Chapter 428: A Promise of Happiness
"She’s tiny, isn’t she? But someday she’ll probably grow as big as Leander. Well, she’s a girl, so she probably won’t get quite that big."
"Huh... Even though she’s this small?"
Ars looked at Hui in his arms, then at Leander standing beside them, before looking back at Hui again.
His expression plainly said, No way.
Qiong Xing had felt the same.
Thinking that such a tiny child would one day grow tall enough to surpass him filled him with a strange sense of emotion.
Rui and Yue who already ran around energetically every day would probably grow up strong and tall like Joa.
As their parent, Qiong Xing would rather they did not outgrow him, but if that was simply the natural way for Beastman to grow, then he supposed he would have to accept it.
"She is my child, but it seems she took after her Papa. She’s tiny now, but one day she’ll grow into a wonderful, adorable young lady. When that time comes, I hope you’ll play with her."
"Yeah... I’ll get even bigger."
Ars nodded as though making a firm decision.
Qiong Xing smiled and encouraged him.
"I also have another daughter and a son. I’ll bring them next time. I’m sure you’ll be surprised when you meet them."
Lingxiao’s growth was progressing a little more slowly than the others, so it would probably take him a bit longer.
Lian, however, was human and was never shy around strangers, so Qiong Xing was sure she would become friends with Ars right away.
"Just how many kids do you have?"
"A lot," Qiong Xing replied with a laugh. "And there will probably be even more in the future. When that happens, I’ll bring them too, so I’d be happy if you could all get along."
Even Qiong Xing did not know how much their family would grow.
But the thought of having more family filled him only with happiness.
It never once felt like a burden.
The children of the mates who loved him more than anyone, and whom he loved more than anyone else, were the greatest treasures in his life.
"Someday, when you’ve grown up, meet someone who makes you think, ’This is the one,’ get married, and have children of your own. When that day comes, I’m sure you’ll understand how I feel now."
"Really?"
Perhaps because of what had happened with his own parents, Ars still looked uncertain.
But Qiong Xing believed that the Ars standing before him now would be alright.
"As long as you haven’t forgotten the promise you made to me."
"...I remember. To be happy, right?"
Happiness meant something different to everyone.
Even so, Qiong Xing hoped Ars would live a life that he himself could truly call happy.
"It’s fine to take it one step at a time. Little by little, find things that make you happy, things you enjoy, and things you come to love. Little by little is enough."
"Anything?"
Qiong Xing blinked his eyes at the questioning look Ars gave him, wondering if there was already something on the boy’s mind.
"I want to eat your cooking."
It was a request Qiong Xing had never expected and he nodded happily.
"Of course. Then let’s make your favorite food for lunch today."
"No. Dinner is fine. So... um... I want you to eat the miso we made for lunch."
Ars had become much more honest during the time they had not seen each other.
Still, he was obviously not used to expressing himself.
The moment he finished speaking, he lowered his head awkwardly.
"That sounds wonderful. Then we’ll enjoy the miso that all of you worked so hard to make for lunch."
Ars’s face was hidden, but his ears turned bright red as he nodded.
Qiong Xing smiled and gently patted his head.
"Looks like I win this time."
"Ah, it’s been a while, Captain Narka."
"Yo!"
Narka greeted them with a raised hand, looking just as energetic as ever despite being in the middle of work.
A large deer-like animal rested across his shoulders, something he had apparently caught on the way there.
Every time he visited, he seemed to bring some kind of food with him.
"You haven’t eaten yet, right?"
Narka looked at Qiong Xing expectantly, clearly hoping that lunch had not started yet.
When Qiong Xing nodded with a smile, Narka pumped his fist in triumph.
"Then use this to make something good."
"I don’t mind... but aren’t you going to help?"
With so many people to feed, it was far too much work for Qiong Xing alone.
If Narka wanted to eat, then he would have to help as well.
Thankfully, he agreed without hesitation.
"I’ll help too."
Qiong Xing rolled up his sleeves and reached for a daikon radish, only to have Ars tug lightly on them from behind.
After thinking for a moment, he handed Ars the knife and the daikon.
"Take your time... That’s right. Just like that."
He had wondered whether the boy would have enough strength, but thanks to the knife’s sharp edge, Ars managed to slice the daikon neatly.
"Once you’ve cut it, stir-fry it, add the meat, and then season everything with the miso that all of you worked so hard to make."
Qiong Xing shaped rice balls beside him while keeping an eye on Ars.
To his surprise, the boy handled the cooking with remarkable skill.
When Qiong Xing asked, he learned that Ars regularly helped his the old lady with the cooking.
"...Lately she’s been collapsing a lot. She says her legs and back hurt too."
It seemed Ars had been taking over and looking after the younger children in her place.
Most injuries and illnesses could be healed, but no one could defy the natural law of aging.
She was an important member of their family and the one who had raised them.
It was only natural that Ars was worried.
"I’m sure the old lady is happy that you’re so concerned about her. But if all she sees is you looking sad, she’ll only end up worrying about you too. So smile for her. Tell her what you did today, what made you happy, and all the fun things you did with everyone."