TLFP 9

“Ability?”

It seemed rare—an incredibly precious healing-type ability.

“…Has that child manifested it too?”

I hadn’t known; there hadn’t been any discussion about it.

Well, if it were his youngest son, he certainly wouldn’t have shared such a thing.

“Or is the child hiding it even from his own father?”

Since she called it a secret, there was a good chance even Dad didn’t know.

I couldn’t tell why she would hide it, though.

At that moment, the door suddenly swung open.

Magnum reflexively hid behind the fence, though he had done nothing wrong.

“Daughter, come inside now. I told you not to stay out too long in the winter.”

“I just wanted to see if the snowman had melted! If it did, I’d fix it!”

Magnum watched his son conversing with his granddaughter, kneeling comfortably behind the fence. Seeing that expression on his son’s face was a first.

“You’re fragile, so Dad’s always worried.”

“Yeees, I understand!”

He saw his son carefully embrace the girl and gently pat her back.

“Dad, I’m hungry.”

“Shall I make you a meal for a change? How about some stew?”

“Oho, yes please!”

He quietly watched as the two of them went inside. Slowly, his gaze lowered.

“Valux, go on inside. But don’t tell anyone I came here.”

“Ah, yes. Please be careful going in.”

Valux paused for a moment, then bowed and hurried to knock on the door.

“Uncle! I came to visit—can I come in? I brought some cookies to share!”

Click.

The door opened, and Klein appeared.

Behind him, a small girl peeked from hiding behind his legs.

“You’re early. Come in comfortably.”

Klein smiled softly and let Valux inside.

Magnum Tigreto exhaled slowly as he watched, unaware anyone was observing from the second floor.

“…The building is quite old.”

Yet, the place seemed well maintained.

“It’s surprising he even got a medical license after being incapable of anything, and now he cooks too…”

Magnum let out a short sigh.

Long ago, he had often spoken sharply to Klein, who failed to meet his standards, thinking that harsh words would motivate him to work harder.

He assumed his children would strive for his approval too.

Other children desperately sought his recognition, but the youngest was different.

He preferred sleeping under the sun in the shade of a tree rather than being locked away studying.

He was endlessly gentle, taking care of injured animals rather than forming social connections.

Unlike his competing siblings, he watched from a step back with indifferent expressions.

Instead of relying on his abilities in combat, he read books or wrote, indulging in quiet, trivial activities. This annoyed Magnum, and he often ignored the child.

“And one day, he ran away.”

He regretted it.

But when an orphaned, motherless child of unknown birth arrived, he felt anger again.

He stood there for a long time, then slowly turned away, unaware anyone on the second floor was watching.

“Grandfather… wants to reconcile with Dad?”

From the second floor, I peeked over the fence at the grandfather hesitating outside the annex. I crossed my arms.

“Hmph. I guess I’ll have to step in here.”

I decided it was time to start my reconciliation plan. I clenched my fist lightly.

“First, I’ll reveal that I have an ability… then show how smart Dad is… and finally make my move into the main house!”

Hmm.

If we meet, bonds will naturally form.

“Alright, tomorrow I’ll try it!”

I grinned and approached Valux, who was excitedly showing Dad the cookies.

“Brother.”

“Hm?”

“Can I come play in your room tomorrow?”

Valux looked puzzled, and Dad’s mouth fell open.

“What’s this now?”

“But you always come to my place, so I want to visit yours too…”

“I already told you, grandfather…”

“Hmph, I can sneak around so grandfather doesn’t notice!”

Dad frowned and shook his head firmly.

“No. That’s a place you promised not to go.”

“Aah!! Don’t say no! I want to play with Brother! I want to play! It’s fun! Brother is fun!”

I flopped onto the floor, waving my arms and legs around, spinning in circles.

My face turned bright red.

But after dying and coming back, shame hardly mattered.

“I need points with grandfather.”

Above all, it’s for Dad’s sake!

“Daughter, no matter how cute you act…”

No, Dad, I did this to annoy you…

Somehow, it’s working in the opposite way.

I pouted, and Dad seemed flustered. He knelt down, lifted me onto his lap, and sat down.

Valux, watching the interaction, cautiously spoke.

“I don’t mind. I’ll speak to grandfather for you today. If he refuses, I’ll let him know what you said.”

He looked between me and Dad, cheeks flushed, resolute.

“Tch, my cousin likes me too much, I can’t help it.”

Valux nodded cheerfully, but Dad looked unusually troubled.

Though only slightly furrowing his brow, I knew that expression well after 16 years.

I could read Dad’s expressions now.

For the first time in 16 years.

“Of course, if Dad says no, I won’t go…”

I dragged the corners of my eyes down, pouting.

“…The main house isn’t a place for you. You’ll just get hurt.”

“Hurt?”

“Ledeia. Your grandfather… doesn’t know how to love people.”

Dad spoke heavily after a long pause.

I opened my eyes wide.

“…Dad got hurt.”

These were hurt eyes.

“…This is kind of annoying.”

Suddenly, grandfather got on my nerves.

Why did Dad get that expression?

If I go tomorrow, I’ll subtly confront this too.

“I’m fine. You’re here, Dad.”

I hugged Dad and smiled brightly.

“Even if I get hurt, you’ll hold me, right?”

“Of course. I could even grab your grandfather by the collar and fight him.”

“Uh, uh… that would hurt Dad…”

“I’d win.”

He said it firmly.

No way plant-growing powers could beat a hero.

I’d heard grandfather’s ability involved controlling one of the four elements. Which one, I didn’t know.

Dad never talked about grandfather much. Most information came from newspapers.

“Yeah, Dad’s the best!”

Since Dad said he’d win, I’ll trust that for now.

He set me back on the chair.

Eating Dad’s special stew, my cheeks trembled involuntarily.

I was happy.

“I should have lived like this before.”

I read somewhere that one must experience death to truly grow up. Seems I’m that type.

Having faced death, it no longer seemed terrifying or monumental.

So I can live honestly, without regrets, doing everything I want, without hiding anything.

“Dad, the stew is amazing!”

“Good. It’s the recipe your mother taught me.”

“I see… no wonder it smells like Mom…”

I teased, and Dad chuckled softly.

He laughed!

I thought Dad liked hearing about Mom, and I giggled.

After praising the stew a few more times, Dad awkwardly brushed his face.

“Stop talking and eat before it gets cold.”

“But it’s really delicious, Uncle.”

Even Valux joined in praising, and Dad sighed, lowering his head.

“I’ll make cocoa now.”

Dad ran off.

I faced Valux, giggling.

Unlike before, it was fun reading the variety of expressions hidden behind Dad’s usual stern face.