After a protracted diurnal voyage, their aircraft finally descended in Lafiaza. As the plane met the tarmac, they saw a formally clad crowd awaiting them.
Leon addressed Manabu and his friends. "Change your clothes. Manabu, there's blood on your sweater—dispose of it. Formal outfits are prepared. Taiju and Manabu, use the men's changing rooms; Mion and Mai, the women's."
Without demurral, Manabu strode to the changing room. Taiju followed to the adjacent door, averting Leon's gaze. Mion and Mai did likewise.
After they went to change, the two investigators in the cabin crew seats approached Leon, murmuring something. He glanced at his left wristwatch, silent. The men then instructed the pilot to unseal the aircraft's door. The old man complied promptly, unlocking the main exit.
By then, Manabu and the others had donned their new attire. Before they stepped outside, Leon reminded them once more, "The person you're about to meet is a venerated figure in Lafiaza, deeply respected by all Lafians. His business with you is unclear, but mind your words, eschew rudeness. Heed him, grasp his message, then decide your course. Whatever transpired in Feropia—leave it behind."
Leon put his hand on Taiju's shoulder, intoning, "Use your brain buddy, not your fists."
Taiju lower his shoulder and shrugged off Leon's hand but held his tongue.Thus, they disembarked the aircraft.
No sooner had they stepped outside, the crowd surged with acclaim, clapping and shouting in fervor.At least a dozen had gathered to welcome them, which was unnerving. Three individuals stepped forward, bearing bouquets, which they pressed into Manabu's arms. They remarked on his facial features and white hair.
One placed both hands on his shoulder arms, exclaiming, "He's the spitting image of Kamiru. I've seen Kamiru's face; I know how he looked back then. The white hair, those eyes' hue. Quite handsome!"
He embraced Manabu with palpable warmth, his voice quivering. Introducing himself as Dr. Nicolain Marcquaro, he beamed. "We've awaited you so long, Satoshi Manabu."
Amid the jubilant fervor, one pointed to Manabu's friends. "Who are they?" He gestured in the native tongue, though his pronunciation was poor.
Manabu, keeping it formal given their predicament, replied, "They're my friends."
Dr. Nicolain, addressing Manabu's friends, tells the crowd in Lafian language, "They're guests and Manabu's companions!"
The crowd's fervor surged. Manabu's companions, all together, greeted them, exchanged handshakes, and were ushered toward an elongated vehicle.
Manabu remained bewildered. Leon offered a parting wave and slipped into the throng. They were no longer his charge.After a few moments, Krisna Das—nicknamed Roy—arrived in his car. He strode straight toward Leon, enveloping him in a hearty embrace. "Leon! My friend! How've you been?"
Leon, nearly suffocated, insisted he was fine, but Roy could tell he wasn't.
"Brother, you've lost weight. Too much stress?"
Leon scoffed. "I'm perfectly fine. This is nothing."
Roy knew Leon wouldn't admit to struggling—he's always been like this.
"Six months since you've been back. Everyone's waiting at home. Let's go."
For the past few months, Leon's calls had dwindled due to work pressure. Manabu's group was led to a separate vehicle, while Leon rode alone in his car, driven by Roy.
While driving, Roy asked, "Want to eat something?"
Leon shook his head and declined. "I'm fasting today. Take me to a seven-star restaurant."
Roy chuckled. "Didn't you just say you're fasting?"
Leon smirked. "Not for me. For my sister. It's her birthday."
Roy groaned, smacking his forehead, nearly releasing the wheel. "Shit! I forgot! That's why Sumi's been silent all morning!"
Leon reclined in his seat, arms crossed, his posture exuding quiet resolve, and said, "This year, Sumi's turning nine, so I'll get both. I'm also looking for a good school, but I worry she might get bullied. Last year, for her eighth birthday, she asked for a schoolbag and a fat teddy bear. I'll get both."
They stopped at a seven-star restaurant, ordered fast food and a proper dinner.
Leon went to a nearby bakery to arrange a three-tiered cake for the kids at home.
Manabu's group reached their destination in front of a two-story building owned by Satoshi Kamiru. Their escorts motioned for them to wait inside.
Dr. Nicolain had gone to inform Kamiru of Manabu's arrival.The four entered, struck by the interior—antique furniture, a grand old-fashioned sofa, immaculately clean and we'll maintained.
A young maid, Noor, was sweeping the floor. "Call me for anything," she told them and resumed her work.
They explored ornate drawers and elegant furniture. The guest room was vast, its deep cherry-red carpet woven with intricate patterns. A chandelier hung above, casting a warm glow.
Manabu drifted to the walls, where portraits stirred familiarity. One stood out—a husband and wife. The woman cradled a girl, about five. The father clasped the hand of his five-year-old son.
Manabu's fingers grazed the frame. "Who is he?" A warmth rose from those faded memories, but a commotion outside snapped his focus.
Kami had arrived, sprinting into the house, his steps frantic, his entourage, including Nicolain, trailing. Kami rushed inside, halting at the doorstep, and saw Manabu.
