I left the school and went straight to a store to buy some sweets, Yuki's reward, but a certain idiot got in my way.

"Fufu. Did you really use the full 4 hours? Were you able to at least solve half of the questions? Hahahahahaha!"

... Seriously, who is this random guy?

"Saik, let's just go. Look behind him, there's a limousine. He's someone with money. It's dangerous to get into trouble with someone like him. And look, he also has bodyguards!"

"Ugh, what a nuisance. Hey, seriously, I don't know you. Who are you? I have no idea..."

I caught his fist and kneed him in the groin. Trying to hit me, huh?

"Hmmmmh! Gggmmmg!"

Writhing on the ground, crying. Well...

"Like I said, I don't know who you are."

He's on the ground, in pain, and his bodyguards lunged at me but stopped when they realized my identity.

"I'm Saik, Dr. Sam's son."

They stopped and lowered their heads to apologize.

"We deeply apologize for our master's behavior. His parents will be informed of his erratic behavior, and he will receive his appropriate punishment."

"Eh?" Yuki said, hardly believing what she saw.

"What?! I'm the victim here, idiots! Do what I tell you, you sons of...! Hmmmmh!"

They covered his mouth and forced him to retreat.

"It won't happen again. Have a nice day."

They got the chubby guy in the car and left.

"Eh? So easily?! Saik, were your family really that important?!"

I started walking, and Yuki floated by my side.

"Many families owe their lives to my mother, so I assumed even his family owed my mother a favor. I used that to get rid of that idiot. After all, what kind of idiot would allow someone to beat up the child of a woman to whom they owe their life or a favor?"

"Oh, I see, I see. Even among the wealthy, there's honor in respecting those who've been kind to them."

"It's like kicking a stray dog loved by the inhabitants of a village. You'd only earn the hatred of those people, and among wealthy and powerful families, the respect of other families is extremely important, as those connections guarantee their survival."

"Yes, that makes sense. Disturbing the son of a woman who was loved by so many wealthy families would only make that chubby guy's family look worthless, willing to betray anyone no matter how much they've done for that family."

"Exactly. That's why they stopped that random guy, to avoid causing trouble for their patrons. That chubby guy thought he could mess with me without any fear just because I'm not rich anymore."

"Fufu. That idiot thought he could hit you because he thought you wouldn't fight back out of fear of getting into trouble with a wealthy family. Hahahahahaha! Now remembering that knee to the groin is even more satisfying! By the way, Saik, you're still rich. The house is huge, and you have a lot of money!"

"The school is very expensive. I'll spend nearly 95% of my money paying for the three years of tuition. The rest will serve me for at least three years. Three years without worrying about money."

"So expensive?! T-that's why I only saw elegant and refined people. It really is an elite school. But..."

"But?"

"I mean, it's just... The school is big, yes, but it doesn't look like a millionaire's school. It's like a normal high school, just larger. I thought millionaire's schools would be the size of a town, with their own dormitories, sports stadiums like for soccer and baseball. I guess you understand what I mean."

"Like a boarding school, right?"

"Exactly! Why would millionaires send their children to a school as normal as this?"

"Look, there are two kinds of millionaires. The humble ones and the egocentrics. Those who want to live elegantly, with fancy and expensive meals, where even the clothes are more expensive than any diamond, send their kids to town-sized boarding schools, where they mingle with other millionaire's children. To that kind of millionaires, they're accustomed to glamour, elegance, they only care about appearance and prestige. But millionaires who want their children to care more about others than themselves send them to this school."

"Eh? Why?"

"This school, besides providing excellent education, only has enough money for maintenance and salaries. The rest of the money goes towards maintaining public schools, as well as charity work. That's why the school isn't so large, because it's not necessary."

"Wait, wait, wait. Does that mean the kind millionaires send their children here so that they don't get their heads filled with the power money gives them, right?"

"Possibly. Honestly, knowing that the school was strict, I decided to enroll here, and since that was the only thing that interested me, I didn't investigate further. Maybe there are other reasons why millionaires send their kids here, but I'm not interested in finding out."

"Mmmm. Intriguing. Could it have something to do with traditions?"

"I don't know. Look, it's like a bread."

"A bread?"

