After their breakfast, Elihim and Ellie had to read educational books. They were at the age where they should be learning.
However, to Elihim, this was a huge waste of time. But he couldn't escape his mother or father's wrath if he skipped this.
'Should I just show my knowledge and proficiency to them?'
At one point, Elihim began thinking. But, at the next moment, he shook his head.
'They were definitely freak out at me. Either that will estrange them or see me as a genius of some sort. I've got a fair share of the latter so maybe that will happen. However, that will impede my goal of retirement since they will rely on me. I should naturally cut my ties with them after I make their life better.'
After the morning session, the afternoon should be spent napping.
Heron already went out to either hunt a job or hunt the next day's meal.
This was the perfect time for Elihim's first step of his plan he calls; Project Don't Traumatize Ellie With Your Toxic Relationship - or - Project Happy Family, for short.
'I have already anchored some ideas on Heron's mind. This time, I just have to make Lyssa open up.'
When Ellie was finally asleep, Elihim took a careful moment to get out of her snuggle. Afterward, he then walked to Lyssa's room to see that she was also asleep.
"..."
Elihim half-expected it but it still made his mood sour.
'But not to worry, I still have Plan B. I'm still a child, I can just wake her up for no apparent reason and then talk about this and that.'
He was about to step in but he hesitated a little.
'Why does this feel a little scary?'
Waking up a tired mother... Who knows whether he will be slapped on the butt or on his palms if he didn't have a proper reason.
'But this is just one time.' Elihim easily prepared himself and any tint of hesitation vanished...
...
...
Why does he always do this?
At first, I was a little disappointed at him for taking his failure seriously. I didn't really care about him failing at being an Imagi. I was just taken aback by how much it affected him.
I don't understand. Everything was normal before he even learned that he has the potential to become an Imagi.
I left my family for him because I love him, not because he has potential. I even supported him and let him speak, taking out all of his anger and frustration.
But why does he look at me with those eyes?
It is as if he hates me.
Is that Heron who I fell in love with really gone...
No, I'm proud of him to make a selfish choice for Elihim. Even though he knew the consequences, he chose our son. I love him for that.
However, it seemed that he already hates me. That's why I kept my distance, just admiring him silently while also, sympathizing with him.
I'm sorry, I may not be the woman you really want to be with. But... thank you for not leaving me. Even though maybe it's pure obligatory hat you stayed and for our children, I'm glad that you're coming back every night.
Heron-
"Mo...? Mo...my?"
...
"Mommy?"
"Hm?"
Lyssa slowly opened her eyes to see Elihim shaking her, trying to wake her up.
With a tear on the edge of her eyes, she asked, "Elihim? What is it?"
Elihim internally sighed relief, seeing that she was not angry.
"I want snacks."
"Huh?"
"Snacks... I'm hungry."
"But you always had snacks with Ellie, right? Can't you wait so that you two can eat at the same time?"
Grr~~!
At that exact moment, Elihim's stomach grumbled.
His face blushed red as he held his stomach.
"I... I can't wait or sleep."
Lyssa sighed and then brought him downstairs.
It was a peaceful yellowish afternoon.
Even though they've become poor, Heron and Lyssa made sure that they always had a stack of snacks for them.
Before, it was cookies and delicacies, but now, it was just plain bread with milk. Not that either of the two complained so that was fine.
While Lyssa prepares simple slices, Elihi used Ellie's method; babbling.
"Mommy, I saw a spider earlier and it was big..."
"Ellie and I ran around the house three times..."
"We picked up rocks and threw them far at the lake..."
However, Lyssa was still silent. This was the usual her. Although she would not speak, she listened attentively. If someone asked her, she could narrate everything that Elihim just said to her.
When Lyssa brought his snacks to him, Elihim to this as a chance.
"Mommy, why are you so quiet? Maybe that's why Papa thinks you hate him..."
"Huh?!"
Thud*
Out of sheer shock, Lyssa dropped the wooden cup, spilling the milk all over the floor.
"Ah! The milk!" Elihim reacted childishly. But internally, he calmly thought, 'Got you with that, right?'
Lyssa trembled and took a rag in panic. She was not in this state because of the spilled milk, of course. She was just so surprised by what Elihim said.
'Heron thinks that!? Wait, is he saying something to the children? What is he doing getting the little ones in this!'
Although she thinks that, she also hoped that she could get more information from Elihim. After cleaning the floor and getting another cup of milk, Lyssa sat adjacent to Elihim and asked;
"Did your father tell you this?"
"No, I just hear him sometimes..." Elihim feigned innocently.
Lyssa didn't know that Heron would mumble like that. However, she also doubted that this little child would lie.
"Tell... tell your mommy more about what your father said."
"Un" Elihim nodded.
'Yep, caught her.'
Elihim then initiated his plan, striking Lyssa's every fault while being innocent about it. This made her aware of what she was doing.
"Me, snappy?!"
...
"I'm not always angry!"
...
"Why can't he realize that I'm keeping quiet for his sake!"
...
"I'm not disappointed in him! Sure, I'm a bit angry that it affected him that much but I gave him space! I'm not avoiding him!"
Elihim watched his mother's reaction unfold.
'Mom... stop getting overworked in front of a little kid.'