Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Shopping with the Girl
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A slightly earlier early bird than usual.
A blanket much warmer than usual.
"Ah... right. I slept with Hikari."
The blanket covering me rose and fell rhythmically.
When I pressed my ear gently against it, I could even hear the child's soft breathing: pyu-hyu, pyu-ku-pyuu.
It felt nice, like holding a hand warmer, but getting up was a bit tricky.
I don't want to wake her.
Thanks to harvesting those Sticky Mushrooms yesterday, I could afford to laze around today anyway.
I was thinking of just lounging like this until lunchtime.
Squirm!
Hikari suddenly wriggled, blowing away my deliberations.
Poke, poke.
Her single protruding horn jabbed my chin.
To be honest, it was more ticklish than painful, but I flinched reflexively, fully waking her up.
"Hwah!"
Was it the unfamiliar ceiling and walls?
This wasn't the ruins she'd stayed in until yesterday; she'd woken up in a boarding house that smelled of people.
Hikari frantically shook her head side to side before burying her face in my chest.
"It's okay. Where would I go and leave you behind?"
"Whu...?"
Her eyes peeked up at me through her tousled hair.
Pale purple eyes dyed by the morning light.
My reflection shone small within that clear hue.
I used it like a mirror to smile softly and greet her.
"Did you sleep well, Hikari?"
She still couldn't understand words, but the nuance seemed to get through.
"Eumu!"
"Good, full of energy."
No reason to stay in bed any longer.
I kicked off the blanket while holding Hikari and got up.
"Let's go downstairs and get some food."
"Mu!"
We headed down to the first floor together, where a red blaze welcomed us.
"Good morning, kids~"
"It's only 7 a.m., and you're already so diligent, Ihana."
"There's a saying that Balrogs who rise early set the world ablaze, you know?"
True to her tyrant nature, the Balrog was fiery even in the morning.
Hikari seemed to like what Ihana said and raised her little hand high.
...Was there some high-species telepathy?
Hard for a mortal like me to understand.
"Uh... what about Seha?"
"He says his back hurts, so he's lying in a bit longer. So fragile. We only did it eleven times last night!"
Her burning tail, like Liza from Pokémon, flushed pink.
And curved into a heart shape—no doubt, it was that kind of talk.
Balrogs were tyrants even in bed.
Enduring that extravagance and indulgence fell solely to the spouse.
I briefly prayed for Seha's peace before heading to the kitchen.
"Let's see... cereal and eggs?"
I'd originally planned to demand my rightful meals from Ihana, but I wasn't that hungry.
Plus, lunch would probably be in the city today.
So, simple breakfast with whatever was around.
"Half an egg enough?"
"Huna!"
She looked like she wanted more.
I gave her another half, and she finally beamed.
"Yeah, gotta eat a lot. You're too skinny right now."
"Yuan, shopping in the city after breakfast?"
"Yes. Clothes for Hikari and some word books."
The biggest issue right now was the language barrier.
We couldn't communicate by nuance forever.
Especially thinking about enrolling her in school.
"Alright, I'll sponsor you specially."
Incoming transfer: 300,000 won!
Ihana tapped her phone and sent me something.
"300,000 won? No need to be so generous—could you sponsor the app too?"
"You're getting academy sponsorship yourself."
"Can't compare to the Balrog ruler of the super-hot zone~"
She chuckled and petted Hikari.
"Rip Yuan off good. Stick the straw in deep!"
"Mmu...? Mnya!"
Hikari, munching her cereal, thumped her chest proudly.
As if saying not to worry.
"Right, Ihana. Anything else a girl needs? I went to all-boys middle and high school."
My school memories were just running the halls in red briefs as a group.
I thought the academy, like university, would open new horizons, but I came to after blacking out in grad school.
"Thoughtful, huh? I'll make a list on Talk and send it over—with recommended brands~"
I got the list and left the boarding house with Hikari.
Normally, I'd hit the cheap imported clothes shop nearby, but with sponsorship today...
And to introduce Hikari to Promere, we headed to the department store downtown.
"Uuu!"
"See all kinds of different races? This is basically the heart of the Dias Dimension."
A mermaid bouncing onto the bus, tail thumping.
An angel and a boy dashing hand-in-hand, late for something.
Even a Baphomet grandma proudly trying for the kid fare: Look at this young body! I'm just a little one!
Everything was new stimuli for Hikari, who'd lived in deserted ruins.
