010
“That’s, cause Chuu can eat anything… But pretty things are for people who eat less.”
Anyway, can I accept a new name after giving such a thing?
I wasn’t sure, but I was curious about what kind of name it would be.
I understood very well the situation I was in right now.
The Admiral is a fake father, and I’m a fake daughter.
I can’t go back to the daycare, and I can’t become a chef.
But I didn’t hate it here because there are blocks, Lina, and lots of delicious things.
‘I don’t know how long I’ll be here. But until I leave, a new name… yeah, I like that.’
The Admiral bent down and took the cookie from my hand.
His expression was strange, and his touch was very cautious.
It was just a cookie, but after stroking it several times, the Admiral finally put it in his jacket pocket.
Then, he slipped his hand under my armpits and lifted me up.
“Shupetty.”
“……!”
“From now on, your name is Shupetty Pashayen.”
His low voice carried my new name.
‘It feels like sugar crystals are crunching in my mouth.’
It was as if, when opened, candy would pop out all at once.
Suddenly, my heart started pounding, and I couldn’t stay still.
“I’m Chuupetty!”
“… Shupetty.”
The Admiral gently corrected my pronunciation.
I giggled and clung to the Admiral’s neck, rubbing against it.
“Then Chuu will stay the Admiral’s daughter forever, right?”
“Yes.”
“Wow!”
Something… something makes me so happy!
‘I’m sure I’ll leave here someday, but it doesn’t seem like it will be soon, so I’m happy!’
While being held, I stomped my feet and smiled widely.
I couldn’t stop smiling; I just couldn’t keep my lips still.
“So now, try calling me Dad.”
“…Huh?”
“Repeat after me. Dad. That’s how you pronounce it.”
The Admiral looked very, very serious.
He’s someone who doesn’t change his expression much and usually talks with just his eyebrows, but now, his eyebrows are serious.
Following the Admiral, I carefully opened my mouth, but only moved my lips without making a sound.
‘I got a name, and he called me his daughter…’
But I just couldn’t get the word ‘Dad’ out.
“Hm, it seems it’s still too early.”
The Admiral’s eyebrows raised.
I smiled awkwardly and just rubbed my cheek against him.
I didn’t know why, but even when I was in daycare, it was like that.
Someday, I’ll leave this place.
I don’t know where I’ll go.
But I’m sure I’ll leave.
It felt like someone inside me was whispering that to me.
“Do you like the name?”
“Yes!”
“Then that’s good. It’s the name of the North Star, which guides the course during a voyage, and of the goddess of war.”
The North Star?
I know what that is.
– ‘We came from that distant star. Someday, we’ll return there.’
Crackle.
‘Huh?’
Just now, something flashed before my eyes.
I heard a very warm voice too.
I widened my eyes and looked around, but it was just the Admiral and me here.
“What’s wrong?”
“No… it’s nothing.”
Maybe I heard it wrong.
“You have two older brothers.”
“Two?!”
“Yes. The first is Mikard. His name is taken directly from the god of blood and victory.”
Big brother Mikard.
I memorized the name.
“As for the second… you don’t need to know his name.”
“Why not?”
“You won’t have a chance to meet him, so there’s no need to remember.”
The Admiral looked sad as he said that.
His expression and his stiff tone remained the same, but he somehow seemed sorrowful.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ has a request for you.]
[Please give him a big hug. He’s such a foolish person, he doesn’t even realize he needs comfort.]
At that moment, sparkling letters spoke to me.
Strangely enough, the letters also seemed to be crying, so I rubbed my eyes.
‘Well, hugging is something I’m good at.’
I tightly hugged the Admiral’s neck.
The Admiral gave me a puzzled look, as if wondering why I was doing this.
I stared at his reddish-purple eyes and wiggled my fingers.
I wiggled my toes too.
‘When my friends cry a lot, I always give them a hug, pat them, and kiss them.’
Does the Admiral like kisses too?
My teacher from the Carrot class liked them.
As I pondered deeply, sparkling letters appeared before me.
