Chapter 648 – Solitary Childrearing

How should I mediate the disputes between children?

I am no authority on childrearing, but I am well aware that the present relationship between Wiki and Shiba is far from healthy.

-Thud. Thump.

The following day, after temporarily leaving Wiki and Shiba in the playroom, I took a seat at the computer and engaged in a long struggle.

It had been a considerable amount of time since I last used the internet. Even the act of pressing the keys felt foreign, my movements clumsy.

Even though I possessed robust strength and a sturdy physique, parenting proved to be a different matter entirely. Regarding domestic matters, perhaps seeking the wisdom of a psychiatrist or an elder wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

– ‘Our Tree Has Altered.’ A nugget of childcare wisdom from Professor Mok Eun-young.

[First Principle: There’s no need for constant intervention.]

Humans and treemen are different from their very species. The fixation that Wiki and Shiba, both tree-people, display towards their father might be natural, only I was ignorant of it. If such behavior is typical in this world, there should be some precedent. My gaze remained fixed on the monitor as I gradually scrolled down.

[Tip: Routine squabbles don’t warrant your attention. They present an opportunity to resolve conflicts.]

‘Is that so?’

Certainly, if they were sisters, they would have their quarrels. Many parents assert that children grow through their fights. Instead of my intervention, the children should learn to resolve their issues independently. Recognizing and managing their emotions would aid their growth.

Especially Wiki.

Wiki is intelligent but straightforward with her desires, and often throws tantrums. She behaved similarly yesterday night in bed. Could such spirited actions be due to her lack of experience with minor conflicts?

‘Interesting.’

[TIP: Don’t let your emotions be swayed by the children’s conflicts. Observe their disagreements quietly. Children behave a certain way to garner their parents’ attention and support.]

Wait for the child’s emotions to settle down. After understanding the child’s feelings, encourage them to see from a different perspective.

[TIP: Regardless of the situation, avoid comparisons.]
[TIP: Refrain from becoming too excited. Emotional escalation is undesirable.]
[TIP: Do not insist on forced apologies.]

This isn’t allowed, nor is that. I comprehend, but is it genuinely possible to mediate in such a manner?

A small doubt lingered, but at least the advice came from someone more experienced than me.

The moment I nodded in agreement, Shiba’s scream echoed from afar.

-Wiki!!!!

A fierce quarrel that occurs almost once every hour without a father’s presence.

A fight must have broken out again, unable to withstand the short wait of a few minutes.

Sighing internally, I headed towards the playroom.

-Thump.

As soon as I opened the door, the small silhouettes of two children came into view.

Shiba and Wiki, each brimming with spirit, were locked in a heated argument, their voices ringing clear and loud.

“Wiki, hand it over!!”
“No way!!!”

Unaware of my presence, the two were embroiled in a struggle over a book. The paper-bound vessel of knowledge teetered on the brink of ripping, its precarious state a heartbreaking sight.

“…Ah, Father…!”
“Wha!?”

Wiki, who had been fervently protecting the book, brightened as she recognized me. At the utterance of the word “Father”, Shiba’s grip slackened, causing Wiki to tumble down.

“Ugh!”

Despite hitting the back of her head on the bookshelf, Wiki didn’t shed a tear, clinging to the book with a vice-like grip. With her attention diverted by my arrival, Shiba let out a scream as she realized the book had slipped from her grasp.

“Arrggh!!”

What could this book possibly be? Before I had time to react, Shiba sprinted towards Wiki, attempting to wrestle the book from her grasp.

“Hand it over, Wiki!”
“Ah, no! Father…!”

Wiki was dragged around by Shiba’s relentless strength but managed to hold on, her determination to never yield manifesting in a subtle thread of magical force that bound her and the book together.

But what was this book? Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a photo album. Inside were countless photos of my face, photos I didn’t recall ever being taken.

‘…Pictures taken while I was asleep?’

It seemed that visiting lovers had snapped one picture after another, creating a memento of their visits.

Stumbling upon this, Wiki and Shiba seemed to have waged a battle over who would claim the album, even if it meant their doom.

“I found it first… Ahhh!”
“It’s Shiba’s!!!”

