(Yuuta's POV – Age: 8) :- Flashback.
Halloween Night – Luna City Orphanage
While the other kids were out running around in dollar-store vampire capes and screaming about candy, I was in my room, alone. Again.
No one ever invited me to play. Not even the kid who used to eat glue.
I sat on my creaky little bed, fiddling with a broken flashlight, hoping no one would notice I existed.
That's when I heard the slow creak of the door.
Sister Mary stood there in the hallway, her face half in shadow like some horror movie character. The irony is painful in hindsight.
"Yuuta," she said gently, "why aren't you outside playing with the other children?"
I shrugged. "They don't like me. I'm okay here."
She stepped inside and gave me the kind of smile you'd expect from a loving nun in a bedtime story. "Don't be sad. We'll spend time together, just the two of us."
My eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Of course," she said. "Let's watch a movie."
I should've known something was wrong the moment she walked over and closed the door behind her. Click. Then she marched to the window and yanked the curtains shut like she was sealing a tomb. Whoosh.
Finally, she turned off the lights.
Sister Mary's Horror Dungeon was now in session.
"Umm... Sister Mary?" I asked, already sensing my doom. "Why'd you turn the lights off?"
She smiled. "Don't worry. We're going to watch a movie together."
"Okay… What kind of movie?"
"Horror."
I blinked. Twice. "Wh-What!? Horror!? But you, you don't even have eyes to see!"
She laughed. Laughed.
"Oh, come on, Yuuta. You'll just describe every scene to me. In detail."
My soul began slowly ascending out of my body.
"No. Nope. Not doing this. I refuse. This is a violation of, of child rights! Of the holy church! This is blasphemy!"
"Yuuta," she said sweetly, "sit down."
"No! I won't! I want Jesus, not Jigsaw!"
But she had already inserted the DVD. The cursed intro music started playing, the kind that sounds like someone whispering directly into your nightmares.
The screen lit up, and I swear my young spirit tried to leap out the window.
For the next ninety minutes, I sat there frozen, trapped in a blanket burrito of fear, describing every jump scare, every creepy little girl crawling out of a well, every whisper, and every flickering light… to a nun.
A blind nun.
And from that night forward?
Every. Halloween.
Like clockwork, Sister Mary would waltz into my room with a smile and say:
"Movie night, Yuuta~"
And I would cry internally.
You want to know why I hate ghosts?
It's not the movie monsters.
It's childhood trauma wrapped in nun robes.
_________
(Yuuta's POV)
Present Time — Yuno City
Central Mall — Movie Theatre Lobby
"Listen, Elena. Papa has a much better idea."
I crouched in front of my daughter and gently placed my hands on her little shoulders. Behind her, the enormous poster for The Konjuring displayed a pale woman standing in the doorway of an abandoned house. Even looking at that thing made me uncomfortable, but I maintained my most convincing fatherly smile.
"Why don't we forget about this movie and watch T-Rex Rampage instead? It's amazing! There are giant dinosaurs, people running for their lives, and plenty of terrifying scenes. It's practically a horror movie, sweetheart!"
Elena looked at me with her big red eyes before shaking her head.
"No! Elena wants ghost movie!"
"But why?!" I exclaimed, only to lower my voice when several customers turned toward us. Clearing my throat, I tried again with a gentler smile. "I mean, why, sweetheart? Don't you think watching a giant dinosaur would be more exciting than watching some silly ghosts?"
Elena considered my question seriously. She looked toward the dinosaur poster, then back at the frightening woman behind her. After a moment, she pointed at the ghost.
"Because Elena wants see ghost!"
I stared at her, wondering how I was supposed to argue with that. Before I could think of another way to persuade my daughter, however, someone suddenly caught me by the ear.
"Ouch! Erza!"
"Enough, mortal." My wife stood beside me, looking thoroughly unimpressed as she gave my ear a sharp tug. "Stop embarrassing yourself. We have already decided to watch this film, and yet you continue making a spectacle of yourself."
