The embarrassment of getting caught holding a book upside down turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
...
That morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The sunlight filtering through the gaps in my bedroom curtains felt warmer, no longer harsh, as if bringing the promise of a special day.
With excited feelings, I hurried to get down from bed. My steps were still a bit wobbly from sleep that hadn't completely faded, but new energy moved me to immediately run toward the dining room.
There, Mom was already busy preparing breakfast. The aroma of freshly made omelette and warm milk filled the room, harmoniously blending with the gentle hissing from the stove that was soothing. Mom's hair was neatly tied, and she looked graceful as usual, even while busy.
Meanwhile, Dad sat at the dining table, engrossed in reading something from a thin tablet that cast a gentle blue light on his face.
"Morning, Mom! Morning, Dad!" I greeted cheerfully while bouncing slightly at the doorway, unable to hide my overflowing enthusiasm.
Mom turned from her stove, a warm smile adorning her face.
"You woke up earlier than usual, Sera," she said gently while preparing breakfast. "Even the sun hasn't risen high yet."
She glanced at me briefly, a thin smile gracing her lips.
"Is there something you're waiting for today?"
I nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking rice, my eyes sparkling.
"Yes! Today Mom's going to teach Sera to read! Sera can't wait to start!"
Dad pressed the power button on his tablet until the screen went dark, then looked at me with a meaningful smile.
"Oh, who's this suddenly diligent? Just yesterday you were still reading books upside down."
My cheeks immediately heated hearing his gentle teasing. This childish reaction came so quickly, reminding me that this body had its own reactions.
Didn't we not need to discuss that embarrassing past?
"Daaad! Don't keep reminding me!" I whined while pouting my lips as hard as I could.
Dad just laughed harder, as if my sulky face just made him more amused.
"Hahaha, okay, okay. Papa was just joking."
He stood up and stroked the top of my head with his big, warm hand.
"Papa is proud Sera wants to be serious. But listen, Queen of Learners," Dad whispered as if it was a secret, "Learning is walking, not running. Don't push yourself, okay?"
"I'm strong!" I said while clenching my small fist with determination, trying to look tough before them.
Mom stepped slowly toward me, bringing a breakfast plate and a glass of warm milk.
"Before studying, Sera eat first, okay. A full stomach makes the head work well."
I immediately sat in my special chair, a pink children's dining chair with comfortable soft cushions—and started devouring breakfast enthusiastically. Mom and Dad sat beside me, occasionally smiling seeing my excessive enthusiasm that probably looked adorable in their eyes.
After a few bites, I swallowed my food somewhat hurriedly. Curiosity couldn't be contained any longer.
I grabbed Mom's hand and shook it gently.
"My dear Mama!" I called with a spoiled tone. "What will I learn later?"
Mom put down her tea cup with a graceful movement.
"Hmm, we'll start with letters first okay. Mama already prepared cute letter blocks. Then we'll also learn how to write them, slowly."
"Writing too?"
My eyes sparkled even more with overflowing hope. This was beyond my expectations.
"Sera wants to be able to write like Dad! Dad often writes on paper right?"
Dad smiled proudly hearing my determination.
"That's right. Papa often writes work 'spells'. If Little Sera can already write, later we'll make your own code, then we'll exchange secret notes, want to?"
I immediately straightened up.
"Want! I want!"
The image of being able to write secret messages like spies in movies made me unable to stop smiling. Maybe I could even get valuable information from Dad about this world, a world that still felt so foreign.
That day I didn't know Dad's promise about the code was a gateway to secrets far greater than just a game.
...
After breakfast was finished and the plates were cleaned, Mom invited me to the living room. There, a soft pastel-colored play mat was already neatly spread in the middle of the room brightly lit by morning sunlight.
On top of that mat were arranged several colorful wooden blocks with strange letter carvings on their surfaces, interesting picture books, and some colored pencils and white paper.
"So many!" I exclaimed slightly surprised while walking and sitting carefully on the soft mat.
Mom also sat beside me with gentle movements, straightening her slightly wrinkled long skirt.
