The next morning—
Ren was peacefully drinking his coffee.
For the first time in days… things felt normal.
---
Ring… Ring…
---
"…Huh?"
---
He picked up the call.
"…Hello?"
---
"Is this the guardian of Aanya and Kaito?"
---
Ren froze.
"…Yes."
---
"Please come to school immediately."
---
"…What did they do?"
---
"…It's better if you come and see."
---
Call ended.
---
"…Of course."
---
Ren stood up slowly.
"…I just knew it…"
---
Scene Shift — School
---
Ren walked inside the office.
Already tired.
Already expecting chaos.
---
The teacher looked at him.
"…You're their father?"
---
"…Yes."
---
"…We need to talk."
---
Ren sat down.
"…Let me guess."
"…Aanya caused trouble?"
---
The teacher sighed.
"…Yes… but also no."
---
"…What?"
---
"She talks a lot. Distracts the class. Doesn't sit properly…"
---
"…That sounds like her."
---
"…But—"
The teacher paused.
---
"…Everyone likes her."
---
Ren blinked.
---
"She helps others. Shares her food. Talks to everyone…"
---
Ren looked slightly surprised.
---
"…She's… kind."
---
For a moment—
A small smile appeared on his face.
---
"…I see…"
---
Then—
The teacher's expression changed.
---
"…But the bigger concern is your son."
---
Ren froze.
"…Kaito?"
---
"…Yes."
---
"What did he do?"
---
"…Nothing."
---
"…That's good, right?"
---
"…No."
---
Silence.
---
"He doesn't talk."
"He doesn't react."
"He doesn't behave like a child."
---
Ren's expression slowly became serious.
---
"…And academically?"
---
The teacher placed a paper in front of him.
---
Ren looked at it.
---
Then blinked.
---
"…This is… high-level work…"
---
"…He solved everything."
---
"…Perfectly."
---
Ren leaned back.
---
"…Are you sure he's in the right class?"
---
The teacher looked straight at him.
---
"…Are you sure you know your own child?"
---
Silence.
---
Ren didn't answer.
---
Scene Shift — Outside Classroom
---
Aanya ran toward him immediately.
"DAD!!"
---
She hugged him tightly.
---
"Did you get scolded?" Ren asked.
---
"…Maybe."
---
"…Of course you did."
---
She giggled.
---
Meanwhile—
Kaito walked out slowly.
Same calm expression.
---
Ren looked at him.
"…Kaito."
---
"…Yes?"
---
"…Why don't you talk?"
---
"…No reason."
---
"…That's not an answer."
---
"…It is."
---
Ren sighed.
---
He knelt down in front of them.
---
"Listen."
---
Aanya looked at him seriously.
Kaito… stayed silent.
---
"I don't know how to be a father."
---
Both of them froze slightly.
---
"I don't understand you properly."
"I don't know what you like… what you hate…"
---
He scratched his head awkwardly.
---
"But…"
---
He gently placed his hand on Aanya's head.
---
"I'll try."
---
Then—
He looked at Kaito.
---
"…So at least help me a little."
---
Silence.
---
Aanya smiled brightly.
"Okay!"
---
Kaito looked away.
---
"…Fine."
---
It was small.
Very small.
---
But it was the first time—
He didn't reject him.
---
Small Mystery Drop 🧩
---
As they were about to leave—
The teacher stopped Ren.
---
"…One more thing."
---
"…Yes?"
---
"…Your son…"
---
She hesitated.
---
"…His eyes."
---
Ren frowned.
"…What about them?"
---
"…For a moment…"
"…It felt like he was looking at everything like he already knew it."
---
"…Like none of this was new to him."
---
Ren's expression changed.
---
He slowly looked at Kaito.
---
Kaito was already looking at him.
---
Calm.
Silent.
Unreadable.
---
Scene Shift — Home (Night)
---
Aanya sat with a notebook.
Struggling.
---
"I don't understand this!"
---
Ren sat beside her.
"…Let me see."
---
He looked at the question.
---
"…I don't understand either."
---
"…WHAT?!"
---
From the side—
Kaito spoke calmly.
---
"…It's simple."
---
He walked over.
Solved it instantly.
---
Both of them stared at him.
---
Ren: "…Are YOU the parent?"
---
Aanya: "Big brother is a genius!!"
---
Kaito returned to his seat.
Like nothing happened.
---
Ren sighed.
---
"…This family is weird…"
---
But—
For the first time—
It felt real.
---
End of Chapter
---
❓ Question for Readers
Why does Kaito act like he already knows everything…?
And what exactly did their mother teach him before sending him here?