Vol. 1: Chapter 2 - Part 9

Volume 1: Chapter 2 – Part 9Author: Geraint

Early in the morning, I headed to Dad's room—the one where he kept his tools and documents from his work as a surgeon. He often let me practice suturing on pig's feet to hone my skills. Wearing surgical gloves, I carefully performed a difficult suturing technique with speed and precision. Dad stood behind me, silently observing with a serious expression.

When I finished, he let out a small breath of awe.

"You did great, Seir," he said, impressed. "What you need now is practice on a real person… but that'll have to wait until you reach college and enter a proper medical university."

"Is there any way I can skip all the grades and get into college early?" I asked hopefully.

"Well, there is a way… but I'd advise against skipping high school. You'd miss out on a lot."

"Huh? Isn't high school basically a prison? You have less freedom, and they force you to do things you don't want. Homeschooling's better—I finish lessons fast and have time to study other stuff… or help take care of Fuyumi. That way, Himiko-san can rest more."

"That may be true," Dad said, pinching the bridge of his nose, "but you also need to go out and socialize. Especially with people your own age."

"Sounds like a pain. I don't really see the point."

Dad paused, searching for another angle.

"It's about making friends. Didn't you have any in your old world?"

"Well… I had some in the village Lilith and I used to visit, but they were all massacred by my—"

"Wait! Sorry, forget I asked!"

The room fell silent. The atmosphere had grown heavy.

"I just… I just want you to connect with people, that's all," he said softly.

"I already have Shiina."

"She's your childhood friend—and honestly, you two are more like siblings."

"What about Yuuka?"

"She's your stepsister."

"I train at the dojo with Kaho-san."

"She might be your fiancée, but nothing's official. Plus, she's your instructor. She doesn't count either."

"Ugh… just thinking about making new friends is exhausting. There's already this chatty girl messaging me non-stop on the phone."

"A girl?" Dad asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, she's the one I helped in the past. Met her again yesterday. Her name's Riko. She works at her family's new ramen shop as a waitress. Treated me to a bowl of ramen—it was really good. Her parents are nice too."

"I see… another girl, huh?"

I sighed. I knew he was only worried. Socializing really was important. Even back in my home world, we held tea parties and formal gatherings for demon nobles. That's how alliances—and arranged marriages—were made.

"Come to think of it… I do have a fiancée back home. As a prince, it was arranged. But since I fought my father, the Demon King, I'm probably branded a traitor now. The engagement's likely broken."

Dad was at a loss for words.

"You don't need to worry about me, Dad. We don't know when—or if—I'll go back. I just want to treasure my time here."

"I understand," he said. "But maybe keep those thoughts to yourself. People might get sad hearing them."

"Yeah… I know. The longer I stay, the harder it'll be to say goodbye."

I removed my gloves and surgical cap. "Thanks for teaching me today."

"You're welcome."

As I left his room, I noticed Yuuka leaning against the wall in her school uniform.

"Oh, Yuuka. You girls haven't left yet? You'll be late—Huh?"

She had tears in her eyes.

"Yuuka?" I stepped toward her.

She wiped her face quickly with her wrist, then bolted.

"Onii-sama, you idiot! If you don't like it here, then just leave!"

"Hey!"

But she had already run off.

"…See? I told you," Dad said, stepping out of the room.

"Everyone already knows…" I muttered.

Dad gave a nostalgic sigh. "This reminds me of when I left the country to study medicine abroad. Himiko cried her heart out, begging me to stay. But I still went. I was chasing my dream. Little did I know she was already afflicted by that curse. While I buried myself in studies, she waited for me… suffering all alone. My parents lied to me, said she was fine, but in reality, she was dying."

So that was the truth behind the curse that once plagued Shiina—what I helped lift.

"I don't blame her for what she did," he continued. "She had to survive. To break the curse, she bore a child with someone else, passing it on. If I had stayed, maybe things would've been different. I wouldn't have minded being cursed myself if it meant staying by her side."

Dad gave a bittersweet smile and patted my head.

"I don't know what you plan to do if you return to your world… but just remember: this place is your home now too. Think carefully, Seir. Is it really worth going back? You said you're a wanted criminal. Do you really want to become the next Demon King?"

He looked at me with serious eyes.

"Sometimes, when we chase our goals, we forget the people we care about. Just… don't make the same mistake I did. Don't regret your choices."

He ruffled my hair one last time before walking away, waving.

"But hey, at least I don't regret things anymore. I have both Himiko and your mom now—thanks to you. I just hope you don't make the same mistake."

As I went upstairs, I passed by the baby's room. Fuyumi was sleeping peacefully in her crib.

"Regret, huh?" I whispered, stepping inside.

I gently touched her tiny hand. "I'm not even from this world. So what would I regret?"

Still… I imagined her growing up. Becoming a beautiful girl. A radiant bride one day…

—and then a wave of irrational rage swelled in my chest.

Why was I mad? She hadn't even grown up yet!

Without thinking, I picked her up and carried her downstairs, where Mom, Dad, and Himiko-san were sitting together.

"Seir? What are you doing with Fuyumi?" Mom asked.

I stood before them, deadly serious.

"Mom. Dad. Himiko-san…"

They looked puzzled.

"If some bastard tries to take her as a bride, he's going to have to go through me first! I won't let her go so easily!"

They stared, stunned.

"…He became a sis-con," Mom muttered.

"My poor future son-in-law… He'll have to face a real Demon King to get Seir's approval," Dad sighed.

"In other words… he's going to be the most annoying big brother ever," Himiko added with a groan.

(End of Chapter 2)