Later that evening, Yeager sat in a dimly lit room at the office, reviewing his notes from the day's investigation. His mind was still preoccupied with his siblings at Tnelis Senior High School, but there was no time to waste. As the clock ticked on, the door to his office creaked open, and in walked Darren and Valerie—two of his closest colleagues and trusted friends.
"Got something for you," Darren said, his tone casual but purposeful. He stepped forward, carrying a bag that looked a bit too neatly packed for a casual evening hangout. Valerie, standing beside him, was holding something in her hands—two sets of school uniforms.
Yeager looked up from the files and raised an eyebrow. "What's this? You know I'm not one for dressing up."
"These are for your undercover mission," Valerie replied with a smirk, setting the uniforms down on his desk. "Starting tomorrow, you're going back to school, but not as a detective. You'll need to blend in, Yeager. We've got to make sure no one suspects you're investigating anything."
Darren placed the bag on the desk and unzipped it. Inside, there was a neatly folded set of clothing: a crisp school uniform, a tie, and shoes that would pass for something a student would wear.
"You're going undercover," Darren continued, "We can't afford to let anyone catch on that you're here to investigate the corruption at Tnelis Senior. We've gathered enough intel, but now it's time for you to get in close."
Yeager stared at the uniform for a moment, considering the situation. He'd never been one to shy away from danger, but this felt different. The stakes were higher now, especially with Zevanya and Noel in the midst of all of it.
"Alright," Yeager said, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the desk. "I get it. I'll play the part. But once I'm in there, I can't afford any slip-ups."
David, who had been quietly listening from the corner of the room, spoke up. "That's why we're doing this fast. You'll head in tomorrow morning. The sooner you're in the school, the better. We've mapped out the weak spots in the system there—now it's up to you to dig deeper."
"Let's make it quick, then," Yeager replied. "We don't have time to waste."
The trio exchanged nods, their usual camaraderie giving way to the more serious atmosphere of the task at hand. Yeager quickly changed into the school uniform that Darren and Valerie had brought, making sure everything fit properly. He couldn't help but feel a bit out of place in the outfit—he was so used to his usual detective attire—but he knew the role he had to play.
As Yeager glanced at his reflection in the window, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. This wasn't just about the case anymore. This was about protecting Zevanya, Noel, and every student at Tnelis Senior who was suffering in silence. The corruption in the school system was bigger than he thought, and if he was going to make a difference, he had to go all in.
"You're ready," Valerie said, giving him a reassuring nod.
Yeager grabbed the bag with his personal belongings and stood up. "Let's get this over with."
With that, he turned and walked out of the office, his mind already racing with plans for the next day. He would have to navigate a world that was completely foreign to him—a world where the students, teachers, and staff of Tnelis Senior didn't know the real reason he was there. But Yeager was determined, as always. He would do whatever it took to protect his siblings—and to uncover the truth.
As the night settled in and the office lights dimmed behind him, Yeager felt the weight of the mission ahead. It was time to begin the next chapter of this dangerous game.
The next morning, after showering and getting ready, Yeager walked into his siblings' rooms. He carried clothes that were carefully chosen for Zevanya and Noel—clothes that were much more presentable than what they usually wore. For Zevanya, there was a simple yet elegant dress, a pair of neat shoes, and a few small accessories to help boost her confidence. For Noel, Yeager had selected comfortable clothes that suited his needs, along with clean socks and shoes. He also styled their hair—Zevanya's was neatly brushed, while Noel's was kept in place to avoid looking messy.
However, the night before, Yeager had been thinking about how he could give his siblings a better life. He remembered going to his father, who had a new family and was now living in wealth. With some confidence, Yeager had asked for money for urgent needs—and his father, who turned out to be wealthier than Yeager had realized, had given him a considerable amount. That money was now being used to ensure that his siblings wouldn't have to feel lacking, at least for the time being.
That morning, after everything was set, his siblings were waiting in the car. They looked out the window, confused, waiting for Yeager, who was supposed to arrive soon. A few seconds later, the car door opened, and Yeager stepped out wearing a school uniform just like theirs. But there was something different—he looked like a rebellious student. His tie was loose, his uniform was not quite neat, and his schoolbag seemed a bit disorganized.
"Get out," Yeager said, approaching the car and opening the door. "We're taking the bus. This car is too old."
Zevanya and Noel exchanged puzzled glances, unsure about what their brother was doing. They'd never been asked to take the bus, and Yeager's decision was unexpected.
"Why don't we just take the car?" Zevanya asked hesitantly, still not understanding. "Why the bus?"
Yeager just smiled, though there was a seriousness in his eyes. "Sometimes, we need to experience what others go through. This is part of the disguise, and we need to blend in. Besides, taking the bus is more fun, right?"
Noel, who was usually quieter, stared at Yeager with a confused expression but didn't say anything. He simply followed his brother as Yeager stepped out of the car.
The three of them walked toward the bus stop, and Yeager felt a slight relief. This was the first step of their undercover plan, and while it felt unusual, he knew it was the best way to protect his siblings. In his heart, he silently promised that he would continue to keep them safe, no matter what it took—even if it meant taking unexpected steps.
As they boarded the bus, Zevanya couldn't help but glance at Yeager, still puzzled. The bus was crowded, and they all squeezed into an empty row. Zevanya, sitting next to her brother, leaned in and whispered, "Why are you wearing the same uniform as us? You look like one of the students."
Yeager, who had been casually leaning back in his seat, shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm just doing my job, Zev. Part of being a detective is blending in. You can't always look like you're different or you'll stand out too much."
Zevanya frowned a little, still unsure. "But... you're not really a student, are you? Isn't it weird for you to be pretending?"
