Chapter 4 Have I ever saved you?
That evening, Henry — Nixie’s dad — looked confused at the luxury car parked in front of their house. Heavy rain soaked the city. The plants were growing beautifully like they should, but people still felt uneasy with the monster threats that never stopped.
In the end, Henry didn’t overthink it. He went inside to see his family. When he entered, his wife and daughter were busy preparing a simple meal that was actually quite expensive in these critical times.
“You’re home early today, dear?” asked Cynthia, Nixie’s mom.
Henry let out a rough breath. “Yeah, there was a problem at work. By the way, do you guys know who that car outside belongs to?”
Both women went silent, confused. A few minutes later, Nixie walked to the window to see who was there. Suddenly her phone vibrated, signaling an incoming call.
Nixie answered the unknown number, puzzled. “Hello? Who’s speaking?”
“Ah, this is the hospital. I’m calling to inform you that Ziven went to your house earlier. He might have already arrived, or maybe he’s with you now? His behavior is pretty predictable--”
Nixie hung up with a stunned expression. Of course her parents were confused by the look on their daughter’s face.
“Nixie, what’s wrong?”
Quickly, Nixie grabbed her dad’s still-wet umbrella and ran out into the pouring rain. The girl walked toward the luxury car with a confused expression, then knocked on the window.
“Ziven! Is that you?” Nixie asked.
The car door opened. Nixie hurried closer so the man in the hoodie wouldn’t get soaked. “How did you know where I live? Do you want to have dinner with us?”
Ziven stepped out of the car, his eyes never leaving Nixie’s face. He watched her every move. There was no fear in her at all. Only happiness.
A bright smile that seemed to stop the falling rain. Like it was thawing his frozen heart.
“I came to pick you up.”
“But our work contract isn’t signed yet. Is that okay?” she asked innocently.
Ziven just stared at her blankly. So Nixie decided not to continue the question.
“Well then, come in! Meet my parents!”
The girl who had just come of age happily grabbed Ziven’s hand and pulled him inside. As if she didn’t care that he was an SSS+ Esper. As if she wasn’t afraid of the power that could destroy her, or of all the scars even visible on his fingers.
The door opened, revealing Nixie smiling as she walked in.
“Mom, Dad, look who I brought!”
They, who were in the middle of eating, looked confused.
“Did your classification results come out? What class are you, sweetie?” asked Henry. Since he always came home late, the middle-aged man didn’t know anything about his daughter yet, and he’d have to ask Cynthia everything.
Cynthia nudged her husband’s elbow with a scared expression. “He’s like the man she brought. An SSS+ Esper. Our daughter’s Esper!”
Henry’s eyes widened in disbelief. He’d missed so many stories, and now he was getting hit with a massive bombshell like this.
“What actually happened?”
“Nixie is an S-Class Guide. But I didn’t know her Esper would come pick her up himself!”
While her parents were a bit terrified of the Esper’s stare, Nixie just smiled and pulled out a chair for Ziven to sit. The girl was too innocent to understand the outside world.
The handsome man with many scratch marks on his face sat in the seat Nixie offered. Not long after, Nixie sat beside him too.
“Mom, Dad, this is Ziven! He’s my Esper. I’m going to stay with him tonight!” Nixie announced without thinking twice. The two adults exchanged looks.
But the next second, Henry forced a stiff smile.
“Sweetie, have you really thought this through? By ‘staying with that Esper’ you mean it’s like you two are married.”
“Yes, I know.” Nixie answered without hesitation. Their daughter looked completely love-struck with someone she’d just met.
“I will take Nixie to my house. From now on, she’s my responsibility,” Ziven said flatly. For some reason, the presence of this Esper made the whole room suddenly freezing cold, down to the skin. But their daughter seemed immune to it.
After a moment, Henry gave a fake laugh.
“Ah, well then eat! I’m entrusting my daughter to you. But if you hurt her even a little, I will report you!”
Suddenly Nixie’s dad stared seriously at the emotionless man her daughter chose. Which Nixie clearly didn’t like.
“Dad, stop it! Ziven’s gonna get scared!”
“Scared? He’s an SSS+ Esper! What is he afraid of? He even kills huge monsters!” Henry said, exasperated.
Cynthia hit his arm. “That’s enough, Henry. Hurry up and eat! We need to help Nixie pack.”
They ate for quite a while. Nixie kept politely adding food to the man’s plate beside her, while her parents kept watching in horror at what their daughter was doing.
Long story short, they finished packing. With boxes and boxes of Nixie’s stuff and one big bag of clothes, the girl was finally ready to leave her parents’ house.
Nixie hugged her mom with a sad face.
“Take care of yourself, okay? Don’t be naughty!”
“Yes, Mom!”
They let go of the hug. Now it was Henry’s turn.
“Dad!”
The middle-aged man could only let out a rough sigh. Not for one second had he thought his child would be a Guide. He and Cynthia were both ordinary humans. And this goodbye was too sudden.
“Don’t get too caught up in a man’s charm! If he starts being mean, just punch him. Or run as fast as you can!” Henry said, which made Nixie frown in annoyance.
“Daddy, stop! I’m sure Ziven would never hurt me!”
“Why are you so sure?”
The girl’s eyes turned toward the cold man who was still watching them.
“Because he saved me before! And I trust him.”
He saved her? But when? Why couldn’t he remember?
The rain had eased into a light drizzle, making it easier for them to move the boxes from the house to the car. The luxury car had a pretty spacious trunk that fit a lot of stuff.
Ziven got in first, knowing that the parents’ goodbye with their child would take a while.
“I’ll call you when we get there!” Nixie said as she walked to the car, waving at them.
The car door opened. Nixie wiped herself down as she got in, afraid her wet body would ruin the expensive car.
Once seated, the car started moving slowly. There was no sound from the expressionless man, but Nixie didn’t think much of it.
“Did I ever save you before?” Ziven suddenly asked, making Nixie turn to him in disbelief.
