Chapter 28: Publisher’s Response, Homeschooling, And Gains.

As the weeks passed, anticipation grew in the Toretto household. The manuscript titled 'Memoirs of a Forgotten Soldier' had been sent out, and Guldrin and Shiro were anxiously waiting for a response from potential publishers. Letty, noticing the intense focus and dedication they'd put into the project, was supportive, though she assumed this "memoir" was just a creative story they'd spun from their imaginations. She admired their work and had no idea it was drawn from pieces of Guldrin's fractured memories. She figured the intense moments came from their love of action movies, those anime Shiro had introduced Guldrin to, or storytelling skills they had picked up from her and Dom. Mia had also read the book, but she didn't quite understand its depth, and while she enjoyed it, she didn't follow it. The genre wasn't her style, but she gave constructive criticism nonetheless, since out of the family, she was the biggest reader of novels.

One Friday afternoon, an envelope arrived addressed to "The Authors" of Memoirs of a Forgotten Soldier. Shiro was the first to notice, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she called out for Guldrin. They gathered around the envelope, unable to contain their excitement and nerves. Letty and Mia joined them, Letty's arms crossed with a warm, curious smile, and Mia holding a gentle smile.

"Here we go," Guldrin murmured, carefully tearing open the envelope. As he unfolded the letter, his hands shook slightly, and he leaned closer to Shiro, who was nearly vibrating with anticipation.

The letter expressed genuine interest in their book, noting its rawness and unique narrative. It praised the "honesty" and "emotional depth," comparing it to classic war memoirs while acknowledging the youthful voice that grew with the story, making it stand out as a powerful, unique tale. They wanted to publish it, but they requested a meeting with the authors, and an adult present, of course, to discuss the details and finalize the contract. They also mentioned the need for a pen name so that their real identities would stay anonymous, as they were still young.

Shiro practically leaped into the air, hugging Guldrin. Letty, surprised but clearly proud, raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you two really hit it out of the park," she said, ruffling their hair. "I'll call and set up the meeting, but just remember, publishing isn't as quick as you two might think. And you'll have to answer some questions about where all this came from. We can't have them thinking you stole it from a real soldier's account or copied it from movies."

Mia chuckled and left to prepare a celebration dinner, leaving an encouraging remark, "Congratulations! It seems our little ones are growing into quite the little authors! I will call Jesse and inform him, he should be happy to hear it. Shiro, Guldrin, I am proud of you and to celebrate, I will make your favorite dinners. Fried chicken for Guldrin, Ramen for Shiro, and a combination of the two for a twist! I won't forget the rainbow sherbet for dessert.

Shiro and Guldrin exchanged a quick, knowing look. They both knew how to navigate the publisher's questions; they'd agreed beforehand to tell anyone who asked that it was a collaboration of creative imagination. Shiro had helped Guldrin craft his story into a coherent narrative, layering emotions and ideas that would keep the work connected to reality without revealing too much. But seeing that they wanted a name, the only one she could think of was 'Blank' her dual identity she and her brother used to hold in her world. She had searched to see if anyone used the name here, and low and behold, it was free. So what better name to use, than the one that had once pushed them to the top?

The day of the meeting arrived faster than they expected, and Letty made sure they both looked presentable, pulling out clothes that were sharp but not too formal, as she put it. She drove them to the publishing office, a sleek building filled with bustling people and walls lined with book covers. Letty led them confidently to the meeting room, where they were greeted by a panel of editors and literary agents, their eyes twinkling with curiosity and intrigue as they looked over the young authors. Murmurs could be heard, "What kind of kids could come up with something this dark?"

"What did they have to go through?"

"Shouldn't they be watching cartoons?"

"Yeah, they shouldn't be thinking about how a .45 can eviscerate their target and how to disguise themselves as someone they just killed."

