“Horrible mother“

The damp forest air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and Kimiko’s unsteady breathing as she knelt beside Kira’s unconscious body. Zane lay a few feet away, still trapped in uneasy sleep, his fingers occasionally twitching with lingering energy.

Then came the low hum of an approaching car.

The vehicle came to a stop, and from it emerged a tall, sharply dressed man—bald, his butler’s uniform immaculate despite the surroundings.

Kimiko blinked, unsure if she was imagining things. “Yamada?”

He regarded her with his usual composure, though his eyes softened. “Miss Kimiko.”

She opened her mouth to ask why he was here, but before she could, another voice took control of the moment.

“Yamada, be a dear and help me get these two into the car,” Lan Xia instructed smoothly, adjusting her gloves as if she weren’t standing over two unconscious bodies in the middle of a fight scene.

Yamada didn’t hesitate. He stepped toward Zane first, but Kimiko wasn’t done processing what was happening.

“Wait—” She pushed herself to her feet. “You’re just listening to her?”

Yamada paused, looking at her directly.

Lan Xia chuckled, her tone light as she stepped closer. “Careful with Kira now. She’s more fragile than she looks.”

Yamada’s grip on Kira barely shifted. “Perhaps, not fragile enough. I could say this barbarian has endured worse, Miss.”

Kimiko stiffened. Her gaze snapped to Yamada, her mind racing. He knows her?

“What do you mean ‘barbarian’? Do you know her?”

Yamada glanced at her, about to explain, but Lan Xia gracefully cut in. “Explanations later.” Her voice was gentle but firm. “Now, into the car.”

Kimiko hesitated, but Kira’s pale face pulled at her conscience. With a reluctant sigh, she followed.

The car doors shut with a soft click, sealing them inside. The engine hummed to life, and the vehicle rolled forward, leaving behind the damp, battle-worn forest. Raindrops clung to the windows, catching glimmers of neon light as they entered the city.

Inside, silence settled like a heavy fog. The rhythmic motion of the car did little to ease the tension. Lan Xia sat with her legs crossed, exuding an air of control, while Kimiko, arms folded, continued to glare at her.

The silence stretched, thick with tension. Then, finally, Lan Xia smirked. “You’re fuming, little one.”

Kimiko crossed her arms. “I have every right to be.”

“Mm.” Lan Xia studied her nails. “I’d find it cuter if it wasn’t so loud.”

Kimiko’s face flushed. “Wh—what is that supposed to mean?”

“Anyway,” Lan Xia began, voice laced with casual amusement. “Who’s your little storm cloud?”

Kimiko blinked. “Who?”

Lan Xia nodded toward Zane’s unconscious form. “Your little lightning boy.”

Kimiko followed her gaze, hesitating. “…Zane.”

Lan Xia leaned back, stretching lazily. “You know… I could help you wake him up.”

Kimiko’s eyes snapped to her, suspicion flaring. “Really? Do you actually mean that, or is this just another one of your twisted games?”

Lan Xia placed a hand over her heart in mock offence. "Oh, come now. Would I ever lie to you?"

"Yes," Kimiko deadpanned.

Lan Xia chuckled. "Alright, fair. But I'm being serious this time. Listen closely—I’ll tell you exactly what to do.”

“Here,” she continued. “Go next to him and hold his hand.”

Kimiko’s face tensed. “I WON’T DO THAT.”

Lan Xia sighed dramatically. “Well, I can do it instead… but I don’t think you’d like how I’d do it.”

Kimiko groaned, rubbing her temples. “Ugh… fine.” She scooted closer and hesitantly took Zane’s hand, her fingers barely touching his skin.

“Now what?” She muttered, avoiding looking at him directly.

Lan Xia leaned in. “Closer. Closer.”

Kimiko exhaled sharply and reluctantly turned to face Zane. He looked peaceful—too peaceful. Her cheeks warmed slightly, and she cursed herself for it.

“Now…” Lan Xia’s voice dripped with amusement. “Whisper in his ear… Wake up, handsome.”

Kimiko blinked. “What?”

Lan Xia smirked. “Go on. Say it.”

Kimiko hesitated, but as she leaned in, something caught her eye—Lan Xia, phone in hand, recording.

Her face twisted in horror. “ARE YOU RECORDING ME, YOU TWISTED WOMAN?!”

Lan Xia grinned, wiggling her fingers at the screen.

Kimiko shot up. “YAMADA, STOP THE CAR!”

The vehicle skidded to a halt. Before anyone could react, Kimiko yanked the door open and stormed outside, fists clenched.

“I can’t do this anymore!” she shouted, turning to face Lan Xia, who had calmly stepped out after her. “First, you leave me for years, then you suddenly show up, and it’s not even because you wanted to see me! And on top of that, you’re acting like nothing ever happened! Do you even care about me at all?”

For once, Lan Xia didn’t have a smirk ready. Instead, she simply extended her arms. “Come here.”

Kimiko scoffed. “I won’t.”

Lan Xia stepped forward and, without hesitation, pulled her into a tight embrace. Kimiko stiffened, trying to push away. “What are you doing—”

“It’s alright, little one,” Lan Xia murmured, her voice softer now.

“Get away from me!” Before she could push her away, Kimiko froze. The fight left her all at once, her breath hitching. Before she could stop herself, her shoulders trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Lan Xia held her firmly, running a gentle hand over her back. “There, there.”

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Once Kimiko had calmed, she wiped her face, sniffling. Lan Xia looked down at her. “Better now?”

Kimiko hesitated, then gave a small nod.

Lan Xia smiled. “Don't get used to this. I don't do comforting often. Now let’s get back to the car.”

They returned in silence. Kimiko sat by the window, arms crossed, cheeks still puffed out in a pout.

“Delete that video,” she muttered.

Lan Xia chuckled. “Tears suit you better than that pout.”

Kimiko groaned, burying her face in her arms. “Horrible mother.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

Suddenly a low groan filled the car.

Kimiko’s head snapped toward the source—Zane.

His fingers twitched, sparks of black lightning crackling at his fingertips even as his eyes remained shut. His breathing grew uneven, his face tightening as if caught in the grips of something unseen.

Kimiko’s irritation with Lan Xia was immediately forgotten. “Zane?”

Lan Xia’s gaze sharpened slightly, observing him with quiet interest. “Hmm.”

Kimiko turned to her, urgency in her voice. “What’s happening to him?”

Lan Xia’s expression remained unreadable, but there was something calculating in her gaze.

“…Now that’s interesting.”