Chapter 27: Concern for Toya

After Toya left the medical room, he couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh. The revelation of his true identity by Siriwat had shattered the facade he had carefully maintained. Confusion and frustration clouded his thoughts as he continued on his solitary walk, contemplating the implications of this newfound exposure.

As he walked, his path intersected with that of the enigmatic old man, Lee. Toya's weariness was evident in his tone as he addressed Lee, "What do you want now?" His words laced with a hint of irritation.

Lee, undeterred by Toya's dismissive demeanor, got straight to the point. He presented an intriguing proposition—a battle royale with a staggering prize of 2 billion yen. Toya's interest was piqued, and he responded without hesitation, "Count me in. I see no reason to reject such an opportunity."

Toya brushed past Lee, their encounter brief but impactful. Before parting ways, Lee couldn't help but comment on Toya's exposed face. "What will you do now that your true identity has been revealed?" he questioned.

Toya's reply was tinged with a sense of resignation. "There's nothing I can do. I am weak, and that's why this happened," he admitted, his voice laced with a mix of self-doubt and acceptance.

Lee's words took an unexpected turn as he expressed his admiration for Toya. "I like you, kid. Don't die tomorrow," he remarked cryptically before they went their separate ways.

Toya, left alone with his thoughts, grappled with conflicting emotions. He wanted to refuse Lee's offer, but his determination to protect his friend pushed him forward. With a firm grip on his resolve, he tightened his fist, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the battle royale.

Upon returning to his room, Toya changed into more comfortable clothes and settled onto his bed. Exhaustion consumed him, his body pushed to its limits. The weight of recent events and the anticipation of the upcoming battle took their toll, leaving him in a deep slumber.

A few hours later, Shoto entered Toya's room, intending to wake him. However, he was taken aback to find his brother sound asleep during this unusual time. Confusion etched across his face, Shoto turned to Natsuo, who happened to pass by.

"Natsuo-nii, does Toya usually sleep at this time?" Shoto asked, his head tilted in adorable confusion.

Natsuo paused, equally perplexed by the sight before him. "No, he's usually up playing on his computer or getting ready to go out," he replied. "He's also stopped training with Dad for a while, but he claims it's because he's working on a new technique. Maybe he's been holed up all night perfecting it, I suppose."

"Maybe," Shoto echoed, his head still tilted, trying to make sense of his brother's unusual behavior.

As Fuyumi arrived at Toya's room, she too was taken aback by the sight of her older brother sound asleep. However, a mischievous smile crept across her face, hinting at her playful nature. "What are you guys doing?" she questioned, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her voice. Determined to rouse Toya from his slumber, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

Natsuo let out a resigned sigh, already anticipating that Fuyumi's attempt might not end well.

Without further ado, Fuyumi sprinted towards the bed and leaped, landing directly on Toya's back. However, her mischievous plan took an unexpected turn. Toya let out a pained grunt, causing Fuyumi's expression to shift from mischievousness to concern. She quickly asked, "Are... are you okay, Onii-chan?"

Toya, barely able to open his eyes, responded with a hint of irritation in his voice, "I'm not okay. Could you please refrain from disturbing my sleep next time, Fuyumi?"

Feeling guilty for unintentionally causing her brother pain, Fuyumi's demeanor softened. She quietly walked out of the room, offering a sincere apology as she closed the door. "Have a nice sleep," she wished him, hoping that he would find the rest he needed.

Shoto, always the optimist, reassured Fuyumi, sensing her inner turmoil. "Don't worry, Fuyumi-nee. Maybe Onii-chan is just really tired," he said, flashing a cheerful smile in an attempt to uplift her spirits.

Fuyumi wiped away the tears that threatened to escape, appreciating her younger brother's comforting words.

The three siblings made their way to the kitchen, where Rei and Enji were sitting at the dinner table, enjoying their breakfast.

Rei, noticing Toya's absence, inquired about his whereabouts. "Where is your brother?" she asked, her tone filled with curiosity.

Natsuo responded, "He's still sleeping. He's exhausted."

Rei's attention then turned to Fuyumi, who appeared to have recently shed some tears. Concerned, she questioned Natsuo, "But why does Fuyumi look like she's been crying? Did you do something to her, Natsuo?"

Natsuo quickly defended himself, denying any wrongdoing. "No, I didn't do anything. Fuyumi tried to wake Toya up by jumping on him, and she feels guilty about it," he explained.

Understanding the situation, Rei advised Fuyumi, "Next time, don't do that again. Didn't I already tell you that, Fuyumi?"

Fuyumi nodded, acknowledging her mother's words and understanding the importance of being considerate.

Curious about Toya's level of exhaustion, Enji interjected, asking his children, "Just how tired is Toya?"

Shoto chimed in, emphasizing the extent of Toya's fatigue. "He's really, really tired," he replied.

Enji, recognizing the significance of Toya's exhaustion, speculated, "Ah, he must have been working on something powerful then."

Rei swiftly slapped Enji's forearm, expressing her disapproval. "But it's still not good for our son's health. I'm going to check on him after this," she declared, determined to ensure Toya's well-being.

Enji's smile lingered for a moment as he observed his wife's reaction to his rare display of emotion. Rei, noticing his smile, couldn't help but inquire about the reason behind it. "Why are you smiling like that?" she asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.

Enji chuckled softly, appreciating the observation. "Well, you know, usually you always have that emotionless expression," he explained, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

Rei glanced away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, as she continued to eat her meal. Though she didn't respond directly, her subtle reaction hinted at the impact Enji's words had on her.

After finishing her meal, Rei made her way to Toya's room, hoping to check on him. As she entered, she found Toya still sound asleep, undisturbed by her presence.

Taking a seat on his bed, Rei gently attempted to wake him, but her efforts proved fruitless. A sense of unease washed over her, her maternal instincts telling her that something was amiss. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but a nagging feeling persisted.

Driven by her intuition, Rei decided to investigate further. She lifted Toya's shirt slightly, searching for any signs of injury or distress. However, to her relief, his body appeared to be unharmed and free from any visible abnormalities.

Despite not finding any physical evidence of trouble, Rei couldn't shake off the feeling that something was indeed wrong. Determined to find answers, she resolved to speak with Toya once he woke up. With a final glance at her son, she left the room, her mind filled with questions.