The Author's POV

"Ren, are you listening to me?"

As I absentmindedly lifted and lowered the spoon in my hand, I heard a familiar voice tickle my ears.

"Ren!"

The voice grew louder with every passing second, and before I knew it, it was right next to my ear, startling me out of my daze.

"Ren Dover!"

"Huaa!"

I screamed as my hand reached out for the corner of the desk to stop myself from falling.

Unfortunately, my efforts proved futile as I inevitably still fell to the ground.

Bang—!

"Ugh."

With my butt feeling the cold hard ground, I slowly raised my head to see my mother's face looking down at me. She had a rather worried look on her face.

"Are you okay Ren? Did something happen?"

"No."

Pressing my hand against the ground and picking up the chair, I sat back down. Then, picking up the spoon, I took a mouthful of cereal and ate it.

"Ren?"

"Mh, I'm just..mhm, I've got a lot to think about..mh."

"Don't speak while you're chewing."

With a small rag in hand, my mother sat down next to me.

Supporting her chin with both hands, she leaned her body a bit.

"Be honest with me. I can tell that something happened. You can tell your mother, I'm all ears."

Lowering the spoon in my hand, I turned to face my mother.

My brows soon furrowed and I sighed.

'Fuck it.'

"...I'm going to leave again."

Immediately following those words, I closed my eyes expecting my mother to go bonkers.

But...

"Hm?"

To my surprise, I did not hear my mother lose it even after half a minute had passed.

Upon opening my eyes, I was surprised to see my mother smiling at me. The sight caused my brows to jump up.

"Mom?"

"See, it wasn't so hard to tell me was it?"

"...What?"

Opening and closing my mouth, my head tilted.

I was legitimately very confused at the moment.

"...Are you not angry at me for leaving again?"

"Angry?"

Cocking her head a little, her neat blonde hair gently fell over her shoulder. Plucking her lips a little, she asked.

"Why should I be angry?"

"...Ehm."

Raising my hand to scratch the back of my head, I didn't know how to respond.

'What's going on?'

This wasn't the reaction that I had expected from her. Was there something wrong with my mother?

Was she sick?

Worry instantly flashed across my face.

"Don't look at me like that."

a frown on her face, my mother slowly

from the table, she walked toward the kitchen and placed it

I waited for her to start speaking. In no time, she asked

why I was

because I didn't say anything

"Right."

body, I met my mother's eyes. They

life is up to you. I can no longer control you like when you were a kid

her face as

doing whatever you want to do. You are strong, and

my mother let

to tell me when you're going on such dangerous trips. Just so that I don't

"...Okay."

my eyes away from my mother and staring at the bowl of cereal in front

"I'll do that."

of the water echoed throughout the room. While putting one of

"When are you leaving?"

paused. Bitterly smiling, I

"Most likely today."

couldn't push the trip any further and

of fact, I probably shouldn't be

ensure that the trip was going to be successful. I had already contacted

problem was something

'Jin.'

steam. But in order for that to work, there were some

"Haa..."

sigh escaped

going to be a busy

her hand with a new one, she placed

how long are you going to

"I'm not too sure."

"I s—"

Clank—!

a familiar figure appeared. While rubbing her eyes with her little fists, Nola

dragged the bear behind her and slowly walked toward the kitchen table, and helped herself up. It was clear that she was still sleepy as she took no notice of me who was sitting in front

my seat

"Sleepy?"

"Mhhh."

I gently stroked Nola's head. In spite of this, she did not react as she simply lowered her head so that I

'How cute.'

of something, I tapped my bracelet once. In the blink of

"Hey, Nola."

"Mhh..."

"Look, look."

the bear touched Nola, her mind

"Waah!"

out

as soon as I noticed her reaction as I leaned my head

about it Nola?

"Brother!"

with excitement. Extending both hands, she jumped toward the bear and

amusing aspect of the situation was that the bear was almost

"Mhh..mhhh..mhh..mhh.."

sounds rang out as Nola hugged the bear tightly. The sounds persisted for a couple

"Nola?"

out as my brows

did she stop

my seat, I circled around the bear to discover Nola's figure

"Hey, Nola."

startled as I placed my hand on

"Nola."

was met with no response. Panic started to set in

"Hey Nola, Nola, Nol—"

"Booo!"

"Whoa!"

I took a couple of steps back and almost tripped on the ground. Raising my head, I was met with

"Hehehe."

realizing that I had been fooled, I glared

think that you can get away

No! Mother! Haha,

I ticked Nola's sides.

world, Nola was ticklish. In fact, she was especially

"Hahaha, brother! Stop!...hhahaha..."

mercy, I stopped after ten seconds. I wasn't cruel enough to punish her

better have learned your

will...never do

muttered on top of the bear

that she had learned her

triumphant look spread across my face when I stared at Nola. Lowering my

"Stinky brother."

second thought, let's go

"Kyaa! Noooo...ahahhahah!"