The drive had been a blur of soft chatter and little moments.
Avi had quickly claimed the space between Cassie and Nephis, her head tucked comfortably against Cassie's shoulder while she idly toyed with Nephis's sleeve. The two of them didn't seem to mind — Cassie's hand rested lightly on Avi's hair, and Nephis occasionally shifted just enough to keep her balanced when the vehicle swayed.
Juliet, seated across from Sunny, had started humming halfway through the trip. It was a low, steady tune at first — something unplaceable — until it lifted into a richer melody. Her voice was warm and smooth, carrying just enough weight to make the air feel… softer somehow.
Even Avi had stilled, listening, though she tried to pretend she wasn't.
Sunny didn't say anything. He just kept scrolling through the pictures on his phone from earlier. He told himself he was just reviewing the volleyball shots Cassie had taken for the sake of "technique analysis."
And yet… for some reason, he spent a lot more time looking at the ones with Juliet in mid-jump — hair in motion, eyes sharp, mouth curled into that infuriating smirk — than any of the others.
Sitting next to him, Juliet had of course noticed it, but instead of teasing had just smirked at him, before flicking his forehead many times in the middle of her drive, treating him as drum.
Sunny felt one has to lose something to gain, hence he withstood the pain of an Ascended flicking your forehead, to get...uh, to get better understanding of...how to play volleyball properly.
By the time the vehicle slowed, the sky was fully painted in the deep blues and purples of night, and Sunny's head throbbed, but Juliet seems to have pitied him in the middle, and let him go.
They'd arrived.
Cassie's voice was warm as she said, "We're here," and there was a faint lift in her tone — the kind that only came when she said home.
The house itself blended in with the rest on the street — part of a cluster of government-issued residences. Big, clean lines, pale stone, and soft, even lighting spilling from the front windows. A modest garden sat to the side, the faint shapes of flowers swaying in the night breeze. A wide stretch of paved ground lay in front, likely for PTVs and visitors.
To anyone else, it might have looked like any other official's home.
But to Cassie, you could hear it in her voice — this was different.
Though the reason for his nervousness still is eluding his mind. Sunny assumed meeting new people, especially, a friend's parents is something everyone feels, especially if such friend is about to go through a deadly trial, and more deadly in a situation where they really don't know if they'll meet their daughter again.
How was he supposed to act? With the dream realm looming on their heads, going to a picnic definitely didn't sound quite a nice thing, here they were enjoying a day when they ought to be training, how would her parents react?
Sunny really didn't know.
The PTV eased to a stop in front of the gate. The hum of the engine faded, replaced by the distant hum of cicadas and the faint rustle of leaves in the garden.
Juliet stretched, cracking her neck from side to side before stepping onto the pavement, the evening breeze tugging at her hair. Sunny lingered a moment longer before climbing out, his hands sliding into his pockets as if that might make him feel… less exposed.
Cassie tilted her head toward the house and smiled faintly. "I messaged them on the way. They're already back from work — they're just waiting for us inside." Her voice warmed further. "It's been over a month since I saw them in person. They've been… busy."
Sunny nodded, even though she couldn't see it. He'd heard enough about her parents to know they were deep in the government's endless machinery, buried in work. The kind of people who couldn't just take leave because they felt like it, but still somehow managed to call their daughter every day.
It wasn't neglect. Just… the cost of their positions.
"They really wanted to meet you all," Cassie added. "Especially Avi."
That got an instant reaction.
"Ofcourse!" Avi bounced on her toes, her grin bright enough to be heard in her voice. "I am so cuuuute, everyone wants to meet meee!"
Though she continued.
"No one wants too meet Sunny, such a loser he is!!"
Hang on, why did she have to bring him all the time, and what, a lot of people wants to meet me as well, like...
like...
Well, who cares, Sunny doesn't wanna meet new people.
Cassie's parents are exception.
"Don't be ridiculous, I met a lot new people at the academy, who do you know aside from Cassie's parents, hmm?" Sunny ruffled her hair. Avi screamed before going to swat his hand away, then trying to tackle him down. Sunny easily evaded her, running around.
Cassie sighed softly at Avi and Sunny's antics before stepping forward and knocking gently on the door.
The sound of footsteps came from inside, light and quick, and then the door opened.
A woman stood there, beautiful even in her casual wear — a grey sweater, blue pants, hair a little messy from the day but glowing all the same. She appeared to be in her late 30s. Her hair was a soft, dirty blonde, eyes a warm brown that lit up instantly at the sight of Cassie.
"Cassie!" Elena exclaimed, sweeping her daughter into her arms before Cassie could even breathe.
Cassie's face broke into a wide smile, leaning into her mother's embrace. Elena hugged her tightly, rocking her just a little, peppering her cheeks with kisses before rubbing their faces together.
"Oh, my sweet girl! You're so cute, I love you so much!" Elena gushed, holding her as if it had been years, not just a month.
Cassie chuckled softly, returning the gesture. "Love you too, Mom."
When they finally parted, Cassie turned slightly. "Mom, this is Avi—"
She didn't get to finish.
"Auntie Elena!" Avi cried happily, already launching herself into Elena's arms.
"Oh my goodness—!" Elena caught her easily, spinning her around with a bright laugh. "Look at you, you adorable little thing!" She showered Avi with kisses just like she had Cassie, smothering her cheeks until Avi squealed with laughter.
When Avi was finally set back down, Elena turned with a warm smile toward Nephis. "And this must be Nephis. She is so cute too!"
Before Nephis could even step back, Elena hugged her too, planting a kiss on her forehead.
