Rio exhaled softly.
"What a complicated little brother," she muttered.
---
After leaving Rio's door, Mio placed his luggage in his room. On his bed hung his new school uniform, perfectly ironed and neat.
"Thank you, Dad," he said quietly with a small smile.
---
The Next Morning
"Mio! Come on, eat breakfast!" his dad, Jay, called from downstairs.
"Okay!"
Mio rushed down to the dining table where warm toast and soup were neatly served. But he didn't see his mom or sister.
"Where's Mom and Rio?" he asked, sliding into his chair.
Jay gently patted his son's head and replied, "Rio already left for school. Mom went with her — she's heading to work early today."
"Oh…" Mio looked a little disappointed.
Trying to lift the mood, Jay asked, "So, what color did you get?"
"Color?" Mio looked confused.
Jay pointed to his school bag. "Check the card in the side pocket."
Mio quickly pulled out a card. "Red… and it says 'Ghoulstrike'? What's that?"
Jay chuckled. "Oh! Ghoulstrike! You're in the same group as Raphael Maddox!"
"Who's that?"
"He's the group leader. A friend of your sister — ha ha!"
"A friend of hers? Oh… but what's this group about?"
Jay just smiled. "You'll find out soon enough at school."
Mio blinked, still puzzled.
---
After breakfast, Mio set off for his new school.
As he looked out the window, he noticed how much the country had changed over the past four years. Ever since the big fight between his parents, he'd been separated from his sister.
The school building loomed large — modern, towering, impressive.
At the front gate, teachers and prefects were lined up to welcome students.
"Welcome to school!"
"Have a nice day!"
"Whoa… so much has changed," Mio murmured.
To be continued...