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Sometimes, when raising kids, there are those super rare moments where I get a little worried.

Will my kids think we have a weird family?

It’s not just about being married to another woman. In a world where same-sex couples can have children, I doubt people will think it’s that odd.

Yet, even setting aside that straightforward narrative, our family is pretty unique.

Just me, and three wives.

That already makes four of us calling ourselves a “couple.”

Plus, we’ve got six kids, and they’re all girls.

Other kids might find our family strange, and their parents might shun us.

What if my kids get bullied or left out because of us? Will they come to resent me?

With those thoughts only popping up occasionally, I tried to shower my kids with as much love as possible.

I really didn’t want them to see me back in those days. I hoped they wouldn’t turn out like me from back then.

“You went too far.”

One day, when I said this to Rose, who was visiting, she looked at me as if I was out of my mind.

Ji-yun and Eun-ha were at school, while Eun-hye and Ye-ji were in kindergarten, making the house feel a bit roomier.

Jia and Joo-eun were being watched over by Jua and Ha-yoon.

As I brought drinks to Rose, Dalia, Delphinium, and Pang-pang, crowding in the living room, I might have accidentally slipped out that thought.

“Have the kids ever said anything like that? Or have they shown any thoughts about it?”

“…No?”

At my words, Rose shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, then, there’s no need to worry yet, right?”

“True. We can just start worrying if that sort of thing happens. You’ve seen how we’ve raised the kids countless times.”

Dalia chimed in.

Delphinium had been quietly listening, but it seemed she was worried about Jia and Joo-eun. She kept glancing towards the room they were in.

“If you want to see them, you can go. Ha-yoon and Jua are there, after all.”

“Then I’ll go check on them.”

Delphinium was one who adored the four girls when they were little. She might not show much on her face, but I now knew her actions were quite honest.

“Oh, I want to go see too.”

Dalia also got up from her seat to join in.

I looked at the two of them with a slight grin, loving how much they cherished the kids.

Just then, Ji-hye returned from the kitchen and took a seat at the slightly emptied table.

“So, are you saying you want to see the house?”

Pang-pang said with a smile.

Pang-pang’s outfit was a lot more subdued than back in the day. She wasn’t wearing those ripped jeans or hip clothes anymore; now, she was all business in a neat blouse and a formal skirt.

She’s fully embraced her businesswoman persona.

Surprisingly, Pang-pang had a flair for investments, using her talents to work hard in the space industry. If all goes well, her ambitious plans might just come to fruition in a few years. She’s really impressive in many aspects.

Of course, she’s also involved in other businesses for funding. While Noir Corporation isn’t specialized in apartment construction, there might be some companies we collaborate with that can build at least one single-family home.

“A single-family house, huh… yeah, I think that might be better for you guys.”

“So, do you have any good ideas?”

As Ji-hye’s eyes sparkled with excitement, Pang-pang nodded.

“There are some small construction companies I know of, so I’ll look into it. It should be sufficient if they’ve built staff accommodations before, right?”

That settled both of our minds a bit. I’m sure if Jua and Ha-yoon heard about this, they’d feel a little relieved too.

While sipping my orange juice with a flicker of excitement, Rose suddenly spoke up.

“What if we went out for a little bit?”

“Out?”

“Yeah. You guys haven’t really had a good time since you’ve been busy with the kids.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

“Don’t worry. If we’re all together, the kids can be watched over by whoever’s free.”

By Rose’s words, I guessed she might have already talked things over with Dalia and Delphinium.

“I’d love to go, but where to?”

“How about the amusement park?”

This time, it was Pang-pang who spoke.

As she pulled out tickets from her handbag, it became clear she had already made plans with Pang-pang.

I chuckled softly.

“You’ve already talked this out, huh?”

“Sure! Original plans should be set ahead of time before announcing to make sure all the kids can join.”

We gather often enough.

Ah, of course, with the kids, it’s not often all the magical girls can meet. There haven’t been strong aliens appearing recently, making it less of a need for all of us to team up anymore.

Still, if I had to say, we do see each other periodically…

“Sounds good.”

I said with a smile.

“Honestly, let’s admit it. The ones who just went into the room are just delivering this plan, right?”

As I said this, just then, the door opened, and the four girls came out with the kids.

Their faces were lit up with smiles, so indeed, it looked that way.

An amusement park, huh.

“They’ll love it.”

I said with a grin.

*

I think the kids have been to school, but I don’t remember them ever going to an amusement park as a whole family before.

Well, we went during the dating phase. And…

Thinking about it, it’s been quite a long time since then.

Still, the kids in the stroller, Jia and Joo-eun, probably won’t remember what we did today, but I guess that’s alright. After all, their aunts are tirelessly taking photos of everything.

Eun-hye and Ye-ji looked like they didn’t quite understand how things were unfolding. This was probably their first time at such a place.

The most excited were Ji-yun and Eun-ha, who were holding my hands, wondering what there was to explore.

Seeing Ji-yun’s face brimming with anticipation made me unable to hold back a smile.

“Oh, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Pang-pang said with a grin.

“By the way, this ticket isn’t a normal ticket you know.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah. I… haven’t just bought the tickets. I actually bought a stake here before.”

At that, I struggled to think of how to respond.

Could it really be the same girl who lived in that basement back then?

What? Is she buying hospitals now or something?

Even if that’s not the case, I could easily imagine a hospital under Pang-pang’s name existing without any fuss.

“Alright, alright! What do you two want to ride? Your auntie will treat you!”

“Really?”

“Auntie is the best!”

Seeing the kids say that in unison as they dashed away made me feel a twinge of envy, but otherwise, I didn’t worry too much.

To be honest, after thinking about having six kids, I’ve had my worries, no doubt.

Even after stubbornly going through it all, it certainly wasn’t without strife.

Yet, it’s all turned out fine now.

“Ahem.”

I gazed blankly at the kids who ran off ahead, while Ha-yoon subtly linked her arm with mine.

Her face was a bit rosy.

Just like when we were dating.

No, we’ve always been like this. I still find it fascinating how we could find reliance and support in one another while living.

Having three wives, I guess it’s meant that I have to put in effort—

……

No, they’ve all put in the effort.

With every ounce of their being. Because they didn’t want to break the loving bond we have.

“Later, we’ll swap seats.”

Ji-hye jokingly said.

But, I guess there’s some seriousness behind it.

“We can just rotate seats since there are tickets that don’t have a set order anyway.”

Jua chimed in with her comment.

Well then.

Even after so long, feeling like everyone’s so popular, I can’t help but feel that I’m living such a happy life.

Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten caught up in these thoughts when Ji-hye, Ha-yoon, and Jua began poking me with their fingers on my sides. Hehe, even while laughing, I felt joy.

I see.

That’s why everyone came together today. Rose, Delphinium, and Dalia too.

……

Indeed, I’m a lucky person.

How did I think so back in my childhood—

No.

It’s because I had those times that I am who I am today. Everything I went through must have pieced our bond together.

So really, it was all me. All those existences mattered.

Ha-yoon smiled and tugged at my arm, urging me to come along.

As I got pulled lightly towards the amusement park, I looked up at the sky.

It was blue, blue, and oh so blue.

A single white cloud floated above, just like my mood.

 

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