"Wow! Look at these pretty clothes!"
"Hehe, I bought them because I thought they'd look perfect on you, Bronie."
As soon as I returned home, Seele was already there, unpacking bags filled with gifts for our daughter across the living room floor.
Looking at the colorful assortment of outfits, Bronie's eyes sparkled—proving that even at her age, she had a keen eye for fashion. She held a dress up against herself, beaming a bright, toothy grin at Seele before bowing politely.
"Thank you, Auntie Seele!"
"Oh... oh my! No, thank *you*!"
Seele clutched her hands over her face, appearing to sob with pure, unadulterated joy. Watching her, I couldn't help but feel a wave of complicated emotions.
In truth, back when my wife and I first announced our intention to marry, Seele had been the loudest voice of opposition.
And yet, she was also the very first person to flip her stance and offer her blessing. The credit for that miracle belonged entirely to—well, *her*—the "other" Seele.
For some reason, I've always been able to perceive Veliona's presence.
Even when she wasn't physically manifesting or taking control of Seele's body, I could see her lurking in the periphery.
Once those two realized I could see through the veil, they both became close to me—Veliona especially so, through the bond of being part of my wife's extended family. Though, if I'm being honest, I always found myself getting along a bit more naturally with Veliona.
Unlike the shy Seele, Veliona and I shared a certain frequency. She used the fact that only I could see her to play countless pranks and engage in long, late-night conversations. We became fast friends.
However, since Veliona usually puts Seele's feelings above all else, I never expected her to take my side in the marriage debate so directly.
Back then, when I was at a total loss on how to persuade Seele, Veliona had manifested in the air behind her. She looked me in the eye and mouthed, *'You owe me one,'* before going to work.
[Seele, are you really sure about this?]
"I don't care what you say! I won't permit it!" Seele had shouted.
[*Sigh.* You really are an idiot.]
"Hmph! Seele is not an idiot!"
[Fine then, think about it harder, Seele. Think about Bronya-oneesama's second generation.]
Seele's eyes had gone wide at that.
"Second... generation?"
[Exactly. Bronya-oneesama's baby. They'll have her porcelain skin, surely. And those tiny, fluttering red lips? And eyes so soft and gentle they'd melt your heart? Besides, the Captain isn't exactly painful to look at, so the child is guaranteed to be a masterpiece of cuteness.]
Veliona had spoken with such vivid, realistic detail that Seele had found herself subconsciously gulping.
[If it's a girl, she'll have that elegant, graceful poise! And even if it's a boy, just imagine Bronya-oneesama in masculine clothes—he'd be adorable beyond words. Now, imagine that little angel giggling... *'Kya-ha~!'*]
"...Guh!"
[Now imagine that child running toward you with a radiant smile, shouting, *'Auntie Seele!'* while reaching for a hug... Well? Isn't your heart just thumping out of your chest?]
"Yes... My heart is thumping so hard!"
As Seele's cheeks flushed crimson, she covered her face with her palms, squealing in delight. Veliona had smirked, delivering the finishing blow.
[Well then, Seele. Don't you want to see that child as soon as possible?]
"Yes!"
[Then we should give them our blessing, shouldn't we?]
"Yes, I'll give them my blessing! Wait... huh?"
The moment that impulsive answer left Seele's lips, my wife—who had been watching with bated breath—seized the opportunity. She grabbed Seele's hands in hers, her eyes shimmering with genuine emotion.
"Is it true, Seele? You're truly giving us your blessing to marry?"
"Eh? I... well, that is..."
"Thank you, Seele. Thank you for accepting us."
Faced with Bronya's rare, radiant smile and the single tear of joy escaping her eye, Seele couldn't possibly take her words back. She finally acknowledged our relationship.
Later, Seele told me it was because of the expression Bronya wore whenever she was with me.
"I realized... I could never make Bronya-oneesama look quite like that," she'd said.
"...Seele."
"So, Captain... you have to make Bronya-oneesama happy, okay? You have to."
"I will. I'll work every day to ensure she never regrets choosing me."
"Good. I'll hold you to that."
After we received her blessing and Bronie was finally born, Seele was the first person allowed to hold her after the parents. I can still vividly recall her holding that tiny bundle with trembling arms—her face a mask of awe, joy, and pure ecstasy.
"Ah! Auntie, are you okay?"
"O-Oh, yes! I'm fine! Auntie is perfectly fine. Why don't you try this one on next?"
Presently, Seele was huffing and puffing like a hardcore idol stalker, holding up a thumb with a literal nosebleed as she watched Bronie. It was a sight that never failed to make me feel deeply conflicted.
"I'm ho—Oh? Seele?"
"Welcome home, Bronya-oneesama."
My wife, having returned earlier than usual, blinked in surprise at the sight of Seele playing with our daughter. Judging by her reaction, Seele had definitely dropped by without notice. Given Seele's mischievous grin, it was almost certainly intentional.
"...Honey, where are the other two?" Bronya asked, turning to me.
"Kiana is still stuck with Amber; they have mountains of paperwork, so she's definitely pulling an all-nighter. And Senior Mei received a direct assignment from the Overseer—she won't be back until tomorrow. Why? Do you need something from them?"
"No. Not at all."
Bronya's answer was sharp and decisive. She looked at me with eyes that suddenly smoldered with a strange, lingering heat.
I knew that look. With Kiana tied down by Amber and Mei out on mission, the two usual 'distractions' were gone. She clearly saw this as a golden opportunity. Still... I hoped she'd exercise some restraint. We had a guest in the room, and our daughter was still very much awake and running around.
"Anyway, Seele, what brings you here today?" I asked.
"Ah, I actually came to deliver this."
She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a single, elegant ticket.
