Chapter 146………………………………………
“Wanna go watch it?”
I couldn’t help blinking in surprise at Kyle’s dad’s words and asked back.
“Now?”
“Of course now. When else would you get the chance to come here?”
Kyle’s dad nodded as if it were obvious.
But, Dad…
“We’re supposed to be waiting for Mom right now…”
We were meant to meet in front of the theater—what are we supposed to do if we just run inside without her?
“I’m curious what kind of performance has Kyle reacting like that…”
But curiosity aside, Mom comes first.
“What’s the problem with that?”
At my words, Kyle’s dad shrugged and said casually:
“Yuria should be almost here anyway.”
Then he looked around quickly, scanning his surroundings, and said:
“See? She’s coming now.”
He pointed in a direction, tilting his chin proudly.
We all followed his gaze, and sure enough, Mom and Derek’s dad were walking toward us.
“Mom!”
I ran toward them with all my might.
It felt so strange.
It had been so long since I’d seen Mom…
“And seeing her here, she looks even more beautiful.”
Beneath the dazzling lights, a more dazzling beauty appeared.
It felt like only Mom existed in this entire street.
I wasn’t the only one thinking that…
“C.C.!”
Mom scooped me up in her arms, beaming.
At that moment, I noticed the blush on the cheeks of the people around us.
Of course, no one was openly staring, probably intimidated by the dads’ imposing presence.
“Was our princess having fun with the dads?”
Mom asked casually, as if accustomed to this kind of gaze.
“Yeah! The meat pies were super tasty!”
I smiled brightly and nodded vigorously.
“This really isn’t a lie, right?”
I glanced subtly at Shion’s dad.
When our eyes met, he gave a small, firm nod.
So precise, so resolute—it was almost a solemn gesture.
I swallowed nervously and subtly nodded along with him.
Today’s secret must go to the grave.
Otherwise, Mom would have us all in trouble…
“Yuria, here’s one for you too.”
Shion’s dad approached Mom, smiling gently as if nothing had happened.
I took the meat pie he handed me and naturally brought it to Mom’s mouth.
“Mom, ah!”
“Oh my.”
Mom made a small exclamation and took a bite of the meat pie I offered.
A soft smile spread across her face as she chewed.
“It’s been so long since I had this. Still delicious…”
Mom took another bite, her expression filled with happiness.
Her violet eyes seemed lost in memories, full of deep nostalgia.
Watching her, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
“Did Shion’s dad buy these meat pies on purpose, just to get Mom to taste that memory before she said anything?”
To close her mouth with the taste of nostalgia before she could question anything?
“Judging by his expression, seems like that’s exactly it.”
Look at him—his eyes are filled with relief.
There’s no way he’d make that face if it wasn’t intentional.
Shion’s dad really is a formidable person…
“By the way.”
Mom swallowed the meat pie and spoke lightly.
“What possessed you to bring C.C. here all of a sudden? And why leave me out?”
“Ah.”
Shion’s dad immediately blinked and changed his expression.
Ah, so Mom is right there, running faster than the dads.
“Mom really isn’t someone you can fool that easily.”
A meat pie alone wasn’t enough to clear her suspicion…
“Well…”
Shion’s dad deliberately dragged out his words and glanced toward Kyle’s dad.
“Was there a reason?”
Kyle clicked his tongue and spoke.
I hope I didn’t imagine him giving a disapproving look with his eyes just now…
“Now that we have a little free time, I figured it wouldn’t be so bad to come out here too.”
“Yeah, that’s right. And the arts festival is in full swing now too.”
Shion’s dad smiled and nodded in agreement.
Harzen’s dad, quietly observing, added in his refined voice:
“This is the only place in the Empire that we truly held dear.”
It seemed he judged that just watching wasn’t enough to resolve the situation.
“Since leaving the Empire, you’ve occasionally missed this place, haven’t you?”
“….”
“Isn’t it natural for parents to want to show such a place to their child?”
“That’s true, but…”
Even as Harzen’s dad spoke eloquently, Mom slowly nodded but muttered again:
“But you could have just gone together. Why did you leave without me? I was really upset.”
“Well—”
Hmm, looks like this is my turn to speak!
“I begged the dads to go quickly, that’s why!”
As soon as I thought it, I jumped in with a bright smile.
I really did want to leave the palace as soon as possible.
Anyway, that wasn’t a complete lie either!
“Next time I’ll definitely go out with just Mom! Only with Mom!”
After rationalizing in my mind, I extended my pinky.
This was my own little selfish desire.
I had always wanted to spend at least one day out with Mom, without the dads.
“Alright, fine.”
Finally, Mom let go of her suspicious gaze and hooked her pinky with mine.
“Hey, take me too…”
Shion’s dad muttered sulkily, watching us.
I ignored him and naturally changed the topic.
“By the way, Mom, Kyle’s dad said we should watch the play.”
“A play?”
“Oh, right.”
Kyle’s dad looked at Per with a sly smirk.
“There’s something I want to show this little one.”
So what exactly is he trying to show Per with this play?
“What is it he wants to show Per?”
Mom tilted her head, clearly thinking the same as me.
“You’ll see when you watch.”
Kyle’s dad just smiled slyly again, giving no real answer.
“A play, huh…”
Mom seemed to think for a moment, then smiled brightly:
“Alright, fine. I’m curious to see what play they’re doing these days.”
“I’m excited too!”
I followed Mom, grinning and squinting my eyes happily.
I like anything we can do together as a family!
I still don’t know what he wants to show Per, but it’s just a play after all!
Time passed, and with the audience’s cheers, the curtain fell.
“…Let’s go, quickly.”
Mom and the dads exited the theater without waiting for each other, covering their faces with their sleeves.
“It can’t be helped.”
I walked along, held tightly by their hands, pursing my lips.
The play’s theme had been none other than Mom and Dad’s epic battle against the Demon King.
But now, it was less about heroics and more focused on the romance…