Held in my arms, she kicked her bare feet in the air, wanting to walk the streets herself.
"Shoes first, then?"
"U!"
We entered the department store and headed to the second-floor shoe section.
Several hours later.
Who might that be, sprawled lifeless on the department store plaza bench, utterly drained?
Yep, that's me!
"...Shopping sure is tough."
"Fua?"
Hikari offered me her slime chewy jelly.
Slimes process chunks of themselves hygienically, inject fruit juice, and sell as snacks.
Her kindness, even as a kid, made me want to shower her with love, but I just waved politely.
"Just tired. Need a bit more self-pity."
"Eumu~"
Hikari shrugged, not getting it this time.
Instead, she climbed onto my lap, leaned against me, and resumed munching the jelly.
I stroked her cute head and glanced sideways.
Bought a lot.
A mountain of big shopping bags piled up.
Didn't exceed budget, but way more than planned.
Why'd I get that kraken butter roast?
All because I fell for the staff's words and impulse-bought.
But hearing "snack for our kid, nutrition for our dad"—how could I resist?
Only the best for my child's mouth.
Overall, satisfied though.
From Hikari's outfit, shoes, underwear, hair ties, socks—everything on Ihana's list bought.
This should last a while.
"Time to head back, Hikari?"
"Mmu-mmu!"
She finished the jelly, hopped off my lap.
Then swish—shot her paper cup into the bin beside the bench.
Copying me from earlier?
If so, Hikari might be a once-in-a-century Nurarihyon genius.
"Hnya!"
She ran back and stretched both hands to me.
Clearly signaling "hug me" like before.
But unfortunately, too much luggage now.
"Sorry, Hikari. Hands full with bags."
I showed her the bags crammed in both hands, looking sheepish.
Honestly, I expected a tantrum then.
Tearing up, flopping on the floor.
But what my daughter showed was...
"U!"
Hikari lowered her outstretched arms slightly and grabbed a shopping bag.
Gently tugging, as if saying she'd carry it.
"That's cheating maturity, Hikari..."
I barely suppressed the urge to brag to everyone that she was my girl.
Instead, I slipped my arm under hers and hoisted her up.
"Hyaa?!"
Luggage or not, didn't matter.
What kind of guardian can't carry one dutiful daughter?
I smiled back at her surprised face.
"It's fine. Still got slack."
I started walking home with my lovely child.
"We're back~"
"Welcome home, kids."
Seha greeted us.
He looked way more haggard than yesterday.
Cheeks hollowed, posture limp...
Did he really go eleven rounds with Ihana?
"Hikari looks even cuter. You have taste, Yuan?"
"Ahaha, half picked by Hikari actually. She has strong opinions."
She'd shake her head firmly whenever staff pushed clothes she disliked.
The yeti clerk got competitive after repeated rejections and raided the stockroom—resulting in this haul.
"Here, down you go, Hikari."
I set her down from clinging to me on the sofa.
Finally could sort bags; Seha came to help and whistled at the pile.
"Bought a ton? Tell us for snacks. Ihana's out shopping."
"Impulse buys~ And tomorrow's the weekend."
One quirky boarding house rule from move-in:
[Article 3: Weekdays, all three meals plus snacks provided!]
[But weekends, fend for yourselves! I need cozy time with Seha!]
No special days, so buy or cook myself on weekends.
Good chance to learn Hikari's tastes, so got ingredients too.
Now just ponder dinner while bathing her tonight.
But first, a small favor from the couple.
"Seha, can you watch Hikari Monday?"
"Sure, no problem. Mind telling why? Gotta tell napping Ihana too."
"Those Sticky Mushroom samples from yesterday."
"Ah, prof wants you to bring 'em personally?"
"Sharp as ever."
Professor Rena: Yuan, about the Sticky Mushrooms.
Bring them to the academy in person—wanna see your face too.
Sending dimension gate ticket, don't worry about cost♪
Got the Talk during shopping.
Can't ignore the professor.
Plus, chance to hand off other samples too.
"Hikari doesn't have a passport for dimension gates yet."
"Eh?"
"Don't wanna separate! Why do I have to go to Seoul alone!"
Hikari eyed her clingy dad oddly.
Then tapped my forehead with a reliable look.
"U!"
"Huh? Telling me to go and come back safe?"
"Eumu!"
"That's my girl! When did you grow up so fast!"
Kids grow quick.
Feels like yesterday we met, but already so mature!