TPOK 07

Chapter 07

“What’s that? You said bullets come out. From this side here.”

“It’s not magic after all, is it?”

“How picky… Fine, then I’ll give you this.”

Grumbling, he took back the “magic” watch and began removing the wristwatch from his other arm.

“Is this really a magic watch?”

“I just told you that the one before was a magic watch too.”

“Okay, then what kind of magic does this one have?”

I didn’t like adults who treated children like idiots, but still, receiving a gift was a pleasant thing.

Of course, I was already twelve years old. I was far too old to believe in magic.

Still, wasn’t it okay to let my heart flutter just a little?

The past few days had been filled with things I never could have imagined.

“You can see the time without looking down at your wrist.”

“Does it make a sound?”

“No. You can see it.”

He answered with a slightly irritated tone.

This man’s emotions were quite unstable. I made a mental note that when I returned to my room, I would lower Big King’s evaluation by two points.

“It’s useful when working. I only used it while I was in my study, so it never touched sunlight. It’s practically brand new.”

“I can’t see anything even when I look at my wrist. There aren’t any hands on the watch.”

“If you want to see them, you can.”

“Riiight…”

The state of his room might make this man better than the Clown King, but when it came to talking, the Clown King was still superior.

Big King removed the mechanical parts of the watch and kept them for himself, then handed me only the wrist strap.

It was a pretty piece of craftsmanship, with some kind of pattern carved into it by burning the surface. Once the watch itself was removed, however, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary, beautiful leather strap.

But it definitely wouldn’t fit my wrist.

“I’ll keep the watch. I need to change it into a necklace…”

“Wasn’t it supposed to be my gift?”

“The ‘magic’ is in the strap, so don’t worry. I’ll make a smaller watch that fits your size.”

“Hmm… Well, I don’t know how to read a watch with hands yet anyway, so it’s fine. Actually, with my size, this would be better as a waist pouch than a wristwatch.”

I loosened the adjustable knot, stretched the strap as far as it would go, and tied it securely around the pouch containing my notebook and pen.

It seemed slightly too short, but since the pouch was in the middle, it fit perfectly around my waist.

While touching the pouch, I suddenly became concerned about the contents of my notebook.

Come to think of it, wouldn’t it be troublesome if the king found out about this?

Only now did I realize it.

I had written something like evaluations of each king. Thinking about it now, they were closer to insults written however I pleased.

Once I became aware of it, I grew afraid that the man in front of me might discover it.

Just in case, I fastened it tightly.

What had I written about Big King?

“…Huh?”

At that moment, something felt strange in my vision.

It took me an unusually long time to figure out exactly what felt wrong.

Even though colorful words were floating right in front of my eyes.

[Scary.]

They were definitely the words I had written in my notebook.

The handwriting was much prettier than my own crooked scribbles, though.

“Why?”

“…Does your head feel heavy?”

“What?”

“No, it’s just… What is this? It feels like my vision has changed. Like my thoughts about you are appearing in front of my eyes.”

“Once you become an adult, you naturally start sensing things like that. Don’t become arrogant.”

I tilted my head, blinked several times, but the words did not disappear.

Rather than disappearing… it wasn’t exactly something that existed within my field of vision.

But I could definitely feel the sensation of “seeing” it.

It was an unfamiliar and completely new sense.

Is this what they call a second growth stage?

Am I going through puberty?

No, that didn’t seem right.

“I don’t think that’s it.”

“How old are you?”

“Twelve—” I stopped myself and stretched out all ten fingers. “This many.”

“Hmph. I experienced being ten years old long before you did. I’ve even experienced eleven and twelve. Do you really know the symptoms of growing up better than I do?”

The huge man looked genuinely proud.

Was he seriously competing with a child young enough to be his daughter over age?

“Now return. Take good care of the gift… and from now on, never enter without permission.”

“Um, should I help you organize the room before I go?”

“Don’t touch anything.”

“Yes…”

He didn’t raise his voice, but his answer was full of irritation.

It seemed Big King really hated anyone touching his belongings.

Despite the incredible amount of junk scattered around, the room was organized with everything perfectly aligned.

That alone told me enough.

“I feel like you and the Clown King must have a terrible relationship…”

He reacted to my muttered comment.

“…Do you like the Clown?”

“Not that much… just a little.”

Big King sighed as if my answer displeased him, then fiddled with the bridge of his glasses while muttering.

