After much reflection, Nia realized what Yuel really meant to her. She pushed herself off the carpet and slowly walked to the sofa. Then, she sat down at an awkward distance from Yuel, not too close but not too far either. Getting any closer would be embarrassing, but sitting too far was lonely.
"......" Nia twisted her lips. She felt something, but it was difficult to put it into words.
Yuel didn't say anything either. As expected, the alien robot couldn't be relied on to strike up a conversation during a time like this.
What is he doing, anyway? Nia sheepishly glanced at the extraterrestrial creature. The guy was busy with something on his phone.
"Hm?" Yuel noticed the stare. "Oh, I was just checking the team's match history. Wanted to make sure they properly practiced even without me being there."
Seriously? Nia made a face. Thinking about Classmancers even in a situation like this? Just how addicted is he to the game? Wasn't he supposed to be focusing on MY special training today?
"Eyyy!" Nia bumped her head into Yuel's shoulder with vengeance.
"What's that about?"
"I'm tired, so lend me your shoulder."
"You have the entire sofa. You can just lie down."
"No. I want to reset like this," Nia insisted. "You're the one who dragged me into that hellish training, so you gotta be held accountable."
Yuel shrugged. "Sure, if you say so." The weight on his shoulder wasn't a big deal for now, so he let the spoiled brat enact her revenge (or whatever it was).
"You know," Nia started. "I don't really have a dad."
"Huh?" Yuel blinked. Where did that come from? Though it confirms my suspicion.
"So, I was thinking," Nia continued. "You're kinda like a dad to me."
"... excuse me?" Yuel raised an eyebrow. "I'm only a middle schooler."
"But, you don't act like one at all," Nia argued. "You're always on top of things and have tons of knowledge about literally everything."
"Well, I'm glad you have such a positive impression of me for once," Yuel said. "But all these things you mentioned have nothing to do with being a father. It'd make more sense to think of me as your coach."
"Hmm. I guess so?" Nia wondered. "Hmmmmm. A complicated topic."
"I don't see why you need to think so hard about it," Yuel argued. "We're just clubmates, and I'm helping you out with subjects you're struggling with, that's all."
"Just clubmates..." Nia twisted her lips in response to that statement. Something about it irked her, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
It was a weird situation. She was right beside Yuel, even leaning on his shoulder. Yet somehow, it felt like Yuel wasn't quite seeing her.
Normally, that advanced level of stealth would be something to celebrate. But, right now...
"Muuu!" BAM! Nia banged her forehead against the dense guy's arm.
"And what was this one for?"
Nia pouted. "Hmph. Nothing."
"You seem unsatisfied with something I said." Yuel shrugged. "In the end, you can think of me as whatever you want. Dad, coach, clubmate, or even alien robot."
"Pft, definitely the last one!"
"You sure seem to like that nonsensical one the most." Yuel made a face. "Anyway, I don't know how to respond to that weird confession of yours. My father died when I was still a kid, so I grew up without a guide for how to main this class."
"Oh, I see..." Nia lowered her eyes. That was awkward of me. What was I thinking, anyway?
A prickly silence followed afterward. Yuel continued fiddling with his phone, probably checking out something or another that was related to Classmancers. It was always "Classmancers this", "Classmancers that". His head was filled to the brim with it.
I have the strange urge to talk about something that'll distract him from the phone, but not sure what to say… And so, Nia continued resting her head on Yuel's shoulder and let the silence engulf them.
Fortunately, a loud DING DONG eventually broke the awkward silence. The long-anticipated pizza delivery was here!
"Wow, it's nice and juicy." Nia's eyes sparkled as she grabbed a thick slice and took a bite. "Mmm! Good!" She followed up on that by taking quick but tiny bites. Munch munch munch.
Why does she always eat everything like a hamster? Yuel wondered. Well, it's kind of cute, so I'll just let her do her thing… WAIT. Thinking like that makes me sound like some dotting dad! He facepalmed at the realization.
And so, this duo of father and daughter (NOT!) enjoyed their pizza together, then called it a day.