Where Dad Is, That's Our Home
I carefully placed the egg inside the incubator. Holding it in my hands, I slowly walked toward the interior, taking in the changed space.
The most striking change was, without a doubt, the sea. The vast expanse stretched out clear and blue, its gentle waves sparkling under the sunlight. I paused to gaze at the scenery for a moment before asking the kids, “What do you think of this place?”
The children responded one by one.
“I… like it here.”
Dmol said with a bright smile.
“The air's nice, and it's comfy.”
Kent nodded too.
“Here, we can stay in our dino forms if we want… It's easy to relax, so it feels peaceful.”
I smiled faintly. Compi, Compf, and Compa were already buzzing with excitement, darting around and playing.
Watching them, I stood up. “Then… from now on, you can all live here.”
The moment I turned to say that, something tugged at my clothes.
“…Daddy?”
It was Psi. I stopped in my tracks.
“Kids…?”
When I looked back, they were all staring at me, faces on the verge of tears.
“…Why? Are you gonna leave us behind?”
Her voice trembled.
“…Now that we have a place, are you gonna abandon us?”
My heart sank.
“No. That's not it.”
I denied it immediately. Psi stared straight into my eyes.
“…Then why?”
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully before speaking slowly. “It's just… it'd be more comfortable for you here than following me around.”
“You can freely be in your dino forms, no need to worry about other people's stares…”
I stroked each of their heads.
“That's why.”
But they wouldn't let go. Psi, Dmol, and Kent clung to my clothes, shaking their heads.
“Without Daddy… we don't want to be anywhere.”
Dmol continued softly. “No matter how nice it is here… without Daddy, I don't like it.”
Kent added quietly, “I turned human… because I wanted to be with Daddy.”
“No matter how comfy it is here… it means nothing without Daddy.”
And then all three said together, “Where Daddy is… that's where we belong.”
Those words pierced deep into my chest. I could only gaze at them, speechless.
Just then, Compi, Compf, and Compa came scampering over with chirps, but I barely registered it. The three looked a bit sulky, then hopped down from my knee and headed toward the grassy patch.
“Kids? Where are you going!”
I hurried after them. Beyond the grass, the three were huddled together.
‘Hmph… Daddy only talks to the big sisters… ignores us.’
Compi grumbled.
‘If we turn human too… maybe Daddy will play with us more?’
Compa muttered.
‘Daddy's usually good to us… but just now…’
Compf said cautiously.
‘Anyway! If we turn human, it'll get better!’
Compi declared. The three nodded at each other, determination in their eyes. Then they charged toward me.
“Kids…?”
They threw themselves into my arms. In that instant, a blinding light erupted.
I reflexively shut my eyes.
A moment later, as the light faded, three little girls stood in my embrace—kindergarten age, by the look of them.
I stared blankly.
“…Kids?”
It was only my second time seeing a humanization, but it still felt unreal. Compi, Compf, and Compa shouted in unison,
“Daddy!!”
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second.
“…Psi! Dmol!”
Psi and Dmol rushed over, scooping up the girls. I swallowed a sigh and said,
“Psi, Dmol—watch them for a bit.”
“Kent and I are going out to buy some clothes.”
I hesitated, then added, “You're the big sisters… you can handle it, right?”
Psi and Dmol exchanged a glance and nodded quietly.
As I turned to leave with Kent, Psi's voice caught me from behind.
“…Daddy.”
I stopped.
“You know… we didn't finish that talk from earlier, right?”
Dmol nodded slowly too.
“…When you get back, we'll talk again.”
I paused, then smiled softly. “Yeah. We'll talk when I get back.”
Compi, Compf, and Compa waved. “Bye, Daddy!”
I waved back and stepped out of Jurassic World.
Outside, Kent and I entered a clothing store. The clerk approached.
“Welcome! Looking for anything specific?”
I thought for a moment. “For kindergarteners… something sturdy for active kids?”
The clerk smiled brightly and led the way. I picked out three sets of yellow T-shirts and comfy pants, then checked out.
