I leaned closer, and this time, Erza moved toward me as well. Her violet eyes slowly closed, and I found myself doing the same, my hand still resting gently against her cheek. For a moment, neither of us spoke, as though we were both afraid that saying anything might ruin the atmosphere.
Our noses almost touched.
I could feel her warm breath against my lips. Her fingers tightened around mine, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks as she leaned forward. Despite everything we'd been through together, moments like these still made my heart race.
Just a little closer...
I swallowed nervously and closed the remaining distance. Erza's lips were so close that I could almost feel them, and for one ridiculous moment, I found myself wondering what they would taste like.
Wait, what am I thinking?
I pushed the embarrassing thought aside. She was my wife, for heaven's sake! There was no reason for me to be this nervous about kissing her.
But just before our lips could touch—
"Disgusting."
"...!"
Both of us jumped apart.
I froze with my hand still hovering in the air, while Erza turned away so quickly that her long white hair swept across her shoulder. Her cheeks had turned bright red, although she immediately attempted to recover her usual cold expression.
Again?!
Seriously?! Was there some kind of curse preventing me from kissing my own wife?!
At first, I assumed Elena had interrupted us again. However, the voice had sounded nothing like hers. It belonged to a boy, and judging by his tone, whoever had spoken was thoroughly disgusted by what he'd just witnessed.
I slowly turned toward the bathroom doorway.
Standing there was a little boy with neatly kept black hair and striking violet eyes. He was about the same height as Elena, with delicate features that made their resemblance unmistakable. Unlike his cheerful twin sister, however, he wore a cold, thoroughly unimpressed expression.
His black hair resembled mine, while those violet eyes were unmistakably Erza's.
"...Yuri?"
The boy folded his little arms.
"So you finally noticed me, Father."
I stared at him in disbelief.
Yuri Kounari.
My son.
Elena's twin brother.
And the last person I'd expected to find standing in our apartment.
"Wait a minute. What are you doing here?"
Yuri raised an eyebrow.
"Is that how you greet your son after an entire year Good for nothign father?"
"That's not what I meant! I thought you were still at the academy!"
"Mother brought me."
I slowly turned toward Erza, who had finally recovered enough to face us, although a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks.
"Erza? Would you care to explain?"
"I was going to tell you, mortal. But when you returned, Elena was crying, and then we had to deal with her tooth."
She glanced toward Yuri.
"He was washing up when you arrived. I assumed he'd come out once he was finished."
Yuri sighed.
"I did finish. Unfortunately, I walked into something I would rather forget."
I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could say anything, a delighted voice suddenly rang out from the sofa.
"BROTHER!"
Elena jumped down and hurried toward Yuri, her little feet pattering across the floor.
"Brother! You're home!"
Yuri barely had time to turn before his twin sister threw her arms around him. Since they were practically the same size, the sudden hug made him stumble backward.
"Elena! Be careful!"
"But Elena missed you!"
She hugged him tighter, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. Yuri looked uncomfortable for a moment, but instead of pushing her away, he steadied himself and gently patted her head.
"...I missed you too, Sister."
Elena immediately lifted her face.
"Really?"
"Yes. Now, could you loosen your arms? You're squeezing me."
"Hehe!"
She finally released him, only to take both his hands and examine him as though she needed to make sure he was real.
"Brother! When did you come home? What happened to your academy? Are you staying here? Did you bring Elena anything?"
"One question at a time, Sister."
"But Elena has lots of questions!"
"I can see that."
Watching them together, I couldn't help noticing how different my twins were. Elena was practically bouncing with excitement, while Yuri patiently endured her questions with the same serious expression Erza often wore. Yet despite his complaints, he hadn't let go of her hand.
Well, at least he's happy to see his sister.
"Erza," I said, turning toward my wife. "You still haven't explained why you brought him home."
"Because I wanted him here, mortal."
"Just like that?"
"Yes. Is there something wrong with a mother wanting to see her son?"
Her answer made me hesitate. Erza looked toward Yuri, who was now listening to Elena excitedly explain how she'd lost her tooth, before continuing in a softer voice.
"It's been almost a year since Yuri left for the academy. His instructors have been sending me reports about his progress, and I recently learned that his current training period had ended."
"So you brought him home for a break?"
"Precisely. He's been studying diligently, and I see no reason to keep him away from his family when he has an opportunity to rest. Besides, Elena has been asking about her brother."
