Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 150
Chapter Title: Say Hello
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"The unknown world is nothing special."
I said that while lying on a sunbed. At first, I was a bit thrown off by the scenery right after we arrived.
But thanks to the accommodation ticket I had, someone was waiting for us.
He was clearly a foreigner. But? Thanks to the 21st century's greatest invention, magic, there were no communication issues.
Magic is the best. I love it. It's what cured my English anxiety.
"Paradise."
After that, I just listened to his explanations while riding in the boat.
Maldives is made up of islands, or something like that. It sounded similar to Justitia, so I tuned it out.
Then we arrived at the place where I'd be staying. Without even unpacking, I headed straight to the sea─
[Hmm?!]
And now here we are. Levatein, who had been sitting next to me, took a sip of the drink she'd fetched and looked at me.
Her eyes sparkled.
[It tastes ama~zing!!]
"How much?"
[So much!! Super lots!!]
She was waving both hands around wildly─it must really be delicious. It's that classic kid gesture when words fail.
It was so cute that I couldn't help but put my hand on her head and pet her.
"Want me to get more?"
[Yeah!!!]
"Alright. Let's go together later."
Levatein nodded vigorously at my words. Then she slurped away at the straw like a hamster devouring seeds. Adorable.
I wanted to take a picture.
"Don't let her have too much. She'll get picky."
"What's the harm? She can't have this stuff normally."
"That's exactly why you shouldn't give her more!!"
"Levatein doesn't get picky. And if she does, it's because of you."
I looked at her like, right? And Levatein nodded.
See? My girl is right. Even if you argue, you're wrong.
"I'm the one who takes her to the bathroom."
"Levatein doesn't go to the bathroom."
Everything she eats gets converted to mana. What is this? Who made this perfect daughter? Whose daughter is she?
Mine, obviously.
"Seong-hoon, don't go acting like a doting dad in front of others."
"I won't."
"You're admitting it right there?!"
How do you deny this? I couldn't hold back and pulled out my phone. I opened the camera app and called Levatein. She turned to look.
This has to be the perfect shot. It came out amazing. Lately, my gallery seems full of nothing but Levatein and Lachesis pics, but that's just my imagination.
I looked up proudly to show Raphael. That's when her blonde hair caught my eye.
Raphael, who usually only wore that white dress from the department store or her green academy uniform, was in a swimsuit.
Wearing one─
"Is that a swimsuit?"
"What do you think? It suits me, right? Yeah, I know. Of course it does. Who else but me could pull this off!!"
She said it so confidently, but I had nothing to say. Levatein, staring blankly from below, seemed to feel the same.
[What's different?]
"No idea."
It was definitely different from her usual clothes. More frills, and you could see the black swimsuit underneath.
Other than that? Just her usual pristine white dress. Do they even sell stuff like that as swimsuits these days?
Times have really changed.
[That outfit must be waterproof nya.]
I glanced at Raphael, then at my own clothes. Even I was wearing a yellow floral shirt.
"She really has zero fashion sense."
[Right nya.]
[Sense?]
"Can't dress─"
I shut my mouth there. My instincts from dealing with her told me.
If I open my mouth more here... the iron hammer of justice will come flying.
I looked at Raphael, who was smiling sweetly. Then I gave her a thumbs up.
"It suits you!!"
Did my will to live get through? Raphael spun around happily.
"See? You are a tsundere, Seong-hoon!!"
No. I just wanted to extend my lifespan.
[You're a liar nya.]
No. It does suit her.
Because her face is pretty.
Her face.
Maybe she was in a great mood today─Raphael's face bloomed into a full smile.
[Daddy!! The water's weird!!]
"Pretty, right?"
[Yeah!!]
"It really is pretty."
I was currently holding onto Levatein's floatie tube and pushing her along. I wondered how it'd go with her being a sword of fire, but surprisingly, she was fine.
Her happy squeals made it seem like she was enjoying it.
Next to us, Raphael was floating on her back in the sea.
Why is she so good at swimming? I thought she'd be like a beer bottle, so it was a bit surprising.
"Why are you so good at swimming?"
"When I put my mind to it, there's nothing I can't do."
"Then why not normally?"
"People don't usually put their minds to everyday stuff."
If only she couldn't talk. I ignored the blonde drifting along with a blissful expression and kept pushing Levatein.
The seawater was cool, and Levatein was having fun, so my mood lifted too.
