My name is Yuri Draven.
I was, unfortunately, born into a family that hated me to their very core. And I don't mean the casual kind of dislike. No, this was the full-blown, gut-twisting kind of hatred. So much so that when I was literally breathing my last... not a single one of them showed up.
Dying alone. That's what it came to.
It was in that moment, broken, cold, and on the edge of death, that I made a vow.
I would not go out like this.
I would have my revenge.
And boom. Just like that, I got a second chance. I was reborn.
However…
HOW THE FUDGE AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE REVENGE IN A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD'S BODY!?
Seriously?
I sighed and dragged my small, frustratingly short legs toward the kitchen. If I was going to come up with a master plan to make my so-called "family" regret everything, I was going to need a snack. You can't plot epic vengeance on an empty stomach. That's just basic villain logic.
I grabbed a glass and poured myself some water, my mind still buzzing.
Okay, Yuri. Think. How do I make the ultimate plan? Something so diabolically genius they'll never see it coming.
Ho! My inner voice piped up. Weren't you just foaming at the mouth about revenge? What's with the blank stare now?
At this point, I was just being sarcastic to myself. Great. Losing it already.
I snorted at my own inner sass, a small grin curling on my lips—when suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the silence.
"What are you grinning at? Did Mother accidentally give you extra food today?"
I blinked, turning toward the voice. My heart skipped a beat. "Ayoma…?"
She laughed, a sound I hadn't realized I missed so much. "Oi! Getting bold now, aren't you? Call me Api. I'm still older than you, remember?"
A genuine smile spread across my face as I looked at her, truly looked at her. "Api! Api! It's really you!" My voice trembled. "This must be my lucky day... seeing you right after waking up."
Ayoma, my saving grace. She was technically our housemaid, but in truth, she was more of a mother to me than my own had ever been.
She had once convinced my mother through a clever mix of guilt and social pressure that it would be disgraceful for the family's eldest to grow up uneducated. My mother, too proud to be embarrassed in front of others, finally gave in. That decision was the only reason I got to attend school.....and the only reason I had managed to survive as long as I did.
Days with Ayoma were warm. Safe. Heavenly, even. Until the day fate decided to test me again.
She was diagnosed with skin cancer. Too poor for treatment, she left quietly… and just like that, I was alone again.
Seeing her now felt like something out of a dream.
She flicked my forehead with a playful grin. "Look what I brought from the market for ya," she said, pulling out a piece of candy.
My eyes lit up immediately. I reached out eagerly, but she pulled it back with a teasing smirk.
"Not so fast, missy. You want this? You're washing the dishes first."
I turned to look at the mountain of dishes in the sink. My excitement deflated into a deadpan expression.
Still... it was Ayoma. And she had candy.
Sighing with mock misery, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work."Api, what did you mean by mother?" I asked, curiosity slipping into my voice before I could stop it.
Ayoma paused for a brief moment, knife hovering in the air. Then, slowly, she turned to look at me.
I didn't dare meet her gaze. Not in my past life. Not now.
Those eyes were... terrifying. Not in the way monsters are scary—but in the way silence in a haunted room is. Deep. Endless. Empty. The one time I'd tried to look into them—really look—I saw nothing. Just a void. And it had felt like if I stared too long, I'd fall into it and never come back.
A bead of sweat slid down my forehead as I awkwardly scrubbed a plate, hands trembling slightly. There was something about Ayoma that always made me feel small—scared, even. And yet... I loved her more than anyone.
"I said grandmother, not mother," she replied nonchalantly, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Silly girl."
She chuckled softly and turned back to chopping vegetables like nothing had happened.
"Oh… my bad, Api," I mumbled, flushing.
Then I heard it.
Footsteps.
Soft. Gentle. Familiar.
My mother.
Panic surged through me. I quickly turned off the faucet, yanked off the apron, and dashed behind the kitchen door, pressing myself against the wall.
Ayoma caught the look on my face and opened her mouth to say something—but it was too late.
My mother walked in.
"Ayoma, quickly make breakfast for my son," she said, massaging her forehead with a tired hand. Her hair was tangled, and the dark circles under her eyes made her gaze chilling to meet."My son just woke up. He shouldn't stay hungry."
She gave a light smile—as if it cost her something.
Ayoma nodded. "Ah… what about Yuri?"
"Who?" Lily blinked. Then, as if suddenly remembering, she added flatly, "Do whatever you think best."
And just like that, she walked away.
Do whatever you think best.
Ah… Mother.
If this were the old me, I would've been crying my eyes out by now. But not anymore. Crying is useless. That woman....that cruel woman.....has no heart. No warmth. No emotion left for me. So why should I beg for it?
As she disappeared down the hallway, Ayoma suddenly yanked me out from behind the kitchen door. Her eyes locked on mine with a sharpness that made me look away.
"Why did you hide?" she asked, her voice low but firm.
"I-"How could I tell her the truth? That if Mother had seen me doing the dishes, she would've punished Ayoma. And I... I wouldn't let that happen. Not again. I wouldn't let history repeat itself.
Ayoma's hands gripped my shoulders, her fingers tightening.
"Because of your little disappearing act," she said, "a plate broke."
My eyes darted to the sink. A shattered plate lay in pieces on the floor. But that was impossible-I hadn't heard a sound. Not even a crack. If it had fallen, surely Mother would have noticed. Her ears were sharp, her attention sharper.
"You think I'm lying to you?" Ayoma raised an eyebrow.
"I-I'm not!" I stammered, panic tightening in my chest.A wave of dread surged through me. "Api! I swear I'm not!"
Her grip softened. She let out a long, tired breath and looked at the floor."That plate… it was your grandmother's favorite. If she finds out, she'll fire me."
My heart skipped. Ayoma stepped closer and gently cupped my cheek. Her voice was soft, but the ache in it was heavy."If that happens… I won't be able to take care of you."
A jolt of alarm shot through me like lightning.
"No!" I cried, grabbing her hands tightly. "I'll take the blame, Api! You're not going anywhere!"