Chapter 3
I thought… if I just slept one night, I would be able to go back to the daycare.
But even after many nights, I was still here.
The Pashayen Ducal Estate.
As for my current situation, the Carrot Class teacher personally came and explained everything to me.
“So, Chuu has been chosen by the ancestral whale. You’re special, so you’ll live here now.”
I knew about the ancestral whale too.
After all, every day before meals, we prayed—
“Ancestral Whale, thank you for protecting the seas of Pashayen today as well.”
“And now, Lord Diegon will become Chuu’s father. You always said you wanted a father, right?”
Father.
Standing in front of the dining hall, I puffed out my full belly and quietly muttered inside my mouth—
“Father.”
But it still felt awkward.
If words like “carrot,” “grape,” or “bread” were sweet like sugar cubes…
Then “father” felt like broccoli or spinach.
And not even properly boiled—still green and bitter.
It felt like I would spit it out if I tried.
“Miss Shu, your meal is ready.”
“Hewwo.”
The dining hall had a very long table. The uncle was sitting at the far end.
I walked bravely, just like I had practiced over the past few days, and sat properly in my seat.
The place with the crab-shaped plate was mine.
“……”
The uncle didn’t say a single word during the meal.
He just watched what went into my mouth with a cold expression.
A normal child might choke under that pressure—
But not a glutton!
I kept eating diligently, and when I was about halfway full—
“You may feel it is a bit early, but since you are an Awakened, learning will not be a problem. Starting today, you will be taught alongside the other children of Pashayen.”
“Yes!”
I answered energetically.
The Carrot Class teacher had already told me that I would study with new friends in a different classroom!
“At the Pashayen Training Hall, three are selected: the next family head, the resonator of the ancestral whale, and the admiral who will lead the navy.”
I swallowed the roasted chicken drumstick I was chewing and nodded.
I wanted to show that I was listening carefully.
But actually—
I want to become a great chef… a great snack shop owner… or maybe a bakery owner.
Still, the Carrot Class teacher had warned me many times before leaving—
“Chuu is fearless. Naturally… since birth, I think. You don’t really feel pain either, except hunger, right?”
“Yesss.”
“So you must be careful. The Pashayen family… they are frightening people. They are good among nobles, but you must not upset them. I’m very worried about you. You awakened too early…”
I didn’t understand even half of it.
But one thing was clear—
If I make a mistake, teacher will worry!
So I decided I would do everything properly.
“Most of the children in the training hall are of Pashayen blood, but there are also some like you, chosen directly by the ancestral whale. They are treated the same as the Pashayen bloodline.”
“Is there a class leader there too?”
At my question, the uncle paused and frowned.
“I don’t know. My sons never even got close to that position. Maybe it doesn’t exist.”
“I am a class leader.”
Ehem.
I proudly puffed out my chest.
The name tag pinned firmly onto the pretty dress the maids gave me drew attention.
“Your Excellency, there is a class leader system. There is also a vice leader.”
At that moment, Karmine, who had been standing like a shadow behind us, whispered.
Karmine was currently my second favorite person in this mansion.
First place was grandpa, who gave me lots of delicious food.
“There is, but those brats never got it?”
“Unfortunately, no. Every time, it was Lady Chesilia’s child who became the leader. The vice leader changes every three months, though. In fact, the election is in about half a month.”
“Hah.”
A name I didn’t know made my ears perk up.
Chesilia? That’s a pretty name!
“Your Excellency is often out at sea, so you probably didn’t attend family gatherings… but I heard Lady Chesilia boasts about it every time.”
Now the uncle looked very annoyed.
Tap. Tap.
He tapped the table with his fingers, then suddenly looked at me.
“If you become even the vice leader, I will promise additional support to that daycare. What do you think?”
Additional support!
Something the teachers always wished for!
“Really?”
“Not only that, I’ll select talented ones and send them to the academy. I’ll also send boxes of sweets.”
That was a very good deal.
I just had to become vice leader!
I was about to nod—
But I stopped.
Behind the uncle, Karmine was desperately making an X sign with his arms.
Then he mouthed something.
I could read his lips.
“More?”
Ask for more?
But there’s nothing else I want…
Even if I asked to go back to the daycare, they wouldn’t let me.
I had already tried for days.
“…Hmm.”
I put down my fork and held my head with my tiny hands.
Then suddenly—
Something sparkled in my mind.
“There is something.”
“What is it?”
“Come with me.”
“Where?”
I read it in a book.
Kids with moms and dads get taken to school together.
I was just a little jealous of that.
Even though I lived at the daycare and didn’t need it…
I still envied it sometimes.
“I know… you’re not really my dad. But…”
Would he get annoyed if I said that?
Teacher said not to upset him.
After thinking for a bit, I looked straight at him—
And smiled brightly.
The uncle frowned again when our eyes met.
“Miss needs time to adjust. For now, wouldn’t it be good if Your Excellency personally takes her to the training hall?”
“Me?”
“Yes. She might get lost. And surely, deep inside, she must be very scared.”
“Her?”
The uncle questioned, then wiped his face like he gave up.
I didn’t miss the chance and quickly spoke—
“Then will you come pick Chuu up later?”
“…If I have time.”
It was a plain promise.
Like half a slice of bread without jam.
* * *
Still—
The uncle came to pick me up.
I was wearing a jellyfish-like cute dress, and Rina put a dolphin hairpin in my hair.
Rina was the macaron aunty I met before!
“Sniff… Miss, you must be careful, okay?”
“Yes!”
“Don’t lose your spirit! And if anyone bothers you, scold them!”
Rina became my personal maid.
That means… someone who stays with me all the time.
So now, I lived happily with Rina in a room as big as the daycare.
“So I just need to take you there?”
“Yes, ajjii.”
“Ajjii?”
“Ajjii, you changed clothes?”
Because he looked much cooler than in the morning!
Actually, he was the most handsome adult I had ever seen.
Deep sea-blue hair.
Purple eyes with a red glow deep inside.
And an aura like a terrifying man-eating shark!
And now he wore a perfectly fitted white uniform—
He looked even cooler.
He looked like he had a lot to say, but only answered me.
“Yes. I changed.”
“Why?”
“…You talk too much. We’re here. Go in.”
Even though it was called a training hall, it wasn’t really a school.
It was just a room inside this huge mansion used as a classroom.
I stared wide-eyed at the giant door carved with a whale.
Creeeak.
The door opened.
And—
Dozens of eyes stared straight at me.
At the same time—
My feet stopped.
I thought it would be like Bbeokkeum Bbeokkeum Daycare…
But it wasn’t.
At that moment, the uncle lightly placed his hand on my shoulder.
“If someone hits you, bite them.”
“……?!”
“Always fight with full strength. Otherwise, you’ll be swallowed in one bite.”
The corner of his lips lifted as he looked down at me.
Ah… cancel that. He’s not handsome anymore!
…Mom, I think I became a little fish stuck between a shark’s teeth!