"Yes, Mama prepared all this especially for Sera. Mama wants Sera to learn in a fun way."
I looked at those blocks curiously, taking one and turning it in my hand. The carved wood felt cold and smooth. I'd often seen these letters in Dad's books, but seeing them separated in block form felt very different.
There were letters that looked familiar, but many also had completely strange and weird shapes.
"Mama," I asked while lifting one block with full curiosity. "Why are the letters... shaped weirdly like this? Like... pictures?"
Mom laughed gently hearing my innocent question.
"Oh, that's because our language does have unique letters, dear. Some letters are indeed similar to simple pictures. That's why long ago, before there were letters, people drew to communicate."
"Ooh..."
I nodded with understanding. Inwardly, my adult mind immediately worked hard. This 'A' block... not like straight Roman alphabet. Its shape was more organic, like a water droplet silhouette or bird's eye. I flipped other blocks; 'K' looked like claw scratches, while 'M' really resembled two mountain peaks.
So the writing system in this world was truly inspired by ancient pictograms, very different from Earth. Very interesting.
Mom took a red block with a letter that looked like a vertical line with a curve on top, awakening me from my daydream.
"Now, Mama wants Sera to focus okay. We'll start from the most basic."
She raised that block higher so it was clearer to see.
"This is the letter 'A'. It sounds like 'ah'. Try Sera repeat, 'A'."
I looked at that block carefully, trying to memorize every detail of its shape.
"A..." I imitated softly, copying Mom's intonation.
"Good! Now try Sera hold the block, feel the carving shape."
Mom placed the block in my small hand gently.
I traced that letter carving with my tiny fingers, feeling the smooth wood texture and deep letter curves.
"Like this, Mama?"
"Exactly right. By tracing, Sera can remember it more easily."
Mom took another block, blue colored with a letter similar to a circle but with a line crossing in the middle.
"This is the letter 'E'. It sounds like 'eh'. Try?"
"E..." I said while carefully tracing that letter carving, trying to remember its difference from the previous letter.
"Smart! Now there's the letter 'I'..."
Mom showed a green block with a letter that looked like a thin stick with a dot on top.
We continued like that for several pleasant minutes. Mom patiently introduced each letter, one by one, while teaching me how to pronounce and remember them correctly. Occasionally she asked to make sure I really understood.
"Sera, which one was the letter 'A' earlier?" she asked while pointing to several blocks already neatly lined up in front of me.
I pointed to the red block without hesitation.
"This one, Mama!"
"Correct! How about 'I'?"
I pointed to the green block confidently.
"This one!"
"Wow, Sera remembered so quickly!" Mom praised while stroking my head affectionately.
Of course, I thought inwardly with slight pride. Adult thinking and still-clear memory was equivalent to cheat code; wouldn't have difficulty with basic things like this. I felt proud, even a bit arrogant, and sure this session would go smoothly without obstacles.
At first everything felt easy, too easy, even.
But as new letters were introduced one by one, my confidence was slowly tested.
After the next few letters, there was a burden pressing on my forehead. Something started feeling odd in my head, like a small container being filled too quickly.
Mom showed a letter shaped like two crossed lines with curves at the ends.
"This is the letter 'K'. It sounds like 'keh'."
"K..."
I tried to remember hard, but my head started feeling full and slightly dizzy. Too many weird shapes to remember at once in a short time.
"Then this is the letter 'M', sounds like 'em'."
Mom showed a block with a letter like twin mountains standing tall.
"M..." I mumbled with a doubtful tone, my vision starting to blur. Those letters started mixing up in my head like stirred alphabet soup.
"Now, Mama wants Sera to try repeating from the beginning. Which one is the letter 'A'?"
I looked at the row of blocks in front of me confused. Everything looked... the same. Or no, they were different, but my brain had difficulty distinguishing them clearly.
I pointed to one block doubtfully with thin hope.
"This...?"
Mom shook her head gently with patience.
"No, dear. That's the letter 'E'. The 'A' is the red one, remember?"
