Chapter 12

As Edmund leaned over tears dripping into the sink, the bathroom exhaust fans did it's job well done. The lights were in the bathroom were bright and clear. Within a few minutes, Edmund felt the tears around his eyes and the soul-sucking feeling in his stomach disappear, as if ventilated out with all unclean air inside.

The reflection within the mirror was red-eyed, with a wry smile that hung on his lips. Edmund gave himself two more final sniffs, and a scolding that men shouldn't be crying so easily. Throughout the day, he'd been crying more than his baby daughter... how shameful.

Thinking of whom, Edmund gave Abriel a quick glance. There was a certain sweetness that fluttered in the heart anytime he thought of her. Especially now, Edmund could not be any happier, knowing and feeling reassured after the mission and a stable stream of income went the way of a thumbs-up.

Though placed far from the toilets, in the corners of the room, Abriel seemed to be infected by his good mood. Her blossoming smile could not go unnoticed. Why was it only now did he find that babies have such attractive, killer smiles? Edmund mulled over his previous words—that he couldn't stand to take care of others.

Now, it seemed that his words were bullsh*t.

And the same would go to his so-called friendships. From all the conversations Edmund heard from his past friends and classmates, he knew he was mind-washed into believing their complaints about their younger siblings. Touchy and finicky. Insensitive and annoying. In their own words: "I never knew that I would need to sacrifice so much comfort and time in my life when taking care of those brats."

Bullsh*t; it was all bullsh*t, Edmund thought. Abriel was the sweetest baby he'd known. Not one tantrum. And not one inkling that she was insensitive or anything like their deceptive words. He made sure to wash his hands thoroughly before he played with her wide smile and cheeks. Light giggles then resonated in every fibre in his body.

"You're so cute, Abriel. So perfect," Edmund muttered. He set her cradle down from the sink and turned to the mirror. Determination blazed in his eyes. "That means papa himself needs to work hard to become the perfect father for you."

Edmund drew in a deep breath as the holographic screen appeared. He tapped the white text that read 'Status.'

[Bounded Host: Edmund Garamound]

[Level: 1] (4/25)

[Points Assignable] (4)

[Stats]

[PHYSICAL]

[Physique] (10) (+)

[Dexterity] (10) (+)

[SOCIAL]

[Appearance] (7) (+)

[Charisma] (2) (+)

[MENTAL]

[Intellect] (60) (+)

[Willpower] (70) (+)

*The stats of an average adult equate to around 50 points in each category.

When the panel finally loaded and Edmund got a good stare at his stats, he could only blink blankly. And as his helpless gaze lowered to text in small, fine print at the bottom of the panel, a wave of speechlessness washed over him. Something must be off at those terribly low numbers.

"W-what kind of broken gibberish is this?" Edmund stammered. Ridicule fuelled his rising voice rose as Edmund pointed to his social stat. "Okay, my physique I can maybe understand but a... a two and a seven. I don't believe this!"

Though Edmund had boasted and promised Abriel to reach and become that perfect father, which otherwise can mean achieving that sweet, sweet 100 in all of his stats, the number suddenly seemed so far now. With an appearance of seven and a god-forbid two in charisma, any baby pig acting cute for food would play a more convincing act than him! To another bout of heaves and spike in blood pressure inside Edmund, the system remained silent.

When a blue ping of notification went off in the panel, a lip-biting and sour Edmund scoured around for whatever the change was.

The findings immediately made his eyes darken.

[Physique] (10-1) | It seems that an error has occurred during the host's first scan. If the prospects of better eyesight is desired, please refer to a nearby optometrist! |

[Intellect] (60-5) | Poor judgment and overconfidence in one's self is detrimental to their growth and well-being. Tone it down a little, host! |

"I'll have you know that you're a jerk, system..." Edmund cursed under his breath.

[What was that, host?]

At the system's emotionless words, and although right hand was curled into a fist, his middle-finger still twitched. But Edmund gave his best to keep it under wraps. With a deep breath, he said aloud, "I said thanks to your therapeutic and reassuring advice, system. Your words gave me a better understanding at my useless and deplorable self, so I'll be sure to work hard to complete the missions!"

The system went silent, with no more retorts or rebuttals. Either Edmund didn't notice, or he didn't spare any amount to care. His gaze darted back and forth between the pristine white, glowing toilet and the curiously blinking Abriel, before he finally caved in.

When the system handed over the 'Baby Essential Set' for kissing Abriel earlier, he clearly got a clear glance of diapers included with all the items handed out. And from what he'd previously known about babies, they needed about eight to ten changes per day. Edmund glanced down under Abriel's tiny, purple dress and imagined her baby bum. Crazy that she would be having the willies and poo-pies so much...

With a grunt of reassurance, Edmund tapped the [Inventory] tab on the side of the hologram. He couldn't help but be surprised again at the tens of little boxes that appeared, some of which filled with recognizable items--from hygiene products to strollers. Edmund didn't dawdle and scoured the boxes for diapers. After a quick and firm tap, a dozen white changing pads dropped down from the sky and into the hands.

