Ran and Rindo

There has always been an unspoken rule in your family: never ask unnecessary questions.

You were almost ten, the youngest in your family. Life was simple for you: pretty dresses, bows, toys, sweets, and two older brothers who doted on you.

Ran was fifteen, Rindo was fourteen. They argued constantly and would fight over the slightest thing, but whenever you were upset, they would both immediately take your side. Ran often carried you in his arms, and Rindo would secretly bring you sweets, even if your mother forbade it.

Your father adored you too. He owned a huge business and was a man respected and feared by many.

Mom seemed calm and ordinary, but it was just a facade. In reality, she was incredibly intelligent and often outsmarted her father.

“I told you your plan wouldn’t work,” she said calmly.

• Yes.

• AND?

• You were right.

• Louder.

Father sighed heavily:

• You were right.

• Now that's good.

But you didn't know the main thing.

Your family was tied to the criminal underworld. Your father ran one of the most influential organizations, your mother was his chief advisor, and Ran and Rindo were trained from childhood to help their parents.

For you, they remained simply dad, mom, and beloved brothers.

They wanted to keep this illusion going for as long as possible, so that you wouldn't know about the blood, the weapons, the betrayals, and the people who were afraid to speak your father's name.

Late evening

The house was unusually quiet that evening.

Mom hadn't returned yet, and Dad was in the office with Ran and Rindo. You were sternly told not to go in there, but they didn't explain why.

You were sitting nearby and playing with a toy. The nanny fell asleep on the sofa after a long day.

Everything was calm.

Until suddenly a loud sound came from the office.

BOOM!

You flinched.

The sound of breaking glass was then heard.

You stood up slowly and looked at the office door.

A tense silence hung behind her.

And for the first time, you became truly interested in what was going on there.