Chapter 74

I really want to win.

It’s true that I also want to win in this competition.

But can I really beat Eve, who has been active for 10 years and has a solid foundation of popularity and support?

And how should I put it… If I get too serious about such a competition, it feels like even if I win, I’ve lost something.

Aquamarine, even if I return it, I won’t feel too bad.

And that video… well… it’s a bit embarrassing, but since I’ve already done two broadcasts, rumors about me being a weird person have probably spread.

I accepted the challenge in the heat of the moment, but it’s not like I’m in the mood to do my absolute best to win.

In fact, what’s more important lies elsewhere.

—

Kabe… no, now I’ve brought Ria to the dentist.

After submitting the health insurance card, I sat on the pediatric dentist’s sofa, decorated with colorful yellow, white, and blue wallpaper, and looked around. It was quite impressive.

When I was young, I rarely went to the hospital, but I remember it being all white walls whenever I did.

But now, it’s not like that at all. Stickers of characters kids love are plastered everywhere, and the interior is beautifully decorated like a playroom so that children won’t be scared.

Amazing.

“Ria’s mom~”

There are small candy baskets placed everywhere.

“Yuria’s mom~”

The TV is constantly playing children’s animations.

“Yuria’s mom~ Are you here~?”

There’s even a small tablet attached to the sofa, playing YouTube videos.

“Mom.”

“Huh?”

Snapping back to reality at the sound of my name, Kabe… no, Ria was tugging at my sleeve.

“Mom, they’re calling us.”

“Really?”

“Yuria’s mom~ Are you here~?”

Oh, it’s true.

“I’m here! I’m here!”

My voice was too loud, and all the kids and moms around turned their eyes to me.

A bit embarrassing…

“Sorry, I didn’t hear.”

“No, it’s okay. You can go to room 3!”

“Yes, yes.”

Trying to hide my flushed face, Kabe grabbed my hand.

“Hoo, hoo.”

It’s okay.

Everything’s fine.

I’m completely fine.

I grabbed the handle of the examination room door and pushed it open slightly, but there was someone inside.

“Mom, it’s room 3. That’s room 2.”

“Ah, right, sorry.”

Why am I like this today?

Mistakes keep piling up.

Sorry, I said, closing the door and opening the next one.

Just in case, I double-checked the room number before entering. It’s room 3.

—

“Ma’am?”

“Yes, yes?!”

“Did you understand everything?”

“Yes…?”

What am I supposed to understand…?

The doctor was looking at me with a strange expression.

“Sorry… I was a bit distracted…”

Honestly, this is my fault, so I bowed apologetically to the doctor who had been explaining diligently.

“Let me explain again. Your daughter…”

Daughter.

She said daughter.

Oh my, what do I do? She said daughter. Pfft…

“Ma’am?”

“Your daughter… I heard that!”

“…”

The doctor’s glare was sharp.

“Let me explain again.”

Did she just sigh, or was I imagining it?

“Your daughter’s gums are very healthy. Because her gums are so strong, it’s taking a bit longer for her teeth to come through. Even now, if you look here…”

Under the flash illuminating Kabe’s mouth as she lay on the dental chair, I could see a tiny white speck.

“This is the permanent tooth. It will gradually come out, and there’s no major issue. The timing of permanent teeth varies among children, and in Ria’s case, her gums are so strong that it’s taking a bit longer.”

Well, that makes sense.

I’ve never heard of a wolf having gum disease.

But then again, bringing a wolf to the dentist makes me seem weird too.

“So… there’s nothing to worry about?”

“Yes, you don’t need to worry. Some children are like this, and it’s actually a good thing. It means her gums and teeth are strong.”

“Ah… really? That’s a relief.”

I genuinely felt relieved.

As I let out a sigh of relief, the doctor peered deeper into Kabe’s mouth, hummed thoughtfully, and then looked at me.

“Ma’am, by the way.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have her brush her teeth herself, or do you help her?”

“I have her do it herself.”

I taught Kabe how to brush her teeth, watched her for a few days, and then let her do it on her own.

“She has cavities.”

“Huh?”

Cavities?

Oh no.

“Three of them.”

Three?

This can’t be.

“They don’t need immediate treatment, and you can keep an eye on them for now. But children often have trouble brushing thoroughly on their own, so it’s better if you help her.”

“Ah, yes… I understand.”

My face turned red on its own.

I’ve been calling her my daughter, but I couldn’t even take care of this, and now she has cavities…

She’s a wolf.

A wolf with cavities.

Oh my.

—

“Mom, do I have to brush my teeth well?”

“Yes, that’s what they said.”

Fortunately, no separate treatment was needed.

Even though she has cavities, they’re very early stage, and as long as they don’t get worse, it’s fine.

Plus, they’re baby teeth, not permanent teeth, so treatment isn’t necessary.

The path to being a mom is quite rough.

It’s a long and arduous road.

“Kabe.”

“Huh?”

Kabe, who was holding my hand as we walked, looked up at me with wide eyes.

I crouched down, bringing our eyes to the same level.

“Mom is sorry for not taking better care of you.”

Calling myself a mom, but look at this mess.

“No. You’re my mom. I’m happy just having you with me.”

