Accidentally become a father-Chapter 65: The First Kotatsu

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When I brought two mugs into the living room, Yuna was already half-buried inside the kotatsu.

Only her head was visible.

The thick blanket puffed up in the center.

"...Papa."

"Hm."

"It’s very warm."

I set the mugs down on the low table.

One was hot chocolate.

The other was coffee.

---

Yuna still hadn’t emerged from the kotatsu.

She only reached a hand out from beneath the blanket.

"The chocolate one?"

"The chocolate one."

She carefully grasped the mug.

Then retreated back inside the kotatsu.

A few seconds later, she emerged again.

Up to her shoulders this time.

She held the mug of chocolate with both hands.

A wisp of steam rose to her face.

She blew on it slightly.

"...warm."

---

I sat on the other side of the table.

I slipped my legs under the kotatsu.

I could immediately feel the heat from the small heater beneath the table.

Yuna took a small sip of her chocolate.

Then stopped.

Her eyes widened.

"...this is good."

"It’s chocolate."

"But it’s warm."

"Indeed."

She took another sip.

A longer one this time.

Then she leaned back.

Half of her body was still under the kotatsu.

"...I understand now."

"What?"

"Why people never want to leave a kotatsu."

I looked at her.

She pulled the blanket up a little higher.

"...it’s like a warm trap."

"It’s not a trap."

"But if you leave... it’s cold."

"Yes."

She thought about that for a moment.

Then she said very seriously,

"...that is the definition of a trap."

I drank my coffee.

---

The TV was on in the corner of the living room.

A variety show was playing.

The sound of audience laughter came from the screen.

Yuna watched the television.

Then drank some more chocolate.

Then she shifted her legs under the kotatsu.

I could see the blanket move.

"...Papa."

"Hm."

"It’s like a secret heater."

"It is a heater."

"But it’s hidden."

"Under the table."

She nodded in satisfaction.

As if her theory had just been confirmed.

---

A few minutes passed.

Yuna was sitting much more comfortably now.

Her legs were clearly stretched deep into the kotatsu.

She stared at the TV.

Then suddenly said,

"...I don’t want to come out."

"You don’t have to."

"Good."

She drank her chocolate again.

Then said in a serious tone,

"...we could eat noodles in here."

"We already ate."

"...tomorrow."

I didn’t answer.

Yuna took another sip of her chocolate.

Then she suddenly looked at me.

"...Papa."

"Hm."

"Do adults like kotatsu too?"

"Yes."

"Because they’re warm?"

"Yes."

She thought about it for a moment.

Then said very logically,

"...that means the kotatsu is an important invention."

I nodded slightly.

"Quite important."

She gave a small smile.

Then leaned deeper into the kotatsu.

Once again, only her head remained outside.

---

A few seconds later, her voice came from under the blanket.

"...Papa."

"Hm."

"...I’m like a turtle."

I stared at the puffed-up kotatsu blanket.

"Inside your shell?"

"Yes."

She moved her legs again.

The blanket shifted.

"...very cozy."

The TV kept playing.

The faint sound of rain could still be heard outside the window.

The apartment felt warm.

And for a while, Yuna didn’t say anything else.

She just held her chocolate mug with both hands.

And stayed hidden inside the kotatsu, like a little turtle that had found its new home.

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