I glanced toward the twins.
Elena was proudly showing Yuri the little gap in her teeth.
"See, Brother? Mama pulled it out!"
Yuri examined her mouth with a serious expression.
"You should stop eating so many sweets, Sister."
"But chocolate is tasty!"
"That doesn't mean you should eat all of it."
Elena puffed out her cheeks.
"Brother sounds just like Mama!"
For the first time since his arrival, Yuri gave a small smile. I found myself smiling too, relieved to see that he hadn't changed completely during his time away.
Well, I suppose having him home isn't such a bad thing.
Then I remembered something.
"Wait, Erza. There's another problem."
She looked at me.
"What now, mortal?"
"Yuri hasn't even been properly introduced in the main novel yet!"
"...And?"
"And?! This is a massive spoiler! What are readers supposed to think when our son suddenly appears in the spin-off?"
Erza stared at me for a moment before sighing.
"Oh, honestly, Yuuta. Must you worry about such things even now?"
"Of course! Continuity is important!"
"More important than our children?"
"That's not what I'm saying!"
She shook her head and approached Yuri, gently lifting him into her arms. Although he was the same age and size as Elena, he settled against his mother's shoulder without complaint. Erza supported him comfortably and brushed a few strands of black hair away from his forehead.
"Do you know how difficult it is for a mother to spend so much time away from her child?" she asked. "Yuri is my son, just as Elena is my daughter. I won't keep him away simply because you're worried about spoiling a story."
I looked at the two of them and sighed.
Erza was right. Whatever happened in the main novel, Yuri was still our son, and he deserved to spend time with his family.
"All right," I admitted. "I suppose you're right."
Erza smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you understand, mortal."
"But there's still one thing I'm worried about."
"Hm?"
I glanced at Yuri.
"That boy doesn't seem particularly happy to see me."
Yuri looked at me from Erza's arms.
"Should I be?"
"..."
Well, that answers that.
Erza sighed.
"Yuri, he's your father. You should at least try to get along with him."
Yuri lowered his gaze.
"Mother, I have no objection to being here with you and Sister."
"And your father?"
He looked at me for a moment before answering.
"...I suppose I can tolerate his presence."
"HOW GENEROUS OF YOU!"
"Hmph. You're welcome."
I pressed a hand against my forehead. Good heavens. He'd been home for barely a few minutes, and I was already wondering how I was supposed to survive an entire vacation with him.
Erza, however, seemed pleased that he'd made even that small concession.
"See, mortal? He's trying."
"Erza, he just said he can tolerate me!"
"That's a beginning."
Before I could argue, Elena stepped closer and looked up at her brother with a serious expression.
"Brother! You have to be nice to Papa!"
Yuri glanced down at her.
"I haven't done anything to him, Sister."
"But Papa looks sad!"
I blinked.
Elena! My precious little princess!
Finally, someone in this family was willing to defend me!
Yuri studied my face for a moment before looking back at his sister.
"Then perhaps Father should stop taking everything so personally."
"Yuri," Erza said, her voice carrying a quiet warning.
He immediately fell silent.
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. It had barely been a few minutes since my son returned home, yet I was already beginning to wonder how we were supposed to survive an entire afternoon together.
"Erza, you see what I mean? He doesn't respect me at all."
"That's because respect must be earned, Father."
I turned toward Yuri.
"What?"
He looked at me with an expression far too serious for a four-year-old.
"At the academy, I was taught that dragons respect those who possess strength and wisdom. Those who cannot protect themselves have no right to command others."
His violet eyes narrowed slightly as he examined me.
"Mother is powerful. I respect her. But you..."
He paused.
"...I have yet to see anything worthy of respect."
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
There was no childish mockery in his voice this time. He wasn't trying to provoke me into shouting. He genuinely believed what he was saying, and somehow, that made his words harder to dismiss.
"Yuri," Erza said firmly. "That's enough."
"But Mother, am I wrong?"
Erza didn't answer immediately. Instead, she studied our son with a thoughtful expression. Yuri met her gaze without hesitation, clearly expecting her to agree with him.
After all, she was the White Dragon Queen. If anyone understood the principles he'd been taught, it was her.
"You're not entirely wrong," Erza finally replied.
I looked at her.
"Erza?"
She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze before continuing.
"Among dragons, strength has always been important. The powerful lead, while the weak follow. Wisdom is equally valued, especially among those who hold authority."
Yuri nodded.
