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After school, at the ‘Creative Science’ clubroom.
While I was giving my periodic report, which I was still doing lately, to Upperclassman Nabom, I decided to ask a direct question.
“Can’t you take her back?”
“No.”
She answered without even a second of hesitation.
While leaning back into her chair and gathering her hands on top of her crossed legs, Upperclassman Nabom spoke in a posture that looked so carefree that it was annoying.
“In the case of XMR-MK. XXI ‘Eureka’, model name ‘Jin Jihye’, she has received permission as Miss Jaim’s temporary guardian, and even if that were not the case, since inorganic matter cannot be afflicted with information contamination, the bill regarding this has no lines in it that order us to punish or manage them. Therefore, I do not have the right to use force.”
“What an arbitrary law.”
“I’m not the one who made it, you know?”
As if this had nothing to do with her, Upperclassman Nabom answered with a tone that made her sound like a civil servant who had a lot of spare time as she uncrossed her legs and crossed it once more with the other leg on top this time.
“More importantly, that’s surprising. If it’s Underclassman Jin Jaro, then I expected you to be jumping with joy since a robot maid has appeared before you, a robot which you personally created, at that. I thought you would immediately strip her and shout ‘the right of first night, I’ll exercise my right of first night!’.”
“Didn’t I tell you to uninstall all of the surveillance cameras?”
“Oh dear, what do you mean by cameras? I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.”
No idea, my ass. You look like you’re enjoying yourself. I’m getting another headache. Upperclassman Nabom smiled brightly as she continued.
“In the first place, how am I supposed to remove the cameras if I don’t go to Underclassman Jin Jaro’s place? On a side note, I knew very well that Underclassman Jin Jaro was a mechanophiliac, but I never would have expected you to truly toss aside your wife and strip a robot in order to unite with it.”
“If you’re going to say it like that, then how did you initially install them?”
“That’s classified information☆”
“······.”
It’s dangerous if this person says something like this. More importantly, don’t add things like ‘☆’ at the end of your sentence. It’s not cute with those sleepy eyes of yours.
“In that regard, I’m disappointed. I even prepared some popcorn, cola, and 3D glasses so that I could watch fruitily and record the abnormal sexuality of a mechanophiliac in order to upload it onto a certain T and P2P site, but do you not care about your audience? It felt like watching something because it was called ‘Animal Kingdom’, but it turned out to literally be about an animal kingdom. How will you compensate me for this disappointment?”
“I’m seriously going to report you this time! You stalker!”
Upperclassman Nabom smiled and nodded as if she were satisfied by my rebuttal which I had shouted after having abruptly stood up. Seriously, why does this person like messing with me so much?
“That’s enough joking around. It’s honestly troubling for me as well.”
You’re one to talk. Well, she might actually be troubled.
The number of incidents which Jihye had caused within the past week didn’t end at just one or two occurrences. I don’t remember how many times she got lost while on an errand, despite telling me to leave the housekeeping to her. Furthermore, every time this happened, she would go around conversing with the people who approached her asking about her unique appearance and outfit, and due to the careless comments which she’d keep spitting out, I was also contacted by the police once about a missing child they had found. The policeman who I saw back during the incident with Jaim was there as well, so he suspected that I did something again.
“Why does she like gossiping so much. Even though she’s a robot. Do you know how hard it is to tell people that she has some loose screws in her head when she’s sharp when it comes to certain things?”
“I-I see, o-of all people, that person was······.”
“······Stop making that face that looks like you’re about to burst out laughing. This is serious.”
This might be sudden, but this person has a bad personality. I think I’m going to get upset.
“If she’s struggling because the satellite that manages her GPS functionality doesn’t exist right now, then she could memorize the roads······.”
In response to my grumbling, Upperclassman Nabom wiped away the tear that had formed because she was holding back her laughter and spoke.
“Well, in the future, a lot of redevelopment had occurred around this neighborhood, so it’s very different compared to the roads now.”
“Eh, seriously? Could I make a huge earning through real estate?!”
“······For you to react like that in response to those words, as expected, you’re realistic. More importantly, isn’t that house your parents’?”
“They don’t care about it anyway, so it might as well be mine. They left behind the land registry certificate, too.”
Upperclassman Nabom looked as if she were lightly fed up by my answer.
“Well, you can do whatever you want with that. At any rate, you were able to deal with it reasonably well, so I’m also relieved. I already had to keep doing something I didn’t like doing because of Underclassman Jin Jaro, so it’s bothersome, but you at least took care of that much.”
Thanks to Upperclassman Nabom changing the topic, I was torn away from my happy thoughts.
“Now that I think about it, wasn’t it Upperclassman Nabom who told Jihye that Jaim was here?”
“Yes, it was me.”
“······No, I’m not saying that you should admit it so easily.”
“The police contacted the Time Affairs Bureau, and since I’m the one in charge of the incident, I told her before I was dispatched here. Is that a problem?”
Upperclassman Nabom tilted her head as if she were sincerely asking me if there was a problem with that.
“No, it just felt like you two strangely got along.”
“It’s simply one-sided friendliness. Underclassman Jin Jaro should also know well about this sort of personality, correct?”
“Certainly······.”
Should I say that they’re really amiable or don’t think ahead? It’s because of these facts that, despite their weird appearance and speech style, everyone would either kindly show them the way or call my place.
However, to say that that was the only reason, something felt a bit off······.
“Well, hardship is the natural consequence of one’s deeds, so go through as many hardships as you want. As many as the number of written apologies I had to write last time.”
I snapped back at the smiling Upperclassman Nabom on reflex.
“What do you mean by natural consequences? It’s not my fault that Jaim and Jihye came here.”
“If you didn’t go on about that family experiment thing or whatever and allowed me to take the girl back once the problem was dealt with, then something like this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I couldn’t let you take her back in that situation. Do you have no blood or tears? Moreover, you’re the one who surrendered to my threat in the end.”
“Then you should convince Miss Jaim to go back to the future.”
My expression froze up in response to those words which she had said nonchalantly.
“······How could I say something like that?”
“Of course, saying something like that would be cruel. It seems Underclassman Jin Jaro knows why Miss Jaim doesn’t want to go back, after all.”
In response to her expression and words that made it seem like she was looking at something pitiful, I simply turned away.
Naturally, I knew exactly why she didn’t want to go back. Because, the future can’t be changed.
During the previous incident, Upperclassman Nabom told me this clearly.
There are no time paradoxes.
This meant that no matter what happened here, it wouldn’t affect the future.
You could understand this if you thought about it a little.
At that time, if, by persuading Saeyeon, the future had changed because I had already experienced something which should have happened in the future, then Jaim wouldn’t have had a reason to come back to the past.
If this were true and Jaim didn’t come back to the past, then my inner-most thoughts wouldn’t have been exposed to Saeyeon. The fact that I hated her and arbitrarily made her stay like a young child.
And she would figure this out one day. Saeyeon isn’t an idiot, after all.
In the end, a future where Saeyeon and I didn’t split up and lived happily together, a future where we become the family that Jaim wanted, didn’t exist.
Even if we continued like this, Saeyeon and I will most likely fight due to the same reason that Jaim remembers. The fact that the future hadn’t contacted us yet proved this.
“······In any case, please do something.”
So I had no other choice but to say that.
