Kiera sat in her living room, slowly stirring her tea with a spoon, her mind drifting back to a recent memory. It was night, and she was sitting in this exact spot, stirring her tea just as she was now. The house was quiet, save for the ticking clock and the faint hum of the city outside.
The doorbell rang, breaking the stillness. Kiera got up and answered it, revealing her mother, who stepped inside with a tired smile.
"Ah, finally, I'm home," her mother said, dropping her bag and sinking into the sofa, a mix of relief and exhaustion on her face.
Kiera followed her, handing her a steaming cup of tea. "You're late, Mom," she said, her voice carrying a subtle hint of reproach.
Her mother took the cup gratefully, blowing on the hot liquid. "Oh, you made me tea? Thanks, sweetie," she said, taking a sip.
Kiera watched her mother closely, her eyes narrowing. "Don't dodge my question."
Her mother sighed, setting the cup on the coffee table. "Sorry, dear. It's just... the work at the Familia is overwhelming right now."
Kiera's expression didn't soften. "You're an Administrative Officer. Your job is to handle documents and paperwork. I don't see how that could make you this late unless you're not managing your work well."
Her mother chuckled softly, though her eyes looked weary. "The Sun Familia is making a comeback, Kiera. It's not just the usual paperwork; we're restructuring everything. You should come by and see for yourself. The atmosphere is different now."
Kiera leaned back, her disinterest clear. "I told you, I'm not interested."
Her mom sighed, the lines of fatigue deepening on her face. "It's such a waste, you know. You have a talent for handling Familia documentation better than most. You could do great things if you just—"
Kiera's gaze hardened. "Mom, I've told you a hundred times—resign from that job. The Familia's not going to hold up much longer in its current state."
Her mother gave a resigned sigh, but there was a flicker of determination in her eyes. "You don't understand, Kiera. The Sun Familia has done so much for us. This isn't just about a job; it's about loyalty. We're repaying them for everything they've done."
Kiera remained silent, her frustration simmering just below the surface. Her mother continued, her tone brightening slightly. "There's a boy there, about your age, named Tyson. He's been learning the ropes of the Familia, adapting quickly. He's a talented kid—takes on missions, helps out when we're all tired and worn down. Honestly, he lifts everyone's spirits just by being there. He has this way of making people feel like there's still hope, like things will get better. Everyone loves having him around."
Kiera's grip on her spoon tightened, her expression unreadable. Her mother smiled wistfully. "He's so adorable , especially when he gets shy. You should really meet him sometime."
Kiera stared at her mother, her voice flat. "Not interested."
Her mother chuckled, shaking her head. "That attitude is why you still don't have a boyfriend."
Kiera blushed, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "W-why would you even bring that up?!"
Her mother just laughed, standing up and stretching. "I'm exhausted. I need a bath." She walked off, leaving Kiera alone at the table.
Kiera stared at the empty cup her mother had left behind, her thoughts swirling like the tea leaves at the bottom. The scene shifted back to the present, the memory fading as she looked at the cup of tea in her own hands, still untouched.
The steam rose in slow, wispy trails, reflecting Kiera's simmering emotions. Her eyes, sharp and determined, glinted with a cold resolve as she stared into her cup.
"Don't worry, Mom," she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with quiet fury. "I'll show you that the guy you trust so much is nothing."
Just as she finished her thought, the door swung open, and her brother entered with their friends trailing behind him. "Sis, what's your plan?" he asked, looking at her with a mix of curiosity and anxiety.
Kiera took a slow sip of her tea, closing her eyes as if savoring the moment. "Plan? What plan are you talking about? I already hid the chip," she said nonchalantly, setting her cup down with a soft clink.
Her brother's eyes widened. "You... you already hid the chip?" he repeated, his voice tinged with surprise.
Kiera nodded, completely unfazed. Sensing his tension, she tilted her head slightly. "Why are you getting so worked up?"
"N-nothing," he stammered, trying to mask his unease.