“…Well, your mental age is similar…”

That was a slightly offensive thing to say.

Sure, the Clown King and I got along well, but anyone could clearly see that my mental age was slightly higher than his.

“What else did that guy say?”

“Various things… He talks a lot, you know.”

“He asked you to become his daughter?”

“Um, yes.”

“So, will you?”

His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

Of course, I had no intention of giving a stupid answer.

“No.”

“Good choice.”

The large king straightened his posture and rubbed between his eyebrows.

“…Then… what about me?”

“Was that a bribe you just gave me?”

“Of course not.”

It was just a joke, but Big King looked completely serious.

“I have no need for something like a bribe. I am objectively the most ideal father. I can prove it.”

“How would you prove that?”

“Good question.”

Just like when he had explained why someone needed at least three watches, his eyes began to sparkle.

I shouldn’t have asked.

“I come from the most excellent family among the four kings. My capital is strong, and my backing is stable. If necessary, I can show you related documents and comparison charts. Can you read charts? My health is flawless, and I have the most supporters.”

It wasn’t even spoken in a bragging tone.

He was simply stating facts.

“What does that have to do with being a good father?”

“What does it have to do with it?”

The man raised his voice slightly.

“Of course it does! If you are with me, I can provide the best environment possible until you grow up. Guaranteeing your survival until your coming-of-age ceremony is obvious, and even afterward, I will educate you properly so that you become an excellent and powerful adult. Shall I even prepare a contract in advance?”

“No, not really.”

“You don’t have to do much in return. Occasionally helping with my family’s business would be enough. That’s nothing difficult. The other kings’ families are all bottomless pits.”

“I have to repay you?”

“Of course. A father protects and teaches a child until the child can stand on their own, and once grown, the child repays that kindness by supporting their elderly parents. That is the ideal of a parent-child relationship!”

He spoke with complete conviction.

“In that sense, I guarantee that I am the lowest-risk, highest-return option. Isn’t that the definition of the perfect father?”

Unfortunately for Big King, the “father score” in my heart continued to decline.

If it were a stock, it would have been flashing red.

Only then did Big King seem to realize that I was offended.

“Oh, are you upset? Some people dislike hearing the truth stated too directly. However, this system is exactly what allowed humanity to become a more stable and long-lived species than any other animal. There is no need to be ashamed.”

“But… I’m only a few years away from becoming an adult. You want me to repay the kindness of taking care of me for a few years until you grow old and die?”

The man frowned as if I had said something ridiculous.

In a way, he even looked slightly sulky.

“You can simply have a child of your own and make them do the same. Humanity has progressed that way.”

His tone was so natural that I ended up accepting it without thinking.

Come to think of it, adults really did seem to live that way.

I didn’t want to spend my life supporting the old Clown King. I would probably have to clean all day long.

The Thunder King was the same. His hearing was already getting worse, and it would probably become even worse when he became elderly. If he got dementia, he seemed like the type who could become dangerous…

In that sense, Big King didn’t seem like such a bad choice.

His room was clean, and his mind was sharp enough that he probably wouldn’t suffer from age-related illnesses easily.

“Well, announcing it immediately would probably be troublesome for you. Let me give you some advice… Until your wife arrives, be careful not to accidentally create a faction. Keep your distance.”

“I will.”

“If that’s difficult, you can simply become my daughter.”

This man… now that I thought about it, he talked even more than the Clown King.

At least the Clown King’s words were entertaining.

“Think carefully. I’m definitely better than the Thunder King or the Clown King.”

“Better than who?”

I jumped.

A voice came from an unexpected direction.

I turned around and saw the Clown King standing there.

“Why does everyone keep barging into other people’s rooms without permission?”

“You said you were going to Thunder’s lesson! But he said he’d never met you. I was worried you might have gotten lost somewhere, so I’ve been searching everywhere.”

The Clown King smiled as he spoke, but it seemed he had genuinely been worried while looking for me.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, and the thick makeup covering his skin had worn away, revealing hints of his natural complexion.

On his bare skin were tiny freckles, like grains of millet.

Unlike usual, the Clown King strode over quickly and grabbed my wrist.

“Let’s go back.”

“I’m sorry for lying.”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“That’s right. There is nothing for you to apologize for. The only person who should apologize is the rude intruder who entered someone else’s room without permission.”

Big King spoke with a cold expression.

“Take your hand off my child. If you insist on taking him away, at least escort him out politely.”

“Your child?”