I couldn’t think of a reason no matter how much I thought about it. After that had happened, there’s no way that I would say something like that again, and since this was something that Saeyeon was already told once, I couldn’t think of a reason why she would get shocked and leave the house. However, despite that. If that’s the case, then······.
“Heading home now?”
Upperclassman Nabom asked me that as I stood up from my chair. I grabbed my backpack and nodded.
“Saeyeon is probably waiting for me anyway, and it’s also late.”
“I see. Then I hope you get home safely.”
Upperclassman Nabom smiled as she said that.
However, today, that smile felt······.
“······Are you not going home, Upperclassman Nabom? It’s late.”
A long time had passed since school had ended. Our school, which was attuned to the current era and got rid of late-night studying, was devoid of all other students already. Upperclassman Nabom and I were probably the only students left on school grounds right now.
Upperclassman Nabom let out a troubled laugh.
“There’s nothing to do even if I go home, after all.”
Upperclassman Nabom’s smile looked somewhat lonely as she said that.
“So being here is more comfortable. Don’t worry about me and go back to the home where your family is waiting.”
Normally, those last words would have sounded like she was teasing me, but.
Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Upperclassman Nabom go home before me. Always by herself, she remained in this clubroom until the very end.
And naturally, I could guess what the reason behind that was.
Yeah. At the very least, there were people that both Jaim and Jihye know in this era. They came here because they had a goal, someone they wanted to meet.
However, how would it be like for Upperclassman Nabom? She was dispatched to this unfamiliar place and had also lost her chance to go back due to my insistence.
This place where she knew no one and had nothing to do.
“······I’m sorry.”
So, when I inadvertently let out an apology, Upperclassman Nabom responded with her usual mischievous grin.
“Well, certainly, since Underclassman Jin Jaro only took the product and didn’t keep your promise to let me enjoy this current age, you should be sorry.”
“······I’m sincerely sorry.”
“······I’ll be troubled if you respond to my joke so seriously.”
Upperclassman Nabom scratched her cheek while smiling awkwardly.
“Then go home and contemplate more about Miss Jaim and Jihye. Ah, give my regards to Underclassman Ja Saeyeon as well.”
She was probably telling me to not worry about it with those teasing words of hers.
Thus, I stepped through the open door and turned my head slightly.
“Uhm, the next periodic report, how about we do it at a cafe?”
“······I see. That sounds good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
In the end, I turned around at the last moment.
Different from earlier, Upperclassman Nabom was simply smiling normally as she spoke.
“Let’s also come to a compromise by going to another place afterward.”
Being left by herself, and while receiving the sunset flowing through the window with her back,
Upperclassman Nabom gently waved her hand.
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The sky turned amber as the sun went down.
At the school gate that looked forlorn because all of the students had already gone home, Saeyeon was leaning against the gate and staring vacantly at the sky. There was a lonesome expression, which she normally didn’t show, on her face. I paused for a moment the instant I saw her.
Because, it had been a long time since I last saw Saeyeon like this.
On an empty street side. A time by herself. A lonely gaze.
Whenever she was alone, she would show this side of hers at times.
“Saeyeon.”
So each time she did, I would always call out to her by her name.
“Ah, Jjaro!”
A bright smile would then appear on Saeyeon’s face as she turned to look at me.
Always for only a single moment, she would do this after briefly lowering her brows as if she found something regrettable.
“Let’s go home. I’m done for the day here.”
Once I said that while adjusting the position of my backpack, Saeyeon gave her usual goofy smile as she turned to talk to me.
“You weren’t cheating with Big Sis Nabom, were you?”
“I told you several times already that that’s not the case.”
She linked her arm with mine and, instead of her usual jealous or envious expression, she gazed up at me with a face that had a pure smile on it and looked as if she were teasing me.
“In any case, let’s go home. Where’s Jaim?”
I’m pretty sure she came to school today. Saeyeon answered happily.
“Jaim said that waiting is boring, so she went to play with some of her friends at the playground.”
My mouth unintentionally fell open because of that response.
“······That kid, has friends?”
This was a bit surprising. Saeyeon giggled at my question.
“Of course she does. There’s no way that someone as kind as Jaim wouldn’t have friends, right?”
“No, that doesn’t seem right.”
Although the modifiers ‘cute’, ‘cheeky’, and ‘rude’ suited her, a ‘kind’ kid wasn’t something that I could agree with.
“More importantly, is that okay······?”
Once I muttered those words because of a sudden concern that came to mind, Saeyeon asked.
“The fact that Jaim has to go back since she’s from the future?”
“······Well, yeah, that.”
Seriously, she’s sharp when it comes to these sort of weird things.
Jaim obviously isn’t from this time period. Therefore, that meant that even if it’s not by Jihye’s hands, she’ll have to go back. She can’t stay here forever.
Furthermore, even if this weren’t an issue, if Jaim is Saeyeon and my daughter, then that would make the elementary school students, who’re currently her ‘friends’, at least ten years older than her. Age may not matter between friends, but what did Jaim think about this? Was she even thinking about it?
“I think it’ll be all right.”
Regardless, Saeyeon spoke with a tone that sounded as if things will truly be all right.
“Of course, they might get lonely when Jaim goes back, but she didn’t have any friends who were the same age as her when she got here. I think it’s better like this. She might come back to play later on as well.”
“······I wonder.”
I admit that we can’t be the only people that Jaim plays with. She’ll get bored, and even if there’s a generation difference, she’ll probably be able to get along with her peers better.
“How about inviting Jaim’s friends over next time?”
“Don’t tell them anything weird.”
“Eh? Why not? If they know that Jaim is from the future, then wouldn’t they be less sad when they eventually split apart?”
“If you want to make Jaim lose all of her friends, then you can do that.”
It’s already hard enough since Jihye goes around saying things unnecessarily.
Saeyeon and I talked leisurely as we walked home on a sparsely populated road.
Now that I think about it, it’s been a long time since we last went home together like this with just the two of us. We used to always do this since elementary school, but we stopped doing so as of late. Ever since Jaim arrived, we either went home as a trio, or the two girls would go off to play somewhere while I went home by myself.
“In any case, my friend said······.”
While latched onto my arm, Saeyeon talked while beaming happily. I felt like she would start sulking if I told her to stop linking her arm with mine, so I simply looked away slightly and stayed silent.
This light weight, which also felt as if she were leaning onto me with her entire being, the soft touch of her chest, and most importantly, this warm sensation which was hotter than the hot weather. These sensations actually not feeling that bad was a secret.
I furtively cast a side-glance at her face so that she couldn’t notice.
As I expected, this girl is really like a painting.
Flowing hair that had changed color due to the color of the setting sun. An unceasing smile that looked as if she was enjoying this moment to the utmost. Did her cheeks appear slightly flushed because of the setting sun, or······?
“Hm? What’s wrong, Jjaro?”
She peered up at me with blinking eyes, so I quickly looked forward.
If we continue along this path which we always commuted on, the playground where I had had a talk with ‘Eureka’ would come into view. The two of us would frequently play there when we were in preschool and elementary school.
Additionally, Jaim was at that playground right now. The kid was playing with other girls whom I assume were her friends and kids who seemed to be younger than her. So this girl had this side to her as well, huh? Should I say that it’s as expected of an elementary schooler? I unintentionally let out a chuckle.
“Jaim~!”
