Chapter 2: The Doctor with Strange Relationships
Author: Geraint
After I removed the parasite that was draining the young girl's life force, the doctor suggested we bring her back to his clinic to ensure she was truly safe. We got into his car and drove back.
"I want to thank you for saving my daughter," the woman said from the backseat, cradling her unconscious child wrapped in a blanket. "But what exactly are you? You have supernatural abilities beyond this world."
I glanced out the window. "Well, I'm actually from another world. Lilith and I were fleeing the Demon Army when we accidentally got transported here."
"That sounds like something out of a fantasy story. I should be shocked, but after getting involved with Himiko, I've seen things no normal human should—ghosts, demons, and evil spirits. Here, they're called Yokai," the doctor said, his face pale.
The woman responded, embarrassed, "You're the only person I can turn to."
The doctor grumbled, "Listen, Seir, Himiko's always been a loner—never had friends growing up. I'm the only one she trusts, and that's been hard on me."
"Hey! I do have friends! I just don't want to put anyone in danger, so I chose to be alone!"
"What about me? How many times have I nearly died because of your demon extermination work?"
"Didn't I save you just in time? Stop whining—you're being uncool."
Their bickering continued, reminding me of the first time I met them—already arguing, even though I couldn't understand them then. I guessed they were lovers or something.
"Wait, you two aren't lovers?" I asked.
They glared and yelled, "We're not!"
We reached the clinic. The doctor checked the young girl again and confirmed she was fine. The mother visibly relaxed.
I returned to the ward where Lilith rested, watching over her.
"You really care about her. Is she your sweetheart or something?" the doctor peeked through the curtain.
"It's not like that," I sighed. "She's been by my side since I was born. We grew up together. She's my servant and family—the only one I truly trust."
"Did you come from a rich family in your world?"
"Rich? More like, I'm the son of the current Demon King."
The doctor's cheek twitched in disbelief.
"Seriously? Demon King?"
I smiled confidently. "Before arriving here, I fought my father, the Demon King, in a duel. I defeated him but failed to kill him. The Demon Army branded us traitors and chased us."
He trembled, backing away, pale as a ghost.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you really some kind of demon prince?!" His fear was obvious.
"Yes, but I don't eat humanoid creatures. That's disgusting."
He relaxed a bit. "Okay..."
"About the deal. I spoke with Himiko. She agreed—you'll live with them after your servant is discharged tomorrow."
I recalled their living conditions and doubted they could provide for us daily. It would be a huge burden.
"You made the deal. You're responsible."
He rubbed his forehead. "I'm not the one who asked for help—it's them."
"Yes, but you sealed the deal. I doubt they can support us. Have some pity."
"Fine! I'll handle the finances. But you'll live with them. I can't take care of you; I live alone and am always busy."
"Shouldn't you find a partner? You're about the same age as her."
He froze, then sighed deeply.
"Between us, since you revealed yourself—I used to date Himiko. But while I was studying abroad, we quarreled over the distance. She never contacted me. When I returned, I found out she had a child by another man, and we never officially broke up. So, don't remind me of the past."
His confession stunned me, and the room grew heavy.
"Sorry..."
"Goodnight," he said, closing the curtain and leaving.
The next day, Lilith was discharged—no sign of illness. The doctor drove us back with the mother and daughter, though tension hung between the adults.
The daughter, sitting beside me, fidgeted, cheeks flushed. I asked about her family.
"Shiina, where's your father?"
Her eyes widened, sadness washing over her. "I don't know..."
"What do you mean you don't know—"
Her mother interrupted angrily, "Her father ran away when I got pregnant. Don't mention that man again—I don't want to talk about that bastard!"
The doctor called her name quietly, and she looked frustrated.
We arrived at their home. The doctor left some money with us and told the mother to contact him if we needed more. After we said our goodbyes, he drove back to the clinic.
"Come inside," the mother invited.
We stepped into our temporary home.
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In the guest room where Lilith and I were staying, I sat on the tatami floor. A rectangular mirror leaned against the wall, reflecting my face—dark brown hair, glowing red devilish eyes, and fair skin—with a solemn expression.
But the mirror didn't show how I truly felt. I was wearing new clothes that felt cool and comfortable, unlike my old outfit from my home world, which felt cumbersome here. A dark blue shirt and black shorts—simple casual wear I'd bought using the allowance the young doctor had given me.
