The morning sun barely broke past the clouds as Jin stepped into the hallway, hoodie half-zipped and slippers scraping against the polished floor.
"Good morning, Jin-ge!"
Ichiro greeted him sweetly from the stairs, bandaged arm tucked to his chest, a tray of tea in his hands.
[Shouldn't you be limping? Pick a trauma, actor.]
Jin nodded once and kept walking.
Ichiro's smile twitched.
When they were finally alone in the hallway near the indoor garden, the tray clattered slightly as Ichiro set it down.
"You know they're starting to doubt you."
He leaned in close, eyes narrowing, voice dropping into a venomous whisper.
"You're not even trying to fight for your spot. Makes it easier for me."
[Jeez. Can't you even stay in character for five minutes?]
"You should've stayed with your adoptive parents. Honestly, I was doing everyone a favor."
Jin tilted his head lazily.
"Oh?"
[Funny how you act tough when no one's watching. Wanna see who ends up eating tiles today?]
Ichiro's face contorted for half a second before snapping back into his wounded-angel persona as footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Xinyi appeared with a neutral gaze. "Jin, breakfast's getting cold."
Jin walked off without a word.
Ichiro followed behind a few seconds later, lips curled into a faint smirk.
---
At the dining table...
"I'll just have congee," Ichiro said meekly, fingers shaking just enough to draw attention.
Meimei frowned. "You're still not eating well…"
"It's nothing," Ichiro said, lowering his gaze. "I don't want Jin-ge to think I'm being dramatic."
[You are dramatic. The only thing you haven't done is faint in public.]
Xinyi's chopsticks paused mid-air.
Lianhua spoke up, "Jin didn't even do anything."
Ichiro forced a chuckle. "You're right. I'm probably just imagining things…"
[Yeah, you're imagining your own halo. It's cracked.]
---
In the Secret Group Chat
Grandma Li: "He doesn't even flinch when lying. What kind of training is that?"
Xinyi: "He cornered Jin in the hallway. The cameras caught it."
Father Li: "…Replay it. I want full audio."
Ergouzi: "BREAKING: Ichiro has booked an appointment with Family Lawyer Liu to 'update emergency will contacts in case of medical instability.'"
Lianhua: "He's planning something."
---
Later That Day – Rooftop
Jin stood with arms folded, eyes fixed on the distant city skyline. Wind tugged at his sleeves.
[They're all acting weird. Like they've had group enlightenment.]
[Or they're just faking peace before screwing me over again.]
[Good luck with that.]
Ichiro stepped onto the rooftop.
"Alone again, Jin-ge?"
"Don't call me that," Jin replied without looking.
Ichiro's tone shifted—bitter, mocking.
"You always thought you were better. But the family chose me. They loved me while you were busy playing the victim."
[No, they were just blind.]
"Sooner or later," Ichiro said, stepping closer, "you'll be out. And I'll be the only heir."
Jin turned, slowly, and smiled.
"I'll give you one chance, Ichiro."
"To what?"
"To run."
He cracked his knuckles once.
Ichiro stepped back instantly, façade gone.
"I'm not scared of you."
[You should be.]
---
Scene Cut – That Night
Meimei scrolled through the group chat again, tears pricking her eyes.
Transaction records. Hidden call logs. Secret recordings.
She looked down at her hands, guilt curling in her stomach.
All this time…
She hugged her knees on the bed, trembling.
"…Ichiro, what are you?"
---
Next Chapter:
Chapter 18 – Fracture Widening: Meimei's First Doubt