Saeyeon cupped her hands around her mouth and called out to Jaim. Jaim, who was playing in the sand, reacted to her voice by turning towards it.
“Ah, Mom! I have to go now, Heyeong! I’ll see you later!”
Are you going to ignore me, brat?
Jaim gave her friends a wave, dusted the dirt off of her clothes, and ran over to us. It felt like her friends were tilting their heads because of the gap between the person who she called ‘Mom’ and the fact that the person was wearing a school uniform, but I decided to pretend as if I didn’t notice.
The sight of Jaim being embraced by Saeyeon and Saeyeon patting Jaim’s back. As I thought, these two got along well.
“Really, you’re playing with kids, huh? Was it fun?”
Once I said that in a teasing tone while smirking, different from my expectation, Jaim looked up at me and smiled brightly. Huh?
“Is there a problem with an elementary schooler playing like an elementary schooler?”
I definitely expected her to bite back, but she looks calm. This was surprising.
It seems my thoughts were written all over my face as Jaim gazed at me with an expression that looked as if she were looking down at me. This brat.
“I also graduated from things like that. I’m mature, after all.”
“Even if you say that, you’re still develop······. Ow!”
Did this brat just step on my foot?”
“Hmph! You lack manners, Dad!”
Once I raised my head, Jaim had already run off a fair distance and was pulling down one of her lower eyelids and sticking her tongue out at me. Trying to act cute, huh?
“Jaim, we’re already here at the playground, so do you want to play for a bit before we go?”
“Really? Yay, you’re the best, Mom!”
“It’s also been a long time since we played at a playground together, right, Jjaro?”
Saeyeon turned slightly towards me and smiled. We did play together frequently during preschool, but there’s no reason for you to be this excited, is there? You’re a high school student now.
“Then let’s ride on the seesaw together, Mom! Also······ ahk.”
Jaim, who had been moving further away from me, happily started to come back to us in response to Saeyeon’s suggestion, but her face stiffened and she distanced herself again once she saw my face.
“······Jjaro, you aren’t allowed to scold Jaim, okay? Even if Jaim stepped on your foot, you’re the one who said something bad first, Jjaro.”
I ended up inadvertently nodding my head once I noticed Saeyeon was glaring at me intensely. Saeyeon has also been starting to behave more strictly lately.
“Dad won’t scold you, Jaim! Play with us Jjaro, okay? How about pushing Jaim on the swing?”
“Can I send her flying like last time? ······I’m sorry.”
It was just a joke. You don’t have to glare at me so seriously.
Saeyeon and Jaim happily went to the playground while holding hands.
“What are you doing, Jjaro? Hurry up and come with us!”
“Fine, I’m on my way now.”
The fact that I was used to this reaction and sight, felt somewhat weird.
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The instant I exited the bathroom with a clean feeling after having finished my shower and giving myself a scalp massage, I was startled by a bloodcurdling scream which forced me to cover my ears.
“Kya! Kya! W-What are you doing?!”
“W-Why’d you scream all of a sudden? You scared me.”
Once I complained towards the source of the screaming, Jaim, who was sitting on the sofa and watching TV, covered her eyes and shouted.
“I’m asking why you’re dressed like that! What are you trying to show to your daughter?!”
“You expect me to come out in a tuxedo when I just took a shower?”
I was wondering what the issue was.
“Then at least wear a tracksuit! You used to wear one a while ago, but why did you start wearing only a t-shirt and briefs?!”
“Spring is ending. If it gets warmer, then a person’s attire changes as well······.”
Yeah······. It’s going to be summer soon. It’ll probably get hotter. Spring is over as well, huh. The realization is making me emotional. The green grass and beautiful flowers dancing in the spring breeze, clothes getting shorter. I wonder what the spring, which had gone by, had left behind for me. What did it change······?
“Ahk?!”
While I was looking in the distance with a melancholic gaze, something flew at my face so I caught it. What is this······? This brat······!”
“You’re throwing things?! You’re throwing things at me? You’re going to dirtily throw pants at someone?!”
“Your appearance is what’s dirty, Dad! Don’t go around while dangling something weird! Two girls live in this house!”
“Hoo······. Sure, my large caliber cannon definitely shakes because it’s huge······.”
“Don’t look down with a proud look on your face! Kya! Mom! Mooom!”
If you don’t want to see it, then look away.
“I’m wearing what I want in my house, what’s the problem? If you have any complaints, then go around like this as well.”
“What are you saying?! Do you want to see your daughter naked that much? You perverted dad! I’m going to report you! Clink clink, Dad!”
“What’s ‘clink clink’ supposed to be? Also, the pervert is the masochist who likes getting span-, kuah!”
A cushion hit my face before I could even finish my sentence. Even a fluffy cushion was capable of hurting quite a bit. It got me square on the chin. Literally a clean hit. A critical hit occurring where I bit my tongue in the middle of my sentence was an additional effect.
“Kuuuh······. I let you go last time, kid, but this time······!”
“Master.”
However, the instant I was about to shout at the kid, Jihye appeared right in front of me. She was holding a well-laundered training outfit in her hands, in other words, a tracksuit.
(TL note: Tracksuits are called ‘training’ in Korea. I’m not exactly sure where it originates from.)
“Even if the weather has become warmer, you may catch a cold if you go around like that. It may be a bit uncomfortable, but how about wearing clothes?”
She spoke in a respectful tone which I could feel her concern in.
“······I won’t catch a cold because of something like this.”
Therefore, I had no other choice but to receive the clothes and grumble to myself as I put it on. It felt a bit weird putting it on while being watched, but it should probably be fine since it’s just a robot and my daughter.
“······.”
But Jaim quickly turned her head away with a sour look on her face. I put some clothes on like she wanted, but what was the problem now?
“Then since I’m done with my shower, it’s time for some fun.”
Once I said those words while grinning, Jaim’s expression looked a bit less annoyed.
“What, you want to get destroyed today as well?”
Her smirk looked as if she were both mocking and teasing me. Don’t expect me to constantly be on the short end of the stick, brat. Today is the day······!
“Ack, that constriction, you, at that moment, aah!”
“Hehe, what’s this? You’re giving up with just this? The time for fun hasn’t even started yet, you know?”
However, different from me who was desperate, Jaim was speaking leisurely.
“Damn it, ah, no, aaaah!”
The technician’s technique sequence continued. Even if I did my best to endure and endure the continuous offensive, I was gradually running out of strength.
Even though, I have to show, the matureness of an adult, the splendor of an experienced man here! But, why?! Today as well!
“Kuuh······. I lost······!”
After Jaim saw me lose strength and drop my head, she shrugged her shoulders as if I were pitiful and spoke.
“Dad, it’s too soon. Did you really put your all into this?”
“Shut up! Your constriction is just too strong!”
“Naturally, I’ll do whatever I can to win. I’m on the line to victory, father.”
I simply gnashed my teeth while I glared at Jaim who was grinning broadly as she joked around. What’s up with that parody? It sounds cool.
On the TV screen, my character was splayed out on the ground after having been enthusiastically beaten up and there was a simple message which read ‘2P WIN’ floating in the center of the screen.
“Isn’t an infinite wall combo at that timing going a bit too far?”
“Aren’t constrictions normally the key to fighting games? Walls were made for them.”
