Yumio was happy—so happy that it felt like her chest might burst if she didn’t smile.

  Today was the day.

  The day she would finally step inside Ainsworth University, not just as a visitor, but as someone who would soon belong there. The triplets and Ariana were enrolling today, and along the way, she would also get to see her older siblings again. Just the thought of it made her heart flutter with excitement and nerves.

  Touya and Akari were already students at Ainsworth—on-campus students, at that. Though the university wasn’t particularly far from home, the two of them had chosen to stay in the dormitories, claiming it helped them focus better on their studies and extracurricular activities. To Yumio, it sounded both intimidating and thrilling.

  Downstairs, the atmosphere was calm but expectant.

  Ariana, Yukio, and Yurio were seated on the living room couch, clearly waiting. Yurio sat comfortably with a book in hand, eyes focused as he flipped a page with practiced ease. Ariana lounged beside him, scrolling through her phone, while Yukio sat with his own phone in hand, tapping the screen repeatedly as if time itself was testing his patience.

  After a few moments, Yukio clicked his tongue and locked his phone, tossing it onto the couch beside him.

  “She’s taking too long,” he muttered.

  Yurio glanced up from his book, his expression calm and mildly amused. “If you’re growing impatient,” he said evenly, “why don’t you go to her room and call her yourself?”

  Yukio stood up immediately. “I’ll gladly do that.”

  Without waiting for a response, he headed up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. He stopped in front of Yumio’s door and knocked firmly.

  Inside the room, Yumio stood frozen in front of her bed, staring down at two carefully laid-out outfits.

  “Let’s see…” she murmured to herself, hands on her hips. “Which should I wear?”

  She picked up one, then the other, holding them up alternately in front of the mirror. Each time, she hesitated.

  A knock suddenly sounded, making her flinch.

  She quickly set the clothes down and opened the door, only to find Yukio standing there, arms crossed.

  “Kio!” she greeted brightly. “Do you need something?”

  Yukio raised an eyebrow. “Are you finished preparing?” he asked, a hint of annoyance slipping into his voice.

  “Almost,” she replied quickly.

  Yukio glanced past her into the room, then back at her. “What’s the problem?”

  Yumio opened the door wider and gestured inside. “I’m having a hard time picking what to wear.”

  Yukio let out a quiet sigh and stepped in, his eyes immediately landing on the two outfits on the bed. He studied them for a brief moment before pointing at the long-sleeved lavender maxi dress.

  “That one,” he said. “It suits you better. It complements your tone.”

  Yumio stared at him, clearly surprised. “Wow,” she said, blinking. “I didn’t know you had such great fashion sense—or that you even cared about what complements a tone.”

  Yukio scoffed, turning on his heel and heading back toward the door. “Just hurry up,” he said over his shoulder. “Don’t make us wait any longer.”

  Yumio laughed softly. “Alright, Mr. Grumpy.”

  Yukio didn’t respond, but the corner of his lips twitched slightly as he walked away.

  When he returned downstairs, Ariana and Yurio looked up at him almost simultaneously.

  “So?” Ariana asked, a teasing smile on her lips. “How was it?”

  “She let me pick what she’s wearing,” Yukio replied. “Couldn’t decide on her own.”

  Yurio chuckled, closing his book. “That explains the delay.”

  Ariana laughed along with him, and soon the three of them settled back into their waiting.

  A few minutes later, footsteps echoed down the stairs.

  Yumio appeared, now dressed in the lavender maxi dress Yukio had chosen, with Emi and Takeshi following closely behind her. She looked radiant—nervous, excited, and glowing all at once.

  She walked up to the couch, smiling apologetically. “Sorry for making you guys wait.”

  Yurio closed his book completely and smiled back at her. “It’s fine. I had extra time to read.”

  “You better hurry next time,” Yukio said, though his tone lacked its earlier sharpness.

  Yumio chuckled. “Sure. I’ll just ask for your help again next time.”

  Yukio scoffed, but Ariana, Yurio, and Yumio all smiled, sharing a quiet, warm moment.

  Emi clapped her hands lightly. “Alright,” she said cheerfully. “Let’s go now.”

  They gathered their things and headed outside, climbing into the car together. As the engine started and the mansion slowly faded from view, Yumio looked out the window, her heart racing.

