Chisaki's residence,
Afternoon...

Kai's POV

I was quite shocked when I heard the door slammed open, accompanied by hurry and panic footsteps. The kids were having their afternoon naps so I doubted them to make such noises.

Deciding to check on the noise, I got up from my cozy chair and walked out of my bedroom. I descended the stairs quietly, not wanting anybody down stairs to hear me.

Don't tell me... Some random villains broke into the house? Around this hour? They made the wrong move.

I dangerously pulled off my latex glove, getting ready to attack anyone who infiltrated my house. As soon as my foot stepped on the last staircase, I showed up myself to the intruder.

But my guess was wrong. It wasn't intruder who made those loud noises just now.

Eri and her friend, Kouta — if I wasn't mistaken — were standing before me, both were breathing heavily, as if they just finished a marathon.

"Eri?" I spoke up after a long moment of silence. Eri, probably heard my voice, lifted her head up. Her ruby irises net my curious gaze. All of a sudden, tears leaked out from the corner of her eyes before her cries filled in the entire house.

"Ri-chan, what's wrong?! Did that stranger hurt you?!" Kouta asked her in worry, but she didn't seem to hear him. She proceeded to cry, while she wiped off the tears that constantly flowed down her cheeks.

"... Tell me everything that happen."

(A few minutes later)

In the living room...

"I see. So that strange teenage boy knew you two's names... That did sound suspicious. Nonetheless, I'm glad both of you are doing okay." I heaved a deep sigh of relief after Kouta finished his story.

"That guy kept touching Eri's head that it creeped me out. And he had a dangerous aura around him... So I decided to run away." Kouta ended his story there. I turned to look at Eri who was clutching on me tightly. She wouldn't let me go at all. Her whole body was violently trembling..

Another child predator? But this time, a high schooler targetting an elementary student Good grief, this world had grown more and more toxic each day. Even young teenagers dare to hurt an innocent child...

... As if I have the right to say that...

Still, the odd thing is... Why did strange people keep going after my children? First Ken, and now Eri.

I have to talk things over with Izuku regarding my concern.

"Kouta, you are staying here for the night. It is too risky for you to walk home by yourself. I will tell Izuku to inform your guardian about your current situation." I stated calmly, and Kouta nodded his head, agreeing without hesitation.

"I don't want to come across that stranger again,too... He just looks so weird and scary..." His hands clutched into tiny fists, shivering.

I darted my irises to Eri who was still crying. I was about to caress her hair to assure her, when suddenly, I sensed an unfamiliar but nostalgic vibe.

What a nuisance. Did that creeper follow them back home?

Time to "clean" some filthy animal.

"Kouta, bring Eri to her room, now. " I emphasized the last word, serious to beat up any villain who tried to hurt my family. 

Slowly walking to the front door, I glimpsed over my shoulder for the last time to check on the kids' condition. They weren't here anymore. Perhaps Kouta already brought Eri into her room.

Good, they don't need to see this side... Of mine..

I spinned the doorknob and yanked open the door widely. A man standing before me gasped in surprise, his arms crossed before his face.

"....Setsuno?" I muttered in turbelence. What was he doing here?

"Kai-sama, sorry for the interruption— I was worried about your kids, that's all!" He hurriedly clarified. I narrowed my eyes at him in suspicion.

"What bring you here, Setsuno...? And what is your purpose?" The doubt in my voice wasn't hidden. I was extremely suspicious of him.

"Huh? Well, I was on my way here when I saw those kids running into the house..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
Ah, so that is his reason..

"I see." I leaned my body against the doorframe. "Well, a question for you...just for a little research. Have you seen anyone sketchy around this neighbourhood?" I asked curiously. I didn't leave my house that often since I was busy with works or taking care of my kids.

"Someone suspicious? I don't think so. Everyone looks completely normal to me." He tilted his head, perplexed by my odd question.

That is weird...

So it is true... This creepy stranger must only appear himself before my children... This is heavily concerning. I have to be more cautious than before.

•••••

Nighttime,
Chisaki's residence...

Third Person's POV

"Oh dear... Your temperature is quite
high..." Izuku uttered worriedly, her eyes fixed on the thermometer. Eri was attacked with a very high fever all of a sudden.

"Nee-nee..." The triplets called out their sister sadly. Tears began forming in Aiko's and Ichiru's eyes, while Ken frowned in sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Izuku-san... Because of me, Eri had fever... " Kouta bowed down apologeticcally, feeling responsible for Eri's sick condition.

"No, no, Kouta-kun. It wasn't your fault, sweetheart. So don't apologize." Izuku gently patted his black hair. "But..."

"Well, how about this? You stay in this room with Eri. Help her with everything she needs. Like, bringing her meal to her and comfort her..." The female adult suggested gladly just to assure him.

Hearing her opinion, his eyes lit up with realization. "Okay! I will give everything I have got to help her! I swear, Izuku-san!" He made an oath.

"Yosh, now that is the spirit I want to see! Okay then, I'm going to prepare dinner now. Eri sweetie, rest well, okay?" Izuku pecked Eri's warm forehead before exiting the room, leaving her children in her oldest daughter's room.

Her gaze then landed on her husband, who was waiting in the living room. "How is it going?" The man asked in eagerness. Since he had germaphobia – though not as critical as before –, he couldn't help but stay far away from sick people. That included his own children. He would distance himself from them everytime they felt sick.

"Her fever is quite high, but nothing serious. For now at least. If her fever doesn't go down in another few days... Then we probably need to bring her to hospital for a check up." Izuku explained, earning a nod from him.

"First Ken, and then Eri... I wonder if the people targetting them are the villains I had defeated before and help grudge against me... Then this is my fault that our kids are in danger now.." She hugged her body shakily.

Kai got up from the couch and hugged his wife. "Shh, sweetheart... Don't say that. It wasn't your fault..." He whispered, caressing her hair reassuringly.

Tears leaked out of her eyes. She returned the hug and cried in his arms...