Chapter 147………………………………………
If I told it like this, one might think it wasn’t much different from the novel I had read in my previous life.
But this play was very different from the novel.
The reason was—
“When did we ever act like that? What is this play even doing…?”
This play was full of wild exaggeration.
“♪♬ There are limits, you know! Do you think I would have intentionally led you guys the wrong way? Back then, I just genuinely didn’t know the way, ♪♩.”
Kyle’s dad muttered angrily under his breath, tossing out curse after curse.
In the play, there was a scene where, because Mom only wanted to be alone with me, he deliberately left the other dads behind on a different path.
I guess he wanted to explain that part.
“Hmm, I get it.”
At least I’ve read the original story, Kyle’s dad.
You really did give everyone the wrong directions by accident…
“Listen carefully, C.C. I would never treat ordinary people badly. The reason I punished that person back then… it was justified.”
Harzen’s dad also earnestly tried to explain himself—not exactly defending, but offering context.
He was probably talking about the scene where he punished someone they met on the way to slay the Demon King.
“Yeah, I know.”
Of course I know.
That person was actually a servant of the Demon King, and Harzen’s dad had quickly dealt with it once he realized the truth.
“I’m not someone who cries at every little thing anyway.”
Mom whispered softly, hiding her slightly flushed cheeks.
Among all this, only Derek’s dad walked quietly, confidently, and proudly.
Why was Derek’s dad the only one walking so confidently?
“Because his role… barely had any lines!”
He didn’t speak much even in real life, so he had almost no lines.
He always moved silently, so there wasn’t much for him to stand out.
He did manage to pull off a somewhat intimidating presence, but that was about it.
The actor playing Derek’s dad only ever said “Hmm” or “Uh” beside Mom.
“That’s absolutely not right.”
Derek’s dad had shared a lot of experiences with Mom in real life!
How on earth did such a play come to exist?
“It seems like they made the play from the little they’ve heard about us…”
Shion’s dad sighed deeply before speaking.
“Turning a travel diary into some melodramatic romance…”
“It’s popular, ♬♩. Who wouldn’t like something so sensational?”
Kyle’s dad still fumed, unable to calm himself.
Yes, if I were to summarize this play in one line:
A hyper-dramatic, romance-filled hero’s tale!
“Hmm.”
Per, who had been quietly trailing behind us, looked at Kyle’s dad and opened his mouth with mock seriousness.
“I’ve learned a lot thanks to this.”
“What? Learned what, you brat?!”
“You said earlier that you’d teach me something through this play. That’s all I’m saying—I’ve learned a lot. Is that a problem?”
“Wait, Per.”
Now isn’t the time to provoke Kyle’s dad further.
“♬♪ This is invalid! Don’t think you can learn anything from this nonsense!”
Kyle’s dad immediately erupted, flailing around wildly.
Regardless, Per smiled calmly, completely unfazed, and added another jab.
“I’ve learned well.”
“Argh!”
Kyle’s dad even began tearing at his own hair, screaming in frustration.
I whistled, pretending not to notice the two of them.
I had nothing to do with this…
“If I’d known it was this kind of play, I wouldn’t have come to watch.”
Mom muttered quietly, pretending she didn’t know Kyle’s dad either.
“No wonder someone asked if it’d be alright with a child present…”
“We should have realized when the way they were looking at us felt different from usual.”
Shion’s dad rubbed his forehead and shook his head.
Watching them both, I tilted my head slightly.
“Still, it doesn’t seem that bad.”
Sure, Mom and the dads were depicted as obsessed with love, but it was funny how they constantly checked and battled each other rather than fighting a Demon King.
In any case, the ending was heartwarming, and in some ways, not much different from the novel I’d read…
“Hmm, better keep quiet about it.”
To Mom and Dad, this story was long in the past.
The passionate love they once had had already faded into memories.
“Remember, C.C. That was all fiction, okay?”
“Fake. Must forget.”
“Yes, you have to forget. By morning, it’ll all be gone.”
While lost in thought, Mom and Dad spoke to me, their eyes so bright it felt like they wanted to brainwash me.
“Yeah. I already forgot it all.”
I nodded quietly, overwhelmed by their presence.
There was no need to worry.
After all, I already knew everything about Mom and Dad’s past.
“Ugh, it’s so hot…”
Time passed again.
While I answered “I forgot” and “I don’t know” repeatedly, we gradually arrived at the fountain in the center square.
“Wow…”
The atmosphere was different from before.
This place felt like a massive outdoor ballroom.
The sound of waltzes filled the square.
People danced gracefully around the fountain, spinning and twirling.
And the sparkling lights still shone everywhere.
“C.C., do you want to dance too?”
Mom noticed I was staring, captivated, and gently nudged me.
“Go dance with Per.”
“Is that okay?”
I didn’t think the dads would allow it.
“Of course it is.”
Mom smiled softly.
“We’ll watch from behind for now, and later we’ll come dance with you.”
“Wow, okay!”
In that case, maybe the dads wouldn’t protest.
I glanced at them.
They were still in shock from the play, staring blankly at the dancing crowd.
Yeah.
Now seems like a good time to leave the dads alone.
“Let’s go, Per!”
After deciding, I reached for Per’s hand.
“Wait a second…”
Considering Per’s usual behavior, he might not even like dancing…
“Alright.”
But contrary to my worry, Per smiled faintly and took my hand.
Then, as if it were familiar, he weaved us through the crowd and found a spot.
He even bowed slightly in greeting!
“You were really natural just now.”
I whispered to Per as I watched him.
He gave a sly smile and raised his eyebrow.
“I’ve had experiences like this before, thanks to someone.”
“Someone…?”
Who could that “someone” be, that taught Per—who normally has no manners—to waltz?