Kiera stood up gracefully, smoothing her dress. "Anyway, today is his searching day, and I want to see him struggle," she said, her lips curling into a subtle smirk. She turned toward her brother. "And that's where you come in."
"Me?" he asked, pointing at himself, bewildered.
"You and your friends will follow him and report everything he does to me," Kiera instructed, her tone as precise as her plan.
"Wait, like... right now?" her brother questioned, glancing nervously at his friends.
"Yes. Today's a holiday, so he should be at his house," Kiera replied confidently.
"How can you be so sure?" he asked, still hesitant.
She scoffed, leaning against the table. "What else can you expect from that introvert?"
The scene shifts to Tyson, comfortably lounging in his house with a warm cup of coffee. He takes a sip, only to cough abruptly. "Someone must be talking about me," he mumbled, wiping his mouth, his suspicion lingering for a moment before he returned to his book.
Back at Kiera's place, she watched her brother scramble to gather his things. "When he steps outside, I want to know everything," she commanded, her eyes narrowing in anticipation.
"U-understood!" her brother stammered, rushing out the door with his friends.
Kiera's gaze lingered on the door, her mind already two steps ahead. She took another sip of her tea, her expression darkening with satisfaction. "Let's see what you do, Tyson... No, Sun Executor," she thought to herself, relishing the unfolding game.
Keira's brother, Kevin, stood with his two friends just outside Tyson's apartment building. His phone buzzed, and he quickly answered it. "Sis, he's still inside," he reported quietly, looking up at the window.
"Good. Let me know the moment he comes out, and don't lose sight of him," Keira's voice came through, calm but commanding.
"Understood," Kevin replied before hanging up.
-Time Skip – Evening-
Keira sat on her couch, tapping her fingers against her cup of tea, waiting. When her phone rang, she swiftly answered. "What happened? Did he come out?" she asked, impatience creeping into her voice.
"No, sis," Kevin sighed. "It's already evening, and he still hasn't shown up. We've been here all day. Honestly, this is getting tiring."
Keira clicked her tongue in frustration. "Tch. Fine, call it a day. But stay ready tomorrow."
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"Got it," Kevin replied, ending the call. Keira leaned back, sighing in frustration. "What a waste of a day," she muttered.
---
-Day 1-
Keira sat by her phone the next day, waiting. The moment it rang, she answered quickly.
"Sis, he just stepped out of his apartment," Kevin reported.
"Finally. What's he doing?" Keira asked, sitting up.
"He's with... the student council president," Kevin said, surprise in his voice.
Keira frowned. "The student council president? What's she doing with him?"
"I have no idea, but they're together. Should we keep following them?" Kevin asked.
"Of course. Don't lose them, and report back with every detail," she ordered.
Minutes passed before Kevin spoke again. "Uh... Sis?"
"What now?" Keira asked, her tone sharp.
"They're at a café. Just sitting there... drinking coffee," he said, sounding almost embarrassed.
"A café? Seriously?" Keira muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Call me if anything significant happens. I don't need a play-by-play of his coffee habits."
---
-Later That Evening-
The phone rang again, and Keira answered with a groan. "So, did anything happen?"
"They went back to their apartments. Nothing strange," Kevin replied.
Keira exhaled loudly. "That's it? All day for that?" She ended the call and mumbled to herself, "What is that guy doing?"
---
-Day 2-
Keira's phone rang again the next morning. She picked it up immediately.
"Sis, Tyson's headed somewhere alone today," Kevin said.
Keira's eyes lit up. "Finally. Follow him, Kevin. This could be interesting."
Kevin followed Tyson quietly through the streets until they reached a subway station. "He's at the station now... looks like he's waiting for someone," Kevin reported.
Keira raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for who?"
"Wait... someone's coming," Kevin said. "It's a girl, but I don't recognize her."
Keira frowned, leaning forward. "A girl?"
At the subway, Tyson smiled slightly when the girl approached. "You're finally here."
