I Summoned the Demon King and Got a Dad - Chapter 96

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

96. The Princess and the Demon Lord

Having cleared up the misunderstanding and come outside, Shuria looked at Kan and spoke.

“Your wish, tell me.”

At Shuria’s words, Kan hesitated.

He thought that if he asked her to cancel the contract here, he would surely be able to return to the Demon Realm.

But naturally, Kan didn’t want to do that.

He never wanted to return to that hellish life again.

To Kan, Theodor and Shuria were like saviors.

That’s why, after pondering, Kan opened his mouth.

“Were you hit too?”

The problem was that his social skills were still lacking.

So lacking that even Shuria, who wouldn’t lose to anyone in terms of social deficiency, stuck out her tongue.

At his words, Shuria made an expression as if she couldn’t believe it.

“You know you can’t say things like that to people, right?”

Unlike her sharp voice, Kan wasn’t feeling any pain at all.

That’s why Kan still didn’t realize his mistake.

“Yeah.”

At Kan’s shameless answer, Shuria glared at him for a moment, then let out a small sigh.

A promise was a promise.

Having organized her thoughts, Shuria opened her mouth.

“Father isn’t my real father, and someone who took over my mother’s body abused me.”

Just because she had organized her thoughts didn’t mean she was good at explaining.

Fortunately, Kan’s vocabulary was inversely proportional to his social skills.

“You summoned the Demon Lord to ask for help?”

“Yeah.”

“Using the magic of the person who took over your mother’s body?”

“That’s right.”

At Kan’s words, having quickly grasped the situation, Shuria nodded and smiled.

As expected, she thought her explanation had been perfect.

“But how can you smile?”

At Kan’s question, Shuria hesitated to answer.

Well, it’s because now she had a father and a teacher.

Just as she was about to answer that, Shuria recalled what Elisia had said earlier.

“Experiences that kill me make me stronger.”

“You mean ‘fail to kill,’ right?”

“Same difference.”

At Shuria’s shameless answer, Kan couldn’t help but chuckle.

He wondered if he could become like her if he stayed here longer.

No, he wanted to become like that.

Kan opened his mouth.

“Can I become like you too?”

“No.”

It was a firm answer.

“You can’t become a princess who’s as pretty, lovely, cute, elegant, and smart as me.”

At Shuria’s words, Kan nodded.

But at such behavior from Kan, Shuria only made an expression as if she couldn’t believe it.

“…That was a joke, you fool.”

“I see.”

Shuria could understand the feelings Theodor and Elisia had when looking at her.

Kan was Shuria’s new teacher.

A negative example.

And she thought of Advisor Pieton who would be at the temple.

Did the priest uncle feel like this too…

Shuria didn’t know where to start correcting Kan.

“What do you mean you want to become like me?”

At Shuria’s question, Kan closed his mouth.

Actually, he didn’t want to become like Shuria.

He couldn’t become someone so noisy, annoying, stupid, and lovable.

What he was probably feeling toward her was…

“…I don’t know, I just envy you.”

Admiration.

He envied that loveliness.

He envied that confidence.

He envied that composure.

And at such words from Kan, Shuria couldn’t give any answer.

How could she explain to this child that the reason she was loved was simply because she was born as Theodor’s daughter.

That the reason we weren’t loved wasn’t our fault.

But those people’s fault.

How could she, who knew that pain better than anyone, dare to put it into words.

Shuria hesitated for a long time before opening her mouth.

“Is the reason you envy me because I’m loved?”

“Yeah.”

Everyone deserved to be loved.

It was something so natural that it couldn’t even be expressed with the word “deserve.”

Shuria knew that fact well now.

So this time, it was her turn to let Kan know that fact.

“Then I’ll love you.”

Shuria said that and smiled.

Shuria wanted to comfort her first friend and pitied the child who resembled her.

Not knowing how much meaning her words would have for him.

Kan couldn’t say anything for a moment.

He had an expression of not understanding.

“…Why?”

A question that came a beat late.

He was genuinely curious.

Why him?

Why without any compensation?

Why as if it were so natural?

Shuria blinked for a moment.

As if he was asking something obvious.

“You’re my friend.”

It was a reason that was too simple but certain.

