It wasn't that long ago.
Just a short while back, her father had passed away in a sudden accident… The image of her mother's tearful eyes and her brother's pale face still lingered. Overwhelmed by grief, Miko had chosen to bury the memory.
No, not bury—more like hide it deep in her heart, unwilling to recall.
Nearby, Toa Matsubara looked confused, her gaze shifting between Muxiao and Miko. She hadn't fully caught the conversation, but from Tentacle-kun's words, there was a ghost in this house?
Miko's father?
"There's really a ghost here? I noticed there was no man in the house earlier. So he's already…"
Smack!
Muxiao's tentacle whipped Toa's rear, glaring at the clueless girl. Can't you read the room? Is this the time for that?
Miko paid no mind to the stranger's words. Wiping her eyes, she opened the door and descended the stairs lightly, as if afraid to disturb something. At the dining table, she saw him.
"See-chan, you're up? Go wash up and have breakfast."
The man at the table greeted her as always. Miko stared silently. Perhaps it was her father's spirit that let her deceive herself into believing he was still alive, but…
"What's wrong? Keep dawdling, and you'll be late."
"…"
Seeing his daughter stare, tears in her eyes, the man fell silent. After a long pause, he gave a smile—part relief, part resignation. "Looks like you've figured it out."
"Dad…"
"I've always worried about you the most, See-chan. But seeing you now, I'm a bit more at ease," he said, glancing at the corner of the second floor where two figures lurked. "And you've met someone good, haven't you?"
Miko froze. "Dad, you noticed him… Of course. But aren't you scared of him?"
"Scared? Why would I be?" Her father looked puzzled. "That boy has some mysterious power, but he wouldn't hurt me."
"…"
Then why do the others… Is it because Dad isn't an evil spirit?
"Since you've met such a good boy, I can rest easy knowing he'll look after you—" Her father suddenly threw an assist.
Uh.
Huh?
What?!
Miko was dumbfounded. "Wait! Dad, what are you saying?! Look after me…"
This was supposed to be a final, tearful farewell, but her father's words turned her face beet red. "What are you talking about? A boy? He's clearly a monster!"
"Monster? You've got it wrong, See-chan," the man said, looking upstairs. His eyes reflected a pure human boy. "He's obviously a human."
"What, that…"
The man realized something. "Maybe he looks different to you, but as a soul, I can see his essence clearly. That boy's soul is purely human."
He's still assisting! Miko was utterly shocked.
Muxiao—a human?
Meanwhile, Muxiao and Toa whispered upstairs, spying on Miko's back as she spoke to thin air. "Did you see it?" Muxiao asked.
"I didn't see anything. Is there really a ghost?"
"There is."
"You can see it?"
"I can, but not with my eyes—with my heart."
Toa rolled her eyes at Muxiao's sudden poetic flair. "Then what are they saying?"
"What else? A heartfelt father-daughter moment. He's standing in front of me, the great demon king, protecting his daughter from harm."
"Why are you the demon king?"
"Didn't you see? My presence alone scares off those evil spirits. Even without lifting a finger, my aura of strength is undeniable," Muxiao said, striking a lonely-hero pose. Then he noticed Miko approaching, her eyes dodging his nervously.
Muxiao slapped a tentacle. "See? Her father's spirit is probably standing in front of her, facing the demon king for her sake, showing their deep bond."
Miko: "…"
Her father: "…"
Indeed, her father stood before Muxiao, but not as Muxiao's overactive imagination suggested. He felt no fear or pressure from Muxiao. The man glanced awkwardly at his daughter, then straightened his expression.
"Muxiao-kun, please… take care of my daughter, See-chan."
Dad!!!
Miko couldn't believe how this had turned into some meet-the-parents scenario, as if she'd brought a boyfriend home. It's not like that at all!
Her face burned, eyes swirling, nearly fainting. But seeing Muxiao's lack of reaction, she remembered he couldn't see or hear her father, calming her racing heart.
Let him talk. Muxiao can't hear anyway.
If Muxiao could hear, he'd probably leap forward, shouting, "Father-in-law, what an assist! Is this entrusting your daughter to me?" Her father's dying wish—how could she let him ascend with regrets?
It'd be so easy to win her over.
But… he couldn't see!
"Yotsuya-san, tell your father not to worry. I won't do anything to you. We're friends, after all," Muxiao said, looking at the blushing, evasive girl. "I just want to ask him about the evil spirits."
"Oh? Okay…"
Miko, still flushed, glanced at her father, then shook her head at Muxiao. "Dad doesn't know either, but…"
But he said you're human?
She seemed fixated on this, her eyes scanning Muxiao. He's clearly a tentacle monster. Dad said his soul… Muxiao's soul is a pure human?
It sounded unbelievable.
After hesitating, she couldn't hold back her curiosity, whispering, "Muxiao-kun… are you human?"
"???"
That's a big leap. Did your dad say something?
Muxiao didn't hide it, shifting into his human form. "This is my new look. You figured it out, huh? What's wrong?"
Seeing Muxiao's human form and his face, Miko lowered her head, her blush spreading to her ears.