Chapter 8:

Sirin tugged on Cecilia's hand every chance she got, dragging her from one ride to another, laughing, glowing with energy. The two of them spent their day trying new games, rides, snacks—anything that caught Sirin's wide-eyed interest.

Not far behind, Kiana and Bianca followed quietly. Though Kiana hadn't worked up the courage to approach Cecilia yet, she still smiled every time her mother laughed. It was enough, for now. Bianca stayed close, keeping her sister calm, offering silent encouragement when the nerves began to bubble up again.

Despite the distance, it was a strange kind of happiness. All four of them—two openly reunited, two still waiting—enjoying the warmth of a bright, busy amusement park day.

As the sun edged closer to noon, Cecilia checked her phone and noticed the time.

"It's almost lunchtime," she said thoughtfully. "Sirin dear, let's come back here another day."

Sirin hugged her Homu plushie and nodded eagerly. "Okay, Mama!"

Cecilia smiled. "Playing is important—but we should never skip meals."

Since they were already outside, she had an idea. "Sirin, let's find a nice family restaurant and have lunch. Just the two of us. Or… maybe we could invite Miss Himeko, too?"

"Auntie—uh, I mean, Sister Himeko? Yeah! Invite her, Mom!" Sirin's eyes sparkled.

Cecilia chuckled and nodded, dialing Himeko's number. At first, Himeko hesitated, but Cecilia's gentle persuasion won her over in the end.

"I'll send you the location," Cecilia said, tapping it into the message.

"Alright," Himeko replied. "I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, Cecilia leaned down and gently pinched Sirin's cheek. "Miss Himeko said yes."

"Really? Yay!" Sirin cheered, rubbing her cheek with a big smile.

---------------------------

Not far from the laughter, Kiana sulked as she watched from the sidelines.

The girl beside Cecilia—the one with violet hair who looked much younger—seemed… familiar. Kiana squinted. Something about her stirred memories, but she couldn't place it.

She was still lost in thought when the device given to her by Dr. Einstein and Dr. Tesla suddenly vibrated. She pulled it from her pocket and tapped the screen. Bianca, noticing, walked over silently to stand beside her.

The screen lit up—and their father's voice immediately boomed through:

[YOU BRAT! Couldn't you wait for your old man so we could go together?!] Siegfried shouted, as someone off-screen shoved him aside.

"You're too slow, sticky Dad," Kiana muttered with a sigh.

Bianca just shook her head in resignation.

[Move it, Siegfried!] another familiar voice snapped.

"Aunt Theresa?" Kiana blinked.

[Of course I'm here!] Theresa snapped. [That blockhead said there's a chance my Cecilia might be in this world bubble. You think I'd miss that?]

Theresa shoved Siegfried off-screen and took center frame.

[Who said Cecilia is yours?! She's mine!] Siegfried growled, pushing back into the frame.

[Nuh-uh.]

[Yuh-huh!]

The screen turned into a childish wrestling match of two grown adults pushing each other for control of the camera.

Kiana gave Bianca a strained smile. Bianca, meanwhile, pretended not to know them.

After learning she was Siegfried's daughter, Bianca still sometimes questioned how her refined, graceful mother ever fell for… this man.

Eventually, the chaos died down and both adults shared the screen—though clearly still jostling elbows.

[So, Kiana, Bianca… did you find her body?] Siegfried asked softly. His tone was different—serious. Hopeful, yet bracing for disappointment.

Kiana looked away, her cheerful mask cracking. Bianca pulled out the old photograph and stared at it again, her lips pressed into a line.

[I see…] Siegfried muttered, his voice tight. [Maybe I hoped too much.]

Theresa, watching Kiana's reaction, frowned.

[You little rascal. Don't hide it—just say it.] she demanded, trying to sound stern, but her voice wavered with emotion.

Kiana's face suddenly lit up with a mischievous grin. She pulled out her phone and tapped on the photo she'd taken earlier.

She turned it to the screen.

Cecilia. Smiling. Holding Sirin close. A candid moment, full of warmth.

Siegfried and Theresa froze.

[My Cecilia!] Theresa gasped.

[My wife!] Siegfried exclaimed.

They turned to look at each other, then back at the screen. Then back at each other.

Kiana giggled. "Oh yeah—Auntie, Dad. Who's that purple-haired girl with Mom?" she asked as she zoomed in on Sirin, still clutching her Homu doll beside Cecilia.

Siegfried coughed violently.

Theresa's eyes widened. She blinked in disbelief.

[Is that… Sirin?]

“Sirin?...” Kiana fell silent. The name stirred something in her memory—less from what she learned at the academy, and more from instinct. She hadn’t paid much attention to the lectures, but she did remember hearing that name before.

It was the name of the Second Herrscher, right?

Theresa sighed softly and began to explain. But instead of reciting what could be found in a textbook, both she and Siegfried shared what they knew—memories, events, experiences that were carved into their pasts.

As Kiana listened, her view of the girl beside Cecilia began to shift.

No longer just someone who seemed to be stealing her mother’s affection... but someone who might soon become her sister. Even if her actions once were terrible, she was different now. And as her new big sister—yes, Kiana was definitely taller, so that counted—she’d be the one to teach her all the important lessons!

Kiana nodded to herself with determination.

Bianca, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “So... when are you two going to arrive?”

[Ah, Bianca, we should be there any moment now,] Siegfried replied.

“Okay,” Bianca said as she started walking toward where Cecilia had gone.