I was wrong? My confidence started crumbling.
"Oh... yes..."
I pointed to the red block with slow movements, but my confidence started wavering and disappearing.
"Good! Now try the 'K'?"
I looked at those blocks again harder, trying to remember with all my ability. Which one? The crossed one with curves...
I pointed to one with remaining hope.
"Hmm, that's the letter 'H', dear. 'K' is this one."
Mom showed the correct block with her index finger.
Frustration started creeping in my chest like approaching dark clouds.
Why couldn't I remember? As an adult, this should be easy for me!
Mom seemed to notice the change in my face. She looked at me gently and understandingly.
"Sera..." her voice softened. "Why the sulky face? It's okay to be wrong, this is Sera's first time learning."
"But... but Sera already forgot..." my voice sounded small and disappointed.
I let out a long sigh, the sound that came out was just a cute mumble from my tiny mouth.
Mom smiled warmly and hugged me tightly. Her hug was like a thick blanket warming the body in cold times.
"Learning takes time, dear. Remember, Sera isn't even 4 years old yet, it's natural to get tired quickly. Mama also used to need a long time to memorize all the letters. What's important is Sera already tried. We can keep repeating slowly, no need to rush."
My arrogance immediately evaporated. I forgot, my adult thinking might be useful, but the memory capacity in this 3-year-old head fills up very quickly. This small body was my biggest limit. I had to build memory from zero, slowly, like building a house foundation.
Somehow I felt a bit envious of protagonists in novels I'd read in my previous life. They could speak at age 1-2 and could even write and read fluently. Even at age 4 they'd already kicked villains easily.
While they already had extraordinary powers, I was still struggling to distinguish 'K' and 'H'.
Slowly, I pulled Mom's shirt hem.
"Mama," I whispered softly with a voice almost inaudible. "Is... is Sera a 'slow child'?"
I said that because my ego was slightly hit by this bitter reality.
"Eh?!"
Mom immediately released her hug, her eyes widened in shock.
"Oh my! Who said that?"
Mom shook her head quickly, pinching my cheek gently.
"There's no 'slow child' in this house! Sera is a Smart Fairy! Mama repeats: Other children Sera's age are still busy dropping things from tables! Sera is already learning letters! That's amazing!"
Somehow suddenly I imagined that out there, other reincarnations who'd already become prodigies at age 4, were laughing at me.
"Really?" I asked with a doubtful tone still clearly audible.
"Really! Mama promises!"
Mom raised her pinky finger seriously.
"Come on, let's pinky promise. Mama will never lie to Sera."
I linked my tiny pinky with her warm one, and somehow, my frustrated little heart began to calm down slowly.
Suddenly, that awareness hit me.
I had just whined, asked for assurance, and worse, adult me had just done a pinky promise. I stared at my tiny finger intertwined with Mom's. This was crazy. This body's childish nature was like 'body memory' forcibly changing my adult responses.
I had to be careful, lest this body's habits completely take me over.
But strangely... that pinky promise felt comfortable. Mom's gentle touch and assurance really made my frustration subside.
Wait a minute. Comfortable? No, what was I thinking?
I was an... adult, not a little kid who needed silly assurance like this. Why did this body respond with warmth? Was I truly dissolving into the environment?
I shook my little head gently, trying to dispel the confusion mixed with that comfortable feeling.
"Now, let's rest first okay. Sera's brain must be tired. Want a drink?"
I nodded weakly.
"Want..."
As Mom's steps moved away toward the kitchen, the atmosphere became quiet. Only the sound of the clock ticking softly.
In that silence, I stared at the letter blocks still scattered on the mat...
I mumbled softly, almost inaudible, just for myself.
"I don't know which to choose. My current self, or my old self," I mumbled while reaching for the letter 'A' block.
I quickly pressed that thought away.
"Forget it for now. That question isn't important now. I just need to know one thing: If I can read, I can know more about this world."
I turned that letter block in my hand.
"Yes, for now, I have to study first, and that's my focus. The rest can be thought about later."
