Mom's voice pierced through my sleep, pulling me from dreams into the early morning light. Her tone held the usual mix of warmth and authority.
"Wakey wakey, Dio! Aria is on her way soon. Get up, take a shower, brush your teeth, and come eat breakfast," she called from the kitchen.
I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. As much as I cherished sleep, I knew better than to ignore Mom's morning commands. The cold tiles of the bathroom floor woke me up further as I hurried through a quick shower and thorough tooth-brushing.
Emerging into the kitchen, I found a table adorned with a delicious spread: bread, cheese, assorted jams, and slices of salami neatly arranged. The aromas were enticing, and my stomach growled in response. Mom smiled warmly as she set down a fresh pot of coffee.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she greeted, her earlier firmness now softened. "Sit down and eat."
"Morning, Mom," I replied, taking a seat and eagerly spreading raspberry jam on a piece of bread. The first bite was heavenly, the sweetness of the jam melding perfectly with the soft bread.
Glancing around the cozy kitchen, I took in the familiar sights: family photos on the walls, Mom's cherished knick-knacks, and the morning sunlight streaming through the window. It was a comforting scene, a testament to the love and stability of our home.
The doorbell rang, signaling Aria's arrival. Mom wiped her hands on a towel and went to answer it, welcoming Aria with a warm smile. Aria entered the kitchen, her face lighting up at the sight of me.
"Hey, Dio!" she greeted cheerfully.
"Hey, Aria," I replied, grinning back. "Hungry? There's plenty of food."
Aria shook her head. "Nope, not yet. Thanks for inviting me, Mrs. Oh."
"Of course, dear. Help yourselves," Mom said, gesturing to the spread.
As Aria joined me at the table, we enjoyed our breakfast and chatted about our plans for the day, including our visit to Emilia later on. Mom interrupted us gently.
"Dio, remember to be on your best behavior today," she advised, giving me a pointed look.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be good," I assured her, receiving a satisfied nod in return.
After breakfast, Aria and I helped clear the table and wash the dishes, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow over our chores. It felt like an ordinary, peaceful morning, yet I sensed that significant changes were on the horizon.
With our tasks completed, Aria and I prepared to leave. Mom offered a final piece of advice from the doorway.
"Have fun and be safe! And remember, you can always call me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Mom," I said, giving her a quick hug. "We'll be back later."
Stepping outside, Aria and I were surprised to see a sleek, black 2005 Ford Mustang waiting at the curb, its engine purring softly. The polished car commanded attention, gleaming in the morning sunlight. Mr. Bigdalen emerged from the vehicle in a sharp suit, his face breaking into a broad grin upon seeing us.
"Dio, Aria! Good morning!" his voice rang out warmly, breaking through the calm of the morning.
Aria and I exchanged surprised glances before making our way over to greet him.
"Good morning, Mr. Bigdalen," I greeted, trying to sound nonchalant despite my surprise. "It's good to see you again."
Mr. Bigdalen extended his hand, and I shook it firmly.
"Likewise, Dio. And you too, Aria," he added, turning to her.
She smiled and nodded in response.
"I thought I'd personally come to pick you up," Mr. Bigdalen continued, his eyes twinkling with genuine delight. "It's not every day we get to host such special guests."
Aria giggled, clearly charmed by his enthusiasm. "Thank you, Mr. Bigdalen. This is quite the car," she remarked, admiring the sleek lines of the Mustang.
Mr. Bigdalen chuckled. "I'm glad you like it. Now, shall we get going? Emilia is eagerly waiting for you two."
He gestured towards the car, and Aria and I climbed into the backseat, sinking into the plush leather seats. The interior was as impressive as the exterior, a testament to Mr. Bigdalen's refined taste and wealth.
As the car smoothly pulled away from the curb, excitement bubbled within me. This wasn't merely a visit; it felt like the start of something potentially life-changing.
Glancing at Aria, I saw her looking out the window with a wide grin, mirroring my own sense of anticipation.
We cruised through the bustling main capital, the streets alive with people going about their day. The cityscape morphed from modern skyscrapers to historical landmarks, showcasing its rich history and rapid growth.
Leaving the busy city center behind, we entered a ritzy district where opulent mansions lined the streets. Each home seemed grander than the last, their prices soaring into the millions.
Mr. Bigdalen caught my eye through the rearview mirror, evidently curious about my reaction. Most kids would be wide-eyed and eager, but I maintained a composed demeanor that seemed to intrigue him further, perhaps affirming his interest in me.
Eventually, we arrived at Mr. Bigdalen's expansive mansion. The property boasted manicured gardens and a stately house that exuded wealth and refinement.
Emilia greeted us eagerly as we stepped out of the car. "Dio! Aria!" she called out, waving excitedly.
We approached her with smiles of our own. "Hey, Emilia!" I greeted warmly. "It's great to see you."
"You too! Come on, I have so much to show you," she exclaimed, practically bouncing with excitement.
Mr. Bigdalen watched us with a satisfied smile. "I'll leave you kids to it. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Mr. Bigdalen," I expressed gratitude for his hospitality.
Following Emilia inside, she suddenly turned and, without a second thought, enveloped me in a tight hug. "I missed you so much, Dio!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine warmth and excitement.
