Chapter 185: Family Service (3)
Chapter 185: Family Service (3)
As I expected, the movie was far from a romance.
It wasn't a human drama or a tearjerker, either.
And it certainly wasn't a comedy.
In other words, it wasn't a movie that was outside my usual taste, but…
Actually, I do like comedies. It’s just that this wasn't that kind of genre.
And yet.
‘Happiness Drop! Why?!’
‘Because… this isn't enough.’
I wanted to die. Dammit.
As those voices blared from the speakers positioned all around the theater, an indescribable sense of mortification began to wash over me.
Why did they pick this movie?
I could excuse Linshua, but shouldn't Thunder God have stopped her?
‘Let’s go, Heris!’
‘Right!’
Especially that Magical Girl—the one decked out in an excessive amount of frills, spewing stars every time she moved—could she possibly be modeled after me?
Why?
Was there not a single person on the film production team who thought it was weird to have a star-spewing Magical Girl in a war movie based on reality?
Not even one?
Of course, I understood to some extent.
Most records regarding O-Rank battles are classified, so they probably could only get their hands on a rough outline or a heavily censored list of participants.
So, they must have reconstructed the story by gathering vague information and testimonies from survivors.
It wasn't entirely strange for such a design to emerge from the fragmentary information that a "Magical Girl" was involved.
Even so.
That was just wrong.
‘Heris, are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. You know as well as I do, mascots don't die easily.’
I was already feeling uncomfortable enough, but now, on the screen, a giant white wolf was blocking Happiness Drop’s dark red spear.
Then, the Magical Girl shared a moment of deep emotional connection with the wounded ‘Heris.’
I felt like I was going to throw up.
The popcorn I’d been shoveling into my mouth earlier felt like it was about to come back up, mixed with cola.
To avert my eyes from that disgusting screen, I checked on Thunder God and Linshua, who were sitting on either side of me.
First, Linshua on my left.
Like The Child she was, she had both hands clasped to her chest, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the screen.
The occasional "Ooh" and "Wow" were added bonuses.
She really is still just a kid.
Perhaps because I saw such a cute sight, a faint, involuntary smile brushed my lips, and the nausea that had been dominating my body just moments ago vanished.
Now, what about Thunder God?
The moment I turned my head.
My eyes met Thunder God’s.
She was staring intently at me.
She looked at me blankly for a moment, then turned her head back to the screen, only to look at me again a few seconds later.
She did this with very unnatural movements, despite the fact that her eyes weren't even clearly visible.
Then, she suddenly started laughing.
Perhaps to maintain theater etiquette, no sound escaped her, but if she had opened her mouth, her laughter would have surely filled the entire cinema.
She was definitely saying something like this:
‘That’s… you?’
‘That thing?’
With very intense laughter to boot.
I could pretty much imagine it, so I turned my head back to the screen.
Fortunately, the scenes featuring the Magical Girl who resembled me seemed to have passed, and other Heroes were now taking center stage.
A Martial Artist wielding a sword.
A primary-colored robot that kids would love.
A typical fantasy mage wearing a pointed hat and holding a Magic Staff.
And so, the battle in the movie began to flow far too peacefully.
Far, far too peacefully.
* * *
“Daddy! How was the movie?”
The moment we sat down to grab a bite at a typical shopping mall food court after the movie ended, Linshua threw the question at me.
Finding it difficult to answer, I swirled the water in the cup in front of me for a moment.
‘How was the movie,’ she asked.
To be honest, I hadn't watched it properly, so it was hard to give a real critique, but there were fragments of thoughts floating around my head.
The structure was decent.
The difference from reality was so vast that I didn't know what to say.
Why did it end with Happiness Drop dying in repentance while we had a happy ending with few sacrifices?
Even so, there was no need to say such things to a child whose eyes were still sparkling.
“It wasn't bad.”
I chose a reasonably safe answer.
Half-sincerely.
Yes, as a movie, it wasn't bad.
