After finishing cooking in the kitchen, Hwa brought the food to the living room. She served it on the kotatsu table. The dishes she prepared were steamed rice, miso soup, and grilled salmon, with side dishes like boiled spinach and a sweet rolled omelet, along with green tea.
Fyrel and Haru were already waiting at the table while the old woman was still unconscious beside it. The three of them ate together.
Mmm... delicious, honey, your cooking is amazing. He ate quickly while winking playfully at Hwa.
Hwa pinched Fyrel's thigh hard, making him jolt slightly as he rubbed the sore spot.
Our daughter is here... you understand, right? Hwa smiled sternly. Though she was annoyed inside, her heart still fluttered at the compliment.
Haru just ignored them and kept eating, though messily, with bits of food sticking to the corners of her mouth. Fyrel wiped the food off Haru's mouth with his hand.
Eat slowly... slowly, Haru. The food isn't going anywhere. Haru nodded while continuing to eat.
Suddenly, the old woman woke up and sat up abruptly—startling Fyrel badly.
Aish... this old lady... I almost had a heart attack! he grumbled, rubbing his chest. Hwa had already prepared a bowl of rice in the empty spot on the table where the woman had been lying.
Mom, eat first... I've prepared rice for you. The old woman simply nodded and took the food.
Fyrel's eyes scanned the three of them as they ate, glancing at each one in turn. The atmosphere grew awkward in the heavy silence.
You guys should stop pretending… just spill everything. I already know.
Hwa, who was in the middle of eating, suddenly choked and coughed, pounding her chest as if struggling to breathe. Fyrel quickly handed her some water. She drank it, trying to swallow the stuck food.
Wh-what are you talking about? Hwa feigned innocence, her face trying to look clueless, but her nervousness was obvious—she was terrible at lying.
The old woman pretended not to hear, since she had already spilled the truth earlier. Haru, too, stayed quiet, just staring tensely at Fyrel.
He set his spoon down in the bowl and began questioning them...
So... Haru and Mom aren't from this world, right? And Hwa, you're the daughter of a goddess. It's way too obvious because you couldn't fall in love—and my confession yesterday shocked you because I didn't die, didn't it?
While Mom and Haru saw the whole thing last night... You two were just curious why I'm still alive, right? Also, Hwa, your curse is already gone now—you can fall in love with anyone. No need to pretend anymore.
Haru sighed. This is all because of Grandma... She was supposed to wait until after Mom and Father had S—
Before she could finish, PANG! Hwa smacked Haru's head hard, her smile sharp and terrifying.
Oww! Haru rubbed her head, scowling. What?! He already knows, so why bother hiding it?! she snapped angrily.
Then, with a loud DANG!, Haru slammed her hands on the table, stood up, and stormed off upstairs.
"Haru..." Hwa felt guilty for hitting her head. She started to rise from the table, but Fyrel caught her wrist and shook his head gently.
We'll talk about this later... I'll go calm her down. Only a father can comfort his daughter.
He got up and headed upstairs. When he reached Haru's door, he saw her lying facedown on the bed, burying her head under a pillow.
Fyrel sat beside her and spoke softly.
Haru... are you angry?
Haru ignored him, turning further toward the wall.
Haha... girls will be girls, even in another world, he mused inwardly.
I'll never leave you, Haru. I truly love your mom, Hwa... and I already see you as my own daughter. Don't sulk, okay? His voice was warm, coaxing.
Haru's a good girl, right? Mom didn't mean to yell at you... She just feels guilty for not showing you enough love. Stop sulking, hm? Or do you want me to bonk *her* head later to make it even?
Haru loosened her grip on the pillow slightly—just enough to show she was listening. Then, in a small voice, she muttered:
...Promise you'll never leave me?
Fyrel nodded and stuck out his pinky finger, curling his other fingers into a fist to make a pinky promise with Haru.
Haru finally released her grip on the pillow and peeked out, seeing her father offering the promise. Slowly, she extended her own little finger, and their pinkies intertwined—sealing the vow between them.
Then, in a sudden burst of energy, Haru sprang up, grabbed Fyrel's hand, and dragged him back downstairs to the living room. Planting her hands on her hips, she declared boldly:
Mom!! I've made up my mind! I'm stealing Dad away from you right now and making him my husband! Hehehe~ We're not blood-related, so you can just divorce him!
Everyone in the room froze—including Fyrel.
Wait a damn minute... In this world, the FBI won't show up, right?? he thought in panic. Sorry, Haru, but I can't back you up on this one... Hwa's gonna be furious.
But what happened next completely defied his expectations.
Haa~? Hwa's demeanor shifted instantly. Her eyes darkened, and a creepy smile spread across her face.
You know, Haru... you're still a child. You'd need at least ten more years before you could legally marry him. So, who do you think you are, trying to take him from me?
Fyrel paled.This is NOT the time for a war to break out... Haru's gonna sulk again!
Yet, against all odds, Haru fired back.
He already promised me! He'll never leave me! So you better behave yourself and keep your hands off Dad! Once I turn 18, don't you dare cry when he divorces you!
Hwa let out a chilling laugh.Let's see~ Mom isn't as easy to beat as you think, Haru. You'd better prepare to cry again like today. I won't let go of the person I love—not even if my own family tries to take him!
STOP!! Fyrel's voice boomed, cutting through the tension. Both of you—don't make this worse! Now, sit down in front of me. NOW!
Cowed by his fury, the two of them reluctantly obeyed, plopping down simultaneously in front of him like scolded children.