This went on for a while, but Guldrin didn't seem affected while Shiro just grinned, having them fear them would only be helpful. Dark children? No one wants to mess with those types, so she didn't feel the need to correct them and even stopped Letty, who wanted to give them a piece of her mind. Finally, a cold-looking lady in a business suit shut them up with her entrance and signaled for the meeting to start.

The lead editor, a middle-aged woman named Marcy, gave them a warm smile. "We were incredibly impressed by your work. It's unusual to see such depth from two young people, especially in a narrative as complex as 'Memoirs of a Forgotten Soldier'. Can you tell us a little about where the inspiration came from?"

Guldrin and Shiro exchanged another quick look, and Shiro took the lead. "We just… imagined what it would be like to be a soldier who lost everything," she said thoughtfully. "We wanted to explore how someone would handle the things they'd done or the people they'd lost, and how they'd make sense of a world that didn't make sense anymore." Shiro had been getting much better at expressing her opinions, when she had arrived, she spoke few words, but over time she was assisted by the comforting environment and had begun to open up. Letty said she wouldn't let her retreat into a shell if she was going to be family, so Shiro has been working really hard to improve and open up more than she ever had before.

Guldrin chimed in, careful to keep his tone honest but guarded. "It's not easy to write about pain or loss, but we wanted the story to be as real as possible. We think it's important to understand those feelings, even if you're just imagining them."

The panel nodded, visibly impressed. Marcy seemed to consider something before speaking again. "And what about the character's… layered identity? The way he moves through phases of his life, almost like he's becoming a different person in each. Did that come from another book you read?"

Shiro shook her head. "We wanted to show how life changes you. How, sometimes, you have to be different people to get through things. It's just… part of the story."

Guldrin nodded, "At the beginning, he was a teen, thrust into the life of being trained to be a military asset. Changes are inevitable, he went from a young boy who knew nothing… To a fully trained and tested soldier, his mentor being his only rock of normalcy, if you could even call her that. Till he is sent on a mission that would change his life, where he learned his mentor had turned traitor, and it would be his job to end her. Only to learn later, that it wasn't her choice, that she was used by her country to avoid a war, to keep the peace at the sacrifice of her life, by her own student's hand, her surrogate son. It was all an intricate cover-up by the government to avoid a war that would have plunged the world into fire."

Satisfied, the panel proceeded with the contract review, explaining their timeline and the next steps in the process. They discussed marketing, a potential book tour, and the possibility of a small signing event once the book was released. When they mentioned that both authors would need adult supervision during such events, Letty, seated at their side, gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry. I'll be right there with them for anything they need."

Shiro, not wanting to have their identities publicized, asks if they can wear blank face masks when signing or attending events. They thought it was kind of weird but given their pen name, it oddly fit. Their size would make their age apparent, but the masks would keep the anonymity that coincides with the name 'Blank'. 

With the meeting wrapped up and the initial excitement beginning to settle, Guldrin and Shiro thanked the panel and followed Letty back to the car. They were quiet for the first few minutes, digesting everything that had happened.

As Letty started the car, she smiled back at them. "You two did amazing in there. I'm proud of you both. Just remember, this is only the beginning. Books have a way of reaching people in ways you might never expect. Shiro, the name and idea to keep your identities hidden was smart, you never know what kind of weirdos you could attract."

Guldrin leaned back, looking out the window at the city passing by, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He'd started this journey as a way to piece together fragments of his past life, but now, it felt like he was sharing it with the world, one memory at a time. He was sure there would be more memories for him to recall, and like these, he would formulate them into a novel for everyone to read and experience.

With the manuscript on its way to becoming a published work, Guldrin and Shiro shifted their focus back to the daily rhythm of life in the Toretto household. Since Dom was still on the run, Mia and Letty had taken on the responsibility of homeschooling them both. What started as a necessity soon grew into a unique, deeply impactful education that combined traditional academics with real-world skills, nurturing their independence and sharpening their instincts.

