"Here you go, sir. Your fried chicken and Coke."
"Thank you."
I took the tray from the cashier and carefully made my way through the crowded dining hall of KGF Chicken, a popular fast-food restaurant near Yuna City. The place was bustling with customers, and the delicious smell of freshly fried chicken filled the air. Since Erza enjoyed eating here, I'd figured it would be a good place to bring Yuri.
I hope he likes it.
To be honest, I had no idea what kind of food my son preferred. Unlike Elena, who would happily eat almost anything I prepared, Yuri had spent most of the past year at the dragon academy. I didn't even know whether he'd ever tasted fried chicken before, but surely there was no harm in introducing him to something new.
With that thought, I looked toward the table where I'd left him, only to stop walking when I noticed several young women gathered around his chair.
"Awww! He's so cute!"
"Look at his eyes! They're violet!"
"Are those contact lenses? They're so pretty!"
"And his little face! He looks like a doll!"
I blinked at the unexpected scene. Yuri, however, didn't seem particularly pleased with the attention. He sat stiffly in his chair, his little arms folded across his chest while the girls continued admiring him.
"Hmph! You lowly humans! Who said you could come near me?"
Unfortunately, his words had the exact opposite effect.
"Awww! Did you hear that?"
"He's so rude! What a little bad boy!"
"Even his angry face is adorable!"
Before Yuri could react, one of the girls reached down and scooped him into her arms.
"Come here, you little cutie!"
"H-Hey! Put me down!"
Yuri's violet eyes widened as the girl hugged him. His little legs kicked helplessly in the air while the others gathered closer, giggling at his furious expression.
"He's so tiny!"
"Look at his cheeks!"
"Stop touching me! You stupid humans!"
Yuri struggled harder, trying to push the girl's arms away with his small hands.
"Put me down! Right now! Or I'll burn you!"
The girl laughed, apparently finding his threats even more adorable.
"Awww! He's so fierce!"
I stood there watching my son experience what might have been the greatest humiliation of his short life. For someone who always acted so proud and mighty, he certainly looked helpless being carried around like a stuffed toy.
Good heavens. My son really is adorable.
With his neatly kept black hair, violet eyes, and delicate features, it wasn't surprising that people wanted to admire him. Naturally, he'd inherited his handsome face from me, although that terrible attitude definitely came from Erza.
Actually, now that I thought about it, he might be even worse than she was.
Just then, Yuri spotted me standing near the counter.
His little face immediately twisted with anger.
"YOU! GOOD-FOR-NOTHING FATHER!"
I nearly dropped the tray.
Excuse me?!
"Stop standing there! Save me from these stupid humans!" he shouted, struggling in the girl's arms. "Hurry up! Or I'll burn them all!"
My jaw tightened.
This little brat!
I was standing here worrying about what food he might enjoy, and the first thing he did upon seeing me was call me a good-for-nothing father?!
For one brief moment, I considered pretending I hadn't heard him. However, knowing Yuri, there was a very real possibility he'd attempt something reckless if I left him alone any longer.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Calm down, Yuuta. You're the adult here. You have to set a good example.
Besides, Erza had trusted me to look after our son. I couldn't let our first outing end with a group of innocent girls being roasted alive.
I approached them with a polite smile.
"Excuse me, ladies. I'm sorry to interrupt, but it looks like my son is getting hungry. Would you mind letting him down?"
The girl holding Yuri blinked.
"Oh! Is he your son?"
"That's right."
"Really?!"
The others looked between Yuri and me, apparently comparing our faces.
"Now that you mention it, they do look alike!"
"His hair is just like yours!"
"Wait, you're his father? You're so handsome!"
I laughed awkwardly.
"Ahaha. Thank you."
One of the girls tilted her head.
"You look pretty young, though. Are you sure you're not his older brother?"
Oh?
Now that was a compliment I could appreciate.
"Well, I do get that sometimes."
I straightened my shoulders slightly, enjoying the unexpected praise. Unfortunately, Yuri chose that exact moment to ruin everything.
"He's my father. My useless father."
The girls burst into laughter.
"He's so funny!"
"Your son has quite the personality!"
"Ahaha... You have no idea."
Thankfully, they didn't make a fuss. The girl holding Yuri gently placed him back on the floor, and the others waved goodbye before returning to their table.
"Bye-bye, little cutie!"
"Be nice to your daddy!"
Yuri watched them leave with an expression of absolute disgust. He immediately brushed his clothes with both hands, puffing out his cheeks as though he'd just survived something terrible.
"Hmph! Stupid humans! They have no manners!"
I sighed.
"They were just being friendly, Yuri."
"Friendly?! They picked me up without asking!"
"Well... they shouldn't have done that."
"Exactly!"
He folded his little arms and nodded proudly, clearly pleased that I'd agreed with him. However, that satisfaction didn't last long before he looked up at me again.
"And those girls are stupid too."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"They called you handsome."
For a moment, I simply stared at him.
Then I smiled.
"Well, at least they have good taste."
Yuri shook his head.
"Hmph! Their eyes must be broken."