"Seir-sama! Lunch is ready! They're calling us down!" Lilith slid open the door and called out. She refused to wear anything other than her maidservant dress; it was her pride to serve me, and her new dress was a bit shorter and frillier, making her look more appealing.
"All right, I'm coming." I stood up and followed her downstairs.
At the small table, Lilith and I stared confusedly at a bowl of grain with two sticks laid parallel beside it.
"Huh?"
The mother and daughter ate with ease using the sticks. I picked one up hesitantly.
"Seir-kun, what's wrong?" Shiina asked, watching me.
I jabbed the stick into the bowl, trying to scoop the grains.
"Hyaah! That's not how you use it!" she panicked.
"Ayaka, hurry and get the spoons!" her mother called out, clearly frustrated by my mess.
After lunch, Shiina took us around the town. We walked together until we reached a park where children played, chasing each other.
"This is the playground where most children here come to play," Shiina explained.
"...Okay." Lilith and I exchanged confused looks, creating an awkward silence.
"Eh?" Shiina looked confused.
"Eh?" we both asked.
"Don't you want to play with them?" Shiina blushed, flustered.
"Play with them? That's..." Lilith frowned.
"Shiina, how old are you?" I asked.
"I'm 12. What about you two?" she smiled.
"Same. Lilith and I are both 12," I answered.
"Most kids playing here are around our age," Shiina said. Lilith's disappointed face made me smirk.
"Seriously? Kids our age should be at home helping parents! Those kids are lazy!"
"Eeek!" Shiina jumped at her tone.
"They should be like me—working hard to serve our great future king!" Lilith said proudly, until I interrupted and tapped her shoulder.
"Calm down, Lilith. We're here to learn about the town."
Shiina approached a group of girls chatting nearby, but their expressions soured when they saw her. They whispered, then walked away without a word.
"Umm..."
She looked hurt as she walked back, but was suddenly bumped by two boys kicking a ball. She fell to the ground.
"Kyah!"
Instead of apologizing, they glared at her.
"It's you again! What are you doing here?!"
"Oh, it's a cursed child!"
"My parents said don't get near her or we'll get cursed too!"
"That's scary!"
"Get lost, monster!"
I saw the other kids in the park glare at her with hatred.
"Seir-sama, this is..."
"It seems the whole neighborhood knows about her condition."
Tears streamed down Shiina's face from the cruel treatment until one of the boys picked up the ball and threw it at her.
"Huh?"
I caught it with my left hand and instantly appeared beside Shiina. She looked at me surprised.
"Seir-kun?"
"What are you doing, ganging up on one girl?"
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Why are you protecting that monster?"
They recoiled at my sudden appearance.
"So that's how she's treated. You're the worst kind of kids—I'm disgusted."
"What did you say?!"
"Let's teach him a lesson!"
"Beat him up!"
They charged at me. I threw the ball at the nearest boy's face, then it bounced to the next, knocking each of them out in turn until all lay unconscious.
"You're not worth fighting. Weaklings should know their place."
The other children watched in shock. I glared at them, and they fled the park, terrified.
"Shiina, are you okay?" I helped her up with a smile, making her cheeks flush.
"Yes..." she said, holding my hand.
I noticed dirt on her white sleeveless shirt and light blue pleated skirt. I brushed it off gently.
"Kyah!"
She immediately turned away, flustered.
"What are you doing, Seir-kun?!"
"There was dirt—"
"I think it's too soon for you to touch me!" she blushed deeper.
Curious, I tried the same with Lilith's skirt from behind.
"There's some dirt here too, Lilith."
"Sorry for the trouble, Seir-sama. I'll wash it thoroughly later."
Her reaction was calm and proper.
Shiina's bewildered face said it all.
"Eh?!"
As we walked home, Shiina fidgeted before speaking.
"Umm... Seir-kun?"
"Yes?"
"I'd prefer if you called me by my first name."
"Shiina?"
She looked shocked.
"No, that's my family name. My first name is Ayaka."
"But you introduced yourself as Shiina Ayaka."
"That's the order here."
"Then I'll call you by your first name. Aya—huh?"
A luxurious car pulled up in front of the house. A beautiful woman stepped out, her long blonde hair flowing as she removed her sunglasses. She wore a navy office suit.
