"We're back," Chloe announced. Aki looked up from his sofa to see five people by the door.
"Who's the redhead?"
Rose immediately noticed his mood was not good.
"Where's Amy?" she asked, moving to sit next to him.
"In my room."
"What?!" Kai exploded, furiously glaring at Aki.
"What's with that look?" Aki sneered.
"What, are you going to attack me?"
"Young master, the young miss has woken up," Miss Davis's voice cut through the tension.
He got up and started walking, but Kai tried to follow him.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"To see my sister, where else?"
"Sister?" he asked, confused, staring at him, but ultimately chose to assert dominance.
"Control yourself."
"Crimson, I advise you restrain yourself," Cole cut in, stepping between the two.
"After all, the Hoshinos' word is law in this yard."
"Boys will be boys, I guess," Chloe chuckled, pulling Rose away.
"Come, Miku, Ari, and Ruby are waiting for our video call."
(I've always assumed the Hoshino heir is a calm person, but this is intriguing) Zane thought, smirking.
In his room, Amy sat on the bed, staring blankly at the setting sun, feeling tired.
The events that had recently happened were fresh on her mind.
"Why….."
"Why did you force it?"
She muttered, tears starting to fall, her mind showing a single figure, the woman who sat beside Maria Hoshino, her mother.
Seeing her like this, his heart started beating in an uneven rhythm.
For some reason, tears began falling silently from his eyes.
"I'm sorry," he said, sitting beside her.
Kai, unable to hold back, pushed Cole aside, storming towards Aki's room.
The moment he saw them, he paused, taken aback.
(What's going on, why, why's Aki...?)
"Where are the twins?" Rose asked, the girl on the screen.
"Oh, they're still at their academy, so they won't be back for another hour or so."
"Speaking of, when are you guys coming back? I've missed my cousin for so long. Auntie told me he's better now."
"Probably for his coming-of-age ceremony," Rose replied.
"Miku," Chloe interrupted, suddenly looking serious.
"Don't say anything to Ari, you know how he is. If you want to tell someone, tell Ruby."
"Yeah, yeah, his mouth is a bit glued these days, but okay," Miku joked.
Knock knock
"Young misses, the young master is….."
Rose and Chloe immediately turned to see Miss Davis, her eyes threatening tears, smiling gently at them.
"We'll call you back," Chloe yelled into the phone before hanging up and rushing out of the room.
(Damn it, pull yourself together) Aki thought.
Getting off the bed, he wiped his face, took one last glance at the crying Amy, and walked onto the balcony.
SOF:
Achievement unlocked
– sea of tears
– wrath of emotion
– Axiom access
– title reinstated: Selfish Omnipotence
– original alias reinstated: Lue
– 4000 EXP earned
Host has leveled up
All stats raised by 50%
Aki – Lvl 2
EXP to next lvl: 99999
(Damn it all)
"Sis, are you… okay?" Kai asked worriedly, slowly approaching Amy.
Amy turned to see her brother, but she couldn't face him.
"If you're not fine with the arrangement, there's nothing wrong in canceling," Kai said softly, patting her head.
"Young man, what you're saying isn't something that she can do on a whim."
Startled, he turned to see Maria, Chloe, and Rose standing by the door.
"Now, this is a private room. I need you to get out," Maria commanded.
Kai tried to protest, "I'm not leaving without my—"
"That wasn't a request," Rose interrupted coldly.
Determined, Kai tried to stand his ground. "I'm not going anywhere. Unless she agrees with you, I won't leave."
Maria's patience wore thin, but before she could say anything—
A powerful aura started enveloping the entire house, and Aki emitted it, turning to Kai with an unreadable expression.
"I said control yourself," he said coldly, and then started walking towards him.
In that moment, everyone's SOF started blaring alarmingly.
SOF:
Murderous Intent detected
– Retreat is recommended
– Skill: Brute Assault detected
– Please retreat
Seeing this, Kai immediately took a fighting position.
Aki stood in front of him, silently placing his hand on his shoulder.
Crack
The sound of shattering bones filled the room as Kai collapsed to the ground, clutching his shoulder in agony.
"Aargh, you lunatic!" Kai groaned, helpless on the ground.
