~Chapter 10~
She looked just like Relshiz—not just her appearance, the wary look in her eyes, even the way she clutched at her clothes—every little thing reminded Aska of Relshiz.
She must be about six years old.
That was exactly how old Relshiz had been when he first met her.
Maybe it was because she looked so much like her. Just looking at the girl brought back faded memories—memories of the first time Aska’s tough shell had ever cracked.
Even in the middle of his busy work dealing with timeline interference, his mind kept wandering to Relshiz and her daughter.
More specifically, he kept thinking about what to do with her daughter.
Relshiz Baltain was like a needle hidden in his pocket—sharp, promising, talented, and intense.
Naturally, she had many enemies. Including Aska himself, at one point.
He looked down at Shiz.
This tiny girl was Relshiz’s weak spot.
Having known Relshiz for so long, Aska understood her well. When backed into a corner, she had a bad habit of disappearing without a word.
If someone else were to find this child…
Would you vanish again? Just like before?
Maybe even run off to the child’s biological father?
The thought made Aska feel gloomy.
There was still no news from the Owls. He had expected it might take a while, but his patience was wearing thin.
He had learned a lot about ordinary people’s feelings and judgments through Relshiz—but when things didn’t go his way, Aska’s thinking always took a sharp, dangerous turn.
…What if I just got rid of her?
Hiding a person was no big deal. He could hide her on one of the Willovis family’s private islands, or send her to a remote border or faraway country where no news ever reached.
There were even easier options.
With just a few lines of a spell, Aska could erase Relshiz’s daughter from this world completely.
Maybe that would be better than hiding her and risking being discovered.
“…Hmph. I’ll let it slide this time!”
Just then, the child wrinkled her nose with a pouty little face. Aska froze for a second.
She looked so much like Relshiz… it was impossible not to think of her, no matter what this child did.
He found himself softening again—without even realizing it.
“Have you had lunch?”
Faced with this difficult decision, Aska chose to wait.
Because the most important person in this situation—Shiz—hadn’t given her opinion yet.
Even though she’d been so cautious at first, she had quickly warmed up once he brought out food.
“How does it taste?”
“It’s good! I mean… not bad…”
Looked like she’d opened up.
Aska sat in the chair across from her and observed.
She really was a tiny Relshiz. That cute little face didn’t show a hint of anyone else.
Not even the father’s features.
“Can I ask you something too?”
Feeling more relaxed now, Aska asked impulsively.
“Mm, what is it?”
“What kind of person is your dad?”
The warm mood instantly turned cold. Aska didn’t miss the way her green eyes began to tremble.
“…I don’t have a dad.”
“You don’t?”
“I don’t know. I don’t remember.”
After that, Shiz bowed her head and stared down at her plate. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about it. She almost looked afraid.
What the hell…
Aska’s gaze turned colder.
What kind of guy did she get involved with?
A sudden, cold feeling jolted me awake.
As soon as I sat up, I checked the time—and nearly panicked. I’d slept way too long!
‘Where’s Shiz?’
I quickly looked around, but there was no sign of her. My face turned pale as I bolted out of the room.
“Shiz!”
Who knows what kind of trouble that wild kid could’ve gotten into while I was asleep?
‘She didn’t go outside, did she? No way… right?’
Feeling anxious, I rushed down the stairs—just in time to hear a voice coming from the dining room.
“…Mom?”
I quickly turned and entered the dining room.
There was Shiz, her mouth covered in sauce.
And right next to her—was an unwelcome guest.
“You—why are you here? How did you even get in?”
Aska, now under my glare, just waved casually.
“I said I’d come visit soon, didn’t I?”
“…”
“Is it okay if I stay for tea today?”
I’d rather pass out again.
While I was preparing tea in the kitchen, I pulled Shiz aside and grilled her about what happened.
And what she told me was… shocking.
“He asked me what kind of person my dad was.”
“What?! What did you say?”
“I told him I didn’t know! And—Aska didn’t ask any more after that!”
That sly jerk!
I figured he’d be curious about the kid’s dad, but I never imagined he’d ask the kid directly instead of me!
‘He’s definitely going to ask me next.’
But how was I supposed to explain a dad who didn’t even exist? It made my stomach twist.
“Then why’d you open the door? I told you not to open it for anyone.”
“That’s because I…”
Shiz started to say something but closed her mouth. Her expression was one of frustration and sadness.
“…I don’t know. Hmph.”
Just as she started to tear up, the kettle began to whistle. I swallowed a sigh and turned down the heat.
“Go back to the table for now. We’ll talk more after he leaves.”
That’s what I said.
But—
“Is the Tower of Dawn collapsing soon or something?”
He’s still not leaving.
“No, I’m still fine.”
“Then you got fired?”
“I’m still the head of the Dawn Tower.”
“And yet you’re so relaxed?”
Seeing him so leisurely was really getting on my nerves.
Right now, my research has failed, and I have to send the kid back home.
“By the way, you still can’t make tea properly. This tastes awful.”
Aska casually commented after drinking the tea I made. If I had given him tea, he would’ve thrown a fit.
“Then don’t ask for it.”
“When else would I get tea from you if not now?”
I couldn’t argue any further and just glared at him quietly.
It was frustrating, but I had nothing to say. While I was asleep, probably passed out in the room, that guy had taken care of Shiz and even made her lunch.
Most importantly, Aska was the only one who knew about Shiz’s existence. No matter how much I hated the guy, I had to play nice for now.
“Finish your tea and leave.”
“I’d like to, but it’s too bitter. It’s hard to drink fast.”
I just wanted to punch him…
I couldn’t say anything, so I ground my teeth in silence, but then Shiz turned to me with a look that told me she had something to say.
“What’s up?”
As I leaned in, Shiz covered her mouth with her hand and whispered.
“You said you and Aska are rivals, right?”
“We are rivals.”
“I don’t think so… Aska seemed worried about you, mom.”
“What?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He did what?
“Did you dream that?”
“It’s true! He said it, just like this!”
Shiz pressed her small hand to her forehead, looking so innocent that I couldn’t understand what she meant.
“Okay, okay, just eat this.”
I handed her a cookie to quiet her down.
“It’s true! I saw it with my own eyes. I’m not lying.”
“You need to chew your cookie before you talk. You’re spilling crumbs.”
“Hmph. You put it in my mouth…”
Shiz muttered quietly, and I wiped her mouth. Suddenly, I felt a gaze on me.
I turned my head and locked eyes with Aska on the other side.
He was staring at me and Shiz, not realizing the tea I made was cooling down, as if mesmerized by us.
His expression was so strange that it made me feel uncomfortable too.
“What are you staring at?”
“…You.”
His gaze briefly flickered over to Shiz.
“Do you like her?”
“Are you talking about Shiz?”
Aska silently confirmed.
By the way, he’s been calling her this, that, and the other since last time.
I got a bit upset thinking that Aska was ignoring even a child.
“Then should I dislike my daughter?”
“Is she precious to you? Is she someone you don’t want to lose?”
“Of course.”
If the past me were erased, the present me would be gone too.
According to the paradox theory of time, I should have disappeared when Shiz crossed over into this timeline, but…
I didn’t disappear. I knew what that meant.
It means my future self will somehow successfully send Shiz back.
I still didn’t know exactly how I would do that, but whatever it was.
“To me, Shiz is very precious.”
“…”
“So don’t go calling her this, that, or the other. She has a proper name—Shiz.”
Just then, a strange noise echoed through the dining room.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
