(Yuuta's POV)
"Okay, Elena—put that box over on that side," I said, pointing at the tiny space still left in the living room.
"Mm!" Elena waddled toward it with all the determination of a toddler carrying a treasure chest twice her size.
"And Erza," I said, turning to the Dragon Queen herself, "you take care of the cupboard for me."
Erza stared back at me like I had personally insulted her bloodline. "Why me?" she asked, clearly annoyed.
"Well… because," I said, shrugging, "you're the strongest one here. And you know I can't carry that thing."
She clicked her tongue. "Tch. Screw you. How dare a human command royalty?" She turned away with an indignant hmph, arms crossed, tail practically bristling even though she wasn't in dragon form.
I sighed dramatically. "Allen, please help me."
"As you wish, my master," Allen said with his usual calm devotion. He grabbed the entire cupboard with one hand—one hand—and carried it outside as if it weighed nothing. The truck driver watching us visibly reconsidered his life choices.
Behind him, Erza lifted her own boxes, muttering under her breath, and Grandpa marched out proudly carrying his two sacred objects: his sofa and his TV. Nothing else mattered to him. Not even us.
We were finally shifting out. My apartment—my first ever home—was becoming emptier with every piece of furniture that left the door. The walls echoed now. The tiny space looked bigger than it ever had.
And as I stood there, surrounded by half-packed boxes and fading memories, something tugged at my chest.
I remembered my life before all of this—before fate twisted itself into something unexplainable, before dragons and magic and chaos—back when I was just an ordinary boy waiting for a miracle that never came.
After I left the orphanage at eighteen, reality struck harder than any demon claw or dragon roar ever could. I had waited so long… so painfully long… until the age of seventeen, clinging to the hope that someone—anyone—would walk through those doors, look at me, and say, "Let's go home, son."
But no one came.
Not for me.
My wish to call someone Mom or Dad simply… faded. Quietly. Like a candle running out of wax.
After that, life became a grind. I worked night shifts at a small café, wiping tables until dawn, staggering home half-asleep, earning just enough to rent a crappy apartment with peeling walls and a shower that made noises like a dying dinosaur.
My days were painfully predictable.
Wake up.
Drag myself to college.
Return home.
Eat cheap instant noodles.
Go to work.
Repeat.
A simple, endless loop.
A life with no spark, no color, no reason, no love.
Just… survival.
And then she appeared.
Erza.
I still don't understand half the story—how I ended up tying my life to a dragon queen, how I even impregnated her, or how the universe thought me, of all people, was worthy of standing beside someone like her.
Even now, I don't have the full picture.
But I do know this:
When she entered my life, everything that was silent became loud.
Everything cold became warm.
Everything empty… slowly filled.
The beginning?
Chaotic. Unpredictable. Terrifying.
She controlled magic I couldn't comprehend, had a personality colder than winter, and acted like she could crush mountains with her glare alone.
But now…
Now it's different.
Now my tiny, boring apartment echoes with her quiet footsteps, with the soft rustle of her hair when she turns, with Elena's small laughter.
Now my nights aren't filled with loneliness, but with warmth.
With family.
With love.
Somehow, from a meaningless loop, my life transformed into something beautiful—something I never dared to dream of.
And every day, I still wonder:
How did a forgotten orphan like me end up with someone like her?
As I watched Elena toddle towards me with another box, and Erza arguing with Grandpa about why the sofa is Needed, I felt it again—a warmth spreading across my chest.
This life… messy, magical, unpredictable…
It's everything I ever wished for.
And I wasn't leaving the apartment alone.
I was leaving it with a family.
Soon we were outside, standing beside my old blue second-hand car—the same car that had broken down on highways, survived rainstorms, and carried me through more lonely nights than I could count. We were packed, ready to leave, ready to start a new life somewhere else.
But my eyes… they kept drifting upward to the third-floor balcony.
The place where everything began.
How many mornings had I stood there brushing my teeth like a zombie?
How many nights had I collapsed on that balcony chair after work, staring at the sky and wondering if life would ever change?
How many memories were sealed inside those walls?
Erza leaned out from the passenger seat, arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Get in already, mortal. I do not intend to age inside this metal box."
I didn't look away from the building. "Yeah, yeah… I'm coming. Just… let me say goodbye to the place that kept me alive all these years."
The metallic hum of the parking gate cut through the quiet morning air.
I turned just in time to see Miss Kano—the landlady—running toward us with surprising speed for someone her age, clutching a small bouquet in one hand and a neatly wrapped chocolate box in the other. Her steps were uneven, breath ragged, and her eyes were already shining with tears.
"Yuuta… my little demon…" she managed between breaths, voice trembling with a mix of nostalgia and pride.
I hurried toward her. "Miss Kano—easy, take it slow! You didn't have to run all the way here."
