Chapter 3 - NEW HOME

🌿🌿🌿

I was playing video games at home, waiting for my parents to arrive. They visit me every month, ever since I came to Tokyo to study. Well… you know what kind of shitty study I'm doing.

My parents and my older brother still live in Spain. Our homeland.

The door split open.

I already knew who it was.

A voice came, "You are a total pain in the ass, Ren. You don't do anything worthwhile."

I rolled my eyes and, without even looking at his face, said, "Bish, just go to hell. Don't disturb me, otherwise you know what's coming for you."

He said sarcastically, "Yeah, yeah. Mommy's boy. You're just gonna complain to Mom about me, won't you? Whatever. This time, I didn't come to see your ugly ass."

I stopped playing and raised an eyebrow. "Then why did you come? 🤨"

He grinned. "Surprise. 😎😏"

Just as I was about to say something, I heard footsteps. Someone else had arrived.

I started playing again.

He clapped his hands to get our attention, but sadly, we're bastards. We ignored him.

He shouted, "You brats! Leave it. Just tell me—did you prepare gifts or not?"

Raiden's eyes lit up. "Yes, I have! ✨✨"

What the—

I raised my eyebrows. "What gift? What are you even talking about?"

Dad ignored my question. "You brat, yo--"

Before Dad could say anything, another person arrived. I could tell immediately—it was Mom's car. A Mercedes-Benz G 580.

Everyone ran outside. I followed too.

Mom stepped out, then walked to the other door and opened it.

She was giving princess treatment to someone else—someone who wasn't me.

Are my family finally tired of me? Did they adopt someone?

Am I really that useless? 🥲🥲

Well… I am, but they can't just replace me.

I moved closer to see.

The door opened.

A girl stepped out.

So… they adopted a girl? 😭🥲🥹

Dad and Raiden pushed me aside and walked toward her.

Dad said happily, "Oh dear, we finally meet you."

Raiden added, buttering her up, "Sis, you're so beautiful. We're so happy. We finally found you."

Mom chuckled. "Baby, see? They're all happy because of you."

My heart cracked. 💔🥲

I'll make her get kicked out of this house.

I know what to do.

I smirked—then started crying. 😭😭

They seriously forgot me. They weren't even noticing me.

So I cried louder.

And louder.

Mom finally heard me. She looked around and saw me. "Oh, Ren. What happened? Why are you crying?"

Dad and Raiden noticed too and rushed over.

Mom hugged me.

I looked past her.

She noticed too.

She's—

I froze.

My fake crying stopped. My heart started beating wildly.

It was Akari.

My Akari.

She looked at me like she was already done with me—seriously, you're crying now?

Mom shook me gently. "Ren, Ren, what happened? Are you alright? Rennn!"

I snapped out of it. "Huh? Mom—yeah, I'm fine."

Mom frowned. "Then why were you crying?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "You were ignoring me."

She sighed. "Baby, we weren't ignoring you. Didn't you know? We found Crystal."

I looked at them. "What? When?"

I tilted my head, confused.

Dad shook his head. "Everyone, go inside first."

Everyone nodded and walked into the living room.

Mom gently made me sit on the sofa. I obeyed, still half-dazed.

The others sat down too—Dad in his usual composed way, Raiden sprawled like he owned the place, and her… sitting politely, hands folded, looking like she didn't belong to all this madness.

Mom sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. That sigh—the serious explanation sigh.

"Ren," she said softly, "listen to me carefully."

I straightened a little.

"We would never leave you," she continued. "You are our son. Nothing will ever change that. No one can replace you."

My chest loosened just a bit. 🥲

I nodded slowly, pretending I hadn't been two seconds away from declaring war.

Then Mom turned toward her and smiled warmly.

"She's going to live with you," Mom said. "So take good care of her."

I nodded again. "Yes." ✨✨

(I swear I looked like the most obedient child on earth.)

