Sunday mornings felt different.
Quieter.
Lighter.
For the first time in days, Riven wasn't running toward danger, training, or trying to understand the madness surrounding his life.
He was just… jogging.
The morning air brushed against his skin as he moved through the park trail at a steady pace. His breathing remained calm and rhythmic.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
But hidden beneath those breaths—
Aether flowed.
Subtle.
Controlled.
He continuously circulated it through his body the way Viren's Kethra Vein Art had taught him.
Not forcing it.
Guiding it.
The park around him looked painfully normal.
Children chased each other across the grass while laughing loudly.
An old couple sat on a bench arguing about something completely unimportant.
A group of elderly men played chess beneath a tree, acting as if the fate of the world depended on the next move.
Someone nearby was feeding birds.
A little girl dropped her ice cream and immediately started crying like her entire life had collapsed.
Riven almost laughed.
"…Normal people are scary too."
For once—
The world didn't feel heavy.
No blood.
No aether pressure.
No hidden enemies.
Just life.
Then he saw her.
A girl stood near the far side of the park stretching before continuing her exercises.
White earbuds.
Black training clothes.
Long hair tied loosely behind her.
Simple.
Yet somehow—
Everything around her felt quieter.
Riven slowed unconsciously.
The sunlight filtered through the trees, brushing lightly across her face as she moved.
Elegant.
Natural.
Like she belonged in the scene more than anyone else there.
For a brief moment—
Riven genuinely forgot what he was doing.
"…Whoa."
A strange feeling passed through his chest.
Not danger.
Not pressure.
Just—
Something unfamiliar.
The girl brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear before continuing as if completely unaware of the chaos she had just caused inside someone's heart.
Riven immediately looked away.
"…Why am I acting weird?"
He rubbed the back of his neck and continued jogging.
A few seconds later—
He looked back again.
"…Damn."
By the time Riven reached home, the smell of breakfast had already filled the house.
His stomach reacted instantly.
"Mom, I'm starving."
"Wash your hands first."
"…Tyranny."
"Now."
"…Yes, ma'am."
A few minutes later, Riven sat at the table eating while half-asleep.
"…Where's dad?"
His mother placed another plate down casually.
"There was an accident near the main market. He got called in early."
Riven nodded absentmindedly—
Then paused.
Accident.
CSD.
His father.
A sudden thought crossed his mind.
"…Ah right."
He looked up.
"Mom."
"Hm?"
"What was dad's rank again?"
His mother answered casually while watching the television.
"Deputy Director."
Riven nodded automatically.
"Oh… Deputy Director."
A second passed.
Then another.
And suddenly—
Riven froze.
Slowly lowered his spoon.
"…Wait."
His eyes widened.
"…Deputy Director?"
His chair nearly fell backward as he stood up.
"DEPUTY DIRECTOR?!"
His mother blinked once before smiling proudly.
"Yes, baby. What happened?"
Riven stared at her like his entire childhood had been a lie.
"Isn't that like—the THIRD HIGHEST POSITION IN THE CSD?!"
"Yes."
"…WHY DID I NEVER KNOW THIS?!"
His mother shrugged lightly.
"You never asked."
Riven opened his mouth—
Then closed it.
Because somehow…
That answer made perfect sense.
Footsteps echoed from upstairs.
His sister walked down while yawning.
"Why are you screaming so early…" she muttered.
Then she noticed Riven's expression.
"…Why do you look traumatized?"
"Did you know dad was Deputy Director?!"
She blinked.
"…Obviously."
Riven stared at her in disbelief.
"OBVIOUSLY?!"
"Yes?" she said while sitting down. "What did you think he was? A traffic officer?"
Riven pointed at her dramatically.
"Why does everyone know except me?!"
His sister grabbed a toast calmly.
"Because unlike you, the rest of us have functioning brains."
Riven looked offended.
"That's actually disrespectful."
His mother sighed.
"Brush your teeth first before insulting each other."
"She started it."
"You were born first," his sister replied immediately.
"…I hate this house."
"No you don't," his mother said while smiling softly.
Riven clicked his tongue and sat back down.
His sister smirked while eating.
"You know," she said casually, "this explains why dad always looked disappointed whenever you fought in school."
"I fought one time."
"Three."
"…Details."
A while later—
Riven stepped into the garden carrying gloves and a small shovel.
The morning sunlight had grown warmer now.
He crouched down and started pulling weeds absentmindedly.
His mind still hadn't fully recovered from the "Deputy Director" revelation.
"…This family hides too much stuff."
He tossed another weed aside.
Then his phone rang.
Riven wiped his hand and checked the screen.
Unknown number.
"…Who now?"
He answered casually.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice spoke from the other side.
Riven's expression changed instantly.
His body froze.
The color slowly disappeared from his face.
His eyes widened slightly—
Like someone who had just seen a ghost standing right in front of him.
"…You…"
The shovel slipped from his hand.
And the call continued.
END