Starting from Douluo Continent, I've become a god through daily check-ins.

Chapter 298 The Gift

In the driver's quarters, the weather outside was clear and sunny. Although there was no sun, the sky was filled with white clouds, and the lack of sunshine did not diminish the warmth. Goro stood at the window of the second-floor corridor, watching Ichigo playing with the cat in the yard. Ichigo sat on the steps, holding a toy in her left hand on her lap, while her other hand gently stroked the cat's chin. Ikuno stood beside her, her hands resting on her knees, watching the cat's comfortable expression.

Mei pulled her hands back, held the doll in both hands, raised it high, looked at it for a while, and then put it back in her arms, using the doll to tease the kitten.

"Everyone, it's here." Tai's voice came from behind.

Goro turned around and looked at Tai's position. Everyone had come into the living room, where the table was covered with gift boxes. Everyone was happy, having found their own gift. Ikuno had several small books on her lap, Kokoro was holding a makeup box, and Mirai had a bottle of perfume. Mitsuru stood by the window, opening a black rectangular box, inside which lay a fountain pen. Akimoto had a ball; after getting the new ball, Akimoto tossed it around a couple of times, smiling happily at Tai. Tai also smiled, holding up the snacks in his hand.

Goro sat on the sofa, holding a fishing rod, while Ichigo sat beside him, holding a black kitten plush toy. Goro said, "You still like such childish things, huh?"

Ichigo hugged the doll to her chest, turned her head arrogantly, and said, "It's none of your business."

Ling Er stood in front of the door, looking at the children who were all holding the same thing, and asked with some confusion, "A gift?"

Zero stood next to Zero-Two and said, "Yes, once a year, you tell Dad what you want, and the gift will arrive like this on a certain day."

"Hmm...that's..." Zero Two seemed to understand, looking at the book in Zero's hand and asking, "A picture book?"

"A picture book? Oh, no, this is an illustrated guide. It has pictures of many animals." Zero held up the guide for Zero Two to see, and asked, "Do you like picture books? There are some in the study if you want to read one."

"Great! Now I'll read what Daddy told us!"

Hijiki's excited voice suddenly rang out again, drawing Zero and Zero-Two's attention. Hijiki waved a piece of paper high, holding a ball between his left and the paper—no, it should be called a letter—in his right hand. Unfolding the letter, Hijiki coughed twice, glanced at its contents, and said:

"The peace and prosperity brought about by your activities are the hope of humankind. I hope you will not forget your original aspirations, take pride in being the ones in charge, and cherish honor." Having said this, he glanced at the audience and said, "That's all!"

As Wanmu read the contents of the letter, everyone listened intently. Although Wanmu was indeed not very serious, these were, after all, words from "Dad," and apart from Ling Er, their father's words were like sacred decrees to them.

After Yunmu finished reading the letter, everyone laughed happily. Yunmu's spirits soared, and he exclaimed with a loud laugh, "We're the hope! Let's give it our all!"

Seeing her companions laughing so happily, Zero couldn't help but smile too. However, Zero also noticed that Zero Two didn't seem very happy. Moreover, there wasn't a gift for Zero Two this time.

……

Goro came out of the room and happened to see Ichigo squatting by the stair railing. He walked over and gently tapped Ichigo on the head with a chop to the neck, asking, "What are you doing?"

Ichigo quickly told Goro to keep his voice down, and Goro also noticed Zero Two and Zero in the hall. Zero Two, holding a mirror, asked, "What's this?"

Zero said, "I felt like we were making a huge fuss because we were the only ones who got the gifts, so I thought it would be nice to get something for Zero Two. I didn't know what you liked, so I asked Jing Chen to bring this mirror for me. Am I... being too nosy?"

Zero Two looked at herself in the mirror for a while, a slight smile playing on her lips. She then hugged Zero tightly. "Thank you, Darling. It's so nice to receive a gift from someone. I'll cherish it." With that, Zero Two let go of Zero.

Zero nodded and happily chatted with Zero-Two about other things. Sitting on the stairs, watching this scene, Goro noticed that Ichigo seemed a little down, but Goro didn't say anything. However, Goro was reminded of things from the past.

When they were children, he, Ichigo, Hiro, and Zero were very close friends. In that incubation room, the four of them had the best relationship.

"Oh right, I got another doll, what about you guys?" Ichigo asked Zero, Hiro, and Goro happily.

The three exchanged a glance. The scene shifted, and Goro was alone in the library late at night, sketching something on a piece of paper. Finally, Goro finished what he was making. He held it up high—a bird-shaped hair clip. The reason for making the clip was simple: Hiro had mentioned during the day that Ichigo's hair was too long and would hurt her eyes, so Goro made this clip to help Ichigo tie her hair up. When Goro happily took the clip to find Ichigo, he found Rei tying up Ichigo's hair. Peeking out, he saw that Rei's hair clip was already in place. Looking at Ichigo's happy smile, Goro glanced at the clip in his hand.

Back in reality, Goro sat on his bed, a hairpin in his palm. It was the hairpin he'd made back then, intended as a gift for Ichigo, but he'd never given it to her. Hearing the door open, Goro looked up; Zero had just returned from her bath.

"Oh, here it comes," Goro said with a smile.

Zero was somewhat surprised. Goro said, "This is really unexpected. I never knew Zero Two could laugh like that in front of you."

Zero blushed and said, "What? You saw everything?"

Seeing Zero approach, Goro said apologetically, "I'm sorry."

"That's... Ichigo's hair clip?" Zero asked, looking at the hair clip in Goro's hand.

"Yeah, the same one." Goro tossed the hair clip around for a moment and said, "But this is one I wanted to give her before, but I couldn't."

"Huh?" Zero doubt.

"You guys mentioned it before, right? You didn't know what that feeling called 'like' was. It means 'someone special,' right?" Goro said.

"Special? Maybe." Zero said, not quite understanding either.

"To Ichigo, you used to be her hero," Zero said, sitting on the bed, continuing to listen to Goro's words, "That was 'special,' wasn't it?"

"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Zero asked.

"You probably feel the same way about Zero Two," Goro said.

"Same?" No doubt.

"I want to get to know them, I want to be with them, and... things I want to do," Goro said.

"Eh!" Zero exclaimed in surprise.

Goro chuckled. "What? Haven't you noticed yet?"

"But, but... if that's the case, then Goro is the one who's right against Ichigo..." Zero realized belatedly.

Goro interrupted Zero, saying, "I know in my heart what will make her happy and what will make her sad. I know it all... but I can't do anything about it. Zero, probably only you can do it."

"Goro, you're acting strange today," Zero said.

"I feel the same way. Observing you lately, I've slowly come to the answer to my feelings: I like Ichigo."

Zero paused for a moment, but Goro stretched and said, "Suddenly I feel much more cheerful. Time for bed." Goro took off his glasses and prepared to sleep.

"Wait... Goro!" Zero wanted to ask something more, but Goro simply covered himself with the blanket and went to sleep.

After watching for a while, Zero was about to go to bed when Goro suddenly said, "But I'm already satisfied."

Zero looked at Goro lying on the bed with his eyes closed, and remained silent. Having had his conversation with Goro today, Zero wasn't stupid; he naturally understood what Goro was trying to say. But he was powerless to help. He thought to himself, perhaps that other person could handle it with ease?

(End of this chapter)