"All right, all right! Let go!"
She released me, and I immediately rubbed my poor ear before turning toward her.
"And another thing, Erza. What's this we you're talking about? Don't include me in that. I don't remember agreeing to watch a horror movie."
Erza folded her arms. "Elena wishes to watch it. I have no objections. Therefore, we shall watch it."
"That's not how family decisions work!"
"Then perhaps you should have made a better argument."
I opened my mouth, but Erza's gaze moved briefly toward the poster before returning to me. A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips, the kind that usually meant she'd discovered something embarrassing about her husband.
"Or perhaps you should simply admit that you are afraid of ghosts."
I slowly straightened and folded my arms across my chest.
"Hah! Me? Afraid of ghosts? Erza, allow me to remind you that I married a walking world disaster. I sleep beside the White Dragon Queen herself! Do you seriously believe some sneaky little ghost is worthy of my attention?"
I lifted my chin proudly, satisfied with my argument. A man who had survived countless battles and somehow managed to remain married to Erza Kounari had absolutely nothing to fear from imaginary spirits.
Erza stared at me for a moment before chuckling.
"My, my. Such confidence from a man who has spent the last ten minutes begging his daughter to choose another film."
"That's called responsible parenting!"
"Of course, mortal." Her smile widened slightly. "Then perhaps we should make a wager."
I narrowed my eyes.
"...What kind of wager?"
"If you show even the slightest sign of fear during the film, you shall wash my horns and tail tonight. Afterward, you shall give me a foot massage."
I stared at her in disbelief.
"Erza, you already make me do those things!"
"Then you should have no difficulty accepting."
This woman! She wasn't even trying to hide her intentions anymore. I glanced toward Elena, who was watching our exchange with great interest, then back at my wife. The way she smiled made it painfully obvious that she expected me to surrender.
Absolutely not. A man's pride was at stake.
"And what happens if I don't get scared?"
Erza considered the question. "Then I shall acknowledge that you possess some courage."
"...That's it?"
"Is the acknowledgment of the White Dragon Queen insufficient?"
I wanted to argue, but I knew she would only find another way to provoke me. Instead, I extended my hand with all the confidence I could muster.
"Fine! Deal!"
Erza accepted my hand, looking rather pleased with herself.
"Hmph. Very well. Do not regret your decision, mortal."
"Regret? Me? Never!"
I turned toward the theatre entrance and took Elena's hand.
"Come on, sweetheart! We're watching the ghost movie!"
"Yay!"
Elena happily skipped beside me as we headed toward Hall Three. Behind us, Erza let out another quiet chuckle, which I deliberately ignored. After all, I was Yuuta Kounari, the Child of War. Surely, a few imaginary ghosts couldn't defeat me.
At least, that was what I kept telling myself.
Yuno City — Central Theatre, Hall Three
The moment we entered the auditorium, I couldn't help stopping to admire the enormous screen. It occupied almost the entire front wall, towering above rows of comfortable-looking seats. Soft lights illuminated the steps, while the cool air-conditioning made the spacious hall feel pleasantly different from the crowded lobby outside.
Honestly, I could probably park a dragon on that screen. Well, a small one.
I glanced toward Erza and noticed something interesting. For the briefest moment, her usual cold expression softened. Her violet eyes widened slightly as she examined the enormous display, and I could see genuine curiosity behind her composed appearance.
Aha. Caught you.
"Told you you'd be surprised," I said with a grin.
Erza immediately straightened. "Hmph. It is acceptable."
"Just acceptable?"
"The screen is certainly larger than I expected, but I had imagined something more... colossal."
I chuckled. "Come on, Erza. You can admit you like it."
She turned toward me. "Mortal, do not mistake curiosity for admiration."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
I smiled and continued toward our seats. Before we could reach them, however, Elena suddenly hurried ahead and climbed onto one of the cushioned chairs, bouncing excitedly.
"Papa! Look! So soft!"
