Dad is Back From a Deserted Island - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Father has returned from the Deserted Island
Chapter 18

“Meow, meow!”
[I told you to be quiet! You pink-haired little thing. Don’t you know not to disturb someone’s sleep?]
“I’m s-sorry for waking you up… But I just really wanted to talk to you—”
[Children are helpless, aren’t they… Wait? You understood what I said?]
“Yes! That’s so cool!”
The Cat, whose eyes were already large, widened them even further in astonishment. He opened his mouth to say something, then suddenly sprang to his feet.
[How is a human… Master!]
Kiki sauntered out from behind Vivian, revealing herself.
Though the Cat was considerably larger than Kiki, he now carried himself like a fresh recruit with rigid military discipline.
[Yawn. This child has been assigned the duty of serving me. Therefore, I have shared a portion of my power with her.]
[Ah! I’ve heard you reside in this mansion. But I had no idea this child had been entrusted with such an important task.]
“His way of speaking just got really weird.”
Upon hearing Vivian’s words, the Cat let out an embarrassed yawn.
Then he slowly approached and rubbed his body against Vivian’s shins, feigning familiarity.
[So you’ve worked hard and risen in status. Little one. To be entrusted with the noble duty of serving Master.]
“Huh? What did I do?”
[The family living in this house mistreated you and didn’t even feed you, didn’t they? All the animals in this Village know about it. Humans are truly wicked, I tell you. Neglecting and tormenting a young creature instead of caring for it.]
Goodness.
Being comforted by a cat!
“You, you, you all… You all knew about it?”
[Hmph. Of course. Just because we can’t speak human language doesn’t mean we’re stupid.]
“Butterfly!”
Vivian’s nose tingled as she scooped up the purring Cat at her feet into her arms.
The plump Cat’s soft, warm body nestled slightly overflowing in Vivian’s embrace.
At that pleasant sensation, a smile naturally bloomed on Vivian’s lips.
But Kiki was far more agitated than the Cat being held.
[W-w-what are you doing? Vivian! How dare you embrace another animal instead of me!]
[Kyaaaaa!]
The Cat twisted free from Vivian’s arms with fluid grace, his fur bristling on end as he hastily offered an explanation.
[It’s a misunderstanding, Master! I would never dare to covet your human!]
Kiki scrambled up onto Vivian’s head, marking her territory.
[I’ll let it slide this time! But be careful next time!]
[Yes, yes! Thank you, Master!]
Cat bolted away without so much as a glance at the sunny spot, terrified that even a stray spark might reach him.
Watching Cat’s plump rear end recede into the distance, Vivian pouted with a look of regret.
“Kiki chased Cat away.”
[Vivian! How could you possibly adore another creature over me!]
“When did I ever say I only loved you?”
Kiki’s expression crumbled as though the world itself were collapsing, and he swayed dizzily, nearly tumbling from Vivian’s head.
[How could you! How could you!]
“But Cat is adorable, you know.”
Mischief sparked in Vivian’s eyes as she watched Kiki repeat the same words like a broken clock, and she drove the final nail in.
[…!]
Too proud to ask if he himself wasn’t cute, Kiki descended from Vivian’s head with eyes that threatened tears at any moment, and scrambled up into another tree.
“Oh! Kiki! Hehe, hehehehe.”
I couldn’t help but let the laughter bubble up from within.
Still, I couldn’t just leave him sulking like that.
“Kiki! I’m sorry! Come down!”
[Hmph!!]
“Come on. I never said you weren’t cute!”
[Who are you to keep acting so familiar with me?]
Kiki climbed to a branch at just the right height for Vivian to look up at him, and held his head high in protest.
Even as those large ears twitched with each word I spoke while bouncing up and down, he stubbornly pretended not to notice.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were this jealous.”
[When did I ever show jealousy? I am incapable of such petty things!]
“I promise I’ll never find anyone else cute when you’re around!”
[So you’re saying you will when I’m not here, then?]
Vivian deployed her ultimate technique.
Clasping both hands together and looking up with eyebrows arched in a pleading expression.
At least Jang always fell for it.
[Ugh…!]
Kiki groaned under the assault of those gentle, rabbit-like eyes.
I wondered how he could possibly hold out against such a thing, yet his pride still wouldn’t allow surrender.
“Kiki, please come down now, won’t you?”
There was an audience watching the little farce unfold between Vivian and Kiki.
[It’s the Divine Beast! Wait, why is he up there?]
[Right? The human must have done something wrong.]
[The human messed up.]
[The human definitely messed up.]
At the whispered gossip of passing butterflies or ants or whatever they were, Vivian felt a surge of injustice.
‘I didn’t do anything wrong!’