Whilst Edmund was only mildly surprised at the system's big show (though he was also slightly irritated that he still hadn't gotten used to it yet), Abriel, on the other hand, was as you'd expected--completely bewildered as before. Her already large and cute eyes widened even further. With one pointer finger hung in the air, she pranced--or at least tried to--babbling some eh's and goo's and other nonsense.

Edmund didn't hesitate to act fast while she remained distracted.

In a flurry of quick steps, he lifted the lower half of Abriel by the back of her bum before he paused. After a long glance at the comfy bedding of her cradle, Edmund decided against working with her bathroom needs there. His lips pursed with annoyance as he tapped back into the system's inventory, searching for anything that could act as a table to prop Abriel on.

Lo and behold, Edmund spotted one--a grey knapsack that acted as a portable, fold-able changing table and diaper bag. The corner of his lips pursed with annoyance as he chastised himself for not being thorough with the diapers earlier.

After a few more taps, folds, and wipes atop of the toilet seat, Edmund gently hoisted Abriel onto the changing table. Still shocked and excited, Edmund's gentle but confused actions around her waistline helped calm her down. When his hands finally seemed to drawn a consensus on what to do next, and as they moved to grab her ankles, Abriel gave them a kick. Edmund froze in place.

As a gentle knocking rapped from outside the door, Edmund watched her bright giggles that riddled him speechless. Though the skin-skin contact had barely hurt him, the intent of a kick certainly did. He gave a low "occupied" to whoever was in line, and for the next minute or two, Edmund gloomily took off her old disposable diaper and threw it into the trash.

There was a pale and yellow wet spot in the diapers, which explained the source of the smell. Edmund's nose wrinkled as he grabbed the diapers provided by the system. The weird shape and buttons around it left him another second in a daze. When the system ding'ed again, Edmund's nose crinkled once more as the system's mechanical voice rang in his head.

[After removing and disposing of a soiled diaper, please ensure you wash your hands, host. Proper hygiene practices goes a long way. As well, please clean Abriel's bottom with the wet wipes that were included in the Baby Essentials Set.]

Though Edmund was still sulking and didn't want to talk to the system right now, he still complied hearing the health concerns.

[As of now, host does not need to apply diaper ointment. However, later on, make sure to apply it after you've given Abriel's skin time to air dry. This shall prevent her skin from becoming irritated or infected, and prevent diaper rashes. Do not worry about the source of the--the ointment is sourced with natural ingredients and works well with cloth diapers. It will not repel liquid or pose any side effects.]

"... Okay. Set me a reminder next time." Edmund exhaled. He then turned his attention to changing the cloth diapers, making sure to follow the system's instructions.

[Lift Abriel up as you did earlier, gently, by her ankles and slide the diaper right in under her. The back of the diaper should align with her waist.]

[The rest then is fairly simple. Pull the top half of the diaper just below her belly button, and fasten it closed. Make sure to get the that snap.]

Edmund nodded, feeling quite happy that the task didn't seem as daunting as it did.

[The diaper should fit snugly but not be so tight that it pinches her. The system provided diapers should automatically adjust it's size, but anyhow host please use your fingers to check for a good fit. The diaper is fit on correctly and most comfortably if one finger can slide in easily under the diaper's leg and waist, and if three fingers slides in easily, the diaper is too loose and needs to be tightened.]

[Hidden Task Complete]

[Exchange Abriel's diapers for the first time] (1/1)

[Rewards: Beginner-level Diaper-exchanging Skill, x2 Attribute Point (Assignable), +1xp]

[The system has also decided to restore the previous deducted points from the mental attribute tree earlier seeing the host's initiative.]

At the system's words, Edmund back visibly arched a little straighter while he fitted Abriel's dress back on. He then gently placed her on his arm, holding her by her hips whilst he stuffed everything back into the inventory.

"Whew... that's great. I was really angry there, system, you know."

[Affirmative.]

'This bastard.'

"So how many assignable points do I have now?"

[Points Assignable] (6)

After a few minutes of deliberation at his stats panel, Edmund made up his mind. His arm, already starting to sore, reminded him of the long and weary journey down his apartment, across the park and to here at the cafe.

As an rising star actor, Edmund was particularly self-conscious about his appearance and physique. No matter how unfair it was, the entertainment circle he longed to join was known for it's rhetoric and bias towards attractive people. In auditions they leave better impressions. In casting, they sell more tickets, and overall, attractive people get more opportunistic and an easier life.

Edmund bit his tongue, feeling fortunate about his good genes. He knew it was selfish and almost narcissistic to say this, but he wanted his old looks back. He couldn't stand himself like this any longer—wretched, unhealthy and full of self-loathe. Edmund leaned over the sink and stared at himself. If he wanted to commit to his dreams of becoming a famous actor, no, a superstar, he couldn't very well be fat, could he?

He drew in another deep breath and a rumble in his stomach told him that this opportunity granted by the systems was one to be cherished, not to guilt over. Edmund stole another glance at Abriel, looking so cute as ever. So if he truly wanted to be the PERFECT father for Abriel, he would have to do this.

"Let's do this, system. Two months for the old, renewed me back. Invest all the points into my physique," Edmund declared. And then, as the knocking on the door grew furious, we pushed the door opened with newfound confidence and walked out into the crowd.

Author's Notes

i disappeared again... ol good god have thing been hectic! Please bear with me >>