Dmol's First Flight

Dmol seemed fascinated by this new world, craning her neck this way and that as she looked around the room. She tentatively spread her tiny wings a little and pecked at the floor. I watched her quietly for a moment. She was so adorable that I couldn't help but smile.

"Pretty amazing, huh?" I carefully extended my hand and lifted Dmol up, then gently placed her on my shoulder. She wobbled for a second before steadying herself, standing firm on my shoulder. Her little feet clung tightly to my shirt. Grinning, I said, "Oh, you're a natural."

Dmol tilted her head and scanned the room again. I spent some time like that, bonding with her. The way she wriggled around on my shoulder was downright cute. How much time passed? Then the blanket on the bed rustled slightly. Psi must have woken up.

Psi slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes, then looked up at me. That's when she spotted me playing with Dmol. She hopped right off the bed and dashed over to me. Smiling, I said, "Psi, you're awake?"

Psi stopped ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in front of me and stared intently at Dmol, her eyes wide and sparkling as she examined her for a good long while. I said cautiously, "Psi." Holding Dmol up a bit, I added, "This is our new family member."

"Psi's little sister." I grinned. "Her name's Dmol."

Psi tilted her head, peering closely at Dmol. Dmol looked back at Psi with equal curiosity. I scooped Psi up too, gathering both little dinosaurs in my arms. Softly, I said, "You two get along, okay?"

"Psi and Dmol."

Psi let out a short chirp. Dmol made a tiny sound in response. It was like they were greeting each other. After that, I pulled out some toys and played with them. When I rolled the rubber ball, Psi chased after it, and Dmol flapped along behind. Watching them scamper around together was adorable. I kept playing, laughing the whole time, oblivious to how fast the hours flew by.

Before I knew it, the sky outside had darkened. Dinner time was approaching. That's when my stomach growled softly.

"Grumble..."

I chuckled. Psi looked up, and Dmol eyed me too. Standing, I said, "Hungry, huh?"

"Let's go eat."

I carried Psi in my arms with Dmol on my shoulder and headed to the cafeteria. On the way, a thought struck me. "But..." I muttered. "What does Dmol eat?"

Psi loved salads and insects, but Dmol was a pterosaur. Scratching ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my head, I wondered, "Meat... maybe?"

Pondering that, I arrived at the cafeteria. Students were already eating dinner inside. I went to the counter and asked the cafeteria lady, "Auntie."

She looked up. "Yes?"

A bit embarrassed, I said, "Um... do you have any raw meat? Like, untouched?"

She gave me a puzzled look. "Raw meat?"

I nodded sheepishly. She thought for a moment, then said, "Hold on."

She disappeared into the kitchen. Meanwhile, I glanced at Psi and Dmol. Psi was wagging her tail on the table, while Dmol peered around from my shoulder. Soon, the lady returned with a small plate topped with red pork.

"This is the only raw meat we have right now," she said, setting it down. "We bought it for tomorrow's boiled pork, but..."

She smiled. "If it's okay, take this."

I bowed quickly. "Thank you so much, Auntie."

I took the meat back to my seat. Psi eyed it first, but it was Dmol's turn. I tore off a small piece and placed it in front of her. "Here, Dmol, give it a try."

Dmol tilted her head, then pecked at it cautiously. Nom. She ate it better than expected, tearing into the meat with her little beak and chowing down eagerly. Surprised, I said, "Whoa... she's really going at it."

Unlike my worries, Dmol devoured it happily. Psi watched quietly from the side, like an older sister overseeing her sibling's mealtime. As we ate, I felt eyes on us. I glanced around cautiously.

Students throughout the cafeteria were staring our way. It had been similar with Psi alone, but with Dmol too, we drew even more attention. Curious gazes. Amazed looks. My shoulders tensed up.

I avoided their eyes and hurried through my meal. Psi finished her last salad, and Dmol had nearly polished off the meat. I stood quietly. "Let's go."

I took Psi and Dmol and left the cafeteria. Outside, I could breathe easier. I muttered under my breath, "Hah..."