Lately, playing games with Jaim like this after a shower had become a routine.
It first started because I wanted to beat this brat up in a game. This was because, ever since we started to live together, Saeyeon would always scold me whenever I tried to whack the kid upside the head. So I planned to obtain a vicarious satisfaction through an expedient method.
Jaim enjoyed playing games, I enjoyed playing games, but Saeyeon didn’t, so I didn’t really have anyone to face against until now. I always played by myself against computer-controlled opponents, so I believed that I could beat her black and blue since I was rather confident in my ability.
“In the first place, you’re too weak at keeping yourself in check and psychological warfare, Dad. You always go on the offensive, so it’s easy to see through you, and I can immediately win if I counterattack by cornering you.”
“Don’t people say that the best defense is the best offense? Your method is like a little girl’s method.”
“I am a little girl. It’s because you think like that, that you haven’t won a single round.”
“Kuh······.”
“So, are you going to stop here? Surrendering today as well?”
“Of course not! Today is the day I’ll end this history of indignity!”
“Uhm, Miss? You should stop there for today.”
However, following my shout, Jihye, who was standing at the side, spoke while facing Jaim. Jihye smiled gently.
“You already played a lot today. Regardless of the fact that you’re playing this sort of violent game, the promised time is going to soon······.”
“Dad, what are you doing? Hurry up and choose.”
Without even turning her head, Jaim spoke while facing the screen.
“Uh, okay······.”
It bothered me vaguely, but I started to move the analog stick on my controller due to Jaim’s urging. The characters were selected and the fight started once more. Saeyeon, who was watching us from the sofa, started to cheer with a smiling face.
“Jjaro, do your best!”
“Mom, are you on Dad’s side?”
“D-Do your best as well, Jaim!”
“You’re on Jaim’s side?”
“G-Good luck to both of you!”
Well, that was a cheer that didn’t go towards either side.
Moreover, after receiving Saeyeon’s encouragement, I obviously······.
“Why······. Why can’t I win······?”
This kid definitely came from the future, right? Then this game right now should be a super old-school game to her. Even if this series had continued until her time, the techniques and timing should have changed, right? Then why is it that I, the person who should be used to this, the person who has lived longer, the person who has played games longer, why am I being beaten this senselessly?
“Hoo······. No matter how many times I hear it, it always feels great hearing the cries of the defeated.”
Also, more importantly, this brat, has she never thought about losing for her dad’s sake? Wouldn’t deliberately making a mistake and purposely losing at times like this not only be the correct pattern but also be the correct attitude which a daughter should have?
“Damn it, one more round! Let’s do another round!”
“Don’t you get tired of losing······? Ah, Mom, how about playing a match as well?”
“Huh? But I don’t know how to play games that well and······. Fighting games are a bit······.”
“It’s fine. I’ll help you. Dad is really weak, so Mom should definitely be able to win as well!”
“Hey, I’m not that weak!”
At the very least, I’m not bad enough to lose to Saeyeon! Jaim smirked at my cry. She went over to Saeyeon who was sitting on the sofa and handed her the controller.
“Now then, Mom, try one round. I’ll teach you, so······.”
“You cannot.”
However, in that instant, the TV screen went black and the words ‘NO SIGNAL’ appeared.
“Huh? Hey!”
Because Jihye had abruptly turned the game console off.
“An hour has already passed since you’ve started playing. I clearly told you that you can only play games for one hour a day, right? If you play any longer, then your eyesight will most likely deteriorate.”
Stern words and an attentive expression. Jaim simply responded by glaring at Jihye in silence.
After a brief pause, Saeyeon spoke towards Jaim carefully as if she were trying to comfort her.
“Uhm, Jaim. You played a lot today, so let’s play again tomorrow. I’ll try playing a match tomorrow as well. You’ll help me, right, Jaim?”
“······.”
Jaim put down the controller once she heard those words. Almost as if she were throwing it. Since she had put some strength into her toss, the controller made a dull ‘bang’ as it collided against the floor. I let out a sigh and organized both the controllers and the game console before putting them into a cabinet.
“······Then I’m going to sleep first.”
“Hm? You’re not going to sleep with me?”
Saeyeon asked that as she watched Jaim stand up. There are a lot of rooms in the house, so Jaim has her own room, but she would normally sleep with Saeyeon. More importantly, it’s not that late yet, you know?
Jaim glanced towards Jihye as if she were displeased before shaking her head and heading towards her room. It seems she was really upset. I should say something to Jihye later.
“Uhm, Miss. May I say something?”
However, without even reading the mood, Jihye obliviously spoke towards Jaim’s back. Jaim turned only her head back halfway.
“······What?”
“A week has already passed since my arrival here. How about going back home now?”
“Ah······.”
I unintentionally ended up grabbing my head. Why would you say that? Especially at that timing.
And, naturally, with an expression that looked as if she had reached her boiling point, Jaim glared at Jihye and shouted at her.
“I told you clearly last time, didn’t I? I don’t intend to go back, and my home is here! If you want to go back so badly, then go back on your own, you piece of scrap metal!”
“No, Miss, your home isn’t here, but······.”
“I’m not going back to that sort of house!”
While clenching her fist, Jaim shouted as loudly as she could.
“······Jaim?”
Needless to say, Saeyeon looked quizzical once she heard those words. Jaim must have noticed Saeyeon’s gaze as well as she spoke in a panic.
“I-It’s nothing, Mom! It’s······. I-I have to do homework if I go back!”
“I see······. Does Jjaro make you study a lot?”
“I-I even go to a cram school. In any case, I’m going to bed.”
Jaim smiled as she gave that evasive answer. Saeyeon also smiled as if she understood, but no matter how I looked at her, that expression······.
“······Goodnight, Mom.”
Jaim furtively avoided her gaze and, after glaring at Jihye once, she closed the door. Thud, some emotion could be heard from the sound of the door closing. Jihye turned towards me with a concerned look.
“Did the Miss, perhaps, start going through puberty?”
“No, from start to finish, it’s all your doing.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
Jihye tilted her head as if she sincerely didn’t know what the issue was. She must have really been trying to figure it out as she muttered to herself while placing her hand against her mouth.
“But, she used to listen to me so well before she ran away from home······. For that kind and gentle Miss to be like this now······.”
Are you telling me that she treated her like that in the future as well? Then Jaim’s distaste was reasonable. No, rather than that.
“······Her personality wasn’t originally like this?”
There’s no way. There’s absolutely no way that was true. Nevertheless, Jihye nodded.
“In the future, she was a well-behaved young lady who listened to me well······.”
While I was vacantly staring at Jihye because of the unbelievable words I had just heard, Saeyeon carefully tapped on my shoulder so I turned to look at her.
“Uhm, Jjaro, is Jaim perhaps······. In the future, do we not get along? Now that I think about it, Jaim ran away from home, didn’t she······?”
An anxious gaze. A worried look. The ends of her fingers wavered as if she were asking for my help.
“······No, it’s not like that.”
So I had no other choice but to say that.
No matter what happens, I didn’t want to tell Saeyeon.
Even if it’s a future that cannot be avoided, even if the ‘house’ that Jaim came from won’t change, even if Saeyeon wasn’t in that home,
At the very least, Saeyeon mustn’t know about that future.
Ο
Ο
Ο
After school, at the ‘Creative Science’ clubroom.