Even so, I didn't forget to scan the surroundings. Obviously because of the [Spirit Core]─doing it in the heart of nature is most efficient.
I was searching for a spot.
A place untouched by human hands, where no one could interfere.
"Probably not around here."
I had plenty of time anyway. Nearly three weeks here─I could take it slow.
If I couldn't find it, I'd just ask Lachesis. As I was thinking that and pushing Levatein─
[Daddy!! Over there!!]
Levatein suddenly shouted and pointed somewhere. Following her tiny finger─
Blonde hair was flailing around.
"That idiot."
"Mind over matter," my ass. I knew from before we came in, when she skipped warm-ups.
I let go of Levatein and hurriedly swam to Raphael. I grabbed her flailing hand and was about to ask if she was okay.
But before I could open my mouth, her face came into view.
Playful expression, tongue out, one eye winking.
No wonder she was so quiet for someone flailing. She should've been screaming her head off.
To me, who'd fallen for it perfectly, the damn blonde opened her mouth.
"Psych."
"You scared me."
"You seemed lost in serious thoughts on vacation, so I called you out."
"Just call my name."
"You didn't answer when I did?"
"Then come closer─"
I couldn't finish. Raphael went "Eii!!" or something and dunked me underwater.
I panicked for a second, but quickly calmed down. The underwater view was so beautiful it made me forget to struggle.
Inside the sea. Crystal-clear sea. You could see everything from outside, but being in it was different.
Countless fish and seaweed created a dreamlike atmosphere. Against that backdrop, Raphael mouthed words.
I couldn't hear well underwater, but her lips were clear.
─Pretty, right?
I nodded. No lying about this, so I mouthed back emphatically.
─Good call coming here.
Raphael smiled. I smiled back.
Really was a good call.
You're bound to get hungry after playing around. Humans live on land, so twice as hungry after water fun.
So now I was out buying food. Raphael said she'd rest on the sunbed, so I was walking hand-in-hand with Levatein.
Lachesis was with Raphael.
[Daddy. Hungry.]
"Eat whatever you want. I'll buy it all."
[We have no money.]
"But we have a card."
[Card?!]
I nodded at Levatein. Worrying a kid about money is bad, but this card works on the island.
Included with the trip voucher from the chairman or whatever. Feels like I scored big. Am I actually a lucky guy?
Can buy Levatein whatever she wants, play without worries. Nice.
"Would've regretted not coming."
[Fun!!]
"Me too."
Wish it could stay like this. No demon worries, vampires, half-demons─just fun.
Of course not possible, so enjoy now. Holding Levatein's hand, we reached a restaurant.
I told the counter takeout, picked menu items.
Levatein was jumping on tiptoes trying to see, so I picked her up.
The owner-looking guy was surprised at the natural motion.
"Oh. Your daughter? You look young."
"Yeah. Cute, right?"
"Adorable. Can't not give service for this?!"
Oh. Nice. Is this my daughter's charm? Works worldwide, huh?
[Service what?]
"Means extra for us. What do you say in these cases?"
Levatein popped an exclamation mark over her head and bowed to the owner.
[Thank you.]
The guy burst out laughing. I grinned dad-style too.
"Whoa. Gonna give you tons. What'll it be?!"
"Hmm. What do you want, Levatein?"
[That meat from earlier.]
"Different place. Pick something you want."
[Hmm~]
I ordered three foods Levatein picked from pics, plus two exotic ones on my whim, and sat at a table.
Why five portions? Got two glutton pigs at home.
"Should've ordered one more."
"No problem!! Lots for you!!"
Thanks, but even assuming extra, one more would've been good.
Our damn housecat doesn't turn human normally, but goes human form for meals and devours tons.
Pays her keep, so can't complain. Should've─
As I thought, chatting idly with Levatein in my arms.
A voice from behind.
"Ahem. Wh-what a coincidence!!"
Familiar voice. I turned instinctively─black hair, covering mouth with fist, fake coughing.
Peeks with one eye.
"I, I just ha~ppened to. To~tally by ch~ance come here and ran into you!! Total coincidence!!"
Black hair. Dark eyes. Girl in swimsuit with cardigan on top, looking embarrassed.
Our eyes met.
Her black eyes looked at me. Gaze slowly... slowly dropping down.
Finally stopped, and a dumb sound.
"Uh...?"
Levatein innocently tilted her head.
Sensing ominous vibes, I forced a smile.
"Hey."
Isia backed away, incredulous.
"Hello?"
Say hello.