Chapter 249 - Tina's Curiosity — What Was Lost

Tina's Perspective:

I've recently discovered something.

The laboratory is a magical place.

Once you step inside, time just disappears.

Though it only works when Dad and Sister Nanahoshi are both there.

It all started one afternoon.

The academy let out early that day.

Sister Windsor had taken that cat-eared girl into town to buy things. Sister Lucy was at the library. Sister Lara had run off somewhere to play, no one knew where.

So I decided to find Dad myself.

Running to Dad the moment school lets out and throwing myself at him for a hug is something I love doing every day.

But Dad wasn't waiting at the school gate today.

Even though I never said I'd go home on my own!

I was a little unhappy about that. I'd even turned down Clape's invitation to walk home together, because I'd assumed Dad was coming to pick me up.

When I got back to the house, I asked Mom.

"Where's Dad?"

Mom was in the kitchen experimenting with a recipe. She called back,

"He's probably at Nanahoshi's."

"Dad's in the laboratory?"

"Yes."

"Oh!"

I put my little schoolbag away and ran right back out the door.

I know the laboratory well. I play there all the time.

Though Sister Nanahoshi has caught me touching things I shouldn't more times than I can count...

Anyway, ever since I caused a disaster in there, she made a rule: you must knock before entering.

I'm pretty sure the rule is aimed specifically at me.

But whatever.

Sister Nanahoshi is usually very nice to me.

She gives me snacks.

She gives me pastries.

She even tells me stories.

A lot of the stories go right over my head.

But not understanding them is fine.

Because her voice is really lovely when she tells them.

I like Sister Nanahoshi's voice.

When I reached the laboratory door, I pressed myself against it and listened first.

Voices inside.

Dad and Sister Nanahoshi.

I eased the door open and poked my head through.

"Excuse me—"

Both of them turned around at the same time.

Dad smiled right away.

"Tina?"

"Dad!"

I ran in and threw myself straight into his arms, completely forgetting I was supposed to be pretending to be upset with him.

Dad lifted me up with practiced ease and settled me on his lap. The whole thing was perfectly natural. It happens every day.

Sister Nanahoshi sat across the table watching us.

Then she sighed.

"Rudeus."

"Hm?"

"She's seven years old."

"So?"

"Stop putting her on your lap all the time."

Dad thought about it, patted my head, and said,

"But she's still small."

"Seven isn't small."

"Is that so?"

"It is."

Dad looked down at me.

"Has Tina grown up?"

I shook my head immediately.

"No!"

"See?"

Dad spread his hands wide.

Sister Nanahoshi pressed her palm to her forehead.

"The two of you are beyond help."

After that, Dad went back to work. I sat beside him and watched.

I've always wondered why Dad and Sister Nanahoshi never run out of things to say. Dad is already so busy when he comes home. He has to spend time with the Moms. He has to spend time with us. Sometimes there are things to go over with Uncle Orsted. And yet somehow, in the laboratory, he and Sister Nanahoshi can talk for hours.

About the strangest things, too.

"You're sure? This tastes the same as red bean?"

"Yes. Didn't you say before that you wanted to eat taiyaki?"

"Oh, you actually remembered."

"The problem is, I don't know what taiyaki tastes like either. I just know the filling is red bean paste."

"There are actually lots of different fillings. What matters is the shell."

"What's the shell made of?"

"...A batter? Flour, eggs, milk, something like that. Then you put the red bean filling inside and cook it in the mold."

"Hmm... I'll try making it in a few days."

"Come make it here in my laboratory."

"No need for that. Sylphie and the others are quite interested in this dessert anyway."

"Mm... alright..."

They went on like that.

I had no idea what they were talking about. I could only tell it was something about dessert.

But I noticed one thing.

Dad almost never talks to people like this.

The teachers at school. The residents in town. The ministers of the kingdom. When those people talk to Dad, they're always especially respectful, some are even nervous.

But Sister Nanahoshi isn't like that.

She calls Dad by his name. Just like that, no hesitation.

And sometimes she scolds him.

Like right now.

"Rudeus."

"Hm?"

"Did you stay up late again?"

"Yes."

"Your dark circles are showing."

"...There are always a few nights where you can't avoid it."

"Serves you right. Didn't people always say men start going downhill after thirty?"

"Nonsense. My wives are still no match for me."

"What about adding Eris and Aisha?"

"Together... barely manageable."

"Hehe. Sure they are."

Sister Nanahoshi smiled faintly and looked back down at her writing.

Dad went back to his documents.

The laboratory fell quiet. Just the soft sound of pages turning.

I got bored and started looking around.

That was when I noticed two cups of tea on the table. One next to Dad, one next to Sister Nanahoshi.

After a while, Dad reached out and took a sip.

Then he frowned.

"Bitter... is this still that same tea?"

Sister Nanahoshi didn't look up.

"It is. I haven't finished it yet."

"I can never get used to this..."

He set the cup down.

Then Sister Nanahoshi slid her own cup across the table toward him.

"Drink this one. It's a different kind."

"Hm? Different?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you just make this one for me in the first place?"