I quickly handed her a water bottle.
She took it gratefully, gulped a few sips, then pressed a hand to her chest.
"Good heavens… I finally caught you," she said, breathing heavily but smiling.
I laughed softly. "You could've called me, you know."
She ignored that, eyes lifting to study me carefully—like a mother checking her child one last time before letting him walk alone.
"You really grew up, Yuuta," she said quietly, the words soaking into the air like incense.
"Am I?" I asked, half-joking.
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "You're finally leaving the nest."
That struck deeper than I expected.
I scratched my cheek. "Well… yeah. We finally found a new place. It's in the Street of Nyro."
Her jaw dropped. "The Street of Nyro? That rich remote area? You bought a house there? How on earth did you manage that kind of money?"
I forced a smile. "Trading, Miss Kano. Pure trading."
Erza slammed the car horn with the enthusiasm of someone deeply offended by lies. I flinched. Miss Kano raised a brow at the car.
She laughed. "I see… well, whatever the reason, I'm glad. I'm happy to see you stand on your own feet—to see you become a responsible man."
Her voice cracked softly at the end.
She wiped her cheeks, trying to maintain her usual strict expression, but the tears betrayed her.
"I still remember the first time I found you," she murmured. "Sleeping on the streets… shivering, starving, pretending you didn't need help. Such a strange, stubborn boy. I honestly thought you wouldn't last a week. But you did. You lasted much longer."
"And made me worry much more," she added with a watery laugh.
"Oi—please don't bring up that part," I said, waving my hands as my face heated. "I was going through a phase."
Behind me, Erza and Elena had slipped out of the car, pretending to stretch but clearly listening to every detail. Two curious dragons disguised as a mother-and-daughter eavesdropping squad.
Miss Kano reached out and squeezed my arm.
"Look at you now. A wife. A child. A future. You've become someone I can proudly say I watched grow. I'm truly… proud of you, Yuuta."
The sincerity hit harder than expected.
Maybe because she was the first adult who didn't give up on me.
Maybe because kindness always hits harder when you're not used to it.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "If you hadn't lowered the rent… if you hadn't accepted a half-starved teenager into your building… I don't know where I'd be. You gave me a place to breathe when everything else was suffocating."
Before Miss Kano could answer, a small tug pulled at my shirt.
"Papa!" Elena huffed, cheeks puffed in determination. "Elena won't let Papa sleep on streets! Streets are dirty! And cold! Papa must sleep next to Elena and Mama. Always."
Her tiny arms wrapped around my leg like she was shielding me from homelessness itself.
I lifted her into my arms, and she immediately buried her face into my shoulder.
I sighed softly, overwhelmed by how pure her love was.
"Alright, alright… my little mom," I whispered, kissing her forehead. "Papa promises. I won't sleep anywhere except next to you and your mother."
Erza, arms still crossed, turned her face slightly away—but I caught the faintest smile tugging her lips.
For someone with a cold personality, her eyes were surprisingly warm.
Miss Kano looked at the three of us—the strange little family that had somehow formed out of chaos—and her smile deepened.
Miss Kano wiped the last tear from the corner of her eye, steadying herself with a small sniff. Her gaze shifted past me—toward Erza, who stood beside the car with her arms folded tightly across her chest, chin slightly lifted, posture saying I do not wish to be bothered even though her eyes were quietly watching everything.
With gentle steps, Miss Kano walked toward her.
"I hope you've finally learned how to make chocolate," she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Erza didn't blink. "I always knew. I was merely… confused at the time."
Her tone was cold, but her ears twitched ever so slightly—a tiny sign of embarrassment she would never admit.
Miss Kano raised both hands, amused. "Oh my… why do you sound angry? Did I offend you somehow?"
Erza clicked her tongue and looked away. "You didn't offend me. I just… felt irritated. That's all." But I knew she was offended that Miss Kano called me Little demon.
Then she added—quietly, almost grudgingly—
"…Thank you for saving my foolish husband before I got the chance."
The way she said husband made my heart skip.
Miss Kano's laughter rang out, warm and unrestrained.
"My, my… Miss Kounari, is it? Please take care of my little demon. He still doesn't understand how cruel this world can be. I don't ever want to see that emptiness in his eyes again. The night I found him… those glowing eyes in the dark nearly scared me to death."
Erza stopped.
Her voliet eyes sharpened with something deeper—an emotion she rarely showed to anyone.
"I know," she said softly. "I know what you're trying to say."
Miss Kano blinked. Erza's voice had changed—lower, steadier, carrying an ancient kind of promise.
"And listen carefully," Erza continued, placing a hand over her chest with quiet conviction. "Even if I am not by his side… even if fate separates us… I swear he will never suffer again. As long as I live, nothing in this world—or any other—will ever harm him."
The air itself seemed to still.