"This is awkward..."

I looked up at the sky. "Well... it'll die down in a few days."

Once people got used to them, the stares would fade. But deep down, I thought, I don't want to turn my family into a spectacle. To me, Psi and Dmol weren't just summons—they were real family.

That's when Dmol, perched on my shoulder, quietly tilted her head toward me and nuzzled my cheek with her tiny head. I froze. "Dmol...?"

Smiling, I stroked her head. Psi rubbed against my leg ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠too. Looking at them both, it felt like they were saying, It's okay, Dad.

I chuckled and petted them gently. "Yeah."

"Thanks."

Just as I headed back to the dorm, a voice called out. "Um... excuse me!"

I stopped and turned slowly. A female student stood a short distance away, in uniform. She seemed shy, fidgeting with a small envelope in her hand. I blinked in confusion. "Huh...?"

She hesitated, then approached cautiously and held out the trembling envelope. "H-Here..."

I stared at it, not quite getting it. Then—

"Pip!"

Psi lunged forward and chomp—she snatched the envelope in her mouth.

"Whoa?" I yelped. "Psi?!"

Too late. Psi crunched it up, the paper crackling as it vanished. The girl watched in shock. At that moment, Dmol spread her wings slightly on my shoulder and let out a wary chirp at her.

"Kik."

Psi crouched low in front of the girl, fully on guard. Panicking, I grabbed them both. "Hey, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hey, hold on!"

I scooped up Psi and Dmol. "Sorry!" I apologized hurriedly to the girl and bolted from the scene. I felt her gaze on my back, making my shoulders stiffen.

Back in the dorm room, I shut the door and set them down. Staring at them, I said, "Psi?"

Psi looked up innocently. I turned to Dmol. "Dmol?"

She tilted her head. After a pause, I asked, "What's up?"

"Something wrong?"

Psi wagged her tail slightly and rubbed against my leg, as if saying, Dad's ours.

I was speechless for a moment, then sighed softly. "No way... that wasn't a love letter, right?"

I shook my head. "Nah... couldn't be."

I muttered to convince myself, "We don't even know each other."

Awkward thoughts swirled in my head. I shook them off. "Whatever, no point worrying now."

Glancing over, I saw Psi chasing Dmol around the room, tail wagging, while Dmol flapped her wings to dodge. Smiling at the sight, I said, "Aw, you're having fun."

Then they both came over, rubbing against my legs and shoulder affectionately, like they were saying, Good call, Dad.

I chuckled and petted their heads. "Yeah, yeah."

"Thanks."

We played like that for a while. Then Dmol suddenly spread her wings wide and hopped up from the floor. I blinked. "Huh...?"

She flapped a few times, but her body didn't lift properly. Thud. Back to the floor. Psi stopped to watch. I gazed quietly with her as Dmol tried again.

Flap. Flap. Still no balance—her body wobbled. I almost reached out but held back.

Let her try on her own.

Quietly, I said, "Dmol."

"Take it slow."

"You got this."

She flapped again. Flap. Flap. This time, she stayed up a bit longer, but still no real flight. Failure after failure. Yet Dmol didn't give up, her tiny body persisting.

I watched silently. "That's it..."

"Just a little more."

"You're doing great."

Time passed. Then—flap! This was different. Dmol's body lifted off the floor. She wobbled, but she was airborne. I held my breath. Psi's eyes went wide.

The next instant, Dmol flew a bit higher—a short, but definite flight. She veered toward me and plop—landed in my arms. Stunned, I stared at her, then burst out laughing.

I hugged her tight. "Dmol!"

Beaming, I said, "You did it!"

Psi wagged her tail beside us, chirping shortly like she was congratulating her. Looking between them, I said, "Our Dmol."

"You can already fly."

Dmol chirped softly in my arms, looking mighty proud, as if saying, Dad, I flew!

I showered her with praise and cuddles. Dmol flapped her little wings happily in my embrace. Psi chirped too, celebrating her sister.