Chapter 334
A Father’s Tale
The kids were sound asleep . Spending the day outdoors and enjoying the cherry blossom party to the fullest had drained their batteries dry . Likewise, the maids had also gone to bed, no doubt in part courtesy of the alcohol that had been pumped through the veins . Lefi and I were the only two still up .
“That was a pretty good move…” I groaned as I watched Lefi move the one and only piece I hadn’t wanted her to touch . Well… there goes my plan .
“Indeed it was . I know that well, for I too have continued to improve . ”
We were doing the usual, board games . The particular game we were engaged in today was shogi, Japanese chess . As mentioned by the dragon herself, Lefi had gotten quite good at it, and at board games in general . It was no longer rare for her to have me on my back foot . Though I guess that’s only to be expected . It’d be kinda weird if she didn’t ever git gud, seeing as how we’ve been playing almost everyday for over a year .
“I admit, you’ve certainly gotten better . But you’re still not nearly as good as I!”
I pushed forward a specific piece, likely the one and only piece that she hadn’t wanted me to touch . Oh, how the tables have turned!
“I-It is not over yet…” she frowned as she desperately moved one of her pawns to defend against my assault .
“Heh . Wrong again . ” But it was to no avail . “Checkmate!”
“Urghhh… very well, I admit my loss,” she groaned, “I had thought that I was on the path to success . ”
It was a bluff . She nearly had me cornered . I’m probably going to have to play Leila some and get her to give me some tips so I can stay ahead of Lefi… I’m sure the maid’ll know exactly what I need to do to git gudder .
“Let us wrap up for the day . To stay awake any longer is to put ourselves at risk of being struck by bombs the size of children . ”
“Good point . ”
We shared a laugh as we tidied up the board and accompanying game pieces .
The particular phenomenon she was referring to was one that Leila mandated . Every time we overslept, the maid would instruct the children to dive at us, thereby dramatically forcing us with an overdose of raw, unbridled energy .
“Hey, Lefi?” Once I placed it on the shelf with all the other toys and games, I turned to face her .
“Yes?”
“Let’s have kids . ”
Her face flushed immediately .
“If that is your desire, then I shall fulfill it . ” She looked up at me with upturned eyes as she spoke with a mix of embarrassment and resolve . “I will bear for you as many of your children as you wish . ”
Her words made my heart dance . Raw affection overflowed from within as I gently pulled her into an embrace .
She returned the gesture of love with one of her own . She pressed her head into my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist .
I felt myself relax . I’d long been conditioned into feeling at ease every time I felt the soft warmth of her flesh and basked in her sugary sweet scent .
“There is one question I wish to ask,” she mumbled .
“Mhm?”
“T-this is the first time you have demonstrated any interest in that manner of intimacy . What was it that led to this change of heart?”
“The reason I didn’t bring it up before was honestly just that I thought I was kinda hopeless . ”
She remained silent . She didn’t rush me or begin making conjectures out loud even as I paused for an unnaturally long time to collect my thoughts .
“I’m… I’m egotistical . I basically ignore everything but the few things I’m super interested in . Of all the adults here, I’m probably the least mature, and the most irresponsible . That’s why I didn’t really think I was the type of guy that should be raising kids . ”
“…I think you are doing a fine job as the man of the house . ”
She intertwined her fingers with mine as if to express concern for my mental health, so I made sure to lead my next statement with a laugh to show her that nothing was wrong .
“I just… really love messing around . And I’m aware of it . When I thought about everything that went into raising kids into functional, responsible adults, I blanked . I didn’t think I could do it . I didn’t think I could be a good dad, or that I was ready to be responsible for someone else’s life . But lately, that’s changed . I’ve started to feel a lot more confident . ”
“And why is that?”
“I’ve realized that all I need to do is be serious when it really counts and show them all the love and affection a father should . That’s all that’s really needed for them to catch on and respond in kind,” I said . “…That sounded a lot less embarrassing in my head . ”
“I suppose it was . ” She smiled at me . “But I know now what it is you meant to say . ”
“Besides… me being an incorrigible degenerate isn’t the end of the world . I’m not alone . I know that I can trust you to make up for my deficiencies . Just like how you can trust me to make up for yours . And if the two of us combined aren’t good enough, then we’ll just have to ask Lyuu, Nell, and everyone else to help fill the gaps,” I said . “That’s what it means . That’s what it means to be family . ”
“Indeed . It is . ” She nodded . “I will forever be here for you, as you are for me . ”
“Soooo yeah, after thinking about it a bunch, I realized it’d probably be okay . That’s why… that’s why I want to have kids . With you . ” I gave her hands a bit of a squeeze . “I want to leave proof . I want to leave proof that we lived, that we loved . I want there to be something undeniable that shows the world the bond we share . ”
“Yuki…” She looked straight into my eyes . “I love you, truly, from the depths of my heart . I would not bat an eye to wage war on this world itself or even destroy it outright if that is what is needed for us to spend our lives together . ” She squeezed my hands back . “Nothing would provide greater happiness than to agree . I too wish to leave evidence of our eternal bond . ”
Happy tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she smiled at me .
I smiled back . At first, my smile matched hers, but it soon became more awkward, sheepish .
“Uhh… sorry . Have I been keeping you waiting?”
“You have,” she chuckled . “But worry not . I know your concerns well . Raising a child is no simple hurdle, but it is one that we shall deal with as we have and will any other . As a family . For I am certain that, with all of us together, we shall never fail . ”
“Can’t argue with that . ”
We pressed our foreheads together .
The hot sigh that escaped her lips warmed my cheeks .
The teary eyes that gazed into mine were beautiful . Gems glimmering in the candlelight .
For a moment, we remained unmoving . Time had stopped for us . The world had stopped for us .
All that was left for me was her .
And her me .
As our eyes slowly shut, and the distance between us shrank to nothing, we brought our lips together .
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