The decision to focus on knowledge felt right. Slowly, a feeling of relief enveloped my heart, dispelling the confusion and guilt I'd felt earlier.
In my small heart, new determination began burning slowly.
I wouldn't give up. I would learn all this, no matter how difficult!
That determination, though small, was a spark of fire I really cherished in this small body.
Days passed in consistent rhythm.
Every day, after breakfast, we would sit in the living room with the mat and now-familiar letter blocks. Slowly but surely, I began to remember more letters, though still often wrong on some that looked similar.
Our peaceful routine continued, until Dad decided to "save me" from boredom.
One morning, when I was seriously trying to write the letter 'A' on paper with my favorite red colored pencil, Dad suddenly appeared with an enthusiastic and cheerful face.
"Sera, dear!"
Dad called me softly as if afraid to disturb.
"Papa has a secret mission! How about today we investigate the museum? Papa wants to take Sera to see the legendary sword that... Papa once told you about!"
My eyes immediately sparkled with enthusiasm. The legendary sword! I'd been waiting for it for so long! I wanted to see it with my own eyes!
But before I could answer enthusiastically, Mom had already stepped toward Dad with a sharp warning gaze.
"Wait a minute, Mr. Adventurer."
Mom called him with a flat, cold tone.
"You mean you're planning to take Sera now?"
"Of course. Why not? The weather's nice today, I'm off... Perfect timing, right?"
Dad tried to flash his sweetest smile, but Mom just looked at him expressionless.
Mom folded her arms across her chest. The glint in her eyes was unmistakable: this was a forbidden zone.
"Good opportunity for what? To forget all the letters she's already memorized? She's focusing, and you want to disturb her with... an old sword?"
"Eh, but going out is also part of learning..."
Dad tried to defend himself with a weak reason, scratching behind his ear nervously.
"Part of learning?"
Mom raised one eyebrow skeptically.
"Learning what? Learning to play around?"
"That's not what I meant!"
Dad stammered trying to explain.
"I mean, Sera also needs refreshing. If she keeps studying, she'll get stressed later."
"Sera isn't stressed!"
Mom cut in quickly.
"She's very enthusiastic about learning. Look! She's even started being able to write some letters!"
Dad looked at me still sitting on the mat, holding a pencil with a clearly confused expression. I felt trapped in the middle of this verbal battlefield and didn't know who to support.
Dad looked at me with pleading eyes, clearly hoping I'd refuse the learning invitation and choose going out.
This Dad was truly childish in things like this, making me feel equally at a loss.
"Sera, you want to go with papa right?" Dad asked with a voice softened like honey, as if coaxing with full hope.
I glanced at Mom quickly. Her gaze already spoke clearly without words: "Don't you dare say you want to."
I swallowed with difficulty, trapped in a difficult dilemma. Guilt surged in my small chest.
"Umm... Sera... Sera wants to see the sword, but... but Sera also wants to study first..."
It felt like Dad and I were both acting like little kids whining to their mother. Really, my Dad was a clown, and he'd just invited me to become a clown too.
"See!"
Mom pointed at me as if I was proof of her undeniable victory.
"Sera herself said she wants to study first!"
Dad let out a long resigned sigh, looking like a soldier who lost the war miserably.
"Alright, alright. Your mother wins. Papa's going first. Good luck fighting, my Learning Soldier! Papa's leaving first bye bye"
Dad tried to sneak away quickly.
"Oh, not that easy, Sir! Where do you think you're going? Come back here! You also have to help teach her! Two brains are better than one." Mom added firmly and non-negotiably.
"But..."
Dad spoke doubtfully, clearly trying to find any reason to leave here.
But it seemed Mom wouldn't let Dad go just like that.
"No buts, come here right now."
"Yes, yes..."
Dad could only surrender with drooping shoulders.
I held back laughter seeing him.
Dad finally sat on the mat, and that day's study session completely changed. If Mom taught patiently and methodically, Dad taught noisily. He made strange sounds for each letter and told stories about "M the Twin Mountain who's grumpy".