Their "classroom" was a mix of the Toretto family kitchen, the garage, and sometimes even the dusty back roads or city streets. Mia structured the days, ensuring they covered essential subjects like math, science, history, and literature. She brought a warmth and patience that made learning enjoyable, but she didn't go easy on them. Lessons with her were demanding, pushing them to think critically, work collaboratively, and always ask questions. Guldrin, with his complex past and memories, found a strange comfort in the systematic study of subjects he may or may not have known once. Shiro, ever the curious soul, soaked up knowledge like a sponge, keeping Guldrin on his toes as they raced through problem sets and challenged each other on new vocabulary words. One couldn't tell if it was due to her schooling from a time period way more advanced or if it was because Mia was a good teacher, but either way, she was flourishing under her tutelage.

Their mornings often began with Guldrin and Shiro doing strenuous exercises and then sitting at the kitchen table, where Mia would prepare a hearty breakfast before diving into math drills or scientific theory. She had a knack for making these subjects engaging, turning math equations into puzzles, or exploring biology through the plants she kept around the house. One morning, Mia introduced them to the concept of DNA through the family cat's (Emily) tangled hair, explaining how each creature carried its own unique genetic code. Shiro found it fascinating, while Guldrin took it in with quiet amazement, realizing how small building blocks shaped everything they knew.

History was another subject Mia enjoyed teaching, and she took full advantage of Guldrin's and Shiro's natural curiosity about the past. She tailored lessons around figures who had changed the course of history, linking the events to modern times in ways that made them feel personal. She once spent an entire afternoon talking about Julius Caesar, his rise and fall, and the trust he placed in people who later betrayed him. Furthermore, she emphasized the lessons of loyalty and caution, themes that struck a personal chord with Guldrin. He found himself lost in thought, wondering if his memories as Snake were like echoes of those old legends, where loyalty was both a strength and a trap.

Afternoons, however, were a different story entirely. That was when Letty took over their education. Her approach was gritty and practical, focusing on the skills that the Toretto family valued, things that weren't necessarily in textbooks. She started them off with hands-on lessons in mechanics, guiding them through the intricacies of car engines, brake systems, and body repairs. In the beginning, Shiro's fingers were more often covered in grease than her workbook notes, but she grinned through the grime, picking up each skill with a fierce determination. Guldrin, too, took to the mechanical side with ease, finding deep satisfaction in the hum of an engine or the click of a ratchet. Not to mention his ever-growing sign-in rewards and their assistance in his skill. Even now, the tinker's knowledge has been fundamental in his improvements and tinkering, alongside the other helpful bits and pieces of knowledge gained.

One evening, Letty decided it was time for a challenge. She had them disassemble an engine on their own, piece by piece, while she watched from a distance. "You know, these skills might save you one day," she'd say, leaning against a workbench with a smirk. She really took joy in their frustrated expression and greasy appearances. Holding Emily, who was preening at the attention, she watched as they struggled through her test. "Engines, gears, and bolts, they're just puzzles. And if you can solve a puzzle, you can handle just about anything life throws at you." Under Letty's guidance, Guldrin and Shiro learned to trust their hands, to get a feel for how things fit together, and to find solutions even when it meant getting dirty.

But Letty's lessons went beyond mechanics. She introduced them to situational awareness, the ability to read people and places in ways that could help them avoid trouble, or handle it if trouble found them. She'd take them out to busy markets or quiet streets, pointing out subtle signs in body language, gestures, or the way someone held themselves. Likewise, she taught them how to observe without staring, how to listen without being obvious, and how to be just aware enough to blend in while staying sharp. 

Guldrin, with his instincts and memories of a life lived in shadows, took to this training almost too naturally, so much so that Letty felt a little concerned. Shiro found it challenging, her personality clashing with the subtlety Letty was trying to teach. But she learned, and her confidence grew. Once the quiet, untalkative, silent kuudere, now learned to blend in and be what she needed to be to survive. 

