Chapter 557.1
Sakuya and the Pets
I’ve become quite used to spending time with Riou and Sakuya.
Even when they cried, there were fewer problems than usual, and the other adults were able to cope on their own, so things have become more settled.
There was no longer a ‘new family members’ vibe, but just a ‘family members’ vibe.
I also started taking them out for walks more often, and their range of activities gradually expanded.
What’s interesting was that even just on these walks, the two of them showed differences in their personalities.
Riou gets excited when she finds something new, but she also tends to get scared. It appears that she inherited the characteristics of her beast kin ancestors, and as a result, her senses were much more acute than Sakuya’s, and she was not good with loud noises.
The other day, she was startled by the sound of something falling and started to cry.
On the other hand, Sakuya was also interested in and excited by new things, but he seemed to take his time observing them. He didn’t get scared, and he wasn’t afraid of new places.Even with toys, Riou showed interest in many different things and easily got distracted, but Sakuya preferred to play with only the things he liked, and was very particular about them.
So, Sakuya actually shared some of the same characteristics as Enne, who was a perfectionist and very particular about things.
Riou was definitely just like Lyuu, in every way. She was full of energy and very perceptive.
She really reminded me of her mother.
“So, Sakuya. This is what [the outside] is like.” (Yuki)
“Mmm.” (Sakuya)
While being rocked on Rir’s back, I held Sakuya in my arms and took a walk through the Demon Forest.
Actually, this was my son’s first time in the Demon Forest. Until now, the only place we’ve taken walks was the grassland area.
I had actually planned to bring Riou along too, but she fell asleep before I could, so now Lefi and the others were taking care of her.
Sakuya was staring at the scenery of the Demon Forest without saying a word.
Perhaps this child also understood that this place was different from the grassland area. Over there, he had already become accustomed to things and no longer showed such a fascinated expression.
Besides, the quality of the magic power here should be very different.
“If you’re going to live in this world… you’ve got to learn how to fight. No matter what happens, no matter what comes, you’ve got to stand on your own two feet and keep moving forward. In this world, you’ve got to be able to grit your teeth and be stubborn, and you’ve got to be able to use brute force.” (Yuki)
Life has been a tough business.
This world in particular was even harsher than the world in my previous life. Even though the races have started to work together, the monsters, as a wonder of nature, still existed.
In this world, humanity did not stand at the top of the natural world.
Even though they had managed to claw their way to the top of society’s hierarchy, there remained many other creatures that stood above them, and looking up, there existed a gulf of power that was so great as never to be bridged.
It seemed that Sakuya in particular was destined to lead a life full of turmoil and drama.
I must teach him how to live and fight to overcome these things as a male parent.
That would be my duty, and also the joy of my life from now on.
“Kuu.” (Rir)
“Haha, oh, please. You know, Sakuya, when you grow up, you can ride on Rir’s back and experience battles against powerful enemies. My dear son, your life will be quite eventful.” (Yuki)
“Kuu.” (Rir)
“Well, don’t worry. Your father can actually fight quite well, and your mother is the strongest in the world. I’ll protect you properly. No, seriously, there is no living thing in this world stronger than your mother. For that reason, your father has a hard time being dominated by her everyday. Lefi’s gotten a bit more feisty since you were born.” (Yuki)
“…” (Rir)
“It’s fine, it’s fine, as long as you don’t tell anyone.” (Yuki)
Rir couldn’t help but smile wryly at my words.
“By the way, Rir, have you started teaching Setsu how to hunt? That girl’s intelligence is already pretty well-developed.” (Yuki)
“Kuu, kuuu.” (Rir)
“Oh, I see. That makes sense.” (Yuki)
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