Mom could only shake her head seeing our behavior, but the thin smile on her lips showed she wasn't really angry.
In my heart, I felt warm and happy. Mom was so serious thinking about my education, while Dad wanted to make me happy in his own way.
They were both... truly good parents.
It seemed I could even guess how they met before, must be an interesting story.
...
Since then, my days were filled with increasingly intense and regular study sessions. Mom not only taught me letters patiently, but also began introducing me to simple words and how to write them correctly and neatly. I felt like undergoing an intensive course, but one guided with gentleness and endless patience.
What was even more surprising, Dad was also very enthusiastic helping this learning process. Every night before bed, he would read me storybooks while pointing at each word he read with his index finger, making me follow the reading flow better. Sometimes he also taught me new vocabulary Mom didn't teach during the day, enriching my understanding.
Every night, when Dad read stories, my curiosity about this world grew bigger.
...
That night, after a full day of learning new letters and words that made me dizzy, I couldn't wait for Dad to read a bedtime story. This ritual had become my favorite part—moments when the outside world no longer mattered, and there was only me, Dad, and stories that took us far away.
But tonight was different.
Tonight, I had a special plan I'd been thinking about since this afternoon.
...
My memory drifted back to the afternoon, when the sun was still high as usual. When no one was watching me, I secretly sneaked away to the room where I usually saw Dad's books neatly arranged on shelves.
With tiptoe steps, my eyes focused on one thick dark blue book with a cover depicting a golden ocean.
That picture looked like... water? Or maybe an ocean? I wasn't too sure, what was clear was this book looked good.
With difficulty, I pulled out that heavy book. It almost fell on me, but I managed to hug it tight and bring it to my room. That book was now safely hidden under my pillow.
"Hehe... tonight I'll ask Dad to read this book!" I whispered to myself with proud feelings, like a thief who successfully stole treasure.
...
And now, the moment I'd been waiting for finally arrived.
When Dad entered my room with his warm smile as usual, I immediately jumped small on the bed with overflowing enthusiasm.
"Dad! Dad!" I called with a cheerful voice while waving my small hand.
Dad laughed seeing my behavior, his eyes squinting full of affection.
"Sera looks very energetic tonight. What's up?"
"Sera wants Dad to tell stories from this book!"
Proudly, I pulled out the thick dark blue book from behind my pillow and lifted it high—though my hands trembled slightly from its weight.
Dad's expression changed. His eyes widened momentarily, a mixture of surprise and... amusement, maybe?
"Eh? This book... where did Sera get this book?"
"Sera took it this afternoon!" I answered innocently with a wide smile, completely unaware I'd just confessed to committing a 'crime'.
But anyway, this wasn't a crime right? I was just relocating.
Dad shook his head gently while smiling amusedly, as if facing a little kid who just admitted stealing cookies from the jar.
"Sera... But... this book isn't a bedtime storybook, you know. Is Sera sure she wants to hear?"
"Yes! Sera's curious! The picture on the cover is nice!" I insisted with sparkling hopeful eyes, not wanting to back down one bit.
Dad let out a small sigh, the resigned sigh parents usually do when they know they can't win against their child's insistence. But his smile didn't disappear.
"Alright, alright. If Papa's Princess asks, Papa can't refuse."
Satisfied feelings filled my chest. I knew Dad wouldn't refuse me.
With slow movements, Dad sat on the edge of my bed and opened that book carefully. Thin dust flew from its edges, this book was indeed Dad's old collection, maybe hadn't been read for years.
I shifted closer, not wanting to miss a single detail.
The first page displayed large writing I couldn't fully read yet, but Dad read it for me with a clear and firm voice, like announcing something important.
"Atlas of the Aqua World: Maps and Geography of the Archipelago," Dad read with a slightly formal tone.
Aqua? This world's name was Aqua?
Questions immediately appeared in my head, and I moved even closer, my eyes fixed on the page Dad opened.
The next page showed a large map spread across two pages at once, drawn with beautiful blue and green ink. Fine lines depicted the sea, while small islands looked like gems scattered on it, beautiful, mysterious, and inviting curiosity.