And then—

Dad clapped his hands once.

"Well then," he said, "let's begin."

Begin… what?

The butler stepped forward with the mountain of boxes.

Oh no.

This was happening.

Dad stood up first. The butler immediately stepped forward with a sleek black box.

Dad cleared his throat proudly. "Akari, since this is your first time here, this is just a small welcome gift."

He opened the box.

Inside was the latest Porsche Taycan Turbo S, keys resting on a velvet cushion—

Jet black. Custom interior. Carbon fiber trim.

My jaw dropped.

Dad smiled. "I had it shipped directly from Germany. It's registered under your name."

I slowly turned my head.

"…Dad."

He ignored me.

Akari froze. "U-Um… that's too much—"

Dad waved his hand. "Nonsense. You need a proper car in Tokyo."

I felt my soul leave my body.

Raiden jumped up next, practically vibrating.

"My turn! My turn!"

He handed her a long box. Inside was a Cartier Panthère de Cartier bracelet, diamonds catching the light like they were mocking me.

"And!" Raiden added dramatically, "I also bought you a penthouse unit in Roppongi Hills. Top floor. You can see Tokyo Tower from the bedroom."

I choked.

"YOU BOUGHT HER A WHAT?"

Raiden grinned. "Oops. Did I forget to tell you?"

Mom shot me a warning look. I shut up immediately.

Akari looked overwhelmed. "This is… too much. I can't—"

Mom stood up and held Akari's hands warmly.

"Sweetheart, this family expresses love through gifts."

She turned to the butler again. "Bring mine."

Another set of boxes.

Mom opened them one by one.

"A custom Chanel wardrobe—bags, dresses, shoes. All tailored to your size."

"A limited-edition Patek Philippe Nautilus, rose gold."

"And…" Mom smiled softly, "I bought you Shinjuku Luxe Mall."

Silence.

I blinked once.

Twice.

"…You bought her a mall?"

Mom nodded calmly. "It's an investment. It's under your name now, Akari."

I slowly leaned back into the sofa.

I'm adopted.

I'm definitely adopted.

The room finally quieted.

Then Mom looked at me.

"Ren," she said gently, "what did you get her?"

Everyone turned toward me.

I froze.

"…I didn't know she was found," I said quietly.

Silence.

I lowered my head, my voice turning soft—tragic, pitiful, absolutely white lotus.

"I didn't prepare anything," I murmured. "Everyone brought such amazing gifts… and I brought nothing."

I sniffed. "I really am useless."

Raiden groaned. "Here we go."

I clasped my hands together dramatically and looked up at her, eyes soft, almost watery.

"But," I said quickly, "I'll give you your gift tomorrow."

Everyone paused.

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes. I promise. A proper one."

Mom smiled. "That's fine. As long as you mean it."

Raiden smirked. "You better not mess this up."

Everyone seemed satisfied.

Everyone… except her.

She didn't say a word.

She just stood there, quiet, watching me with that unreadable expression—the same one she always had at university when I teased her, provoked her, pushed her buttons.

Like she could see right through me.

"Anyway," I added casually, leaning back into the sofa, "don't expect too much. I'm still poor."

Dad scoffed. Mom shook her head. Raiden laughed.

But I felt it again—that strange tightening in my chest.

Tomorrow, huh…

At university, I made her life hell.

I annoyed her. Mocked her. Never left her alone.

And yet—

My eyes flicked back to her without permission.

Mom stood up to leave....

"You'll stay in the room next to Ren's," she said gently, as if it were the most natural decision in the world.

I stiffened.

Raiden glanced at me. Dad nodded. No one questioned it.

She didn't either.

She simply inclined her head once. "Okay."

That was it.

No hesitation. No discomfort. No relief.

Just… acceptance.

I didn't look at her. I pretended to scroll through my phone, but I felt it—that familiar awareness. The one I had felt every single day at university.

She knew.

She always knew.

Didn't she....