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Chapter 3 - RESILIENCES

On the other side of the school, Zevanya sat quietly in her class, feeling a bit nervous but also proud of how she looked. Today, something felt different—she was cleaner, her clothes were new, her hair neatly styled, and she even wore a bit of perfume. For the first time in a while, she felt confident in her appearance. However, this change in her looked didn't go unnoticed, and it only fueled the teasing from her classmates.

Lina, one of the students who often bullied Zevanya, saw her and immediately started giggling. "Wow, look who's trying to be a 'princess' now," she sneered. "You think you can change just by putting on new clothes? Hahaha."

Her friends joined in, laughing mockingly. Zevanya felt her face flush, but she tried to stay calm, not responding to the insults. She knew that if she reacted, it would only make them worse.

However, just as the situation was escalating, the door to the classroom suddenly opened, and a young man with disheveled hair walked in. He was wearing the same uniform as everyone else, but there was something different about his demeanor. It was Yeager, under the alias "Eren," stepping into the room with confidence. He immediately walked up to the group of bullies, his eyes sharp as he addressed Lina and her friends.

"Woi!" Yeager shouted, causing the entire class to fall silent. Lina and her group froze in surprise. "You have no right to mock her!" he continued, his voice full of authority, making Lina and the others go quiet. Everyone in the class was now looking at Eren, stunned by his sudden intervention.

Without giving them a chance to respond, Yeager gently grabbed Zevanya's hand and pulled her toward the door. "Let's go, Zev," he said firmly, but with a soft tone. "We don't need to be here."

Zevanya stood still for a moment, surprised by what had just happened, but she followed him outside without a word. There was a strange feeling of relief in her chest, knowing that someone was finally standing up for her.

Outside the classroom, they found Noel standing near the door, looking confused and lost as if he didn't know what to do. His eyes wandered, and he seemed unsure about the events unfolding around him.

Yeager looked at Noel for a moment, then placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Let's go grab lunch in the cafeteria," he said, trying to ease the tension. "Today, we don't have to worry about them. We'll be fine."

Zevanya and Noel nodded, though their faces still held traces of worry. Yeager led them to the cafeteria, ignoring the curious stares from the students around them. At the cafeteria, they sat together, finding a moment of peace away from the mocking and the chaos.

Yeager knew that although today they might find some comfort, the real challenges were still ahead. But for now, the most important thing was to give his siblings the space to feel safe and protected.

In the cafeteria, the atmosphere quickly shifted as whispers spread throughout the room. All eyes were on Yeager, now sitting with Zevanya and Noel. His presence, especially after his bold actions in the classroom, had drawn attention. But it wasn't just his behavior that made him stand out—his appearance, too, was striking.

"Who is 'Eren'? I've never seen him before," whispered a girl at a nearby table.

"Yeah, he looks really good, right? Handsome, and his face... so sweet," replied her friend, her eyes sparkling. "He's not from around here, is he? How did he just show up?"

Lina, who had been teasing Zevanya earlier, now found herself unable to stop staring at Yeager. "Is he... Zevanya's older brother?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity, though she wasn't sure. "But why doesn't he look like a typical new student? And how could he dare to yell at me like that?"

Other students sitting nearby joined in the gossip. "Wow, he seems like the kind of rebellious guy who doesn't care what people think. No wonder he yelled at Lina like that."

Zevanya sat quietly at the table, her gaze slightly lowered. She could hear all the whispers around her, but this time, she wasn't bothered. In fact, she felt a little better with Yeager—or Eren—by her side. His confident demeanor had a way of silencing people, and it gave her a sense of safety that she had never felt before.

Meanwhile, Noel, sitting beside Zevanya, seemed more at ease. Though he was a little confused by the sudden attention, he felt comfortable knowing Yeager was there. For once, he felt like nothing could bother them.

Yeager, sitting casually, listened to the whispers around him with a neutral expression. He knew that his presence would only add to the tension, but that was part of the plan. Being "Eren" allowed him to blend in without drawing too much attention to himself. Still, deep down, he knew that the real challenge was only beginning.

