The morning sun poured through the towering windows of Hyeonjung's Seoul villa, painting the breakfast table in hues of gold.
The air carried the comforting scents of grilled mackerel, fresh rice, and Raikou's spicy kimchi stew—a scene so normal it almost hid the tension simmering beneath. Almost.
Jane sat near the center of the table, her usual slouch replaced by a subtle, confident poise.
She poked at her rice with a faint smirk, like she was holding a secret she couldn't wait to spill.
Across from her, Mikasa and Jenny chattered over their bowls, laughing about some viral video, oblivious—at least for now.
Hyeonjung presided at the table's head, sipping green tea with her trademark calm, though her eyes flicked across the room, sensing something amiss.
Raikou stood at the stove, flipping eggs with practiced ease. She'd felt it last night—a pulse of mana that jolted her awake, sharp and unmistakable
Jane had awakened. It was not her place to tell others as she did not want to take away Jane's spotlight.
It was Jane's moment to shine.
Jenny, though, wasn't waiting for anyone to connect the dots.
She'd been eyeballing Jane all morning, her mind buzzing with suspicion.
Last night, she'd sent Dante to Jane's room, thinking he'd just cheer her up or something.
But now, with Jane acting so different, Jenny's gut screamed the truth. She shot a quick glance at Dante, who lounged at the table's far end, sipping black coffee with that smug grin of his.
Then Jane let it slip.
"I awakened last night," she said, casual as anything, popping a bite of mackerel into her mouth.
Mikasa's chopsticks halted midair. "Wait, what?"
Jenny's spoon clattered onto the table. "Like, powers awakened?!"
Jane's smirk widened, her gaze sliding to Dante. "Yeah. Dante did it. He awakened me."
The room froze. Every head swiveled to Dante. He leaned back, legs stretched out, grinning like he'd just won a bet. "What? I'm awesome. You're welcome."
Jenny's eyes bulged—she knew it. She leaned toward Mikasa, whispering, "I sent him to her room last night. I knew he did something."
Mikasa gaped. "You called this?"
Jenny smirked, smug. "Duh. I'm a genius." ...even though she did not know this would happen.
Raikou's spatula hit the counter with a loud bang, snapping everyone's attention to her. She turned, her dark eyes locking onto Dante like a predator sizing up prey.
"You awakened her?" Her voice was steady but laced with a protective edge that made the air feel heavier.
Dante shrugged, sipping his coffee like it was just another Tuesday. "Yeah, Mom. No biggie."
"No biggie?" Raikou's tone sharpened as she stood up with her hands slamming onto her hips.
"Dante, hunters don't awaken other hunters. That's not normal. Do you even get what this means?"
His grin held firm, but his eyes glinted with something deeper—something calculated.
"I know what I'm doing, Mom. Jane was ready. I just nudged her along. Relax."
"Relax?" Raikou stepped closer, her voice dropping into that quiet, scary calm she used when she was really rattled.
"What happens when word spreads, Dante? When some guild figures out you can awaken people? Or some rogue hunter decides you're a walking power-up? You could be a target. I can't—" She stopped, swallowing hard. "I can't lose you."
The table went silent. Mikasa and Jenny stared, their usual energy snuffed out. Hyeonjung's teacup hovered, her brow creasing.
Dante's smirk softened, just for a heartbeat, and he met his mom's eyes. "It's just us here, Mom. Family. No one's gonna know unless we blab."
"Plus... I am the strongest... if someone dares to do that, then I'll just beat them up."
Raikou exhaled, long and shaky, her stance easing slightly. "You'd better be right because this isn't a joke."
He stood, strolling over to her, and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. "I don't screw around when it matters. Promise."
She nodded, though her eyes still held that fierce, maternal spark. Before she could say more, Mikasa and Jenny exploded into action.
"Onii chan~, do me next!" Mikasa yelped, lunging across the table to grab his sleeve.
(A.N: Not yet Mikasa... he will do you too... but when you become legal... till then let your mother and others handle his 'stress' :') )
"Yeah!" Jenny bounced, rice stuck to her face. "I wanna be cool like Jane!"
Dante's laugh boomed through the room, and he ruffled Mikasa's hair while flicking Jenny's forehead.
"Slow down, you little monsters. You two aren't even out of your schools yet. Wait till you pass out from school... You might awaken by yourself; if not, then I will help you out."
"B-But-"
"No buts!" Dante seamlessly cut Jenny's words off.
Mikasa pouted, flopping back into her seat. "So unfair."
"Life's unfair," Dante teased, winking. "Deal with it."
Hyeonjung set her teacup down with a gentle clink, her voice slicing through the noise like a breeze. "Dante, what you did for Jane… It's remarkable. Thank you."
He waved it off, his grin turning lopsided. "Just family stuff, Aunt H. No fuss."
Soon enough, breakfast wound down, the plates were cleared, and the chatter faded to a hum.
Dante snagged his jacket from the hook by the door, slinging it over his shoulder with a lazy twirl. Raikou blocked his path before he could slip out.
"Where're you going?" she asked, arms crossed, suspicion thick in her tone.
He turned, flashing that cocky grin. "Meeting a friend, Mom. Don't stress."
Her eyes narrowed. "Be careful, Dante."
"Always," he said, stepping into the crisp morning air with a wave.
He roamed around Seoul the whole day, eating sweets.
Later in the evening, Dante swaggered into the parking lot where he first met Soo Yeon, hands in his pockets.
Sung Soo-Yeon leaned against her battered van, arms crossed, her scowl deep enough to curdle milk. Anyone else would've bolted. Not Dante.
"You're late," she snapped, sharp and biting.
"Worth it," he fired back, smirking. "Ready for the real stuff, Soo-Yeon?"
"Cut the nonsense," she said, stepping forward. "Tell me everything you know."
His grin faded just enough to hint at something serious. "It's big... really, really big."
(A.N. That's what your mom's gonna say soon enough :') )
.....
Next Chapter at 100 Powerstones