The rest of Hirvan's first day of school passed without any significant events. As he dragged his exhausted body to the entrance of the school, he contemplated calling a cab. He doubted his ability to navigate home without getting lost. His mind, constantly wandering, tugged at his sanity, reminding him of his frugal father. The possibility of getting into an accident seemed high.
While browsing his phone for reliable taxi services, Hirvan received a text message from Mara.
"Let's go home together. We'll give you a lift!"
Grinning, Hirvan called Mara's phone. Before it could connect, he heard Mara's voice echoing through the busy school entrance.
"Hirvan!"
Tottering joyfully towards a black car, Hirvan noticed Mara and Hannah sitting in the back while a muscular man sat in the driver's seat. Judging by his calloused hands, Hirvan guessed the man was also a bodyguard.
Hirvan expressed his surprise and gratitude for the ride.
"Thanks! You are a godsend! I was just complaining about rich people and their personal drivers, and now I find myself in one of their cars! Isn't that amazing?"
Hirvan righteously commented on how ironic it is to be chauffeured when just recently he was criticizing the rich.
Regrettably, he forgot that he was included in that group. His mother suggested that he contact Mr. Zhong, their driver, in case he needed a ride.
The blame was not on him. In his past life, considering he was the leader of Ren's cooperation, he constantly was surrounded by bodyguards, and his transportation was scheduled beforehand. He never travelled alone in the city.
"Yeah, yeah. Fasten your seatbelt," Mara replied, dismissing his chatter.
After lunch, Mara and Hannah brainstormed to ensure Hirvan's statements were genuine. They were concerned that the accident might have left him a bit unhinged. The change in him seemed too drastic. They decided to accompany Hirvan home to verify his story.
"Heehehehe..."
Mara laughed creepily.
"Hey, what's with her?" Hirvan asked.
"She's excited to see your home," Hannah explained.
"What's so exciting about that?"
"Are you kidding me? I'm about to see my idol's home and her collection of clothes!"
"Huh?"
"She's a massive fan of your mother." Hannah elaborated more.
"Don't tell me you're friends with me because of that. I feel so betrayed!"
Hirvan wrapped his hands around himself and said with a wounded voice.
"Cut the crap! You tortured my idol these years with your immature behaviour. If that were the reason, I should have strangled you to death by now!"
Mara said while pulling Hirvan's ear.
"Okay! Let go of my ear! Why do you always act like a brute? We live in a civilized era!"
Hirvan rubbed his painful ear. He felt a bit guilty towards the girls. Their sincerity was meant for the original Hirvan, not him. But he was happy and didn't feel awkward interacting with them, largely because Mara's behaviour reminded him of his deceased sister, Rosaline. He missed the feeling of having an older sister who cared for him in her own way. It was known that Mara was a year older than them, as she started school a year later. Sometimes, she would act like an older sister (Oneesan) towards them. Despite the guilt, Hirvan enjoyed spending time with them. He was aware the original Hirvan wasn't as cheeky and playful. Hirvan had prepared an excuse if they detected something amiss. Unlike Mrs. Smith, he was confident that he could fool them.
So, Despite some oddities in his behaviour compared to the original owner, Hirvan shrugged it off as a result of his head trauma and memory loss, convinced that the girls wouldn't probe too deeply.
As they headed home, Mara's enthusiasm about visiting Hirvan's house and his mother's design stood out.
"We're here!" Mara's abrupt shout made Hirvan's ears buzz, making him suspect his eardrum might be pierced.
Standing dumbfounded at the entrance of his home, Hirvan regretted agreeing to ride in Mara's car and let them follow him inside. Like a headless chicken, Mara ran through the house, shouting excitedly.
" Where is your mother's workshop? Quick show me. I want to be the first one to see her new collection!"
Hearing the commotion, Sheryl and Bradley emerged from their rooms, bewildered by Mara's behaviour.
Hirvan rubbed his face in helplessness. Due to the strained relationship between the original Hirvan and his mother, his friends had never been to his home, and their contact with Mrs Smith was limited to phone calls and texts. Hirvan hadn't realised Mara was such a fervent fan of Mrs Smith. He was blindsided by it.
Noticing the presence of Hirvan's siblings, Hannah coughed and called out to Mara.
"Mara! We have company!"
As if a switch was flipped, Mara transformed into a graceful ojou-sama, walking back to Hannah and standing silently.
Hirvan lifted his head and waved at his siblings with a warm smile. "Hey! These are my best friends, Mara and Hannah. And these are my lovely sister, Sheryl, and my cute brother, Bradley."
" Hi! Nice to meet you!"
Mara had long forgotten her embarrassing scene and spoke cheerfully.
Introducing them, Hirvan waited for his sibling's response.
There was an awkward silence in the room.
To remedy the situation, Hirvan invited the girls to the living room.
"Can I get you anything?" Hirvan asked, feeling unsettled about his siblings' lack of hospitality.
" No, we're good."
" Okay, I'm going to change my clothes quickly. Make yourself at home."
Hirvan went upstairs, but there was no sign of his siblings.
He sighed and took off his uniform.
He hoped not to come off as pushy. Based on his experience, he had realised that the more he insisted, the less likely the kids were to do it.
''Be patient. It might be a good idea to tempt them with their favourite meal and persuade them to join us."
Usually, they would heat some food separately and avoid interaction.
Eager to bridge the gap between the original owner and his siblings, Hirvan decided to cook something delicious.
Hirvan knew the key to winning children over was their stomachs. Unfortunately, because the original Hirvan had shown little interest in his siblings, he had no idea what they liked. He decided to make something his two sons loved in his past life.
Upon going downstairs, Hirvan saw the two girls sitting and whispering secretly to each other.
" What are you talking about?"
Both of them jumped and evaded his gaze.
"Was it about me?"
Hivan snorted and sat down across them.
" What are you scheming?"
" Ha? What? Scheming? Get out of here! Hahaha…"
Mara denied it with an awkward demeanour.
" Don't even think about it! My mother would bury us alive!"
" Alright. Sorry. But, Hirvan, seriously, can't I see your mother's new design?"
Mara asked, a little downcast.
" I am sorry. I have to get permission to go there. How about I throw something together to eat while waiting for my mother to come home?"
" Sure. Let's do that." Hannah agreed on behalf of Mara.
Mara breathed a sigh of relief as she saw Hirvan enter the kitchen.
"That scared the crap out of me!" she muttered.
" Thank god he did not hear us calling him a silly goose. Otherwise, he would not let us inside the home ever again!
Hannah whispered in return.
"How was my acting skill, honey bee?"
"Awful, as always."
"Ah, you really have a nasty personality! But it doesn't matter. I am the only one who knows it."
Mara giggled, embracing Hannah.
Their attention was focused on the interaction with the trio of siblings before Hirvan surprised them. So far, what they had witnessed was not optimistic. The other two's disregard for Hirvan and his friends indicated that everything was as it was before. But Hirvan believed their relationship had gone better!
" What should we do? He behaves like a complete fruit loop. He is a goner!"
Mara stated it and looked worriedly at the kitchen.
At the same time, Hirvan was looking through the kitchen drawers and complaining in an irritated voice.
" I am not a silly goose!!!"