"...I forgot."

"Fine."

Dad smiled and took the cup.

"Thank you."

"Don't get the wrong idea."

"Hm?"

"You complain every single time and it's exhausting. That's the only reason I prepared something different. That's all."

"Of course."

"That's all it is."

Dad nodded.

Then kept drinking his tea.

I looked at Dad. I looked at Sister Nanahoshi.

Something felt a little strange.

But I couldn't figure out what.

I eventually started drawing, because I was really, truly bored. I drew a family portrait.

Dad.

Mom.

Mama Sylphie.

Mama Roxy.

Mama Aisha.

And my sisters. Zeke, Lily. Grandpa and Grandmas. And finally, Big White.

Everyone. I put everyone in.

When I was done, I held it up for Dad.

"Dad!"

"Hm?"

"Does it look nice?"

Dad looked at it carefully for a moment.

"Very nice."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Hmm...

Something still felt missing.

"Ah! I forgot to draw Sister Nanahoshi!"

"Huh?"

So I picked up my pen and added one more person beside the others.

Very black hair. Very fair skin. Always with that look of someone who knows everything. Kind of like a teacher at the academy.

Sister Nanahoshi.

I held the drawing up again.

"What about now, Dad?"

Dad couldn't help laughing.

"Why did you put Nanahoshi in?"

"Because Sister Nanahoshi is always with Dad."

The air went quiet for just a moment.

I blinked.

Sister Nanahoshi spoke first.

"Tina."

"Hm?"

"Let me see."

I handed her the drawing.

She looked at it for a while.

Then smiled softly.

"It's good."

"Right!"

"But I'm not part of your family."

"But Sister Nanahoshi comes to eat at our house all the time."

"That's still different."

"Why?"

Sister Nanahoshi was quiet for a moment.

Then she reached out and ruffled my hair.

"Because some relationships are different from family."

"Then what kind of relationship is it?"

Sister Nanahoshi snuck a quick glance at Dad, then answered quietly.

"Friends... I think?"

"Oh—"

I nodded.

I didn't totally understand.

But friends seemed good too. Like me and Clape.

By evening, there was nothing left to do in the laboratory.

Dad stood up and stretched, his back making a series of cracking sounds.

Sister Nanahoshi glanced at him and said,

"Old man needs to loosen up."

"I'm only in my thirties."

"Middle-aged."

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

"Facts are facts."

Dad shook his head, caught between laughing and exasperation.

I grabbed his arm with both hands.

"Dad is not old!"

"See?"

Dad put on his most self-satisfied look.

"Tina said so."

"Because she's your daughter."

"Still counts as evidence."

"That is not evidence."

They started bickering again. I sat beside them laughing.

Dad rarely acts like this.

At home, he's mostly gentle, steady, dependable. He feels like someone you can always lean on.

But in front of Sister Nanahoshi, he turns a little childish sometimes.

And Sister Nanahoshi is usually so cool and reserved, but when she's talking with Dad, her face does all sorts of things she doesn't seem to realize.

When it was finally time to head home, Dad said,

"Nanahoshi."

"Hm?"

"Want to stay for dinner?"

"No."

"Sylphie is making stew."

"No."

"Roxy bought new tea leaves."

"No."

"Aisha made dessert."

"No..."

"Oh! Eris isn't cooking today."

"..."

Sister Nanahoshi looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"Because you don't seem to enjoy Eris's cooking very much."

"When did I ever say that?"

"Your face said it last time."

"It's not that I don't like it. I'm just not used to it."

"Eris's cooking is pretty wild, I'll give you that. Personally, I love it."

"I can tell. You're completely used to it by now."

"I genuinely love it."

"Sure, sure."

Dad finally laughed out loud.

Sister Nanahoshi shot him a look.

Then she sighed.

"Fine..."

"So you're coming?"

"I'm coming."

"Great."

"I'm just mooching a meal."

"I know, I know."

"Stop making that face."

"What face?"

"That face you make when a plan comes together."

"I'm not making that face."

"You absolutely are."

"Must be your imagination."

"It is not my imagination. And for the record — I really don't dislike Eris's cooking."

"I know, I know. I won't say a word."

"...Hehe."

I looked at Dad, then at Sister Nanahoshi.

This is just how they are every day, I thought. Always bickering. Always together.

Strange.

But I don't mind it.

Because whenever Sister Nanahoshi is around, Dad smiles a little more.

And the walk home is never boring.

So I took Dad's left hand.

Then I took Sister Nanahoshi's right hand.

And I announced happily,

"Let's go home for dinner—"

Sister Nanahoshi went still for a moment. She looked like she might pull her hand back.

But she didn't.

She just sighed, the helpless kind.

"I really don't know what to do with you."

Dad smiled and looked at the two of us.

The setting sun stretched all three of our shadows out long behind us.

This isn't so bad.

I don't understand the complicated things that exist between adults. I probably won't for a long time.

But right now, at least, Dad is happy.

Sister Nanahoshi looks happy too.

And I'm happy.

That's enough.

➤ Next: Another Beginning — Face to Face