Their eyes locked, melting his stone-frozen heart. Lungs straining, he panted heavily, as if he'd run miles. Manabu tensed.
Kami spread his arms, wrapping them tightly around him, trembling. Manabu hesitated, then placed a hand on his shoulder.
Kami scanned him head to toe. Manabu has grown up. breathing deeply in satisfaction. "Twelve years… Twelve years…" His voice broke, tears crawled down his cheeks from his eyes, hidden beneath his mask yet betraying truth.
Manabu held him, mind swirling. "Who is he?" he thought, yet felt compelled to embrace him.
Kami tightened his grip. "I'll explain everything."
He released his grip, glancing at Manabu's friends. Knowing their wary reactions, he insisted, "You should hear this too."
He signaled the maid. "Prepare dinner. They're exhausted."
The maid bowed slightly and said everything was ready, awaiting their word.
Everyone were hungry, especially Mion, ravenous after two and a half days without food or drink, but Manabu was more puzzled. Everything was chaotic. They declined food, insisting on answers.
Mion confronted Kami brusquely. "Who are you? Why'd you kidnap Manabu?"
Kamiru stood with straight posture, replying politely, "Ms. Sayuri, if I'm not mistaken. I didn't kidnap him. I'm his father."
"Despite who you are that—" her jaw slacked wide, voice faltered, "What? What did you say?"
Manabu's mouth hung open too. Taiju's brows shot up; he was done at this point. Mai gasped and scratched her forehead and eyes in panic.
Mai tugged Mion back and whispered loudly, "We're not dreaming, right? Or am I mentally unstable?"
Taiju slid closer, muttering, "Did he say father or mother?"
Mai grabbed his throat and jerked real hard. "He said Father, not mother! Are you out of your mind."
Taiju remained incredulous.
Mion proposed the most possible answer, "Maybe It's a scam."
"I'm gonna pass out." Mai mired in confusion.
Kami could hear their loud whispers, clapped his hands thrice he called, "Attention. I know it's hard to grasp. I'm Manabu's biological father. I last saw him twelve years ago, when he was four or five. An incident tore us—Manabu, Maria, their mother—apart."
Skeptical of Kami's startling words, Manabu was speechless, gazing into Kami's eyes. Their light orange shade, blindingly bright, mirrored his own—a strange, painful familiarity. A sharp pang hit him. Kami's eyes were suffering.
Taiju agreed they matched, yet it felt surreal.
Manabu asked, "Why the mask?"
Kami explained, "My face is burned, disfigured. Children fear my appearance. I wear bandages and a mask styled like my actual hair was, though the face differs. It's my signature."
Mion's brow furrowed when she asked, "Mr. Kamiru, you're saying you're Manabu's father, do you have any proof?"
Kami posed a profound question: "What proof does a father need to know his child? Or a son, after so long?" Left everyone speechless. Manabu felt it more.
His gaze filled a void, as if he'd found what he'd sought for eons. Mion watched him, silent.
Though Kami didn't dismiss the need for proof. "If I weren't his father, who'd search twelve years for a stranger? Only a father would."
His colleagues stood silent. Manabu glanced at Dr. Nicolain, who nodded, smiling. It was unbelievable. Kami had searched for him for twelve years.
Mai asked, "Why not come to get him sooner?"
"I didn't know where he was." Kami said. "Whether he was alive or not, he might've been dead. I was searching for you cluelessly. At some point, I thought you were dead. But every time, I could hear you calling out—'Papa-Mama' — I would get up and start looking for you again. I never gave up on you, my son. Manabu Satoshi."
Manabu's heart constricted, tears traced paths around his pupils, yet he stifled them. His emotions surged beyond words.
Kami turned and requested documents. A man handed over a file. Kami gave Manabu papers—a paternity test from sixteen years ago, recent DNA results, and his identity card.Manabu studied them.
Mion read aloud, "Father: Satoshi Kamiru… Child: Satoshi Manabu?"
They cross-checked the card, details aligning. The truth overwhelmed them. A flicker of joy Mai expressed for Manabu crossed her face. "Manabu, your dad—"
Taiju grabbed her mouth and hushed her. "Let him decide."
But Manabu wasn't at stage to decide, he pored over the papers. A man behind Kami spoke. "This is your father. He's searched like a madman for twelve years. You were presumed dead, but he never stopped."
They urged for Kami's sake, but Kami silenced them. "Let Manabu decide."
Manabu gazed at Kami, disbelief in his eyes. No, something deeper—unnameable. His heart ached. "I know him… my dad," he thought grabbing his chest, but it won't come out of his tongue.
Kami's presence was a missing piece, yet the years apart loomed vast. The love, pain, and gap between father and son tangled like an unyielding knot. Still, the connection pulsed undeniable.
Kamiru saw Manabu's struggle, so did Taiju. Suddenly, Manabu gasped—an asthma attack.
Taiju swiftly brought the inhaler in front of his mouth. Manabu inhaled heavily.
Kami blamed himself for their stress, urging rest. He had to leave.
Suddenly someone rang the doorbell continuously. One of Kami's friend, annoyed, opened the door aggressively. But Someone stormed inside making the guy panick.
