GalaxyTL
Dad often goes on business trips, so when he leaves the guild, he always does it casually, as if he’s just popping out for a bit. I hurriedly stopped him as he was about to leave the guild, feeling that way.
“W-Wait, Dad!”
“Huh? What’s wrong, Meg? You didn’t forget anything, did you?”
“I did!”
Dad casually turned around and said that. I understand how he can’t imagine forgetting anything, because all the necessary items are always in our storage bracelets. We can go out empty-handed! But there’s something important he forgot!
“Gil-san!”
“Meg.”
I ran over to Gil-san and dove! Gil-san, being used to it, effortlessly caught me and lifted me up. When I clung to the nape of his neck, the arm around my back tightened slightly. Ahhh, I feel so comfortable. Just this much is enough to calm my heart.
After savoring those few seconds, I pulled away. Such a blissful, healing moment!
“We’re off!”
“…Yeah, take care. Have fun.”
“Okay!”
Gil-san didn’t seem worried at all, because we’re with Dad, who’s basically the strongest person in Ortus, no, in the whole world. And there’s another strongest person at Demon Castle. Of course, I’m not worried either.
“…You two really are close.”
“Yeah! I love Gil-san!”
I was transferred from Gil-san’s arms into Dad’s. Um, I can walk, you know? But I like being carried by both of them, so I’ll let them have their way. Dad sighed, exasperated, but we are close, what’s so strange about that?
“…I… also love Meg.”
But, those words, coming directly from him, are so rare that it pierced my heart. And he even had a faint smile on his face. Dokyun! I underestimated the power of a handsome man! My face is hot.
“…Let’s go.”
“Ah, o-okay, we’re off!”
I was grinning, fanning my face with my hand, and then Dad carried me outside with a dissatisfied look. Could it be he was also affected by Gil-san’s handsomeness? It can’t be helped. Dad’s also handsome, if you’re comparing him to the average Japanese man, but you can’t compare him to the incredibly handsome people in this world. And it’s not all about looks, you know. Though Gil-san also has a handsome heart!
“Ah, we’re taking the car?”
“Yeah. I always take the car.”
“Fufu, it reminds me of when we used to go on drives, the two of us, in Kakeru-kun.”
Dad used magic to summon the car once we were outside the guild. He said he can materialize anything with magic power. As expected of someone with a teleportation cheat. His protagonist powers are incredible. By the way, Kakeru-kun’s the name of his car. It’s not the actual thing, but a car that looks exactly like it. Megu often went out in that car, when she was little.
“…! A… child seat…!”
I was shocked by the unfamiliar chair in the passenger seat. What’s with this feeling of defeat? I mean, I’m a child, right? I’m short! I know it’s for my safety, but… my feelings from the childhood time as Megu are making me feel humiliated to sit in this chair…!
“…It c-can’t be helped. Because you’re so… bwaha… tiny… pfft!”
“Stop laughing! You’re doing it on purpose! You’re bullying meeee! Uwaaaaah!”
Dad’s just teasing me! I lightly hit him. Dad apologized, saying, “Sorry, sorry,” patting my head. I’m not going to forgive you!
“I’m sorry for laughing! But I really do need this, for your safety. Even though we have magic, I’m not omnipotent. You never know when an accident’s going to happen, and I don’t want you to get hurt, even a little. …And I ended up in this world because of a car accident, so.”
“…I see. Yeah, I get it.”
That’s right. Even when I was in Japan, accidents happened, no matter how careful you were. Even if you’re careful, you can get caught up in them. And there are also natural disasters. I’m still a little child, so I’ll do as I’m told. And because I made Dad remember something sad. It’s also a painful memory for me.
“But even so, do you really have to use a pink, fluffy child seat…?”
“It’s cute, isn’t it?”
I’ve never even seen a seat like this before, even in Japan! Dad, who secretly loves cute things, is letting loose. Dad laughed and then lifted me into the seat. I can get in on my own! Ah, but it’s really comfortable. Nice job, Dad.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Dad, sitting in the driver’s seat, closed the door, buckled his seatbelt, grabbed the steering wheel, and then channeled magic power into it. That’s how you start the engine, it seems. So environmentally friendly… eco-driving…
“It’s incredibly fast and comfortable… but doesn’t it stand out?”
“Well, you get used to it. I drive this all over the continent, so everyone’s gotten used to it.”
