[From Lightning's diary]

I never thought that after I obtained my prize money from Dissidia tournament, I still need to discuss budget with Hope. The first cause of the problem is that both of us are foreigners and not citizens of France. Hence everything we pay here, including Hope's postgraduate school fee for 4 years, Valerie's infant care and child care cost, the land that I purchased for Hope's lab for him to do his personal experiment (which cannot be funded by Ecole, since the domain is exclusive to Cocoon's knowledge) are rated multiple times more expensive compared to citizen rate.

Second thing that only exists in this New World is phenomenon of inflation. Our money gradually become less valuable as its purchase power decrease over time. Hence whatever leftover we have after paying all those necessities will need to be put into investment vehicle in order to preserve its value and get some returns. But if we do that, we have less cash for emergency need.

In Cocoon, the currency used the crystal that is weighed exactly the same for every unit and there is a fixed exchange rate between the crystal with other important commodities. And those commodities are renewable and can be regenerated by nature or by energy radiated by Fal'Cie. So, we do not have scarcity problem and our currency value is stable for ages.

I initially want to change my career in Guardian Corps due to its monotonic nature, but situation not allowing me to do so. If I do that, I will need to fork my leftover saving which is currently put into some investment fund. Hope strongly advised against it as I obtained it by all my blood, sweat and tear. I cannot object him for that.

I still remembered our conversation when I just discovered I was pregnant not long after Hope started his first semester in Ecole. Both of us were sitting in living room, with all household bills put on the table in front of us. Additionally, Hope printed advertisement from all childcare agencies he can find online, with all cost breakdown based on children's age.

"Light...I am sorry...", he sighed, "I have searched for two weeks, online and offline...but I cannot find cheaper one than 2,000 euro per month..."

"You are kidding, Hope..", I replied sarcastically, "With such cost, our entire saving will be finished in two years...Is your mom able to help us?"

"I contacted her yesterday...as you knew, she is involved intensively with religious charity as she is one of the deacon. So, she can only afford to help us three times a week, half a day.", Hope explained with gloomy face, "Can we ask for Serah's help?"

I shook my head, "Hope, that's even worse...", I said, "Snow until now still does not have stable income. He with NORA is mostly doing short-contract based job. Serah need to help him by doing online business from home. She sells everything, from souvenir, handcraft, cookie...while taking care of Lumina..."

"Can't we just return to Germany, Hope?", I suggested, "You are the citizen there...and we can have cheaper price for everything..."

"I have checked all faculties in all good universities for my specialty, Light...", Hope answered, "Including TUM, Aachen, Heidelberg, Humboldt. I cannot find the faculty with good reputation in my specialty. We can do that, but my resume will be weaker..."

"Then, better don't do that!", I told him, "Your future career is more important, Hope...it is better for me to use my saving..."

Hope grabbed my wrists and looked at my eyes, shook his head, "I cannot, in my good conscience, let you do that, Light...You should knew that it is virtually impossible to get such cash with your current work in Guardian Corps, even for 5 years...and you fought against strongest Spiritus' warrior to get that silver medal..."

"Then, who will take care of our child?", I asked, crossed my arms, a bit annoyed with him, "I cannot stop working but you also not allowing me to use my saving to pay for childcare expense...I told you that it is better for us to wait until you graduate..."

Hope turned his head down to the floor, biting his lips, while putting his hands covering his face, "There is only one way, it seems..."

"What?", I raised my eyebrows while looking at him. He suddenly stood up and put his hand on his chest.

"I will take care of our child, Light", Hope said, with very serious tone, "I will take care of her while working from home"

I was stunned, widened my eyes, cannot believe what he just said, "You...what?", I asked to clarify.

"I will take care of Valerie, Light...", Hope repeated seriously, "I will become househusband to take care of our kid..."

"No way, Hope...", I burst laughing, but cynically, "Are you sure you are able to do that? Doing PhD in Ecole while taking care of kid?"

"I will do that, for your sake and for our child sake...", Hope assured me with determined face. I was not convinced.

"Prove to me that you are able to do that!", I challenged him, tilting my chin up, while staring at him.

"Of course!", Hope nodded and grinned, "I have been Sunday school teacher in our church for 2 years!"

"That is different, Hope...", I argued, "Sunday school children are above 3 years old and you only organized story telling once a week, infants require intensive care EVERY DAY"

"I know, Light...trust in me...would you?", he hold my wrists, pleading while watching me with his green doe-eyes. Those eyes as it reminds me of Serah when she asked me for permission to date with Snow...I don't feel comfortable with her request, but still approve her anyway.

"If I screw up my study because of our kid...", he tried to promise me, "You are free to punish me by any means, Light..."

"Any means?", I confirmed and smirked at him, "Including tying you up on the bed for weeks?"

His cheeks blushed and giggled, "That will be heaven for me!"

I moved forward, grabbed his collar and kissed him passionately, "Deal!"