“Yuri-chan, how does it feel to take care of a child?”
Hm?
She was just taking Alyosha shopping for some things she wanted, so how did it suddenly turn into her babysitting?
Alyosha was quite petite—not sure if it was because she was young, or if malnutrition had stunted her growth—but she was a whole head shorter than Iris.
Compared to herself, the difference was even greater. From behind, it really did look like she was taking care of a child. No, actually, it looked more like sisters shopping together, the older sister taking her little sister around.
Hm… Without realizing it, she’d already gotten used to being in the role of the older sister.
At this point, it didn’t even feel strange to call herself ‘big sister’.
But saying she was “taking care of a child”—that seemed like a bit much.
“Maybe, Yuri-chan will become a gentle mother in the future.”
Hearing the next line pop out of the Little Evil God’s mouth, Yuri couldn’t help but wonder if there was something wrong with her ears for a moment.
What was that girl talking about?
“Iris, can you say that again?”
She hoped she’d just misheard. She knew this girl liked to say weird things—after all, by the river earlier, she’d said something about herself being a ‘bargain for someone someday’.
Sometimes, it was worth doubting her own ears a little.
“Alright then, since Yuri-chan didn’t catch it, I’ll say it again—Yuri-chan really is so gentle.”
She was a bit surprised by that, too.
She hadn’t expected that one day, she’d be able to speak so gently to a strange child—it was completely unlike her.
She was supposed to be more aloof. Other than dealing with the curse, nothing else and no one else should really matter to her. That was how she used to be.
Was it the change in her body that made her a little more sentimental?
“Such a gentle Yuri-chan—maybe you’ll be the ideal wife and mother one day.”
…Yeah, she definitely shouldn’t have doubted her ears. Whenever the Little Evil God opened her mouth, nothing good ever came out.
“There’s no way that’s ever going to happen.”
Even if she really had turned into a girl now, her preferences hadn’t changed at all. Just because she’d become a girl didn’t mean she’d end up marrying someone.
Not a chance.
Just imagining that scene made Yuri feel physically uncomfortable.
So, either she would live out her days alone, or she’d walk the path of yuri.
Becoming the ideal wife and mother? Out of the question.
“Yuri-chan, you know, there’s a fun fact.”
“What fun fact?”
Yuri suddenly had a bad feeling. Next, Iris was definitely going to say something weird.
“Actually, maybe two girls could create a child together, you know.”
“Hah?”
“If that’s not possible, I could help Yuri-chan try it out~”
“Stay away from my body.”
What was this girl even saying? “Two girls can create a child together”—and now she wanted to try it out with her?
Not happening.
“Eh, Yuri-chan, you’re so stingy! I’m just trying to satisfy your curiosity~”
“I never asked for that kind of curiosity.”
While she was bickering with Iris, Alyosha looked up at her.
“Big sister, are you talking to an invisible friend?”
She hadn’t been careful with her volume while arguing with Iris, and now Alyosha had noticed.
“Alyosha used to talk to invisible friends too. But unfortunately, no one else could see her, and she could only listen to Alyosha speak—she couldn’t chat back with Alyosha.”
Looks like Alyosha just thought she was in the same situation as her. Yuri couldn’t help but shoot a glance at Iris, then took the initiative to end their conversation.
“In any case, don’t even think about any of that, and keep away from my body.”
Who knew what would happen if she let that conversation go any further?
“Alright, this should be where Alyosha finds something she wants.”
She stopped walking and brought Alyosha to a general store. Besides daily necessities, they also sold all sorts of miscellaneous things here.
Of course, what drew Alyosha’s attention the most was a row of handmade dolls on the shelf in the corner.
The moment she saw those dolls, Alyosha couldn’t help but run over.
“Which one do you like?”
After a brief moment of excitement, Alyosha gradually calmed down.
“Big sister, can I really have this?”
“Of course. This is a thank-you gift for Alyosha, so you can choose whatever you like.”
“Then…”
Alyosha looked through the pile of dolls and finally pointed at a gray rabbit doll.
“This one?”
Yuri took out the rabbit doll. When Alyosha nodded, she handed the doll to her.
The moment she received the doll, Alyosha buried her face in the slightly rough cloth, and murmured a quiet, “Thank you, big sister,” her voice full of barely concealed joy.
For a child who’d spent so long in cold and deprivation, a doll like this was truly irresistible.
Watching Alyosha’s happy expression, Yuri couldn’t help but let a gentle smile curve her lips.
After that, Alyosha helped pick out things for the other children—some toys, some candy, all very inexpensive items.
They didn’t cost much, but for the homeless children, they were treasures beyond measure.
Seeing Alyosha hugging her rabbit doll with such happiness, Yuri noticed her worn-out clothes and unconsciously spoke.
“Alyosha, you’ve worn these clothes for a long time, haven’t you?”
The girl nodded lightly. After all, when Yuri had first seen her, she’d been begging on the streets—she couldn’t even guarantee her next meal, let alone a change of clothes.
“How about a new set of clothes, and then a nice hot bath?”
The girl’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, but quickly dimmed again. She hugged her rabbit doll and gently shook her head.
“Thank you for your kindness, big sister, but once I go back, I’ll just get dirty again right away. So it’s fine for Alyosha to stay like this.”
She understood—some problems weren’t hers to solve right now.
All she could do was help Alyosha solve her immediate hunger and let her choose a few things the children liked. That was all.
Changing the children’s lives for the better—she couldn’t do it.
She couldn’t help them forever either. Sooner or later, she’d leave Anvil City, and this was the limit of what she could do right now.
With Alyosha, who’d finished shopping, she left the general store and, following Alyosha’s directions, soon found the other children.
They were begging on another street, and when they saw Alyosha, they all crowded around her excitedly.
“These are gifts from a kind big sister!”
Watching the smiles light up on the children’s faces, Yuri couldn’t help but smile as well. But in that fleeting warmth, she caught a faint whiff of blood in the air.
There was no mistaking it—the scent’s source… Yuri found it coming from a nearby alley.
She looked into the alley’s depths, but couldn’t see anything unusual for now. Still, the smell of blood was unmistakable—something had definitely happened inside.
“Alyosha, take the children and stay away from here. Don’t come any closer.”
“Eh?”
Although she didn’t know why, Alyosha still nodded lightly.
Once she’d confirmed the children were away from the mouth of the alley, Yuri stepped inside. Reaching the middle of the alley, she checked to make sure no one else was around, then lifted the corner of her skirt and drew a short dagger from underneath.
She slowed her steps as she moved deeper in, peered around the bend, and what she saw made her stomach turn.
There was a pitch-black, vaguely humanoid monster, twisted and wreathed in a faint, dark mist, hunched over and gnawing on something.
Beneath it lay the corpse of a man dressed as a beggar, his face still frozen in terror.
Why was it here, in a place like this?
No time to think. Fire burst from her palm and wrapped around her blade.
In a flash, Yuri lunged at the feasting Abyssal Fiend and slashed down with her dagger.