The girl, Sophia, replied , her expression little cold. "You make it sound like I'm late. I'm right on time."
Tyson smiled. "I didn't wait long. You look nice, by the way."
Sophia glanced away, her expression barely changing, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. "I didn't ask for your opinion. Let's go, shall we ?"
Tyson grinned. "Lead the way."
Kevin's voice returned to Keira's ear. "Sis, they're heading towards the Astral Shopping Mall."
Keira's brows knitted in confusion. "The mall? What's he doing there? Follow them."
After a few minutes of silence, Kevin spoke again. "Sis, they're shopping. Looks like they're buying a gift or something."
"A gift?" Keira's suspicion deepened. "Keep watching. Don't lose sight of him."
---
-Later That Afternoon-
After hours of observation, Keira's phone rang again. "What's the update?" she asked.
"They're heading back now"
---
-At the Subway Station-
Tyson and Sophia stood side by side, waiting for her train. Her gaze calm but firm as usual. "Thanks for helping me out today," she said, not looking directly at him.
Tyson chuckled. "You're welcome. Let me know how the gift turns out."
Sophia replied , her tone unchanging. "If I need your advice, I'll ask. Until then, try to be more helpful."
Tyson grinned. "I'll keep that in mind."
The train pulled in, and Sophia glanced at him, her expression changing, her words softer than usual. "See you tomorrow. Try not to be late."
Tyson waved. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The rhythmic clatter of the train faded into the distance, the final sign that Tyson had left. Kevin, still standing on the platform with his phone pressed to his ear, sighed. "Sis, it seems like they're heading home now."
There was no response. "Sis?" he asked, raising a brow. "You there?"
Keira's voice came through, flat but laced with exhaustion. "Let's call it a day. Come back." With that, she ended the call.
Lying back on her bed, Keira's thoughts swirled in frustration.Is he taking this seriously? She'd laid out a challenge—one that should've consumed Tyson's attention—but instead, he seemed completely unfazed. He wasn't playing her game. Not yet.
Three days passed.
Keira sat, arms folded across her chest, waiting impatiently for the next update. She drummed her fingers on the table, irritation building with each passing moment. He's mocking me, isn't he?
Her phone rang. Finally, she answered with a sigh. "Which girl is he going out with today?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
On the other end, Kevin's cheerful voice replied, "Actually, sis, no girl today. He's playing football with his friends." Almost sounding happy for proving her sister's guess wrong.
Keira's grip on the phone tightened. Football? He's playing football? "Kevin!" she snapped. "Are you enjoying this?"
Kevin, startled by her outburst, stammered, "W-what? You told me to tell you everything, so—"
"Not his daily routine!" Keira's frustration spilled over. "I sent you to track his progress! Is he even searching for the chip anymore?"
Kevin hesitated before replying, "Honestly... he doesn't seem to care about it at all."
With a frustrated groan, Keira ended the call. How dare he take me so lightly? She clenched her fists, her mind racing with plans to up the stakes. If he thinks he can get away with this, he's got another thing coming. Enjoy yourself while you can, Tyson. I'll make sure you regret it—with interest.
The day of results was there but...
Tyson was nowhere near concerned. The indoor basketball court echoed with the rhythmic thud of sneakers and the steady bounce of the ball as Tyson and his friends—Ethan, Reed, and Lucas—enjoyed a casual game. Laughter and easy banter filled the air, a moment of lighthearted fun before the looming results day. But that moment was cut short when the atmosphere shifted.
From across the court, Tyson noticed Keira approaching with her brother, Kevin, and a towering, muscular man in tow, along with a few others trailing behind them. There was something about their presence—calculated, tense, like the calm before a storm. Tyson wiped the sweat from his forehead and stepped forward, his usual calm composure intact. "Hey there, Keira—"
Before Tyson could finish, the tall, muscular man launched forward with lightning speed, his fist connecting with Tyson's face in a brutal punch. Tyson's body flew backward, crashing hard into the wall with a resounding thud. The impact sent a ripple of shock through the gym, the basketball rolling to a stop as silence fell over the group.
