Another Beginning

Several days passed like that. I focused on recovering while spending time with Psi and Dmol. A somewhat peaceful daily life. And amid it all, changes in the incubator started catching my eye. I checked the Status Window.

"...Almost there."

The hatching speed had picked up quite a bit, thanks to the mid-process affection bonus stacking on.

That day at lunch, I was lying in bed with the incubator cradled against me. A warm heat radiated from it. Around me, Psi and Dmol were whispering and giggling about something.

"Heehee..."

"...That seems kinda off, though..."

A peaceful time. Then—tap. A faint vibration came from inside the incubator.

"...Huh?"

I sat up right away. And cracks began spiderwebbing across the egg.

"Kids!"

I called out urgently.

"Come quick!"

Psi and Dmol reacted at once.

"Huh?"

"Is it time now?"

They rushed over and pressed right up against my sides. We held our breath, staring at the incubator.

First, three tiny eggs shook all at once. Tap, tap, tap—then crack. Fissures spread, splitting the shells.

"Oh..."

Psi swallowed softly.

From the gaps, three small heads poked out at the same time.

"...They're out."

I didn't rush. I waited quietly, patiently, until all three broke free on their own.

Tiny, fragile bodies. But their eyes were clear and sharp.

I reached out carefully.

"It's okay... easy now."

I grabbed a towel and gently wiped each one down.

"There... good job."

I cradled all three like precious treasures.

At that moment, a sound came from the other side. Crack.

I turned my head.

"This one's next..."

The Kentrosaurus egg. The shell split, and a sturdy-looking little body pushed its way out with force. Thud.

"...Whoa."

Dmol's eyes went wide.

Psi murmured quietly too.

"Wow..."

I approached slowly and wiped it down the same way, wrapping it tenderly in the towel.

Carefully.

"You came out great."

Now four of them. I gazed at the tiny lives.

Three Compsognathus and one Kentrosaurus.

I smiled slowly.

"...Welcome."

I whispered softly.

"Thanks for coming to me... all of you."

Psi and Dmol watched from the side. I stroked the four gently as I spoke.

"Us"

"Let's get along well from now on."

The room began filling with soft, warm breaths.

"Yeah."

I chuckled softly.

"Now we're a real family."

And so, another family was born this way.

I looked at the little ones before me. The four newborns—small, warm, even their clumsy movements were all adorable.

"...Gotta name you guys, huh."

I propped my chin, pondering for a bit. Staring at the three Compsognathus, I muttered.

"...Hmm..."

After a moment's thought, I opened my mouth.

"Compi."

Pointing at the first.

"Compf."

The second.

"Compa."

The third.

Silence.

Psi and Dmol stared at me in unison.

"..."

"..."

Then, looking at the Kentrosaurus, I said naturally.

"You're... Kent."

I nodded confidently.

"Sounds good."

A beat of quiet.

Psi spoke slowly.

"Dad."

Dmol added softly.

"...I've felt this since last time."

They both looked at me.

"Aren't you kinda half-assing the names?"

"..."

I froze for a second.

"...No?"

I grinned awkwardly.

"I put thought into these."

Psi's eyes narrowed.

"...Really?"

Dmol tilted her head.

"...Where?"

I averted my gaze.

"...Well, y'know..."

Words failed me.

"...Gives 'em each their own vibe."

"Compi, Compf, Compa."

"Pronunciations are all different, see."

Psi shot back immediately.

"...They're basically the same."

Dmol nodded.

"...Copy-paste level."

"..."

I went quiet, then sighed.

"...Ha."

Scratching my head, I muttered.

"...Your dad."

Paused, then confessed honestly.

"...Sucks at naming."

Silence.

Then pfft. Psi burst out laughing first.

"Knew it."

Dmol smiled faintly.

"...Called it."

I protested, feeling wronged.

"Hey, but they're cute, right?"

Right then—peep.

Compi let out a tiny cry. Compf and Compa followed suit.

Kent lifted her head quietly.

Psi smirked at the sight.

"...Well."

Dmol nodded slightly.

"...Seems the kids like 'em."

I chuckled.

"Then we're good."

Looking at the four, I said.

"Names sorted."

"Now we're officially family."

The little lives inched toward me quietly but surely.

I set the freshly hatched kids down on the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠floor carefully. The moment their tiny feet touched down, Compi, Compf, and Compa started scampering around wildly.

"Peep!"

"Pee-ee!"

The three zipped about frantically, sniffing everywhere, chasing each other, buzzing with energy like they ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠might cause trouble any second.

"...These ones are total mischief-makers."

I chuckled.

Kent was different, though. She took slow, deliberate steps, carefully scanning her surroundings. Her gaze was sharp, with a weighty presence.

"...Personalities are night and day."

But one thing was the same. All four naturally gravitated toward me.

Thud, thud. Their small bodies leaned against my feet.

"..."

I smiled softly at the sight.

"...Likes are the same, at least."

Psi and Dmol watched warmly from beside me. Then they approached naturally.

Psi squatted first, extending her hand gently.

"Okay~"

"Big sis is Psi."

Compi tilted her head.

Dmol knelt too.

"...And big sis is Dmol."

Compf and Compa both looked at Dmol. Kent shifted her gaze quietly.

"...?"

I watched the scene, then paused.

"...Huh?"

Something felt off. I tilted my head, muttering.

"...Big sis?"

I replayed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what I'd just heard.

"Big sis, huh..."

My eyes drifted up slowly.

Psi. Dmol.

They looked at the kids with perfectly natural expressions, like it was the most obvious thing.

"..."

I was at a loss for words.

"...Nah."

I shook my head, pushing the thought away.

"...No way."

I forced myself to look elsewhere casually. But oddly, a corner of my heart snagged.

Right then—peep.

Compa nudged my foot.

I glanced down naturally. Tiny eyes looked up at me.

"...Ha."

I smiled softly.

"Yeah..."

I reached out and stroked her.

"Let's get you settled first."

The little bodies responded to my touch, wriggling happily.

But that one word I'd just heard wouldn't leave my mind easily.

"...Big sis."

I muttered under my breath. I brushed it off like it was nothing, but I wasn't completely clueless about what it meant.

Time passed, and soon it was evening. We headed to the dining room together.

Kent was bigger than the others—already about the size Psi had been when she grew.

I carried Kent, Compi, Compa, and Compf, while Psi and Dmol trailed behind, clutching my clothes.

In the dining room, we sat and started eating. Psi and Kent munched on veggies, while Dmol, Compi, Compf, and Compa tore into meat.

I watched, smiling.

"...Eat up."

I quietly opened the Status Window.

"...Grown a ton."

I muttered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠softly.

"...Like this..."

"...We're growing."

At my words, the kids all looked up at me.

"...?"

I chuckled.

"What."

I stroked them as I said.

"Eat lots, kids."

The little lives moved in their own ways, as if answering.

I watched, smiling quietly.