If it hadn't been based on reality—if it were just a simple movie.
It was a very textbook Hero movie.
The betrayal of an ally.
The Hero group falling into chaos.
But then, an event unites everyone’s resolve.
The traitor is subjugated.
However, the traitor had their own reasons.
Leaving the audience with something to think about, the movie concludes.
Few people would dislike it.
Except for the two sitting here.
The two Heroes who had actually participated in that battle.
I didn't know what Thunder God, who had gone to get the food, was thinking.
But at least for me, I couldn't think of anything to say. The movie was so different from reality that it didn't even trigger any trauma from the battle.
If I hadn't recognized the motifs of the Heroes who appeared.
If The Enemy’s name hadn't been Happiness Drop.
I might have been able to enjoy it purely.
Amidst that exchange.
“I liked it too, but… it was a bit disappointing…”
Linshua, who had been smiling brightly, didn't stop smiling, but she let out words tinged with a bit of emotion.
Now, it was my turn to step in.
“Disappointing? What was?”
“Well, you see. I picked it because I thought Daddy would be in it. But Daddy didn't show up, and the story was different from what I heard from the uncles in The Society…”
Was that what Linshua had been expecting?
Well, if she was expecting that, then something completely different had popped out.
Thinking about it that way, maybe it was for the best.
The movie we just saw was at least hopeful.
If, by some chance, someone had hacked the Management Bureau, stolen the complete battle records, and made a movie out of them, I would have grabbed Linshua and sprinted out of the theater immediately.
Thunder God probably would have followed, vomiting from PTSD.
Of course, such a movie would have been caught by the Management Bureau and scrapped before it could even be released, but that’s just a hypothetical.
“You can just look at me since I’m right here.”
“Hmm… That’s true! The movie probably couldn't capture how cool Daddy is!”
Perhaps my words were appropriate, as Linshua smiled and talked me up.
“Really? Then should we go to The Society and have a spar? That would be even cooler…”
Thud.
An impact landed on my head.
It didn't hurt much, but it was startling enough to cut me off.
“Stop bullying the kids at The Society. You’ll end up breaking something while sparring. Honestly.”
The source of the impact was Thunder God hitting my head with a tray.
“Bullying? Those guys are actually pretty strong, you know?”
Especially Quilp and Al’shel, who are O-Rank.
“And they’re probably weaker than our immature Jin Hong-cheol-chu.”
Thunder God retorted sarcastically as she distributed the food on the tray.
A hamburger steak for Linshua.
A chicken salad, cream soup, and a few slices of bread for Thunder God.
And a bowl of gukbap for me.
“Ah, Auntie Thund— I mean, Big Sister! Thank you!”
“I told you, just call me Thunder God if it’s too hard.”
Thunder God sat down in her seat, seemingly used to being called "Auntie" or "Big Sister" by now.
“What were you guys talking about?”
“Reviewing the movie we just saw.”
“…Overall, it wasn't bad, but… it was a bit much for us, wasn't it?”
“I guess. Linshua seemed disappointed that I didn't show up.”
“Big Sister Thunder God didn't show up either!”
Ah, now that she mentioned it, that was true.
An esper whose motif was unclear appeared, but they weren't the lightning type.
I had intended to tease Thunder God if a Hero based on her appeared, but since one never did, I felt a lingering sense of disappointment.
“Isn't it better not to be in the movie?”
Thunder God said this, then looked at me with a sly grin.
“A certain someone was portrayed in a very… beautified way. How does it feel to be a Magical Girl who rides a white wolf and fires pink beam cannons?”
“Mention that one more time, and I’m going to go beat up the guys at The Society.”
Since I couldn't hit Thunder God or Linshua, I’d have to make The Society executives take collective responsibility and give them each a smack on the head.
If that was too much work, I’d just beat up Al’shel.
“Really? As long as it’s not you, it’s fine? Then what about ‘Heris’? He was a pretty cool mascot.”
