CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: FAMILY OF FACADE

Eiden remained still, frozen in place, as he watched the woman his mother place her disguise into her bag and walk away, calm and composed, as if nothing had just happened. No confrontation, no tension, no explanation. It was as if the alley hadn’t just become a crime scene in his heart.

He didn’t try to go after her. Didn’t shout. Didn’t move. Because in that moment, Eiden didn’t recognize her. She looked like his mother, Dally Forth. Her face was the same. Her hair. Even her scent that lingered briefly in the air. But he would rather believe she was a doppelgänger. Or maybe a twin. Something absurd. And yet he himself was walking around with an absurd phenomenon called a system in his head. So was it really that far-fetched?

As her figure finally disappeared down the alley, swallowed by the dimming light, Eiden stood there for another thirty minutes. Frozen in place. Rewinding the image over and over in his mind, hoping that somehow it would rearrange into something less terrifying. It never did.

Eventually, as dusk crept in, he stepped out of the alley, walking aimlessly until his body found its way back home. The hesitation in his heart grew heavier with each step closer to the gate. His fingers gripped the cold iron for what felt like hours before he finally pushed it open and walked in.

As he approached the kitchen, his chest tightened. Part of him was desperate to see her to ask why, to scream, to demand the truth. Another part of him didn’t want to see her at all. Didn’t want to hear a single word.

Two sides of him waged silent war. "Eiden, why are you coming back late these days?" a voice rang out casually. It was her. Dally. His mother. He forced a smile and looked at her. She stood by the stove like usual, a calm, warm expression on her face. As if she hadn’t just

His gaze shifted slightly. A second figure sat at the dining table. Familiar. Grounded. His father.Algir. "He’s a boy after all," Algir chuckled, stretching lazily. "Let him live a little."

Eiden looked at the two of them and had to clench his fists. So many questions burned inside him. So many accusations. But he said nothing. If not for Face Master, he thought grimly, I would’ve already cracked and exposed myself. Instead, he laughed awkward, dry, and distant. "I was out with my friends. Sorry, ahahahaha..." He then turned to his father. "Welcome back, Dad. How was your business trip?"

"It was the usual," Algir replied, his tone relaxed. "Tiring."

"I’m a bit tired too. I’ll go upstairs for now," Eiden muttered. He didn’t wait for a reply. He couldn’t. Not one more second in that kitchen.

As soon as he reached his room, he collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling like it could offer him answers. His thoughts swirled, clashing, colliding, forming knots of confusion and exhaustion. "I’m not smart enough to understand what’s going on," he thought. "I don’t know what this means, or why it happened. But I can’t afford to waste myself overthinking."

His heart was heavy, but his thoughts were measured detached, even. "For now... I’ll just act normal. Observe. Watch everything carefully. The truth will show itself eventually. And if it doesn’t... I’ll make sure that one day, I become smart enough to understand it." With that quiet resolve settling inside him like a stone in water, he picked up his phone and typed a message: Eiden: Today was fun. Thank you, Lyra. I hope we can do this again sometime.

He stared at the message for a second before hitting send. After a while, he changed into his house clothes and came downstairs. The smell of warm food greeted him. His dad was already seated at the dining table, reading something on his phone. His mother that woman was serving food like nothing had ever shifted between them.

When she noticed him, she smiled warmly. "Sit down, sweetheart. The food is ready."

He did. He sat down and began to eat, the food tasting just like it always did. Maybe that was what disturbed him most. The way everything still felt normal.

"So, Eiden," Algir said mid-meal, "I heard you can sing?" Eiden blinked. "Huh?"

"Your mom told me about it. Every time we spoke on the phone, she wouldn’t shut up about it." Eiden forced a small chuckle. "I just... found out I could, I guess."

Algir nodded, pleased. "It’s good to try new things. You never know what hidden talents you’ve got buried in you. Sometimes, you don’t know yourself as well as you think." Eiden nodded silently. Yeah, he thought bitterly. Clearly, I don’t.