Yeager smiled, his usual relaxed demeanor in full display. "It's not weird. It's just a role I'm playing. Sometimes, you have to wear a disguise to get close to the truth, you know? Being a detective means doing whatever it takes to uncover what's hidden."
He glanced at her and added with a teasing smile, "Besides, I think I look pretty good in this uniform, don't you think?"
Zevanya rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips. "You always think you look good," she muttered, though she seemed a bit more at ease.
Noel, who had been silently sitting beside them, looked out the window, his expression distant. Yeager noticed his brother's quiet demeanor and placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"You okay, Noel?" Yeager asked softly, making sure his voice didn't break the calmness of the moment.
Noel nodded slightly, though he didn't say anything. He was more comfortable letting Yeager guide him through whatever came next.
Yeager looked out the window, his thoughts drifting between the task at hand and the well-being of his siblings. The bus ride was just the beginning, but Yeager knew the real challenge would begin when they reached the school. For now, though, he was content knowing he had taken the first step in keeping them safe—by blending in and staying close.
"We're almost there," Yeager said, leaning forward as the bus began to slow down. "Stay sharp, both of you. Just remember, we're in this together."
When they arrived at school, they all got off the bus and walked toward the school gates. Zevanya and Noel entered the school first, with Yeager following behind them, keeping a bit of distance to avoid drawing attention. Zevanya seemed a bit anxious, but she walked with determination. Noel, more reserved, kept his gaze focused straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
Once inside the classroom, Zevanya and Noel went in first. Yeager was a little slower, his eyes scanning the room as it filled with students preparing for the start of the day. As the bell rang, signaling the beginning of class, everyone settled into their seats—some chatting, others quietly organizing their desks.
Yeager watched Noel sit at his desk alone in the corner of the room. Without hesitation, he walked over to the empty seat next to Noel and sat down beside him.
As he sat down, his gaze immediately fell on the desk in front of Noel. It was covered in cruel scribbles, insults targeting Noel. Words like "Autist", "Stupid", "Crazy", and other degrading terms were scrawled across the surface. Yeager's anger flared up, but he forced himself to stay composed, knowing that creating a scene would only make things worse.
Zevanya, sitting at her own desk, glanced nervously at her brother. She knew how much Noel struggled with these insults, and seeing Yeager sit next to him felt like the only way to make him feel safe in a class full of students who often bullied him.
"Don't mind them," Yeager whispered gently to Noel, though he knew how hard it was for Noel to ignore such cruelty. "We're here for something bigger, alright?"
Noel didn't look up, but he gave a small nod. He understood that his brother would always protect him, but the sting of the words still lingered. Yeager took a moment to survey the rest of the classroom, his sharp eyes scanning the students, as if looking for a way to expose the deeper issues at play here.
The class began, but Yeager knew this was just the start. He would have to dig deeper and ensure that both Noel and Zevanya were safe—even if it meant facing even more cruelty and discrimination in this school.
When the bell rang for break, the atmosphere in the class shifted. Students stood up, leaving the classroom and heading to the cafeteria or outside to relax. Yeager remained seated next to Noel, keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings. Despite being undercover, he couldn't ignore the need to stay vigilant about his brother's situation.
Suddenly, five young men—part of the group that often teased and bullied Noel—walked over to the table where Noel was sitting. They seemed relaxed, laughing loudly, as if they had no care in the world. They didn't recognize Yeager, as he had adapted his appearance to blend in as a regular student.
The boys stopped right in front of Noel's desk, one of them cheerfully making a joke. "Hey, Noel! What are you writing? When are you going to admit that you're autistic?" one of them laughed loudly, causing the others to chuckle along.
Noel kept his head down, avoiding their gaze. Yeager, seeing their behavior, could feel the tension building inside him. However, he remained calm, concealing his anger, continuing to observe them closely. His primary goal was to protect Noel without drawing attention, so he had to be careful.
"Is that why you guys pick on him?" Yeager suddenly asked in a relaxed tone, surprising the group of boys. They hadn't expected anyone else to speak up.
They turned to look at the new student sitting next to Noel. Yeager smiled faintly, trying to appear as a regular student. "Why mess with him? You think it's funny?" he asked again, his gaze sharp as it locked onto them.
The boys exchanged confused looks, unsure how to react to Yeager, who wasn't intimidated by them. One of the bigger guys stepped forward, sneering and getting closer to Yeager. "Hey, who are you? This is our business, stay out of it."
Yeager stayed calm, undeterred by their threat. "I'm just curious. Why do you guys think it's funny to bully someone weaker than you? Does it make you feel bigger?" he replied, his voice carrying an edge, as if challenging them to reconsider their actions.
One of the boys attempted a cynical smile, "Don't act like a hero. Why should we care about a kid like him?" He gestured toward Noel, who remained silent and kept his head lowered.
Yeager glanced at Noel, who seemed increasingly uncomfortable with the confrontation. "Noel," Yeager said softly, "You don't have to listen to them. You're not alone. Don't let them win."
Hearing Yeager's words, Noel slowly lifted his head, looking at his brother with confused eyes. But there was a hint of comfort in his expression, knowing Yeager was there with him.
The group of boys finally backed off, unsure how to respond to Yeager, who wasn't intimidated at all. They exchanged a few glances before turning and walking away, though with frustrated looks.
After they left, Yeager turned back to Noel, offering a gentle smile. "Don't worry, they won't bother you again as long as I'm here."
Noel gave a small nod, though still uncertain. Yeager knew this was just the beginning. The school was full of challenges they would have to face, but now more than ever, he was certain—he would protect his siblings, no matter what, not letting anyone harm them.