"No," I replied, clasping my hands together as I leaned back against the chair.
"That's actually the best position we could've gotten."
The three of them exchanged looks, then stared at me like I'd just said something incredibly stupid.
Beside Arianne, Anathasia was completely unbothered, casually gaming on her phone.
"Okay, hold on," Robert said, shaking his head. "What are you talking about?"
"Think about it," I replied, slipping one hand into my pocket.
"If we go first, we get it over with. No waiting. No second-guessing every group before us."
I shrugged.
"And if anything *does* go wrong, we'll have the rest of the day to fix it. The earlier we finish, the more time we actually get back."
"Less pressure," I added quietly.
"More control."
I gave them a small smile.
"You're all capable. And you did study the material, right? We've been through this back in senior high."
My gaze shifted to Arianne.
"Arianne, especially. The French education system introduces research earlier than ours, doesn't it?"
Her eyes widened slightly before she nodded.
"It's… similar," she said. "Just more… college-level."
I nodded, then glanced briefly at Anathasia, who was still absorbed in her phone.
Turning back to the group, I continued,
"Just focus on the important sections of the file I sent. As long as everyone understands the paper, we'll be fine."
I let out a quiet breath, my expression softening.
"I genuinely think we'll get through this. Worst case, we might revise."
I shrugged.
"And honestly? That's unlikely."
I mean, Outer Gods did do some of it after all…
The three of them nodded.
"That's true…" Arianne murmured.
"Revisions aren't exactly bad either," Robert said, crossing his arms as he leaned back. "They're just there to help us improve the paper."
He paused, then glanced at me.
"Though… I'm guessing Abe is handling the introduction?"
Without a word, I shot a glance at Anathasia, who had just finished her game.
She froze.
Then pointed at herself.
"…Me?"
"You can do it, right?" my smile widened. "You're the leader after all."
Arianne and Robert exchanged looks before staring back at me.
"Dunaleff's the group leader?" Arianne tilted her head.
"Huh…" Robert added. "I honestly thought it was Abe."
"She did most of the work yesterday," I cut in with a shrug. "Her name's listed as our leader. I was just standing in while she was recovering from the paper."
I paused.
"I handled the theoretical and conceptual frameworks, so polishing Chapter One fell on her."
Then I smiled.
"Did you guys skip the 'Individuals Involved in This Paper' section on the cover page?"
They both went quiet, slowly averting their eyes.
Joseph, meanwhile, continued holding a few sheets of paper, eyes scanning the text.
He looks like he's not listening…
But I'll leave him be. He knows what he's doing.
—
Later, after our short meeting—
Anathasia and I returned home, appearing in the middle of the living room.
And waiting for us there—
"Welcome home, Mom. Dad."
Carthanalenia stood from the couch, violet dress flowing as she smiled.
She stepped forward, wrapped her arms around me briefly, then turned to Anathasia.
"And, Mom…" she added pleasantly.
"I didn't realize you were the type to procrastinate on your own responsibilities."
Anathasia went silent.
She opened her mouth, then looked away.
"That's… that's different…" she huffed.
"What are you doing here?"
Carthanalenia didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around Anathasia, rubbing her cheek against her hair.
"Did I not promise to visit once I finished my own responsibilities?" she said softly.
She pulled back slightly, looking between the two of us.
"In fact… I visited yesterday."
Her smile didn't fade.
"But Mom and Dad weren't home."
Anathasia and I exchanged a glance.
Aegea.
A few days there.
Only one passing on Earth.
"Ah… right. About that," I hesitated briefly. "Your mom and I were… on another planet yesterday. Just a short vacation."
I gave a small, awkward smile and reached out, patting her head.
"Sorry we didn't tell you beforehand," I said softly, gently combing my fingers through her hair.
Carthanalenia studied me for a moment, then nodded, stepping back as she released Anathasia.
"Mhm… well, I suppose that's fine."
She walked past us and sat back down on the couch.
A brief silence followed.
"Oh—right," she perked up, looking at Anathasia as we took the opposite seat. "I built a sphere around the edge of this star system, by the way."
I blinked.
"So no other alien race gets any ideas about invading Earth," she continued flatly.
She sighed.
"And also… to keep them safe from Mom."
Anathasia flinched, then promptly looked away, muttering something unintelligible.
"Well," I said, idly twirling a strand of Anathasia's hair between my fingers, "I'm sure your mom appreciates the concern. She does have a habit of erasing things when she's annoyed."
I glanced at Anathasia.
"Even if she makes it sound lighter afterward."
Carthanalenia chuckled softly, nodding.
"With that said," she met my gaze, her smile easing, "I actually met Dad's best friend yesterday. Noah."
I froze, eyebrow lifting, but stayed quiet.
"Don't worry," she added quickly. "I told him I was someone you knew from a foreign country. Just visiting."
My jaw slackened.
Beside me, Anathasia glanced over—
"…Wow," she said dryly.
