I barely made it ten steps down the corridor.
My legs felt like rubber. My head spun with the weight of all those questions from the girl interrogation squad. Their words still echoed in my ears—sharp, judgmental, filled with curiosity that dug deeper than any blade. I kept wiping at my soul with invisible hands, as if I could erase the humiliation by sheer willpower.
Just when I thought I could make it past the next corner, it happened.
BAM!
A fistful of my collar shot up from behind me like a magnet had been triggered. I stumbled, heart racing, and before I could even catch my breath, I was yanked backwards. My stomach twisted. My knees buckled slightly.
"Hold it right there, traitor."
The words hit me like a slap.
My stomach sank.
The boys.
I turned around slowly, like a culprit in a school drama about to be caught sneaking out after curfew.
They were there.
A whole circle of them.
Not laughing. Not smirking. Dead serious.
Classmates. Seniors. Even that guy from the vending machine who always gave me the extra bottle when I barely had coins.
Their eyes all locked onto me with the same look—silent, unanimous disappointment. It was like I'd personally betrayed every bromance code ever written.
One of them narrowed his eyes. "Yuuta… has fallen."
The words hit harder than any physical blow.
Another stepped forward, voice breaking. "Dude… seriously?! You have a… wife?!"
A third clutched his chest like he'd been stabbed. "And a daughter?! A cute one?! Who… ran into your arms like some sappy drama scene?!"
Somewhere in the background, someone whispered, "No… it can't be…"
The vending machine guy shifted, face pale as milk tea.
I gawked at them like I was watching them experience heartbreak in real time.
"Dude!" another barked, almost yelling. "We ate convenience store chocolates together last year! You told us all relationships are scams! We believed you!"
"You were one of us…"
"ONE OF US!"
Each word cracked through me like thunder. My hands instinctively went up in surrender, palms out, as if that could somehow fix the situation.
"Wait, wait! It's not what it looks like—"
But they weren't done.
One of them, eyes wide and pleading, whispered, "Is she real? Like… not from a dating sim? Not some weird app?"
Another wiped his eyes. "Does that child… call you Papa or Dad?" His voice trembled as if the idea alone could make or break his soul.
I sighed and rubbed the back of my neck. "Yes… but it's complicated."
That only made them more silent. The kind of silence where you can hear the sound of regret echoing through the hallway.
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
And then, from the edge of the circle, the vending machine guy—of all people—stepped forward. His eyes weren't angry. They were… almost respectful.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a slow, deliberate tone that sounded like a priest delivering a final sermon.
"We're not mad that you found love," he said solemnly. "We're mad you didn't tell us… so we could live through you."
I blinked.
A lump rose in my throat.
For once, I didn't know what to say.
Then, desperately, I blurted, "I'll… cook lunch for everyone?"
It was a pathetic attempt to patch things up.
For a brief second, they stared at me.
Then, one by one, nods started spreading through the group like wildfire.
"Yeah."
"Let's eat."
"Sounds fair."
Brotherhood restored.
Kind of.
I still had no idea what I'd gotten myself into.
(Location:- Home Yuuta Apartment).
By the time I reached home, my legs felt heavy with dread. I didn't return out of comfort or responsibility; I returned because I had no choice. The curse Erza placed on me pulsed faintly at my neck, a constant reminder that if I didn't come back, my life would simply end. Every step inside was filled with frustration and quiet resentment. That woman—no, that dragon—knew exactly how to trap me. I could still imagine her expression, that cold superiority, as if she expected me to run like a scared animal the moment she turned away.
I muttered under my breath, trying to convince myself I still had some control. "Just wait… I'll take revenge. I'll cook something so good, so impossible for her to resist, and then you'll see…" It was a weak promise, but it made the fear more bearable.
When I pushed the door open, a strange mixture of familiarity and unease washed over me. This house used to be quiet, a place where only I existed. Now it felt crowded even when empty, as if the air itself carried the weight of the dragon queen who slept, breathed, and threatened within these walls. I used to live alone. But not anymore. A dangerous wife who wanted to kill me at any given moment stayed here now, along with my daughter—fearless, innocent, and somehow the only creature in existence who wasn't afraid of her terrifying mother.
As soon as I stepped inside, the sound of quick, light footsteps echoed down the hallway. My chest tightened, not from fear this time, but something softer, something I didn't want to admit. Before I could take another step, Elena burst into view, her tiny feet skidding slightly on the floor as she stopped in front of me. Her eyes were bright, full of warmth and excitement, untainted by the dark tension swirling around us.