While I was giving my periodic report, which I was still doing lately, to Upperclassman Nabom, I decided to ask a direct question.
“Can’t you take her back?”
“No.”
She answered without even a second of hesitation.
While leaning back into her chair and gathering her hands on top of her crossed legs, Upperclassman Nabom spoke in a posture that looked so carefree that it was annoying.
“In the case of XMR-MK. XXI ‘Eureka’, model name ‘Jin Jihye’, she has received permission as Miss Jaim’s temporary guardian, and even if that were not the case, since inorganic matter cannot be afflicted with information contamination, the bill regarding this has no lines in it that order us to punish or manage them. Therefore, I do not have the right to use force.”
“What an arbitrary law.”
“I’m not the one who made it, you know?”
As if this had nothing to do with her, Upperclassman Nabom answered with a tone that made her sound like a civil servant who had a lot of spare time as she uncrossed her legs and crossed it once more with the other leg on top this time.
“More importantly, that’s surprising. If it’s Underclassman Jin Jaro, then I expected you to be jumping with joy since a robot maid has appeared before you, a robot which you personally created, at that. I thought you would immediately strip her and shout ‘the right of first night, I’ll exercise my right of first night!’.”
“Didn’t I tell you to uninstall all of the surveillance cameras?”
“Oh dear, what do you mean by cameras? I have no idea what you could possibly be talking about.”
No idea, my ass. You look like you’re enjoying yourself. I’m getting another headache. Upperclassman Nabom smiled brightly as she continued.
“In the first place, how am I supposed to remove the cameras if I don’t go to Underclassman Jin Jaro’s place? On a side note, I knew very well that Underclassman Jin Jaro was a mechanophiliac, but I never would have expected you to truly toss aside your wife and strip a robot in order to unite with it.”
“If you’re going to say it like that, then how did you initially install them?”
“That’s classified information☆”
“······.”
It’s dangerous if this person says something like this. More importantly, don’t add things like ‘☆’ at the end of your sentence. It’s not cute with those sleepy eyes of yours.
“In that regard, I’m disappointed. I even prepared some popcorn, cola, and 3D glasses so that I could watch fruitily and record the abnormal sexuality of a mechanophiliac in order to upload it onto a certain T and P2P site, but do you not care about your audience? It felt like watching something because it was called ‘Animal Kingdom’, but it turned out to literally be about an animal kingdom. How will you compensate me for this disappointment?”
“I’m seriously going to report you this time! You stalker!”
Upperclassman Nabom smiled and nodded as if she were satisfied by my rebuttal which I had shouted after having abruptly stood up. Seriously, why does this person like messing with me so much?
“That’s enough joking around. It’s honestly troubling for me as well.”
You’re one to talk. Well, she might actually be troubled.
The number of incidents which Jihye had caused within the past week didn’t end at just one or two occurrences. I don’t remember how many times she got lost while on an errand, despite telling me to leave the housekeeping to her. Furthermore, every time this happened, she would go around conversing with the people who approached her asking about her unique appearance and outfit, and due to the careless comments which she’d keep spitting out, I was also contacted by the police once about a missing child they had found. The policeman who I saw back during the incident with Jaim was there as well, so he suspected that I did something again.
“Why does she like gossiping so much. Even though she’s a robot. Do you know how hard it is to tell people that she has some loose screws in her head when she’s sharp when it comes to certain things?”
“I-I see, o-of all people, that person was······.”
“······Stop making that face that looks like you’re about to burst out laughing. This is serious.”
This might be sudden, but this person has a bad personality. I think I’m going to get upset.
“If she’s struggling because the satellite that manages her GPS functionality doesn’t exist right now, then she could memorize the roads······.”
In response to my grumbling, Upperclassman Nabom wiped away the tear that had formed because she was holding back her laughter and spoke.
“Well, in the future, a lot of redevelopment had occurred around this neighborhood, so it’s very different compared to the roads now.”
“Eh, seriously? Could I make a huge earning through real estate?!”
“······For you to react like that in response to those words, as expected, you’re realistic. More importantly, isn’t that house your parents’?”
“They don’t care about it anyway, so it might as well be mine. They left behind the land registry certificate, too.”
Upperclassman Nabom looked as if she were lightly fed up by my answer.
“Well, you can do whatever you want with that. At any rate, you were able to deal with it reasonably well, so I’m also relieved. I already had to keep doing something I didn’t like doing because of Underclassman Jin Jaro, so it’s bothersome, but you at least took care of that much.”
Thanks to Upperclassman Nabom changing the topic, I was torn away from my happy thoughts.
“Now that I think about it, wasn’t it Upperclassman Nabom who told Jihye that Jaim was here?”
“Yes, it was me.”
“······No, I’m not saying that you should admit it so easily.”
“The police contacted the Time Affairs Bureau, and since I’m the one in charge of the incident, I told her before I was dispatched here. Is that a problem?”
Upperclassman Nabom tilted her head as if she were sincerely asking me if there was a problem with that.
“No, it just felt like you two strangely got along.”
“It’s simply one-sided friendliness. Underclassman Jin Jaro should also know well about this sort of personality, correct?”
“Certainly······.”
Should I say that they’re really amiable or don’t think ahead? It’s because of these facts that, despite their weird appearance and speech style, everyone would either kindly show them the way or call my place.
However, to say that that was the only reason, something felt a bit off······.
“Well, hardship is the natural consequence of one’s deeds, so go through as many hardships as you want. As many as the number of written apologies I had to write last time.”
I snapped back at the smiling Upperclassman Nabom on reflex.
“What do you mean by natural consequences? It’s not my fault that Jaim and Jihye came here.”
“If you didn’t go on about that family experiment thing or whatever and allowed me to take the girl back once the problem was dealt with, then something like this wouldn’t have happened.”
“I couldn’t let you take her back in that situation. Do you have no blood or tears? Moreover, you’re the one who surrendered to my threat in the end.”
“Then you should convince Miss Jaim to go back to the future.”
My expression froze up in response to those words which she had said nonchalantly.
“······How could I say something like that?”
“Of course, saying something like that would be cruel. It seems Underclassman Jin Jaro knows why Miss Jaim doesn’t want to go back, after all.”
In response to her expression and words that made it seem like she was looking at something pitiful, I simply turned away.
Naturally, I knew exactly why she didn’t want to go back. Because, the future can’t be changed.
During the previous incident, Upperclassman Nabom told me this clearly.
There are no time paradoxes.
This meant that no matter what happened here, it wouldn’t affect the future.
You could understand this if you thought about it a little.
At that time, if, by persuading Saeyeon, the future had changed because I had already experienced something which should have happened in the future, then Jaim wouldn’t have had a reason to come back to the past.
If this were true and Jaim didn’t come back to the past, then my inner-most thoughts wouldn’t have been exposed to Saeyeon. The fact that I hated her and arbitrarily made her stay like a young child.
And she would figure this out one day. Saeyeon isn’t an idiot, after all.
In the end, a future where Saeyeon and I didn’t split up and lived happily together, a future where we become the family that Jaim wanted, didn’t exist.
Even if we continued like this, Saeyeon and I will most likely fight due to the same reason that Jaim remembers. The fact that the future hadn’t contacted us yet proved this.
“······In any case, please do something.”
So I had no other choice but to say that.
