Morning light still filled the rented room, but the warmth from moments ago slowly faded as silence settled after Null's story.
"But one day…" Null said.
He suddenly stopped.
Leo tilted his head. "What happened that day?"
Null looked away, his expression tightening for only a brief second before returning to calm neutrality.
"…It doesn't matter anymore."
The answer felt incomplete, but before Leo could press further, Lana spoke.
"If you explained everything to him," she said softly, "can I ask something too, brother?"
Null turned toward her immediately.
"Of course."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Lana slowly raised her hand and pointed directly at Leo.
"Then tell me… who is that person?"
Leo blinked.
"And… where is Mother?" she added.
Leo nearly lost his balance from the sudden question.
"W‑Wait! You didn't even ask me first!" he protested. "And why do you think I know anything about your family?"
Null answered calmly.
"He's my friend. Leo. I don't know how, but he fell from the sky… like a shooting star."
Lana's eyes widened.
"Like a shooting star? How is that possible?" She stared at Leo carefully. "Are you actually… human?"
Leo raised both hands defensively.
"I don't even know how that happened myself! And why are you questioning whether I'm human or not?"
Lana looked at him for a moment before nodding simply.
"It doesn't matter. If my brother believes you, then I believe you too."
Her words were straightforward, without doubt.
Then her expression softened again.
"But… brother," she asked quietly, "what about Mother?"
The air changed instantly.
Null's smile disappeared.
His voice lowered.
"…She is not alive anymore."
Lana froze.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"What…?"
Before anyone could react, she grabbed Null's collar tightly.
"How is that possible?! Who did this?!"
Her hands trembled violently.
Null gently held her shoulders.
"I know what you're feeling," he said softly. "But listen first."
Only then did he notice tears forming in her eyes.
His expression softened completely.
He pulled her closer, letting her rest against his chest.
"…Our father killed Mother."
The words fell heavily into the room.
Leo's breathing stopped for a moment.
Null continued quietly.
"And as revenge… I killed him."
Silence swallowed everything.
"I destroyed his kingdom as well."
Lana's strength vanished instantly.
She began crying against him, her shoulders shaking as years of unanswered pain finally surfaced.
Null said nothing more.
He simply held her.
Outside, distant city sounds continued as if nothing had changed.
Leo stood nearby, watching quietly.
Why am I even here? he thought.
This is a family reunion… a deeply emotional one.
He scratched his cheek awkwardly.
In movies, scenes like this feel wholesome. But standing here in real life… I just feel unnecessary.
He turned slightly away, giving them space.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
All three turned toward the door.
Leo cleared his throat.
"I'll check. You two… continue."
Null blinked.
Continue? he wondered.
Leo opened the door.
Standing outside was a man wearing polished armor marked with the kingdom's crest.
A royal knight.
Leo stared at him for a moment.
Who is this… and why is he here?
"Yes?" Leo asked cautiously.
The knight bowed slightly.
"I am a member of the royal soldiers. Our king wishes to meet you."
Leo frowned.
"…Why?"
"I do not know," the knight replied honestly. "However, it would be our kingdom's honor if you and your companions accepted the invitation."
Leo hesitated.
"Please wait here," he said. "I need to ask my friends first."
He closed the door.
Inside, Lana had stopped crying, though her eyes remained red.
Null looked at Leo.
"Who was it?"
"A royal knight," Leo answered. "He says the king wants to meet us."
Null frowned immediately.
"…Why?"
"He doesn't know."
Null crossed his arms.
"So we are supposed to meet a king for a reason we don't even know?"
He shook his head slightly.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
Leo nodded quickly.
"Exactly. We tell him we're not coming and leave this kingdom."
"I completely agree," Leo added.
"…Why?"
Lana's single word erased every expression from their faces.
Both boys turned toward her.
They didn't want her involved in dangerous matters—especially anything related to the Creators.
Null spoke carefully.
"I just… don't have a good feeling about this."
Lana frowned.
"That's not a reason. Maybe the king needs help."
Leo crossed his arms.
"But you sound like you want to meet him."
She nodded confidently.
"Because I have an idea for making money."
Both boys stared at her.
"And if anyone is against it," she added firmly, "I will go alone."
Silence filled the room.
Null sighed.
"…I guess we don't have a choice."
He looked at her gently.
"Alright. I'll come."
Then he turned toward Leo.
"What about you?"
Leo shook his head immediately.
"No. I'm not going."
He pulled out his phone and lit the screen.
"I have low battery anyway."
Seeing the device, Lana suddenly spoke.
"I also have something like that."
Leo froze.
Wait… what?
His thoughts raced.
If I heard correctly… she said she also has a phone.
But phones don't exist in this world.
He stared at her carefully.
If I'm not wrong… then something is seriously strange.
"I think… I should check," Leo muttered.
He looked at her directly.
"Lana, can you show me?"
She nodded without hesitation and pulled out a small device.
Leo's eyes widened.
It looked unmistakably familiar.
A phone.
She tapped the screen.
Light filled the room.
A tiny chibi figure appeared instantly.
A girl version.
The chibi smiled brightly.
"Good morning, everyone!" she said cheerfully. "I pray you have a wonderful day. Please stay hydrated!"
Leo's mind went completely blank.
He slowly turned toward his own phone.
Then back toward Lana's.
Only one thought echoed inside his head.
…What is going on in this world?