"Papa, welcome back!" she said, lifting her arms eagerly.
Her smile was so genuine that, for a moment, everything else disappeared—the curse, the fear, the chaos, even Erza's cold eyes lingering somewhere deeper inside the house.
She was as cute as ever. My chest tightened at the sight of her, and I didn't even try to hide my smile as she jumped into my arms.
Her small hands wrapped around me in the tightest hug I'd ever received, and for a moment, I felt something I hadn't experienced before.
A sense of warmth, a feeling of belonging. It was as if time itself slowed down just to let me savor this moment, and my soul felt at peace for the first time in years.
I never realized how badly I needed this.
It was the first time in my life I ever felt like I had a family.
I quickly took her in my arms, holding her close, unsure if I wanted to let go. Her presence grounded me in ways I couldn't describe.
For all the chaos, for all the struggles, this—this feeling right here—was everything.
"Miss me that much?" I teased, rubbing her head as she giggled, her small body still warm against mine.
Her face lit up even more.
"Of course, Papa! I missed you all day!"
I chuckled and looked over her shoulder, my gaze sweeping around the house.
The small family I never thought I'd have, but somehow, I did.
My heart felt fuller than it ever had before, and for the first time in ages, I allowed myself to believe in something beyond survival.
Maybe, just maybe, this was what I needed all along.
I lift Elena onto my shoulder, I laughed, but as I glanced up… I saw her.
Queen Lizard herself—Erza—sprawled across my couch like she owned the place. Remote in hand. Watching TV. Legs up.
Wearing a robe she must've borrowed from my closet.
I blinked. "Wait—how the hell are you using the internet TV?"
She didn't even look my way.
Elena giggled. "Mama's learning about your world, Papa! She said she needs to gather data."
"Through Netflix?" I asked.
"She's watching cooking shows," Elena added. "To understand human culture."
I raised an eyebrow.
Smart... but kind of ridiculous.
"I mean, it's impressive," I muttered. "She found my college in less than a day."
"She followed your scent," Elena said casually.
"What scent?" I blinked. "Do I smell that bad?"
Elena giggled harder. "No, Papa! You have a different smell. Mama and I tracked it."
"Oh… that's… slightly terrifying," I mumbled.
"And yes," Elena continued proudly, "Mama crushed some cars. And trees. And fences."
I blinked again. "Wait. That shortcut I took behind the park…"
Elena nodded enthusiastically. "Gone, Mama destroy the path out of anger."
I sighed and rubbed my face. "Figures."
Before I could even complain further, a growl rumbled through the room.
Elena's stomach.
I looked down. "Sounds like someone's hungry."
She gave me puppy-dog eyes. "Elena is very hungry, Papa."
I grinned. "Alright, alright. Let's make something special tonight. How about steak?"
Her eyes sparkled. "Steak! I love steak!"
"You guys have steak in your world?" I asked curiously.
"Of course!" Elena chirped. "Mama's steak is the best!"
Erza finally looked up from the TV, a smug smirk forming. "Naturally. I was raised by the High Circle And taught by High Chef."
"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Well then, let's see how you compare to a good old-fashioned earthly steak."
Erza crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "Is that a challenge, mortal?"
"Wait, what?" I blinked. "No, I didn't say—"
"You dare question the culinary prowess of the Dragon Queen?"
"I literally didn't even—"
"Challenge accepted!" she declared proudly, standing up. "We will have a steak-off. Winner gets to demand anything from the loser."
I looked down at Elena.
She was already clapping.
"Yay! Papa versus Mama! I'm the judge!"
Great. This is happening.
I sighed. "Fine. But when I win, I'm making you clean up every dish."
Erza smirked. "And when I win, you'll polish my claws for a month."
I rolled up my sleeves.
"Let's see who earns the title of Steak Master."
To Be Continued…
[End of chapter]
[Scene: After chapter ends, bonus skit starts]
Elena (hopping around): Yaha~!
Papa said if I get more collections, I get more screen time! So please collect, okay?
Erza (arms crossed): Hmph. If we don't get comments, I might just burn the next chapter. Accidentally.
Yuuta (panicking): W-Wait! Readers, please—leave a comment! Save the story!
Elena (grinning): Or I'll start calling every reader Papa! Hehe~
Erza: That's it. I'm deleting Yuuta's scenes next.
Yuuta:Nooooo—!
Narrator: And that's how the chaos began. Please support this chaotic family with your collection and comments before the author cries.