His parents continued chatting like nothing had changed like neither of them had just betrayed the image Eiden had of them. Like nothing was broken. And maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t. Maybe it was just him who broke.

As he looked at them, Eiden thought to himself: Maybe I didn’t really need the Face Master. Maybe this was just one of my hidden talents...

Eiden sat there, silent, smiling when expected, nodding when required. On the surface, he was calm. But inside, it felt like he was walking a tightrope over an abyss. He had to maintain his composure, keep his mind sharp, and his emotions sealed tight. One wrong expression one stray look and everything might spill out. He wasn’t sure if it was his Face Master skill or just pure survival instinct, but either way, today’s dinner was easily the most mentally exhausting meal of his life.

He chewed the food but barely tasted it. He wasn’t eating out of hunger just routine. Like a machine programmed to finish the job. A few times, he choked from eating too fast, forcing himself to cough quietly and smile it off. Once his plate was empty, he stood up quickly. "I’m going out for some fresh air," he muttered, already heading for the door. Neither parent objected.

The evening air was cool, a slight breeze brushing against his skin as he wandered aimlessly through the quiet streets. His mind was still spinning, trying to digest what he had seen... what he hadn’t said... what he couldn’t say. Eventually, he found himself standing in front of a familiar house. Sasha’s. He blinked, surprised. Since when did I get here? he wondered. His feet had carried him without thinking. Come to think of it... Sasha hasn’t been over at my place in a while, he thought, his gaze fixed on the warm windows. I wonder what’s up?

He didn’t go in. Not because he’d be a bother he knew Sasha’s family would always welcome him but because... he just didn’t feel like it. So he stood there, motionless for a few quiet seconds, until a sudden light beamed into his face.

"Ah " he raised his hand to shield his eyes. The light quickly retracted. "Eiden?" came a familiar voice. He turned. It was Mr. Glaint, Sasha’s house security guard.

The man stepped closer, flashlight lowered. "Boy, what’re you doing out here? You’ve been standing like a statue I thought you were some suspicious fellow." Eiden rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. "I was just taking a stroll, hehe."

"You’re not coming inside?" Mr. Glaint asked, a brow raised. "Nah... I’ll head back now," Eiden replied casually. The guard nodded. "Alright then, lad. Stay safe out there."

Eiden began to turn, but then hesitated. Something tugged at him. "Oh, by the way," he called out. "What’s Sasha been up to these days?" Mr. Glaint tilted his head. "Why?"

Eiden offered a small smile. "She hasn’t come by my house lately, so I got curious." Glaint scratched his chin. "Huh. Aren’t you two close? Didn’t she tell you?"

Eiden gave a sheepish, awkward smile. "We had a little fight."

"Ahhh," Glaint replied knowingly. "You two fight all the time. I’ve seen it more times than I can count." He chuckled, then added, "Well, she’s had a friend over for a few days now. Some girl... Cris? Crys?"

"Crysty?" Eiden offered. "Yeah! That’s the one. She’s been staying over a while." Eiden’s smile faded a little. "Oh... I see." He fell quiet for a moment, then nodded politely. "Well, good night then, Mr. Glaint."

"Huhu, good night to you too, Eiden," the old guard said with a wave. Eiden walked away slowly, his thoughts heavy again. When he reached home, he didn’t feel like seeing his parents again not after dinner. Not after... everything. So he decided to sneak back into his room.

He opened the gate gently. Slipped through the front door without making a sound. Tiptoed silently across the hallway. But just as he passed the living room, he heard something a strange rustling sound.

He glanced toward it. And froze. Dally and Algir were in the middle of what could only be described as a passionate tongue wrestle.

His mind shattered. Nope. Nope nope nope . He retracted his gaze instantly like it had been burned. His foot stepped back, and he quickly tiptoed again, not daring to breathe loudly.

He opened the gate.He stepped outside. Closed the door. And finally, with all the repressed weight of that image and everything else crashing down on him, he let out a whispered, sharp exhale:

"...Fckkk!!"