"Let's eat," Yeager said, smiling at his siblings, trying to shift their focus away from the chatter around them. "Let them talk. The important thing is we're together."

Zevanya and Noel nodded, and they began eating, even though many eyes were still watching them from afar. Yeager knew this was just the beginning. As their cover started drawing attention, new problems would emerge. But he was ready for whatever came their way—whether or not anyone knew who he truly was.

After the break, Noel and Zevanya headed back to their respective classrooms, while Yeager remained in the cafeteria, finishing his meal and observing the surroundings. Despite the whispers and stares directed toward him, Yeager stayed calm. He knew the mission was far from over, and he needed to stay focused.

After a while, Yeager decided to head back to the classrooms. His goal was to make sure nothing suspicious was happening around his siblings and to continue his investigation at the school. As he entered the building, his attention was suddenly caught by a young woman walking toward the teachers' lounge.

She had a familiar face—pretty, with neatly tied-back long hair and a warm smile. Yeager did a double-take when she turned slightly, and that's when it hit him. "That's... her!" Yeager thought to himself, eyes widening in surprise.

The woman was none other than his ex-girlfriend, whom he had met on a dating app a month ago. They had dated for a short time, but things didn't work out. And now, here she was, a teacher at this school. Yeager couldn't believe it. The situation was almost too ridiculous.

He tried not to show his shock. A small, amused smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Of all places, she had to be here... as a teacher?" Yeager thought, trying to suppress a laugh at the absurdity of it all.

He kept his composure, walking past her without drawing attention. His mind raced, but he didn't want to make a scene. He had to remain focused on the mission—protecting his siblings and finding out what was really going on at the school.

As Yeager entered the classroom that he was supposed to be in for his mission, he saw her again. The woman—his ex—was standing at the front of the class, full of energy and teaching the students. She was now a teacher, and the students seemed to be paying attention to her.

Yeager stood by the door for a moment, watching her with a faint smile on his face. He found it almost amusing how fate worked sometimes.

Despite the unexpected encounter, Yeager knew he had to stay focused. This was going to be an interesting day, for sure. But no matter what, he would stay on track with his mission and ensure that his siblings were safe—no matter who he ran into along the way.

Yeager walked into the classroom, trying to stay calm, though his encounter with Anne had left him feeling a bit anxious. As soon as he entered, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The students, who had been talking among themselves, fell silent. All eyes were on the door.

Anne, the young teacher who had just entered, froze when she saw Yeager. There was a moment of recognition in her gaze, a look that suggested she knew exactly who he was. She didn't speak right away, just stood there staring at him, as if trying to place him.

Yeager's heart raced. "Wait, she knows who I am!" he thought, panic creeping in. It seemed like Anne had recognized him not as "Eren," the new student, but as Yeager, the detective who was in disguise.

Quickly, Yeager grabbed the book in his hand and lifted it to cover his face, trying to hide his sudden nervousness. Anne had been his girlfriend for a short time, and they had talked about many things—she definitely remembered who he was.

Anne remained silent for a few moments, then slowly made her way to the whiteboard, writing something down. But her eyes kept flicking back to Yeager. He could feel the tension building, and he knew that if Anne decided to reveal his identity, everything he had planned could fall apart.

In his mind, Yeager forced himself to think quickly."Stay calm. Just stay calm," he thought. He knew Anne wouldn't easily blow his cover, especially not in front of the class. They had a history, and while their relationship didn't last long, she knew he was always careful with his actions.

After what felt like an eternity, Anne finally spoke, but her voice was soft and steady, which relieved Yeager a little.

"Alright, everyone, let's start with introductions," Anne said, turning to face the class. She intentionally didn't mention anything about Yeager or "Eren," perhaps choosing not to draw attention to him.

Yeager, still a little nervous, took a deep breath. He tried to stay composed, making sure his expression didn't betray his unease.

Though Anne didn't reveal his true identity in front of the class, Yeager could tell that sooner or later, they would need to have a private conversation—and it wasn't going to be as easy as he hoped. For now, though, he had to stay focused on his mission without causing any more trouble.

