Something Everyone Knows

I let out a sigh and raised my hand to calm things down. “…Anyway.”

“Everyone, just chill for a sec.”

A moment later, the commotion finally died down. I turned to Kent and asked, “…So.”

“You're Kent, right?”

Kent nodded with a slightly tense expression. “…Yes, Dad.”

That short reply. But complaints were still bubbling up from the side.

“Hmph.”

Psi crossed her arms. “This doesn't make sense.”

Dmol quietly chimed in. “…I can't accept it.”

I rubbed my temple. “…Haah…”

That's when Psi sidled up to Kent. “Hold on…?”

I sensed trouble brewing. “Psi, you—”

In that instant, Psi slipped her hand under the blanket and lifted Kent's chest.

Then she muttered, “It's heavy…”

I reflexively squeezed my eyes shut and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠yelled, “Psi!”

Psi replied nonchalantly. “Hmph… What?”

“I was just checking.”

Dmol clicked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her tongue from the side. “Tsk… Dad's got a clear type.”

I stammered in panic. “Hey…”

“That's not—”

But they were already ignoring me, seriously comparing notes between themselves.

Psi muttered, “…This is legit.”

Dmol nodded. “…Agreed.”

And their gazes turned to Kent at the same time.

Kent clutched the blanket tightly, flustered. “U-uh… S-sisters…”

She stammered, glancing around nervously.

I jumped in right away. “Hey, hey, stop it.”

“Kent's uncomfortable and it's getting dangerous.”

Dmol shot back coolly. “Dad, what's dangerous about it?”

I couldn't find the words. “No… Anyway, stop bullying her. Can't you see Kent's struggling?”

Psi glanced at me. “How do you know without looking at Dad?”

Dmol added, “…Open your eyes first.”

“No, that's—”

I couldn't continue. That's when Kent cautiously spoke up.

“Dad…”

“…Don't you want to see me like this?”

I froze for a second. “…No!”

I said immediately. “It's not that, Kent.”

I shook my head. “…It's not like that.”

“The situation right now is just…”

“…A bit risky.”

My words tangled. “…It's not that I don't want to look.”

“Just…”

I sighed. “…Dad's just flustered.”

Kent looked at me, her eyes a little anxious.

I spoke slowly. “…It's fine.”

“Dad's fine with everything.”

A brief silence.

Then Psi muttered softly. “…Hmph.”

Dmol turned her head. “…Fine, for now.”

It wasn't fully resolved, but at least the mood had calmed a bit.

I thought to myself. …Today too.

…Not easy.

Right then, the sound of a car pulling in came from outside.

“…She's here.”

I stepped out of the tent. Mom's car had just parked in front, and she was getting out with shopping bags.

I waved, and Mom spotted me and came over.

“Here.”

I took the bags and handed them straight to Kent inside the tent.

“Kent, try these on.”

Inside the tent, Psi and Dmol, along with Compi, Compf, and Compa, were sneaking out one by one.

Mom scanned them once, then asked me, “So, Sung-jun.”

“What on earth happened?”

I glanced around awkwardly and scratched my head. “…Well.”

“Kent… turned human.”

“But she had no clothes…”

That's when Kent emerged from the tent.

“…Dad.”

Her voice was tentative. “The clothes… are a bit small.”

I looked up at Kent.

…And paused.

The shoulders were slightly torn from the spikes, and the outfit clung tightly overall.

Mom covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. “Pfft…”

“Ha-rin would be pretty bummed if she saw this.”

“…Mom.”

I stood there dazed until a sound from the side snapped me out of it.

“Tsk.”

Psi and Dmol clicked their tongues in unison.

I cleared my throat. “…It's fine, Kent.”

“Dad'll buy you new clothes.”

I quickly changed the subject. “Let's get in the car first.”

I picked up Compi, Compf, and Compa and headed over, with Kent following cautiously. Her steps were awkward and careful.

Back home, we went straight inside.

My little sister, sitting in the living room, looked up. “Mom, where'd you go since morning?”

“You even took my clothes—”

Her words cut off as her gaze landed on Kent.

“…?”

She blinked. “That's… my clothes…?”

She took a step closer, alternating looks between Kent and herself, then fell silent.

And muttered, “…Feels totally different.”

After a moment's contemplation, “…Hmm.”

“This is kinda…”

“Giving off real woman vibes?”

“…Hey.”

I cut her off immediately. “Don't say weird stuff.”

I took Kent straight to my room.

I opened the closet, pulled out one of my shirts, and handed it over. “Try this.”

Kent nodded carefully and changed.

A moment later, she came back out.

Being my clothes, it was baggy overall, but it suited her more naturally.

The second I saw it, Psi and my sister spoke up at the same time.

“…This looks better.”

“…Yeah, this is better.”

Their words overlapped perfectly.

I looked at her and chuckled. “…Yeah, it does.”

I pondered for a bit. …What now.

That's when Psi and Dmol naturally led Kent into the room.

“Dad.”

“We need to talk among ourselves.”

The door closed.

“…What're they up to.”

I stayed in the living room and plopped on the sofa.

Meanwhile, Compi, Compf, and Compa were happily scampering around like nothing happened.

“…You guys have it good.”

I chuckled and muttered. “Being able to play without a care.”

At that, all three froze.

Then they stared at me blankly.

That's not true.

We have thoughts too.

We worry too, you know.

It was a look of pure protest.

“…Ah.”

I paused, then laughed. “Right, right.”

“Sorry.”

I reached out to pet them, and all three let out pleased rumbles.

Grrr rumble…

“…So cute.”

Right then, the door opened.

Psi, Dmol, and Kent came out.

I asked right away. “So, what'd you talk about?”

They glanced at each other, then Psi spoke first. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠“…Stuff even Dad wouldn't get.”

Dmol nodded. “…You wouldn't understand even if we explained.”

“…What the heck.”

I made a baffled face but didn't press further.

Meanwhile, the kids naturally gathered around and settled in.

Psi and Dmol on either side, Kent gently hugging from behind.

“…”

My body stiffened for a moment.

Sensations flooded in all at once.

“…Uh.”

But I forced a casual act and looked away. “W-well, yeah.”

I cleared my throat. “Still, now Kent can stay with us too… Nice.”

At that, Kent replied softly. “Yes, Dad.”

Her voice was even gentler. “Now… no need to sleep apart.”

“You won't have to go through the trouble because of me.”

“…”

I couldn't say anything for a moment.

Then I nodded. “…Yeah.”

A short silence.

I changed the mood. “…It's been a while. Let's check status.”

I raised my hand to bring up the status window.

“…Grown a lot.”

I muttered softly.

Then I looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠around.

Psi, Dmol, Kent, and even Compi, Compf, Compa.

I hesitated for a second. “…No way.”

I whispered cautiously. “Compi, Compf, Compa too…”

“…They didn't, right?”

The air grew strangely heavy.

I looked up to see Psi, Dmol, and Kent smiling at me meaningfully.

“…Why the creepy grins.”

Unease crept up.

Psi spoke. “…Dad.”

Dmol followed. “…That's.”

Kent added quietly. “…You'll find out later.”

“…”

I was speechless.

A brief silence.

“…Ha.”

I shook my head, trying to brush it off.

“A-alright.”

Thinking more would just give me a headache.

With that, I decided to let it go for now.