Chapter 93: Would you like to be my child?
{TL: By Creed}
Two weeks had passed since the Doctor's incident.
Cliff seemed to be overwhelmed with the aftermath, crying out in frustration, but we were not like that. We were spending our days peacefully.
As time passed, Aisha's heart seemed to be healing little by little, and she began to smile.
Seeing her smile made me happier than anything else...
But seeing that smile also made me realize that I had to think about the future.
What to do about Aisha.
Of course, as far as I'm concerned, I want to take Aisha in as she is.
I'm just a fledgling adventurer with no substantial earnings, but...
Even so, I absolutely do not want to say goodbye to Aisha.
It's partly out of duty and human decency...
But more than that, I like Aisha.
I want to be with her.
That is how Sofia feels too...
I haven't talked to her about it yet, but if I told her I wanted to take Aisha in as our foster daughter, she would welcome the idea with open arms.
However, what about Aisha's feelings?
I'm confident she doesn't dislike us...
But I'm not sure if she likes us enough to want to become our foster daughter.
If she says, "That's a bit too much..." I might be devastated.
That being said, it's not something that can be put off forever.
Soon, I need to ask Aisha what she wants to do from now on.
...Or so I thought, but unexpectedly, the answer came out sooner than I anticipated.
――――――――――
"Ugh..."
"Okay, please stay still."
Sofia and Aisha were in the inn's bathhouse. Sofia was washing Aisha's head as she sat with her back turned.
Next to them, a small bucket served as a makeshift little bathtub where Licorice was leisurely relaxing.
"Ah... I feel alive again. Baths are the best."
"Licorice, you're acting like an old man."
"Hey, what do you mean by calling a delicate, beautiful girl like me an old man?"
"...I understand."
"Even you, Aisha!?"
While Licorice was in shock, Sofia carefully washed Aisha's hair.
Though she was small, Aisha was still a girl. Proper hair care was necessary.
Additionally, because dog ears grew out from her hair, Sofia had to be careful. Getting water in her ears could be disastrous, and shampoo bubbles were even worse. She washed gently and with care to avoid any accidents.
However, Aisha seemed uncomfortable, as if she wasn't fond of baths to begin with.
Dogs usually like baths, so was she different? Or was she more like a cat?
Thinking such thoughts, Sofia continued washing Aisha's soft hair.
"It's alright. There's nothing to be scared of."
"Auu..."
"Aisha-chan, you're a cute girl, so you need to stay clean and pretty."
"...Will Fate be happy too?"
"Y-Yes, he will."
Could it be that this child has feelings for Fate!?
Sofia, finding herself jealous of a girl about ten years younger, quickly regained her composure. If she seriously acted on such feelings, it would tarnish the name of the Sword Saint.
With self-control, she calmed herself down.
"Yes, Fate will be happy too."
"Then... I'll try my best."
"Aisha-chan, do you like Fate?"
"I'm not sure... but I want to be with him. He makes me feel warm."
"I see. I understand that feeling well."
Fate was a warm and large presence, like the sun. Being by his side filled one's heart with happiness.
Sofia empathized with Aisha's words, a gentle smile on her face.
"I want to be with Sofia too."
"With me?"
"Because you're so kind to me... it makes me happy."
Aisha, slightly embarrassed, turned her head lightly to glance at Sofia with flushed cheeks. Sofia's heart was immediately knocked out by her adorable demeanor.
She instinctively tried to hug Aisha from behind... but quickly restrained herself.
"Thank you. I like you too, Aisha-chan."
"...Ehehe."
"Huh? Hey, what about me?"
"I like Licorice too."
"Yes, yes, you understand. You'll go far!"
Licorice was easily pleased.
"Fate, Sofia, Licorice, everyone is so kind..."
"Not to everyone, you know? It's because it's you, Aisha-chan, that everyone is kind. Because we all like you, we smile."
"Really... but I haven't done anything..."
"Don't worry about that. Just being with us makes us happy."
"I see..."
Aisha paused, as if thinking,
"...I want to stay with you forever."
She muttered softly.
It was undeniably Aisha's true feeling. An honest wish that slipped out unintentionally.
Hearing this, Sofia's heart overflowed with affection for Aisha. She felt a strong desire to protect her at all costs.
"Would you like to become our child?"
Before she realized it, those words had slipped out.
"What?"
"Aisha-chan, do you have anywhere to go from here?"
"...No."
"Then, why not become our child? If you become our adopted daughter, we can stay together forever."
"But..."
Aisha turned to look at Sofia, as if to ask, "Is that really okay?" Sofia hugged her tightly.
"I also want to stay with you forever, Aisha-chan. Although he's not here, I'm sure Fate feels the same way. So... what do you think?"
"...I do too."
Aisha gently returned Sofia's embrace.
"I want to stay with you..."
"Alright, it's decided then."
"...Yes."
Tears welled up in Aisha's eyes. But these were tears of joy, not sadness.
TL Note: A Daughter so soon? that's some serious development for the three of them.
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