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The winds howled like restless spirits as they swept through the cityscape at midnight, carrying with them the whispers of countless souls. Amidst the glittering lights of skyscrapers and neon signs, the pulse of urban life thrummed incessantly, a symphony of chaos and harmony interwoven in the fabric of the night. The city was alive, yet beneath its vibrant surface lay a hidden world of secrets, regrets, and unspoken truths.Perched on the highest rooftop of an office building, a man stood alone, his silhouette a stark contrast to the city's vibrant pulse. Elric gazed at the moon, its light casting a halo of silver over his weary form. With a heaviness that seemed to sink deeper than bone, he pondered the mysteries of his existence, grappling with questions that lingered in the shadows of his mind. The weight of his past pressed against his chest, a constant reminder of the battles he had fought—and lost—along the way."Man, why am I the only one living so miserably?" Elric muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the wind. The words were familiar—a mantra he had repeated countless times in the solitude of his thoughts. "Will anything ever go right for me? Why do I always seem to draw the short straw in life? It's as if the world itself conspires to remind me of my insignificance."The moon, cold and distant, offered no reply. It simply watched, a silent witness to the man's torment. Elric's eyes traced the jagged skyline, the countless windows glowing like fireflies in the night. Each light represented a life, a story, a struggle. And yet, he felt utterly alone, as though he were the only one who carried such a heavy burden."Within the confines of their sanctuary, Minoru leaned against Averil, finding solace in the familiar cadence of his voice as the narrative of the beloved novel unfolded before them. The tale of "Hero of Darkness" served as a lifeline—a realm where their imaginations soared, free from the burdens of reality. The story was more than just fiction; it was a mirror, reflecting their own struggles, fears, and desires.Minoru's thoughts drifted, entwining with the protagonist's anguish. He too had felt the sting of loneliness, the ache of being misunderstood. But in this moment, with Averil's arm around him and the warmth of their shared bond, he felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, he thought, they were not as alone as they believed.The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of pages being turned and the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards beneath them. Geneviéve and Adlar, ever the attentive companions, lounged nearby, their presence a comforting constant in Minoru's life. They were more than friends; they were family, bound together by shared experiences and unspoken loyalty.But peace, as they had come to learn, was fleeting.As the weight of past shadows threatened to engulf Minoru's consciousness, a sudden intrusion shattered the fragile peace of their haven. His parents burst into the room like gales, disrupting the sanctuary with their presence. The door slammed against the wall with a resounding crack, and the room's tranquility evaporated in an instant.Stirred from slumber, Minoru, Geneviéve, and Adlar snapped to attention, hearts pounding in anticipation of the looming tumult. Shouta's sharp and searching gaze pierced through the room, falling upon Averil with an intensity that brooked no resistance. Hizashi stood beside him, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a stern expression that sent shivers down Minoru's spine."Dress appropriately and join us downstairs," Shouta's command cut through the tension, demanding compliance from the reluctant trio. His voice was low and controlled, but there was an undercurrent of emotion that Minoru couldn't quite place. Anger? Disappointment? Fear? It was impossible to tell.Minoru bristled, a flicker of rebellion masking his obedience. The weight of unsaid words hung heavy in the room, pressing against the walls like a suffocating fog. He exchanged a glance with Geneviéve and Adlar, their expressions mirroring his own unease. Something was wrong—terribly wrong—and the realization sent a cold wave of dread coursing through him.Minds ablaze with curiosity and unease, Averil guided Minoru in the simple act of donning his clothes, a tender gesture amidst the storm. There was a quiet strength in Averil's movements, a reassurance that Minoru clung to as they prepared to face whatever awaited them downstairs. Geneviéve and Adlar, ever the attentive companions, followed their guardians with unwavering loyalty, sensing a shift in the currents of their family's dynamics.As they congregated in the common room, the element of heaviness lingered in the air, a tempest poised on the horizon. Yuuga, Fumikage, Denki, and Shoto stood before their family like sentinels of a looming revelation, the weight of their secret pressing against their chests. Their expressions were unreadable, but the tension in their postures spoke volumes.Shoto's voice cut through the silence like a blade, the gravity of his words drawing the attention of their kin. The moment hung suspended, pregnant with the unspoken truth that trembled on the cusp of revelation."We have something important to share—a secret we have kept for years."The room fell deathly silent, the air thick with anticipation. Denki's veiled gaze darted between his parents, the weight of their expectation bearing down on his fragile resolve. His hands trembled slightly, but he clenched them into fists, determined to see this through."We're all in relationships—something we've hidden... until now."A tremor of disquiet rippled through the room, Shouta's eyes ablaze with a storm of emotions as the truth unfolded before him. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might speak—or shout. But he remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the group as though seeing them for the first time.Hizashi, ever the mediator, stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Relationships? With whom? And why did you feel the need to hide this from us?"The question hung in the air, unanswered. Yuuga shifted uncomfortably, his usual confidence wavering under the weight of the moment. Fumikage, ever stoic, met Shouta's gaze head-on, his dark eyes unflinching. Shoto and Denki stood side by side, their shoulders brushing in a silent show of solidarity.It was Shoto who finally broke the silence. "We didn't want to lie to you," he began, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. "But we knew you wouldn't approve. We knew you'd see it as a distraction, a weakness. And we didn't want to risk losing what we had."The words struck a chord, and for a moment, the room was still. Shouta's expression softened imperceptibly, the storm in his eyes giving way to something deeper—something akin to regret."We're not kids anymore," Denki added, his voice quieter now. "We're old enough to make our own decisions. And we're not asking for your approval—just your understanding."The air in the room shifted, the weight of their confessions lifting ever so slightly. Shouta's gaze flicked to Hizashi, and the two shared a silent conversation, their unspoken bond as strong as ever. Finally, Shouta sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world."You're right," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "You're not kids anymore. But that doesn't mean we stop worrying about you. You're still our children, and that means we're going to care about the choices you make—even if we don't always agree with them."The words hung in the air; a tentative olive branch extended across the chasm that had formed between them. Fumikage felt a pang of guilt, realizing how much they had kept from their parents. But beneath that guilt was a spark of hope, a belief that perhaps, just perhaps, they could bridge the gap that had grown between them.As the shadows of their confessions enveloped the room, Shouta's resolve wavered, his heart a battleground of conflicting emotions. The shadows of revelation lay bare, and the echoes of their truths resonated in the silence that followed.But in that silence, there was also a glimmer of something new—something fragile but unbroken. It was the beginning of a conversation, a step toward understanding and perhaps toward healing.