She smiled as she looked toward us and approached.
"You're Himiko's daughter, right? Have you seen my husband around?" she asked Ayaka.
Shiina was flustered and unable to respond properly as the beautiful young woman approached and spoke to her.
"Shiina, do you know her?" I whispered.
"She's..." Shiina began but stopped.
"Shun, that woman is here again!"
I saw Shiina's mother emerge from the house, with the young doctor—Shun—hiding behind her as soon as he spotted the woman.
"Dear!" The beautiful woman ran toward them and threw her arms around Shun.
"I really missed you, my husband!"
"I don't have a wife!" Shun pushed her away, struggling to break free.
"What are you talking about? We're going to get married soon!" she insisted.
"I told you, I refuse! Stop being delusional!" Shun escaped again, ducking behind Shiina's mother.
"Tsk! This is all your fault, Himiko! Your relationship with him ended ages ago! Stop seducing my fiancé!" the beautiful woman snapped, glaring at the two.
"Even if it's over, he's still my childhood friend. I won't give him up if he doesn't want you," Himiko shot back. The two women locked eyes in a fierce stare-down.
"What's going on between these three? Do you know, Shiina?"
Shiina seemed distant, clearly overwhelmed. She wasn't hearing me, so I gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.
At that moment, the luxurious car door opened on the other side, and a young girl stepped out. She looked identical to the blonde woman and also wore sunglasses. Her outfit was a white dress and a summer straw hat tied with a pink ribbon and flower.
"Mom! What are you doing? This is so embarrassing with all this commotion!"
She rushed to the blonde woman, taking her hand. Then, noticing us watching, she blushed.
I stepped forward and asked about the scene.
"What have you done this time? Not satisfied with a single mother, and now hitting on a married woman?" I said with a teasing tone.
Everyone froze. The young doctor's face flushed red with anger.
"Stop complicating things! I haven't hit on anyone!"
"Hey, little boy!" The blonde woman pointed at me.
"Huh?" I looked around, surprised. "Are you talking to me?"
"Yes. Let me remind you, I'm officially divorced from that cheating husband. From now on, call me Miss Mia Laurier. So there shouldn't be any problem if I chase after Akitsuki-sensei. I'm single and happy again, thanks to his advice."
The young doctor looked terrified as she spoke.
"You really like getting yourself into trouble."
"I don't!"
As the evening darkened, we all went inside. Now, we sat in the living room. The doctor was sweating nervously, squeezed between the blonde woman and Shiina's mother. The young girl bowed her head politely.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Yuuka Laurier, Mia Laurier's daughter. Please call me Yuuka—I'm still not used to my new last name after my mother's divorce."
"Hello, Yuuka-san. I'm Shiina Ayaka. Ayaka is my first name, Shiina my family name," Shiina introduced herself before shooting me a pouty look.
"Shiina, what's wrong?"
"Nothing! Hmph!" She crossed her arms, clearly mad at me.
"Oh, just call me Seir, and this is Lilith, my maid." I introduced us both, and Lilith bowed.
"Huh? Seir? Lilith? Are you two foreigners like me?" Yuuka asked curiously.
Since we just met, I didn't want to reveal too much. If I said yes, she'd want to know which country.
I glanced at the doctor and Shiina's mother, silently asking for help.
"Yes, they're from another country and here for a homestay," the doctor answered.
"I see. Which country?"
"England."
"Which part of England?"
"I don't know. They said England but don't know the region."
Yuuka gave us a suspicious look.
"Are you serious?"
"Why? Interested in that boy?" The doctor teased with a grin.
Yuuka blushed and slammed her hands on the table.
"I'm not! I was just asking! If you don't want to tell me, fine! I don't care anymore!"
That saved me from further questions but I'm probably on her bad side now.
Yuuka stood and left the room, throwing a fierce glare my way.
"What's wrong with her?" Lilith frowned and muttered in our home language.
"Ssshh. Don't speak our language here," I whispered.
"Forgive me, Seir-sama."
She still struggled with Japanese but was learning fast to keep up. From our conversation, I learned how to address others properly with name suffixes.
Mia picked a cookie and tried to feed it to the doctor, who kept refusing. Himiko watched, unhappy and showing signs of jealousy.
