On the day following the events of the previous day, Aizen awoke early. From the window, the sunlight radiated strongly, giving him the forecast of a pleasant day. After getting out of bed, he tidied up his room discreetly, making it welcoming for potential visitors. Descending the short staircase that led to the kitchen, Aizen noticed the scent of eggs and sausages frying, a fragrance that evoked familiar and comforting feelings.
Upon entering the room where the aroma originated, he was met with a reassuring and familiar scene: his father sat at the table, engrossed in reading a newspaper, while his mother, in front of the stove, skillfully tended to the eggs and sausages. Joining the table, Aizen patiently awaited his portion of breakfast.
The wait wasn't long. Soon enough, Aizen's mother approached carrying a dish that was part of the many products introduced by the lord to benefit his subjects. The dish was notably clean and transparent, allowing the contents to be clearly visible. Despite its quality, it was affordable enough for anyone to acquire.
Seeing the dish placed before him, Aizen didn't waste time savoring it. The food prepared by his mother continued to be his favorite, as it always had been. Nothing could rival the flavor and comfort it provided. However, there was an exception, Penelope. She held a special place in this regard.
In fact, Penelope was the only other person capable of reproducing the type of meal that pleased Aizen the most. An old memory surfaced: when they were children, Penelope had learned to cook from Aizen's mother. This skill, according to Penelope, would be useful in the future, perhaps on a day when she needed to take care of Aizen's meals.
Upon hearing this for the first time, Aizen recalled his cheeks suddenly flushing. Penelope, it seemed, didn't immediately grasp the weight of the words spoken in that moment. Aizen concluded that she possibly assumed their future was irreversibly intertwined, even after marriage. This assumption elicited a soft chuckle from Aizen, which caught the curious attention of his parents, resulting in a subtle arch of their eyebrows.
Although the day when Penelope would need to cook for him never actually arrived, the positive impact of the lessons she received is undeniable. These lessons, which never had practical application, proved immensely beneficial for Penelope. The level of culinary skill she attained through these teachings was exceptionally high.
While reminiscing about these small occurrences from years past, Aizen couldn't help but question his current decisions once again. As these thoughts flowed through Aizen's mind, the voice of his father, who had moments ago been reading the newspaper in silence, echoed in the room.
"Are you all set for your departure?"
Aizen's father inquired, pushing the newspaper aside and locking eyes directly with him. Hearing his father's words, Aizen nodded slightly before responding.
"I packed my bag last night. Since we'll have accommodations and other things covered, I put some clothes in the bag. I believe it's enough"
Aizen affirmed calmly, conveying that everything was under control. In response to his son's words, Aizen's father nodded with a slight head gesture, returning his attention to the newspaper, suggesting the conversation was concluded. However, this silence lasted only for a few moments.
"And what about Penelope? Are you sure you don't want to say goodbye to her? From now on, it will be quite difficult to find a moment to see each other"
Upon hearing these words, Aizen turned his gaze to his father, who now seemed engrossed in reading the newspaper. The expression on his father's face remained a mystery as the newspaper concealed his features. However, this detail did not alter Aizen's decision or what he considered to be his responsibility.
It was a determination that remained unwavering, a choice he needed to make. Aizen understood that to ensure the safety of those he loved, he needed to take a position that allowed for it.
It's not that Aizen wasn't intelligent, however, he recognized that his intellectual abilities might not be fully suited to attain a position in the government. For this reason, Aizen's desire was to join the military, something he had nurtured since childhood.
Becoming a soldier capable of ensuring the safety of others had always been his ambition. Now, faced with a concrete opportunity, especially under the command of a leader he genuinely admired, Aizen saw the chance to fulfill this childhood dream.
With his thoughts perfectly aligned, Aizen directed a gaze of conviction towards his father and expressed.
"Yes, I'm absolutely certain. Furthermore, thanks to the labor laws established by the lord in his government, we will have the benefit of returning home twice a week. During those periods, I intend to have a conversation with Penelope"
Aizen said with a serious expression, and upon hearing these words, Aizen's father briefly paused reading his newspaper, giving him a look. He then resumed the newspaper in front of him and continued reading.
"I understand. However, regardless of your choices, my son, know that I will always feel proud of you"
Despite the brief farewell with his father, Aizen realized that those words were all he needed.
"Thank you, Dad"
As a smile played on Aizen's lips, he uttered his words. However, he didn't realize that a woman also had her eyes on him and his father, carrying a smile on her face. After finishing his breakfast, Aizen made his way to the town's entrance, where a cart awaited him to take him to the testing location. To his surprise, upon arriving, he spotted an unmistakable red-haired hairstylist.
"Penelope? What are you doing here, especially with all these suitcases?"
Aizen questioned, his eyes landing on the baggage Penelope was carrying with her. Her next words caught Aizen completely off guard.
"Of course, I'm going with you"
Penelope said. Her words shocked Aizen, causing his eyes to widen.
"What? You can't be serious. Also, even if you convinced your parents, your boyfriend would never allow you to go"
As Aizen voiced his concern, he looked at Penelope, who gazed back at him with a confident smile on her face. She replied, maintaining her resolute tone.
"I broke up with him, so it's not a problem"
Penelope said, making a peace sign gesture with her hand.