I Became a Raid Boss

“Da-eun.”

“Yes?”

“What kind of person is your dad?”

“Why are you asking about my dad?”

Da-eun looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded as if she understood.

“Ah, are you feeling nervous because you’re about to meet him soon?”

“No, I’m not nervous.”

“Hehe, there’s no need to be so nervous. Didn’t Mom already tell you? They’re just meeting you to put a face to the name.”

“I said I’m not nervous.”

Even though I’d said twice that I wasn’t nervous, Da-eun didn’t seem to take it in.

“He’s like… the typical father, you know?”

“Really?”

“He’s not the best at expressing himself openly, but he loves his family. He might seem a bit standoffish, but deep down, he’s warm… you know, that kind of person.”

“I see.”

I think I understand what she means.

Seeing me nod, Da-eun gave a gentle smile. Perhaps she wasn’t seeing me but rather recalling something distant from her own past.

“When I was younger, I honestly felt a bit hurt. I used to think, ‘Here I am, in so much pain, and my dad doesn’t seem to care at all.'”

She remembered her father, who would visit her in the hospital, quietly watching over her without saying a word before leaving. His demeanor contrasted sharply with her mother’s, who would always ask if she was hurting, if there was anything she wanted, full of gentle concern.

“It was… scary…”

As a young girl, Da-eun felt distant and intimidated by her dad.

“Though it didn’t take me long to realize I was wrong.”

Her dad, who would stay by her side until she fell asleep, even though he had to leave early for work the next day. The look in his eyes, unable to tear himself away, worried that his daughter might hurt while he was gone. One night, when the full moon was high, Da-eun awoke to see her father’s expression—one she had never seen while she was awake.

“It was then I understood… my dad really loves me.”

Love can be simple, can’t it? Even in his hectic life, he’d come to see his sick daughter. Standing watch over his sleeping child.

All of that… that was love.

Da-eun said this, a smile so warm it lifted anyone’s mood shining on her face.

“Love…”

Even people who share the same memories interpret them differently, so how could I fully empathize, having come from a different background? Unlike Da-eun, I wasn’t sick as a child— ʀ

Well, actually, I was sick. But my upbringing, my experiences, even my world… all different. Claiming to fully understand what Da-eun described would be a lie. Besides, Garid and Da-eun’s descriptions of their fathers’ personalities weren’t exactly alike.

“Is that so.”

Still, I could relate a little, and understand, as much as an outsider could. All I could do was nod in response to Da-eun’s smile.

But, you know, even though I’ve been trying to hold back from saying anything that could ruin the mood lately, since I’ve felt more like “Da-eun” myself these days… I just can’t hold back anymore.

“By the way, Da-eun, why don’t you go visit your parents?”

“…”

At this point, let’s take a look back at Da-eun’s words of wisdom:

‘Living apart is great because you don’t have to see each other’s faces often.

Living together just stirs up unnecessary emotions.

It’s annoying when Mom visits too frequently.’

“You say all those precious things about love, yet you leave behind gems like those remarks. How could I not give you a hard time?”

“Argh! No, it’s not like that!”

“Ehhhhh—”

“Not all love has to be like that, you know! Even if I don’t see them often, I still call my parents every day and send them allowance money too!”

“…Okay, okay.”

Clearly feeling stung, Da-eun sputtered out her words in a hurry, emphasizing she wasn’t some unfilial daughter or someone with a “fire attribute” disposition. After a few more declarations of her love for her parents, she looked me straight in the eyes.

“Got it?”

“I gooot it…”

“Good. That’s all I wanted.”

Da-eun, visibly flustered, wiped away the cold sweat on her face.

“Anything else you’re curious about?”

“I don’t have anything I’m curious about anymore—”

I tried to respond as steadily as I could, despite my words sounding squashed and drawn out.

“So how much longer are you going to keep holding onto me?”

Her hand continued to squish my cheek, apparently enjoying how soft it was. I had been letting her do it out of laziness, but wasn’t she getting bored of it by now?

Da-eun firmly shook her head.

“This is punishment for you trying to slander me. Take it like a champ!”

“But you were doing this even befo—mpf!”

“Oh-ho! Does a mere convict dare to talk back?!”

…She just wanted an excuse to keep poking at my cheeks.

Unable to get the words out properly with my cheek squished, I could only silently endure her touch.

***

***

***

“Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

This is right up there with phrases like “I’ll treat you if I win the lottery,” or “Shall we go hunt a dragon together?”

“…is what I read on the internet.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Kana, I think you should cut back on internet time.”

“I go online less than you do.”

“But it’s part of my job.”

“It’s part of my job too.”

“Kana, your role in our house is being the adorable mascot, not an internet gladiator!”

“…Gladiator? I don’t get it, but it’s really not like I go online that much.”

