Sunday Morning – Kael Residence Kitchen
The smell of freshly baked bread drifted through the house.
Aeron stood at the counter in a dark T-shirt and apron, methodically shaping dough for a second batch. It was one of the few things that still calmed him.
> He didn't sleep much.
His phone buzzed twice.
> [Yume]: "Thanks for not replying again 🥲"
[Ayaka]: "I made breakfast."
He ignored both.
Instead, he set the tray into the oven, wiped his hands on the towel, and leaned back against the counter.
> "I didn't ask for any of this," he muttered.
Behind him, Ayaka peeked around the kitchen doorframe.
She had clearly dressed up — too much for a Sunday.
"Want some tea?" she asked softly.
He didn't look at her. "I made coffee."
"Oh."
She stepped in anyway and sat across from him.
"I heard about last night," she said, voice light but brittle.
He glanced up.
"You, Mom, and Mirei."
A beat passed.
"You jealous?" he asked, almost teasing — but only barely.
Ayaka's hands clenched.
"…I just don't like being left out."
---
Tenkaichi Elite Academy Courtyard – Monday Morning
The gates were wide open. Morning sun bounced off the pristine walkways as early students poured in.
Yume waited just inside, arms folded.
She spotted Aeron walking up, as calm as ever.
"You ghosted me," she said when he got close.
Aeron blinked. "Sorry."
"That's all I get?"
"I didn't know what to say."
Yume bit her lip, then exhaled. "Fine. But I'm not going to keep waiting around forever, you know."
She turned and walked ahead, the silence chasing her footsteps.
Tatsuki jogged up beside Aeron moments later. "Whoa. Trouble in heaven?"
Aeron gave him a flat look. "Shut up."
---
Classroom 1-B – First Period
The class buzzed with energy.
Everyone was talking about the upcoming school festival. Rumors of big-name sponsors and a surprise investment announcement had lit a fire under the student council.
Aeron sat near the window, barely listening.
Until someone tapped his desk.
"Kael-san?"
He looked up.
A girl stood there — graceful, proper, with jet-black hair in a neat braid and glasses that framed her sharp eyes.
"I'm Arisa Minato," she said. "Vice-chair of the event committee."
"I know," he replied. "Top student in Year Two."
She blinked. "You know me?"
"You're hard to miss."
Arisa pushed up her glasses. "Good. Because I've been assigned to oversee Class 1-B's participation in the festival. I'm here to ensure you don't slack off."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Then don't."
She turned and walked away without giving him a chance to respond.
Tatsuki leaned in from the front row, grinning. "Oof. Another one's entered the ring."
Aeron sighed.
> "Why is everyone so intense lately?"
---
Side Story – Himari's Office, Lucent Corp
Himari sat at her desk, eyes scanning numbers on a glass screen.
Her secretary knocked once. "Another press request. They're asking about Mirei's appearance at the academy."
"Decline," Himari said. "No official statement."
"But the media is speculating about your son."
She looked up, voice firm.
"I don't care what they speculate. Let them wonder. If they come close to crossing a line—bury them."