"Our world is called Aqua," Dad said gently while pointing to writing in the map's corner.
His voice sounded full of pride, as if introducing me to someone important.
"The name comes from an ancient language meaning 'that which stands upon the sea'."
"Aqua..." I repeated softly, trying to feel that word on my tongue. That word felt foreign but also... beautiful.
"Why is it named Aqua, Dad?"
A proud smile appeared on Dad's face hearing my question.
"Because our world is mostly made up of vast endless oceans... Aqua means water. So, our world is a world standing upon a great ocean. Look..."
His finger moved over the map, showing the wide blue area dominating almost the entire page.
My eyes followed his finger's movement carefully, trying to understand what he was showing.
True... blue color dominated almost the entire map, like a vast cloth stretching without limits. And in the middle of that vast ocean, scattered were many small dots and irregular shapes of various sizes, like stars in the night sky.
"These are all islands, Dad?" I asked while pointing at those small dots with my tiny finger, still doubtful.
"Exactly right! Sera's smart!" Dad praised with a surprised face, his hand stroking my head that Mom had just combed before bed.
That stroke felt comfortable and soothing.
"Every dot and shape is an island. Some are small, some medium, and some large. And every island has its own name."
Dad's praise made me even more enthusiastic. I looked at that map more carefully, trying to understand the visible pattern. My eyes circled from one dot to another, from small islands to medium ones, until... wait.
There was something strange, or more precisely, striking, in the middle of the map.
Right in the center, surrounded by hundreds of small and medium islands scattered like stars in the sky, stood a large landmass. far, very far larger than other islands. Its shape was irregular, like... like a giant stretching its body.
"Dad," I called while pointing at that large landmass with my index finger, my voice full of curiosity. "What's this? It's so big... bigger than the others..."
Dad followed my index finger's direction and nodded with a meaningful smile, a smile saying he'd already guessed I'd ask about that.
"Ah, that's the Central Continent, Sera. The largest landmass in the Aqua world. All other islands surround it like a ring. People call it 'Arterra'."
Central Continent... Arterra...
I looked at it admiringly, fascinated by its extraordinary size. That continent was truly big, like a giant sitting in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by its smaller children, protecting them... or maybe being admired by them.
But as my eyes continued exploring the map, there was something else that caught my attention, something that made me curious.
Around that Central Continent, there were six islands much larger than other islands. They weren't scattered randomly. no, they were spread evenly, as if... as if guarding the Central Continent from all directions. Their position was almost perfect, like a protective circle deliberately created.
"Dad, these..."
I pointed at those six large islands one by one with my small finger, unable to hide my admiration.
"These are big islands right? Why are they... like... like protecting the continent in the middle?"
Dad didn't look surprised hearing my observation. On the contrary, he looked at me with a gaze I couldn't interpret, a mixture of pride, slight surprise, and... something else. Something deeper.
"Good question..." he said softly, as if considering how much he should say.
"Exactly right, dear. These six islands are called the 'Guardian Islands'. They're the largest islands outside the Central Continent, and their position is indeed like they're guarding that continent."
Guardian Islands...
That name sounded cool and mysterious to my ears, like knights' names.
I looked at that map longer, trying to remember every detail I could see. The wide blue ocean, hundreds of small and medium islands scattered like stardust, the large and majestic Central Continent, and six Guardian Islands standing firmly around it.
This world... was far bigger and more complex than I'd imagined, more beautiful, more amazing, and more full of mysteries.
But the more I stared at that map, the more one important question emerged in my head, a question that suddenly felt very urgent to answer.
"Dad..." I called with a small voice full of curiosity. "Then... where do we live? On which island?"
Dad smiled gently, as if already predicting my question even before I said it. His finger began moving over the map, searching for something carefully and patiently. My eyes followed his finger's movement hopefully, my heart beating slightly faster.
His finger moved past the large Central Continent, past one of the Guardian Islands, then stopped in an area quite far from the center, but still surrounded by many other medium islands forming a kind of cluster.