Self-defense became another key part of their education. Letty introduced them to basic techniques, teaching them to move with intention, how to break free from a hold, and ways to use their smaller size to their advantage. It wasn't about fighting, she reminded them, that it was about staying safe and knowing when to walk away just as much. She explained there was no cheating in a fight for survival, it was winning or losing, so use all you have, cheap tricks are encouraged, and dirty attacks should be swiftly delivered. 

The first few lessons were tough, bruises, scraped knuckles, and sore muscles, but the pride in their progress was worth it. They learned to trust their bodies, to move with confidence, and, most importantly, to keep calm under pressure. Guldrin was leagues above Shiro and even surprised Letty with his skills, but she chalked it up to his life on the streets and what he had to do to survive.

Between Mia's structured academics and Letty's hands-on life skills, Guldrin and Shiro blossomed. They were making gains in every area, academics, practical knowledge, physical skills, and mental resilience. With each day, their bond strengthened, too. Shiro became like a rock to him, someone who understood the weight of his hidden past and shared in his new life without judgment. From an outside perspective, you would see an older sister figure, grooming a perfect boyfriend from a blank canvas, even if they were both the same age. Shiro made sure he had snacks, which earned her many points from Guldrin, trained with him, supported him, and was interested in the same things as him.

The gains they made were subtle yet profound. Guldrin found that his memory was sharpening, bits and pieces of his past emerging more vividly as he navigated new challenges. The routine, the training, the experiences, and the lessons filled a part of him, he hadn't realized was empty, or maybe he did, and he didn't notice or had forgotten. He began to look forward to their "school days" with a sense of excitement, the kind that came from feeling seen and supported.

 Shiro's energy fueled his own, her curiosity and ambition reminding him that he, too, had something to strive for beyond the shadows of his past… A true family to be there for, and to protect; it spurred him on to be better, to not fall into the habits of Snake, and to excel beyond what should be possible.

One chilly autumn afternoon, as they wrapped up a lesson on basic engine diagnostics, Letty looked over the two of them, grease-streaked and grinning, and smiled. "You both are shaping up to be real Toretto material, Shiro, I would be proud to have a girl like you as a daughter-in-law, and Guldrin, you are all I could have asked for in a son and more," she said, her voice filled with pride. "Dom would be proud."

Guldrin felt a pang of warmth and pride, a rare moment of connection with the family, he was slowly but surely becoming a man who could protect his, much like Dom had done. He glanced at Shiro, who was grinning ear to ear, her face flushed with the pride of her own progress. He was part of a family, a team, and, most importantly, someone who had a future to look forward to. 

It was like this that 2 years had passed, and Jesse had moved out to be with his dad for a while, no one could fault him and even encouraged him to follow his heart. Before he left, Jesse had thrown together a go-kart for Shiro and Guldrin as a going-away gift, Letty and Mia knew this was going to cause issues, but the gift was well-received nonetheless. Letty had put a ban on it till they turned 14, she said they couldn't be trusted not to injure themselves until then; and while it hurt to hear, they both agreed that it wouldn't end with just a simple 'let's drive' it would be a competition each time. They knew they would be in cuffs before the day was over, so they reluctantly agreed to the condition.

 Last they heard, Jesse was traveling the states, side by side with his father, they explored each corner of the country. Dom had very little contact with the family, a gift here, a letter there, but other than that it was silence. He did buy the book and said he enjoyed it, gave some encouragement, and sent them some money. Apparently, he had gone back to his ways while being on the run to be able to survive. 

No one could fault him for it, but Letty was getting more and more concerned, Guldrin and Shiro missed him, and it was taking a toll on the family. Brian had little contact, Mia was still highly upset at him and with Guldrin encouraging her, Mia stayed away from Brian, but Letty kept having meetings with him. Guldrin and Shiro didn't know what the meetings were about, but Letty's determination grew with each meeting.

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)