no Shuyaku wa Wareware da (Wrwrd)

Hitoranran~ Lieing

"Mama, how did you meet Papa?"

You almost choked on your spit when your daughter asked that. It was innocent enough, and definitely not to embarrass you, but that wasn't what you expected to hear first thing in the morning... or what you wanted to hear. For the longest time, your relationship with Hito had been rocky at best and downright damaging at worst.

But you couldn't tell her that, could you? She was still a child. A child who still hadn't have many experiences with the world outside, and a child who thought that her parents were loving towards each other.

A child who only knew that the bad guys were literal monsters and the good guys were fairies and humans. A child who... didn't know that her father was the real monster in her little family.

Because had he didn't force you to marry him, you wouldn't have her.

Mustering a bland smile, you reached out to caress her hair. Your hair. "We... met each other in our school." you paused, silently begging her to drop the subject. But of course, she didn't know your reluctance nor could she hear your mental plea. Instead, she leaned forward in your lap, crimson eyes blinking owlishly. His eyes.

"Oh...! And then? And then?" she quizzed. "Did you two kiss?"

You chuckled bitterly, although it sounded amused in her ears. She'd be none the wiser, anyway. Hito made sure of it. "No, of course not." In fact, you would've - you should've - avoided him had you knew what kind of person he was underneath, let alone kissing him. "Well, at least, not at first."

"What was he like? Was he nice?"

As nice as a manipulator could be... "Yes, he was. He helped me get used to the school environment, and liked to tell me stories. I... really enjoyed his company."

You truly did. Despite his mischief, you couldn't deny that his advice was valuable. You used to look up to him, always eager to hear more wise words and stories from the bygone days. And he always chuckled, cooing about how precious you looked with your eyes glittering in anticipation and excitement. You could tell that he held back a lot, either to maintain his 'lively yet mysterious' image or he just didn't feel like recounting much, and that was what hooked you initially.

And that kind of mystery was the reason why you were here in the first place. Why it was so easy to fool you due to your insatiable curiosity.

"Didn't anyone tell you that curiosity killed the cat?"

"Whoa...!" She clapped her hands, eyes wide in amazement. Such an impressionable child, your eyes softened as you caressed her head, it reminded you of your past self.

Your young self who was understandably confused and lost in an entirely new world. Your young self who used to absorb every piece of information, regardless of how ridiculous it sounded, without you knowing any better.

Because this world was ridiculous, and your only lifeline was those who were, or acted, kind to you.

Was it any wonder that you clung to them? Could anyone blame you for being so desperate for a slight familiarity?

You blinked repeatedly, confused at the sudden inquiry. "W-what... do you mean?"

Of course, you'd heard about that adage. Everyone had.

However, Hito didn't seem willing to quench your bewilderment tonight.

"Was it love at first sight?"

He smiled enigmatically.

You gave her a strained smile.

"Didn't anyone teach you that this is place is sacred?"