His heart is so strong! I’m worried about getting weird stares from everyone. But Dad’s always been like this. When I was an elementary school student, he’d even wear the crooked scarf I made in home economics class to work without hesitation.
Somehow, when I’m driving with Dad in this car, I remember all the things I’d almost forgotten. Come to think of it, there was this, there was that. But it seems I wasn’t the only one.
“We used to go on drives at night to look for good ramen shops, right?”
“Fufu, I remember. We found a restaurant with a rundown exterior, and you said, ‘These kind of places are always good,’ and then we went in, remember?”
“Ah, that place! It was incredibly bad, wasn’t it!”
It’s true that you shouldn’t judge a restaurant by its appearance, so I reluctantly went in too, but it was incredibly bad, it was funny. We chuckled wryly at each other, and then laughed uproariously in the car, just like now, when we were leaving.
Ah, how nostalgic. I thought I’d mostly forgotten, but it’s surprising how much I remember. To think we’d be laughing together while on a drive again, it’s like a dream.
“I wanted to go on a drive with Meg, like this, again. I have no regrets now.”
“Dad, stop talking like you’re about to die…”
“Idiot, I’m going to live a long life, you know?”
“I know. I mean… you have to, or I’ll be sad.”
I’m the one who’ll have to… see everyone off. Inevitably. I unconsciously clutched Dad’s sleeve.
“…Don’t make that face. I’m seriously not going to die anytime soon.”
“Yeah…”
I glanced up and saw Dad’s profile, his brows lowered in a troubled expression. I’m sorry for being selfish, I muttered in my heart.
After that, we continued our journey, having fun conversations. I regretted making things awkward, so I told Dad all about what’s been going on at the guild, and about my training. Because it’s fun every day, my report naturally also became cheerful. And I’m glad because Dad was smiling.
And then, before we knew it, we arrived at Demon Castle. I think it was quite a distance, but I don’t think it felt fast just because I was having fun. It was definitely incredibly fast. Th-That fast, really? I was getting anxious.
“Ah… well, I took a few shortcuts here and there.”
I could feel the power in that word, “Shortcuts”. That’s right, I’m sure he was doing something like Gil-san’s shadow travel. Like warping. But I didn’t notice at all. I thought I’d become sensitive to the presence of magic, but it seems like I’m still not good enough.
“Okay, we’ll walk from here. It’s a bit troublesome walking through the castle town because everyone calls out to us, but it’s also quite fun.”
“I like everyone in the castle town and at Demon Castle! They’re all so nice!”
It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but I remember coming here often, when I was younger. We often drove by, or flew directly to Demon Castle, but I was also allowed to explore the castle town. Everyone seemed to know me and were always friendly. …I always feel bad because they give me so many souvenirs. It’s the same level of welcome as in the city near Ortus. But the atmosphere is completely different, so it’s interesting.
The city near Ortus is… well, it has a simple, rustic feel. The sidewalks are smooth and easy to walk on, it’s easy to find where the shops are, it’s a comfortable city.
On the other hand, this castle town gives the impression of a good old downtown area. There are many food stalls lined up, and there are narrow alleys everywhere. And I personally like the cobblestone streets, which give it a nice atmosphere.
“Ah, Eugene-sama! And even Meg-sama!”
As soon as we set foot in the town, the people called out to us like this. It’s the usual, but I still can’t get used to this enthusiastic welcome. They’re very respectful, so people don’t swarm us, which is the same as in the town near Ortus, so I can feel at ease.
“Yo, how are you doing? Is Ash slacking off work again?”
“Haha, that’s a given, isn’t it!”
“Ah, so Father-sama’s here…”
The people in the town laughed and said that. It’s probably a common occurrence. It seems like Dad asked, knowing the answer, and I also vaguely realized it. The thing is, Father-sama’s the only one who thinks no one knows. He could use magic to change his appearance, but instead, he walks around town with that simple disguise. Does he seriously think he can erase his presence with just a pair of pince-nez!? I want to ask him that. By the way, I’m the one who gave him those pince-nez. I mean… Dad told me to send them along with the letter….
“Well, it’ll be a pain for Kron, but if she could stop him, but isn’t… it’s probably fine. It’s good for Ash, and good for the town.”
“Yes, yes, you’re right. Thanks to that, the town’s incredibly peaceful. And on days the Demon King visits, the town becomes even more lively!”
That’s right. So no one complains. It’s true, Father-sama has his faults, but it makes me realize once again that he’s a good king loved by the demons.