Fine. I’ll half-kill Un-ho.
It’s definitely because he exists that I’m suffering this humiliation.
I should have turned him into dumpling filling and sold him off a long time ago.
I’ll decide what to do with Un-ho later; for now, let’s change the subject.
“Enough about the movie. What’s the plan for after this?”
I was willing to go along with whatever, but I hoped it wouldn't be shopping if possible.
“Hmm. Originally, I was planning to look around the accessory shops a bit more…”
Some terrifying words came out of Thunder God’s mouth, but…
“I don't think we need to go! This necklace is enough!”
Linshua cut her off by holding up the necklace around her neck.
“So she says. What a relief, right?”
Thunder God nudged my side with the hand holding a knife with a piece of chicken on it, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“Hmm? No. Well, that’s a shame.”
I let out words that weren't sincere at all, just to play along.
“Well, we’ve seen a movie, and shopping is done… The scheduled options are karaoke, bowling, an escape room, the arcade… and, though I don't think this is it, an art…”
“Art?! I want to go to the art museum!”
“Huh? Are you really okay with an art museum?”
“Yes! I love art museums! Daddy used to take me all the time!”
Ah… now that I think about it, I did.
There weren't many people, so it was easy to hide her before her horns started growing.
Perhaps because of her parents, she really loved artwork.
“Well, if Linshua likes it, that’s fine. What about you?”
“Me? If Linshua likes it, I like it too.”
As long as it wasn't shopping.
“Then it’s decided. It looks like there’s a special exhibition nearby.”
“What kind of art is it? Old people’s stuff? Modern people? Sculptures? Paintings?”
As Thunder God searched for the museum on her phone, Linshua, unable to even wait for that, put down her fork and knife and started jumping up and down next to her.
“Hmm. It’s modern art, a university graduation project…”
Thunder God smiled at how cute she was being and tried to answer, but…
“Linshua.”
I cut off all further talk and spoke sternly.
“What did I teach you about how to behave when you’re eating?”
“Ah… ugh… that… I can talk, but… not to make a mess…”
Startled by my sternness, Linshua began to calm her excitement and lowered her voice.
“She’s just excited, you could let it…”
“Thunder God. This is my educational policy. And.”
Thunder God started to say something, thinking I was being too harsh, but I firmly reached out my hand and cut her off.
In the meantime, Linshua returned to her seat with a slightly dejected expression and began to quietly finish her portion.
I whispered softly to Thunder God.
“You know. Even with the charms, we have to avoid situations where Linshua stands out as much as possible.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Thunder God nod quietly, understanding what I meant.
Once we reached an understanding, I looked straight at Linshua and spoke.
“Linshua. You know why Daddy is doing this, right?”
“Yes. Daddy. I’m sorry.”
Linshua replied in a level voice, her gloom having lifted slightly.
Well, she seems to have reflected enough.
I’m not that strict of a father.
Nor am I a father who scolds without reason.
“I know why you did that. It’s because you were excited to go to the art museum with me, right?”
“Yes…”
“But you have to eat your food properly. You can’t just abandon it while eating. You’d feel bad if Un-ho did that, right? It’s the same thing.”
“Hmm… I think I understand!”
“I’m glad you understand. So, let’s finish our food quickly and then we can cheer together again.”
Once we were done eating, it would be fine to be a little noisy; she was just a kid that age, after all.
“Okay!”
As if she understood my sincerity, Linshua smiled slightly and began putting meat into her mouth.
“Hmm. You’re doing a better job at being a dad than I thought.”
“…After doing it for a few years, you get used to it whether you want to or not.”
“I suppose. I thought you might have just irresponsibly neglected her.”
“As if. I tried my best to make sure she grew up well.”
Of course, it ended in disaster.
But at least until that happened, I think I was a normal dad, if not a great one.
Perhaps she understood my struggles.
“Yeah. It seems so. You’re a good dad. For now.”
Thunder God said this with a slight smile.
It was a very kind smile.