“This kid. Always saying such sweet things.”

I gently patted Kabe’s head.

What does it matter?

As long as she grows up this sweetly, it’s fine.

“Mom will do better.”

“Yes, Kabe will brush her teeth better too.”

—

Since we were out, we decided to eat out.

Kabe wanted to eat pork cutlet, so I called Bedel too.

Holding each child’s hand, I felt so happy.

I never thought this kind of life would come to me.

Until I met her.

“When did you have a son?”

“Why are you wandering around here? Don’t you have anything to do? Want me to make you busy?”

My face automatically scrunched up.

“Hey, why say things you don’t mean? Between you and me, is that necessary?”

“What’s between you and me?”

“Well? You should know, right?”

“I have no idea and don’t want to know, so just go away. I get too tired when I get involved with you magical girls, so just leave. I don’t want to fight in front of the kids.”

“Hey, don’t be so prickly. You have kids here.”

“You’re the one being harmful in front of the kids, Prilly.”

Tch.

Just a moment ago, it was such a happy day, but the moment Prilly appeared, everything went downhill.

“Did you have lunch? I’ll treat you.”

“Why would I eat food you pay for?”

“Wow, look at those chubby cheeks. They’re so cute in the light. Hey, do you remember me?”

“Yes. Bad sister.”

“That’s how you remember me? I’m sorry. I really messed up. I won’t do it again. As an apology… here.”

Prilly pulled her hand out of her pocket, and as if by magic, she was holding a candied apple.

Wait, how did that fit in her pocket?!

And Kabe’s eyes sparkled at the sight of the apple…

Ah…

She’s a wolf, after all…

“So, can you forgive me?”

“Yes!”

“See?”

“…”

I have nothing to say.

The way she melted Kabe in an instant…

“What about my son?”

“Oh right. You have a son too?”

“Yes.”

“Then, for the handsome prince… here.”

She reached into her pocket again, and this time, she pulled out a butter cookie.

What kind of 4D pocket is this?!

“To someone who can’t use inventory, it must seem like magic, huh? It is magic, though.”

“…”

It’s frustrating, but it’s not wrong, so I can’t argue.

“Now, your daughter seems to have forgiven me. What about you?”

Looking at Prilly’s bright smile, I wondered if she’s really a psycho or just normal.

—

“By the way, I heard you got fried like a chicken.”

“Yeah, that happened.”

I remember.

Evangeline or something, she fried Prilly to a crisp, they said.

“It’s not just a day or two; I’m used to it now. I’ve even developed resistance to electricity.”

Prilly shook her head, going “Ugh.”

“She’s so jealous. Hehe. Look, you’ve got sauce on your face again.”

Prilly wiped the sauce off Bedel’s face with a tissue.

She cut the sweet and sour pork into bite-sized pieces for Bedel.

She held a cup of water to Bedel’s mouth as soon as he swallowed his noodles.

“Are you really single?”

She seems better at taking care of kids than I am.

It’s frustrating that Prilly, who’s taking care of Bedel, is more skilled than I am with Kabe.

“I’m single.”

“Tch.”

“Why? Jealous?”

“Yeah.”

I’m honest at times like this.

I’m definitely jealous right now.

I’m jealous of Prilly, who’s better at taking care of kids than I am.

“Well, you and I have different levels of experience taking care of kids.”

“But you’re single, right?”

“Heh. That’s right.”

Despite her light chuckle, Prilly’s gaze didn’t leave Bedel.

When Bedel finished the jajangmyeon on his plate, Prilly scooped more onto it and only then started eating her fried rice.

“I raised Priqu and Prabel, you know.”

“Huh?”

“I grew up in an orphanage. No, forget it. It’s not a nice story.”

Wait, what?

“An orphanage?”

“What? Feeling pity all of a sudden? Forget it. I don’t need that.”

Prilly scoffed.

Well, it’s not like I’m the only orphan.

And I’ve never seen anyone like her.

At least, not from the same orphanage.

“Mom, water.”

“Ah, mom’s not paying attention. Here you go.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“You should give it before they ask. Don’t you know that as a mom?”

I have nothing to say.

She’s so good at it that it leaves me speechless.

“By the way, I heard you’re competing with the Association President at a fan signing event?”

“How did you know that?”

“She’s been bragging about it everywhere. Something about a lump of fat or whatever, I don’t get it.”

The grudge runs deeper than I thought.

And it’s kind of childish too.

“The Association President has been active for a long time, and the media hypes her up as the Miracle Princess Eve whenever they talk about magical girls. Her popularity is insane. You’re pretty popular too, but… this time might be tough.”

Is that so?

I don’t really care, though.

“But you still have a good chance of winning. At least, I bet on you.”

“What?”

“There’s a betting pool in the Association. Since we can’t get exact numbers, we’re going by ratios. I bet 3:2 on you winning.”

Oh?

Now I can’t just let this go.

“Hey, Prilly.”

“Yeah?”

“Can you place a bet for me?”

“You want to bet too? Who and at what ratio?”

“On me. 4:1. Five million won. Can you do it?”

“Oho. That much for the pot? I’ll take a 5% commission. I’ll place the bet for you.”

“Deal.”

Great.

Bring it on, Eve.

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