"Ugh…"
Kirito's eyes snapped open. The ceiling above him wavered in the early light, his breath still heavy from sleep. A faint ache clung to his body, like the aftertaste of a bad dream.
The door creaked. Sam stepped in, adjusting his tie with the practiced ease of someone already awake for hours.
"Recovered your mana?" he asked, voice casual but with a hint of concern.
Kirito rubbed his eyes. "Yeah… but I had a really strange dream."
"That happens," Sam said matter-of-factly. "Mana drain messes with your senses. You start seeing illusions. Nothing serious."
"Where are you even going?" Kirito muttered.
"At your sister's wedding," Sam replied.
"Okay… wait— you moron!" Kirito hurled a pillow at him.
"Today's her PTM. I'm going there. You should get up too; HQ wants that paperwork."
"Yeah, yeah… and where's Reno?"
"Gone on a date with your sister," Sam deadpanned.
"Stop messing with me and hurry up or you'll be late."
"Fine, fine. No more jokes. Take care of the house, honey," Sam teased on his way out.
"Just leave already, you idiot!" Kirito shouted after him.
Sam's car rolled up to the school gate. Allya was already there, hair tied neatly, eyes bright.
"Am I late?" Sam asked as he stepped out.
"Nope. You're right on time. We've still got plenty," she said with a smile.
Inside, the classroom smelled faintly of chalk. Allya's teacher looked up.
"Good afternoon, sir. Please take a seat."
"I'm her guardian. Sam. Nice to meet you," Sam introduced himself politely.
"How is she doing?" he asked.
"She's a wonderful student — first in academics, always active in class and club activities. Honestly, there's nothing to complain about," the teacher said warmly.
"Thank you very much, ma'am."
When Allya stepped out, the teacher's tone softened.
"May I speak with you privately?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"It's just… is Allya really okay? It hasn't been long since her parents passed. I've been trying to reach her brother, but he's not answering my calls."
"I understand," Sam said. "She's doing fine. I'm their maternal cousin, and they're safe with me. I'll tell Kirito about your calls."
"Thank you."
Outside, Sam's phone buzzed — Reno.
"Hello? Got the groceries? Okay, we'll pick you up on the way back."
"Anything you want as a reward for all your hard work?" Sam asked, glancing at Allya. "My treat."
"I want to buy something for Kirito," Allya said.
"Oh? Why?"
"His birthday's coming up. I want to give him a present."
"When?"
"One day after tomorrow."
"The sixteenth?"
"Yes."
They stopped to pick up Reno. He climbed in, handing Sam a sealed emblem.
"Did you open it?" Sam asked.
"No. What's inside?" Reno asked.
"Nothing special," Sam muttered, opening it anyway. Inside lay DNA and medical reports — Kirito's and Allya's.
"Hey Reno, you know when Kirito's birthday is?"
"Yeah, day after tomorrow."
"So I'm the only one who didn't know…" Sam sighed. "What are you giving him, Allya?"
"I don't know. We never celebrated his birthday together. Only Mom and he cut a cake. We weren't allowed to give presents," she said quietly.
"Anything from the heart will be enough," Sam said gently.
"I already bought mine," Reno said.
"What is it?" Allya asked.
"Z-Force 2 gun," Sam said.
"What?!" Allya blinked.
"It's a badminton racket, you moron!" Reno snapped, kicking Sam's seat.
"And how do you know he wants it?" Allya asked.
"He's a badminton player. Last night he was looking at it online," Reno replied smugly.
"I'll go with Asuna-chan to find the perfect gift," Allya decided.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. We're home," Sam said as the car rolled to a stop.
Inside the apartment, Kirito lay sprawled on the couch. A fluffy Persian cat dozed on his stomach.
"Neko?!" Sam and Reno exclaimed.
"Cutie!" Allya squealed, scooping the cat into her arms. "Cutie, cutie!"
"Does Kirito have a cat?" Sam asked.
"No, I just saw it today," Reno replied.
"She's Neji's pet," Kirito murmured.
"Whoa…"
Kirito poured water, milk, and cat food into bowls.
"She's Nico. Neji's out on a trip and asked me to look after her."
"I'm keeping her!" Allya declared.
"You can't even take care of yourself. How will you handle a pet?" Kirito teased, tugging her cheeks.
"Stop messing up my face!" Allya pouted and bit his hand.
"Ouch!" Kirito yelped.
"Kirito, we have to go," Sam said.
"Right. Take care of Nico, Allya."
"Yes!" she replied with a salute.
Back at home, Allya tried offering sushi to Nico.
"Why won't she eat? Cats love fish…" she muttered as Nico hopped off the table and curled up in her cage.
"I want to play with you," Allya complained softly.
"Asuna's here. Weren't you going out with her?" Reno asked.
"Yes, coming! Reno, did you see my purse?"
"It was on the table."
"Asuna, what are you giving Kirito for his birthday?" Reno asked.
"Today's his birthday?!" Asuna panicked.
"Not today, the sixteenth. You still have time," Reno said.
"My goodness! Let's go, Asuna-chan!" Allya chirped, adjusting her outfit.
At the parking lot, Sam handed Kirito the DNA report.
"Look at this."
Kirito scanned it silently. Allya's DNA matched their mother's — but not their father's. The documents were genuine, fragments of a past someone had tried to erase.
"They were wiped on the night of April first," Sam said grimly.
Kirito's eyes darkened. "Then my theory makes sense. If you piece everything together, there's a high chance my real father was behind all this. And if he wants something from Allya…" He clenched the papers. "I'm sure he'll come back."