Father-in-Law (1)
The Dragon Star, Ahajaka Eldark, had shown up so suddenly at the academy because the Wise Star, Abraham Nobwells, had asked him to provide testimony regarding his taboo research. Shania knew this as well, so she said nothing about him arbitrarily taking over the skies above the academy. She simply made up a suitable excuse, figuring the situation couldn't drag on forever without interfering with the exchange meet.
"My ears are ringing. Could you perhaps humanize yourself?"
"I lacked consideration."
Ahajaka gladly obliged. His massive dragon body flashed brilliantly, then vanished. In its place before Shania stood a young, handsome man with platinum blond hair. If not for the enormous dragon horns protruding from either side of his head, he could have passed for some noble-born young lord.
"Is this better?"
This was Ahajaka Eldark's human form. Shania felt a pang of envy at his youthful appearance—late twenties, early thirties at most.
Dragons don't even age, do they?
She had to endure the ravages of time with meticulous care and heavy makeup, while he lived without such worries. Shania spoke with a slightly pouty expression.
"You still look so young."
"You jest well. You know full well it's just the surface."
Ahajaka glanced around as he spoke, then asked Shania, "So, where's my daughter? Dad's here, and she hasn't even come to say hello..."
"She's probably in the hospital room right now."
"...Hospital room?"
Ahajaka paused, his expression hardening. "Serena's in the hospital room?"
The atmosphere grew ominous, the air around them heavy. Even Shania swallowed dryly under the intense pressure.
In that menacing tension, Ahajaka jumped to conclusions about why Serena was in the hospital room and let his fury show. "Abraham Nobwells—that man harmed my daughter?"
"...Don't misunderstand. It's not that Serena's the one who's ill. She's there nursing her injured friend."
"...Hm?"
The crushing pressure on Shania vanished in an instant. The air lightened, the mood relaxed. Ahajaka's face softened from rage to one brimming with curiosity. "Serena's made a friend?"
"You didn't know? She seems to have gotten close to a few students. I haven't known her long, but every time I see her, there are these kids sticking by her side."
"Really?"
Ahajaka beamed. He looked utterly delighted, as if he'd heard the best news imaginable. Shania, who knew his true nature, found even her eyes feasting on the sight of that handsome young face lit with pure joy.
"Looks like sending her to the academy was the right call after all."
"Your daughter must have worried you quite a bit."
"I wasn't concerned about much else... just whether she'd get along with people."
Ahajaka explained that his worries about Serena weren't about anything else—it was her social skills.
"She's always hated those who approach with ulterior motives. But given her position, there have to be a fair number of them."
"But the world's mostly full of such people. Everyone approaches with some goal in mind. Sometimes that leads to real friendships..."
"Exactly why I was worried. Even if she dislikes them, she needs to learn how to handle them appropriately. She's still young and doesn't quite grasp it yet."
Ahajaka chuckled lightly, as if admitting he'd been overthinking it. "But hearing she's made friends, it seems my concerns were unfounded."
Shania thought to herself that he was quite the doting father as she replied, "You definitely don't need to worry. It's not just friends—she seems to have a boyfriend too."
She'd meant it to reassure him that there was no cause for concern. But Ahajaka's face froze over. "...What did you say?"
"...Pardon?"
The vibe turned perilous, and Shania broke out in cold sweat.
Was that something I shouldn't have said...?
She'd figured telling him his daughter had a boyfriend—since he'd worried about her making friends—would make him happy. "...I asked who the bastard is."
But no.
"I asked which filthy mongrel dared lay hands on my daughter!!"
He saw it as the crime of the century.
#
Sensing Ahajaka Eldark's arrival at the academy, Serena shot up from her seat.
"I'll just go say hello and come right back!"
Knowing her father would be miffed otherwise, she moved to leave quickly.
"Serena."
"Yes?"
But Seong Hyun-jin suddenly called her back. "I'll come too."
"Pardon? You want to go together?"
"Shouldn't I pay my respects?"
"But you need to rest right now..."
