Early Morning at the Schnee ManorRinko Schnee rose from his bed as the soft light of dawn crept through his window. His movements were deliberate—not rushed, but purposeful. He approached the mahogany desk tucked in the corner of his room, where a thick stack of personnel files lay, meticulously organized.These weren't just any files—they were detailed records of every member of the Schnee Manor staff, obtained discreetly from Jacques Schnee's archives. Rinko had spent the entire previous night combing through the documents, searching for inconsistencies, hidden truths—anything that could help him uncover the identity of the murderer lurking within the estate.The sun had fully risen by the time he finished reviewing the last file. Names, faces, and personal histories were now etched into his memory. He was determined—this wasn't just a matter of duty; it was personal.A sudden knock at the door jolted him from his thoughts. Swiftly, he gathered the files, secured them in a folder, and tucked them safely into a drawer."Come in," he called, his tone steady.The door opened, and Selene stepped inside, her expression composed yet warm."Good morning, Master Rinko," she greeted politely."Good morning, Selene."Selene, now the head of the Schnee Manor's staff, moved with practiced efficiency. Klein had personally trained her before his leave, and when he could no longer serve, the rest of the staff unanimously agreed she was the only suitable replacement.Rinko remained seated, his sharp gaze following her as she tidied his room with precision. Her movements were smooth, almost mechanical, but there was a certain grace beneath the practiced routine.She paused when she noticed his piercing stare lingering a moment too long. Her brow furrowed slightly in confusion."S-Sir... Is there something on my face?" she asked hesitantly.Rinko didn't blink, his expression unreadable. "It's nothing, really," he replied calmly. "I was just observing how you manage things... considering you're the new head staff."Selene offered a small, modest smile. "I may be head staff now, but I'm still nothing like Klein. He's an incredible worker—he set a standard I can only hope to live up to."Rinko's eyes softened—just a fraction. "Perhaps," he murmured, his mind already drifting back to the files. "But you're doing better than you think."For a fleeting moment, Selene's smile grew warmer. "That means a lot coming from you, Master Rinko," she said gently. "Your standards have always been...exceptionally high."There was no sarcasm in her tone—only sincerity and perhaps a hint of gratitude. Rinko held her gaze for a moment longer, his expression unreadable, before giving a subtle nod."Competence deserves recognition," he replied simply. Selene's smile lingered as she resumed tidying the room."Excuse me, Master Rinko." she bowed and went outside the room.Rinko watched Selene leave, his sharp eyes noting her fluid, practiced movements. There was nothing outwardly suspicious about her—her body language seemed genuine, her demeanor composed. But as a former ANBU, he knew better than to trust appearances. Anyone in the Schnee Manor could be the one responsible for the murder of the original Rinko Schnee.After tidying himself up and ensuring he looked presentable, he stepped out of his room, his mind already calculating his next move.Just down the hall, he spotted Weiss approaching the dining area."Rinko! Good morning!" she greeted cheerfully."Good morning, Weiss. How did you sleep?" Rinko responded with a slight nod."Splendid! Oh—Father asked us to meet him in his office after breakfast."Rinko nodded again, filing away that piece of information. "Understood."Before they could continue, Whitley appeared from another hall, heading toward them with a casual wave."Good morning, Rinko, Weiss."Weiss rolled her eyes "Morning, Whitley."Rinko smirked and walked up to ruffle Wheatley's hair. "Good morning, buddy."Whitley scowled playfully, swatting Rinko's hand away. "S-stop that... I just fixed my hair!""Weak excuse," Rinko teased with a chuckle. "You're not a girl. It's fine.""Still... it's annoying," Whitley muttered while fixing his hair again.Weiss narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze shifting between Rinko and Whitley. There was something... different. Wheatley didn't seem to hate Rinko—not like before.'Did I miss something...?' she thought, puzzled by the subtle shift in their dynamic."Maa... Anyway, we're heading to the dining room," Rinko said, gesturing behind him with his thumb. "You coming?""Actually, that's where I'm headed now," Whitley replied with a small smile.Rinko nodded, walking alongside them, though his mind remained on high alert. As they walked, Weiss was behind them she was giving both of her brothers eyes.The three Schnee siblings entered the grand dining hall, where the long, polished mahogany table gleamed under the soft glow of an ornate chandelier. Despite its grandeur, the table felt less intimidating than usual—perhaps because of the company.Rinko, Weiss, and Whitley took seats close to each other, ignoring the table's vast emptiness. The maids bustled about, placing carefully arranged