Chapter 5: Cold Stares
I walked towards the corridor, i still able to hear Mark's harsh words echoing in my ears. He seemed really irritated by my provocation.
"HAHAHA! Did you see that ugly face of his? It was absolutely hilarious!" Envi laughed uproariously.
"Haha! He needed to be put in his place once in a while. Just watch, I'm going to defeat him in our duel later," I said, my tone carrying a hint of arrogance.
"By the way, I haven't seen Naoki's biological mother around. Where is she?" I asked curiously, wanting to dig a bit deeper into this family's affairs.
"Her... The First Wife of the Patriarch and your biological mother, Ayame von Blackmore, passed away when you were born. She was always frail, and her body couldn't withstand the strain of childbirth..." Envi explained, his voice unexpectedly somber as if recalling something painful.
"I see..."
I can understand Naoki's pain. In my world, my mother means everything to me, and right now her life is hanging by a thread. Meanwhile, that scumbag of a father abandoned us for another woman. It's almost as if Naoki's and my destinies are intertwined in some twisted way.
I lost my father—not because he passed away, but because, to me, he might as well not exist anymore, while Naoki here still has a father who might understand him. And here, Naoki's mother is gone, whereas my mother is still alive on Earth. I found myself slightly moved by the strange coincidence.
"Hey Nao, let's focus on making you stronger so you can save your mother instead!" Envi's sharp tone snapped me out of my thoughts, reigniting my determination.
"You're right... I'm counting on you, Envi." I felt a sense of relief knowing I had Envi as an ally, even if he could be annoying at times.
"Leave it to the great Envi-sama! >_<" Envi responded enthusiastically.