"...A ticket to a Premium Onsen Resort?"
"I received it from a contact while on a mission in Soukai City. It's a special package for married couples or committed pairs... and since I don't exactly fit the criteria, I wasn't sure what to do with it. But then I stopped by HQ to file my report and realized it'd be perfect for you two! You deserve a romantic getaway every now and then~"
"Seele..."
Bronya hugged Seele, clearly touched. I nodded along. Honestly, given the chaos of late, we hadn't had a proper date in forever. A chance to relax and 'strengthen our marital bond' didn't sound like a bad idea at all.
"Hmm. In that case, what about our daughter—"
"I'll take care of her!" Seele blurted out instantly.
"Application denied. It'll be dangerous for her emoti—er, her emotional development."
"Hey! I'm not *that* bad!"
"Go look in a mirror, Seele. You have zero credibility right now."
Who could trust their kid with a person who couldn't stop bleeding from their nose while looking at said kid?
"The 'Yes Bronie, No Touch' rule is a fundamental pillar of my existence!"
"Whose existence are we talking about?!"
"It's the standard of my affection for Bronya-oneesama!"
"...Strangely, that actually makes sense."
There was no denying her devotion to my wife. Still, that didn't stop the nagging sense of dread in my gut.
"I'll have to call in some reinforcements," I decided, scrolling through my phone contacts. I tapped a familiar name.
A few moments later:
[This Saturday and Sunday? You bet! Leave it to us!]
[Roza, I know you're happy the Captain asked us for a favor, but you're getting too hyper.]
"Thanks, you two. I appreciate you looking after her."
[No way! We love playing with Bronie!]
[Mm. Just make sure to bring us back some souvenirs, Captain.]
"Will do. Talk soon."
I hung up, and Bronya drifted over to my side, leaning her head against my shoulder.
"Is it settled?"
"Yeah. They agreed enthusiastically."
Bronya let out a breath of relief. But the biggest hurdle remained: convincing our daughter. If she insisted on coming along, our 'couples' getaway would be over before it started.
"Bronie, will you be okay? Staying with your aunties while Mommy and Daddy are away for a little bit?"
"Uh... mm... But Mommy?"
"Yes?"
"This will make Mommy feel better, right? You'll get your energy back?"
Bronya's eyes widened. A surge of maternal tenderness washed over her face as she pulled Bronie into a tight embrace, nodding fiercely.
"Yes, my love. It absolutely will."
"Then Bronie will wait patiently!"
"Thank you, Bronie. But remember, you don't always have to hold back. You're allowed to be a little naughty with them."
"Okay!"
Watching our daughter's spirited reply, Bronya looked like she might burst with pride. She held her for a moment longer before finally letting go.
I knelt down to match Bronie's eye level.
"Sweetheart, if you're a good girl while we're gone, I'll buy you anything you want when we get back."
"Really? Anything?"
"Of course. What's your heart's desire?"
"Well then..."
She tapped a finger against her lip, lost in thought. Seele and Bronya watched with warm smiles. What would she ask for? Unlike most kids, Bronie was never the type to throw tantrums or demand toys. I watched her with high expectations. A new doll? A HOMU set? Whatever it was, I'd move heaven and earth to find it.
Then, she opened her mouth.
"In that case, I want a little brother! Or maybe a little sister!"
The room went ice-cold. Me, Bronya, and even Seele—we all froze into statues.
"Eh? A-Ah... I see. Well, I guess Daddy will have to... work extra hard, then."
The timing was too perfect—my private thoughts about the hot spring and my daughter's innocent request crashed together in a mess of awkwardness. Bronya turned bright red and gave my arm a soft, bashful swat.
But the strike had no strength behind it. If anything, she looked like she was quietly anticipating it as well.
Oh boy. Now I was *really* starting to look forward to that trip.
Later that night...
Sleep eluded me. I slipped out of bed as quietly as possible so as not to wake Bronya and headed for the kitchen. Passing by the veranda, I noticed a presence. I boiled some water, prepared two mugs of hot cocoa, and stepped outside.
The air was crisp and chilly. I wrapped my dressing gown tighter over my fleece pajamas. My toes felt the bite of the night air, but otherwise, it was manageable.
Because Schicksal HQ floated high in the atmosphere, the moon and stars seemed almost within reach at this hour.
Standing at the railing was a woman, gazing at the heavens. I held out a mug to her.
"[My, look at you being all considerate.]"
The woman took the cocoa naturally, having sensed my approach from the start. It was Seele.
Or rather, to be precise, it was not the Seele I had seen during the day.
"It's cold out here. You should be careful," I said.
"[Please. A little chill like this isn't enough to make us catch a cold.]"
"I know. Doesn't stop me from worrying, though. Right, Veliona?"
"[...Honestly. You're such a busybody.]"
She shrugged, taking a slow sip of the cocoa. I was about to take a sip of my own when, without warning, she grabbed my collar. She jerked me downward, forcing me to lean over her.
Before I could react, her lips were on mine. My eyes flew wide as her tongue surged inside—soft yet commanding, exploring with a practiced, predatory heat.
Panic flared, and I tried to pull back, but she anticipated the movement. Her grip tightened, her strength surprising me as she pinned me in place, deepening the kiss into something thick and dizzying.
"Haa..."
Just as my lungs began to burn from the lack of oxygen, she finally withdrew. I gasped for air, my breath coming in ragged bursts.
Veliona exhaled a plume of hot vapor into the cold night air. She traced her fingertip over her dampened lips and gave me a playful, devious smirk.
"[Phew~ That was nice. But I have to say... this tastes a lot hotter and much more delicious than the cocoa.]"
As she spoke, she slowly licked her lips, as if savoring every last drop of the moment.
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