The two girls rolled and tumbled, the disputed book at the center of their commotion. Shiba, who had bumped her head on the bookshelf, looked up at me, her eyes welling with tears.

“Father, Wiki…!”

Shiba’s plea for my support was evident. In that moment, I was reminded of an advice from Professor Mok Eun-yeong that I had recently read on my computer.

‘Don’t take sides, just stay neutral.’

I stood still as a statue, observing the two of them.

“…Shiba.”

Shiba, taken aback, looked at me with a lost expression. Was she expecting me to scold Wiki like last night? Her face was drained of confidence, a hint of apprehension creeping into her eyes, as if she feared I might reprimand her.

“Ugh, let go!! Whoever grabs something first is usually the owner!”
“No, no! Shiba wants… a picture of Father too!”
“They’re all mine!!! Isn’t that right, Father… Father?”

This time, it was Wiki’s turn. Catching my gaze, she hastily composed herself upon seeing my expression.

Was it a bit chilly, perhaps? My expressionless face may have been perceived as more intimidating by the child.

“……”
“……”

Shiba and Wiki, in the midst of their squabble, alternately glanced at my face before finally falling silent, their movements coming to a halt.

The two girls, now aware of each other, didn’t release their grip on the book, but the intense struggle seemed to have reached a temporary pause.

“I, too, want a picture, Shiba.”
“But I saw it first.”

Their conversation, now timid, was interspersed with furtive glances.

Soon, Wiki asked in a contrite tone if her attention had shifted toward me.

“Are…are you angry…?”
“Bee….?”

Does it have an effect?
Yet, could this atmosphere truly be a peaceful solution?

This isn’t about resolving the conflict, it’s about observing my reactions.
It’s more of a mitigation strategy than an actual solution.

“You both, come here.”

At my command, Shiba and Wiki wearily rose to their feet and started moving towards me.
Two children clutching at the hem of my trousers, looking up at me.

“Put down the book.”

Hearing my words, they simultaneously set their books aside.

“Do you have something to say?”

In trying to speak as gently as possible, my voice hardened slightly. Shiba and Wiki murmured with somewhat shaky voices.

“We’re sorry for the fight.”
“We apologize… Daddy.”

That’s not it.

‘Sigh.’

It doesn’t feel right.

The issue is settled, but something doesn’t feel quite complete.
A problem that needs a little more thought. I pondered and this time tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.

“What do you have to say to each other?”

The sisters turned their heads. The two kids’ eyebrows furrowed slightly, then they looked at me and sheepishly lowered their heads.

“Sis.”

As the younger sibling, will she be the first to speak?

Wiki, who was hesitating over what to say, whispered softly.

“Um, sis…”

You can do it.
Be strong.

Wiki clenched her fists and yelled.

“Sis, you were the one who was wrong first!”
“Beep!? Wiki… How dare you!”

Ah.
Please.

“Um, yesterday you cuddled 45 minutes longer than me… You…you spoke six more words!!! And you acted more childishly!”

I was at a loss for words at Wiki’s rapid-fire grievances.

No.
This is not the parenting I know.

Children don’t remember these minute details… They don’t fight over something as trivial as their father’s lap, they argue for more childish reasons.

On the other hand, these two had one objective from the start.

Me. I am the problem.

‘Mr. Mok Eun-young… What should I do?’

Should I apply for advice online? The thought seriously crossed my mind.
After all, is it sensible to raise a sage’s daughter with orthodox methods?

“Wiki.”
“I didn’t… say anything wrong.”
“Shiba.”
“I was about to admit my mistake. But Wiki…”

Different situations call for different approaches.
Conflicts between children usually stem from conflicting desires.

Over toys… or food.
Children dispute over something that can satisfy their desires.

If that something is me.
If they’re fighting over me because they want to monopolize their dad and because they love me.

Do I really need to stay still without revealing my feelings?
Especially since Wiki is a child with a distinct self-identity. The usual method was not sufficient.

“…I’ll be in my father’s room. Wiki, you stay here, and Shiba, you come with me. Next time, Wiki will come to my room. Understood?”

An honest dialogue was necessary.

At the sound of my earnest voice, the children nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation. Their faces bore the signs of imminent tears.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

“…Papa.”

