The warm crackle of the fireplace painted golden light along the wooden walls of Dragon's Rest. Juichi sat stiffly at the dining table, his mind spinning from Lyrae's quiet revelations.
The truth felt surreal. His father, Kaito—who Juichi remembered only as a pathetic, jobless NEET—had been transported to this world by mistake. The prophecy had never called for him. It had called for Juichi.
And now, here he was.
Lyrae's voice was gentle, but her words struck like thunder. "You were meant to come here, Juichi. Not Kaito. But fate made a mistake… and yet, even mistakes can change the world."
Juichi clenched his fists. "So I was supposed to be the hero from the start?"
"Yes," Lyrae nodded. "But your father didn't waste the opportunity. He fought for this world. He built something here... and loved deeply."
Juichi scoffed, bitterness bubbling to the surface. "Kaito… that useless shut-in? He was dead weight in Japan. He mooched off me while I worked two jobs to keep us afloat. He never even tried to be a father."
His voice rose with each word, spitting out long-buried resentment. "And now you're telling me he became some legendary adventurer? Give me a break."
Silence filled the room like smoke.
Lyrae's eyes, wide with sorrow, didn't flinch. She didn't scold him. Instead, she spoke softly. "Juichi... I understand your anger. But hatred will not carry you forward."
Alira sat quietly beside her mother, biting her lip as she watched the storm swirl in Juichi's expression.
"Right now, you have a choice," Lyrae continued. "Cling to your past—or embrace what you have in front of you. A family."
Juichi looked up, and for a moment, the fury in his chest began to cool. He saw not a manipulative stranger, but a mother's sorrow—and a daughter's hope.
"…Fine," he muttered. "But just for today."
Lyrae smiled. "Then let's spend this day together."
**
The town was alive with color and sound. Merchants shouted prices, children ran through the streets, and the smell of roasted meat danced through the air.
Lyrae led them through the market with practiced ease. Alira flitted between stalls, pulling Juichi and Lyrae along with boundless energy.
At one point, Lyrae stopped at a clothing vendor. "Juichi, let's find you something better to wear."
Juichi crossed his arms. "I'm not wearing one of those ridiculous cloaks or robes."
He pointed to his worn jacket—the same one he had brought from Japan. "I want this remade. Same design. Better fabric."
The tailor raised a brow, intrigued. "Never seen a style like this before. Where's it from?"
"Far away," Juichi replied vaguely.
Lyrae handed the jacket over. "Can you manage it?"
"With a few days and the right thread, yes," the tailor nodded.
Juichi gave a satisfied smirk. "Do it."
They continued through the market, sampling sweets and testing their luck at festival games. Juichi caught himself laughing—genuinely—for the first time since arriving in this world.
And though he wouldn't admit it out loud, it felt… right.
As dusk fell, the three of them sat by the town fountain. Lanterns flickered to life above them, painting the square in amber light.
Lyrae rested her hand on Juichi's shoulder. "I know this isn't the world you came from. But you have a place here. With us."
Alira beamed. "You're stuck with us now, big brother."
Juichi exhaled slowly. For the first time in his life, he felt the warmth of something real—something unshakable.
Family.
And for now, that was enough.
But peace never lasted long.
As the final lanterns swayed in the twilight breeze, a shadow passed silently through the crowd—unnoticed, unwelcomed. A hooded man made his way toward the Adventurer's Guild, a crumpled parchment in hand and danger clinging to his steps.
Far from the laughter of the market, something was beginning to stir.
Something that would drag Juichi into a storm far darker than he had ever known.
To be continued…