Having Children

(Bai Ziye)

"Dad, Mom... we're back."

Pushing open the door, I found the atmosphere inside was somewhat strange.

The atmosphere between my mom and Aunt Yuehan was a bit awkward; had they had an argument?

Dad seemed a little unable to get a word in edgewise...

I rarely come back home, and I thought the atmosphere would be warmer.

However, they were all stunned when they saw me walk into the living room.

"... Little Yezi?"

My mother seemed unsure of my identity and asked tentatively.

"Yes, Mom."

How could she not even recognize her own son?

"You have already..."

"Yes, she's been completely transformed into a girl by the Star Crystal."

When I said that, she glanced at Aunt Yuehan again and let out another long sigh.

"It seems that what your Aunt Yuehan and I discussed was pointless."

Ceruno then asked, "What were you discussing just now?"

"We're discussing whose surname your two children should take."

Cough cough cough...

"Daughter, come here quickly."

Aunt Yuehan beckoned and pulled her precious daughter to her side;

Goldie had no intention of understanding our chaotic family relationships. It turned back into Doggy and went back to its old bed on the balcony, basking in the sun contentedly.

I could only sit between my parents.

My dad placed his big hand on my head and ruffled it, but the expression on his face was somewhat complicated...

I can understand her feelings. Raising a son for so many years and then suddenly having a daughter—it must be incredibly difficult for any father to accept, right?

His consistently reserved nature prevented him from expressing it...

To my surprise, my honest and simple father sighed deeply, "Son, I've always wanted a daughter. It's wonderful that you've become a girl."

What?!

So, I guess I'm the one everyone wanted?

"By the way, Uncle and Aunt, this is a gift for you both. If it doesn't fit, we can go exchange it now."

Ceruno took out two shoe boxes from the Star Crystal. They contained high-end men's and women's leather shoes from the same brand. My parents always wear suits and ties when they go on business trips, and of course, they also need a pair of well-fitting leather shoes. Ceruno's gift was exactly what they wanted.

"Oh dear? A-Yao, you're too kind... We're all family now, there's no need to go to such lengths!"

Although Mother said that, she seemed genuinely happy, her face beaming with the joy of accomplishment. Father, however, corrected her, "What do you mean 'from now on'? Hasn't A-Yao already been part of our family?"

"Yes, yes, Yun Zhi is right, we're family now. A-Yao, come into your aunt's arms! You're getting cuter and cuter, and you don't seem as reserved as before. Is life too easy for a pretty idol?"

Mom pulled Ceruno away from Aunt Yuehan.

"I just want to change myself a bit. After all Miluno... Yezi is so outstanding, and I want to make myself worthy of her."

"Don't say things like that, our A-Yao is so cute~ No man is good enough for you~"

Aunt Yuehan cast an expectant look at me.

Ceruno gave my parents gifts, so naturally she'd be hoping for mine too, but most people would hide those feelings...

"Aunt..."

"No, Little Yezi, what should you call me now?"

The mother and daughter really do have a lot in common in terms of personality.

"Mom?"

"Um!"

Actually, I also prepared a gift for you.

"Uh-huh!!"

"..."

Those expectant, sparkling eyes, like children waiting for Santa Claus at Christmas, made me lack the confidence to offer them a gift.

I don't know much about Aunt Yuehan, and even Ceruno doesn't know much about her mother, since she had been asleep for a long time and only woke up recently. So we're not sure what kind of gift would be appropriate.

However, one thing the Doggy said made a lot of sense.

"If I were Sister Yuehan, I'd be happy with whatever you gave me, woof~"

Although she was right, she still got a Doggy from Ceruno for taking advantage of seniority in how she addressed her. (I didn't dare spank her in human form.)

"This is my gift."

Take out a palm-sized gift box from the Star Crystal.

"I didn't know what you would like, so I bought a pendant that suits you."

"Oh! A pendant?"

Aunt Yuehan opened the box and took out a silver chain with a crescent-shaped pendant hanging from the bottom. A dazzling diamond was encircled in the moon, the design simple yet noble... However, since the reward money had not yet arrived, she bought a relatively inexpensive artificial diamond.

A fleeting look of joy crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself.

"Little Yezi, you haven't bought her a gift like this before, have you? No, you should give this one to Ceruno!"

I glanced at Ceruno.

"Yes, we don't have any yet, but please accept this one. I'll buy her other ones later."

Although we're all girls now, I feel that in a relationship, I should be the boyfriend, so it's only natural to give my lovely girlfriend some meaningful jewelry...

Ceruno also advised, "Mom, I haven't given you Yezi or anything like that before. The one you're wearing is one we picked out for you together; it doesn't suit me."

Is she planning to buy it for me too?

"Here, let me put it on for you."

"... Um."

Taking the pendant from Aunt Yuehan, she also playfully tossed her shoulder-length gray hair, revealing her snow-white nape.

Unlock the silver chain loop around your neck and fasten the clasp.

Although she is Ceruno's mother, she has the Star Crystal inside her body, so she looks like a seventeen-year-old girl and therefore also has a love for beauty.

Aunt Yuehan jogged to the bathroom and looked at her pendant in the mirror.

Ceruno was also delighted.

"Mom is very happy!"

"Of course, that was a gift from my Future son-in-law!"

As Mom said this, she took my and Ceruno's hands and pulled us to sit down next to her.

"Little Yezi, Ceruno, although I've often said before that it would be great if one of you were a girl, this still surprises me. After so many years of spending time together, I don't doubt the foundation of your relationship, but since you like each other, you have to accept each other's shortcomings, understand?"

Her sudden seriousness made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"Um."

Ceruno simply nodded.

"I will protect her," I said.

"As a magical girl, you are stronger now, but Ceruno is also growing stronger. The gap between you is not absolute... In the future, there will be a day when she will protect you. Mutual reliance is the right kind of relationship. One-sided devotion is always unhealthy."

"I know, Ceruno's magic has also helped me a lot."

"I'm not just talking about combat, but also about everyday life!"

My mom stood up and pulled Ceruno and me together so we could sit side by side.

"Now, let's get down to business."

She stood in front of us with her arms crossed.

"The reason your father and I agreed to come back is because we have a task for you two, a very important task, which we must explain to you in person."

"... What mission?"

"Ceruno, soundproofing."

"Okay!"

The expanding bubbles filled the living room. Mom said, "Sun Ji left behind many hidden contacts within the Association, almost all of which are independent, making the Prosecutorate's work very difficult."

Suddenly, the conversation turned to a serious topic.

"SpiCa has also mentioned this. Is there anything we can do about it?"

"There's a mole within the City School too."

She got straight to the point:

"I want you to find it."