While Milim ran off to the beach with Gaia, I stood there pondering what to prepare for a meal. Should I try sashimi? No, on second thought. Milim has the palate of a child; she might not care for raw fish. Perhaps I should just keep it simple with some salt-grilled fish.
I began butchering the dinosaur-like fish Milim had caught and found it to be perfectly edible. After a quick analysis, I confirmed it wasn't poisonous—though, knowing Milim, she would likely devour it regardless of any toxins.
As a test, I sliced off a few pieces of flesh and tasted them. The meat was rich, springy, and wonderfully flavorful.
Since we were right by the shore, I extracted salt from the seawater to use as seasoning.
I seasoned the fish with the salt and grilled it over a makeshift brazier.
Thirty minutes later, with the meal complete, I went to call Milim and Gaia.
"...Huh?"
A bewildered sound escaped my lips. Right in front of me stood a colossal dragon sculpted entirely from sand.
"What do you think, Vertis? Gaia and I made it together!"
I was speechless. I had never seen such an intricate model crafted from sand in my entire life. The fact that they had used sand instead of ice made it even more impressive; this had long since surpassed the realm of mere "play."
Beside the sculpture was a massive crater, undoubtedly the result of Milim and Gaia's hard work.
Milim had been digging through the beach like a living excavator, while Gaia hauled the sand away in a bucket from who-knows-where.
"Dinner's ready~"
At my call, they came racing back like children who had played until dusk and were finally summoned for supper.
While Milim and Gaia happily munched on the salt-grilled fish, I set about filling in the giant hole they had left behind.
I analyzed the properties of the sand, decomposed it, and synthesized new sand to fill the void.
As for the sand sculpture, I decided to leave it be, as Milim and Gaia were looking at it with such heartbreakingly hopeful expressions.
We had spent far more time on the beach than I anticipated. By the time we returned, night had already fallen, and I collapsed into a deep sleep the moment I hit the bed.
**
"...Where am I?"
I rubbed my eyes and sat up. After playing on the beach until late last night, I had completely passed out in the room I had recently finished constructing.
Beside me, Milim was fast asleep, clinging to me in a tight embrace. Looking at her peaceful face, I felt a sudden flush of heat creep into my cheeks. I slapped my own forehead with a groan.
"Honestly... I wish she'd show a little more restraint. No matter how carefree she is, she's still a girl."
Vertis got up and visited a nearby human city to purchase essential furniture—beds, desks, and other necessities—to furnish the house. Fortunately, such items were readily available. Milim seemed particularly fond of the plush bed made of fur and leather.
From then on, my daily routine became incredibly simple. I would wake up, hunt for breakfast, play with Milim, hunt for lunch, and then cook.
Sleep, wake, cook, play. My life became a cycle of these repetitive tasks.
One day, while playing, Milim's hair became terribly tangled.
"Your hair is a mess. Let me comb it for you."
At my suggestion, Milim turned her head toward me. Perhaps because I was so accustomed to her ponytail, seeing her long hair flowing down felt strangely fresh and mysterious.
Using the reflection in a nearby stream as a mirror, I gently ran the comb through her hair.
"It's fine to have fun, but you should try to carry yourself a bit more like a lady."
Milim smiled, seemingly enjoying the gentle brushing and the sensation of my fingers through her hair.
"It tickles."
"Well, I've had plenty of experience fixing children's hair."
I finished the task by tying her hair back into its usual style.
Then, Milim looked up at me and spoke softly.
"I was lonely."
"Hm?"
"I don't know what my father looked like, nor my mother. I have no memories of them."
...I remembered what Guy had told me. Milim's parents had died shortly after her birth, and her father had used the last of his strength to create Gaia.
"The day Gaia was killed by humans... I was furious. And I was so sad."
"Sad?"
"The sadness of being left all alone. There was no one, and it was so cold and lonely."
"...Milim."
"But now, I'm not lonely at all. Because Gaia is here, and because Vertis is here, every day is new and exciting."
With a radiant, pure smile, Milim added, "Let's stay together forever."
Looking at her, I gave her a warm, fatherly smile and replied, "Yeah."