THIS LITTLE—!
I clenched my fist beneath the tray before forcing myself to relax. Erza had sent us here to spend time together, not to see which one of us could insult the other more effectively.
Calm down. Calm down, Yuuta. You're his father. Act like one.
"Come on, Yuri. Let's eat before the food gets cold."
He gave a small nod and followed me back to our table, although he continued muttering about how annoying humans were.
Once we were seated, I placed the tray between us and arranged the food. Several pieces of golden-brown fried chicken sat inside a cardboard box, accompanied by crispy fries and two cups of Coke. The smell alone was enough to make my mouth water.
"Here, Yuri. Try this."
I picked up a piece of chicken and placed it on his plate.
Yuri stared at it.
And when I say stared, I mean he examined that poor piece of chicken as though I'd just presented him with the remains of some unknown monster.
His little nose wrinkled.
"...What's this?"
"Fried chicken."
"I know that!"
"Then why are you asking?"
He pointed at the crispy coating.
"Why does it look like that? It's all yellow and bumpy."
I chuckled.
"That's the crispy coating. It's what makes the chicken delicious."
Yuri leaned closer, sniffed it cautiously, and immediately pulled his head back.
"Hmph! It smells strange."
"Strange? It smells delicious!"
"To you, maybe."
He poked the chicken with one finger before looking up at me.
"...Can humans really eat this?"
I stared at him.
"Of course we can! It's chicken!"
Yuri looked unconvinced, and the way he was examining it was starting to make me uncomfortable. This was perfectly good fried chicken, not some poisonous creature I'd dragged out of a swamp!
"Well, if you don't want it, I'll eat it."
I reached toward his plate.
"Your mother loves this stuff, though. I thought you might enjoy it too."
Yuri immediately covered the chicken with both hands.
"Wait!"
I stopped.
"Hm?"
He looked up at me with wide eyes.
"...Mother eats this?"
"Of course. She's quite fond of it, actually."
Yuri glanced down at the chicken again. For several seconds, he remained silent, apparently reconsidering everything he'd just said.
Then he nodded.
"If Mother likes it, then it must be good."
I blinked.
"...Seriously?"
"Mother knows everything!"
"Well, I won't argue with that."
He carefully picked up the chicken with both hands, holding it as though he were examining some unfamiliar treasure. After turning it around a few times, he finally opened his mouth and took a small bite.
Crunch.
Yuri stopped chewing.
His violet eyes widened.
I leaned forward with interest.
"Well? How is it?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he slowly chewed the piece in his mouth before swallowing. His gaze returned to the chicken, and after a brief pause, he took another bite.
Crunch.
Then another.
And another.
I watched him with growing amusement. His expression remained as cold as ever, but his eyes were practically sparkling with delight. The little fellow was clearly enjoying himself, even if his pride refused to let him admit it.
Hehe. I knew it.
Before long, he'd finished the first piece and immediately reached for another. His little cheeks puffed out as he chewed, and every now and then, he licked the seasoning from his fingers when he thought I wasn't looking.
Good heavens. He's adorable when he eats.
For someone who'd questioned whether the food was even edible, Yuri was doing an excellent job of proving otherwise. By the time I finished my own piece, a small pile of chicken bones had already formed beside his plate.
I rested my chin on my hand and smiled.
"So, Yuri? How's the chicken?"
He glanced up while chewing.
"Hm?"
"Do you like it?"
Yuri swallowed, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and straightened his little back.
"...It's okay."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Just okay?"
"Yes."
He looked at the remaining chicken before adding in a serious voice.
"It's a little tasty. But Mother's food is better."
I chuckled.
"Oh, really?"
"Of course! Mother is the best!"
"Well, I won't argue with that."
He nodded proudly and reached for another piece.
I slowly looked toward the growing pile of bones beside his plate, then back at him.
"Still, you seem to be eating quite a lot for someone who thinks it's only okay."
Yuri froze.
His eyes moved toward the bones, and for the first time since we'd entered the restaurant, his expression faltered.
Only slightly.
Then he puffed out his cheeks.
"Hmph! I was hungry!"
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes! And you bought it, so I have to eat it!"
I grinned.
"How thoughtful of you."
Yuri narrowed his eyes.
"Don't smile like that, Father."
"Like what?"
"Like you're making fun of me!"
I laughed, earning an annoyed glare from my son. He quickly turned his attention back to the chicken, pretending he wasn't interested in our conversation anymore.
This little brat really won't admit he likes it, will he?
I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms as I watched him quietly enjoy another piece.
Fine. If that's how you want to play it, then so be it.
A grin slowly spread across my face.
Listen here, Yuri. You might have inherited your mother's face, her pride, and that ridiculous attitude of hers, but don't underestimate your father.
I'm the man who managed to capture the heart of the White Dragon Queen herself!
Compared to dealing with your mother, handling a little copy of her should be child's play!
I looked at Yuri, who was now happily chewing another piece of chicken while trying his hardest to maintain his usual cold expression.
Just you wait, son.
I'll make you acknowledge your father yet!