* * *

I should have been enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea in the Living Room, but my leg bounced restlessly beneath me without a shred of composure.
Here I was—the very person who had once chided Vivian for fidgeting, now betraying my own anxiety through this nervous habit.
The reason was simple: no word had come from the Dohaaju Diamond Mine of any diamonds being discovered.
‘Is this another failure? Then again, there’s no guarantee the animals could identify diamonds correctly. There were several other mines with “ju” in their names that I could explore.’
‘Should I purchase all the mines with “ju” in their names?’
‘Do I have enough funds? Should I abandon the diamond mine venture now and pursue something else?’
‘No. I still have reserves from the jewels I brought back from the Deserted Island. There’s no need to give up so soon—’
As if reflecting my inner turmoil, ripples disturbed the surface of my tea.
Two pairs of eyes watched my anxious state with keen attention.
Those eyes belonged to—
Vivian and Kiki.
[Why do you keep staring only at your father? Should I call him for you instead?]
“No! Shh, shh.”
Vivian pressed her index finger to her lips. Her tense expression made it obvious to anyone that she was plotting something.
[What are you scheming behind your father’s back? If you’re planning something dangerous….]
“It’s not like that!”
[Then what is it?]
“Tomorrow is Father’s birthday! But I still haven’t—”
Thud.
A dull sound came from behind as something fell.
Vivian spun around in alarm to find Anne staring at her with her mouth agape. A laundry basket lay scattered at her feet—she must have been on her way to hang the washing.
“Anne!”
“A, a birthday, you say?”
“Shh! Father will hear everything!”
“Oh!”
The way she frantically covered her mouth was almost comical.
Anne bent low and crept over to crouch beside Vivian, who was pressed against the window.
“A birthday? But why are you watching him so secretly?”
“It’s just… I don’t know what gift to give Father.”
“What have you given him before?”
Vivian’s head drooped.
“I’ve never given him anything.”
That was only natural. Vivian had been five years old when I left for the Deserted Island.
In truth, I had never expected Vivian to give me a gift this year. If there were an adult who would demand such a thing from a child… wouldn’t that person be the one at fault?
Anne was about to comfort Vivian, saying that gifts weren’t necessary, when—
Vivian fidgeted with her small fingers and murmured softly.
“When Father was away, Peter gave Ron and Mary gifts for their birthdays, and they were so happy… I want to make Father happy like that too.”
Peter’s “gift” had been nothing more than a hastily sketched drawing, yet Ron and Mary, who adored their son dearly, had been overjoyed by it alone.
For Vivian, who had gazed enviously at families gathered around tables laden with birthday celebrations, this scene was profoundly moving.
Like a dream made real, Father had returned, and now I could finally make that wish come true—but there was a problem.
I had been so caught up in everything that I only remembered it was Father’s birthday the day before!
Since we were moving and leaving this house, tomorrow would be my last chance to celebrate Father’s birthday here.
Vivian’s spirits had plummeted, and seeing her dejection, Anne felt a sharp pang in her chest.
Without thinking, Anne struck her own chest repeatedly and cried out loudly.
“Trust me, Miss! I won’t let you down!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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