Really.

Anyway, the expression “let’s grab a meal sometime” implies that you might plan to, but it’s usually just empty words. But the invitation I received to have a meal was a bit different from that typical interpretation.

After all, it was the father of the house owner where I was staying who wanted to meet me, so I couldn’t treat it as a casual greeting.

For that reason, I was now standing in front of a stranger’s door with Da-eun.

“Kana, here, take this.”

“Huh?”

I instinctively took the item Da-eun handed me.

It was…

“A drink?”

“It’s polite to bring a little gift when visiting someone else’s home. Not that you always have to, but it’s never a bad idea, right?”

“Uh-huh…”

…though it did feel a bit strange.

Seeing my hesitation, Da-eun bent down slightly to meet my eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Doesn’t this feel a little weird?”

The house in front of me: Da-eun’s family home.

The item in my hand: a box of drinks.

It may seem like there’s nothing strange about this situation, but…

“This is something Da-eun bought herself, though.”

She bought a gift to bring to her own family’s house, with her own money.

“No matter how you look at it, it’s kind of odd.”

Of course, it couldn’t be helped since I didn’t have any money, but still.

Da-eun shrugged it off as if it were no big deal.

“So what? What matters is the sentiment behind the gift, not the gift itself.”

“But it’s like I’m taking the credit with your money.”

“It’s fine. What’s the big deal if it’s my money? I can bring a small gift to my parents’ house. Besides, I’m sure they’ll understand anyway.”

“Is that so…?”

“And honestly, who could find fault with an adorable kid like Kana carrying a box of drinks?”

“I wish you hadn’t added that last part.”

She just had to tack on some cheesy comment at the end.

We chatted for quite some time, but fortunately, Da-eun’s parents didn’t come to the door. Whether it was because we kept our voices low or the house was well-insulated, I wasn’t sure. Either way, it would have been awkward if they’d overheard us, so I was relieved they hadn’t.

“Ready to go in now?”

“Yes.”

Ding-dong!

The doorbell chimed cheerfully.

“You don’t know the code?”

“I do. I just wanted to come in as a guest this time.”

Bang, bang!

“Is no one here?! Come forth and welcome me!”

“….”

She started banging on the door with such a commotion that I felt foolish for my earlier thoughts.

Who’d notice the unfamiliar kid holding a drink box when their only daughter was outside pounding on the door and shouting nonsense?

Cre-eak.

The door opened to reveal Da-eun’s mom, looking bewildered.

“If you’re here, just come in quietly. What are you doing?”

“How dare you! I’ve graced you with my presence, yet you don’t welcome me properly… Ow!”

Whack!

“Quit the nonsense and come inside, you brat!”

“Ouch, that hurt! No violence!”

“If you don’t want to get hit, don’t act like you deserve it! …Oh.”

The woman, who was hitting Da-eun on the back, softened her expression when she noticed me and smiled kindly.

“Kana, you’re here? Was it hard for you to get here? No, no, let’s not talk here. Come in and let’s chat, okay?”

“Y-yes.”

“Honestly, who’s the real daughter here….”

Zap.

“….”

At the sharp look, Da-eun’s lips, which had been ready with a retort, fell silent.

I was half-pushed into the cozy interior of the house, welcomed by a warmer atmosphere than in Da-eun’s apartment.

And the moment I saw the middle-aged man sitting on the couch in front of the large TV, I knew.

‘This must be Da-eun’s dad.’

It was obvious from his stiff expression as he pretended to watch TV, making a desperate effort to act like he wasn’t aware of us.

Snicker.

“Am I right?”

“…Looks like it.”

He was just as she had described him.

“Come here, sweetie.”

At Da-eun’s mother’s gesture, I timidly stepped forward, and that was when he finally looked at me.

“…Uh, you’re here?”

A tone that was somehow both stiff and awkwardly gentle.

I nodded my head.

“Hello… I mean, hello, sir….”

“I’ve heard about you from my wife. Just speak comfortably.”

“Yes, you can just call him ‘Uncle.’ Don’t worry, he may look a bit gruff, but he’s actually very warm-hearted. That’s why I married him.”

“…Ahem! Why are you saying such embarrassing things?”

Oh, he’s blushing.

Though he grumbled, it was clear he didn’t mind the compliment, as a faint blush crept up his ears.

Thanks to Da-eun’s mom joining the conversation, the mood lightened up, and he, too, looked more relaxed as he spoke.

“So, you’re going to be living with my daughter?”

“…Yes. Uh, yeah.”

“To be precise, I’ll be taking care of Kana!”

“Right. Please take good care of Da-eun.”

“….”

“….”

“…?”

I tilted my head, waiting for him to continue, but he remained silent, his lips pressed firmly together.

…Is that it?

—

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