As the lesson began, Yeager sat at his desk, trying to focus on what was being taught. But his mind kept drifting—especially to how he would handle the situation with Anne later. The challenges were getting bigger, but Yeager knew he had to be ready for whatever came next.

After school ended, Zevanya and Noel walked out of the school building. The atmosphere was calm, but the tension between them—Yeager, Zevanya, and Noel—hadn't completely faded. They walked toward the parking lot where Yeager saw the car waiting.It was their father's car, who had remarried after their mother passed away some time ago.

Zevanya and Noel looked hesitant. They stared at the car with unease. Although their father had come to pick them up, both felt awkward about being around him, given that their relationship with him had grown distant ever since his remarriage. Their father had not been much involved in their lives lately, and they both felt more comfortable with Yeager, who had always been there for them.

"Come on, get in," Yeager said, trying to reassure them. "You're going home with Dad. He's taking you both home. Besides, he's got a lot of money. Trust me, he'll give us a lot of money." Yeager then whispered, "I'll ask for his ATM card later, so everything will be fine."

Zevanya and Noel exchanged looks, still uncertain, but eventually decided to follow Yeager's advice. Though they were still hesitant, they knew that Yeager always had a way of handling things wisely.

However, Yeager decided not to go with them in the car. "I can't join you guys this time," he said. "I have an appointment with David, Darren, and Valerie. There's something important I need to discuss." With that, Yeager waved his hand to his siblings and walked off toward his scheduled meeting.

As Yeager turned to leave, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Yeager!" came the voice from behind. He turned around to see Anne, the young teacher who was his ex-girlfriend, walking toward him.

Anne smiled warmly. "Aren't you going with them?" she asked in a light tone.

Yeager was a little taken aback but quickly masked his surprise. "Oh, I have other business," Yeager replied, nodding toward the car where their father had just driven off. "They'll be fine. They're going home with their dad."

Anne nodded but her expression seemed thoughtful. After a few seconds, she smiled again and said, "Oh, I'm sure you're hungry after a whole day at school. Come with me to the café. You must be starving."

Yeager was surprised. He hadn't expected this offer. Anne, who was once close to him, had been someone he had shared moments with, and even though their relationship hadn't worked out, he felt something odd at hearing this invitation. But perhaps this was a good opportunity to relax for a moment and get a good meal.

"Hey, do you still remember what my favorite food is?" Yeager asked with a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Anne laughed softly. "I remember. Don't tell me you've forgotten your own favorite food."

Yeager smiled. Maybe there was something to be gained from this opportunity, even though he knew this meeting would make things more complicated. But for now, eating with Anne seemed like a good way to release the tension.

"Alright then," Yeager said as he walked toward Anne. "Let's go to the café."

With that, Yeager and Anne walked off together, leaving the parking lot where Zevanya and Noel were heading toward their father's car. Yeager knew that even though things were a bit chaotic, at least today ended in a funny and unexpected way.

At the café, Yeager sat at a table near the window with Anne, sipping a cup of coffee. The warm and cozy atmosphere of the café helped ease some of the tension he was feeling. Anne sat across from him, smiling kindly, but there was a look of curiosity in her eyes.

Yeager, feeling a bit awkward, pulled out his phone and opened a messaging app. He quickly sent a text to Valerie.

"Valerie, I won't be meeting up with you today. I have something else to take care of. Let David and Darren know we'll continue later."

After sending the message, Yeager placed his phone back on the table and glanced at Anne, who was now watching him with a focused gaze. There was something different about the way she looked at him, as if she already knew something wasn't quite right. Yeager realized he might have been too open earlier.

Soon after, Anne suddenly spoke up. "So… you're undercover and running a mission at this school, huh?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity.

Yeager was taken aback. While he had suspected that Anne might know more than she let on, hearing her voice the question so directly caught him off guard. How did she know? What did she think of him now?

"What do you mean?" Yeager asked, trying to dodge the topic. He knew that if he told the truth, things could get very complicated. But if he kept avoiding it, Anne would only get more suspicious.

