193 Derrick Jones - Major Chapter - Doing What Is Necessary (2/2)
”We still have to get to the military HQ, remember?” answered Miranda. ”As for those two... we can leave them here.”
”Oh... I thought the same thing. You three can't have them tag along, right? It will be dangerous and all...” said Jacqueline.
”Jacqueline... Um, can you take care of them for me?”
Now I regretted making that promise with Elle. Come to think of it, how am I supposed to bring her with me to the HQ? Eugene, maybe, but I couldn't bring Elle along to that place, no matter what.
”What's to think about? Elle's a kid. She's your daughter. Just leave her here if you want her to be safe,” said Miranda, somewhat irritated at my indecisiveness.
”You are right.” But she might not accept it just like that, and perhaps even made a tantrum afterward. Ah, here I go again, thinking too much. I was just being sentimental about this trivial matter.
”Let's go. I trust her to you and the rest, Jacqueline.”
”Stay safe, brother... And you two as well.”
”Yup. We will be back after everything is said and done!”
”That's a given. Yeah...”
I went over to Elle's side and the orphans parted way to give the two of us s.p.a.ce. She, for some reason, stared at me with narrow eyes, as if she knew what I was going to say.
”You promised, Papa...”
”...I did, huh.”
She grabbed at my jacket and tears welled up in her eyes. ”I want to come with you too!”
”You can't. It's dangerous, Elle.” I kissed her forehead gently. ”Just this once... please... grant your father the chance to break this one promise.”
”But you promiiiiised!” Tears streamed down her cheeks. ”I want to come with you no matter what! Papa! I want to come with yooou!”
She hit me on the chest with clenched fists, over and over. It didn't hurt physically, but inside, my heart twisted each time she did that. Seeing her crying was one thing, but when I realized that I had made her cry just after reuniting with her made feel disgusted with myself.
”I want to come with youuu, Papa!”
I gritted my teeth. There was no way I could bring her with me, and perhaps, I should just get over it. I should stop wavering. After all, there was only one logical choice available for me right now whether Elle liked it or not.
”...I'm sorry, Elle. You must stay here, and that's final.”
”Papa... b-but you promised!”
”I can't bring you with me. Those robots might hurt you again.”
Her dainty fists stopped hitting me and it dropped down to her sides. And then, she glared at me. ”I still want to come with you!”
”ELLE!”
Her body flinched when I yelled at her, and she shuddered. After a few moments, she cried on the spot and my heart twisted so much from it. I shouldn't have yelled at her. But somehow, a part of me believed it was necessary.
”...Sorry, Elle.”
I stood up and, surprisingly, Elle had stopped her tantrum. She sobbed and rubbed her cheeks with her dress's sleeves.
”I'm really sorry about this.” I hugged her one more time and then kissed her on the forehead. Jacqueline then held Elle in her arms, and my daughter just stared at me as she tried her best to not cry.
”Papa... I want to come with you...” she said weakly.
I just shook my head and smiled at her. With a heavy heart, I tore my gaze away and proceeded back up to the surface.
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