CHAPTER 45…………………………………
Before setting out to defeat the Demon King—
back when I was misunderstood by everyone after possessing the body of a so-called villainess.
A time when I couldn’t gain anyone’s trust, nor could I accomplish anything.
When Mom was desperately begging to join the Demon King Subjugation party,
Dad, Kyle, asked her why she was so determined.
And Mom answered:
“I just want to protect people.
This is the only way I can.”“……”
“That’s all I can say for now.”
“Do you know what I said back then?”
While I was lost in thought, Dad asked me gently.
His eyes were locked on mine.
And in that moment, I could easily recall what he had said back then.
“You don’t have to make me understand everything about your situation.”
“You don’t have to make me understand everything about your situation.”
“……”
“That’s fine and all—but just tell me one thing.”
A smile—light yet heavy, playful yet sincere—curved beautifully at the corners of his lips.
“So, what do you want me to do?”
Those words were so kind and reassuring.
“Dad.”
I pouted and awkwardly spread out my arms.
“Can we talk while hugging first?”
At the same time, Dad spread his arms wide open as if he’d been waiting for that.
I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
“Dad, I really missed you.”
He’s someone who believes in me unconditionally, even without a reason.
Even if I mess up, he’s the kind of person who’d willingly jump into the fire with me before scolding me.
Not that Mom or the other dads’ ways of teaching were wrong, but…
Sometimes, I just crave this kind of unconditional trust.
“Yeah, me too.”
This time, his hand gently stroked the back of my head.
“It’s only been a week, but I thought I was gonna die from missing you.”
“Hehe.”
“Don’t ever do that again, unless you wanna see your dad die.”
“O-okay…”
“If you’re gonna cause trouble, at least do it with me, got it?”
Then I can take the blame from your mom instead.
He added playfully.
I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
“Okay, got it.”
“So, are you ready to talk now?”
He gently pulled me back a bit and asked.
I nodded vigorously.
“Yeah.”
“What do you want Dad to do for you?”
“Um… for now…”
I rolled my eyes and slowly began to speak.
“You know Harzen’s older brother?”
“Yeah, I know who you mean.”
“That guy’s suspicious. He seems like a bad person. I think he might do something bad to Mom—uh, I mean, to you, Dad.”
If I said he might threaten Mom, it might trigger spoiler restrictions.
So I added a little twist and spice to the story.
‘It’s not like it’s a lie anyway.’
Then I told Dad everything that had felt off about Bertolt, and about the incident with Harzen Dad’s letter.
Even about Harzen Dad’s feelings.
“But… Harzen Dad still wants to trust that guy.”
“Well, I can’t say I don’t understand.”
Kyle Dad nodded slowly at my words.
“So if we summarize the situation…”
He raised an eyebrow and said,
“Even though there’s obviously something fishy about that guy, you can’t call him out because there’s no proof, right?”
“Yeah, exactly!”
“That’s not even that hard.”
Then, with a mischievous grin spreading across his face, he said slyly,
“Then, daughter of mine.”
“Yeah?”
“Wanna cause some trouble with Dad?”
“Trouble?”
I bounced on my feet, eyes sparkling.
“How? How?”
“This kinda thing’s right up Dad’s alley.”
He gestured toward the cloak draped over his shoulder.
“Plus, we happen to have just the thing.”
“No way…”
So that’s why he was so desperate to get that cloak back from Harzen Dad…
“With this, collecting evidence will be a piece of cake.”
“Dad, you’re seriously the best!”
I threw my arms around him again, smiling brightly.
With an invisibility cloak, two legs, and Kyle Blake, we could go anywhere!
“So, are you in or not? You still haven’t answered.”
He pinched my cheek lightly and teased.
Do you even need to ask?!
“Let’s do it—double or nothing!”
The more evidence, the better!
“That’s my girl.”
Pleased, he held out his hand.
I slapped my palm against his with a grin.
And so, the Cici × Kyle Combo was formed—
“Scheme.”
—and simultaneously faced immediate disbandment.
“Gasp.”
Startled by the sudden voice, I whipped my head up.
Standing right beside us was Derrick Dad.
“Oh, for—! ♬♩.”
Kyle Dad also turned his head and reflexively cursed.
“Seriously, could you make some noise when you walk? Why do you always sneak up on us like you’re hunting prey?”
Couldn’t agree more.
Would it kill you to make footsteps once in a while?
We’re not game animals here!
“Suspicious.”
Ignoring our reactions, Derrick Dad narrowed his eyes at us.
“Scheming.”
He must’ve overheard everything.
“…Yuria.”
Then he turned around and began to walk away.
Kyle Dad ran his hand through his hair in frustration before jumping up to chase after him.
“Hey, wait a sec!”
I scurried after them.
We can’t let Mom find out!
She’s totally in the “Don’t do anything that might get you in trouble at the palace” camp!
“Where exactly did you start listening from?”
Kyle Dad finally caught Derrick by the shoulder and asked.
After a brief pause, Derrick answered honestly,
“The part where you suggested causing trouble.”
“When I told Cici we should cause some trouble together?”
He nodded again and added,
“Yuria angry.”
“Well, of course she’ll be angry, you blockhead.”
Kyle Dad shook his head, then looked at me.
“What do you think, Cici?”
“Huh?”
About what?
“He’s a bit of an idiot, but he’s capable.”
Then he roughly ruffled Derrick Dad’s hair and tilted his head toward him.
“Silence him—or recruit him?”
I understood instantly and answered without hesitation.
“Recruit!”
Might as well give it a shot!
“Roger.”
Kyle Dad slung an arm around Derrick’s shoulder and spoke smoothly.
“Before you go tattling to Yuria, hear us out first.”
“……?”
“There’s a tragic, tear-jerking backstory behind Cici’s actions.”
…There wasn’t really anything tragic about it, though?
Still, I somehow felt complicit in this con.
While I stood there awkwardly, Kyle Dad leaned in close and whispered something into Derrick’s ear.
A short while later—
“…I’ll join.”
That was fast!
What on earth did Kyle Dad say to him?!
“See that, Cici?”
Kyle Dad beamed proudly, pushing Derrick Dad aside.
“This Dad not only starts trouble well but also cleans it up perfectly. Remember that and grow up to be an awesome troublemaker like me.”
“Okay!”
Dad, you’re the best!
I gave him a big thumbs-up full of admiration.
Thus, Derrick × Cici × Kyle Trio_FINAL.zip was formed!
