Chapter 88

"Hey, Yurichan, you're a boy?"

"Huh? I'm a boy, but I look like a girl??"

"Well, you're cute, so I guess you're both. You look good, so I think it's fine."

While swinging on the two swings with Cheryl, Argis, and Matthew, I heard the three mothers and Reen talking beside the swings.

...I couldn't help but wonder if it was really a good topic to discuss, being one of the parties involved.

"So, the child who temporarily joined the Northern Demon Castle that my husband mentioned is Yurichan?"

"Oh, I heard about it too."

"Yurichan, you're part of the Northern Demon Castle at that age!?"

As I tilted my head at their conversation, Argis, the oldest among us, who was pushing my swing from behind, spoke up.

Argis, who looks much bigger than me, is only about twenty years older (which is equivalent to two or three years in human terms).

The two on the neighboring swing are also only about five years younger than Argis.

Well, Yurichan seems to be small for her age, which might make the difference more noticeable.

"Our fathers all work at the Northern Demon Castle."

"My dad is in the mobile unit."

"My father is the captain of the magic unit."

"...My dad is in the guard unit."

Argis spoke, followed by Matthew, then Cheryl dropped a bomb, and it came back to Argis.

"Wow, your dads are all amazing!"

So, they're all elite combat professionals! No wonder Cheryl is so cute if she's the daughter of Captain Sherifas!

By the way, are the fathers all picky about their partners? The mothers here are all super beautiful.

"Are they amazing?"

"The mobile unit is only for those who can control the riding beasts well. The captain of the magic unit is the most knowledgeable about magic in the Northern Demon Castle, Captain Sherifas! The guard unit is the most difficult and special job to get into."

I had some misunderstandings until recently, but I've learned a bit from Elies and For, so I know better now (with a determined look).

"Is that so (really)?"

"Yes, it is!"

Hmm, I tried to explain passionately, but it seems the kids didn't really get how amazing their fathers are.

"My dad just gets scolded by my mom."

"...I don't see my father much."

"He hardly talks."

...Huh?

Did I just hear the end-of-play bell ringing somewhere?

---

While we were playing, Vincent, who had left his belongings behind, appeared at the park. At the same time, two mothers with baby strollers arrived.

"Oh, it's Alk and Rui!"

"Really!"

Seeing the strollers, Cheryl and Matthew jumped off the moving swings lightly.

Eh? I can't do that.

Okay, I'll try my best...

"Dangerous."

Just as I was about to try, Argis held me back.

He stopped the swing properly before letting me down.

Argis might become a gentleman in the future (it's not because I'm obviously clumsy, I hope).

When I ran to the strollers, which were parked near the mothers, I found two small angels with round eyes.

Both of them were wide awake.

"...So cute."

I couldn't help but sigh, lost in their innocent eyes, and the other three nodded strongly.

When I gently reached out to touch their tiny hands, they gripped my finger tightly, as if by reflex.

This made my heart melt!

Too cute.

"Oh, oh, oh."

"Yurichan is all mushy too."

As I stroked their fluffy, sparse hair, I heard Reen and Vincent's voices.

Oops, I shouldn't.

I must have let my facial muscles relax.

I tried to look serious, but their round eyes stared at me intently.

Then, I received a melting smile!

...Goodbye, facial muscles!

My face can be mushy, and that's fine!!

---

Playing with the babies, they eventually fell asleep.

So, this time, Vincent and I took a walk around the park, looking at various animals and plants.

Just as I thought the three would join us, we ended up playing a game of tag with Vincent as the "it."

While the three ran nimbly, I waddled along, and Vincent skillfully chased me, with the three helping me escape.

They are really good kids. I'm touched.

I don't have much stamina, so I quickly got tired, but when that happened, Vincent started chasing the other three.

When I recovered a bit, I was chased by Vincent again.

It's like a training exercise. Run fast, walk, then run again in a rhythm.

The three seemed to be having a lot of fun, but it was tough.

Before I knew it, the morning had passed quickly.

---

It was almost lunchtime, so we parted ways and went home.

I took off my sun hat and washed my hands with Vincent.

While waiting for Reen's delicious risotto to be ready, I looked at the newspaper Vincent had been reading in the morning.

After lunch, I felt sleepy and let Vincent brush my teeth before going to take a nap.

I casually mentioned that playing with the kids was quite intense and said goodnight. Zzz.