[72.6] Punishment

[Author's note: This part of the chapter is back to Reika's perspective.]

As I spoke to the other adults, I noticed shouting in the distance. The parents and I exchanged glances before sprinting to the scene. I was standing before the children with my mouth on the floor as I watched them all in a full-blown fight while crying hysterically.

I shook my head and shouted, "STOP!"

The children all stopped fighting and looked at me with tears pouring out of their eyes.

My eyebrow twitched from anger, "Come. Here. All of you."

Atta cried uncontrollably while the other children were on their knees awaiting their punishment. As soon as she got close, I was hit by an uncontrollable feeling alongside the other parents.

I held my arms, trembling as I fought back tears, "What's going on? Explain!"

All of the children cast uncertain glances at each other as if no one dared to speak. While they were all silently debating whether or not to explain, Lene was already speaking with an innocent expression.

"Those meanies came and started calling Big Sister ugly. So then Sissy started beating up the leader of the meanies. Then the rest of the meanies started fighting, so I started fighting. Then Brother Bale started scratching, but it's okay because demons heal fast."

I paused.

Did she just refer to Bale as Brother Bale?

As I stomped my foot to get their attention, ice started spreading out from under my foot, "So am I to understand the coyote children were bullying Atta by calling her ugly, and then my children had to go and start a brawl?!"

A human villager reached out to me, "Great Fairy, don't be too harsh on them. The children weren't picking on them because they hated them. It wasn't malicious behavior, it's just how they show love. If it was malicious, they would have been forced out of the barrier by now."

I crossed my arms still fuming, "That's a terrible way to show love."

Another human reached out to me, "I know it seems cruel, but the demons just have a different culture from us. When they first arrived, they were so terrified of us humans. They always kept their distance, but we would always watch them tease each other…. They looked so happy and close when they did it, so we started to feel left out. When we tried to act the same as them, the demons grew so happy and started including us more. We realized couldn't force them to assimilate to our standards, so we adopted their ways."

I held up my hand to stop her, "Whatever. It's not my place to punish your children… It's to punish mine."

I turned to face the three of them with my hands on my hips. Lovi flinched, but Lene seemed completely unbothered while Atta continued to cry, hiding her face in her hands. 

Lovi stuttered, "B-But I-"

"-Nope. No excuses. Lovi, you should be ashamed of yourself. Starting a fight got everyone here involved."

"But I-"

"-No buts. You and Lene are grounded. So come on, we are going home."

I spun around and walked angrily to my ice chunk where the three girls begrudgingly followed me. Bale watched us go with a somber look on his face and let out a sigh. Surprisingly, the coyote children all watched the girls leave with regret and dejection.

The coyote's eldest ears lowered as he walked over to his parents, "I-I was just trying to make friends…"

His father let out a sigh, "You have to remember not everyone else has the same behavior as us. Just like they respect our customs, we should respect theirs."

He lowered his head, "Yes…"

I flew back to the mountain saying nothing. The silence became too much for Lovi who broke it, "I'm sorry, Master! Please don't be mad at them! It was all my fault… I started the fight…"

Lene spoke up, "No! Be mad at Lene! Lene beat up the most kids!"

Without saying a word, I stuck my hands out to rub the top of their heads at the same time.

Lene and Lovi: "?????"

I laughed at their confused expressions, "I am so proud of my girls."

Lovi's mouth dropped, "HUUUH!? But you said we should be ashamed!!!"

I gave her a wink, "Ashamed for not beating them up more."

Lene furrowed her brow, "But Mother said not to fight…"

I shook my head, "No. Only fight when it's necessary."

"Lene doesn't understand the difference…"

"You two were defending Atta, right?"

Lene nodded, "And Sissy!"

Lovi's cheeks flushed, "T-They called Atta ugly… I wasn't going to let them get away with that."

I smiled warmly at her, "Exactly. You stood up for your sister. When someone won't shut their mouth, you shut it up for them."

Lene tugged on my dress, "Mother, have you done that?"

I rubbed my nose smugly, "I got into my share of fights as a child."

Lovi's expression lit up, "No way! You really did!?"

I nodded with a smile, "I did and I never lost a fight."

-Except for all the times I was sucker punched. 

I cleared my throat smugly, "That's what happens when you hurt the ones I love! You hurt them, I hurt you."

Lovi looked at me in awe, "I had no idea! I thought you were just a pushover."

"Oi." I flicked her forehead playfully, but felt myself smiling, "Although you're not wrong. I used to be a pushover."

"Really? What changed?"

I thought back, "Well… I guess it was the ability to use magic… And finally getting a family to rely on."

Lene suddenly hugged my waist, "Just like Lene! Lene has Mother and family! That makes Lene strong!"

Lovi chuckled, "I guess it does help…"

My lips curled up as a warm feeling traveled into my chest. 

I glanced at Atta and saw her staring at the ground below while still covering her face with her hands.

I feel like I failed her as a guardian…

This experience seems to have really traumatized her.

But what can I do to make her feel better?