It was thanks to that reason that she was alive now.

That’s why it was even more incomprehensible.

Kan slightly furrowed his brow.

“Is that… enough?”

“Yeah.”

An answer without hesitation.

“You don’t need a reason to love someone.”

Watching Kan who couldn’t answer, Shuria took a step closer.

And naturally took his hand.

Just like before.

As if nothing had changed.

“So, you just need to accept it.”

She said it so lightly.

That it felt even heavier instead.

Kan’s fingertips trembled ever so slightly.

His chest felt ticklish and his eyes grew hot.

This sensation was unfamiliar.

But he didn’t dislike it.

His heart beat rapidly.

It’s probably because of the contract, Kan thought to himself as he forced himself to nod.

An awkward silence flowed for a moment.

And then.

“Hey.”

Shuria was the first to speak.

“Are you crying?”

“…No.”

Despite his quick answer, Kan’s voice was different from usual.

Hearing his subdued voice, Shuria narrowed her eyes and looked at Kan.

“You cried.”

“I said no.”

“You cried.”

“I said no.”

At Kan’s words, Shuria rolled her eyes as if exasperated and took another step closer to him.

Shuria’s pink eyes stared directly into Kan’s blue ones.

Shuria clicked her tongue softly.

Lying about not crying with that snow-white face that turns red immediately when he cries.

“Stay still.”

Saying that, Shuria reached out and rubbed Kan’s eyes with the back of her hand.

Just like when Theodor had wiped away her tears.

Kan froze in place.

“…What are you doing.”

“You cried.”

“I didn’t cry.”

“Then why are your eyes red.”

He was at a loss for words.

Kan couldn’t answer anymore.

Shuria stared at him for a while, then shrugged her shoulders.

“Looks like you’re done crying.”

Just as Kan opened his mouth to protest Shuria’s words, Shuria grabbed his hand again.

This time a little more naturally.

When the startled Kan looked up, he saw Shuria smiling.

It was the same smile as always.

“Then now, let’s go play.”

“What do you want to play.”

“You decide.”

Kan knew.

Even though she said that, he would end up playing whatever Shuria wanted to play.

“How about sparring, solving problem sets, or conversation practice?”

Not knowing why Shuria would reject his suggestions.

At Kan’s words, Shuria’s expression hardened.

This is why she shouldn’t have lost the ball.

Playing ball was the only game that both Kan and Shuria enjoyed.

“…Let’s just go read some books.”

Though it was a reluctant conclusion, Kan nodded without any particular objection.

He was planning to do whatever Shuria suggested anyway.

The two walked side by side down the corridor toward Shuria’s library.

Shuria casually browsed the bookshelf and pulled out any random book.

Then she plopped down on the sofa, curled up her legs, and opened the book.

The two chose their respective books and sat next to each other.

For a while, only the quiet sound of turning pages filled the room.

For just a short while.

Before long, the sound of pages turning stopped, and sensing something strange, Kan turned his head.

“Hey.”

There was no answer.

Moving a little closer, he saw that Shuria’s head was tilted to the side.

The book she had been holding was already half-slipped from her hands, and he could hear her steady breathing.

“…Already asleep?”

He muttered as if exasperated, but his voice had somehow grown quiet.

Kan stared at the sleeping Shuria for a long time.

Not noisy like usual, not willful either.

Just quietly breathing – it was an unfamiliar sight.

And it was hard to look away.

“…Strange.”

He muttered quietly and tried to avert his gaze, but it ended up returning anyway.

The face that had casually said “I’ll love you” just moments ago.

The warmth that had naturally held his hand without any conditions.

Kan looked down at his own hand.

It still seemed to be there.

That sensation.

Somewhere in his chest felt ticklish again.

Kan sighed and stood up from his seat.

After hesitating for a moment, he picked up the thin blanket that was on the sofa.

Awkwardly, very awkwardly.

He covered her shoulders with it.

He was careful not to touch her, but in the end, just barely, the tips of her hair brushed against him.

Flustered by that fact, Kan quickly pulled his hand away.

“…Can’t have you catching a cold.”

Leaving behind an excuse no one would hear, he sat back down.

This time he didn’t read his book.

He simply turned his head and watched Shuria.

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