plates before them. Every dish was taste-tested thoroughly—a precaution established ever since Rinko's mysterious collapse a year ago, coinciding with Kakashi's reincarnation into his body.Rinko's sharp eyes tracked every movement of the maids. His subtle nod signaled his approval when the final checks were done. Satisfied, he turned to Whitley, who was already sketching something on a small notepad he'd brought to the table.Rinko raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"Whitley looked up, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "It's a concept for an automated gardening system. I had this idea after reading about hydroponic farming last night."Rinko blinked, caught off guard. "Gardening?""Yeah! Imagine if the greenhouse could take care of itself—watering, trimming, soil monitoring, the works." Whitley flipped the notepad toward them, showing a detailed sketch of mechanical arms tending to plants. "It could boost efficiency and reduce strain on the staff."Weiss stared, surprised. "Since when do you care about the greenhouse?"Whitley shrugged with a shy smile. "I... like spending time there. It's peaceful." His voice softened. "And Mother loves flowers."Rinko nodded thoughtfully. "It's a clever design. Have you considered pitching the idea to Father?"Whitley chuckled nervously. "I doubt he'd care about something like this.""You might be surprised." Rinko met his gaze steadily. "He's changed... a little."Weiss tapped her chin, still processing this unexpected side of Whitley. "So... this is what you've been doing lately? Inventing?""Sort of." Whitley scratched the back of his head. "I guess I just... like building things. Figuring out how they work."Weiss watched him with a mixture of pride and curiosity. Whitley had always been quieter, more reserved—but this was something entirely new. She smiled."Well," Rinko said, "if you ever need help with the presentation, you can count on us."Whitley paused as his eyes glimmered, Rinko continued, "We'll make sure your idea gets heard."Whitley's eyes lit up. "Really? You would do that?""Of course." Rinko's voice was firm. "You're family. Right, Weiss?"Weiss who was quietly eating, turned to them, "Right.." She drank her juice while giving them side-eyes.Rinko and Whitley chuckled to one another. Then, when Weiss had enough, "Okay, what's going on here?" Her voice made Rinko and Whitley stop their conversation."What are you talking about, Weiss?" Whitley asked, genuinely confused."This! I've never seen you two so close! The last time I saw you both hang with each other was a disaster, full of cursing, hating, and all that negativity! And now you two are acting like that never happened!" Weiss said her voice was high.Rinko and Whitley exchanged a glance, both caught off guard by Weiss's sudden outburst. Whitley blinked, clearly confused, while Rinko remained composed, though mildly amused."Weiss," Rinko began evenly, "people can change."Weiss narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Not that fast." She gestured between them with her fork. "Whitley used to despise being in the same room as you, and now you're laughing together like—like you're best friends or something!"Whitley scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I mean... we kinda are friends now?"Weiss nearly choked on her juice. "What?!"Whitley shrugged. "We talked... worked a few things out."Weiss's eyes widened. "Talked? Since when do you two talk without shouting?"Rinko smirked faintly. "We've found... common ground."Weiss scoffed. "The last time you two found 'common ground,' you ended up breaking three chairs and shattering a window."Whitley winced. "To be fair... the window was already cracked.""That's not the point!" Weiss snapped. "What happened? Did I miss some life-changing event or—"Whitley raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! It's not like that. We just... got tired of fighting all the time."Rinko nodded thoughtfully. "Whitley's better at fixing things than I expected. He's sharp—just needs guidance."Weiss's jaw dropped. "Did you... compliment him?"Whitley grinned smugly. "He does that sometimes. Don't let it go to your head, though."Rinko rolled his eyes but smiled faintly. "He earned it."Weiss stared at them both, still processing the unexpected harmony between her brothers. "I must be dreaming... or hallucinating."Whitley chuckled. "Hey! Didn't you used to hate him too? How come you two are all buddy-buddy now?"Weiss crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "We've fought Grimm together—you wouldn't understand.""See!" Whitley pointed at her triumphantly. "You got close to him fast too! Stop questioning us." He casually took another bite of his pancake, thoroughly pleased with himself.Weiss clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Oh, shut it, Whitley!" Though inwardly, she couldn't deny he had a point. 