Quest!
The daughter’s kiss is the strongest in the world!
The Water Spirit King has given you a mission!
✔ Help Admiral Diegon Pashayen not to cry.
Reward for success: 10g of the encouraging ButterButter.
Penalty for failure: You’ll lose the ability to taste sweetness! (For 3 days)
Oh no, not being able to taste sweetness!
In a hurry, I closed my eyes tightly and bumped my head against him.
Bonk!
“……?”
Snuggle!
“Don’t cry, okay?”
“Hm?”
“But, if you do feel like crying, it’s okay to go ‘Waaah’.”
Even if I can’t taste sweetness… it’s okay.
Adults must have days when they feel like crying too.
I clasped my hands together and whispered into the Admiral’s ear.
“If you feel like going ‘Waaah,’ I’ll cover for you.”
“…….”
“Got it? Promise.”
Smiling brightly, I held out my pinky, and the Admiral looked at me for a long time.
First at my face, then at my pinky.
“…For a crab, crying is something only kids do.”
“I’m not a crab. I’m Shupetty.”
“It’s good that you understand. Let’s go have a meal now.”
The Admiral quietly turned his head.
I noticed the tendons standing out on the Admiral’s jaw, so I gently rubbed them.
I thought to myself, ‘Adults don’t cry with their eyes; they cry in a strange way.’
***
Mealtime was incredibly fun.
What tasted the best today was the big blueberry pie and lasagna!
But even after my stomach was full, the Admiral didn’t get up from his seat.
And it wouldn’t be polite for me to get up first.
As I sat there swinging my legs, the silence continued, and I started to worry.
I felt like I needed to say something!
‘Ah, should I ask him about that?’
The thing I still haven’t asked Lina about.
“Admiral, um…”
“Hmm.”
“What’s a Bijou?”
Bijou, Bijou.
The word sounds pretty.
I pouted my lips on purpose and played around.
The Admiral looked at me for a moment and then slowly answered.
It felt like he was waking up from a long dream or deep thought.
“Bijou is the crystallization of pure power.”
“…….?”
Is that all for the explanation?
Seeing my confused look, the Admiral cleared his throat and added more to his explanation.
“When you become awakened, a Bijou spot forms somewhere on your body, often on the face.”
“Yes.”
“Later, a gem will appear in that spot. Once the Bijou emerges, you’ll be able to use your special abilities. These abilities are unique powers.”
This time, his explanation was better than before.
At least I understood that a Bijou is a gem.
“In your case, the Bijou will likely appear on your left shoulder blade, as long as the spot isn’t damaged.”
“Damaged…?”
Seeing my puzzled expression at the difficult word, the Admiral pressed down on my head.
My seat today was close enough for him to reach.
“It means you shouldn’t show it to just anyone. There are those who target and harm awakened ones before their Bijou emerges. But once it’s out, it’s nearly impossible to remove, so you’ll be fine.”
“Even Lina?”
“Pashayen… no. You can trust me, your brothers, Carmen, Lina, Cedric, and my father. That’s it.”
“Yes.”
I have to protect it carefully.
‘Then I hope it emerges soon!’
Even though I tried not to show it, I still felt sad about losing my precious class president badge.
‘But I’ll make sure to protect my Bijou.’
What kind of special power will I get?
What about the Admiral and Grandfather?
Does Lina have one?
I had so many questions.
But this one was the most pressing.
“Then when will mine emerge?”
“It will come out once you’re fully grown. Typically, it appears around the age of ten. However, those with exceptional talent may see it emerge earlier.”
“When did yours come out, Admiral?”
“At seven.”
The Admiral seemed quite proud as he said this.
“Then I want mine to come out at seven too.”
How many nights will I have to sleep to turn seven?
I started counting on my fingers, then looked up at the Admiral with a blank expression.
The Admiral, who seemed to be holding back a laugh, soon nodded seriously with a dignified look.
“Yes. It would be nice if it came out at seven.”
“Then, Admiral, what special ability do you have?”
