Friday – Tenkaichi Elite Academy, Lunchtime – Courtyard Overlook
The academy was unusually loud.
Not because of an event, or a festival.
But because of a boy.
> Aeron Kael.
People whispered about how he never flinched, never smiled, never played along in a world ruled by powerful women.
How he walked past crowds like he wasn't aware of the gravity he pulled behind him.
> But now… there was something more.
They knew.
Not the whole school—but enough had learned this week.
That the cold, unreadable Aeron was the stepson of Himari Kael, the president of Lucent Corporation.
That alone was enough to flip the school hierarchy.
And then came the second question.
> "Is Ayaka… really his stepsister?"
---
Tension on the Roof
Tatsuki, Misora, and Yume leaned on the railing of the rooftop, overlooking the courtyard below.
"He hasn't said a word about this," Tatsuki muttered. "But Himari Kael... Aeron really is her stepson. The documents check out."
"Yeah," Yume said, biting her lip. "She adopted him after marrying his dad. It's legit."
Misora didn't say anything. Her expression was unreadable.
"So that means…" Yume began.
"That Ayaka is his stepsister," Misora finished.
The moment the words were spoken, the door behind them creaked open.
Ayaka stepped into the light.
---
Ayaka's Eyes
She looked different.
Her hair fluttered in the wind, and those stark white eyes—usually so calm—held something turbulent.
Determination. Possession. Fragility, too.
"Ayaka—" Yume started, but Ayaka raised a hand.
"I know what you're talking about," she said plainly. "You're not exactly subtle."
"You knew we found out?" Tatsuki asked.
"I'm not stupid," Ayaka said. "And if you figured it out, the rest of the school will too."
Yume hesitated. "So it's true?"
Ayaka nodded.
---
The Confession
"I'm his stepsister," she said. "Himari Kael is my mother. She married Aeron's father. He became part of our family."
The silence afterward wasn't shocked—it was heavy. Confirming what they already knew made it real.
"And I love him," Ayaka added.
Yume inhaled sharply.
"You're related—"
"Not by blood," Ayaka said immediately. Her voice wasn't defensive. Just… true.
"And I don't care what the rules are. Or how this world works. Or how many other girls surround him."
She looked directly at Yume, then at Misora, then Tatsuki.
> "I'll take him. Even if I have to fight every one of you."
---
Below – Classroom Windows
Word had already started to spread.
Photos from the rooftop were snapped. Ayaka's voice, though muffled, had reached other ears.
"The white-eyed girl…"
"She said it herself."
"Aeron's stepsister… loves him?"
"He really is part of the Kael family?"
"Then that means—"
---
The Empire Crumbles and Rebuilds
Inside, Aeron walked silently past open classroom doors, ignoring the glances, the messages pinging to his phone.
He had no idea what Ayaka had said.
But when someone stopped whispering and called him…
> "Kael-sama—!"
He didn't respond.
Because in this world, women ruled everything—
But Aeron Kael walked like he owned none of it, and yet could—if he wished.
---
Side Story – Ayaka's Heart
That night, back home, Ayaka stared at a photo she kept hidden in her room.
It was Aeron, asleep on the couch, arms folded, his expression peaceful.
> "I know I shouldn't feel this way."
> "But I don't care anymore."
Her white eyes glowed faintly in the dark.
> "Because you're mine now. And no one else will have you."