After an unexpectedly exciting day, Dakota walked home, reflecting on everything that had happened.
Dakota: Well, this was unexpectedly fun.
He smiled to himself as he thought about sparring with Lucas.
Dakota: I wasn't expecting to spar with Lucas… though, honestly, it felt more like a battle than a spar.
Lost in thought, he was surprised to find he'd already arrived home. He opened the door, calling out.
Dakota: Mother, Father, I'm home!
His mother poked her head around the corner with a smile.
Mother: Welcome back, Dakota! How was the academy today?
Dakota set his things down, his excitement showing.
Dakota: It was great! I got to spar with Lucas.
His father, who was sitting nearby, raised his eyebrows.
Father: Oh? You sparred with Lucas? You two haven't sparred since you entered the academy.
Dakota nodded, a small grin on his face.
Dakota: Yeah, I know. I was pretty surprised when he asked me.
His father smirked, crossing his arms.
Father: But you did win, right?
Dakota: Of course I did. he said with a hint of pride.
Father: Should've known. he chuckled, clearly impressed. But did anything else happen?
Dakota thought back, scratching his head.
Dakota: Oh, I also sparred with Liam… but you can't really call it a spar. It was more of a beatdown than anything.
His mother laughed.
Mother: Poor Liam—always getting his behind handed to him by my son.
Dakota chuckled in agreement.
Dakota: Yeah, poor guy.
Then, his mother's face softened as she changed the subject.
Mother: And how are Mia and Ava doing?
Dakota: They're fine. he replied. Both are doing well.
A small, mischievous smile played on his mother's lips.
Mother: Dakota… did you finally develop a crush on a girl?
Dakota felt his face heat up.
Dakota: What? Where did that come from?
Mother: Oh, just curious. You're at that age, after all.
Dakota crossed his arms, hoping to end the conversation.
Dakota: No, I haven't.
She sighed, shaking her head.
Mother: Still no crush, huh? I do wonder if I'll ever have grandkids.
Dakota: Yeah… probably not, Mother.
His mother looked at him with genuine surprise.
Mother: Wait… are you serious?
Dakota shrugged.
Dakota: I mean, I'm just not that interested in getting a girlfriend right now.
Mother: Well, what about Ava?
Dakota flushed even more.
Dakota: Huh? Wait—there's no way that's happening.
Mother: Oh? And why not?
Dakota: First of all, she's always hitting me. Second, she constantly teases me.
He stopped, not mentioning the real reason. Although Dakota's body was fifteen, he'd lived a previous life that ended at twenty. Mentally, he was thirty-five, close to his father's age of thirty-eight.
Mother: Why won't you reveal the third reason?
Dakota: Because it's a secret.
She shook her head, chuckling.
Mother: You know, Dakota, you sure have a lot of secrets for someone your age.
Dakota: Yeah, I know. But it's not my fault.
Father: Actually, his father smirked, it kind of is.
Dakota rolled his eyes.
Dakota: Whatever. I'm going up to my room to wash up.
Mother: Alright, go on.
Dakota went upstairs, grabbing some fresh clothes before heading to the bathroom for a bath. As he started to relax, he could faintly hear his parents talking downstairs.
Mother: Hey, honey… why does our son have secrets we don't know about?
Father: I don't know, honey. It confuses me too.
Mother: How could we, as his parents who raised him, not know his secrets?
Father: Sometimes he doesn't act his age… it's like he's a middle-aged man.
Mother: I've noticed that too… so what do you think his secret is?
Father: ...Maybe he's a returner or a reincarnated person.
Mother: What? There's no way our son is either of those.
Father: That's what I like to believe too… but it could explain why he's so… different.
Mother: Then, do you really think he's a reincarnated person or a returner?
Father: I don't know…
Dakota, still wrapped in his towel, appeared at the bottom of the stairs, catching both his parents by surprise.
Dakota: Mother, Father, I'm sorry for hiding so many secrets from you.
His mother looked at him, startled.
Mother: Since when were you there, Dakota?
Dakota: Since the beginning of the conversation.
Father: But I thought you were in the bath.
Dakota: I was about to go in, but then I realized I left the shampoo downstairs.
Mother: Oh… she stammered. We can explain, Dakota…
Dakota: No, you don't have to explain. It's my fault for having so many secrets.
Mother: ...But still, I'm sorry for talking like this about you.
Dakota gave her a reassuring smile.
Dakota: Don't worry, I don't mind. But, Father, Mother, there will be a day when I tell you all my secrets.
Mother: Really? Is that true?
Dakota: Yes, it is. I already promised my friends that I'd tell them when the time is right.
Father: Do you know when that time will be?
Dakota: No… even I don't know.
Mother: So it seems the only choice we have is to wait.
Dakota: Yeah, sorry about that.
Mother: Don't worry, Dakota. I promise you that whatever your secret is—even if you're a returner or a reincarnated person—I'll still love you.
Dakota paused, touched by her words.
Dakota: …Thank you, Mother.
Mother: No problem. Now go wash up.
As Dakota headed back upstairs, he sighed, murmuring to himself.
Dakota: I wonder if she'll keep that promise when I tell her I'm actually a reincarnated person…
Dakota: When the day comes to reveal everything, it's going to be painful for sure.
The next day arrived, and it was time to head back to the academy. Dakota left home, lost in thought.
Dakota: Yesterday was really a crazy day… I finally sparred with Lucas, and now my parents are starting to suspect me.
He sighed, entering the academy.
Dakota: My life really is getting crazier.
Just as he walked in, he noticed a tense atmosphere among the students. Everyone seemed worried and on edge.
Dakota: Huh? Did something happen?
Lucas spotted him, hurrying over.
Lucas: Ah, you're finally here, Dakota.
Dakota: Yeah, I am… what's going on? Did something happen?
Lucas's face was grim.
Lucas: It seems like… she's been kidnapped.
Dakota's brows furrowed in confusion.
Dakota: Wait, who's "she"?
Mia approached, her expression equally troubled.
Mia: It's Ava. Ava has been kidnapped.
Dakota felt his heart skip a beat.
Dakota: What? Ava's been kidnapped…
Mia nodded solemnly.
Mia: We still don't know who took her or where she is.
Dakota let out a frustrated sigh.
Dakota: What's up with all this back-to-back craziness? I really can't catch a break.
He took a deep breath, trying to focus.
Dakota: Alright, let's think this through. There's no way they've killed her yet. Ava's one of the academy's top students.
Dakota looked at Lucas and Mia with determination in his eyes.
Dakota: Let's go find her before they even think of trying anything. We don't have any time to waste.