Morning came faster than expected.
---
Ren stood in front of the mirror, fixing his shirt.
"…Why do I feel more nervous than them…?"
---
Behind him—
Chaos.
---
"I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!!"
---
Aanya was rolling on the floor dramatically.
---
"I hate school! I hate studying! I hate everything!!"
---
Ren turned slowly.
"…You haven't even gone yet."
---
"I STILL HATE IT!"
---
Meanwhile—
Kaito stood quietly near the door.
Already dressed.
Perfect posture.
No expression.
---
"…You're ready?" Ren asked.
---
"…Yes."
---
"…That's it?"
---
"…Yes."
---
Ren looked between the two.
---
"…One is too much."
"…The other is nothing."
---
He sighed.
"…This is going to be a long day."
---
Scene Shift — School
---
Aanya clung tightly to Ren's arm.
"I'm not going inside."
---
"You are."
---
"I'm not."
---
"You are."
---
"I'M NOT!!"
---
"…You are."
---
Nearby teachers were already watching.
Confused.
Amused.
Concerned.
---
Meanwhile—
Kaito walked ahead calmly.
Like he didn't even know them.
---
"…Hey! At least pretend we're together!" Ren whispered.
---
No response.
---
Inside the Office
---
The teacher adjusted her glasses.
"So… these are your children?"
---
Ren forced a smile.
"…Yes."
---
"…Both of them?"
---
"…Yes."
---
"…At your age?"
---
"…Yes."
---
Silence.
---
"…I see."
---
She clearly didn't believe him.
---
Aanya raised her hand suddenly.
"Teacher! I don't want to study!"
---
"…That's not how this works."
---
Kaito spoke calmly—
"I'll take the test."
---
The teacher blinked.
"…Test?"
---
"Yes."
---
Within minutes—
They gave him a few questions.
Simple ones.
---
Kaito finished instantly.
---
The teacher checked.
Then again.
Then again.
---
"…Perfect?"
---
She looked at him in shock.
---
"…Are you sure he's your son?"
---
Ren: "…I'm asking the same question."
---
Scene Shift — Classroom
---
Aanya sat with a pout.
Arms crossed.
---
"I don't like this place."
---
A girl next to her smiled.
"Let's be friends!"
---
Aanya blinked.
"…Okay."
---
Five minutes later—
She was laughing.
Talking.
Completely normal.
---
Meanwhile—
Kaito sat quietly.
Not talking.
Not reacting.
---
But—
His eyes moved.
Observing everything.
---
"…So this is school…"
---
"…Useless."
---
A boy approached him.
"Hey, why are you so quiet?"
---
"…No reason."
---
"Are you dumb or something?"
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Kaito looked at him.
Calmly.
Cold.
---
"…Do you want me to solve your homework too?"
---
The boy froze.
---
"…What?"
---
"…You look like the type."
---
Nearby students started laughing.
---
The boy walked away embarrassed.
---
Kaito looked outside the window.
---
"…This is boring…"
---
"…But… Dad wants this…"
---
He closed his eyes.
---
"…So I'll do it."
---
Small Mystery Drop 🧩
---
During lunch—
Aanya sat beside him.
Eating happily.
---
"Big brother!"
---
"…What?"
---
"Do you remember mom?"
---
Kaito paused.
---
"…No."
---
Aanya tilted her head.
"But… you always read her letters more carefully than me…"
---
Silence.
---
"…Just eat."
---
But for a split second—
His expression changed.
---
Something he was hiding.
---
Scene Shift — Evening
---
Ren waited outside the school.
---
"…Please don't cause problems…"
---
Aanya ran out first.
"DAD!!"
---
She jumped onto him.
---
"I made a friend!"
---
"…That was fast."
---
Kaito walked out slowly.
---
"…How was it?"
Ren asked.
---
"…Fine."
---
"…That's it?"
---
"…Yes."
---
Ren sighed.
"…Of course."
---
As they walked home—
Ren looked at them.
---
One laughing.
One silent.
---
"…What kind of family is this…"
---
But deep inside—
He smiled.
---
End of Chapter
---
❓ Question for Readers
What do you think?
👉 Is Kaito really telling the truth… or is he hiding something about their mother?