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Chapter 14

Father, daughter and father's partner

โ€œIris, tomorrow I have the day off.โ€

โ€œHuh? Really!?โ€

Irisโ€™s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, eager to hear more from Aldo. Whenever he had a day off, he always took her somewhere, and she was hoping that would be the case this time, too.

โ€œI want to introduce you to Clara, a fellow digger I mentioned before.โ€

โ€œOh, okay.โ€

At that, Iris felt a bit disappointed. She had been looking forward to spending some one-on-one time with her father, but the idea of having someone she didnโ€™t know there dampened her excitement.

โ€œI thought it might be awkward for you to be alone with Clara right away, so Iโ€™d like you to meet her with me. That way, you can get comfortable around her.โ€

It was Aldoโ€™s way of being considerate. He wanted Iris to get used to being around different people for her future independence. This meeting was set up with her growth in mind.

Despite her reluctance, Iris knew it was something she would have to face for her future. She went to bed with mixed feelings, and the next morning, when she woke upโ€ฆ she pretended to be asleep.

โ€œIris, wake up. Clara is coming today.โ€

Aldo shook her gently to wake her. Iris could no longer keep up her act and had to get up.

โ€œCome on, change out of your pajamas into something for going out.โ€

Aldo left the room, and Iris reluctantly began changing, her movements slow and unwilling.

Once she changed into her outdoor clothes and completed her preparations, Iris took Aldoโ€™s hand, and they went outside.

On the way to the meeting spot with Clara, Aldo reminded Iris about manners.

โ€œAlright, Iris. When you meet Clara, greet her first. You know what to say, right?โ€

โ€œHello, nice to meet you.โ€

โ€œGood. Then introduce yourself. Letโ€™s try it.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m Iris, nine years old.โ€

โ€œPerfect!โ€

Aldo was thrilled to see his daughter greeting so well, but Irisโ€™s tone was flat and uninterested.

โ€œAnd remember, Iris, Clara is like an older sister to you. Be sure to add โ€˜Missโ€™ when you call her.โ€

โ€œYesโ€ฆโ€

Irisโ€™s response was half-hearted, but they finally arrived at the meeting place. Clara was already there, doing shadowboxing moves for some reason.

โ€œSh-shu-shush!โ€

โ€œClaraโ€ฆ what are you doing?โ€

Aldo couldnโ€™t ignore her unusual behavior and spoke up.

โ€œOh, Mr. Aldo, hello! Well, itโ€™s a dangerous area, you know? As a young lady here alone, I thought Iโ€™d do a little intimidation practice. Shu-shu!โ€

She threw some sharp jabs into the air. Iris watched with her mouth open, shocked.

Sheโ€™s strong. If I try anything, Iโ€™ll get beaten up. I shouldnโ€™t cross her. Irisโ€™s instinctive survival sense warned her to be compliant.

โ€œOh, a cute young girl! You must be Iris.โ€

โ€œH-helloโ€ฆ nice to meet youโ€ฆ Iโ€™m Iris. Iโ€™m nine years old.โ€

She managed to say it, though her greeting was stiff and awkward. She had initially seen Clara as a rival for Aldoโ€™s attention, but now, face-to-face, she was too nervous to do anything.

โ€œHa ha, you donโ€™t have to be so tense. Let me introduce myself properly too. Ahem. Hello, nice to meet you! Iโ€™m Clara, 14 years old, and Iโ€™m a digger. I work with your dad.โ€

Clara, trying to ease Irisโ€™s nerves, mirrored her polite speech. It was a way of connecting with Iris by matching her behavior.

โ€œO-ohโ€ฆโ€

โ€œIris, itโ€™s alright. Claraโ€™s not going to eat you or anything.โ€

โ€œR-really?โ€

Iris clung to Aldoโ€™s leg, thinking that if anything happened, she would rely on him to protect her.

โ€œDonโ€™t worry, Iris. If we run into trouble, Clara can handle it. Sheโ€™s actually stronger than me.โ€

โ€œStronger than Daddyโ€ฆ?โ€

Irisโ€™s face fell, as if the world had ended. There was no one left who could stop Clara.