I couldn’t think of a reason no matter how much I thought about it. After that had happened, there’s no way that I would say something like that again, and since this was something that Saeyeon was already told once, I couldn’t think of a reason why she would get shocked and leave the house. However, despite that. If that’s the case, then······.
“Heading home now?”
Upperclassman Nabom asked me that as I stood up from my chair. I grabbed my backpack and nodded.
“Saeyeon is probably waiting for me anyway, and it’s also late.”
“I see. Then I hope you get home safely.”
Upperclassman Nabom smiled as she said that.
However, today, that smile felt······.
“······Are you not going home, Upperclassman Nabom? It’s late.”
A long time had passed since school had ended. Our school, which was attuned to the current era and got rid of late-night studying, was devoid of all other students already. Upperclassman Nabom and I were probably the only students left on school grounds right now.
Upperclassman Nabom let out a troubled laugh.
“There’s nothing to do even if I go home, after all.”
Upperclassman Nabom’s smile looked somewhat lonely as she said that.
“So being here is more comfortable. Don’t worry about me and go back to the home where your family is waiting.”
Normally, those last words would have sounded like she was teasing me, but.
Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Upperclassman Nabom go home before me. Always by herself, she remained in this clubroom until the very end.
And naturally, I could guess what the reason behind that was.
Yeah. At the very least, there were people that both Jaim and Jihye know in this era. They came here because they had a goal, someone they wanted to meet.
However, how would it be like for Upperclassman Nabom? She was dispatched to this unfamiliar place and had also lost her chance to go back due to my insistence.
This place where she knew no one and had nothing to do.
“······I’m sorry.”
So, when I inadvertently let out an apology, Upperclassman Nabom responded with her usual mischievous grin.
“Well, certainly, since Underclassman Jin Jaro only took the product and didn’t keep your promise to let me enjoy this current age, you should be sorry.”
“······I’m sincerely sorry.”
“······I’ll be troubled if you respond to my joke so seriously.”
Upperclassman Nabom scratched her cheek while smiling awkwardly.
“Then go home and contemplate more about Miss Jaim and Jihye. Ah, give my regards to Underclassman Ja Saeyeon as well.”
She was probably telling me to not worry about it with those teasing words of hers.
Thus, I stepped through the open door and turned my head slightly.
“Uhm, the next periodic report, how about we do it at a cafe?”
“······I see. That sounds good. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
In the end, I turned around at the last moment.
Different from earlier, Upperclassman Nabom was simply smiling normally as she spoke.
“Let’s also come to a compromise by going to another place afterward.”
Being left by herself, and while receiving the sunset flowing through the window with her back,
Upperclassman Nabom gently waved her hand.
Ο
Ο
The sky turned amber as the sun went down.
At the school gate that looked forlorn because all of the students had already gone home, Saeyeon was leaning against the gate and staring vacantly at the sky. There was a lonesome expression, which she normally didn’t show, on her face. I paused for a moment the instant I saw her.
Because, it had been a long time since I last saw Saeyeon like this.
On an empty street side. A time by herself. A lonely gaze.
Whenever she was alone, she would show this side of hers at times.
“Saeyeon.”
So each time she did, I would always call out to her by her name.
“Ah, Jjaro!”
A bright smile would then appear on Saeyeon’s face as she turned to look at me.
Always for only a single moment, she would do this after briefly lowering her brows as if she found something regrettable.
“Let’s go home. I’m done for the day here.”
Once I said that while adjusting the position of my backpack, Saeyeon gave her usual goofy smile as she turned to talk to me.
“You weren’t cheating with Big Sis Nabom, were you?”
“I told you several times already that that’s not the case.”
She linked her arm with mine and, instead of her usual jealous or envious expression, she gazed up at me with a face that had a pure smile on it and looked as if she were teasing me.
“In any case, let’s go home. Where’s Jaim?”
I’m pretty sure she came to school today. Saeyeon answered happily.
“Jaim said that waiting is boring, so she went to play with some of her friends at the playground.”
My mouth unintentionally fell open because of that response.
“······That kid, has friends?”
This was a bit surprising. Saeyeon giggled at my question.
“Of course she does. There’s no way that someone as kind as Jaim wouldn’t have friends, right?”
“No, that doesn’t seem right.”
Although the modifiers ‘cute’, ‘cheeky’, and ‘rude’ suited her, a ‘kind’ kid wasn’t something that I could agree with.
“More importantly, is that okay······?”
Once I muttered those words because of a sudden concern that came to mind, Saeyeon asked.
“The fact that Jaim has to go back since she’s from the future?”
“······Well, yeah, that.”
Seriously, she’s sharp when it comes to these sort of weird things.
Jaim obviously isn’t from this time period. Therefore, that meant that even if it’s not by Jihye’s hands, she’ll have to go back. She can’t stay here forever.
Furthermore, even if this weren’t an issue, if Jaim is Saeyeon and my daughter, then that would make the elementary school students, who’re currently her ‘friends’, at least ten years older than her. Age may not matter between friends, but what did Jaim think about this? Was she even thinking about it?
“I think it’ll be all right.”
Regardless, Saeyeon spoke with a tone that sounded as if things will truly be all right.
“Of course, they might get lonely when Jaim goes back, but she didn’t have any friends who were the same age as her when she got here. I think it’s better like this. She might come back to play later on as well.”
“······I wonder.”
I admit that we can’t be the only people that Jaim plays with. She’ll get bored, and even if there’s a generation difference, she’ll probably be able to get along with her peers better.
“How about inviting Jaim’s friends over next time?”
“Don’t tell them anything weird.”
“Eh? Why not? If they know that Jaim is from the future, then wouldn’t they be less sad when they eventually split apart?”
“If you want to make Jaim lose all of her friends, then you can do that.”
It’s already hard enough since Jihye goes around saying things unnecessarily.
Saeyeon and I talked leisurely as we walked home on a sparsely populated road.
Now that I think about it, it’s been a long time since we last went home together like this with just the two of us. We used to always do this since elementary school, but we stopped doing so as of late. Ever since Jaim arrived, we either went home as a trio, or the two girls would go off to play somewhere while I went home by myself.
“In any case, my friend said······.”
While latched onto my arm, Saeyeon talked while beaming happily. I felt like she would start sulking if I told her to stop linking her arm with mine, so I simply looked away slightly and stayed silent.
This light weight, which also felt as if she were leaning onto me with her entire being, the soft touch of her chest, and most importantly, this warm sensation which was hotter than the hot weather. These sensations actually not feeling that bad was a secret.
I furtively cast a side-glance at her face so that she couldn’t notice.
As I expected, this girl is really like a painting.
Flowing hair that had changed color due to the color of the setting sun. An unceasing smile that looked as if she was enjoying this moment to the utmost. Did her cheeks appear slightly flushed because of the setting sun, or······?
“Hm? What’s wrong, Jjaro?”
She peered up at me with blinking eyes, so I quickly looked forward.
If we continue along this path which we always commuted on, the playground where I had had a talk with ‘Eureka’ would come into view. The two of us would frequently play there when we were in preschool and elementary school.
Additionally, Jaim was at that playground right now. The kid was playing with other girls whom I assume were her friends and kids who seemed to be younger than her. So this girl had this side to her as well, huh? Should I say that it’s as expected of an elementary schooler? I unintentionally let out a chuckle.