"Elena, sweetheart, don't jump on the seats!"
"But Papa, it's bouncy!"
"I know, but we're not at a playground. Other people are trying to find their seats."
Elena looked around at the nearby customers. A few were watching her with amused expressions, while others were busy settling into their own seats. She immediately stopped bouncing and sat down properly.
"Okay, Papa."
"Good girl."
I helped her settle into her seat before turning around, only to discover that Erza had already made herself comfortable. She was leaning back against the cushion, her shoulders relaxed as she tested the armrests. Her expression remained composed, but the way she'd settled into the chair suggested she was enjoying herself far more than she intended to admit.
Well, well. The great White Dragon Queen had discovered comfortable seating.
"Feeling good?" I asked as I took the seat beside her.
Erza immediately straightened. "It is merely a chair, mortal. The atmosphere is pleasantly cool. Nothing more."
I grinned. "Ah, right. You're a Snow Dragon. I suppose this temperature feels like a relaxing afternoon in Atlantis."
Erza raised an eyebrow. "You call this cold? This is practically room temperature in Atlantis. If you were exposed to the true cold of our kingdom, your bones would freeze before you could complain."
I stared at her.
"...That sounds lovely."
"Does it?"
"Absolutely. Nothing says a wonderful vacation quite like having your organs frozen."
Her eyes narrowed. "What was that, mortal?"
I immediately cleared my throat. "I said I'd love to visit Atlantis someday. Beautiful kingdom, wonderful climate, very welcoming people."
Erza smiled faintly.
"Good mortal."
I sighed. Sometimes, I wondered whether my wife genuinely enjoyed threatening me. Actually, never mind. I already knew the answer.
After making sure Elena was comfortably seated, I settled between my wife and daughter. Elena sat on my right with a large tub of popcorn resting on her lap, while Erza occupied the seat on my left, looking perfectly composed as she examined the surroundings.
For a moment, everything felt rather pleasant. The seats were comfortable, the air-conditioning was refreshing, and my daughter was happily enjoying her popcorn. Even Erza seemed to be in a good mood, although she'd probably deny it if I mentioned anything.
Perhaps I'd worried for nothing.
Then the lights began to dim, and I remembered why we were here.
As the advertisements disappeared and the opening credits began, I casually reached toward Erza's hand. She glanced down, then looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"...What are you doing, mortal?"
"Nothing. Just thought we could hold hands."
"Watch the film."
"...Right."
I slowly withdrew my hand and placed it on the armrest. Fine. I didn't need her hand anyway. I had a perfectly good armrest, and judging by the way my fingers were already tightening around it, I was going to need that armrest very much.
The movie began with an old house standing beneath a cloudy night sky. A woman carrying a flashlight approached the entrance, her footsteps crunching against the gravel path. The surrounding trees swayed in the wind, while an unsettling melody played softly through the theatre speakers.
I frowned as I watched her approach the building. An abandoned house, at midnight, on Halloween? Did this woman have absolutely no survival instincts? The windows were broken, the front door was hanging crookedly, and the entire place looked as though it hadn't been occupied for decades.
She reached for the door.
Don't open it. Seriously, just go home.
The door creaked, and she stepped inside.
I closed my eyes briefly. Wonderful. Another person voluntarily entering a haunted house. At this point, I was beginning to think the ghosts weren't even the main problem. The real danger was the complete absence of common sense among the living.
The woman moved through a dark hallway, examining old furniture and dusty paintings. Somewhere upstairs, a wooden floorboard creaked, and I instinctively tightened my grip on the armrest.
Beside me, Erza glanced over.
"Mortal, why are you holding the chair so tightly?"
I immediately loosened my fingers. "Am I? Oh, just getting comfortable."
Erza studied my face for a moment before smiling.
"Are you afraid?"
I scoffed. "Of course not."
"Hmm. Then why are your fingers trembling?"
I casually folded my arms. "They aren't."
"Is that so?"
"Obviously."
Erza's smile widened slightly.