"You can top it with jam, beans, whatever you like, but it's still bread. It might change its taste, but it's still bread. Education is the same. Boarding schools and millionaire's schools might be fancy and all that, but what they teach is the same as what this school will teach. Millionaires who want their kids not to be rude brats who believe their parents' money is theirs and they can do whatever they want, send them to this non-luxury school, so they can focus on studying and not forget that they're not the millionaires, their parents are, and if they want that money, they have to earn it."

"I understand. It's like teaching them to value what they have, right?"

"And to know how to earn it with effort. This school is directed towards them, to interact with others like them, capable of valuing what they have and not looking down on others."

"A school that teaches the value of earning what they want. I see."

"Although it's just a theory. There might be other reasons that I don't know. I only know it's an elite school, where the most skilled and intelligent graduate. They have a high expulsion rate, which is why I was interested."

"Oh, expulsions. A big stain on the academic record. Fufu. Though you're already stained."

"No, I've never failed a school year. I missed two years of school after finishing primary school, but that was because I was at a camp, I didn't fail any school year."

"Eh? Clever boy. Did you use money to enroll in other schools and avoid repeating a school year?"

"No, rather than actually getting expelled, they would allow me to transfer to another school and avoid true expulsion."

"Hey, that's sneaky! I thought your family didn't take advantage of their social status."

"And they didn't. I extorted the principals to do it, not my parents."

"E-extortion?"

"I investigated them, gathered evidence of some crime they committed, and threatened to make it public. With money, I could hire the best private investigators."

"... Saik, wealthy people scare me."

"Don't be afraid of me, Yuki. It was to save my academic record."

"B-better not talk about that. And what kind of camp lasts two years?"

"Well, it's a way of putting it. Do you remember the Nobick pandemic?"

"Pandemic?"

"It was five years ago, so you were probably dead by then. It was a disease that spread through the air, causing the lungs to close, making breathing difficult, diarrhea, dizziness, fever, etcetera. When the quarantine was declared, my parents, a friend of my mother's family, a girl, and I got stuck in a third-world country, as we went on vacation to that country to visit the ruins of ancient civilizations. I think it was called... Onperk K56 (Peru)."

"Yes, I know it! My mother and I visited it when I was 8 years old. And couldn't you study during the quarantine?"

"Yes, using online classes, but I refused to study during the quarantine that way. I convinced my parents to wait until the quarantine was over to go back to school, and in the meantime, I would study on my own. You know, to avoid wasting my school life. My parents agreed, as long as I really studied on my own. Unfortunately, that girl copied me and ruined my two-year vacation, being by my side all day, bothering me."

"Girl?"

"A girl who bullied me in my childhood. I'd rather not talk about her."

"Fufu. Even someone like you had a bully. I'd never imagine it."

"That girl had the luck of being the daughter of my mother's friend, so I didn't do anything to defend myself, as I didn't want to ruin my mother's friendship with that woman..."

I stopped because I heard footsteps. Upon stopping, a group of boys walked past me and turned the corner. I almost collided with them. I'd rather avoid unnecessary trouble. I want to get home soon.

"Kevs, Kevs, give me some too!"

"Hey, those are mine! That's why I told you to buy your own snacks!"

"Don't be selfish and give me some!"

"I want some too!"

"It's to prevent you from getting even fatter!"

"That's right, it's for your own good! Give me!"

"Fine, but stop shaking me!"

... Well...

"Fufu. Jealous, Saik?"

"Jealous?"

"A chubby and ugly guy like him managed to gather a harem. Hahahahahaha!"

"I'm not interested in romance. I was just surprised to see someone like him surrounded by girls. They're probably taking advantage of him."

"Getting close to him for his money. I hate to admit it, but it's very likely. That guy is very ugly and fat, and the girls are cute... Well, except for one of them, who's chubby and kind of ugly."

I continued walking and crossed the street.

"Yuki, appearance doesn't define a person, never forget that. But yes, it's impossible to deny that this society cares a lot about appearances. Appearance is quite important in the society we live in, but personally, I prefer personalities. We shouldn't judge people by their appearance."

"Yeah, yeah, thanks for the life lesson, dad."

"Better brother."

"I feel sorry for him, they're taking advantage of him."

"Or, maybe, they really are his friends, and they genuinely consider him a friend. We shouldn't judge without knowing. And since I'm not interested, I won't dwell on it."

"Yes, you're right."

Ah, a store. I'll go buy some candy.

I headed to the store, ignoring the fight happening on the street.

"How savage, fighting in broad daylight. But look, Saik, that guy defeated three others on his own!"

Yeah, impressive, but I can do that too... Did I feel jealous? I think I might be growing fond of Yuki.

"Now, apologize to me," that guy said as I passed by him.

He said it to the one he had by the collar, so I can continue on my way.

"I-I'm sorry, Kaeyko, it won't happen again!"

"I hope not."

He let him go and walked away.

Well, well. I admit he's stylish. He must be popular with women. He's handsome and knows how to fight. A heartthrob, probably. Even Yuki is staring at him.

"Wow. And he's barely scratched. By the way, Saik, can you fight?"

"Enough. By the way, Yuki, you did a good job today."

"Yes! I did a good job! Fufu. I know, I know, I'm awesome. At home, you can kneel before me and worship me," she said, crossing her arms and puffing her chest with pride.

Where's the humility, Yuki? Well, she's just joking, so I'll let it slide.

"Yeah, sure."

I patted her head.

"You deserve a treat."

"Treat..."

She's salivating. Wow. She's really adorable. So cute.

I entered a convenience store and bought a large amount of candy. I was going to buy less, but Yuki earned them for being so adorable.

I left the store with the bags in my hands, and the guys that the handsome guy had beaten up are walking away limping. Well, well.

Well, I don't care.

"Can I have one?"

"If people see floating candy, they'll get scared. Wait a little longer; we're almost home."

Yuki is holding onto my arm as we walk. Why isn't she floating by my side anymore? I guess she feels safe with me.

Was she scared when she saw them so injured? Yes, she might be a ghost, but she's still a little girl.

Don't worry, Yuki, I'll never allow anyone to harm you. You'll always be safe with me.

After all, you're my only family now, and I'm your... No, I'm not your only family. You still have your mother.

She asked me to find out about her mother's whereabouts, but... Should I tell her the truth?

Yesterday, I found information about her, but I'm not sure if I should... No... Saik, she needs to know. Don't give her false hope. If we want her trust, we have to be honest with her. I won't hide anything from her about her mother.

"Yuki, I looked up information about your mother, and I managed to find her."

"You found her?! Where is she?! Can we go visit her?! Can you make her see me?!"

She's too excited and happy to know I found her mother, but it won't last. I'm sorry, Yuki, I'll be completely honest with you.

"Yuki, listen, your mother is alive, but... Listen, what I'm about to tell you is hard to accept, but it's the reality."

"Saik, you're scaring me. W-what happened to my mother?"

"She's in prison. From what I read, she was involved in illegal activities, like drug distribution and murders. Most likely, they killed you as revenge. You know, maybe she killed someone from a rival gang, and they took revenge by killing her daughter. That's why the one who killed you didn't steal anything, and he didn't rape you because there simply wasn't time for it, or he wasn't a sick person."

"..."

She fell silent, looking at the ground as we walked.

Tears... She's crying...

"Yes, hard to accept, I know. It will take you time to process it, but you have my support, Yuki. I won't abandon you."

"Mother... Why would she do that?"

"We don't have the right to criticize her decisions. Maybe she was forced into it and couldn't leave the business for fear of them killing you or her. Don't hate your mother without knowing her story. You told me good things about her, so hold onto those memories and don't let this change your perception of her."

Yuki nodded.

"Yes, I know..."

I patted her head to make her feel better, or at least try.

"I'll take care of you. I guess you can consider me an older brother... Or a father. Whatever you prefer. I'm your family now, and you're my family."

"Mmm... No. I can't see you as an older brother. You need to be more mature... And smile more."

"I suppose I'm immature for you."

A smile appeared on her face, and she looked up at me.

"But I can consider you my best and only friend," she said, with a big smile.

"A friend... That can work too."

Hiding the sadness she feels within.

Being able to hide her sadness and carry on with a smile.

I haven't met your mother in person, but she did a good job with you. You don't hold any resentment or hatred towards her, so I believe she never harmed you. A good mother... It's a shame about her situation, but I'll take you to see her when I can.

"I'm not a relative to make a visit, but I have methods we can use for you to visit her and talk to her."

"I appreciate it, but not just yet. Maybe later, in a few months. I don't feel ready to see her."

"That's okay, just let me know in advance so I can prepare."

"Thank you."

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