"Precisely, Mother."
"However," she continued, "you've misunderstood something."
He blinked.
"...Misunderstood?"
"Strength isn't limited to how much power someone possesses, Yuri. Nor can wisdom be measured simply by how impressive someone appears."
Yuri frowned.
"But Father is human."
"Yes. And?"
"Humans are weak compared to dragons."
Erza gave a faint smile.
"Most of them are."
"Then why should I respect him?"
I opened my mouth, but Erza raised a hand, silently asking me to let her answer.
"Because he's your father," she said. "And because you hardly know him."
Yuri looked unconvinced.
"You've spent almost an entire year at the academy," Erza continued. "During that time, you've learned a great deal about dragons, their history, and their traditions. But how much have you learned about your own father?"
Yuri hesitated.
"...Not much."
"Exactly. You're judging him based on what you can see. His appearance, his strength, and the way he behaves around us. But do you truly believe those things tell you everything about a person?"
Yuri fell silent.
I watched them quietly, unable to ignore how much Erza herself had changed. When we'd first met, she'd also looked down on humans. To her, I had been nothing more than a powerless mortal who happened to become involved in her life.
Yet somewhere along the way, things had changed. She had learned to see me differently, and perhaps that was what she wanted Yuri to understand.
"Mother," Yuri finally asked, "are you saying Father is strong?"
Erza glanced at me, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"I'm saying there's more to your father than you realize. Perhaps one day, when you understand him better, you'll also understand why I chose him."
I felt an unexpected warmth spread through my chest as I stared at her. Hearing those words from Erza, especially in front of our son, was something I hadn't expected.
Erza...
She turned her attention back to Yuri, her expression returning to its usual calmness.
"And if you truly wish to understand that, you'll have to spend some time with him."
Yuri's expression immediately changed, his brows drawing together as he processed what his mother had just suggested.
"...What?"
I blinked, suddenly sensing that her words were leading somewhere neither of us would appreciate.
"Wait. What exactly do you mean by that?"
Erza smiled.
"I've decided. You two are going to spend the afternoon together."
Both Yuri and I stared at her.
"Mother?"
"Erza?"
She nodded as though she'd just suggested something perfectly ordinary.
"Yuri has been away for almost a year, and the two of you have barely spent any meaningful time together. I think this would be a good opportunity to change that."
I scratched my cheek.
"Well, I don't mind spending time with him, but..."
I glanced toward Yuri, who was looking at me with the same enthusiasm someone might have toward an unpleasant medical examination.
"...Are you sure he'll agree?"
Yuri immediately turned toward his mother.
"Mother, with all due respect, I don't believe spending an afternoon with Father will change my opinion of him."
"Then you have nothing to lose by trying, do you?"
Yuri opened his mouth, then closed it again. For once, my son had been left without a response.
Amazing.
I almost wanted to applaud.
Erza looked rather pleased with herself before turning toward me.
"And Yuuta, I want you to make an effort as well."
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
She reached out and gently touched my cheek.
"Yuri is still young. He's been raised among dragons, surrounded by people who value strength above almost everything else. You can't expect him to understand the human world simply because you tell him to."
I glanced at our son.
Erza was right. For all his intelligence and sharp tongue, Yuri was still only four years old. Most of what he knew came from the academy and the dragon society in which he'd spent the past year.
If he'd been taught that weakness was something to look down upon, then perhaps it wasn't surprising that he struggled to respect an ordinary human, even if that human happened to be his father.
"Show him what your world is like," Erza continued. "Take him somewhere interesting. Let him see how humans live, how they help one another, and what they value."
She paused, her violet eyes softening.
"And perhaps, while you're together, he'll begin to understand why I chose you as my husband."
I stared at her.
For a moment, I completely forgot what we'd been arguing about.
"Erza..."
She smiled faintly.
"What?"
"That was surprisingly romantic."
Her cheeks immediately turned pink.
"D-Don't misunderstand, mortal! I'm merely explaining something to our son!"
"Hehe. You're blushing."
"Yuuta!"
I laughed, earning an embarrassed glare from my wife.
Meanwhile, Yuri watched us with a troubled expression.
"Mother... I still don't understand."
Erza sighed.
"And that's precisely why I want you to go."
She gently lowered him into my arms.
"Here. Take your son."
"Whoa!"
I instinctively caught Yuri, supporting his small body with both arms. He stiffened slightly, clearly unused to being carried by me.
