Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts

Having suffered defeat inUndertale, Lin Youxi gained a new privilege in this week's "relationship game"—

Scene 1:

Mei Fang, busy on the balcony: "Youxi, pass me the clothes hanger. I need to hang these."

Lin Youxi, lounging on the sofa eating an apple, glanced at him: "Ah Fang, is that any way to speak to me?"

Mei Fang sighed: "Fine…Mommy Youxi, please pass me the hanger."

Lin Youxi smiled: "Here."

Xia Yuan, walking over with a fruit plate: "…"

Scene 2:

Lin Youxi finished cooking and called everyone to eat.

Lin Youxi beamed maternally: "Lamb is nourishing. Good for your health."

Mei Fang watched as she piled his bowl high: "I mean, it's not like we've been as…activelately, so it's not really necessa—"

Lin Youxi set the bowl before him: "Ah Fang, children shouldn't be picky."

Mei Fang resignedly picked up his spoon: "Yes, Mommy."

Xia Yuan put down her chopsticks: "…"

Scene 3—

"I don't evenwantto see Scene 3 anymore!"

Xia Yuan was now thoroughly ruffled.

Watching Ah Fang and Youxi lean deeper into their roleplay, she felt increasingly sidelined in her own home.

They're having so much fun!

But they're not including me at all!

If this continued, she'd lose this week's relationship game…

But losing also meant she could boss Youxi around, make her—

Wait.

Actually… losing might not be so bad.

Especially if it means seeing Youxi flustered for once—a sight rarer than a blue moon.

She shook her head violently, dispelling the sinful thought.

No no no no!

Xia Yuan!

How could you?!

Is your love for Ah Fang really just about…thatkind of shameful fantasy?!

……

Xia Yuan swallowed hard, recalibrating.

Regardless, she couldn't stay passive.

Before Ah Fang gets too used to Youxi's "Mommy Play," I need to reclaim his attention.

But how?

Hmm…

Back in their "more-than-friends, not-yet-lovers" days, she'd always consult her alter ego "Xiaoxue" for strategies.

But she couldn't rely on Xiaoxue anymore. She had to grow—just like Youxi had.

Come to think of it, theyhaddabbled in "Mommy Play" before… though more frequently in much earlier times.

Back when they were—

Kindergarten!

Playing house!

Xia Yuan recalled their childhood make-believe games.

To wrest control from Youxi, I need to channel my kindergarten self—the one who made both Ah Fang and Youxi my "wings."

Yes…thosewere the glory days. Hehe.

Though past triumphs shouldn't be dwelled on, reviewing her reign of dominancewasinstructive.

Back then, she'd been proactive, warm, and disarmingly sincere—a little angel in the eyes of mothers and teachers alike.

And now?

Well…

I'm still the same, aren't I?

It's just that Youxi grew stronger, Ah Fang bolder… while I stayed unchanged?

As Xia Yuan brooded in her room, Mei Fang knocked:

"Yuanyuan, Auntie Liang sent us mugwort. Want to do a foot soak with me and Youxi tonight?"

"Ahh… foot soak? I'll pass. I hate hot water."

"Alright, just Youxi and me then."

"Waitwaitwait—!"

Xia Yuan bolted out and grabbed him. "Why no persuasion?! Am Ithatreplaceable now that you have Youxi?"

"What? No! I just figured you disliked mugwort, so I didn't push—"

"But foot soaks are healthy! You shouldinsistfor my sake!"

She gripped Mei Fang's collar, studying his face—and caught a flicker of something.

"You're judging me."

"Huh? No—"

"That look! Youwerejudging me!"

"I wasn't."

"Were too!"

"Really wasn't…"

"WERE TOO!"

Exhausted, Mei Fang relented: "Fine! Sometimes youdosound like a little girl—exactly like when we were kids. Zero growth."

"Tch… So I'm 'immature,' huh?"

"Didn't say that." He pinched her cheeks. "Staying the same isn't bad. My Yuanyuan forever cute, forever youthful… Even without kids, being with you feels like raising a daughter."

"……"

"Daughter…"

"Playing house…"

"Mommy…"

Instead of anger, Xia Yuan fell into deep thought.

"You okay? Then…"

Realizing his recent "Mommy Play" with Youxi might've neglected Xia Yuan, Mei Fang backpedaled: "So… about that foot soak? Mugwort's really good for—"

"No. I refuse."

She pouted.

"Oh… Well then—"

"Unless—"

"Unless?"

"Unless youcarryme there."

Xia Yuan beamed, arms outstretched:

"Daddy!"

"!"

The title sent a full-body shudder through Mei Fang, goosebumps erupting.

"Wha—why'd you call me that?!"

"Daddy~"

She puffed her cheeks. "Don't like being my daddy? You did it all the time during make-believe."

"That was mostly playingYouxi'sdad. We usually roleplayed parents."

"Still counts as daddy!"

She nuzzled into him. "Carry me for foot soak? Pleeease, Daddy?"

Mei Fang hesitated—but Xia Yuan, deploying 100% of her cute charm power, was impossible to resist.

"Alright then…"

Gulp.

Summoning Herculean strength, he scooped her up.

Meanwhile, Lin Youxi—having just filled a wooden tub with hot water—watched Mei Fang princess-carry Xia Yuan over with slow, steady steps.

"Ah Fang, what's up with Yuanyuan?"

"She—"

"Daddy, is water too hot? I scared of hot-hot! Need cool-cool first for feet-feet?"

(TL: It sounds better (cuter) in Chinese)

"Okay, let's test the temperature."

"Carry more before put down!"

Xia Yuan buried her face in his neck, amping up the cute charm.

Hearing her baby-voice act, Lin Youxi's composure cracked. After a long pause, she massaged her temples:

"Yuanyuan, if you call Ah FangDaddy, and he calls meMommy… doesn't that make me yourgrandmaby hierarchy?"

Postscript:

"No envy of lovebirds or immortals—only envy for Mei-dog's daily life."