The castle was relatively quiet, save for the piercing cries of a certain angelic infant. Aralyn's wails echoed through the halls, sharp and unrelenting, as if her lungs were on a mission to shatter glass. Yumi paced the living room, bouncing her daughter in her arms, trying desperately to soothe her.
"Why won't she stop crying?" Yumi muttered, looking frazzled. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot, and her patience was nearing its thin limit.
Akuma, sitting on the couch with a book in his hands, glanced up lazily. "Maybe she's hungry?"
"I just fed her!" Yumi snapped, glaring at him.
Kael was sprawled out on the floor, drawing little stick demons in his notebook. "Maybe she just hates life," he suggested nonchalantly.
Yumi shot him a glare. "Not helping, Kael."
Meanwhile, Kikidori strolled into the room, hands in his pockets, wearing his usual devil-may-care expression. He paused mid-step, frowning as Aralyn's cries assaulted his ears. "What the hell is wrong with her?"
Yumi threw him a look that could kill. "She's a baby. Babies cry."
"Yeah, but this?" Kikidori gestured to Aralyn, whose face was beet red from screaming. "This is next-level. She's got demon lungs or something."
Yumi sighed deeply, shifting Aralyn in her arms. "If you think you can do better, be my guest."
Kikidori's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, really?" He smirked, holding out his hands. "Alright, hand her over."
Yumi hesitated, glancing at her father skeptically. "Are you actually going to help, or are you going to make it worse?"
"Yumi," Kikidori said, putting a hand on his chest dramatically, "have I ever let you down?"
"Yes," she deadpanned.
"Fair," Kikidori admitted with a shrug. "But trust me on this. I've got this."
Reluctantly, Yumi handed Aralyn over to her father. The moment she was in his arms, Aralyn's cries grew even louder, as if protesting the change. Kikidori stared down at her, his expression blank. "Wow. She really hates me."
Yumi crossed her arms. "Welcome to my world."
Kael, now watching with interest, snickered. "What are you gonna do, Dad?"
Kikidori grinned mischievously. "Oh, I've got an idea."
He turned on his heel and strode toward the window, still holding the crying Aralyn. Yumi's eyes widened in horror as she saw him reach for the latch.
"Dad," she said cautiously, "what are you doing?"
Kikidori opened the window, letting in a gust of warm, sulfur-laced hell air. He adjusted his grip on Aralyn, cranking his arm back like a seasoned quarterback.
"Dad!" Yumi shrieked, rushing toward him.
"I'm just gonna give her some fresh air!" Kikidori said, laughing as he lined up his shot.
Yumi lunged, snatching Aralyn out of his hands just as he was about to throw her. She stumbled back, clutching her daughter protectively, her face a mix of fury and disbelief. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
Kikidori burst out laughing, leaning against the wall. "Relax! I wasn't actually going to throw her. I just wanted to see your reaction."
"THAT'S NOT FUNNY!" Yumi screamed, her voice shaking. "SHE'S A BABY!"
Akuma, who had been watching silently from the couch, finally spoke up. "Kikidori, you're insane."
"Yeah," Kael chimed in, grinning. "But that was kinda funny."
"KAEL!" Yumi snapped, glaring at her brother.
"What?" Kael said, shrugging. "It's not like he actually threw her."
Yumi looked like she was on the verge of a meltdown. "I can't believe you, Dad. I seriously can't."
Kikidori straightened up, still chuckling. "Oh, come on, Yumi. You've gotta admit, that was a little funny."
"IT WASN'T!" Yumi shouted, her face red with anger.
Ere'ana entered the room at that moment, holding a tray of cookies. She took one look at the scene—Yumi clutching Aralyn, Kikidori laughing, and Kael grinning—and sighed. "What happened now?"
"Your husband tried to THROW OUR DAUGHTER OUT THE WINDOW!" Yumi yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Kikidori.
Ere'ana set the tray down and turned to Kikidori, her expression unimpressed. "Seriously?"
Kikidori held up his hands. "I wasn't actually going to do it!"
"That doesn't make it better!" Yumi snapped.
Ere'ana pinched the bridge of her nose. "Kikidori, why do you do these things?"
"Because it's funny," Kikidori replied with a grin.
Ere'ana shook her head. "You're impossible."
"Yeah, but you love me," Kikidori said, winking at her.
Ere'ana sighed deeply. "Sometimes, I wonder why."
Meanwhile, Aralyn had finally stopped crying, much to everyone's relief. Yumi glared at Kikidori one last time before storming out of the room, muttering under her breath.
Kael looked up at his father. "You're lucky she didn't stab you again."
Kikidori smirked. "She'll get over it."
The end of Chapter 29