For a moment, we stared at each other.
"...Father."
"...Yes?"
"Would you mind putting me down?"
"Oh. Right."
I lowered him carefully to the floor.
Yuri immediately straightened his clothes, then looked toward his mother.
"Must I really go?"
"Yes, sweetheart."
"But—"
"Yuri."
Erza knelt in front of him and placed both hands on his shoulders.
"You told me that dragons respect strength and wisdom, didn't you?"
He nodded.
"Yes, Mother."
"Then a wise dragon should be willing to learn something new before passing judgment."
Yuri considered her words. After a few seconds, he lowered his head.
"...I understand."
Erza smiled and kissed his forehead.
"Good boy."
She stood and turned toward me.
"Yuuta, take him somewhere nice. Perhaps you could show him the market, the park, or that little restaurant you like so much."
I blinked.
"The one near the shopping district?"
"Yes. You always seem happy whenever you talk about its food."
"Well, their chicken dishes are pretty good..."
"Then take him there."
She gave me an encouraging smile.
"And don't worry about rushing home. I'll prepare dinner, so you two can spend the afternoon together."
I scratched the back of my head.
"All right. I suppose we can do that."
Yuri glanced up at me.
"...Do humans really have anything interesting to see?"
I looked down at him.
"Oh, plenty."
"Such as?"
I grinned.
"Well, for starters, we have something called fried chicken."
Yuri stared at me.
"...That's your example?"
"Hey! Don't underestimate fried chicken!"
He sighed.
"Mother, are you certain this is a good idea?"
Erza covered her mouth, hiding a small laugh.
"I'm certain."
She then took both of us toward the entrance. Elena, who had been playing nearby, noticed us putting on our shoes and immediately came running.
"Papa! Brother! Where are you going?"
"We're going out for a little while, sweetheart," I explained.
Elena's eyes widened.
"Elena wants to come too!"
Before I could answer, Erza gently scooped her into her arms.
"Not this time, darling. Today is for your papa and brother. You and I will spend some time together."
Elena puffed out her cheeks.
"But Elena wants Brother!"
"I know, sweetheart. He'll be back for dinner."
Yuri looked at his sister.
"I'll bring you something, Elena."
Her expression brightened immediately.
"Chocolate?!"
"No. Mother told me what happened to your tooth."
Elena looked away.
"Then... chicken?"
Yuri nodded.
"Very well."
"Hehe! Elena loves Brother!"
Watching them, I couldn't help smiling.
Well, at least he's a good brother.
Erza opened the front door and gently guided Yuri outside. I followed him into the corridor, still wondering how I was supposed to entertain a four-year-old dragon who considered most humans beneath him.
Before closing the door, Erza looked at Yuri.
"Remember what I told you, sweetheart. Don't judge your father before you've had a chance to know him."
"...Yes, Mother."
Then she turned toward me.
"And Yuuta."
"Hm?"
"Take good care of our son."
I smiled.
"Of course. You don't have to worry."
For a moment, her expression softened.
"I know."
She leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Enjoy yourselves."
I blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden affection. Erza's cheeks turned faintly pink, but she stepped back before I could tease her about it.
"Oh, and one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Try not to come home before dinner. I want you two to have enough time together."
"Wait, Erza, that's several hours!"
"Then you'd better get started, mortal."
"Now.."
"Erza, hold on—"
SLAM!
The door closed.
I stood there, staring at it.
Did my wife just send me away on a compulsory father-son outing?
Beside me, Yuri looked up at the closed door before turning toward me. For several seconds, neither of us spoke, and the awkward silence between us seemed to grow heavier with every passing moment.
Then he folded his little arms.
"Well, Father?"
"...What?"
"Mother instructed us to spend time together. I suppose we should begin."
I blinked.
"You actually want to go?"
"I didn't say that."
He looked toward the elevator.
"But Mother rarely makes decisions without a reason. I intend to find out what she expects me to learn from you."
I stared at him for a moment before sighing.
Good heavens. My son wasn't even interested in spending time with me. He was treating our afternoon together like an academy assignment!
Still, I couldn't help smiling a little.
"All right, Yuri. Let's go."
He glanced at me.
"Where?"
I grinned.
"First, we're getting something to eat."
"...Fried chicken?"
"Exactly!"
Yuri closed his eyes and sighed.
"I have a feeling this is going to be a very long afternoon."
For once, son, we agree on something.
To be continued...