Good Girl

Omu Kaede POV

I felt his lips touch my exoskeleton. How. How did he… My only weakness is human saliva! Was it just a mere coincidence? Yet I couldn't think more as I felt as if my head was going to split into two. I shrieked, flailing around uncontrollably before feeling myself shrink. I looked around, curious and wide-eyed at the unconscious human. Ever since I was born a few millennia ago, I've only done what was necessary to survive. I ate and drank, burrowed into the ground to escape my predators before consuming them too… NO! I was only born today! He would take care of me!

My heart knows it! I've seen grand kingdoms rise and fall, several races go extinct and new ones rise to replace them, yet why… why do I feel this way?! About a mere human?!! NO! He's my… what is he to me?! Whenever I think about him, my heart… it seems to wrench uncomfortably as if it's going to burst out… Whenever I think about him, my mind… it wants to trap him and hug him for all eternity…

Wh-what… Wh-what is this feeling?! Then, it was as if the lights in the room turned on. It felt as if all had become clear. Of course I knew that human next to me! He's my pe-.... Urgh… Is Kaede's dearest father~! And I am his adorable daughter! Omu Kaede desu~!

Humming while rocking my head side to side and kicking my feet, I waited for father to wake up. I waited… And waited… Muuuu~! Why hasn't he woken up!? I felt my face scrunch up and tears started to blur my vision. Why hasn't father woken up yet?! Shaking him, he groaned slightly before his eyes opened slightly.

I pounced on him, hugging him. Father's awake! Father's awake! Father's awake! Father's awake! Father's awake! "Papa!" I squealed, his barely open eyes widening at the impact of my totally normal, not strong hug.

"W-what?" He managed to wheeze out. "Who are you?"

"Muuu~! Bad papa! It's me, Kaede!" I frowned. How could father forget about me?! A look of confusion was still on father's face. Suddenly, I observed him further. Why was father so skinny? He looked so weak and malnourished… Who. Did. This. To. HIM?! UNFORGIVABLE UNFORGIVABLE UNFORGIVABLE! How could they be so mean to my kind father?!!

"Umm… It's very nice to meet you Kaede… But… Why do you call me 'Papa'? And… How did you get here? It's not safe here! There's kind of like a giant centipede here… not to mention we're underground! You have to leave here!"

"*Hic* Papa has already forgotten about Kaede? *Hic* I'm your daughter! Omu Kaede!" I sniffled, sobbing while burying my face into his chest. How could he have forgotten all the time we spent together?! Him taking care of me and Mama… Papa cooking food for me and Mama… how could he have forgotten all of that?! That's it! Kaede's decided! Kaede will have to protect Papa for Mama and remind him of the time we spent together!

"WHAT?!!" Papa's eyes almost bulged out their sockets. He then muttered under his breath "What happened while I was out? WHAT HAPPENED?!" Papa scratched his head in confusion, making me giggle. "Papa! Come with Kaede! I'll bring you out of here!"

"W-wait! Kaede! KAEDE!"

Grabbing onto his hand, I hummed happily while skipping out of the dark tunnel that seemed strangely familiar. We finally reached the surface but when I looked back… Huh?! What happened to Papa?! Oops~. I forgot that he probably can't run that fast so Kaede ended up dragging him! Teehee!

After a while, Papa finally managed to sit up, his stomach growling. Muu~! Papa is hungry? "Wait here Papa! Kaede will be right back~!" I told him, putting my hands on my hips and talking to him like I was an adult before skipping away. I thought I could hear Papa call my name, worried about my safety. Papa is so considerate~!

Now… "To find something that Papa would like to eat… Yes… You~! You'll do!" I pointed at a massive boar, tilting my head slightly and smiling. The boar, seemingly understanding what I just said, snorted before lowering its head, rushing at me tusks first, running as fast as its stubby little legs would allow it to. How cute.

My expression hardened as I grabbed its tusks with my hand. The boar seemed to shake violently once before it finally went still, dropping to the ground dead. This should be enough for now~. Papa would get worried!

When I came back, I found Papa there, resting peacefully against a tree, the sun's rays shining on his beautiful face… Kaede! Not now! I quickly ran up to papa, before shaking him, "Papa! Kaede brought food! Isn't she a good girl?!"