"Very well. I shall continue observing."
I turned back toward the screen. Great. Not only was I watching a horror movie, but my wife was apparently conducting an investigation into my courage.
A few minutes later, the camera moved toward a dusty portrait hanging on the wall. It depicted a nun, and I immediately felt my stomach tighten. Of all the things this movie could have shown me, it had to be a nun. For a brief moment, memories of Sister Mary and those terrible Halloween movie nights returned to me.
On the screen, the woman approached the portrait while a dark shadow moved across the wall. My fingers slowly curled against the armrest as the music faded, leaving only the sound of the woman's footsteps.
Don't move. Please don't move.
The shadow disappeared behind the painting. The woman leaned closer, and a ghostly figure suddenly lunged toward the screen with a deafening scream.
My entire body stiffened. I managed to keep my mouth shut, but my hands began trembling against the armrests. Even my legs tensed beneath the seat, and I had to force myself to remain perfectly still while my heartbeat gradually returned to normal.
Good grief. That was close.
Unfortunately, someone had noticed.
Erza turned toward me and stared for a moment before chuckling.
"Did you see that, mortal? That creature's expression when it appeared was rather amusing."
Amusing? I stared at my wife, who was smiling as though she'd just witnessed an entertaining joke. Meanwhile, Elena was giggling beside me, completely delighted by the sudden appearance of the ghost.
"Papa! Ghost went BOO!"
"Yes, sweetheart. I noticed."
Elena laughed. "So funny!"
I looked from my daughter to my wife, then back at the screen. Were these two even human? Actually, that was a stupid question. Of course they weren't.
Erza leaned slightly toward me, still wearing that infuriating smile.
"Well, mortal? Did you enjoy that scene?"
I cleared my throat. "Of course. Very entertaining."
"Your hands appear to disagree."
I immediately placed them on my lap.
"Nonsense."
Erza turned back toward the screen, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.
"This may be the finest comedy I have ever watched."
I stared at her.
Comedy?
I had nearly lost control of my bladder, and this woman was calling it comedy? I slowly shook my head, wondering whether dragons possessed an entirely different understanding of entertainment.
The movie continued, and before long, another frightening scene appeared. This time, a young woman stood before a bathroom mirror, brushing her hair while the lights flickered above her. Behind her reflection, something moved, and I immediately recognized the familiar pattern.
Oh, no. Not again.
The woman stopped brushing her hair and slowly raised her eyes toward the mirror. A faint shadow appeared behind her, growing clearer with every passing second.
Don't look. Please don't look.
She turned her head.
The ghost appeared, and the mirror shattered across the screen.
I nearly jumped out of my seat. Fortunately, I managed to control myself at the last moment. My shoulders stiffened, my breathing stopped for a second, and my fingers curled tightly against my knees. But I didn't scream, which meant Erza couldn't possibly accuse me of being frightened.
At least, that was what I hoped.
"Mortal," Erza said, tilting her head. "That was quite a reaction."
I turned toward her. "What reaction?"
"The one you just made."
"I didn't do anything."
"Your entire body went stiff."
I scoffed. "Please, Erza. That scene wasn't even frightening."
She studied me for a moment, and her lips curved into a mischievous smile.
"Oh, really?"
"Of course."
"How impressive. I see."
Something about those last two words made me deeply uncomfortable. Before I could question her, Elena suddenly leaned toward me with a proud smile.
"Papa so strong!"
I blinked, then smiled.
"Aw, thank you, Elena."
She nodded seriously. "Papa not scared of ghost!"
"Exactly! That's my girl."
I gently patted her head while Erza let out a quiet chuckle beside me. For once, my daughter was on my side, and I intended to enjoy that victory while it lasted.
Unfortunately, the movie had other plans.
The next scene showed a girl sitting alone in her bedroom. She was about to lie down when a faint whisper came from beneath the bed, causing her to stop and slowly turn toward the sound.
I immediately frowned.
No. Absolutely not.
