Living in another world as an Oni!

Chapter 91 - 88: Where to Let Her Sleep?

Chapter 91: Chapter 88: Where to Let Her Sleep?

After that absolutely *gruesome* punishment, I was finally back home.

"Puah! I survived!" My missing clone gasped dramatically as she dragged herself into the cabin. She collapsed into one of the chairs, looking like she'd just returned from war.

You survived? YOU?

I narrowed my eyes at her. That little fuck had ditched me to handle the punishment alone. And now she was lounging in my house like she owned the place? Unforgivable.

The chair creaked under her weight as she sighed in relief. My cozy little cabin, with its simple furniture and peaceful view located near the westside forest, was my safe haven. I asked for Titan's help building this one from the one Scar and the others made.

The rustling of the leaves outside usually calmed my nerves. Usually.

But right now? I saw red.

"Glacier spikes!" I shouted, casting my spell with a wicked grin.

"Wha—HEY!" My clone yelped, diving out of the chair as icy spikes shot toward her. She barely dodged in time, the spikes embedding themselves into the wooden floor with a frosty crack.

"Let's calm down, me! I'm sure we can talk this out!" she yelled, scrambling behind the couch for cover.

"Talk this out? TALK THIS OUT?!" My hands glowed with magic as I prepared another spell. "You abandoned me to suffer alone! How dare you!"

"Spore burst!"

A puff of glowing green spores erupted, catching her as she tried to flee. She coughed and waved her arms wildly, but still managed to dart behind a table. The fight continued, spells flying and furniture creaking ominously under the strain of our battle.

It wasn't until a loud knock echoed from the door that I paused, mid-spell, with my clone caught in a chokehold.

"Aria! You there?" Leah called out I could hear faint annoyance in her voice.

Tsk.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance, releasing my clone, who slumped to the floor with a relieved gasp. "Count yourself lucky," I muttered before brushing myself off and opening the door.

Leah stood there with her usual smirk, looking entirely too amused. Beside her, the towering figure of Titan loomed, his armored body shining a little in the sunlight. And in Titan's hands, dangling like a sack of potatoes, was the small child we'd...somehow...forgotten.

Fuck. How did I forget her? This all because of you, clone!

Clone: ...The fuck did I do?!

"Uh, Hi?" I asked casually, as though I hadn't just been in a magic brawl with myself and as though I hadn't just forgotten about the kid...

"She can take my bed," I said finally, though the words tasted like defeat. "I'll...figure something out for myself."

Leah's smirk softened into something almost approving. "Good answer."

The kid beamed up at me, her smile so bright it almost made the sacrifice worth it. Almost.

Author: It's just a bed Aria, sheeshಠ_ಠ

---

Later that night, I sat cross-legged on the floor, grumbling to myself as I tried to make a pillow out of spare blankets. The kid was snuggled up in my bed, already fast asleep, her tiny form looking ridiculously cozy.

Leah sat at the table, casually sipping tea she'd made from my stash. Titan stood by the door, his glowing eyes watching over us like an overly protective statue.

"You know," Leah said, breaking the silence, "you're not half-bad at this 'caretaker' thing."

I glared at her. "Don't patronize me."

She chuckled. "I'm serious. You're doing alright. For someone who clearly has no idea what they're doing, anyway."

"Gee, thanks," I muttered, flopping onto my makeshift bed. "You're a real ray of sunshine."

Titan made that rumbling laugh sound again, and Leah joined in, their amusement grating on my nerves.

But as I glanced over at the kid, still peacefully sleeping, I felt a tiny bit of pride. I might not have everything figured out yet, but at least I was trying.

"Well," I said, pulling a blanket over myself, "if I survive this whole 'parenting' thing, I expect a medal."

Leah snorted. "You'll be lucky if you survive the week."

I groaned and buried my face in the blanket. Why did I think taking responsibility was a good idea again?

But deep down, I knew. As much as I wanted to complain, I couldn't help but feel a little bit attached. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad.

Little theater:

Aria staring at the kid sleeping in her bed: "How did I end up as the one responsible for her?"

Leah sipping tea and grinning: "Simple, you're the one who saved her in the first place."

TITAN, unblinking, rumbles a soft chuckle.