On a bright, sunny morning, some people were forced out of their cozy beds to go to work or school, while others remained bleary-eyed, unwilling to get up even after being called several times.
Twilight had woken early. He had barely slept all night. Whether he could complete his mission-whether he succeeded or failed-would be decided today.
Anya and Yor were nervous, too. They had both gotten up early to prepare for Eden Academy's second round of admissions.
Only Richie remained buried in bed, absolutely refusing to get up.
So far, Twilight, Yor, and Anya had taken turns calling him three times.
But Richie only agreed in words, mumbling in his sleep, "Father, Mother, I'm getting up. Any second now. Really, I'm getting up," and other things along those lines.
Once Twilight and the others left his room, Richie would fall straight back onto the bed with a thump, breathing evenly as though he had never woken at all.
After eight that morning, Twilight, Yor, and Anya prepared to leave for the interview. Twilight left breakfast for Richie in the kitchen and reminded the sleeping boy to eat it when he woke up.
Through the haze of sleep, Richie vaguely heard the three of them getting ready to leave by the front door.
Twilight had combed his hair back, looking neat and sharp. His dark blue suit was fitted yet elegant. Fully prepared and ready for action, he declared, "The decisive moment has arrived!"
"Check your belongings."
Yor looked through her bag and said solemnly, "Everything is in order."
"Check your appearance."
Yor straightened her own clothes first, then crouched down to tidy Anya up from head to toe. "Everything is in order."
Twilight asked one final question. "One last check of your wording."
With a long face, Anya transformed into a friendly customer service representative and said solemnly, "No problem, dear customer. I'll do my best."
I'm worried sick, but I've done everything I can.
Still in his room, Richie listened in his sleep as Twilight muttered to himself before leaving. In his dreams, he reassured his Twilight dad: Father, Anya will definitely pass the second round.
Knowing the outcome, Richie wasn't worried in the slightest about Anya being eliminated in the second round. He was the one he ought to worry about. He had no protagonist's plot armor; whatever he did, he had to rely on himself.
Richie had been sleeping soundly, but when he heard Twilight say, "Let's go," he sat up in bed.
If things went badly and he failed this second round, today might be his last day with Twilight, Anya, and their family.
The feeling that he was merely stealing a brief moment of leisure, along with the sense that he could never truly fit into the family, kept lingering in his heart.
Richie dragged himself out of bed, opened the bathroom door like a zombie, and switched on the light. He pulled out the little stool beneath the sink, climbed onto it, squeezed out some toothpaste, and slowly brushed his teeth.
As he brushed, Richie squinted at his beautiful face in the mirror and froze for a moment.
With such a pretty face, and with how smart and capable I am, why not go have some fun at Eden Academy? Tease that prickly second son, Damian, then become the boss of Eden Academy and protect my adorable little sister, Anya.
Having finished thinking it through, Richie flashed his pearly whites at his reflection in a goofy grin, the ring of toothpaste foam around his lips not even rinsed off yet.
After washing up, Richie changed into the formal clothes Twilight had prepared for him. He ate the breakfast Twilight had left that morning with one hand while holding the interview notes he had spent several nights preparing in the other.
"If that... what's his name, Swan... crunch... teacher asks me the same question as Anya-which I like better, my current mother or my previous mother-I'll say..."
Both of Richie's cheeks were stuffed full, making him look like a chipmunk sneaking nuts.
Twilight wasn't the only one who had spent a long time preparing for this interview. Richie had worked hard to prepare, too, all so he could stay with the Forger family. This six-year-old boy had already gone several nights without sleep.
Richie, who usually loved slacking off, hadn't slacked off this time!
Pencil in hand, Richie occasionally revised the contents of his draft to polish his answers and leave the best possible impression on the interviewers.
For the entire morning, Richie paced around the living room, rehearsing his answers again and again. He strove for perfect elegance, hoping to win the teachers' hearts in one fell swoop.
Only at noon did a somewhat exhausted little Richie put away all his preparation materials and collapse onto the sofa for a nap.
The door opened with a click.
Richie lazily climbed off the sofa, yawning.
Three dejected people came in through the door. They stood in a row, none of them speaking, utterly drained of energy and looking as exhausted as though they hadn't slept for days.
The three sat down, and Twilight hung his head.
Richie knew the outcome, but to avoid arousing unnecessary suspicion, he still made a token show of tugging at Twilight's trousers. Tilting up his innocent, childish face, he asked expectantly, "Father, this time... how did..."
Before Richie could finish, his voice grew quieter and quieter.
Twilight stared straight at Richie. "We definitely... failed..."
Richie clenched both fists and put on a deeply saddened expression.
Yor must have felt how heavy the atmosphere in the living room was. "I-I'll go make some tea."
Standing beside Twilight, Richie heard his thoughts: Once again, I've failed as a spy. I actually let unnecessary emotions interfere with the mission.
Richie's brow furrowed slightly. But you haven't failed as a father.
Twilight truly felt terribly guilty, and an air of despair filled the whole family.
Anya hopped off the sofa and pattered over on her little legs, leaning against Twilight's lap.
Anya was truly terrified. If she hadn't passed the interview, would Twilight no longer want her? Would this family cease to exist?
Anya spoke timidly, her voice catching a little. "Father, I'm really sorry. Anya wasn't good enough to pass the test. I'm sorry."
Twilight said gently, "It's all right, Anya. You don't need to apologize. You wouldn't want to go to a school like that anyway, would you?"
Tears brimmed in Anya's eyes. She pressed her face against Twilight's thigh, trying to force them back. Her voice trembled as she choked out, "Anya wants to go to school."
Beside her, Richie gently patted her back to comfort her and heard her thoughts: If Father's mission fails, if I can't go to school, we won't be able to stay together.
Richie gently rubbed Anya's little head. "Anya, you'll definitely pass. You have to trust that housemaster. Eden Academy is the best school in the country, so fairness and justice will surely always prevail."
Twilight's gaze sharpened. Thank goodness he had adopted Richie back then. Now there was still room to salvage the mission.
As though someone had given him a shot of adrenaline, Twilight immediately perked up.
In the kitchen, Yor finished brewing the tea, feeling uneasy. If she doesn't get in, then naturally, this life will... no, that's not it. I'm only worried about how it would affect my job.
Yor brought over the hot tea just in time to hear Twilight say in an even voice, "There's basically no chance of passing now."
At those words from Twilight, Anya's hair practically stood on end.
Twilight shifted his gaze, his eyes brimming with confidence once more. "But Richie still has a chance!!!"
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