SOF:
Maria – Lvl ????
Skill: Matriarch Might – Soothing Soul activated
Maria walked forward, placing her hand on Aki's head.
His vision darkened, and he passed out in her arms.
"Rose, heal the boy," she said.
"Cole, take Aki to the recovery room."
"Yes, ma'am."
With that, Cole carried Aki and left the room along with Maria and Chloe.
Zane later stepped into the room, finding Kai sitting next to his sister, and Rose on the balcony, calmly watching them.
No matter how much he tried to persuade her not to go through with it, she refused, even his injury not being enough to convince her.
"Lady Rose," Zane said, walking towards the balcony.
"Wilson, seems your family is as cunning as ever," Rose retorted, looking at him.
"So, what's their latest scheme now, trying to discover the Hoshino family origin?"
"We may be persistent, but even we know when to give up," he said.
"However, I heard that the Frost Assassins have been making moves lately. Any thoughts on that?"
"You know too much," Rose sneered.
"But then again, what else would I expect from a family of spies?"
"There are consequences for revealing our secret to just anyone, Miss Rose."
"What, are you going to attack me? I highly doubt you have the guts."
"About the Frosts, how much have you uncovered about them?" she asked, looking serious.
Zane, sensing the change, immediately changed his casual tone.
"There isn't much on them, only public records exist on them, but obviously, those are fake."
"The only thing we've discovered is their connection to Alshay."
Rose's expression changed, just for a slight moment.
"I see, then it seems it's time we return to our roots."
"Miss Rose," a voice called from behind her. She turned to see Amy standing there.
Uncharacteristically, her expression softened. "What's wrong?" she asked, smiling softly.
"Can I talk to Miss Maria?"
Identical people, girl and boy, walked side by side, wearing a pristine uniform.
"Sis, he's turning 18 this month, right?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think he'll come back to celebrate?"
"Honestly, I don't know, but I'd say that's highly unlikely."
Ring
"Hey, Miku's calling."
"Hello."
"Hey, is your brother with you?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Separate yourself. I need to tell you something important."
"Okay…." Ruby responded, raising a hand, signaling for Ari to wait as she walked a bit further.
"Okay, so what's up?"
"It's about cousin Aki."
"Really? We were just talking about him."
"Chloe said he might be coming back for his 18th birthday."
"Wait. Really?"
"Yeah, but I don't think that's the only reason why."
"Hey, who's that on the phone?" Ari yelled, clearly tired of waiting.
"We'll talk once I arrive," Ruby quickly hung up the phone.
Back at the Hoshino Manor—
Rose accompanied Amy towards the recovery room, hand in hand.
"Loosen up, okay?"
"There's nothing to be afraid of," she said gently.
"I'm sor—"
"Why are you apologizing?" Rose cut her off with a laugh.
"This isn't like you. You were so full of energy when you visited us all those years ago."
"Don't worry, Ronald, Lue, Eric, or anyone else will ever harm you, not as long as I'm alive," she declared, tightening her grip.
"I'll always be here."
The rest of the way to the room was quiet.
"Mom."
Maria and Chloe, who were standing by Aki's bed, quietly watching his state, turned to see Rose and Amy standing there, holding hands.
"Yes?"
"Amy wants to talk to you."
"Oh," Maria chuckled, silently gesturing for them to step outside.
"You two stay here and watch your brother, keep him stable."
With that, the two stepped out of the room.
Amy, who had been certain, immediately felt overwhelmed by the presence of the woman before her.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Maria asked gently, quietly stroking the worry lines on Amy's face.
"It's about my mom."
Maria stiffened, her eyes reddened.
"I'm sorry, but that's too painful for me to discuss."
"I didn't want to discuss."
"I wanted to give you this."
Amy pulled a small envelope from her pocket, handing it to Maria.
The corners were worn and yellowish.
She opened it to find a letter addressed to her.
"Dear old friend, if you're reading this, then it means my dear baby girl had no other choice."
As she continued to read, her eyes began glistening, but no tears fell.
"Sweetheart, you should go rest. I'll handle this."
In her mind, she was livid.
(Ronald, your days are numbered)