“Jaim~!”
Saeyeon cupped her hands around her mouth and called out to Jaim. Jaim, who was playing in the sand, reacted to her voice by turning towards it.
“Ah, Mom! I have to go now, Heyeong! I’ll see you later!”
Are you going to ignore me, brat?
Jaim gave her friends a wave, dusted the dirt off of her clothes, and ran over to us. It felt like her friends were tilting their heads because of the gap between the person who she called ‘Mom’ and the fact that the person was wearing a school uniform, but I decided to pretend as if I didn’t notice.
The sight of Jaim being embraced by Saeyeon and Saeyeon patting Jaim’s back. As I thought, these two got along well.
“Really, you’re playing with kids, huh? Was it fun?”
Once I said that in a teasing tone while smirking, different from my expectation, Jaim looked up at me and smiled brightly. Huh?
“Is there a problem with an elementary schooler playing like an elementary schooler?”
I definitely expected her to bite back, but she looks calm. This was surprising.
It seems my thoughts were written all over my face as Jaim gazed at me with an expression that looked as if she were looking down at me. This brat.
“I also graduated from things like that. I’m mature, after all.”
“Even if you say that, you’re still develop······. Ow!”
Did this brat just step on my foot?”
“Hmph! You lack manners, Dad!”
Once I raised my head, Jaim had already run off a fair distance and was pulling down one of her lower eyelids and sticking her tongue out at me. Trying to act cute, huh?
“Jaim, we’re already here at the playground, so do you want to play for a bit before we go?”
“Really? Yay, you’re the best, Mom!”
“It’s also been a long time since we played at a playground together, right, Jjaro?”
Saeyeon turned slightly towards me and smiled. We did play together frequently during preschool, but there’s no reason for you to be this excited, is there? You’re a high school student now.
“Then let’s ride on the seesaw together, Mom! Also······ ahk.”
Jaim, who had been moving further away from me, happily started to come back to us in response to Saeyeon’s suggestion, but her face stiffened and she distanced herself again once she saw my face.
“······Jjaro, you aren’t allowed to scold Jaim, okay? Even if Jaim stepped on your foot, you’re the one who said something bad first, Jjaro.”
I ended up inadvertently nodding my head once I noticed Saeyeon was glaring at me intensely. Saeyeon has also been starting to behave more strictly lately.
“Dad won’t scold you, Jaim! Play with us Jjaro, okay? How about pushing Jaim on the swing?”
“Can I send her flying like last time? ······I’m sorry.”
It was just a joke. You don’t have to glare at me so seriously.
Saeyeon and Jaim happily went to the playground while holding hands.
“What are you doing, Jjaro? Hurry up and come with us!”
“Fine, I’m on my way now.”
The fact that I was used to this reaction and sight, felt somewhat weird.
Ο
Ο
The instant I exited the bathroom with a clean feeling after having finished my shower and giving myself a scalp massage, I was startled by a bloodcurdling scream which forced me to cover my ears.
“Kya! Kya! W-What are you doing?!”
“W-Why’d you scream all of a sudden? You scared me.”
Once I complained towards the source of the screaming, Jaim, who was sitting on the sofa and watching TV, covered her eyes and shouted.
“I’m asking why you’re dressed like that! What are you trying to show to your daughter?!”
“You expect me to come out in a tuxedo when I just took a shower?”
I was wondering what the issue was.
“Then at least wear a tracksuit! You used to wear one a while ago, but why did you start wearing only a t-shirt and briefs?!”
“Spring is ending. If it gets warmer, then a person’s attire changes as well······.”
Yeah······. It’s going to be summer soon. It’ll probably get hotter. Spring is over as well, huh. The realization is making me emotional. The green grass and beautiful flowers dancing in the spring breeze, clothes getting shorter. I wonder what the spring, which had gone by, had left behind for me. What did it change······?
“Ahk?!”
While I was looking in the distance with a melancholic gaze, something flew at my face so I caught it. What is this······? This brat······!”
“You’re throwing things?! You’re throwing things at me? You’re going to dirtily throw pants at someone?!”
“Your appearance is what’s dirty, Dad! Don’t go around while dangling something weird! Two girls live in this house!”
“Hoo······. Sure, my large caliber cannon definitely shakes because it’s huge······.”
“Don’t look down with a proud look on your face! Kya! Mom! Mooom!”
If you don’t want to see it, then look away.
“I’m wearing what I want in my house, what’s the problem? If you have any complaints, then go around like this as well.”
“What are you saying?! Do you want to see your daughter naked that much? You perverted dad! I’m going to report you! Clink clink, Dad!”
“What’s ‘clink clink’ supposed to be? Also, the pervert is the masochist who likes getting span-, kuah!”
A cushion hit my face before I could even finish my sentence. Even a fluffy cushion was capable of hurting quite a bit. It got me square on the chin. Literally a clean hit. A critical hit occurring where I bit my tongue in the middle of my sentence was an additional effect.
“Kuuuh······. I let you go last time, kid, but this time······!”
“Master.”
However, the instant I was about to shout at the kid, Jihye appeared right in front of me. She was holding a well-laundered training outfit in her hands, in other words, a tracksuit.
(TL note: Tracksuits are called ‘training’ in Korea. I’m not exactly sure where it originates from.)
“Even if the weather has become warmer, you may catch a cold if you go around like that. It may be a bit uncomfortable, but how about wearing clothes?”
She spoke in a respectful tone which I could feel her concern in.
“······I won’t catch a cold because of something like this.”
Therefore, I had no other choice but to receive the clothes and grumble to myself as I put it on. It felt a bit weird putting it on while being watched, but it should probably be fine since it’s just a robot and my daughter.
“······.”
But Jaim quickly turned her head away with a sour look on her face. I put some clothes on like she wanted, but what was the problem now?
“Then since I’m done with my shower, it’s time for some fun.”
Once I said those words while grinning, Jaim’s expression looked a bit less annoyed.
“What, you want to get destroyed today as well?”
Her smirk looked as if she were both mocking and teasing me. Don’t expect me to constantly be on the short end of the stick, brat. Today is the day······!
“Ack, that constriction, you, at that moment, aah!”
“Hehe, what’s this? You’re giving up with just this? The time for fun hasn’t even started yet, you know?”
However, different from me who was desperate, Jaim was speaking leisurely.
“Damn it, ah, no, aaaah!”
The technician’s technique sequence continued. Even if I did my best to endure and endure the continuous offensive, I was gradually running out of strength.
Even though, I have to show, the matureness of an adult, the splendor of an experienced man here! But, why?! Today as well!
“Kuuh······. I lost······!”
After Jaim saw me lose strength and drop my head, she shrugged her shoulders as if I were pitiful and spoke.
“Dad, it’s too soon. Did you really put your all into this?”
“Shut up! Your constriction is just too strong!”
“Naturally, I’ll do whatever I can to win. I’m on the line to victory, father.”
I simply gnashed my teeth while I glared at Jaim who was grinning broadly as she joked around. What’s up with that parody? It sounds cool.
On the TV screen, my character was splayed out on the ground after having been enthusiastically beaten up and there was a simple message which read ‘2P WIN’ floating in the center of the screen.
“Isn’t an infinite wall combo at that timing going a bit too far?”
“Aren’t constrictions normally the key to fighting games? Walls were made for them.”
