Short Story: Big Sis’ Stuffed Toy

“What are you up to, Touya?

“Oh, Yumina? I was just thinking about what kind of toys to make for Yamato.”

“For him?” Yumina looked at the table and found a lot of little toys, mostly made out of wood. Her younger brother, Prince Yamato of Belfast, was still under a year old, so she wondered if those toys were really appropriate.

“Well, it should be fine as long as it’s something simple… What’s this?” Yumina pointed toward a strange item. It was a circular shape on a stick with two balls on a string hanging on each side. When you turned the handle, the balls would hit against the paper skin and produce a drumming sound.

“It’s a rattle drum. Heard they’re popular in Eashen. Or well, something similar, at least.”

“That’s cute… Yamato should like that. Oh, what’s this?” Yumina pointed toward what appeared to be a small ladder with angled steps.

“Oh, this…” Touya put a small square-shaped toy on top of it, and it slid down each segment before finally clattering at the bottom.

“This is lovely… But Yamato would probably eat that piece…”

“I wouldn’t worry about that. When I made it, I enchanted it so it tastes really bad. Kids should spit it out right away.

Touya explained a lot of his other toys, showing various building blocks, animal-themed sets, bells on sticks, whistles, rattles, and so on.

“This is the best one!”

“Really? That?”

Yumina was referring to a stuffed toy that Touya had pulled out from his [Storage]. Stuffed toys existed in this world, but only members of upper class families could hope to have a cuddly toy stuffed with cotton. Lots of different types existed, but they wildly varied in quality.

“Could I… give him this?”

“Sure, I don’t see why not.”

Yumina happily took the stuffed animal. It had been enchanted with [Protection] which prevented gradual wear and tear, while also keeping dust from collecting on it.

“He’s so cuuute! Thankyouuu!”

Yumina cuddled the toy with a huge smile on her face as she sang Touya’s praises. He blushed a tad as he heard that.

“Try squeezing him with both hands, then.

“Huh? Alright…” Yumina squeezed the toy a little, and a voice suddenly rang out.

“Yamatooo! It’s me, Yumina, your sister!”

“…Was that your voice just now, Touya?”

“Ah, well… It was a test, you know? I was gonna have you record it properly later.”

Yamato would probably have been terrified if he heard a weird man’s voice coming from a present his sister gave him.

“Figured if he could hear your voice whenever he wanted, he wouldn’t ever feel lonely.”

“…Thanks, Touya. I’m happy you thought of that…” Yumina giggled happily.

“Well, only the best for my future brother-in-law, right?”

They spent the afternoon recording various phrases, and then delivered the “Chatty Yumina” to the little prince. Prince Yamato ended up cherishing that toy for a long time to come.