Shield Hero With Barrier Magic

(Hiro's POV)

I didn't sleep after that. I was just enjoying the scenario, brushing Sakura's hair occasionally until dawn came. Sakura didn't stop hugging me all the time. I don't know if the conversation we had last night worked or not. But it made her more conscious of my safety after I talked to her about the what-if scenario of my death. That's why she wrapped her wings around me.

I will be safe with my OP powers. And I will be able to keep others safe. But I don't want my children's lives to be solely dependent on me. I am just a part of their lives. I wonder if Sakura understood that.

???: "So, you were here. We are looking everywhere for you."

Rino found us. It looked like they woke up to find me and Sakura missing. So, they went to different ways to search for us. Rino sat beside me and started talking in a low voice as to not wake up Sakura.

Rino: "So, what did Father and daughter do last night?"

Hiro: "Just talked about life. You know. 'Birds leaving their nest to make their own life' thing."

Rino: "Well, there is a possibility of the bird staying back and mating with her father though."

Well, I don't know about that. Sakura didn't really show any signs of romantic attraction towards me. She told that she wants me to be her mate but that's it. Currently, our relationship is just that of a father-daughter relationship. Well, she is a father-con though. But Sakura's attraction towards me never looked like romance. To be honest, her love for me sometimes reminds me more of a mother rather than a daughter or a lover. A mother worrying and being protective of her son.

Even now, she wrapped wings around me so that I won't feel cold. Haa... Yeah, I can guess. My d.e.s.i.r.e for a mother must have influenced her. But I am supposed to be the parent here.

Sakura's wings shook a little before she opened her eyes.

Hiro: "Good Morning, dear daughter."

Sakura: "Good Morning, Dad."

And there was a bit of silence.

Hiro: "Umm... You can let me go, Sakura."

Sakura: "I like it like this, Dad."

Rino: "You can't keep him for yourself, Sakura."

Sakura noticed Rino beside her.

Sakura: "Oh, Good Morning, Mom."

Rino: "Good Morning. Will you let go of my future husband?"

Sakura: "I don't want to. I want to be with my mate like this forever."

Rino: "Oi! We need to share! You are not his only mate!"

Why are you talking like I am already her mate, Rino? I didn't accept her.

Sakura: "The come and hug. We can do it together."

Rino: "No! Not together! I am not ready for that yet!"

Oi! What the hell are you thinking, Rino ?!

Just at that moment, I hear Eclair shouting.

Eclair: "So there you are! Rino! You should have let us know!"

Rino: "Why? Do you want to join too? Isn't that too fast for that?"

Raphtalia: "Join what?"

Filo: "I don't know what it is but Filo wants to join too!"

Rino: "No! You are too..."

Rino immediately realized what she said and her face went all red.

Rino: "It's nothing!"

Hiro: "Umm... Sakura, let go of me. I am not going anywhere."

She did as I said. I explained to the others about what happened. All of them were sure that Rino meant something else though. But they let it go.

And we met the Magic Shop Owner who took rest in an inn yesterday night. All of us teleported to Melromarc and got the ore processed into a jewel. After that, I left Filo and Sakura in the magic shop to make threads promising nice dinner for them. Rino decided to stay back and learn some magic from the shop owner in the process. I gave Rino money for them to have lunch if I didn't come by afternoon.

Eclair, Raphtalia, and I teleported back to Riyute. I talked with the villagers and gave them instructions about what to do with the remaining ores. By afternoon, We got richer.

Hiro: "I think that's it. Shall we go back?"

Raphtalia/Eclair: "Not yet!"

Hiro: "Huh?"

Eclair: "I want to stay with my husband longer. Recently, you are being more with Sakura and Filo."

Hiro: "Oh, someone sure is jealous. Is it the same for you, Raphtalia?"

Raphtalia: "Yes, Daddy! You know, I am not getting much screen time because of that! Well, that's one of the problems with many harem members. Well, the d.i.c.k-heads won't care as they are okay with any girl though."

Hiro: "Hahaha... Alright, let's explore Riyute for some more time."

We went to the cave where Raphtalia first called me Daddy. Ah, that sweet memory. I still remember the stench of death and blood when she called me Daddy. We went to the exact place. We cleared all the light-metal ores that used to be here. But the waterfall's still here. We went to the edge of the cliff. This is the place. Haa... Nostalgia.

But still, this is a pretty good place for diving.

Hiro: "Let's jump, girls."

Eclair: "What?"

Raphtalia: "Huh?"

Raphtalia/Hiro: "Yahooo!"

Eclair: "Hiroooo!"

And we fell in the water. We came out of the water and Eclair started hitting me for doing that. Raphtalia and I just kept laughing though.

Eclair: "What did you do that for ?!! I am all soaked now!"

Hiro: "I wanted to dive. So, I did."

Eclair: "Why did you take us along with you ?!!"

Hiro: "I thought it would be good if all of us dived at once. Hahaha."

Eclair gave up and started laughing with us. And Raphtalia shook her tail like a wet animal does when it wants to remove water from its fur. Her tail became more round and fluffy with that.

I couldn't contain it and took it and rubbed my cheek with it. Mofu Mofu.

Raphtalia: "Ah~ Daddy! That place is Ah~~"

Eclair hit me over the head really hard.

Eclair: "What the hell are you doing to our daughter in front of me ?!!"

Well, that brought me back to my senses. I looked at Raphtalia whose face is completely red. Shit. I couldn't resist the Mofu Mofu.

Raphtalia: "Umm... I don't mind, Daddy. But Mommy will feel if we do it in front of her. Hehehe..."

Hiro: "Actually, sorry. I couldn't resist. Well, Filo and Sakura let me do that to them. So, I lost myself."

We laughed it off in the end but that made me more conscious of Raphtalia as a woman. Nobody noticed the slight blush on my face that day.