Another whisper followed, and the girl began lowering her head toward the darkness beneath the bed. I watched in disbelief, wondering why anyone would willingly investigate such a thing. If something was hiding beneath my bed, I would simply leave the room and allow it to keep the bed.
The mattress wasn't worth dying for.
The girl lifted the blanket.
Nothing.
I relaxed slightly as she straightened, only for the camera to reveal a ghost sitting directly behind her.
My heart nearly stopped. I instinctively covered my mouth before a sound could escape, my shoulders jerking as I pressed myself against the backrest. For several seconds, I remained perfectly still, trying to convince my body that nothing had actually happened.
Beside me, Erza was watching.
Of course she was.
Her violet eyes moved from my face to my trembling fingers, and she smiled.
"My, my. You mortals certainly have interesting reactions."
I straightened. "What reactions?"
"I believe you were about to scream."
"I wasn't!"
"Is that so?"
"I was merely checking my breathing."
Erza blinked.
"...Your breathing?"
"Yes. Very important. You should try it sometime."
She stared at me for a moment before chuckling.
"How fascinating."
I sighed, wondering how much longer this movie could possibly last. Unfortunately, before I could check the time, a sudden scream came from my right.
"AAAAAH!"
I flinched and turned sharply toward Elena, who was sitting beside me with both hands raised and a delighted smile on her face.
"Papa! Elena make ghost sound!"
I placed a hand over my chest.
"Sweetheart, don't do that!"
"Why?"
"Because Papa almost—"
I stopped myself just in time.
Erza was watching.
Very closely.
I cleared my throat and adjusted my posture.
"Because it's rude to shout inside a theatre."
Elena tilted her head.
"But Papa, Elena just want see how human scream!"
I stared at her before slowly turning toward Erza. My wife was covering her mouth, clearly struggling to contain another laugh, and I couldn't help wondering what sort of influence she'd been having on our daughter.
Actually, considering who Elena's mother was, I probably shouldn't have been surprised.
I sighed and gently patted Elena's head.
"Just watch the movie, sweetheart."
"Okay, Papa!"
She returned to her popcorn as though nothing had happened, while I leaned back in my seat and wondered whether it was too late to pretend I needed the bathroom.
By this point, I had stopped enjoying the movie entirely. Not that I'd been enjoying it much to begin with, but the constant appearance of ghosts was beginning to wear down whatever courage I'd managed to gather.
The screen continued displaying dark hallways, strange shadows, and ghostly figures appearing where they absolutely shouldn't. Every time the music grew quiet, I found myself anticipating another sudden appearance, and no matter how hard I tried to relax, my fingers kept tightening around the armrest.
The worst part was that I couldn't even admit I was frightened. Not after making that ridiculous wager with Erza. If she caught me showing the slightest sign of fear, I'd spend the entire evening washing her horns and tail before giving her a foot massage.
Actually, knowing my wife, she'd probably make me do it anyway.
I glanced toward her. She was still watching the movie with a perfectly composed expression, occasionally smiling whenever something particularly frightening appeared. Elena, meanwhile, was happily munching on popcorn, seemingly unaware that her father was fighting for his dignity beside her.
Wonderful. My wife and daughter were having the time of their lives, and I was sitting between them, desperately trying to remember how to breathe normally.
I looked back toward the screen, where another character was making another terrible decision.
This wasn't entertainment.
This was spiritual torture with surround sound.
Then, just as I was preparing myself for another frightening scene, I felt something warm settle over my left hand.
I blinked and slowly looked down. A slender hand rested gently over mine, covering the fingers I'd been pressing against the armrest. When I turned toward the person beside me, I found Erza still watching the screen, her expression calm and unreadable.
"...Erza?"
"What?"
I glanced at our hands. She didn't move hers away, instead gently pressing her fingers against mine.
"Stop trembling, mortal."
I blinked.
"...Huh?"
"Your hand has been shaking for quite some time."
I immediately straightened.