Lately, playing games with Jaim like this after a shower had become a routine.
It first started because I wanted to beat this brat up in a game. This was because, ever since we started to live together, Saeyeon would always scold me whenever I tried to whack the kid upside the head. So I planned to obtain a vicarious satisfaction through an expedient method.
Jaim enjoyed playing games, I enjoyed playing games, but Saeyeon didn’t, so I didn’t really have anyone to face against until now. I always played by myself against computer-controlled opponents, so I believed that I could beat her black and blue since I was rather confident in my ability.
“In the first place, you’re too weak at keeping yourself in check and psychological warfare, Dad. You always go on the offensive, so it’s easy to see through you, and I can immediately win if I counterattack by cornering you.”
“Don’t people say that the best defense is the best offense? Your method is like a little girl’s method.”
“I am a little girl. It’s because you think like that, that you haven’t won a single round.”
“Kuh······.”
“So, are you going to stop here? Surrendering today as well?”
“Of course not! Today is the day I’ll end this history of indignity!”
“Uhm, Miss? You should stop there for today.”
However, following my shout, Jihye, who was standing at the side, spoke while facing Jaim. Jihye smiled gently.
“You already played a lot today. Regardless of the fact that you’re playing this sort of violent game, the promised time is going to soon······.”
“Dad, what are you doing? Hurry up and choose.”
Without even turning her head, Jaim spoke while facing the screen.
“Uh, okay······.”
It bothered me vaguely, but I started to move the analog stick on my controller due to Jaim’s urging. The characters were selected and the fight started once more. Saeyeon, who was watching us from the sofa, started to cheer with a smiling face.
“Jjaro, do your best!”
“Mom, are you on Dad’s side?”
“D-Do your best as well, Jaim!”
“You’re on Jaim’s side?”
“G-Good luck to both of you!”
Well, that was a cheer that didn’t go towards either side.
Moreover, after receiving Saeyeon’s encouragement, I obviously······.
“Why······. Why can’t I win······?”
This kid definitely came from the future, right? Then this game right now should be a super old-school game to her. Even if this series had continued until her time, the techniques and timing should have changed, right? Then why is it that I, the person who should be used to this, the person who has lived longer, the person who has played games longer, why am I being beaten this senselessly?
“Hoo······. No matter how many times I hear it, it always feels great hearing the cries of the defeated.”
Also, more importantly, this brat, has she never thought about losing for her dad’s sake? Wouldn’t deliberately making a mistake and purposely losing at times like this not only be the correct pattern but also be the correct attitude which a daughter should have?
“Damn it, one more round! Let’s do another round!”
“Don’t you get tired of losing······? Ah, Mom, how about playing a match as well?”
“Huh? But I don’t know how to play games that well and······. Fighting games are a bit······.”
“It’s fine. I’ll help you. Dad is really weak, so Mom should definitely be able to win as well!”
“Hey, I’m not that weak!”
At the very least, I’m not bad enough to lose to Saeyeon! Jaim smirked at my cry. She went over to Saeyeon who was sitting on the sofa and handed her the controller.
“Now then, Mom, try one round. I’ll teach you, so······.”
“You cannot.”
However, in that instant, the TV screen went black and the words ‘NO SIGNAL’ appeared.
“Huh? Hey!”
Because Jihye had abruptly turned the game console off.
“An hour has already passed since you’ve started playing. I clearly told you that you can only play games for one hour a day, right? If you play any longer, then your eyesight will most likely deteriorate.”
Stern words and an attentive expression. Jaim simply responded by glaring at Jihye in silence.
After a brief pause, Saeyeon spoke towards Jaim carefully as if she were trying to comfort her.
“Uhm, Jaim. You played a lot today, so let’s play again tomorrow. I’ll try playing a match tomorrow as well. You’ll help me, right, Jaim?”
“······.”
Jaim put down the controller once she heard those words. Almost as if she were throwing it. Since she had put some strength into her toss, the controller made a dull ‘bang’ as it collided against the floor. I let out a sigh and organized both the controllers and the game console before putting them into a cabinet.
“······Then I’m going to sleep first.”
“Hm? You’re not going to sleep with me?”
Saeyeon asked that as she watched Jaim stand up. There are a lot of rooms in the house, so Jaim has her own room, but she would normally sleep with Saeyeon. More importantly, it’s not that late yet, you know?
Jaim glanced towards Jihye as if she were displeased before shaking her head and heading towards her room. It seems she was really upset. I should say something to Jihye later.
“Uhm, Miss. May I say something?”
However, without even reading the mood, Jihye obliviously spoke towards Jaim’s back. Jaim turned only her head back halfway.
“······What?”
“A week has already passed since my arrival here. How about going back home now?”
“Ah······.”
I unintentionally ended up grabbing my head. Why would you say that? Especially at that timing.
And, naturally, with an expression that looked as if she had reached her boiling point, Jaim glared at Jihye and shouted at her.
“I told you clearly last time, didn’t I? I don’t intend to go back, and my home is here! If you want to go back so badly, then go back on your own, you piece of scrap metal!”
“No, Miss, your home isn’t here, but······.”
“I’m not going back to that sort of house!”
While clenching her fist, Jaim shouted as loudly as she could.
“······Jaim?”
Needless to say, Saeyeon looked quizzical once she heard those words. Jaim must have noticed Saeyeon’s gaze as well as she spoke in a panic.
“I-It’s nothing, Mom! It’s······. I-I have to do homework if I go back!”
“I see······. Does Jjaro make you study a lot?”
“I-I even go to a cram school. In any case, I’m going to bed.”
Jaim smiled as she gave that evasive answer. Saeyeon also smiled as if she understood, but no matter how I looked at her, that expression······.
“······Goodnight, Mom.”
Jaim furtively avoided her gaze and, after glaring at Jihye once, she closed the door. Thud, some emotion could be heard from the sound of the door closing. Jihye turned towards me with a concerned look.
“Did the Miss, perhaps, start going through puberty?”
“No, from start to finish, it’s all your doing.”
“Did I say something wrong?”
Jihye tilted her head as if she sincerely didn’t know what the issue was. She must have really been trying to figure it out as she muttered to herself while placing her hand against her mouth.
“But, she used to listen to me so well before she ran away from home······. For that kind and gentle Miss to be like this now······.”
Are you telling me that she treated her like that in the future as well? Then Jaim’s distaste was reasonable. No, rather than that.
“······Her personality wasn’t originally like this?”
There’s no way. There’s absolutely no way that was true. Nevertheless, Jihye nodded.
“In the future, she was a well-behaved young lady who listened to me well······.”
While I was vacantly staring at Jihye because of the unbelievable words I had just heard, Saeyeon carefully tapped on my shoulder so I turned to look at her.
“Uhm, Jjaro, is Jaim perhaps······. In the future, do we not get along? Now that I think about it, Jaim ran away from home, didn’t she······?”
An anxious gaze. A worried look. The ends of her fingers wavered as if she were asking for my help.
“······No, it’s not like that.”
So I had no other choice but to say that.
No matter what happens, I didn’t want to tell Saeyeon.
Even if it’s a future that cannot be avoided, even if the ‘house’ that Jaim came from won’t change, even if Saeyeon wasn’t in that home,
At the very least, Saeyeon mustn’t know about that future.