Miss Kano stared at her, stunned. "Good heavens… usually men say things like that. Not women."
Erza's eyes narrowed.
"Then men should keep up," she replied.
Miss Kano burst out laughing again, shaking her head in disbelief.
Erza didn't laugh—of course not—but her gaze softened, just a little, like a dragon acknowledging someone worthy.
The car door slid open before I could even say to her properly, and Allen stepped out like he was attending some royal ceremony.
He bowed—deep, dramatic, unnecessary—and said in a perfectly polished tone:
"Miss Kano, thank you for saving my Master from the pit of hell. I shall forever remember your kindness for restoring his well-being."
Miss Kano blinked at him. Hard.
Her eyes moved from Allen… to me… and back to Allen.
"…Yuuta," she whispered, "who exactly is this man?"
Before I could even breathe, Allen continued, proudly placing a hand on his chest.
"I am Allen Manster, son of Veronica—direct bloodline of Lucifer. The Sin of Pride. The one blessed by Divinity to serve my Eternal Master and rule this entire universe alongside him."
…
I threw my shoe at his head.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Allen collapsed dramatically, clutching his skull.
"M-Master… it hurts…!"
Erza rubbed her nose like she had secondhand embarrassment, and I just stood there thinking:
Great. Perfect. Now I have to explain all this nonsense to Miss Kano—who barely even shows up in this novel! Why is my life like this?
Miss Kano pointed at Allen, confused.
"What was… all that? Ruling the universe? Sin of Pride?"
I forced a laugh.
"He's my butler. He, uh… tells jokes. Weird ones. Helps keep strangers from messing with me."
"…A pretty strange butler," she muttered, adjusting her glasses. "But alright."
She stepped past Allen—who was still writhing on the floor like a stabbed shrimp—and sat by the window, exactly where Grandpa used to sit during his visits.
"How are you doing these days?" Miss Kano asked gently.
Grandpa lifted his old eyes toward her and smiled.
"I'm doing fine, young lady."
Miss Kano huffed.
"You still call me that?"
He chuckled. "To me, you will always be a young lady."
Miss Kano blushed slightly.
"How romantic."
I rolled my eyes.
Romantic?
The guy is literally over a thousand years old. He calls everyone a 'young lady.' He probably called dinosaurs that too.
Just as Grandpa and Miss Kano were exchanging those rare, soft smiles—
a tiny moment that made the air feel warmer—
a heavy thud shook the ground.
I snapped my head around and froze.
Erza's fist was buried in the front of my second-hand blue car.
The engine hood had a fist-shaped dent. Something metallic rolled onto the pavement.
She stood there, arms folded, expression cold.
"We have to go."
Her voice sliced through the quiet like a blade.
Miss Kano actually flinched.
Grandpa blinked as if he just woke up from a dream.
And me?
I screeched like a dying rooster.
"MY CAR! ERZA—PLEASE BE GENTLE WITH MY CAR!"
Erza didn't even look at me.
She just sighed, brushing invisible dust off her knuckles.
"It's just a useless machine. If I wanted, I could buy a hundred more so don't cry over this shit."
"That's—not—how—cars—WORK!" I cried, examining the dent like a doctor checking a patient's injury.
Miss Kano covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"This family… goodness."
She stepped closer, her eyes softening again now that the chaos settled.
"Well… I guess this is the time."
She placed a small chocolate box and a bundle of handpicked flowers into Elena's tiny hands.
Elena's face lit up instantly.
"Thenk you! Papa look—fwowers!"
"I see, I see," I said, smiling despite the pain in my chest for my poor car.
Miss Kano then gently touched my arm.
"You grew up so much, Yuuta. From that strange, silent boy sleeping on the street… to a man with a family."
Her voice trembled a little.
I swallowed hard.
"…Thank you, Miss Kano. For everything."
Behind me, Erza shifted awkwardly—jealous, but pretending not to be.
Allen tried to bow so low his head almost hit the bumper.
Grandpa gave a light chuckle, tapping the window frame.
"Make sure to visit, boy."
"I will."
Miss Kano exhaled deeply.
"All right. Go. Your new life is waiting."
I started the engine—miraculously, it still worked even after Erza's punch—and slowly pulled the car forward.
And then it happened.
Windows all across the apartment building slid open.
One by one, familiar faces leaned out.
"Bye, Kounari family!"
"Take care!"
"Come visit!"
"Elenaaaa, wave for us!"
Elena stuck her whole arm out the window, waving wildly.
Erza looked straight ahead, pretending not to be moved…
but I saw the faint warmth in her eyes.
I let out a slow breath.
This wasn't just leaving a building.
It felt like closing a chapter—
a chapter full of memories, mistakes, tiny joys, and people who never gave up on me.
And with that, our old life slowly slipped behind us…
as we drove toward our new home.
To be continue...