'He got me there...' she thought grudgingly.Whitley chuckled again, his tone shifting to something more sincere. "But seriously... it's real, Weiss. We figured being family meant working with each other instead of against each other."Weiss slowly lowered her fork, still stunned by his openness. "So... no more shouting matches? No more 'I'm never speaking to him again' tantrums?"Whitley shrugged. "We're still us, Weiss... but we're trying."Rinko, observing quietly, smirked faintly, his eyes glinting with subtle amusement at the banter.Kakashi then thought of how the Original Rinko would respond if he actually changed, "Old habits don't vanish overnight," he added smoothly. "But we've realized that constant fighting only holds us back."Weiss blinked, processing their words. "Hmph. I suppose that's... progress." She glanced at Rinko, raising an eyebrow. "Still weird seeing you of all people being... supportive."Rinko met her gaze without missing a beat. "Is it really that strange?""Yes!" Weiss and Whitley answered in unison, earning a genuine laugh from Rinko."Fair," he admitted. "But I meant what I said—if Whitley wants to work on his project, we'll support him."Weiss tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I suppose... if this keeps up, we might actually function like a proper family someday."Whitley grinned. "Scary thought, huh?""Terrifying," Weiss deadpanned, though a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.As the warmth settled between them, Rinko leaned back, feeling—if only for a moment—that this was what family should feel like. Even in the chaos of the Schnee household, perhaps change was finally within reach.Later, Rinko and WeissLater, Rinko and Weiss were walking together down the corridor, heading toward Jacques' office. Whitley had stayed behind, his focus fixed entirely on his inventions—his mind whirring with ideas and plans, completely absorbed in his work.As they approached the door, a familiar, authoritative voice drifted out from inside the office. Rinko and Weiss immediately recognized it. It was Ironwood."Is... is that Ironwood?" Weiss asked, her voice low as she fell into step beside her brother.Rinko nodded, pausing for a moment. "That's him. Let's wait here. Their conversation won't take too long." He gestured to the side, where they could stand just outside the door without intruding on the discussion.Weiss glanced up at Rinko, still trying to piece together the weight of the situation. Ironwood's presence was rare in the Schnee household, and she couldn't shake the sense that something important was happening behind those closed doors.A few moments later, the door creaked open, and Ironwood emerged, his face drawn and weary. He looked like someone who had been carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders for far too long. When his eyes met Rinko and Weiss, he stopped in his tracks for a brief second, and a tired but genuine smile stretched across his face."Weiss... Rinko..." Ironwood began, his voice thick with exhaustion but laced with sincerity. "Please know that you two always have a place here at Atlas Academy. We'll be back in session before you know it."His words seemed a mixture of reassurance and melancholy, the kind of sentiment that one would offer after a long, grueling battle. Rinko and Weiss both gave him a brief nod, acknowledging the sincerity of his words before he turned and walked down the corridor, leaving them standing outside Jacques' office.After a moment of silence, Rinko gave a small sigh before stepping inside the office. Weiss followed closely behind him, the air still heavy with Ironwood's parting words.Jacques Schnee was sitting behind his desk, his posture rigid but his eyes soft. He looked like he had been waiting for them for some time, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he gestured for them to take a seat."Rinko, Weiss, welcome," Jacques said warmly, though his tone held an edge of weariness that matched the atmosphere of the house. "Have a seat."Weiss sat down first, her brow furrowed in curiosity. "Father, why was Ironwood here?"Jacques sighed heavily, his gaze flicking to the window as though reflecting on the gravity of the situation. He hesitated before answering as if the weight of his words might be too much to bear. Finally, he met Rinko's eyes and spoke, his voice quiet yet firm."Ironwood told me that he's locking down Atlas in the coming months. Nobody in, nobody out," he said, his voice thick with the burden of the news. "And I won't be able to distribute any dust outside of Atlas, either. He said it's for security reasons, given the fall of Beacon... the death of Ozpin... the loss of so many lives..."He paused, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. "It truly is unfortunate, Weiss. But... I don't hate him, nor the decisions he's made. I understand his intentions, and... I respect that."Weiss and Rinko exchanged a glance, both absorbing the weight of their father's words. The room seemed to fall into a heavy silence, filled only with the ticking of the clock on the wall."You respect his decision?" Weiss asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and confusion. She had always viewed Ironwood as a figure who was, at times, overly rigid, perhaps even distant from their family. But now, hearing their father speak so calmly about him, she wasn't sure how to feel.Jacques gave a long, steadying breath