Nephis froze stiffly, clearly startled, unsure how to react. Her hands twitched at her sides as though she wasn't sure if she should return it.
Juliet, standing just behind, couldn't hide the faint smirk at the sight.
Then it was Juliet's turn. She extended her hand politely, her usual composed look in place, almost as if trying to shield herself behind protocol. Aware of her fearsome reputation and rumors in the government, she at least tried to act polite to not scare her off or make the atmosphere awkward.
It didn't work.
Elena ignored it. She grabbed Juliet's hand, pulled her right in, and grabbed her both her cheeks with both her hands and pulling them, muttering 'so soft!!' and 'so cute!!'
"You're so beautiful, just like they said! Cassie and the others have told me so much about you, and Avi wouldn't stop complimenting you for a single second!!"
Juliet — the infamous Ice Queen, the feared Soul Reaper — flushed scarlet. She blinked, utterly caught off guard, and for once, words completely failed her.
Of all the things she expected treated like a human being wasn't one of them.
Sunny just stared. Is this the same woman the entire government fears?
And then… it was his turn.
Elena turned toward him, her smile shifting into something more appraising. She looked him up and down slowly, thoughtfully, as though cataloguing every detail.
"You must be Sunny," she said at last.
Sunny's heart began hammering for no reason he could explain. His mouth opened but all that came out was, "Uh—uh—y-yes—"
Before he could embarrass himself further, Elena swept him into a hug.
"Ohhh, you're so cute!" she declared, holding him tighter than expected, and rubbing his cheeks with her own.
Then, leaning back slightly, she looked him closely, really closely, dead in the eye and asked-
"Tell me, Sunny — have you ever tried girls' clothes before?"
"W-what?!" he stammered, face exploding into red. "N-no! Why would I—what?!"
Elena tilted her head innocently. "Really? You should, you know. Also, none of them asked you before? It must have crossed their minds at least once. "
Sunny blinked, stunned. Slowly, his eyes slid toward the others.
Avi was smirking like the devil. Cassie had ducked her head, cheeks pink. Nephis looked away sharply, pretending she hadn't heard a word. Juliet… Juliet was looking off to the side, lips pressed together and playing a soft tune, very deliberately not meeting his gaze.
Sunny's jaw dropped. What the hell?!The people closest to him — the ones he trusted — wanted to dress him up as a girl?!
Sunny was more worried about his chastity now, at this rate, he might start thinking that it wasn't him who enjoyed the Hotsprings visit the most.
"W-wait—why—?!" He started to protest, but Elena just clapped her hands lightly.
"Never mind that. What are we doing lingering out here? Come inside, all of you. Dinner's waiting!"
Sunny was still reeling, completely bewildered, as they stepped into the house.
The living room opened up wide and warm, with pale cream walls and soft lighting that gave the space a gentle glow. A plush carpet stretched underfoot, and the low table in the center was set with snacks. Family photos lined the shelves along one wall — Cassie as a little girl, Cassie with her parents, snapshots from years ago that spoke of a life lived in-between the work.
A man sat waiting on the sofa.
Ivan looked every inch the government official: early forties, angular face, clean-shaven, round glasses perched on his nose. His posture was straight, his presence serious — but the moment his eyes landed on Cassie, it melted.
"Dad!" Cassie said warmly, hurrying forward.
Ivan rose, meeting her halfway, and hugged her tightly. His arms were strong but careful, protective in a way that made Sunny ache faintly for reasons he couldn't name.
Next was Avi.
"Uncle Ivan!" she chirped, and he chuckled, sweeping her up with surprising ease. He hugged her too, though not quite as fiercely as Elena, before setting her down with a ruffle of her hair.
Then his gaze turned to Nephis. For a moment, she straightened under his calm scrutiny… only for him to simply reach out and gently ruffle her hair as though she were another one of his kids. "Good girl, Nephis is it?" he said softly, and Nephis blinked, caught entirely off guard again, just nodded silently.
Then came Juliet.
Ivan extended a hand, his lips twitching in the faintest smile. "The famous Soul Reaper herself," he said dryly. "Never thought I'd see the day you were sitting in my living room. Do I get an autograph?"
Juliet arched a brow but shook his hand firmly, hiding the faint twitch of her lips.
Finally, his gaze landed on Sunny.
And for some reason, Sunny felt his whole body go stiff, like he'd just been called out by a teacher while dozing in class.
Ivan didn't say anything at first. He just studied him — quiet, unreadable, the kind of look that felt like it cut straight through your clothes and into your bones.
Sunny swallowed hard, forcing his hand up when Ivan extended his.
The grip closed around his palm — firm. Too firm.
"Uh—h-hi," Sunny stammered, his throat suddenly dry. "Sunny. Nice to meet you, sir."
Ivan's expression barely shifted. His glasses caught the room's light, making his eyes hard to read. His mouth curved, just slightly, into something between a polite smile and… something sharper.
"Likewise," he said evenly.
Sunny nodded quickly, trying to act normal while his hand was still firmly caught.
…Except Ivan wasn't letting go right away. The seconds stretched, the pressure just a little too much, just enough to make his knuckles ache. (It was all in his mind.)
By the time Ivan finally released him, Sunny's heart was thudding uncomfortably in his chest. He pulled his hand back a little too fast, rubbing it against his thigh like that might erase the lingering squeeze.
Was it just him, or was that handshake tighter than necessary?
Scratch that — I am sure it was tighter than necessary!
And, of course, Juliet was smirking at him from the side, like she'd been waiting for this exact moment.
Sunny resisted the urge to groan out loud.