"A quick trip out should be fine," Clarice said.
Serena hesitated briefly, then nodded. Just showing her face for a moment shouldn't cause any issues.
"All right, then. Let me help you get dressed first."
"I'm not so helpless I can't use my arms and legs...?"
"Oh."
Seong Hyun-jin waved off her overprotectiveness lightly. "I'll dress myself. Just wait a sec."
"Ah, got it. I'll wait out front, so hurry and..."
Serena hurried toward the door to hide her flustered look. But just as she grabbed the handle, a knock came from the other side. Her eyes widened.
A familiar presence drew near. It was none other than...
"...Serena, I know you're in there."
"...D-Dad?"
"Yeah, it's Daddy."
Serena's father, the Dragon Star Ahajaka Eldark, had come in person. His sudden visit left not just Serena but Clarice visibly startled. Seong Hyun-jin, sensing Ahajaka's presence like Serena had, didn't seem particularly fazed.
"Serena, open the door."
"Y-Yes...!"
Serena flung the door open. Face-to-face with her father, she bowed her head in greeting. "I was just coming to see you..."
"Then why call me so stiffly?"
Ahajaka spoke with a hint of dissatisfaction. "Call me Dad."
"...I'm an adult now. I can't keep calling you that forever."
As Serena protested that such nicknames were for children, Ahajaka's eyes bulged.
"Dad."
"......"
"Come on, say Dad."
Under his near-commanding insistence, Serena glanced nervously at Seong Hyun-jin and Clarice. Understanding her plight, they politely turned away, and she endured her embarrassment to mutter, "D-Dad."
"That's my girl."
Ahajaka smiled in satisfaction and gently patted her head. Serena accepted it with flushed cheeks.
"So, who's the mongrel who touched you?"
"W-What...?"
As Serena blinked in confusion, Ahajaka smiled lightly. His gaze shifted past her to Seong Hyun-jin, and he approached slowly.
"D-Dad!"
Sensing trouble, Serena tried to stop him, but his steps didn't falter. He stopped before Seong Hyun-jin and demanded bluntly, "Half-elf, was it you?"
"...Pardon?"
"I asked if you're the one who touched my daughter."
Ahajaka's aura turned vicious. Seong Hyun-jin broke out in sweat at the sight—it reminded him uncannily of his master, Hakodate Karin, when she was angry.
"T-Touched might be putting it a bit strong, no? Serena and I are officially dating, though..."
"...Officially dating?"
Veins bulged on Ahajaka's forehead. Instinctively, Seong Hyun-jin reached for his waist. As if to draw his sword. But bedridden as he was, there was no blade there—his hand swished through empty air.
"Ah..."
Realizing too late he was unarmed, Seong Hyun-jin looked up at Ahajaka awkwardly. Ahajaka, replaying his words, unleashed his rage.
"You dare spout nonsense about officially dating without my permission?"
"D-Dad! He's injured right now!"
Thankfully, Serena's shout held Ahajaka back from striking, but he made no effort to hide his seething fury as he glared at Seong Hyun-jin. "I will never permit anyone to court my daughter until dirt covers my eyes!!"
"Pardon?"
"W-What do you mean by that, Dad!!"
Ahajaka Eldark was a pureblood dragonkin. Given that purebloods typically outlived natural death by accidental means, he was essentially declaring he'd never approve—for life.
Stunned by the words, Seong Hyun-jin stared blankly at him for a moment, then cleared his throat and spoke more gravely. "...Father."
"Who gave you leave to call me that!"
"I fully understand your feelings, Father, but there's one thing I must say."
Ahajaka eyed him curiously, signaling he'd hear him out. Seong Hyun-jin steeled himself. This doting father, who vowed eternal disapproval, needed a surefire cure. And that meant dropping this bomb. With resolve, he said quietly, "Your daughter and I have already been intimate."
"...?"
Ahajaka stared, as if he'd misheard. Seong Hyun-jin met his gaze boldly.
"What I mean is, your daughter and I..."
The kind of revelation that could topple him backward.
"...had sex."