Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Three Days of Happiness (6)
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I woke up leisurely to find Cheondo sitting by the bed, waiting for me while reading a book from who-knows-where.
How to Capture Your Disciple. For some reason, the title stuck in my memory.
"You're awake?"
At Cheondo's casual question, I nodded slightly, and she gestured with her chin for me to tidy up my clothes.
I buttoned my shirt and smoothed out my appearance. Watching me, Cheondo closed the book and picked up the luggage by the bed.
"Preparations are done, so nothing else to do, right?"
We've played enough, so it's time to quit slacking and head back.
I couldn't leave our daughter alone any longer, so I nodded. Then, suddenly, a good idea popped into my head.
Our daughter.
My child, whom I'd been too busy to properly spend time with.
She has no decent memories with her father. Can you even call this a family bond? Of course not. Kids need tons of experiences for emotional development when they're young.
"Master, could you bring Shiba here for me?"
"You mean your daughter?"
I asked Cheondo right away, and she shrugged as if it was no big deal.
"But why that kid all of a sudden?"
Why? Because...
"Gotta do some fathering. On a day like this, taking her to the zoo will make sure she doesn't look down on me later in life."
"The academy's not even on your radar."
Life's about cutting corners sometimes.
Who knows when death might come? Enjoying a few days isn't a big sin. If anything, I've been running too hard until now.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Azalea held out her phone with Lee Si-heon's photo to Shiba, who was wearing chick pajamas.
"Try imitating. Daddy."
"Paa."
"Da~ddy."
"Paa~?"
Shiba grinned at Si-heon's photo on the phone and hugged it tight.
Shiba's body had grown to about the size of a five-year-old child.
The sprout on her head had shrunk, and small branches sprouted on the sides. The typical look of a first-generation Wood Person.
But despite the rapid growth, language learning was still lagging.
"Peep. Pii~"
Shiba rubbed her cheek against the phone. When the screen changed to another photo from the pressure on her chubby cheek, she yelped in surprise.
"Pip!"
I switched it back, and she burst into giggles.
'Well, learning in just a few days would be the weird part.'
At least I wanted to teach her "daddy" before he got back.
She seemed to understand meanings but couldn't vocalize words yet, probably because she was so young.
'She'll get it soon enough.'
Wood People grow far beyond humans.
Azalea believed Shiba would speak human language in no time. After all, she was Lee Si-heon's smart kid.
Korean was an easy language anyway, so once she got the hang of it, she'd be fine.
Until now, peeps and piis had sufficed for communication. But that couldn't last forever.
And once Shiba talked, it might win Si-heon over even more.
Azalea imagined Si-heon's face hearing Shiba's words.
At the same time, she recalled the pain from that slap on her cheek. Not sure why it came to mind, but she pressed her right hand to it and let a natural smile bloom.
Knock, knock, knock.
A sudden knock echoed. Shiba clutched the phone and peeped excitedly toward the door.
"Pip! Piit!"
"Jeez, don't run."
She'd just gotten word Si-heon was coming, so Shiba's excitement wouldn't be crushed.
Azalea opened the dorm door, her light negligee fluttering transparently.
A familiar mask brought another odd smile.
"Long time no—"
"Piiiik!"
Before Azalea and Si-heon could finish greeting, Shiba leaped over a meter into his arms, hugging tight.
Her eyes welled with joyful tears.
Anyone might think Azalea had abused her.
'I, I didn't treat her that badly...'
The cleanest, most nutritious water and food. Not the best education or toys, but still provided.
As she worried about misunderstandings, Si-heon stroked Shiba's head gently.
"Is our girl that happy?"
Honey-dripping voice—the first tone like that since they met.
"Piik~"
"What makes you so happy?"
"Piiiik!"
Everything!
That's what it seemed like. Her happy cries assured no misunderstandings.
Watching father and daughter rub cheeks at the entrance, Azalea crossed her arms and snickered.
"Pfft."
"What?"
"Just looks nice."
"Yeah? Well, our Shiba is pretty."
Thinking about it, it was amazing.
The big guy from before enrollment exams now had a daughter and was living properly.
And not much time had passed since they first met.
Yet looking at Si-heon now felt like they'd been together for years.
Maybe the changes were too drastic, or the shared experiences too intense.
Fatigue from caring for Shiba hit suddenly. Azalea yawned, hand to mouth, and turned away.
"Good work on training."
"Oh, right."
What now? I just want to rest.
"Taking Shiba out to play. Wanna come? Was gonna go with Master, but she wants to rest."