“Well, goodbye Dad, Aunt Theresa,” Kiana said, waving at the device. “We’ll follow Mom. See you soon.”

[Take care, both of you,] Theresa and Siegfried said in unison, before the call ended.

Kiana pocketed the device and caught up with Bianca, her heart pounding faster with every step.

----------------------

Meanwhile, at the entrance of a cozy family restaurant, Cecilia and Sirin stood side by side, waiting.

Sirin tapped away on her phone, completely absorbed. Cecilia, unable to resist the charm of her daughter’s round, squishy cheeks, reached over and gently pinched them.

“Eep—! M-Mama!” Sirin puffed out her cheeks in protest.

“Hehe~ My little Sirin is just too cute,” Cecilia giggled, softly teasing her.

“Humph!” Sirin crossed her arms but didn’t resist. She had long surrendered to Cecilia’s affection.

Then a familiar voice called out.

“Ah, sorry I’m late, Madam Cecilia. Sirin,” Himeko greeted, approaching with a warm smile as she saw the two playing.

Cecilia released Sirin’s cheeks and turned with a graceful smile. “It’s fine, Miss Himeko. We just arrived too, right, Sirin?”

“Yes, Sister Himeko,” Sirin chirped, rubbing her cheeks and nodding.

Himeko chuckled gently. “Then let’s head inside.”

The three of them entered the restaurant together—mother, daughter, and a cherished friend—ready to enjoy a meal filled with warmth and memories.

Not far away, Kiana watched them from a distance, her eyes misty.

Sniff… sniff…

It felt like a dream. A birthday wish come true.

Two people she never thought she'd meet again—her mother, and her beloved Himeko-sensei—were alive. Real. Laughing. Together.

Kiana turned to Bianca, her voice trembling. “Sister…”

Bianca sighed softly and opened her arms.

Without hesitation, Kiana leapt into her embrace.

“Waaaaah! Sister! I’m finally going to meet Mom! And now I can see Himeko-sensei again! Waaaaaah!” Kiana sobbed, her tears overflowing from sheer joy.

Bianca said nothing, just held her tight, gently rubbing her back.

Kiana’s stomach let out a loud, unapologetic grumble.

“Ahem—let’s eat first,” Kiana said quickly, pulling away from Bianca’s hug with a forced cough and a sheepish smile.

Bianca raised an eyebrow but said nothing, amused.

Both sisters slipped on hats and sunglasses—hardly subtle disguises, but good enough for the moment—and quietly made their way into the restaurant.

------------------------------------------

Not far away, Cecilia noticed two oddly dressed individuals entering and taking a seat nearby. Judging from their figures and posture, they were definitely girls. Something about the way they moved… it tickled at her memory.

But she couldn’t quite place it.

Cecilia shook her head gently, dismissing the thought as a moment of déjà vu, and returned to her menu.

She raised her hand to signal a waitress, who soon approached with a notepad.

“What can I get for you today?” the waitress asked politely.

“I’ll have the tomato soup with garlic bread, and an orange juice,” Cecilia said, handing over her menu.

Himeko followed with a simple, “Coffee, fries, and a salad, please.”

The waitress noted their orders, then turned to Sirin.

Sirin was still deep in concentration, studying the menu with serious intensity. Feeling the waitress’s eyes on her, she hesitated and glanced at Cecilia.

“What is it, dear?” Cecilia asked softly.

“Can I order this?” Sirin asked, pointing to a very colorful picture.

Cecilia leaned over to look.

“Double waffle stack with maple syrup and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”

Cecilia blinked, then gave Sirin a very gentle, motherly smile. That smile every child knows means: I love you, but no.

“Dear… you can’t have dessert for lunch.”

Sirin, recognizing that ironclad smile, quickly changed her mind. “I’ll take the grilled chicken set meal…”

The waitress chuckled quietly and nodded. “Your meals will be ready shortly.”

As the waitress left for the counter, the table settled into a warm conversation between Cecilia and Himeko.

But then—Cecilia heard something. A voice. Familiar. Unmistakable.

She turned slightly, her gaze drifting toward the table where the two disguised girls were now placing their own order. She stared for a few moments, trying to jog her memory.

Nothing. They didn’t look like anyone she remembered. Maybe her mind was playing tricks on her again.

Still… that white-haired girl was ordering enough food for three people.

Cecilia gave a soft sigh. Hopefully Sirin won’t grow up to waste food like that, she thought, glancing at her daughter.

Sirin tilted her head. “Mama? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing, dear,” Cecilia replied with a smile, brushing Sirin’s bangs aside. “Just thinking how cute you are~”

“Mamaaa!” Sirin puffed out her cheeks again, lightly swatting at her mother’s hand.

Meanwhile, Himeko narrowed her eyes, now fully focused on the two girls at the other table. That voice. That way of speaking. That ridiculous disguise.

She was 90% sure.

“That can’t be anyone else but... one of my students,” she muttered under her breath.

Cecilia raised a brow as Himeko suddenly stood up.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“I just want to check something,” Himeko replied, already making her way toward the suspicious pair.

“Oh. Alright,” Cecilia said, slightly puzzled. She watched Himeko walk off, then turned back to Sirin.

And resumed gently pinching her cheeks.

“Hehe~ My daughter is so cute~”

“Maamaa! Stoppp!” Sirin whined, though she made no serious effort to escape.

(A/n: family reunion is good.....so enjoy it while it last( ´-ω･)︻┻┳══━一)