"No, we're all adults here. Is there a problem with me being married?" Renz said, but his right hand, gripping the mouse, swiftly turned off the camera.
Indeed, rather than being branded with the "Some nonsense" label, it was better to admit the truth. But the question was—could Erina Nakiri really be considered his wife? Technically, yes. The marriage certificate and their children proved it. However, this was his wife from ten years in the future. Currently, he and Erina Nakiri had absolutely no romantic feelings for each other. But the chat didn't care—seeing was believing!
A beautiful woman had appeared on the stream earlier, and now? They'd even heard a child's voice. Although Renz had quickly turned off the camera, his viewers' imaginations ran wild.
"You beast! You said esports had no girlfriends!"
"God z has a wife? I'm shocked for a year!"
"No way. Even someone like God z found a partner? I'm stunned."
"Having a wife is one thing, but kids too? That's insane!"
"I get it now. God z's inconsistent streaming all these years—it's because he got married."
The chat kept scrolling like a waterfall of disbelief and envy.
Renz didn't understand what there was to be so envious about. Who wouldn't find a wife after a few years? He himself hadn't expected it, but the facts didn't lie. Ten years from now, he had one. Erina Nakiri, at that. She was certainly more beautiful than average, and they had two children together. So what? Was it really that hard for others to find a partner?
Just then, Rina Nakiri was still listing her mother's faults beside him.
"Daddy, I want a hug," she whined adorably. The mist still lingered around her eyes, and her small hand was already tugging at Renz's pant leg.
Renz leaned toward the microphone. "I have something to take care of. My daughter needs me. I'm ending the stream. Goodbye."
A simple, brutal blow. Ruthless words like a sharp sword, repeatedly stabbing into the hearts of viewers. They had no wives, no daughters. They couldn't understand the feeling. But envy? That they understood. Tears flowed.
He ended the broadcast and carefully stood up, not wanting the armrest of the gaming chair to bump into his "precious" daughter. Rina Nakiri stood before him like a little angel, arms outstretched.
Renz crouched and scooped her up. She rubbed her cheek against his white shirt.
"Daddy, let's cook instant noodles. We're not eating that bad woman's food," she sulked. She had been brooding the whole way home, but now, with her strongest ally on her side, she sounded defiant and confident.
"Instant noodles? Aren't those unhealthy?" Renz hesitated, even though he ate them often himself.
"I want to eat them!" Rina bared her tiny fangs, her tone full of resistance.
"Alright," Renz agreed outwardly. But inwardly, he knew he needed to get the full story from Erina Nakiri before making any decisions. He wasn't the type to only listen to one side.
He walked out of the room. In the living room, Erina Nakiri was watching TV. On the bright, spacious floor near the sofa, Haruki Nakiri was crawling around, playing with paper toys.
Renz sat down beside Erina, feeling a bit nervous. Meanwhile, Rina, like a victorious general returning from battle, flashed a triumphant smile—she had secured her father's backing.
This matter—it wasn't entirely her fault. It had been her mother who was late picking her up from school.
"Tonight, we're not eating your food. We're eating instant noodles," Rina declared with righteous indignation.
"Mhm." Erina gave her a side glance. Don't eat it then. Am I going to beg you? Originally, Erina hadn't taken it seriously. Even if Rina threw a tantrum before school, she'd still cook. Who knew this little rascal would rebel like this—come home, complain, and then act smug?
Fine. Then eat your instant noodles for a day.
Renz caught the mood shift and knew things were serious. The grand tsundere was flaring up, and the little tsundere was locked in a standoff. And he? He was the punching bag caught in the middle.
He gave Erina a meaningful glance. She ignored it.
Renz gently put Rina down. "My arm's a bit tired. Go play with your brother for a while."
As he said that, he subtly touched Erina's hand with his pinky. Still no response.
Oh, come on, sis. You're really going to sulk with a child? Renz sighed. He knew the key to handling a tsundere was emotional communication. If you didn't open a channel, they'd just spiral in silence.
Her hand felt a bit cold but incredibly smooth. So this is what a girl's hand feels like? No different from his own—at least not emotionally.
Erina froze. She hadn't expected that. Why is he holding my hand all of a sudden?
"Let's talk," Renz said in a solemn, firm tone. His voice was calm but unyielding. Sometimes, if you didn't assert yourself, people wouldn't respect your stance. And he needed to take a stand now.
Surprisingly, Erina stood up as if under a spell.
Renz led the way, hand in hand with her, into the kitchen. Back in the living room, Rina's smile was radiant. Only Daddy can tame the bad woman.
Inside the kitchen, Renz pursed his lips.
"What happened between you and Rina this time? She came straight to me after getting home."
"Girls are mischievous and unreasonable," Erina said, arms crossed. "I was late picking her up today, and she immediately started throwing a fit and demanding ice cream. She's still so young—her stomach isn't strong. Is it appropriate for her to eat ice cream?"
Seriously? That's it? Renz could only sigh. She really was her biological daughter. The grand tsundere and the little tsundere—two peas in a pod.
"The pickup was my fault," Renz admitted, taking full responsibility. "I forgot the time. But you also know her stomach's weak. She can't eat ice cream. Still, if she throws a tantrum for instant noodles, and those are so greasy—should we just let her?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Are you, a mother, throwing a tantrum with your child?"
A flash of anger crossed Erina's face. "It's not that I'm having a tantrum. Even if I cooked, with Rina's attitude, would she eat it? That little one always pushes her luck. The more you give, the more she demands. She'll grow up lawless at this rate."
Erina was clearly frustrated by Rina's outburst. What good is a cute daughter if she's a troublemaker?
Renz rubbed his temples. "How about this—I'll cook two servings of instant noodles, and you make three servings of proper food. Rina's temper shouldn't be indulged, but we also can't risk her health as a way to punish her. Don't you think?"
He continued, "When we run into problems, let's discuss them before taking action. Don't just follow your own temper."
After all, children model their values from their parents. A child's personality is a reflection of their upbringing. The world's scariest truth is—you don't need a license to be a parent.
Renz understood that Rina's personality couldn't be left unchecked, but that didn't mean Erina's approach was entirely wrong. Still, if there was a better way, why not take it?
He might not have parenting experience, but he knew right from wrong.
Erina, a bit surprised, asked, "Three servings of food?"
"Yes. Three servings are enough," Renz nodded.
---Support with power stones