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The weight of anger and confusion bore heavily on Zero's mind as he trudged through the pouring rain towards his parents' house. The cold raindrops on his skin did nothing to quell the heat of rage simmering within.

'Why did father get involved with KnifePoint?' Zero thought. In his previous life, their family had remained uninvolved, untouched by the notorious gang. How had their paths crossed in this life?

'Is my regression causing these shifts in events?' he wondered.

'Or maybe, in my last life, my family kept it hidden from me? No... I would've definitely sensed something was amiss,' Zero concluded, lost in his thoughts.

Reaching the door of his parents' room, he gave it a gentle knock. A soft voice came from the other side, "Are you back home, darling?" There was a hint of expectation in his mother's voice, expecting to see her husband, not Zero.

The door opened to reveal his mother's surprised face. "Zero? I thought you weren't coming home this weekend. Look at you, drenched from the rain," she exclaimed, concern etched on her face.

Offering a reassuring smile, Zero responded, "I wanted to surprise you and Father. I even brought food. Speaking of Father, where is he?" Zero is currently acting to see if his mother knows that his father is dealing with loans right now.

His mother, still seemingly taken aback, answered, "I'm not sure. He said he had to take a business call outside."

Inside Zero's mind, the cogs were turning rapidly. 'So mother doesn't know anything about KnifePoint. It's just Father then.'

His thoughts were interrupted as his mother affectionately patted his head and took the box of food from his grasp. "Let me set the table for dinner. You should shower" With a sigh Allysa continued, "You are gonna catch a cold dear."

Zero nodded, expressing his gratitude with a soft "Thanks," before heading off to freshen up.

As the warmth of the shower enveloped him, Zero allowed himself a brief moment of respite from the overwhelming events of the day. The steam filled the bathroom, its gentle hiss in the background providing a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind.

After the shower, Zero wrapped himself in a thick, plush towel and made his way to his bedroom. The familiarity of his room always brought him comfort. He picked out a comfortable pair of jeans and a soft t-shirt from his wardrobe, quickly changing into them.

As he descended the stairs, the muted sounds of conversation reached his ears. Zero paused a step above the living room's entrance, peering in. The sight before him was heart-wrenching. His mother, Allysa, was tenderly dabbing at his father's injuries, her face creased with concern. The table was set for dinner, but that seemed secondary at the moment.

"How can you be so clumsy, darling?" Allysa playfully chided, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

His father, doing his best to downplay the situation, chuckled lightly. "The rain caught me off guard, and I slipped. I promise I'll be more careful next time."

Zero took a deep breath, steeling himself before making his presence known. "What happened, Father?"

His father looked up, momentarily caught off guard. "Zero? I wasn't expecting you this weekend?."

"I wanted to surprise both of you," Zero replied, forcing a small smile. "Are you alright?"

His father nodded, returning the smile, albeit weakly. "Just a small tumble. Nothing to worry about."

Zero took a seat at the dinner table, and they began their meal. The clinking of silverware against plates and the ambient noise of the rain outside were the predominant sounds. His mother broke the silence first, asking about Zero's day and how his studies were going. Zero responded, all the while keeping an eye on his father's pallor. He made a mental note to have a more in-depth conversation with him later when they were alone.

His father, attempting to lighten the mood, began to share a humorous story from work. As fake laughter filled the room, there was an underlying tension that only Zero seemed to pick up on, given the events of the evening. The conversation flowed with the usual family banter, but Zero's mind remained on the looming threat of KnifePoint.

Post-dinner, the room was filled with the soft clinking of dishes as Allysa started cleaning up. Zero seized the opportunity, breaking the comfortable silence with a soft request. "Father, could you help me with some homework? It's a bit complicated, and I think you'd know best."

His father glanced over, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "Of course, Zero," he replied warmly, the ambient light casting a soft glow on his face, highlighting the worry lines more prominently than before.

The two made their way upstairs to Zero's room. Upon entering, Zero, with a sense of purpose, quietly locked the door behind them. The sudden click of the lock caused his father to stiffen slightly, his warm smile now replaced with a look of puzzlement. "Is everything alright, Zero?"

Letting out a deep sigh, the weight of his knowledge evident in his posture, Zero turned to face his father. "Father, I saw everything."

The air grew colder as his father's face drained of color. "What do you mean, Zero?" he stammered.

Zero, with a firm but gentle expression, gestured for his father to take a seat beside him on the bed. "How long has it been, Father?" Zero's voice trembled with a mix of concern and underlying anger.

His father's eyes darted away, unable to meet his son's piercing gaze. Battling with his thoughts, he pondered on how much to reveal to his son. 'He's young, but he's also growing up. Perhaps it's time to be honest,' he reflected.

Taking a deep breath, he finally admitted, "It's been a while, Zero. The business... it hasn't been thriving as it used to."

Zero's voice was laced with a hint of accusation, "Is that why you've sought help from private lenders?"

His father looked startled. "How do you know about such things? Did they teach you this at school?"

"Something like that," Zero replied, evading the question slightly.

His father sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair, revealing his distress. "Yes, Zero. Times got tough, and I approached a group named KnifePoint. They offered financial help, but at a steep price. I believed I could navigate through the storm and repay them swiftly. But now, then there are young kids from the streets a bit older than you, causing disruptions at my business... It's making everything difficult."

Zero listened intently, his heart aching at the desperation in his father's voice.

"You saw the ordeal outside," his father continued, eyes glistening. "I promise, I'll handle this. But you must promise me, don't let your mother know. She's been through enough."

"I won't, Father," Zero assured, putting his hand on his father sholder. "I believe in you."

His father's eyes softened, "Thank you, Zero. Just talking about it... It lightens the load."

With a feeble attempt at levity, he added, "So, the homework was just a ruse?"

Grinning confidently, Zero teased, "I'm ranked first in class, remember? You can also trust me on that."

Laughing softly, his father ruffled Zero's hair affectionately, and with a nod of appreciation, he exited the room. with that Zero went to sleep.