"What's wrong, Himiko? My time has come to win him over. You may have had him in high school, but I'm the one he'll end up with, not you." Mia said confidently, clearly competing with Himiko. They seemed to have a long history.
"I never thought you were so popular. How are you still single?"
"Shut up! You're not helping!"
The fight between the two single mothers over one man spilled outside the house, their immature squabble continuing in front of their children. As Mia left with her daughter Yuuka, the girl stuck out her tongue and pulled down her eyelid to taunt Himiko, who was furious and being held back by the doctor.
"Don't ever come back here!"
"No! I won't stop until I get Akitsuki-sensei to marry me!"
Both of them waved their arms wildly, making the whole fight look ridiculous. Mia and Yuuka climbed into their car, and the window rolled down just enough for Mia to flash a smile at the doctor and send a flying kiss. He shivered.
"Get lost already!" Himiko shouted, more enraged than ever.
"Shut up! You haven't changed at all! We'll be rivals forever, and this time, I won't lose!"
She rolled the window up, and the car drove away.
"She's really into you," I grinned at the doctor, who sighed deeply.
"Come. I want you to accompany me somewhere. In exchange, I'll treat you to a delicious restaurant."
"Sure."
I followed him outside.
"Seir-sama?" Lilith called out anxiously.
"Lilith, stay here and watch the house. I'll be back quickly."
"Okay..."
I got into the car and buckled up. The doctor started the engine and pulled out.
"Do you remember those people hiding in the bushes, following us when we met in the forest?"
"Oh, those guys with the weapon artifacts?"
"Yeah. Those are actually Mia's bodyguards. They were ordered to follow me."
"What?! Seriously? Is she stalking you?"
"That's why I'm scared of her. You don't know what her family can do if I upset her. After all, she was my former fiancée. If it weren't for Himiko, I would've been her husband and never become a doctor—which was always my dream."
"Why didn't you just marry her? Do you still have feelings for Himiko?"
"I don't know... One thing's for sure—I still care about both of them. We were close friends since middle school."
"So, you like both of them."
"Well, yeah. I was indecisive back then, and it wasn't until after graduation that I settled with Himiko and broke off my engagement with Mia. She got hurt and cried."
"I see... so that's what happened."
"Hey, Seir, if you were in my shoes back then, who would you have chosen?"
"Me?"
"Yes. I don't know why I'm asking a kid like you, but I have a feeling you'll give a mature answer."
"Well, if it were me, I wouldn't choose either of them."
"Why? Didn't you know Himiko and Mia were the top beauties at my high school? Himiko was the mysterious beauty, and Mia was the most popular girl—winning every beauty pageant."
"Because I wouldn't have to choose—I'd take both as my wives."
Suddenly, the car stopped abruptly, and I almost hit my head on the dashboard.
"Hey! What's that for?!" I complained.
He looked at me, shocked.
"Are you serious? You're going to marry both of them? How's that even possible?"
"Hey, I don't know how things work here, but in my home world, especially in the demon realm, if you're noble, you're required to have two or three wives before you can inherit your house. This ensures enough successors in the ongoing war between humans and demons. Since I'm a prince and son of the demon king, if I want to ascend the throne, I need at least five wives—or they won't let me become the next demon king."
The doctor's cheek twitched as he listened, speechless. He probably regretted asking.
When we arrived at the "delicious restaurant" he mentioned, I was a bit disappointed—it was just a small noodle shop. We sat down, and he ordered two bowls. After a few minutes, the waitress arrived with large bowls of steaming noodles, bowing politely.
I'd practiced chopsticks at home but was still clumsy. As I tasted the broth, my eyes widened.
"Wow! This is so good!"
"I'm glad you like it. I come here a lot and have tried everything on their menu. Their noodles are so good, you never get tired of them," the doctor grinned.
After we finished, we watched a TV near the counter when a news flash popped up. Since I couldn't read the characters, I asked the doctor what it was about—and then I saw a picture of the blonde girl I recognized immediately.
"Isn't that Yuuka?"
The next image showed a car flipped upside down on the road.
"Wait! Wasn't that the car...?"
The doctor trembled, pulled a large sum of money from his pocket, and slapped it on the table.
"Hurry! We need to check on them! Mia and her daughter were in an accident!"
I quickly followed him outside. He drove anxiously, speeding down the road.
"Please be safe... you two."
(To be continued.)