"Here," Dad said while pointing at a medium-sized island, not too big, not too small. Just... right.
"This is Tarin Island, where we live now."
"Tarin..." I repeated softly, trying to remember that name well, carving that name into my memory.
I squinted, trying to see details of the island Dad pointed at. Our island was indeed quite far from the Central Continent and Guardian Islands, but surrounded by many other medium islands forming a kind of cluster.
Like... like our island was protected by neighboring islands, like a big family taking care of each other.
"Our island is pretty far from that big continent..." I commented while looking at the distance between Tarin and the Central Continent.
The distance looked... very far.
"That's right," Dad answered while nodding, his voice remaining calm and reassuring.
"But even though it's far, Tarin is a busy and important island, Sera. Look, around us are many other medium islands. They're all connected through trade routes and ships. So, even though we're not in the center, we're still not alone."
Dad's explanation made me feel slightly relieved. I nodded slowly, trying to understand what he said. So, Tarin wasn't a lonely remote island at the edge of the world; we had neighbors, had friends, had connections with the wider world.
That... that was good, right?
But the more I stared at that map, the more questions emerged. Questions about how these islands were connected, about why their positions were like that, about...
"Dad..." I asked again with a voice starting to get sleepy, but still full of curiosity. "Why do these islands seem... like protecting each other?"
Dad laughed softly hearing my question, a warm laugh full of affection.
"Because in the Aqua world, the ocean is vast and dangerous, Sera. There are big storms, strong currents, and... other scary things. So, islands close to each other help each other. If one has trouble, others will come help. That's why island positions are important. the closer to other islands, the safer."
Dad's explanation made something shift in my understanding. I looked at that map again with new feelings.
This world... wasn't just about islands and oceans. This was about togetherness, protection, and... relationships between islands.
"Sera understands..." I mumbled softly, more to myself than to Dad.
I looked at that map longer, trying to imagine how vast this world was, how many stories hidden on each island, how many people living there, how many adventures waiting. Boundless oceans, hundreds of islands with their own names and stories, the mysterious big continent in the middle, and our small home on a quiet but not lonely medium island.
A new curiosity began growing in my chest, a big and passionate curiosity.
"Has Dad been to the big continent?" I asked curiously, my eyes looking at Dad's face hopefully.
"Yes. Several times, for work," Dad answered briefly, but there was something in his eyes. memories, maybe?
"Has Dad been to the Guardian Islands too?" I pressed again, not wanting to stop.
"Been there too. But that's a story for another time,"
Dad smiled mysteriously, a smile saying he kept many stories he hadn't told yet.
Feelings of admiration and envy mixed in my chest. Dad had already seen so many places... places I could only imagine now.
"Sera... someday wants to go there. Wants to see that big continent!" I said with sparkling eyes full of determination, strong determination, even though I was still very small.
Dad looked at me gently, there was a very complex mix of emotions.
"Someday, when Sera grows up, Sera will surely go there."
"Now Sera has to sleep, right?" I interrupted with a casual tone, already knowing where this conversation was headed.
Dad laughed softly, his voice full of warmth.
"Smart. It's late, Sera's eyes are already getting sleepy."
"Not sleepy yet!" I protested, though my eyes indeed already felt heavy, my eyelids were already starting to slowly drop.
"Lying. Look, the eyes are already half closed,"
Dad pinched my nose gently fondly, making me giggle.
"Let's sleep. If you don't sleep, your mom will scold your dad. Moreover, tomorrow still have to study letters again right?"
I let out a small sigh, a resigned sigh the same as Dad's earlier.
"Yes..." I answered with a sleepy voice, unable to resist anymore. My eyes were indeed already getting heavy.
Dad rose slowly from the bed's edge, arranging the blanket on my body gently. His hand stroked my head once more, a stroke full of affection, a stroke that made me feel safe and loved.
"Sweet dreams, dear," he whispered softly, his voice like a lullaby.
"Sweet dreams, Dad..." I replied with a voice almost whispering.
The light was turned off slowly, leaving comfortable darkness.