As we headed out, Kent spoke up hesitantly from beside me. “…Daddy.”
“Yeah?”
“You said… you'd buy me clothes too.”
I froze. “…Oh.”
Scratching my head, I chuckled. “Sorry. Been so busy lately, it slipped my mind.”
The clerk returned. “I've got something that'd suit you perfectly.”
Moments later, Kent emerged in her new outfit—an off-shoulder top that draped naturally around her shoulder spikes, paired with sky-blue jeans. Completely different from her usual look.
I was momentarily speechless, then grinned. “Kent… it looks amazing on you.”
Kent smiled shyly. “…Really?”
I nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. Let's go with this.”
We paid and headed back.
“Kids, we're home.”
Psi and Dmol were playing with Compi, Compf, and Compa. Hearing me, the triplets bolted over.
“Daddy!”
I laughed and scooped them up. “Come on, let's get you dressed.”
I dressed them one by one. Their tiny arms, tiny hands—it made me extra careful. Once they were all set, they looked just like little chicks.
“Wow… you're all so cute.”
That's when Psi and Dmol's gazes shifted to Kent.
“Kent.”
“Today's look… way prettier than usual?”
“And it's not even your regular clothes.”
They smiled, but there was a chill in the air. Kent slipped her arm through mine casually.
“Yeah. Daddy promised last time… so he bought it for me today.”
She tilted her head slightly. “What do you think?”
“Big sisters?”
The atmosphere tensed. Psi and Dmol's smiles twitched ever so slightly.
…I swear I could hear grinding teeth.
Pretending not to notice, I turned away. “Alright, all done.”
I smiled at Compi, Compf, and Compa. “You girls are adorable.”
Then Psi and Dmol approached together.
“Daddy.”
Their voices… were a bit low.
“You told us to watch the little ones…”
“…and went on a date with Kent?”
I froze solid. “D-Date?! No…!”
I flailed my hands in panic. “It wasn't like that—the triplets needed clothes, so I got hers too since I promised before.”
Kent chimed in softly. “It's true, sisters.”
She hugged my arm tighter, emphasizing it proudly. “…Daddy always keeps his promises.”
Psi and Dmol's eyes sharpened. I sweated bullets between them.
Suddenly, Psi and Dmol stood. They handed the triplets in my arms to Kent and yanked my arm.
“Kent, watch the little ones.”
“We… need to talk to Daddy.”
Their words were gentle, but their eyes—smiling yet firm.
Kent waved nonchalantly. “Sure, have fun, Daddy.”
I was dragged into the woods. Once we were deep enough that the kids couldn't see, Psi and Dmol threw themselves into my arms.
And whispered, “…Daddy, that's not fair.”
Dmol added quietly, “Are you… not caring about us anymore?”
I shook my head right away. “No. Of course not.”
Psi and Dmol glanced at each other, then looked up at me.
“…We know.”
“…But still.”
After a pause, they confessed honestly. “We're jealous.”
I was at a loss for words. Psi continued slowly.
“Kent's… about Daddy's size.”
“To Daddy, we're still just little kids.”
Dmol murmured, “Even though we're the big sisters… it feels like we're always pushed aside.”
Those words weighed heavy on my heart. I hugged them tight.
“I know.”
“…Sorry, Psi. Dmol.”
A quiet moment passed. Then, thudding footsteps approached—Compi, Compf, and Compa.
“Daddy!”
Kent followed slowly. In the end, we all gathered again.
I smiled faintly. We settled under a large tree on a gentle hill. A soft breeze blew through.
The rustle of leaves. Warm sunlight. Just sitting together in silence.
I leaned back against the tree and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, Kent was resting on my shoulder, Psi and Dmol snuggled close beside me. Compi, Compf, and Compa were already fast asleep in my lap.
I let out a slow breath.
It was warm.
Quiet.
And peaceful.
In the distance, the sun was setting. The sky glowed with sunset hues, and beneath it, we drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms.