Chapter 2 — Breakfast, Secrets, and Small War

The morning sun shimmered over the river, scattering light across the rippling water.

Birds darted between trees, and laughter echoed as the orphanage kids splashed around, scooping trash from the shallows.

Mekisa stood on the bank, clipboard in hand, hair tied in a messy bun that refused to behave.

She sighed as two boys started sword-fighting with brooms.

 “I said clean the river, not duel in it!” she yelled.

“Sorry, Mekisa-nee!”

“Sorry, but I won!”

She pinched the bridge of her nose. Children… or gremlins?

From the corner of her eye, she saw Yukiro sitting on a rock nearby, camera in hand, snapping photos of the sunrise — or maybe just pretending to.

“Yukiro,” she called out sharply.

“No slacking. You’re supposed to be supervising group B.”

 “I am supervising,” he said lazily.

“I’m just supervising artistically.”

She narrowed her eyes. “If you mean by taking selfies, I’ll throw that camera into the river.”

 “Rude. I’m capturing the hardworking spirit of our youth.”

“Oh? And the hardworking spirit of your reflection in the lens?”

“Hey, that reflection is rare beauty. Someone has to preserve it.”

She threw a small pebble at him.

He dodged with a grin.

“See? Violence before breakfast again. Classic Lioness behavior.”

She ignored him, focusing on ticking names off her list — though her lips betrayed her with the tiniest smirk.

Later — Back at Sunshine Orphanage

The scent of toast, jam, and laughter filled the kitchen.

Plates clattered, kids shouted over each other, and chaos reigned supreme.

Mekisa was in the middle of flipping pancakes when a familiar voice whispered behind her ear.

“Need a hand, Chef Lioness?”

She jumped, nearly sending the pancake flying. “Yukiro! Don’t sneak up on me!”

“Sorry, sorry.” He raised both hands in mock surrender. “Old habit. I sneak up on trouble.”

“Then go sneak up on the laundry instead.”

 “Ouch. You wound me, princess.”

She froze at that word — princess.

It was what her father used to call her.

Her hand trembled slightly, spatula hovering mid-air.

Yukiro noticed. His playful grin softened. “Hey… you okay?”

 “I’m fine,” she said quickly, forcing a smile.

“Just… thinking.”

He didn’t push. Instead, he reached over, gently flipped the pancake she’d forgotten, and said quietly,

 “Then think while I cook. You’ve done enough.”

Her heart skipped once — then again. She looked at him, puzzled, a little flustered.

He just smiled like it was nothing.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“You can’t look at a Frog King like that? I might turn back into a prince.”

 “You? A prince?” she scoffed. “More like a kitchen disaster waiting to happen.”

“You wound me again.”

Afternoon — Hidden Work

By the time everyone finished breakfast, the children ran outside to play, and Yukiro left to “handle travel blog business.”

The house finally grew quiet.

Mekisa sighed, locking her door before pulling out a small metal box from under her bed.

Inside were tiny gemstones, wires, pliers, and half-finished jewelry pieces glinting faintly in the afternoon light.

“Okay… let’s see what the client wanted,” she murmured, opening her old laptop.

Her email blinked with a message from “Lusteré Designs Co.”

A luxury jewelry brand she secretly freelanced for — at bargain rates, just enough to keep the orphanage’s bills paid.

“If Yukiro finds out, he’ll scold me again,” she muttered, shaping a delicate silver pendant.

“He already worries too much.”

Her hands moved with precision and care — elegant proof that she wasn’t just a caretaker; she was an artist.

But her expression remained faintly tired.

The donations had dropped this month. The groceries were running thin. And yet… she refused to let the kids feel it.

“They’ll eat well,” she whispered to herself. “Even if I don’t.”

Outside, the laughter of children filled the yard, and she smiled faintly — the sound was worth every sleepless night.

NIGHT — Rain and Reflection

Rain pattered softly on the rooftop.

The children were asleep, and Mekisa sat by her window, sketching a new earring design.

Her fingers ached, but her eyes were calm — until a flash of lightning illuminated her reflection in the glass.

 “Lady Shizuka…” she whispered.

The name had returned from the depths of her memory, tangled with fire and screams.

Her chest tightened.

She touched the small pendant at her neck — the only thing she’d saved from that night ten years ago.

 “I’ll find you,” she murmured.

“I’ll find you and learn the truth.”

NEON CITY — Shizuka’s Penthouse

Shizuka sipped her tea in silence, the city lights glittering like jewels beneath her window.

Her assistant entered quietly, bowing low.

“Madam Shizuka, confirmation received. Mekisa is still at Sunshine Orphanage, working with the boy Yukiro.”

Shizuka smiled faintly, eyes glinting like polished steel.

“Good. Keep monitoring. She’s almost ready.”

The assistant bowed and left.

She turned toward her desk, where a photograph of a man and a teenage girl rested in a crystal frame.

Her fingers brushed the glass softly — almost lovingly.

Then she picked up her phone and dialed.

"Get me our lawyer,” she said, voice velvet-smooth.

“I want the contract prepared by tomorrow morning.”

A pause.

Her lips curved into a chilling smile.

 “It’s time to give my honey a surprise.”

End of Chapter 2