I was caught off guard by Emilia's sudden hug, unused to such displays of affection. Before I could gather my thoughts, Aria jumped in with her teasing grin. "Aww, Emilia, look at that! You're making Dio blush!" She nudged me playfully. "Who knew you had such an effect on the ladies?"
Emilia pulled back, her face turning a bright shade of red. "Oh! I-I didn't mean to..." she stammered, clearly flustered.
I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's alright, Emilia. I missed you too." I reached out and patted her on the shoulder reassuringly.
Aria giggled, clearly enjoying the moment. "See? No harm done. You two are just good friends."
Emilia nodded, her cheeks still flushed. "Yeah, good friends," she echoed, seeming more relaxed now. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself. "Come on, I have so much to show you both. We have a whole day ahead!"
Just as we settled into Emilia's spacious living room, where she had set up various games and activities, the doorbell rang, breaking the calm atmosphere. Emilia's face went pale. "Oh no," she muttered under her breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing her sudden unease.
"Two of my friends from school are here. I wasn't expecting them," she said, panic evident in her voice.
I shrugged, trying to reassure her. "It's okay, Emilia. Let them in. They can join us."
Reluctantly, Emilia bit her lip. "Uh, yeah, good idea," she said, walking over to the door.
She opened it to reveal two well-dressed kids around our age, Hugo and Clara. Their expensive attire and confident demeanor hinted at their privileged backgrounds.
"Emilia! We thought we'd drop by," Hugo said with a smug grin. "Aren't you going to invite us in?"
"Uh, sure, Hugo, come in," Emilia replied, forcing a smile. "And you too, Clara."
Hugo and Clara entered, surveying the room with critical eyes. Hugo sprawled on the couch with an air of ownership. "Nice setup, Emilia. Very... quaint."
Clara, twirling a lock of her perfectly styled hair, glanced at Aria and me with barely concealed disdain.
"And who are they?" she asked, her tone dripping with condescension.
"I'm Dio, and this is my sister, Aria," I replied evenly, trying to maintain a friendly tone.
Aria waved, though I noticed her eyes narrowing slightly at Clara's attitude.
"They're friends of Emilia," Emilia interjected quickly. "We were just about to start some games."
Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Games? Like what, Monopoly? How pedestrian."
Clara giggled, clearly amused. "Oh, Hugo, don't be so mean. Maybe they just don't know any better."
Emilia shot me an apologetic look, clearly uncomfortable with her friends' behavior. I offered her a reassuring nod.
As we settled into the living room, Emilia brought out a board game.
Hugo and Clara didn't hide their lack of enthusiasm, but I remained composed.
The game began, and it became evident that I was quite skilled—perhaps too skilled for Hugo's liking. With every move, I strategically outplayed him, leaving him visibly frustrated.
"This is absurd," he muttered under his breath. "How is he winning?"
Clara attempted to calm him. "It's just a game, Hugo."
Hugo's annoyance was palpable as he turned his gaze towards me. "Yeah, just a game," he retorted sarcastically.
I maintained my calm demeanor, ignoring his snide remarks and staying focused on the game.
Eventually, I emerged victorious, much to Hugo's chagrin.
As I started gathering the pieces, Hugo leaned over to Clara and whispered something. She nodded, and they both stood up.
"Excuse us for a moment," Hugo said, putting on a forced smile.
They left the room, and I noticed Hugo signaling for Clara to join him for a private conversation.
I sensed something was amiss but chose to remain quiet, offering Emilia an encouraging smile.
After a few minutes, Clara returned and called Emilia aside. "Emilia, can we talk for a second?"
Emilia looked puzzled but followed Clara into the hallway.
I stayed behind, pretending not to eavesdrop, though I strained to catch their conversation.
"You know how fortunate you are, right?" Clara's voice was low yet insistent. "To be included in our circle of friends at school, part of our elite group?"
Emilia hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation.
"Wouldn't it be embarrassing if people like us mixed with... them?" Clara's tone dripped with disdain.
Emilia's discomfort was evident. "Yeah, I guess so. I only invited them out of pity. You know, those poor people can only dream of being in a place like this."
Clara laughed, and Emilia awkwardly joined in.
But then Emilia's expression turned to horror as she noticed me standing nearby, having overheard everything.
Her face drained of color as my disappointed gaze met hers, the weight of her words sinking in.
Before she could speak, I turned away decisively.
"Aria, let's go."
Confusion flickered across Aria's face, but she stood and followed me out of the house. Emilia called after me weakly, "Dio, wait!"
I didn't pause.
My heart felt heavy, but I kept my stride purposeful, resisting the urge to glance back.
As we walked away from the mansion, Aria finally broke the silence.
"What happened back there, Dio?"
I shook my head, unwilling to revisit the painful conversation.
"It's nothing. Let's just go home."
Dio Stat's Info:
Lvl: 5
Skill Count: 1 (Key selling point analyze)
Strength:22
Agility:15
Intelligence:8
Endurance:8
Charm:17
Dio influence, power & riches:
Money - 0 krone
Associate - 0
Asset - 10 (Gogimon pack)
Digital Asset - 0
Goons - 0
Car - 0
Guard - 0
Company - 0