Ethan's face twisted with rage. "What the hell!" he shouted, charging toward them, fists clenched, ready to strike.
But before Ethan could take another step, Tyson's cold voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Don't, Ethan." The calm yet commanding tone froze Ethan in place. Tyson, still sprawled against the wall, slowly got to his feet, rubbing his cheek where the punch had landed. His expression remained cool, as if unfazed by the blow. It was the kind of calm that unnerved everyone present—the calm before Tyson retaliated.
The tall guy, who had expected Tyson to crumble, blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected his opponent to recover so quickly, let alone remain calm. Tyson locked eyes with Keira, his sharp gaze betraying no fear or anger, only resolve. "Quite a way of greeting," he said, his voice steady, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Keira stood in front of Tyson, her arms crossed, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "You're really unbelievable," she muttered, her voice laced with irritation. Her eyes narrowed as she continued, "I thought you would take my challenge seriously, but instead, you've been out here playing basketball, football, and hanging out with your friends—completely ignoring the challenge I set for you."
Tyson, leaning casually against the wall, seemed unfazed by her words. His demeanor was calm, almost mocking, as if this entire confrontation was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Keira's brother, Kevin, stepped forward, anger flashing in his eyes as he glared at Tyson. "You're underestimating us. You should've been looking for that chip, not wasting time with football or basketball. Do you really think you can afford to be so carefree?"
A soft chuckle escaped Tyson's lips, his smile widening just slightly. "Carefree? Is that what you think I am?" His tone was light, almost teasing, but there was an unsettling calm beneath it. "Keira, I knew what you were up to from the moment you started this little game."
Keira stiffened, her arms dropping slightly. He's bluffing,she thought, her mind racing. He can't have known. I covered every angle... didn't I?
Tyson's smile didn't falter. "And as for the chip," he said casually, "It's already within my reach."
Panic rippled through Keira's mind.Is he bluffing?Her thoughts spiraled, doubt creeping in. Or did he really...
Kevin, unable to contain himself, scoffed. "No way! But you didn't even search for it!" He stepped forward, his voice faltering. "How could you possibly have found it?"
Tyson tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling confidence. "Oh, and how would you know that, Kevin?" he asked, his voice a soft, cold taunt. "Were you following me? Or perhaps you just weren't paying attention."
Kevin stumbled over his words. "S-still, you're lying about the chip. You have to be."
Tyson's expression didn't change. He glanced over at Keira, his voice calm and cutting. "Well, time will tell if I'm lying or not, right, Keira?" His eyes locked on hers, and for the first time, Keira felt a genuine sense of unease.
No way. Does he know...?
Tyson stepped closer, his presence imposing despite his calm demeanor. "What's wrong, Keira? You're looking a little tense." His voice was soft, but each word felt like a knife, slicing through her composure.
Keira's eyes widened, her mind whirling. She looked at Tyson, who slowly lifted his left wrist, showing his watch. It was a simple gesture, but the weight behind it sent a wave of panic crashing over her.
No... no way!
Her thoughts screamed at her, piecing together the impossible realization.
He couldn't have known...
Tyson's smile deepened, his eyes gleaming with a quiet triumph. "It's here, isn't it?" he said smoothly, lifting his watch higher. Then, with a sudden movement, he slammed the watch against the wall, shattering it in a single, controlled strike. The sound echoed through the room, and as the watch parts fell to the ground, a small, metallic chip tumbled out.
The silence was deafening. Everyone stood frozen. Kevin's eyes widened, stunned. The muscular guy who had punched Tyson earlier took an instinctive step back, as if reeling from the shock.
Everyone stood frozen, their eyes locked on the tiny chip lying amongst the broken pieces of the watch. Tyson bent down, picking up the chip between his fingers, holding it up for Keira to see. "Here's your chip, Keira."
To be continued...