(Ahmed, Misaki, Honoka, and Yoshika leave the school quietly, while the principal heads to his car, agreeing to meet them shortly in front of Ahmed's house. The road was quiet, but everyone's minds were buzzing with anxiety and anticipation.)
After a few minutes, the four of them arrive at Ahmed's house. Ahmed opens the door, then turns to the girls with a reassuring smile.
Ahmed: "Come in. Before anything else... we must have lunch."
Honoka looks at him with surprise.
Honoka: "At a time like this... you are still thinking about food?"
Ahmed smiles a faint smile.
Ahmed: "A confrontation requires a calm mind, and the mind doesn't work well if its owner is hungry."
Misaki smiles in agreement.
Misaki: "He is right. We've gotten used to this from him."
Honoka and Yoshika sit in the living room, while Ahmed heads to the kitchen. He quickly puts on an apron, then begins preparing a simple and nutritious lunch. He cooks the rice, prepares the chicken with vegetables, and places a warm soup and some fruit beside them.
His movements were calm and organized, as if he was trying to ease his own tension and everyone else's through cooking. After a short while, he places the dishes on the table.
Ahmed: "Come... lunch is ready."
Everyone sits around the table. At first, silence prevails. It was not an awkward silence, but rather the silence that precedes a major event. Yoshika looks at everyone, then says innocently:
Yoshika: "Are we going somewhere after lunch?"
Ahmed, Misaki, and Honoka exchange glances. Then Ahmed answers gently:
Ahmed: "Yes... we are going together to solve an important problem."
Yoshika nods her head, content with this answer.
While eating, Honoka looked at Ahmed from time to time. Despite the anxiety dwelling in her heart, she felt for the first time in a long while that she was sitting around a table where she felt safe.
After lunch ended, Ahmed gathered the dishes and washed them quickly, then returned to the living room. At that moment, the sound of a car stopping in front of the house was heard. Ahmed looked out the window. The principal's car had arrived.
Ahmed took a deep breath, then turned to the girls.
Ahmed: "It seems the time has come."
Misaki stood up first, then held Honoka's hand, while Yoshika approached her sister and held the edge of her dress.
Ahmed opened the door and welcomed the principal, who was waiting for them outside. Everyone exchanged looks filled with determination. Then they headed toward the car, preparing to go to Honoka's parents' house... where the confrontation that might change this family's fate forever awaited them.