Morning light slipped through the curtains of the Nozomi household, spreading gently across the dining room floor. The sun had barely risen over the rooftops of Manila, yet the house was already alive with quiet activity. From the kitchen came the soft sounds of breakfast being prepared—oil sizzling in a pan, utensils tapping lightly against a plate, and rice steaming slowly on the stove.
Kosoku sat at the dining table with his legs swinging beneath the chair. His silver hair stuck out in every direction, the clear evidence of a child who had just rolled out of bed. He rubbed one eye lazily while watching his mother cook.
Alisa noticed immediately. "You're awake earlier than usual," she said while turning the food in the pan.
Kosoku shrugged. "Dad woke me up."
Alisa released a quiet sigh. "That sounds like him."
She glanced toward the hallway leading to the backyard. Gabriel was most likely outside already, inspecting the training yard the way other people inspected their morning coffee. To him, the day always started with preparation.
Kosoku rested his chin on the table.
"Mom."
"Yes?"
"Why does Dad like training so much?"
Alisa smiled faintly without stopping her work. "Because he believes strength solves problems."
Kosoku tilted his head, considering the answer. "And you?"
Alisa turned slightly, her ocean-blue eyes calm. "I believe control solves problems."
Kosoku thought about that for a moment.
Both answers sounded reasonable but they felt completely different. A moment later Alisa walked over and placed a plate in front of him.
The smell filled the room instantly. Garlic fried rice, sunny-side eggs. and a bowl of pork Adobo, the dark sauce glistening under the kitchen light.
Kosoku's eyes brightened. "Woah! Adobo!"
Alisa laughed softly. "I knew that would wake you up."
Kosoku grabbed his spoon and took a bite.
He paused mid-chew. "..Mom."
Alisa raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"It's not spicy enough."
From the hallway, a quiet chuckle answered him. Gabriel stepped inside while drying his hands with a towel. "You're five years old and already complaining about spice?"
Kosoku pointed toward the counter. "Where's the siling labuyo?"
Alisa sighed and returned to the kitchen before coming back with a small dish of crushed chili.
"Don't blame me when your stomach starts complaining."
Kosoku mixed the chili into the sauce and took another bite.
This time he smiled. "Perfect."
Gabriel sat across from him. "You really are my son."
Kosoku continued eating happily. Gabriel watched him for a moment before speaking again. "You're slow today."
Kosoku gestured toward his plate. "I'm eating."
"Then eat faster."
Kosoku groaned quietly but obeyed.
Alisa placed Gabriel's breakfast in front of him—garlic rice, eggs, and longganisa—before finally sitting down with a cup of tea.
For several minutes the three of them ate in comfortable silence. It wasn't awkward, it was simply the quiet rhythm of a family used to sharing mornings. When Kosoku finished, he leaned back slightly in his chair.
Gabriel looked at him. "Training starts in ten minutes."
Kosoku blinked. "..What?"
"You heard me."
Kosoku immediately turned toward his mother.
Alisa calmly sipped her tea. "Don't look at me," she said. "I'm the one training you today."
Kosoku sat up straight. "Wait... you?"
Gabriel smirked. "You should be more worried."
Kosoku looked between them. "Why should I?"
Alisa stood and walked toward the back door. "Because my training is harder than his."
Kosoku quickly followed her outside, curiosity replacing his sleepiness.
The backyard training ground looked the same as always. A wide dirt circle marked the sparring area, surrounded by wooden fencing. Practice dummies stood along one side while several metal rods were planted into the ground for lightning exercises.
Gabriel leaned casually against the fence while observing. Alisa stepped into the center of the circle and Kosoku walked toward her.
"What are we doing?"
"Mana control." Alisa said.
Kosoku frowned. "I already practice that."
Alisa shook her head. "No. You practice releasing mana."
She knelt slightly so their eyes were level.
"I'm going to teach you how to hide it."
Kosoku blinked. "..Hide it?"
Alisa nodded. "Yeah, you want to pretend to be, don't you?"
"I do, because I don't want attention." Kosoku answered.
Alisa smiled a little. "Then close your eyes."
Kosoku obeyed. The cool morning breeze brushed against his face.
"Now feel the mana inside your body."
Kosoku focused.
Lightning was the easiest to sense. It moved through him like restless sparks waiting to escape. Wind felt lighter, almost playful, shifting through invisible currents. Water was different. Its calm and deep like a quiet pool hidden beneath everything else.
"Good," Alisa said softly.
"You have three elements. That means three different flows of mana."
Kosoku nodded. "I know, Mom."
"Right now your lightning leaks naturally."
Kosoku opened one eye. "...Leaks?"
Alisa pointed toward his hand. Tiny sparks flickered across his fingers, however Kosoku hadn't noticed.
"That's what people feel," she explained.
"So what do I do?"
Alisa stepped closer and placed her hand gently over his. A soft green glow appeared as nature mana flowed from her palm.
"Imagine closing a door."
Kosoku focused again. The sparks around his fingers slowly faded.
"Don't force it," Alisa corrected gently. "Just guide it."
Kosoku exhaled. The lightning inside him settled and for the first time that morning, his hands stopped sparking entirely.
Alisa nodded with approval. "You're improving."
Kosoku opened his eyes. "That felt strange, Mom."
Gabriel spoke from the fence. "That's because you're not used to it."
Kosoku turned toward him. "Dad, do you hide your mana too?"
Gabriel shrugged. "Assassins do it all the time."
Kosoku looked back at Alisa. "So I should hide my elements?"
Alisa paused before answering. "Yes, you should."
Kosoku tilted his head. "Why?"
Gabriel answered first. "Because power attracts problems."
"For example those association watching, they knew something about you." he added.
Kosoku frowned. "That sounds annoying."
Gabriel smirked. "It is."
Alisa stepped back. "Try using lightning again."
Kosoku raised his hand. A bolt jumped from his fingers and struck a metal rod. The rod vibrated softly.
Gabriel nodded. "Now hide it."
Kosoku focused again. The sparks faded.
Alisa watched carefully. "Ohh, you're really a fast learner."
Kosoku smiled slightly. "That wasn't so hard, Mom."
Gabriel chuckled. "That's because we're just starting."
Kosoku blinked. "Wait.. what?"
Gabriel pointed toward the sparring circle.
"Now you fight me while hiding your mana."
Kosoku stared at him. "That sounds impossible."
Gabriel grinned. "Welcome to real combat."
Kosoku sighed dramatically and stepped into position. From the porch, Alisa leaned against the railing while watching them. Her expression remained calm, but her thoughts were far from quiet.
Kosoku was learning quickly, that makes him different from others, he wasn't just an ordinary kid and somewhere beyond the quiet neighborhood, there were already people beginning to notice.