” Buddha said, glancing at Gilgamesh. “So I’m glad you had a fortunate encounter with him and became his Apostle. This greatly eases my concerns… Now, much has happened today, Anna. I suggest you meditate while awaiting your brother.”

“I will, but I was wondering, do you have any Meditation Manuals or something, Lord Buddha?” Anna asked.

“I share my techniques only through words,” Buddha replied. “But I would gladly share everything I’ve learned to help you grow stronger by stabilizing your mind and heart.”

“Hmph! Pathetic. Anna, I will teach you to fight properly with a sword!” Gilgamesh declared. “After all, I am a Sword God, you know?”

“Y-You are?!” Anna gasped.

“With infinite time, I’ve had ample opportunity to master every weapon,” he said. “Becoming a Sword God was only natural for someone of my caliber!”

BOOOM!

Suddenly, Buddha’s rooftop was cleaved in half as a gigantic three-meter-long golden greatsword pierced the ceiling, landing in the center of the lake.

Buddha sighed as Anna’s eyes widened in awe at the titanic sword.

The divine sword was a work of art, adorned with countless runes and intricate spiraling designs.

It radiated a profound and powerful aura, warping space and creating a force of attraction that drew nearby narrative forces toward it.

“This is the Sword of Rupturing Destiny: Erra! She looks very happy to see you, Anna!”

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