Chapter 13: Raising Nahida - 3
Chatter and bustle filled the air!
Clap! Clap-clap! Clap-clap-clap!
The shouting of people, the sound of applause, and a symphony of other noises made his ears tingle.
“...!”
Logos felt Nahida suddenly tighten her grip on his hand. Her expression, once sorrowful, had transformed into that of a moth mesmerized by a lantern’s glow.
“Dad...?”
She looked as if she wanted to let go and run off that very second, yet she kept glancing up at him tentatively. It was incredibly cute.
His heart screamed at him to let her go and do whatever she wanted, but for safety's sake, he couldn't release her just yet.
Seeing Nahida’s dejected face tugged at his heartstrings, but he endured it.
As they moved further from the docks, the crowd thinned out, and a night market lined with stalls came into view. Only then did he release Nahida’s hand. She looked up at him with a startled expression.
‘Can I go?’
Logos smiled slightly and nodded at the question written all over her face. Seeing his response, Nahida beamed and dashed forward.
[Make Her Smile (3/5) - 7m]
‘If things go south, the quest even shows the distance, so it should be fine.’
He took his eyes off Nahida for a moment to scan his surroundings.
Blue and green slate roofs, wooden walls, windows covered in paper, and paths carved from rectangular stones. Vines hung occasionally from the houses.
Children running around, merchants and women haggling over goods, couples walking affectionately arm-in-arm, and two men carrying timber on their shoulders.
Logos followed behind Nahida, soaking in the vivid sensations. Though the stone floor was smoothed out, he could feel the slight irregularities and protrusions through the soles of his shoes.
As they toured Liyue Harbor, he spotted Nahida up ahead. She had stopped in front of a stall, staring intently at something.
“Ah, are you this young lady’s guardian?”
Logos picked Nahida up, bringing her eye level with the food displayed on the stall.
“Nahida, what do you want to eat?”
Nahida’s hand rose quietly. Her finger pointed toward some common-looking skewers.
“How many?”
She held up three fingers.
“That many?”
Nod, nod.
He wondered if all that food would fit in her tiny body, but then he remembered the 'Emergency Food' from the game and figured it was possible. Logos set Nahida down and handed some Mora to the vendor.
A drop of oily sauce dripped from the skewers onto the ground. Logos took them and handed them to Nahida.
Seeing her eyes sparkle as she held skewers longer than her own head, a natural smile escaped his lips.
[Make Her Smile (4/5) - 1m]
“...”
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Nahida held a skewer out to him. Her clear eyes seemed full of expectation, so Logos crouched down to match her height.
“Did you buy this for me?”
Nod, nod.
“Three is a bit much, though. You eat one, Nahida.”
He took a skewer from her and bit into the bottom where the sauce was about to drip. Sweet and savory juices flooded his mouth.
Nahida, still making eye contact, had a blissful smile plastered across her face. It was a wonderful sight.
[Commission Complete – Make Her Smile]
A translucent window popped up, and a small breeze brushed past his ear.
Then, right before his eyes, Nahida’s eye level rose slightly. It wasn't an illusion; she had actually grown a bit taller.
‘So the reward for completing Daily Commissions is Nahida’s growth.’
Now he understood why she had grown back at the Golden House.
Reaching a quick conclusion, Logos stood up. The skewers in both his and Nahida’s hands were soon reduced to thin wooden sticks.
They continued their walk. Unlike before, Nahida followed quietly by his side, holding his hand.
He bought several items: a book titled ‘The Perfect Common Language for Children,’ a lantern that lit up without fire, a ball with glowing stickers, some rope, wooden planks, and cushions.
As he continued his shopping spree, Logos looked around.
The scenery he had seen before entering the market persisted, even though the moon had replaced the sun.
Ordinary people going about their daily lives as if nothing had happened. Peaceful days without stimulation or sudden upheaval.
A life proceeding quietly, without fighting Stormterror, without encountering Fatui Harbingers, and without being hunted by an entire nation.
The memories of meeting Rukkhadevata, Osial, and Zhongli. And the scenery unfolding before him now.
All of this was reality.
“Dad...”
“Yeah?”
He snapped out of it when he felt a tug on his clothes. He saw someone standing in front of them, and people were moving out of their way to go around her.
“What brings you here?”
