They really are different!
Rei Ao and Megumi Kato exchanged glances, both smiling in amusement.
Of course there were differences, yet they also had things in common—namely, they were both members of the chat group.
"Michiru, I think you're misunderstanding something. Feelings are feelings, and a trade is a trade. I rarely mix the two unless it's a special case."
Rei Ao was telling the truth. Only under certain very special circumstances would he ever blur those lines.
"Since every group member is entitled to initiate a trade request with me, I don't really have grounds to refuse."
When it came to trades, he was quite fair and consistent.
Michiru truly had just remembered that yes, she could use the group's trade system to change herself. But...but his trade conditions...
She vigorously shook her head, looking like a rattle-drum.
"No, no, no... That's absolutely impossible!"
It was nearly a reflex. She instinctively rejected the idea of that kind of trade. Her reaction was perfectly natural, and Rei Ao wasn't surprised.
"I'm just letting you know that this is an option, is all. Everything else depends on what you really want."
He quietly gave Megumi Kato a thumbs-up. She was the type who excelled at planting seeds in people's minds.
"Anyway, that's enough on that. Class is about to start."
Just then, the chime for class rang.
Michiru's beautiful eyes lingered on Rei Ao's back for a long time, unsettled. Indeed, their conversation had opened a sort of Pandora's box in her mind.
Meanwhile, there was another person notifying Rei Ao about their household "child" starting school: that was Kobayashi.
Kobayashi: "Hey, you there?"
Kobayashi: "It's about little Shin going to school. Today was her first day."
Rei Ao: "You're reporting that to me, too?"
Rei Ao added with a small laugh: "Remember to keep an eye on Shin to see if she's settling in."
Kobayashi: "I'd do that without you telling me.
Right—could you have her also look after Kanna? She's older and more mature, after all."
Rei Ao: "Got it. Also, keep in mind Kanna's a dragon. Shin's definitely the more level headed one."
Kobayashi: "I've already reminded her. In fact, I didn't even need to—she keeps muttering something like, 'I can't let that evil dragon cause trouble.'"
Just mentioning it had her half laughing, half crying. To this day, Shin was still wary about the "wicked dragon."
Rei Ao: "Heh, I'm sure they'll get along fine."
Kobayashi:"Agreed. By the way, Shin said she wants to ask if you can go with me to pick her up after school for her first day."
That turned out to be the real reason she'd come calling. It was all because Shin had been babbling about wanting both "Papa" and "Mama" to pick her up, leaving Kobayashi red-faced.
"Papa" and "Mama," indeed... Even though she'd originally insisted on "Onii-chan" and "mommy," apparently the child was forging ahead with her own logic!
Rei Ao: "But I'm in high school, and I get out later than she does."
Rei Ao was on the verge of declining when Shin herself sent him a private message.
Shin: "Daddy! Daddy! Answer me quickly!"
Rei Ao: "You sure are used to calling me Daddy now, huh? Didn't your mommy say you should call me 'Onii-chan'?"
Shin: "Hmph! Daddy is Daddy! I only call you 'Onii-chan' in front of Mommy because I have to!
Daddy, when are you going to take Mom for yourself, so I can openly call you Daddy for real?
Oh, oh! Let me tell you a secret, Daddy: Mommy's had five dreams about you over the last five nights—like, certain 'adult' dreams! Hehehe!"
He couldn't help sweating a bit. Clearly Shin, sharing mental space with Kobayashi, didn't miss a thing. Five nights of certain "spicy" dreams about him... must be some deep longing indeed. He hadn't realized Kobayashi could hide it that well.
Rei Ao: "All right, Daddy will do his best, soon."
Shin:"Yay!! By the way, Daddy, are you free this afternoon to pick me up from school with Mommy? I really want to experience going home from school with both of you!"
Rei Ao: "Sorry, my high school finishes later than your elementary school does."
Shin: "Aw, that's a shame... Nothing can be done, I guess. I was hoping to show you the new friend Kanna and I made—a very special little girl."
Shin: "Yup, she's Anya, and she has a mind-reading superpower! Though it doesn't work on Kanna or me."
A mind-reading girl named Anya... That had to be "Spy x Family"'s Anya, right? But wait, apparently her name is Anya Briar?
He recalled that originally, Anya was called "Anya Forger," but if her mother was Yor, whose real name was Yor Briar, maybe the child was going by Briar? The details were fuzzy, but the possibility was huge that this was that mind-reading child.
So he changed his mind right then:
Rei Ao: "Kobayashi, this afternoon I'm free to join you."
Kobayashi: "Huh? But I thought you get out of school later?"
Rei Ao: "I'll just ask Shizuka for early dismissal. No problem."
Kobayashi: "But you really shouldn't skip class just for this. School's important."
Rei Ao: "...You think I need school?"
Kobayashi: "..." "Never mind, I didn't say anything!"
She realized how ridiculous it was, telling someone who could wipe out worlds to keep up with his studies. Quickly, she drank some water to calm her nerves.
Kobayashi: "Anyway, why the sudden change of heart?"
Rei Ao: "Because I know Shin wants to experience that warm, full family feeling: having both Papa and Mama come pick her up."
Rei Ao: "For the sake of giving our kid a proper family, 'Mommy of my child,' we gotta make it happen."
"Pfft!" She nearly spit water everywhere. Her colleagues turned to stare, forcing her to mop up as quickly as possible. She couldn't help being that shocked. Kid's mom? He sure had a bizarre way with words.
But as odd as it was, she felt a faint warmth creeping into her cheeks all the same.
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