The 3 children

After putting the sleeping kids back to their bed, Hans called all of the children who was still awake to have a talk. It wasn't his place to do so but he felt like they needed this.

In the living room, Sahra, Tok, Hubris and Ken sat in a circle. Since Nasha wasn't home, the tense atmosphere from before never dispersed.

The kids, who have always had Nasha as their mediator, never fought harshly. Perhaps due to their love, respect, admiration and care for Nasha that they have unconsciously suppressed their dissatisfaction.

Because of that, invisible cracks appeared. Conflicts that never get resolved, anger that have no where to go. Those things brewed in their hearts like poison.

The kids that have never speak out to each other was now free to let their voice be heard.

For the first time in their family, they were fighting each other.

Hans stood at the back, over watching the children. He just needs to ensure the situation doesn't get out of hand and wouldn't speak anything. This was their fight, they have to solve this on their own.

The room was silent. No one wanted to be the first to speak. But the silence didn't last long. Tok voice broke the silence.

"Hubris. You have anything to say for yourself?"

He was angry. His voice contained anger, much different from its usual gentleness.

Avoiding Tok gaze, Hubris said unsteadily.

"I... I m-messed up."

Such an answer could no longer satisfy Tok. He raises his voice.

"That's it? That's all you have to say for putting your family in danger? Can your apologies do anything if something happened to them?"

"B-but they are still okay!"

"The only reason they are okay is because Ken told us of your stupid plan!"

Hubris body shook but he didn't step back.

"If you knew already why don't you say so? Why don't you tell my like usual. Aren't you supposed to be the oldest, to fix our mistakes?!"

Tok has a smaller body than Hubris. The tiny Tok and the big Hubris yet their roles was always reversed. It was always the tiny Tok who has to shoulder all responsibilities, letting the big Hubris be free.

"Why should I help someone who do nothing all day!"

Hubris understood it more than anyone else. He knew Tok has every reason to be angry at him. He knew Tok has every rights to be mad at him.

But he still feel betrayed. He was his brother. Wasn't brothers always supposed to stay by each other side?

"Tok... we were wrong to sneak out. But I think pretending to not know is... a bit too much don't you agree?" Sahra said.

Even though he was very angry, he also thought so too. He thought it was unnecessary to make a plan behind their back. Tok look at Ken.

The boy face was cold, staring straight at them. A detached air surround him, making them felt separated. His looks confused, like he didn't understand why he should be here.

The 3 of them look at Ken, the boy who maintained his silence throughout the conversation. Even as they look at him, it didn't seem like he notice.

"Ken?"

The boy didn't answer back. Hubris found this unpleasant. He has never liked this boy, one who refused to open up to others. To him, the boy was like a stranger. A stranger who constantly refused help from his beloved family. If not for the recent changes, he wouldn't bothered interaction with him at all.

"Ken why did y-"

Hubris voice was cut off by Ken. The boy red eye look directly at him, like staring through his soul.

"You want to blame me? I showed you your stupid mistakes and you want to blame me?"

The boy was similar to his figure in the past. Cold and unfamiliar.

"Surely, there are better ways no?" Sahra said.

Changing his attention to Sahra, Ken said in a mocking tone.

"Yeah sure. Just like how you go along with his plan because you just wanted to go out?"

Sahra was now quiet. But Ken wasn't done. He look at Tok, his voice slow but steady.

"You don't agree with my plan? Be honest with yourself, you wanted it to happen. You want to teach him a lesson. That's why you go with it."

Looking back at Hubris, Ken voice raises a notch.

"I have done this for you. Because I considered you family, I did this. Yet you who have done nothing for me dare to accuse me?!"

The boy stood up angrily. His eyes were now watery. But soon his anger was gone and so was his coldness. All that's left is confusion. Ken ran out the room before anyone could respond.

The rest didn't know what to say. This was too tiring for them to handle.

"How about we wrap it up for now." Hans asked.

No one objected. They were too tired and continuing this is no longer necessary. They were now aware of the problems with their family and whether they could fix it depend on time.

After making sure they went to rest peacefully, Hans approach Ken who was sitting on the windowsill. His uneven tapping sound resounded in the room.

Tap... Tap. Tap

"Are you better now?"

Ken shook his head. His mind was still in a chaotic state. Hans didn't say anything more and continue to watch the outside scenery with Ken.

"Hans, can we push the other plan tomorrow."

"Are you sure." Hans said in doubt.

"I am."

Ken eyes shine with determination.