before answering. "I do. Despite everything that's happened, I can see why he's making the choices he is. The situation is... dire. He's trying to keep Atlas safe, keep Remnant safe. And honestly, I think he's doing what he believes is right."Weiss didn't know what to say to that. She sat back in her chair, her hands clasped in her lap, her mind racing as she tried to reconcile her own feelings about Ironwood with the reality of the situation. She'd always admired the man for his conviction, but now, seeing how much had changed—and how much more there was to lose—it was harder to judge him so easily."I see..." Weiss nodded slowly, her gaze distant as she processed everything. Her mind was still reeling from the conversation, trying to align her personal feelings with the complexities of the situation. But as her eyes met her father's, she saw a flicker of something that wasn't entirely despair.Rinko, sensing the quiet tension in the air, was the first to break the silence. "Why did you call us, Father?" His voice was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity beneath it.Jacques cleared his throat, looking more composed now, though the fatigue of the conversation with Ironwood still marked his face. "The Schnee Dust Company will be holding a charity concert tomorrow," he said, his tone somewhat lighter as he shifted topics.Weiss blinked, her expression quickly shifting from contemplative to intrigued. "T-that's wonderful news!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with genuine excitement. The idea of a concert—especially a charity event—felt like a glimmer of something positive amidst the tension of the past few weeks. It was something familiar, something they could hold on to.Jacques smiled, though it was brief. "Yes, and I was wondering if you two could accompany me. As a family, of course. Whitley is coming too since I've already told him about this."Weiss and Rinko exchanged glances. Both were surprised by the invitation, but something about it felt right. The idea of spending time together, as a family—without the usual barriers between them—felt like a rare chance for them to reconnect.Rinko was the first to respond, his voice steady but warm. "Of course, Father. We'll be there."Weiss, still processing the unexpected turn of the conversation, nodded after a moment. "Yeah, I think it'll be nice. A chance for all of us to be together." Her voice softened as she said the last part, a touch of vulnerability creeping into her words.Jacques's face softened at his children's responses, and for a brief moment, it was as though the weight of his responsibilities had lifted, just enough for him to enjoy this small moment with his children. "Good. I'm glad to hear that," he said quietly, the corner of his lips twitching into a faint smile. "It'll be good for all of us."As they stood up to leave, the strange heaviness of the conversation still lingered, but there was a shift in the air—something faint, but real. The promise of the concert was something to look forward to, a small light amid the darkness. It was a chance to remember that, even in the midst of their struggles, there were still moments of connection and family. And maybe, just maybe, they'd find a way to navigate everything together.Rinko and Weiss closed the door of Jacques' office behind them. The sound of the click echoed softly in the hallway, signaling the end of yet another tense conversation.They exchanged glances, the weight of everything still lingering between them."I wasn't expecting that..." Weiss said, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of contemplation.Rinko chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Heh, yeah, me neither. But you know, maybe it's time to consider it. He's not the same man he was before." His smirk softened as he met her gaze. "Just a thought... Maybe it's right for you to forgive him, now."Weiss sighed, a soft, reluctant sound that seemed to carry the weight of years of unresolved tension. "It isn't as easy as you might think, Rinko..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. There was a vulnerability in her words, something raw and unspoken as if she was still unsure of how to move forward.Rinko paused, understanding flickering in his eyes. He stepped closer, his hand gently landing on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Hey," he began, his voice steady yet warm, "it's just a thought. I'm not forcing you into anything. You have your own path to carve. Whether you forgive him or not... I wouldn't think less of you."Weiss was silent momentarily, her eyes looking distant as she processed his words. She stood there, feeling the weight of his support, the unspoken understanding between them. It was the kind of reassurance she hadn't realized she needed, but now, standing in the quiet hallway, it felt like a small anchor amidst the uncertainty.Finally, she met his gaze, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Rinko," she said, her voice thick with gratitude. "That means a lot to me."Rinko smiled back, his usual smirk returning, but it was softer, more genuine this time. "Anytime, Weiss. Anytime."[End]