A Former Police Officer Who Died And Get A Second Life!-Chapter 160: Family Talk

"At this rate, he’ll probably become bigger than me someday. Children really do grow fast."

"That sounds like something an old grandpa would say!" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Well, I am basically a grandpa."

Still, at this size, Mayo probably couldn’t hide inside his clothes like before.

"I don’t know how fast snakes grow, but if he’s getting bigger, then there’s no problem."

"Eh? There isn’t?"

...There isn’t, right? Probably not. Yeah.

"Before long he’ll probably outgrow our height too. Right?"

"What’s with that look? Like you’re saying we’re in the same group or something."

"We’re companions... right? Wait, no way... are you still growing?"

When Qiong Xing looked at Albe in disbelief, he nodded casually.

The shock was so great that my knees nearly buckled.

"I thought we were comrades! And yet when we first met we were at the same eye level, but now I have to look up at you!"

Qiong Xing had noticed the change before, but perhaps it was more accurate to say he hadn’t been able to accept reality.

"Um... sorry. I didn’t think you’d be that depressed about it."

"Being apologized to makes it even worse!"

"You’re so picky."

Qiong Xing’s height wasn’t particularly short.

The problem was simply that the people around him were far too tall.

It would’ve been one thing if it were only Leander and the others, aftervall beastmen were known for their large builds.

But now even Albe whom he thought of as a fellow comrade was apparently still growing.

At this point, all that remained was despair.

"By the way, I don’t think I asked before, but how old is Albe?"

"Really, you’re asking now? I’m twelve."

"...Huh?"

Did he hear that wrong? Twelve...? Wait, he’s underage?

There was no way a male like Albe would lie about his age, so it must be true.

Qiong Xing immediately pinched his cheek to check reality, but Albe scolded him in pain.

"Why are you pinching me all of a sudden?! It’s real! I’m not lying!"

So it wasn’t a mistake.

"I’m still growing fast! I’m going to keep getting taller!"

Why are all the people in this world so tall? Qiong Xing thought.

They could’ve at least made him taller too and he secretly blamed the two cute Gods who had made his body.

"Then will Cari grow up and betray me like how you getting bigger too...?"

"Did you just casually call me a traitor?"

"Well, you did betray me. But I have something I want to ask you."

"You’re asking something from me... the traitor?"

"It’s your chance to redeem yourself. Isn’t that exciting?"

Apparently, Albe had already given up on arguing and just nodded, saying "Okay, okay," which annoyed Qiong Xing.

In order to vent his anger, he tickled Albe’s side.

Albe let out a strange laugh and rolled around, which lightened Qiong Xing’s mood a little.

"Well, it’s not that I want you to do anything specific. I just want your advice."

"Advice?"

Mayo seemed to be growing steadily, so Qiong Xing needed to think about the future, mainly, where they would live.

"I was thinking about checking out the house... I mean Leander’s old place, that cave-like spot? I’m not sure what it looks like now since it’s been a while. I want to see if it’s livable. If it isn’t, I want to make it suitable to live in. If you have any good ideas, Albe, I’d like to hear them too."

It might not be needed for a while, but preparing in advance couldn’t hurt.

Mayo would also need to get used to being outside gradually.

"The goal is to make sure the area is safe and secure, and that it’s a livable place."

"How big is Mayo going to get?"

"Hmm... I wonder? His mother was pretty large, so I think Mayo might end up that big too..."

"Mayo~?"

Mayo tilted his head as if asking "What?"

Qiong Xing petted him gently as he calling him cute, and Albe laughed, saying he looked like a grandpa spoiled by his grandson.

"...Albe, don’t you ever feel like going back?"

Qiong Xing asked without thinking and the cheerful expression on Albe’s face faded into a sad one.

"To where? I don’t have anywhere else to go."

"Your parents... wouldn’t mind if you didn’t want to go, but the demon world is supposed to be where demons live, right? Ah, don’t make that sad face. I just thought there might be a place that’s easier for you to live than here."

Albe probably wanted to stay with Cari, but Qiong Xing also worried that while Cari was still young, this place might be hard for Albe.

"As long as I have Caribert, I’m fine. And everyone here is kind, fun... and, well... you’re here too..."

"If you don’t mind being here, then that’s good. You always do so much for everyone without complaining, and I felt bad that there’s nothing I could do to help you."

"Y-you’re an idiot, right? That’s... I haven’t done anything... and you don’t need to think like that! I’m only doing what I want to do!"

Despite his bright red face and embarrassment, Qiong Xing reassured him that it was okay and he felt truly grateful that Albe had become part of his family.

"Thank you. I’ll continue to rely on you."

...

So embarrassing... so embarrassing... so embarrassing!!

When asked if he wanted to go back to th demon wolrd, Albe had initially thought it was a question of whether he was being told to leave.

But now that he understood it was concern for him and th nhe felt relieved.

This place had become his home too and Qiong Xing was family.

After saying it was fine, Albe then said he wanted to do something for Qiong Xing in return, which made Qiong Xing happy, both that Albe cared so much and that Qiong Xing himself was pleased by what he had done.

But he couldn’t say it openly and his words came out awkwardly, full of embarrassment.

Even his real family had never made him feel this way.