Azalea nodded.
Her desire to rest vanished in an instant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ —I want to rest now. My back hurts for some reason...
Though the bodies differed, some sensations linked. When Cheondo said that, I averted my gaze awkwardly.
Hwando seemed asleep. Even if swapped, it'd just be Baekdo, so I quickly swung by the dorm, picked up Shiba and Azalea, and left.
"Thank you~"
Tickets stamped, we entered the zoo. Shiba's eyes went wide.
Countless species of magnificent animals spread before her.
Some flaunted manes, others unique spotted patterns.
Stimulating a child's imagination, Shiba gripped my hand tightly in her tiny fist.
Watching us, Azalea spoke from behind.
"...Really okay if I tag along?"
"What's the problem?"
"You haven't seen Shiba alone in ages..."
"No need to overthink playtime."
"R-Really?"
She seemed worried about intruding on father-daughter time, but Shiba didn't care.
Gawking more at passing people than animals. First time in a crowd like this.
"What first?"
"Pip, piit?"
Clutching my pants, scanning people.
I hoisted her up; her mouth gaped at the higher view.
"Peep~!"
Everything amazed her. Me, Azalea—we existed for Shiba now.
Where to start.
We strolled lightly, scouting around.
Lions striding dirt fields with windswept manes, tigers roaring majestically.
Animals from TV for me, firsts for Shiba—I showed them one by one.
-Grooowl!
"Piit?!"
Shiba flinched at the tigers' standoff, clutching my chest.
"Peep... peep!"
"Got spooked."
"Yeah."
Rhinos, hippos, giraffes, penguins.
Magic-prevalent society meant way more animals than my old world's zoos.
Magic made habitats easier, probably.
"Ah."
Azalea leading stopped suddenly.
In a neat enclosure, tiny white fluffballs hopped around.
Rabbits with perked ears munched carrots endlessly, tilting heads cutely at us.
"Rabbits look good."
"Y-Yeah."
I set Shiba down inside. She reached tentatively toward a rabbit.
-Kyuu?
Used to human hands, the rabbit nuzzled her palm.
"Pip?"
-Nip?
"Piik!"
Loving the softness, she knelt in the sand, hugging it.
Then looked at me, hand outstretched.
"Paa. Pa!"
"Wants a hug?"
I tilted my head; Azalea translated first.
"Really?"
I get Shiba well, but that one stumped me.
Tried hugging; squished between me and rabbit, she peeped happily.
"Pii~"
"For real."
"We've been together a few days."
Stroking her soft hair, she beamed.
Clinging like we'd never part, content in the moment. Kids are simple. That tugged at me with guilt for not caring enough.
Azalea watched fondly, then eyed the rabbits.
"Been a while since I came here."
A bittersweet line. Probably never with her dad.
She adored her daughter; seeing us might stir old memories.
'Whatever.'
I returned the rabbit, sat Shiba on Azalea's shoulder.
"Pip?"
"Wait, what're you doing?"
"Next, what?"
Plenty of time. Mountains to show Shiba.
"Won't finish today. Come again later. Together."
Azalea blanked briefly, stared, then smiled softly, some emotion stirring.
"...Sure."
We wandered the zoo more.
Sharing cotton candy with my girl, petting dolphins and getting splashed, laughing together.
Fun times fly; the tour ended in a blink.
"Peep! Peep!"
Shiba on my shoulders peeped happily, kicking legs.
Her warm hands on my head.
"Head back?"
"Yeah. Seen it all."
Zoo closing soon. Azalea agreed.
Sunset sky. Orange glow descending. Perfect time to return to dorms and part.
"Played so much during exams."
"Rebelling's fun."
YouTube during exams is the best.
She giggled, finger to lips.
"Peep~ peep~"
Shiba's song accompanied our walk on the sidewalk.
Soon, the motel with Baekdo loomed.
Then a voice beside me.
"Oh, right. Something to say."
"Again? You always have stuff when we meet."
"Pfft, no."
Sorry for this, sorry for that.
I messed up too; what's so sorry?
But this time, her voice relaxed more than usual.
"Just... always thankful."
Unlike her gloomy tone before.
I'd been chiding; now embarrassed, I scratched my neck.
"Good."
"Yeah."
Azalea nodded.
"Peep?"
Shiba peeped confusedly.
"Play like this again."
No idea when, but I nodded to Azalea's words.
Tomorrow makes three days. End of my set holiday.
What to do.
Musing, I headed back to the academy.