After being given a round of instructions, Karu finally got a grasp on the simple rules here.
She tried to run away a few times along the way when she couldn’t sit still, but Golly dragged her back every time. When it was finally over, she dashed over to Genasa with a face full of grievance.
“There’s nothing fun here at all! I want to go outside and play!”
Karu flopped down on the ground, bawling and fussing.
Golly, standing beside her, had a very complicated expression and didn’t even know what to say anymore.
“It’s been ages since I’ve met such a noisy Dragon Child. Looks like she needs some real discipline.”
An incredibly frightening aura erupted from her. Karu, sensing it, froze in shock and immediately stopped her tantrum, hiding behind Genasa with teary eyes.
Genasa sensed something was off too and quickly spoke up:
“Hey, hey, hey, Master, what are you planning to do? She just hatched, you know.”
He said this, but inwardly, Genasa actually agreed.
Disobedient kids definitely need to be taught a lesson. He didn’t expect her to be this responsible, even in this situation.
Looking forward to Golly acting serious for once, Genasa waited with great anticipation.
“Heh, what am I planning? Isn’t it obvious?”
Golly shot him a scary look, but then suddenly made a comical face.
“Of course, I’m going to get my beauty sleep, ehehe~ This kid’s all yours.”
Leaving just these words, she ran off, leaving Genasa completely baffled.
It took him a while to react.
“What the…”
He was just about to curse when he suddenly remembered there was an innocent child behind him.
“Tsk, she really hasn’t changed at all.”
I knew it. That old rascal would never do anything proper.
Feeling helpless, he turned around to face the dazed and adorable Karu.
Looking into her clear eyes, Genasa pretty much confirmed her personality.
Isn’t this just a normal troublemaking kid? Good thing I’ve had some experience with kids before.
“Ahem, little sis, you want to go outside and play?”
“Yes~”
She answered without the slightest hesitation, and Genasa grinned, agreeing just as readily.
“Wait a bit, let me check first.”
He gave her a reminder, walked over to the big door, and activated the switch. With a rumbling sound, he cracked it open and stuck his head out for a look.
“Hmm, weather’s nice. Come on out.”
He called Karu over, startling Aishi.
“You’re not really planning to take her outside, are you? Can you even get down the mountain?”
Meeting her skeptical gaze, Genasa silently raised his claw and waved it.
“I never said I’d take her down the mountain, just letting her play here is all. What are you thinking?”
“Well… Hmm… True.”
Coming to her senses, Aishi watched as Karu dove into the snow to play, narrowing her eyes in confusion.
“I guess it does work, but isn’t this just tricking a kid?”￣△￣
“Of course. How else are you supposed to handle kids if you don’t trick them a little?”
“……”
After a moment of silence, Aishi glanced at Genasa and decided he really did have a knack for looking after children.
“Well then, I’ll leave her to you.”
“Huh? Hey! You two really aren’t going to help at all? At least keep an eye on her or something, hey!”
Before leaving, Aishi gave Genasa a quick wink.
“Good luck, Genasa. I believe in you.”
“Don’t go learning from that dirty old hag’s ways, geez!”
Ignoring Genasa’s complaints, Aishi went back to her room to read.
She left without looking back, as if she’d made up her mind.
Helpless, Genasa could only take care of the kid himself.
“Fine, fine, I’ll do it, I’ll do it, seriously.”
Just like that, the two Dragon Children played in the snowy field, frolicking until the weather grew harsh, the sky dimmed, and the wind and snow intensified before they finally stopped.
Returning to the Crystal Palace, they shook off the snow stuck to them.
Now, a slightly tired Genasa looked at the still-energetic Karu, feeling a bit glum.
“How does she not seem tired at all? Weird…”
While he wondered, Karu bounced up to him.
“I’m not done playing yet! What should we do next?”
“Hmm… Let’s play with a ball.”
Genasa took out a Solid Metal Ball, something he’d made while practicing smelting.
Because it was mixed with all sorts of metals and materials, the Solid Metal Ball was patterned with mottled streaks and star-like flecks.
The sparkling shine instantly grabbed Karu’s attention.
“Whoa~~~”（✪ᗜ✪）
She stared at the Solid Metal Ball with bright, shining eyes, then pounced on it, batting it around like a cat playing with yarn.
Meanwhile, Genasa was still troubled by the sound she’d just made.
“She really picked up on that… Luckily I reacted quick and changed what I was about to say, or else… Ugh~”
He shivered at the thought of the consequences.
“Better not think about it. Just play, having fun is the most important. Besides, Aishi doesn’t like playing with this anyway. Having another dragon to play ball with is a good thing.”
Adjusting his mindset, Genasa cheered up and started a simple game of catch with Karu.
While the two dragons played with the ball, who knew how much time passed…
“Hey? Genasa, why aren’t you moving? Are you going to die?”
“……”
Exhausted, Genasa lay on the ground gasping for breath, while beside him, Karu used her sweetest voice to say the most infuriating things to a dragon.
Hiss… Why does that sound kind of familiar?
But Genasa no longer had the strength to argue with her. He just stewed in his frustration.
What’s up with this? Why does she have so much energy? Is it unlimited?
After catching his breath for a while, he got up. Seeing this, Karu excitedly chased her own tail in circles.
“You’re not dead, so let’s keep playing!”
“Ugh… Sigh…”
After a moment of silence, the weary Genasa forced out a few words:
“It’s getting late. Good kids should be going to sleep now.”
But upon hearing this, Karu refused, yelling angrily:
“I don’t want to sleep! I want to keep playing!”
“……”
Knowing that he couldn’t push Karu right now—otherwise, who knows what kind of mischief she’d get up to—Genasa decided: better her than me.
“Hmm… Well, we’ve played long enough. It’s time to go learn from Master. You get some rest, and I’ll go wake her up, okay?”
“Oh, that’s right! But I’m not tired. I can start learning anytime!”
Brimming with energy, she bounced twice in place.
“Then wait here for a bit, I’ll go call her.”
As soon as he finished, he suddenly found some hidden strength and darted off to a crystal wall. He quickly tapped his claw on it, glancing back anxiously from time to time, as if something scary was behind him.
“Master, help! If you don’t get up, I’m going to die of exhaustion!”
After his rousing wake-up call, Golly’s disgruntled voice came from inside.
“What is it? What’s with all the noise?”
Looking groggy as she scratched her head, Golly walked out from inside the crystal wall, only to see Genasa’s visibly relieved expression.
“She asked for you to teach her herself, so I’ll leave her to you. Good luck.”
With that, he dashed off again, rushing back to his own room and using the last of his strength to shut the heavy stone door.
Golly stared, stunned.
“What’s going on here?”
A bit at a loss, Golly shrugged helplessly. Looking at Karu, she also walked over with resignation.
“If you want to have lessons, this Master is more than happy to teach you. So, tell me, what do you want to learn?”
Karu gazed up at her, blinking her big eyes.