"I told you, I'm not—"
"I know."
I stopped speaking.
Erza continued watching the screen as though our conversation was nothing particularly important. For a few moments, neither of us said anything, and I became strangely aware of how warm her hand felt against mine.
Then she spoke again, her voice quieter than before.
"Do not worry. If one of those ghosts truly appears before you, I shall destroy it."
I turned toward her.
"...What?"
Erza glanced at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Did you not hear me?"
"No, I heard you. It's just..." I looked toward the screen, where a pale figure was slowly emerging from the darkness, before returning my attention to my wife. "You'd fight a ghost for me?"
"Why would I permit some insignificant wandering spirit to trouble my husband?"
She said it so naturally that I almost laughed. There wasn't the slightest hesitation in her voice, as though protecting me from a supernatural creature was no different from dealing with an annoying insect.
"Whether it possesses a physical body or not is irrelevant," she continued. "If it dares approach you, I shall ensure it regrets doing so."
I stared at her for another moment before smiling.
Good grief.
Only Erza could threaten to kill something that was already dead.
Other wives might have comforted their husbands by saying there was nothing to fear. Mine was preparing to wage war against the supernatural, and somehow, that was exactly what I needed to hear.
I looked down at our hands again before gently turning mine over and intertwining my fingers with hers.
Erza glanced at me.
"...Mortal?"
"Thank you."
She blinked. "For what?"
I smiled.
"For protecting me."
Her expression shifted slightly, and I leaned a little closer.
"Seriously, Erza. I love you."
For a moment, she simply stared at me before turning her face toward the screen.
"Hmph. Do not get carried away."
I chuckled.
"Can't help it. You're my savior."
"Foolish mortal."
She tried to withdraw her hand, but I gently held on.
"Just a little longer."
Erza looked at me, and I smiled.
"Please?"
She remained silent for a moment before sighing.
"...Do as you wish."
I grinned.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"Hmph."
She turned back toward the screen, but I noticed the faintest hint of pink coloring her cheeks. More importantly, she didn't let go.
For a while, we simply sat there together. The movie continued playing, filling the auditorium with frightening music and sudden screams, but I found myself paying less attention to the screen and more to the woman sitting beside me.
Erza wasn't particularly good at expressing affection. She rarely said anything sweet, and whenever I tried to be romantic, she usually responded by calling me an idiot or threatening to throw me somewhere unpleasant.
But sometimes, she did things like this.
She noticed when I was uncomfortable, even when I tried to hide it. She understood when I needed reassurance, even if she couldn't bring herself to say anything particularly gentle. And when she finally reached for my hand, that small gesture meant more to me than any beautiful words could have.
"Papa?"
I turned toward Elena.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
She was staring at our joined hands with great interest. After a moment, a delighted smile spread across her face.
"Papa and Mama holding hands!"
I chuckled.
"That's right."
Elena immediately extended her own little hand toward me.
"Elena too!"
My heart softened at the sight.
"Of course, sweetheart."
I reached over with my free hand and took hers. Elena giggled happily before leaning against my arm, her little fingers wrapping around mine as she returned her attention to the enormous screen.
And just like that, I found myself sitting between my wife and daughter, holding both their hands while a terrifying ghost wandered across the screen.
Honestly, it wasn't such a bad arrangement.
Elena rested comfortably against my arm, occasionally offering me popcorn with her free hand. Erza remained beside me, her fingers still intertwined with mine, and whenever I glanced toward her, she pretended to be completely absorbed in the movie.
I smiled to myself.
Strange, wasn't it?
A few minutes ago, I'd been desperately trying to escape this theatre. Now, I almost wished the movie would last a little longer.
Not because I'd suddenly developed a love for horror movies, of course.
That would require a miracle.
But because moments like this were rare.
There was something comforting about sitting together in the darkness, listening to Elena's occasional giggles while Erza quietly held my hand. We weren't fighting enemies or worrying about the future. We were simply a family enjoying an ordinary afternoon, even if one member of that family was considerably less enthusiastic about the chosen entertainment.