“I simply came out to see the faces of the people.”
It was a slender, meltingly soft voice. However, the lack of inflection made it clear how she viewed him.
Logos intended to just walk past Ganyu. But before he could, she looked at him and spoke.
“What a cute child.”
“I know.”
Watching Ganyu look at Nahida made something in the back of his mind uncomfortable. Nahida, meeting Ganyu’s eyes, immediately hid behind his leg, peeking out with only one eye.
“Why... is she afraid of me?”
“Who knows.”
Seeing Ganyu lost in thought, Logos hoisted his bag of goods over his shoulder and picked Nahida up in both arms.
“Maybe she’s seen you before.”
“Pardon? When...?”
“The day you showed up with the Yakshas.”
“...”
Ganyu froze at his blunt remark. Without giving her a chance to respond, Logos turned his back on her.
‘My mood is... ruined.’
Of course, he was fine. He wasn't the one in danger, so he didn't hold a grudge. In the end, meeting Zhongli had granted him this peaceful daily life.
Logos exhaled and hugged Nahida a little tighter.
As he walked away, gently patting Nahida’s back, he glanced behind him. Ganyu was already gone.
He pulled Nahida back slightly to meet her eyes.
“Are you still scared?”
Shake, shake.
Nahida shook her head. But Logos pulled her into a tight embrace again. She wasn't heavy at all, yet the arms holding her were trembling slightly.
He wondered why his mood had soured so much.
#
“Are you okay now?”
Nod, nod.
Returning home, Logos set Nahida down and tossed the bags into a corner. The bright moon hung in the sky, its light streaming through the window to illuminate the room.
Nahida, who had been nodding off even while he carried her, began rubbing her eyes in earnest now that they were home.
“You still have to brush your teeth.”
“...”
The sounds of quiet brushing and splashing water echoed. Afterward, Nahida wiggled her way onto the bed and lay down.
As he watched her, Nahida patted the spot next to her with sleepy eyes.
“You want to sleep together?”
Nod.
She was so tired that her usual double-nod was reduced to a single movement. Logos lay down beside her and turned onto his side.
As soon as he did, Nahida closed her sleepy eyes and wrapped her small arms around him as if she’d been waiting.
Feeling like he was looking at a small animal, he stroked her hair. Nahida rubbed her cheek against his chest with a drowsy face.
Watching her, Logos whispered softly into her ear.
“I love you.”
The words spilled out, though he wasn't sure if they were sincere or just for the sake of the Daily Commission.
Even Logos looked a bit startled and awkward after saying it.
Instead of her cheek rubbing against him, he felt the arms hugging him tighten their grip.
[Commission Complete – Say "I Love You"]
He swiped away the translucent window and continued to stroke Nahida’s head. He could see her growing a bit more than before.
It felt as if time had stopped, or perhaps it was just a moment so brief he couldn't feel it passing.
Then, another translucent window appeared.
[Commission Complete – Sleep Together]
Seeing Nahida grow once more, Logos stopped stroking her hair. He gently unwrapped her arms from his body and laid her down properly.
Listening to her calm, rhythmic breathing, Logos lay flat on his back and closed his eyes. Contrary to his complicated emotions, his mind was empty.
His head felt light, but his chest felt as heavy as a boulder. Sleep wouldn't come.
In fact, he hadn't slept once since coming to this world. It was as if he didn't need sleep; even with his eyes closed, his consciousness remained wide awake.
Since he couldn't sleep anyway, Logos opened his eyes and tried to get up. But something held onto his arm.
He turned his head to see Nahida, who had rolled over and was gripping his sleeve with her tiny, fern-like hand.
Caught in a half-sitting position, Logos tried to carefully pry his clothes from her grip, but the more he tried, the tighter she held on.
After struggling quietly for a while, he eventually lay back down.
Only then did the grip on his clothes loosen slightly. But before he could even think of getting up again, Nahida wiggled closer and wrapped her legs around his, hugging him tight.
Logos let out a small laugh at the tiny weight on his legs and chest. He pulled his arm out from between their bodies and tucked it under Nahida’s head.
Nahida, who had abandoned her pillow to be near him, seemed to feel his arm beneath her head and a smile bloomed on her lips.
'Fine.'
Quietly stroking her white hair bathed in moonlight, Logos closed his eyes.
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