Kamiru turned. Maria, breathless, stood there. Manabu and his friends stared with wide eyes and furrowed brows.
Maria leaped onto Manabu, squealing, "Manabu!"
Mai's eyes widened theatrically, her voice spilling sarcasm. "Oh great. Now Manabu's got a sister! Confusion on confusion on confusing confusion."
Taiju steadied Manabu so he won't fall.
Mion blushed, jealousy flaring at the pretty girl hugging Manabu, unforgivable sin. She immediately seized Maria's arms. "Who the hell are you?"
Maria snapped, "Don't you dare who me! Who're you?"
Mion introduced herself as just Manabu's friend.
Maria could she her jalousie and smirked. "Oh, so you are my brother's jealous girlfriend! By the way, I'm Maria Valentine, Manabu's elder sister!"
Mion stammered, "What do you mean by jeal—" She froze a second time, as if realization pierced her amygdala like a dart. Mion's head reeled, her world spun. She tripped toward Manabu. "What are these twists?"
Maria laughed. "I'll explain slowly. But I'm starving."
Kami, relieved, asked Maria to look after them, hugging her and Manabu before leaving.
The maid approached Maria. "Ms. Maria, my time's come. I'm returning to the orphanage."
Maria blinked. "Why?"
The maid smiled. "Master's returned. My job here is done."
Maria blushed all red, "Leon's back?"
The maid nodded, giggling. Maria blushed even more.
Manabu didn't wanted to intrupt her but he had few things he wanted to know, "Ms. Maria, If you don't mind, can I—"
Maria punched his head. "Who's Ms. Maria? Call me sister, dumbass!"
The maid chuckled, asking to leave. Maria nodded, and she departed respectfully.
Maria set plates, refusing questions until lunch. She pushed Mion to the dining room, pulling out a chair.
Sitting beside her, Maria offered drinks. Mion declined, but Maria's somber, teary eyes prompted her to accept a soft drink. Maria grabbed two cans, sharing one.
Over food, Maria asked Manabu, "How's Grandma?"
He paused. "How do you know her?"
Maria rolled her eyes. "She's my grandma too, idiot."
Manabu set his spoon down. "She passed a few last year."
Maria's hand paused mid air. "How?"
"My fault," Manabu said flatly. "Heart attack."
Maria smacked his head again. "How's that your fault, dumbass?"
He chuckled. "You're right. I'm a dumbass."
Maria resumed eating. "What was she like?"
Manabu smiled. "Kind, caring. An old lady with a big heart."
Maria grinned. "And a loud voice."
Manabu laughed, recalling her. Taiju shared how she whacked them with a stick for fighting. Manabu mentioned making Mion cry as kids; Grandma braided her hair to cheer her up. Mai recalled Grandma shaking a candy machine for her. Taiju added how she fixed his tie at school.
Maria sighed. "She was amazing. Everyone loved her." Silence fell, her absence heavy.
They had all cried at her funeral.
Manabu touched his chest. "She was something I'll never be… but I want to do something for others, so they'll remember me like we remember her. My old, noisy grandma."
They talked for hours, sharing stories. Mai warmed up. Maria asked about Feropia, their friendships, families, lightening the mood. The conversation stretched into the evening.
Then Maria asked, "So, how was your journey to Lafiaza? Did you meet Leon?" Right when she mentions about Leon, silence crashed down.
Maria frowned. "Why's everyone quiet?" She was still unaware.
Mai deflected lightly. "Let's change the topic." She pivoted. "Is your hair naturally white? You and Manabu have the same color, and maybe… similar behavior."
Maria and Manabu protested in unison, "I'mnothing like this idiot!—I'm nothing like her!"
Mai clapped both hands. "Totally unique… unbelievably different," she said sarcastically.
Manabu grabbed a soft drink. He opened the fridge, spotting tons of drinks he'd never seen before. "Lion's Roar"—local, maybe?
He sipped and spat. "What the hell? It's beer!"
Maria snatched it, tossing it back in. "It's nothing! Take this!" She handed him another drink.
Manabu cracked his neck. "What's your age, sis?"
Maria laughed nervously. "What're you talking about?"
Suspicious, Manabu signaled Mai and Taiju. They pinned Maria as he flung open the fridge—beer and alcohol galore.
Maria, 18, wasn't legal.
She sighed. "I don't drink. Julie and my other friends ask for it when they visit, so I stock some."
Manabu pressed, "Your friends over 20?"
Maria averted her gaze. "Seventeen, or my age."
Manabu grinned, grabbing drinks. "Let's enjoy some real ones!"
Maria gaped. "You're all under 20!"
But they cheered, "Who cares?" Laughing, they partied until exhaustion.
Taiju drank lightly, avoiding a hangover. Maria showed them to their rooms—Mion and Mai in hers, Manabu and Taiju in another.
Evening had fallen; Everyone fell asleep, Maria and Taiju dragged everyone to their room. Taiju was weary too. Maria suggested him to take some rest. He thought the same and dove onto the bed.
Maria grabbed her purse and left for the orphanage. It was Sumi's birthday