โ€œNow, now, Mr. Aldo, donโ€™t say things like that,โ€ Clara whispered to him.

(At least try to look cool in front of your daughter.)

Aldo got the hint. Even though Clara was indeed stronger, Iris probably saw him as a hero, and he didnโ€™t want to shatter that image.

โ€œHa ha, just kidding, Iris. Sorry, that was a bit much.โ€

Iris relaxed a little, reassured, butโ€”

โ€œWell, itโ€™s true I am strong, though. Shu-shu!โ€

โ€œEek!โ€

Iris let out a small shriek at Claraโ€™s jabs. It was then that Aldo realized why Iris was acting scared.

It wasโ€ฆ a memory of past trauma. Aldo had no memory of it, but the old him had sometimes frightened Iris by pretending to hit her. He had never struck her, but even the act of a grown-up faking a hit could be scary for a child.

โ€œClara, could I have a word?โ€

โ€œHmm?โ€

He leaned in and whispered to Clara.

(It seems Iris has a fear of violence. Iโ€™d appreciate it if you could avoid the shadowboxing.)

Aldo was uncomfortable admitting it, but he couldnโ€™t deny the possibility that the old him may have scared Iris. He vaguely explained the situation to Clara.

(Oh, Iโ€™m so sorry!)

Clara looked down, crestfallen. She hadnโ€™t meant any harmโ€”it was just a playful gesture, but she had no idea it would affect Iris this way.

She was desperate to make amends and lighten the mood with Iris.

โ€œLook, Iris, peek-a-boo!โ€

Iris just stared at her, unimpressed. Clara broke into a nervous sweat.

โ€œClara, Iris is nine now. Thatโ€™s a little too young for peek-a-boo.โ€

Of courseโ€”this was obvious. Peek-a-boo was for babies.

โ€œJ-just kidding! It was a little joke, ha haโ€ฆ haโ€ฆโ€

Claraโ€™s attempt was completely off the mark. Irisโ€™s wariness only increased.

โ€œHa ha, well, Iris is probably feeling shy, and Clara, maybe try relaxing a bit. Iโ€™m sure that after spending the day together, youโ€™ll get along well.โ€

Aldo was doing his best to bridge the gap between them. It would take time. Even he had been met with Irisโ€™s initial wariness, but he had gained her trust by waiting and following her pace. He was sure Clara could do the same, with effort.

But he knew Clara was only 14, still young herself. He worried whether she could handle it all as smoothly.

With that, Aldoโ€™s somewhat nerve-wracking holiday began.


Toxic Parent Reincarnation ~ When I Doted on My Daughter Destined to Become the Final Boss, She Ended Up Liking Me an Abnormal Amount ~

Toxic Parent Reincarnation ~ When I Doted on My Daughter Destined to Become the Final Boss, She Ended Up Liking Me an Abnormal Amount ~

ๆฏ’่ฆช่ปข็”Ÿ๏ฝžๅพŒใซใƒฉใ‚นใƒœใ‚นใซใชใ‚‹้‹ๅ‘ฝใฎๅจ˜ใ‚’ๆบบๆ„›ใ—ใŸใ‚‰็•ฐๅธธใ™ใŽใ‚‹ใปใฉๅฅฝใ‹ใ‚Œใฆใ—ใพใฃใŸ๏ฝž
Score 9.9
Status: Ongoing Type: Author: Released: 2024 Native Language: Japanese
A man who lost his wife and child in an accident ended his own life in despair, choosing to follow them. However, when he woke up, he found himself possessing the body of the father of the final boss from a game heโ€™d played as a child. In the original storyline, this father had abused his daughter, which led her to become the final boss out of deep resentment. But this man could never bring himself to treat his new daughter cruelly. Determined to make her happy, especially after losing his daughter in his previous life, he worked tirelessly for her. Alongside his main job, he explored dungeons and gave his all to ensure she could have an easy life, even making it possible for her to attend school. As a result... she never went down the dark path, nor did she become the final boss. However, she developed an intense attachment to her father.

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