Anne chuckled softly. "Don't pretend, Yeager. I've known you long enough to figure out that you wouldn't suddenly show up as a new student here without a reason. Plus, you already know their family, right? Zevanya and Noel… they're your siblings, aren't they?"

Yeager went quiet for a moment, thinking. He knew Anne was sharp, and he couldn't fool someone who had once been close to him. But he still needed to keep the truth under wraps, especially when it came to the larger mission he was involved in.

"Anne," Yeager said finally, carefully choosing his words. "You know I always have a reason for doing things. This... is more than just a regular school. I'm trying to protect my siblings and figure out some things that are happening here."

Anne looked at him seriously, but there was no anger or disappointment in her expression. "I understand, Yeager. But you need to know, you can't keep everything hidden forever. There are things we have to face, and I'm sure you know that."

Yeager stayed silent for a moment, but then he felt a sense of relief. Anne wasn't revealing everything in public. She still respected what he was doing, even though she knew more than he would've liked.

"I'll be careful," Yeager said quietly, looking at Anne. "But I want you to know, I don't want this to get in the way of us. Whatever happens, we're still friends, right?"

Anne smiled softly. "Of course, Yeager. I'll help in whatever way I can. Just be careful, okay?"

Yeager nodded, feeling a little lighter after the conversation. Although the situation was still complicated, at least he knew there was someone he could rely on—though Anne now knew more than he expected.

That night, Yeager returned home after a long day. As soon as he stepped through the door, the first thing he noticed was the delicious aroma of food wafting from the kitchen. It was clear that Zevanya had been busy cooking.

Zevanya was at the dining table, surrounded by books, deeply focused on her studies—as usual, keeping herself occupied with her work. Yeager smiled fondly at his younger sister, admiring her determination. But as he glanced around, his eyes landed on the living room, and his expression shifted to one of surprise.

The room was filled with new clothes, snacks, and an assortment of other items, stacked neatly on the coffee table and couches. It looked like a mini shopping spree had just occurred, and there were enough supplies to last for a month.

Yeager blinked, then chuckled softly. "Did you two manage to charm Dad into buying all this?" he asked, amused by the sheer amount of things piled around.

Zevanya, who had been focused on her books, immediately perked up. She smiled proudly and raised her hand in a dramatic, playful gesture, as if she had just won a victory. "Okay!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with triumph.

Meanwhile, Noel was sitting on the couch, munching on snacks while watching a toy figure move around on the TV screen. He was completely absorbed in his little world, not paying much attention to the conversation.

Yeager laughed, shaking his head. "You two are something else," he said, still amused. "You've really got him wrapped around your fingers, huh?"

Zevanya grinned mischievously. "It wasn't hard," she replied, her tone playful. "Dad doesn't say no to us, especially when we ask in that special way."

Yeager could tell by the way Zevanya spoke that she and Noel had somehow managed to convince their father to buy everything they needed. It wasn't just the groceries or necessities—they even had extra snacks and some treats, all of which were now spread out in front of them like a small feast.

Yeager walked over to the living room, picking up a bag of chips from one of the tables, and threw a glance at Noel. "Noel, are you watching the same toy again?" Yeager teased gently.

Noel didn't answer, still staring intently at the screen. He simply nodded his head, absorbed in his little world. Yeager knew better than to push him for an answer—Noel was just in his own space, and that was fine.

"I guess we're set for the month, huh?" Yeager said, a smile tugging at his lips. "You guys really outdid yourselves."

Zevanya, still holding her proud expression, nodded enthusiastically. "Dad was happy to help us. He said we deserve it," she replied with a wink.

Yeager paused for a moment, reflecting on how complicated everything had become. Their dad may have been absent for a long time, but it seemed like his new life had made things easier in some ways. He hoped this was a step toward a better future for Zevanya and Noel—though, deep down, Yeager knew that his own mission would take priority in the days ahead.

"Well, you two enjoy the snacks," Yeager said with a smile, "I've got some things to take care of." With that, he grabbed a snack for himself before heading upstairs to work on the next steps of his investigation.

As he walked away, he couldn't help but think how, despite all the challenges and the secrets weighing on his shoulders, moments like this—where his siblings could be happy—made it all worth it.

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