– Squeak.

The door opens and peeps. Shiba cautiously steps into my room, clutching the hem of her nightgown and shuffling her feet hesitantly.

“Shiba…I’m here.”
“Do you want to come and sit here?”
“Beep.”

Shiba moved toward me with irregular steps, her lips pouting as she took her place.

“Shiba.”
“Beep.”
“I wish for you, Shiba, to get along with your sister. Is that too difficult?”

Shiba shook her head.

The tip of the branch adorning Shiba’s head tilted towards the floor. She appeared disheartened.

“You can speak honestly.”
“…”
“Do you dislike being with your sister?”

Shiba nodded affirmatively.

“Dad… I just want to be with Shiba. I don’t like my sister.”
“Why so?”

She didn’t want to share her father – that was the underlying sentiment.

“Wiki, every day… tries to separate Shiba and Dad. Shiba wants to be with Dad, but she keeps pushing me away…”
“Is that so?”
“Beep.”

Honesty brought tears to Shiba’s eyes. She was young, and to her, honesty felt like a sin. She kept sniffling, as if the injustice of it all was overwhelming her.

“And, and…”
“Yes.”
“Wiki… keeps talking logically…”

Logic?
It seemed Shiba might be misinterpreting the concept of ‘logic’.

What Wiki said was difficult for someone of Shiba’s age to understand, but the content itself was comparable to sophistry.

The complex words probably felt that way to Shiba. They seemed like childish sentiments and tantrums.

“Shiba.”
“Yes.”
“How would you feel if Dad left Shiba and only hugged Wiki?”

My words left her stunned for a moment. Her branch fluttered.

“Beep, beep.”

She was speechless, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Cry, beep… Beeeeeep….”

Suddenly, her sobs broke out. I quickly drew Shiba into a comforting embrace.

“I don’t like it, don’t like it…. It’s not fair if you only hug Wiki.”
“Yes, stop. You need to stop.”

Shiba, who had been crying, nestled her cheek against mine. Shiba’s short arms wound around my neck, persistently seeking my embrace.

“Shiba wants to be hugged too… Shiba loves Dad, why only hug Wiki…?”
“That’s not what I meant… It was just a hypothetical scenario. Wouldn’t it be terribly sad if Dad only hugged Wiki?”

Nodding, nodding, nodding.

A head bobbing so vigorously, it felt as if my cheeks might burst into flames. Shiba’s twig-like fingers grazed and etched marks onto my scalp. It was somewhat painful, to be honest.

“Wiki must have acted out due to anxiety as well.”

There was no means of determining who was superior. Conversely, it was a situation most apt for empathy and understanding.

Shiba burst into tears, yet as if comprehending my words, she drew me into a firm embrace.

“A kiss?”
“Peep!”

– Smooch.

She kissed surprisingly well, despite the tear-streaked face. I softly brushed the tears off Shiba’s face and comforted her with a gentle pat on her backside. Only then did Shiba’s sobs subside. Sniffling, she nestled against my arm, expressing her affection unabashedly.

“Daddy will speak kindly to Shiba’s younger sibling as well.”
“Hmm. Yes.”
“And since Shiba is the older sister, she ought to take good care of Wiki, right?”
“Take care…?”
“Yes. Because Shiba is a bit more grown-up.”
“Understood.”

Summon Wiki.

At my words, Shiba, who had been bouncing on the bed, scurried out of the room.

– Knock, knock, knock.

Soon enough, an approaching presence could be felt.

– Squeak.

The door opened, and in came Wiki, her face slightly scrunched up in a pout. It wasn’t a face of nervousness, nor was she being overly cautious.

“Daddy…”

She seemed puzzled, but soon, Wiki cast a fleeting glance at me.

“Why did you call sister first?”

Could that be the source of her frustration? Wiki, unfiltered in her opinions, gripped the hem of her dress and protruded her lower lip.

“Daddy… why… Why do you always side with sister?”

Her eyes were teary. Something about her expression seemed a bit off.

“Wiki.”

Just as I was about to speak, her knee came into view. Had there been a scuffle? Over the slightly scraped surface of Wiki’s knee, a trail of fresh blood was slowly trickling down.