TFSG 21

Chapter 21

‘I’ll have to change the plan.’

Originally, the Black Secret Guard—my uncle—was meant to be used elsewhere.

I was going to slowly treat his illness until then.

‘I need to go to the market faster.’

First, I have to buy medicinal herbs for my uncle and great-uncle, and to do that, I need money.

And right now, the market is filled with lottery tickets that have a 100% winning rate.

“What are you talking abou—”

“Wow, how reassuring~”

My uncle cheerfully covered the mouth of the Black Secret Guard who was about to speak.

“Mmph, mmph!”

“Oh, son, why are you struggling?”

Then he let him go and rested his chin on his hand.

“So, kid. We’re family, right?”

“Y-yes?”

“You said you’re the head of the family.”

The smile in his narrow eyes deepened, foxlike.

“You’re the head.”

He pointed at me, then pointed at himself.

“I’m a member the head protects. Isn’t that what family is? Right, son?”

“Yeah, well… I guess it looks that way.”

…If we go by the dictionary definition, then yes.

I made a slightly sour face, but my uncle seemed delighted.

“You know, you shouldn’t keep secrets from family, right?”

“Huh? But you always hide the fact you don’t take your medicine fro—mmph!”

“Hahaha~ You have to be honest.”

The Black Secret Guard was shoved back and flopped over. My uncle then posed with a flower-like gesture.

“Right?”

There was a subtle pressure in his voice.

“So, little fairy, why were you collapsed on the floor yesterday?”

“Don’t call me that!”

I shouted first by reflex.

But it seemed to have no effect on him.

“So, chickie. Why did you collapse?”

“…”

Well, because my dad floated me into the air to threaten me and then secretly used an unknown power to partly heal me?

—I couldn’t exactly say that.

“Bi-yu’s naturally frail.”

“That’s what it looks like. But what I’m wondering is—why was there blood on the hem of your clothes?”

I flinched.

Was it from when I injured my hand?

“And if you collapsed forward, why was your back covered in dirt? Why was your body wet?”

“…”

“Kid, did your dad hit you?”

The Black Secret Guard looked at me.

Wait, that’s a huge misunderstanding.

‘Although, considering how that unfilial father threatened me, it’s not entirely untrue.’

I got dirt on my back when I fell into the pond, and when I declared I’d go to the market, I kind of slumped against a tree.

“I’m telling the truth. Nothing happened.”

“Should I beat him up for you?”

A dangerous glint flashed in the deep red eyes looking at me. I gulped.

‘…Is this how I become an orphan?’

That was how tense the moment was.

Thankfully, it passed in an instant, and he returned to his usual playful grin.

Even so, I still swallowed nervously.

Seeing me so wary, my uncle gave a bitter smile.

“Don’t be scared.”

His large hand gently patted my head.

‘Why are you touching me so casually…’

The unfamiliar sensation made me feel weird.

I shook my head to get rid of it, annoyed, when a warm voice came down to me.

“I like cute things.”

“I’m not cute.”

Hmph. My face isn’t cute—it’s pretty.

“Sure, sure. So I don’t need to beat up your dad? I’m strong, you know.”

He definitely looked strong. So strong that if he lost it, he’d forget we’re family and just go wild.

“Aren’t you going to tell me?”

“…I’m just going to the market with him. That’s all.”

“Hmmm.”

My uncle didn’t ask further.

Which somehow made it even more suspicious.

“While we’re at it, chickie. I want to help you. I want to do everything for you. I kind of want to be your guardian.”

“Why? Even if you don’t do that, I’ll still treat you if you give me what I want.”

“Well, that too.”

My uncle smiled and admitted that wasn’t a small part of it.

“But I also owe your mom.”

“Lies.”

I turned serious. I thought it was nice to get along, but this I couldn’t let go.

“If that were true, you should’ve come looking for me.”

Not just in this life.

You’ve never once looked for me.

Even though I knew I was getting too worked up, I couldn’t let the emotion drop from my eyes.

“…Can’t deny that.”

He shrugged.

“Sorry, I thought you were doing fine back at the main house.”

“Me?”

“Your mom did something for the Black family…”

My mom. Someone I barely knew.

Strangely, in all lifetimes, I barely heard anything about her.

As if someone was hiding it.

In the first round, I only remembered after I reincarnated, and she was already dead.

In the third round, where I had access to information about her, I left the family, and after the family was destroyed, I stopped caring.

Just as I was about to ask more, my uncle spoke first.

“I didn’t know you were living here, kid.”

I opened my mouth to respond, then shut it.

…This man suffers from mania.

He had more unstable days than sane ones, so it wasn’t weird he didn’t know I was here.

‘Still, not knowing forever doesn’t make sense.’

But I bit my tongue and smiled.

I’m not even his daughter—I’m just a niece. Why would he care?

“Fine.”

“Oh no, you’re sulking.”

My uncle chuckled as I stood up.

“I’m going to wash up.”

“Okay, okay.”

“I’ll get you warm water.”

The Black Secret Guard stood with me. He naturally lit a fire to heat some water.

“Guess I better chop firewood~ I’m unemployed now, gotta do my part.”

“Please don’t break anything. You know Dad uses lightning when he gets mad.”

“So mean, son.”

All he did was help once—why is he treating me so well?

‘Was he actually a pushover?’

What strange people they were.

“…So that’s what happened.”

Under the big, wide tree, the long shadow provided some cool shade.

It also suited Dad, who sat with his back leaning against it.

Though he didn’t bother hiding how annoyed he was at me.

“Why are you telling me this?”

“It’s a warning.”

“I’m asking why you’re warning me.”

I confidently folded my arms.

Well, I tried to—but my arms were too short, so it didn’t quite work.

After struggling a bit, I lifted my head dramatically.

“Listen carefully. Uncle might come beat you up…!”

I said it with utmost seriousness.

‘Should I beat him up for you?’

Uncle Black Secret Guard had said it like a joke.

‘But those eyes were serious. Seriously serious!’

I didn’t know whether Uncle or Dad was stronger, but I knew both were geniuses in their own right.

Dad’s memories were unstable, and they might contain information related to his powers.

Uncle, on the other hand, was mentally unstable—but his powers were intact.

‘I just made an alliance. I can’t let it fall apart because someone dies (?).’

“Got it? If Uncle comes to hit you, dodge. Dodging is winning.”

“…Why should I even do that?”

“Right, right. I already saw your temper during our first meeting. But you’ve got to know when to wait your turn to hit.”

Dad looked completely dumbfounded, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t.

I explained everything almost like brainwashing. Dad just looked like he didn’t get any of it.

“So you’re saying… my older brother thinks I hit and abused you, and now he’s coming to beat me up?”

“Yep!”

“You collapsed while heading home. Isn’t that what started all this?”

“That’s right! But deal with it!”

You’re the dad here! I gave him a radiant smile as he looked at me like this was all nonsense.

“Next time, take me home.”

“Why should I?”

“Because you’re officially my bodyguard now.”

“You mean ‘hired.’”

“Right, hired!”

Dad turned his head like he didn’t even want to look at me anymore.

For someone so handsome, he sure is petty.

“A bodyguard should protect the healer!”

I said as I squatted next to him.

Looking up with sparkling eyes, I asked:

“What about going to the market?”

Yesterday, I’d said I wanted to go, and Dad said he’d look into it.

Though he seemed to be wondering why on earth I’d want to go to a place like that.

“…There’s a process.”

Thankfully, that ‘process’ seemed to still be in his memory.

“You need permission from the restricted zone personnel manager.”

“Manager? Where is he?”

“At the main estate.”