Sudden Downpour

~~ Author Note ~~

https://discord.gg/6PBf4ccNCT

Hello, readers.

Bit of a shorter chapter. I don't know why but I struggled writing the latter half of this chapter. That, coupled with transitioning between jobs, has delayed my writing.

Also, for anyone wondering why I don't use the author's thoughts section at the bottom for my notes, there's no particular reason. I just prefer putting it at the beginning of the chapter.

If you wish to leave any suggestions, comments, or criticisms, be careful. Webnovel deleted several comments. Probably due to it disliking some words in the comments. You don't have to comment if you don't want to. It's not like I want you to or something, baka.

Seriously though, feel free to comment. I enjoy reading them and interacting. Also, that'll be the only time I use a Japanese word in my fanfiction. I find it cringy to have characters saying words from multiple languages.

As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

~~ End Author Note ~~

***

"Urgh!" grumbled Hitomi. "Why the hell did it start pouring rain so suddenly?"

"The sky is still clear and sunny too," Eruza, who was pulling along a dazed Ui, wondered aloud.

Hitomi closed the door to the cabin and sniffed at the air. "Let's go ask. I can smell the boss. He's in one of the bedrooms upstairs."

Eruza nodded and began to follow behind. However, a few seconds later, she rushed back down the stairs. "What are you doing? Come on!" She once again pulled the mindless rabbit by the arm, dragging her along.

Upon reaching Dianthus' location, the three girls noticed the goddess waiting with her arms crossed. She gave them an amused smile upon seeing their soaked figures. "You really shouldn't play in the rain. You'll get sick."

Hitomi growled briefly and prepared to retort but shivered upon remembering who she was dealing with. Her expression morphed into one of apprehension. The last thing she wanted was to experience the hellish torture that was the woman's concoctions.

"Relax, you can be yourself around me," Semiramis assured the girls, or at least the two aware girls. The third was still engulfed in her fantasies. "I wouldn't dare to harm my precious sisters." Although Semiramis meant for her words and smile to be reassuring, the girls were still cautious.

"Do you know why it began to rain so suddenly? The weather here is independent of the outside world, right?" Eruza posed a question to break the tension.

Semiramis lightly waved her arm, sending a warm gust of air towards the girls. The unnatural current immediately evaporated the water, leaving them completely dry.

"To answer your question, yes, the weather is independent. However, the owner of this realm can change the climate at their discretion," Semiramis stated plainly.

Hitomi and Eruza became confused. "Why did boss make it rain?" asked Hitomi.

"In this case, he didn't make it rain," declared Semiramis.

"But you just said—" Hitomi was interrupted by the goddess holding up her hand.

"You didn't let me finish," said Semiramis. "He didn't make it rain. Instead, it began to rain per the fluctuation of his emotions. Consider it as a natural response to his tears."

"What!" all three girls exclaimed.

"Why is he crying?" Ui, who had exited her trance-like state, asked.

"Fufufu," Semiramis chuckled upon seeing the three girls anxious. "You don't need to worry. It's a joyous thing. See for yourselves."

Semiramis turned and opened the door. Stepping aside, she gestured for the girls to peer inside. The three of them saw Dianthus hugging an adorable little girl while crying. The little girl was patting his head, comforting him.

"It's okay, papa. Shiro's here." said the white-haired kitsune said in a soft tone.

"Did that child call him papa?" Eruza asked in a whisper.

Dianthus noticed their presence upon hearing her whisper. After taking a short moment to recompose himself, Dianthus stood up from his crouched position. However, he refused to release his daughter and opted to carry her in his arms.

Walking towards the group, Dianthus spoke in a calm voice. "I'm sorry about the change in weather. I may have lost control upon becoming slightly emotional." His face told a story contrary to his calm demeanor. His eyes were red and puffy while trails of dried tears lined his cheeks.

Semiramis raised her brow, "Just slightly, huh?"

Dianthus coughed awkwardly, leading the girls to laugh. Shiro also giggled sweetly and poked his cheek with her index finger. "Hehe, papa's funny."

In an attempt to distract from the slight pink blush that crept its way to his face, Dianthus spoke. "I see you two managed to transform fully despite the sudden downpour." He tackled the most prominent topic in hopes that they might move past his embarrassment.

"We did," Eruza confirmed, "but wouldn't introducing her be a better distraction?" She was gesturing towards Shiro while flashing Dianthus a playful smile.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "I'd like to introduce you all to my precious daughter, Shiro."

Shiro waved at the women. "Hello," she said with a bright smile.

The three women smiled and waved back.

"Hello. I'm Ui."

"Name's Eruza."

"Hitomi."

Semiramis clapped her hands to gather attention. "Now that everyone is acquainted, why don't you girls get some rest. I'm sure your training has taken its toll."

They accepted the goddess' suggestion and left the gathering to take a bath and rest. Knowing they planned to sleep, Dianthus had the realm shift into the night. Once the girls had disappeared from sight, Shiro glanced over to Semiramis and winked. The goddess returned the gesture with a smirk.

"Papa, Shiro's sleepy." she yawned and cutely rubbed her eyes.

"I see. Do you want to sleep in papa's room?" Dianthus said as he lightly stroked her head.

She shook her head. "No. Shiro wants to sleep alone."

Dianthus felt his heart shatter. "O-okay."

Shiro panicked when she saw his lips tremble. "Shiro wants to sleep alone tonight, but Shiro still loves papa."

Semiramis chuckled. "No need to worry. She probably needs to adjust to her surroundings."

Dianthus accepted their reasoning and brought Shiro to a better room to sleep in. Upon ensuring that she had settled in, he returned to the goddess for a discussion.