Chapter 103: Identity in the Human World
Hanamaru Kindergarten
After bringing Belldandy to the entrance of Hanamaru Kindergarten, the two of them saw various children being picked up by their parents from the school gate.
"If I finish school early, I come here to pick up Hina. She's the child of my late sister," Yuta explained, unsure how to describe his family situation, so he started with Hina.
Belldandy nodded eagerly. "So, we'll be taking Hina home with us, just like everyone else, right?"
"Yes, that's one way to put it." Yuta glanced at the seat beside Belldandy, where another child could fit. "Belldandy, you can hold Hina and sit there."
"Okay!"
Yuta looked at the perpetually smiling Belldandy. Due to her beauty, nearby onlookers had started to notice the stunning woman with long, light brown hair.
It wasn't just her appearance; Belldandy's attire was also quite unusual, not typical of everyday wear.
Thinking about their future together, Yuta said, "Belldandy, once we get back, I'll help you borrow a few clothes from Sasha. Sasha is also part of our family; she's Miu's mother, and Miu is Hina's second sister."
Feeling overwhelmed with information, Yuta decided to simplify things. "Let's first discuss our identities. You can't tell anyone that you're a goddess, and try not to use your powers. Otherwise, it will create complications."
Yuta could accept the existence of gods in this world, but he knew that revealing this to others would only cause panic.
Children especially shouldn't know such things.
Yuta wanted Hina to grow up in a normal environment with a proper understanding of the world.
He worried that if she was surrounded by someone who could fly, it would alter her normal growth.
Belldandy nodded, "Okay, but I can't lie…"
"That's fine. Sometimes the truth is hard to believe, so you just need to downplay certain things." Yuta thought that if Belldandy just called herself a goddess, no one would question it.
At least, that's how he perceived it. Just her beautiful appearance and smile would qualify her for such a title.
"Is that so?" Belldandy agreed, after hearing Yuta's reasoning. "Hmm, I understand now."
Belldandy noticed people around them casting glances their way and looked at Yuta with concern. "Everyone has been staring at us since earlier. Is there something on you that's drawing attention?"
Yuta felt it wasn't his fault but was too embarrassed to explain the reason to Belldandy.
It's because you're just too cute…
"It's nothing, look! Hina's coming!" Yuta quickly changed the subject and waved at Hina, who was running toward them.
Hina had been called out by her teacher for the parents to pick up the children, so they would come out only when their parents arrived; otherwise, they would continue playing in the kindergarten.
"Uncle!" Hina exclaimed as she ran over. Upon seeing Belldandy sitting in the seat, she looked at her with a pout, saying, "That's my…"
"Huh?" Belldandy didn't understand what was wrong and noticed Hina's unhappy expression. "Hello, Hina, I'm Belldandy."
"That's my…" Hina continued to look at Belldandy with a discontented expression before turning to Yuta with teary eyes. "Uncle, that's Hina's spot…"
At first, Yuta was confused, but once Hina clarified, he understood.
When picking up Hina, she usually sat in the side seat, which was the safest place. It allowed her to see the road and scenery ahead, enjoy the breeze, and lean against the backrest.
Although the motorcycle was bought not long ago, the seat was prioritized for Hina, and no one else would dare take that safe spot from her.
As Belldandy sat on the bike and did not get off, Hina felt as if her seat was taken and that she was being overlooked, making her very sad.
Yuta stepped down and lifted Hina to place her on the seat, turning to Belldandy and asking, "Belldandy, could you hold Hina while she sits there?"
"Of course!" Belldandy replied, her fondness for Hina evident. After Yuta placed Hina in front of her, she wrapped her arms around Hina and placed the safety helmet on her head. "Hina, are you feeling better now?"
Not knowing what made Hina upset, Belldandy gently held her close, allowing Hina to rest against her.
Initially, Hina felt quite unhappy, but once she leaned into Belldandy's embrace, she found it comforting and secure, making it difficult to stay upset.
Seeing Hina so content, Yuta felt relieved.
"Hina, from now on, we'll be living with Belldandy. You need to be good, and Belldandy will take great care of you."
Yuta hadn't informed anyone about the temple part of the situation, using this moment to explain about Belldandy instead. It wouldn't be appropriate to say that Belldandy was a relative.
Saying she was a classmate would be too difficult to keep from Kaoruko.
After thinking it through, Yuta decided to present the temple as being under Belldandy's name, thus reframing their living arrangement as a family of four temporarily staying at her home.
The advantage of this setup was that nobody would inquire deeply into Belldandy's background. They could all stay together as house guests, and when Yuta had enough money later, they could move to a larger place.
The idea was to establish themselves as the temple's successors who had previously lived abroad and were unfamiliar with life in their home country.
With Belldandy's demeanor and beauty, this explanation would likely be convincing and easily accepted by others.
Before long, Hina fell asleep in Belldandy's arms. Belldandy looked at Yuta and asked, "Do we really need to say it this way?"
"I can handle it better this way; otherwise, there are too many explanations, and isn't it unnecessary to conceal the existence of a goddess?" Yuta expressed his uncertainty over the situation regarding goddesses. If everyone thought it was unnecessary to hide, he would go along with that.
Belldandy wasn't accustomed to such situations. "Wishes are rarely made, and even if people find out, it won't make a big difference."
Yuta preferred to keep it that way. "Let's just keep it under wraps; otherwise, I could get into trouble."
Belldandy nodded in agreement. As long as she was with Yuta, that was all that mattered to her. Staying by Yuta's side would also satisfy her other requirements, though it would no longer come with the immense power that came when a wish was made.
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