"Your daughter really does take after you, huh?"
"She's also your daughter," I shot back. "Just smarter."
"And more responsible—mngffk?!"
A meat bun suddenly materialized, and was promptly shoved into my mouth.
"You were saying?" Anathasia asked flatly.
"…My bad," I muttered, clearing my throat.
I took a proper bite before swallowing, then glanced back at Carthanalenia.
"Speaking of which," I said, "your mom and I are free today. Wanna go somewhere?"
I smiled.
"Your mom's treat, of course."
Anathasia shot me a disbelieving look.
Carthanalenia's eyes lit up as she nodded vigorously.
"Really??"
"Yup," I shrugged. "We already studied our paper. I think we've earned a break."
"Hey, who said you could—" Anathasia turned toward me, ready to argue.
Then she glanced at Carthanalenia.
She stiffened.
Slowly, she sank back into the couch.
"…My treat," she muttered. "Got it."
—
Later, at the mall Arianne owned back in my hometown—
The three of us wandered through the establishment after eating at a nearby restaurant—
which I paid for, since the shopping part was Anathasia's responsibility.
As always, she kept things casual.
This time, she wore a shirt, mine, technically. She never returned it after borrowing it. Its hem slightly rolled and tied behind her, just enough to reveal a hint of her midriff. Paired with wide-leg jeans and a jacket thrown over it, she looked… comfortable. Confident.
Carthanalenia, on the other hand—
She turned heads everywhere we went.
She was dressed simply: well-fitted jeans, a blazer, and a plain cotton T-shirt underneath. Nothing flashy.
And yet—
She is a goddess after all…
It's still hard to believe she's my daughter.
"Huh…" Anathasia drifted closer to me as Carthanalenia walked a few steps ahead.
"Our daughter really has that… off-duty office lady vibe, doesn't she?"
I nodded, glancing at her.
"Yeah," I said. "And you look like a delinquent—"
SMACK
"It's a tomboyish getup, idiot."
I rubbed the back of my head lightly.
"Still… why is it always my shirts…"
"Like I said back then," she replied without hesitation, "I like your smell."
I sighed, shaking my head as we continued walking.
"Kyle?"
A familiar voice called my name.
I stopped.
Wait… that voice—
I turned—
Crap. Mom and dad.
Anathasia glanced over her shoulder, then back at me.
[Oi… are we in trouble or what…?]
Before either of us could react further, Carthanalenia, who had been walking ahead, turned around and studied us for a brief moment.
Then she looked at my parents.
She stepped forward.
"Nice to meet you," she said gently. "I'm an acquaintance of Kyle's from Germany. We met online."
She took my father's hand first, pressing it lightly against her forehead.
Then my mother's.
A simple gesture. Polite. Earnest.
As Carthanalenia pulled away, my parents nodded, smiling at her.
"I see…" Dad said. He glanced at me, then exchanged a look with Mom.
"Take care then."
He stepped forward, briefly patting my head before the two of them walked past us.
"Don't come home late," Mom added. "And stay safe, alright?"
Once they were gone, the tightness in my chest finally eased.
Thankfully, they didn't press further.
…Or did they just trust me that much?
I wasn't sure.
When I turned back to Carthanalenia, she flashed me a smile, then gave a small thumbs-up.
"Our daughter really does take after you…" Anathasia muttered flatly beside me.
After that, the three of us wandered the mall aimlessly, stopping at food stands here and there until evening crept in.
By the time we headed home, the only things Carthanalenia had bought were—
Three hair clips.
Three hair accessories.
And three small bunny charms for our bags.
"Mhm," she nodded in satisfaction, stepping back after seating Anathasia and me on the couch and carefully fixing the accessories onto us.
"There. Now we all match."
Her smile widened as she clipped the bunny charms onto our bags, including one on her own.
Anathasia adjusted the hair clip Carthanalenia had given her, then turned toward me, gently fixing mine as well.
"Mhm… I really enjoyed myself today," Carthanalenia said, looking at us.
Her form began to flake at the edges.
"Mom. Dad."
She tilted her head slightly, smiling.
"Let's spend time like this again soon."
A brief pause.
"Goodbye."
Her body broke apart into soft, glowing particles, drifting upward as her presence faded completely.
Silence followed.
I watched the particles rise, then slowly dissolve into nothing.
"Yeah…" I whispered.
"Let's do that next time."
As the last of the light disappeared, a small smile curved on my lips while I looked up.
The next day
Research Defense
Anathasia and I woke up earlier than usual, preparing for our judgement later on. But as we both headed to the kitchen, we could already hear something sizzling.
We stopped, looked at each other, then peeked from the door, only to see Carthanalenia already cooking breakfast. Wearing her own violet apron as she hummed while casually flipping eggs.
"Mom, dad, breakfast is already ready. You should eat and start reviewing your paper since it's still five thirty,"
She glanced at us from over her shoulder, a small smile tugging on her lips.