"Papa?"
I looked down at Elena.
"Hmm?"
"When ghost comes, Mama beat ghost?"
I smiled.
"Apparently."
She considered this for a moment before raising her tiny fist.
"Elena help Mama!"
I laughed softly.
"Of course you will, sweetheart."
Erza glanced toward our daughter.
"Hmph. At least someone in this family possesses courage."
I turned toward her.
"Hey!"
She gave me a faint smile.
"What is it, mortal?"
I sighed, deciding that arguing would only encourage her. Elena giggled at our exchange before leaning against my arm again, perfectly satisfied with the knowledge that she and her mother could defeat any ghost foolish enough to bother us.
I looked toward the screen, then down at our joined hands.
For the first time since entering the theatre, I felt completely at ease.
Even when another sudden noise made my shoulders tense, Erza merely squeezed my hand without looking away from the screen. It was such a small gesture that Elena didn't even notice, but I did.
And somehow, that made me smile.
By the time the final scenes began, Elena had grown quieter. Her popcorn tub was nearly empty, and she was leaning comfortably against my arm, her little fingers still wrapped around mine.
I glanced down at her and smiled. She was watching the screen with half-lidded eyes, fighting sleep while stubbornly refusing to miss the ending.
"Sleepy, sweetheart?" I whispered.
Elena shook her head.
"No. Elena watching."
"Of course you are."
A few minutes later, her head settled against my shoulder.
I chuckled quietly and adjusted my arm so she could rest more comfortably. Her small hand remained in mine, and before long, her breathing became slow and peaceful.
On my other side, Erza noticed.
"Has she fallen asleep?" she asked softly.
"Almost."
Erza leaned slightly forward to look at our daughter. Her expression softened when she saw Elena resting against me, and for a moment, the cold dignity of the White Dragon Queen gave way to the quiet tenderness of a mother.
"She was rather excited," Erza murmured.
"She had fun."
"Hmm."
I smiled and looked down at Elena again.
Then I glanced toward our joined hands.
"You know, Erza..."
"What?"
"I'm glad we came."
She turned toward me, clearly surprised.
"After all that complaining?"
I chuckled.
"Yeah. Even after all that."
Erza studied my face for a moment before looking toward Elena. A faint smile appeared on her lips, and she gently adjusted the little girl's hair away from her forehead.
I watched her quietly.
There was a time when I would have given anything for a moment like this. Not some grand adventure or an impossible victory, but something simple. Sitting beside someone who wanted to be there, with a child sleeping peacefully against my shoulder and a hand holding mine.
The screen continued glowing before us, casting shifting colors across Erza's face. She was still watching the film, though her attention occasionally wandered toward Elena to make sure she was comfortable.
I gently squeezed her hand.
Erza glanced at me.
"What now, mortal?"
"Nothing."
"...Then why are you smiling?"
I looked at Elena, then back at my wife.
"Just happy."
Erza remained quiet for a moment. Her gaze softened, and she looked down at our intertwined fingers before moving a little closer.
"Hmph. Foolish man."
I chuckled, resting my head lightly against hers.
For once, she didn't complain.
And so we remained like that, sitting together in the dim theatre while the movie slowly approached its ending. Elena slept against my shoulder, Erza's hand rested warmly in mine, and I found myself wishing that this ordinary little afternoon could last just a bit longer.
I had spent so much of my life searching for a place where I belonged.
Somehow, I'd found it right here, between a sleeping little dragon and her stubborn mother.
I smiled and closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the warmth of Erza beside me.
Then, just as I was beginning to think that nothing could possibly ruin such a beautiful moment, my wife spoke.
"By the way, mortal..."
"Hmm?"
"You lost the bet."
My eyes opened.
"...What?"
Erza smiled sweetly without lifting her head from mine.
"Do not forget to wash my horns and tail tonight. And I expect a proper foot massage afterward."
To be continued...