  Ainsworth University… she thought.

  Today, a new chapter was finally beginning.

  To say Yumio was in shock upon arriving at Ainsworth University was a huge understatement. Her eyes widened as she took in the sprawling campus before her.

  The first thing that caught her attention was the large, antique metal gate, beautifully adorned with intricate engravings that gleamed under the morning sun. Beyond the gate, the campus stretched endlessly, dotted with manicured gardens, winding stone pathways, and impressive buildings of all shapes and sizes.

  Yumio’s gaze darted from one building to the next. There were not only colleges for higher education but also an academy and an elementary school within the campus itself. The thought of all the students bustling around made her pulse quicken with excitement. She noted the two libraries she could explore, the cafeteria that looked large enough to host hundreds of students, a small but well-stocked store, and eight dormitories—four designated for girls and four for boys.

  “This place is huge…” Yumio whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

  They parked near the office and the library, where Akari and Touya were already waiting. Yumio practically jumped out of the car and ran toward them, enveloping the two in a tight hug.

  “Geez, Mio! We just saw each other last week!” Akari laughed, though her smile was warm.

  “I know, I know,” Yumio replied, still hugging them. “But I missed you two anyway!”

  Touya chuckled and patted her back. “We missed you too. And honestly, we’re thrilled that you four will be joining us here at Ainsworth University.”

  “Can’t really help it,” Yukio said, pointing at Yumio with his thumb, a sly grin on his face. “She wanted to come here, and we were basically forced to tag along as her bodyguards.”

  Everyone burst into laughter, and Yumio pouted dramatically. “You’re mean!”

  Kio simply shrugged, looking completely unbothered. “No shame in admitting it,” Touya said, nudging him slightly. “You enjoy being here too, admit it.”

  “No thank you,” Yukio replied flatly, though the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement.

  Akari clapped her hands together, trying to refocus everyone. “Alright, everyone! Let us show you around. This campus is massive, and you’re going to need to memorize each building if you don’t want to get lost on your first day.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Yumio’s eyes sparkled. “I’m so excited!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her feet.

  Touya laughed at her enthusiasm. “Good! That’s the spirit. Come on, we’ll start with the library. You’re going to love it—you can spend hours here without even noticing the time.”

  Yumio’s gaze wandered toward the library as she followed them, already imagining herself curled up in one of its cozy reading nooks. “I can’t wait to explore everything. The dorms, the cafeteria… I want to see it all!”

  Akari smirked, teasing her. “Patience, Mio. One step at a time. You’re going to be overwhelmed if you try to take it all in at once.”

  “Overwhelmed?” Yumio said, grinning. “I think that’s part of the fun!”

  Yukio rolled his eyes but fell into step beside her anyway. “Just don’t get lost, alright? We’ll be keeping an eye on you.”

  Yumio laughed, her excitement bubbling over. “Don’t worry, Kio. I won’t get lost… as long as I have all of you with me.”

  As they walked across the stone pathways, Yumio couldn’t help but take mental notes of everything—the architecture, the flowers lining the paths, the students passing by with their backpacks and books. Everything felt new, vibrant, and alive, and she knew in her heart that this was just the beginning of an adventure she had been waiting for her entire life.

  As they continued touring the campus, Yumio fell a few steps behind the others, her attention drifting to her phone. The buildings were impressive and the chatter around her was lively, but her mind was elsewhere—for a moment, at least.

  She took out her phone and opened her dump account, smiling softly as she typed. During their quiet afternoons at the cliff, she and Liam had agreed to add each other there—no real names, no expectations, just a small shared space between them.

  Mio: We’re currently in Ainsworth for a tour and to enroll.

  Liam: Same here. Though with a campus this big, I doubt we’ll run into each other.

  Yumio let out a small laugh under her breath, imagining him somewhere on the other side of campus, probably walking with his usual calm stride, hands in his pockets, eyes wandering just like hers.

  Before she could reply, a voice suddenly spoke behind her.

  “Who is that?”

  Yumio nearly jumped out of her skin. “Nee-san!” she yelped, clutching her phone to her chest. “You scared me!”

  Akari laughed, clearly amused. “Sorry, sorry. But you were smiling at your phone like that. Anyone would get curious.” She leaned closer, trying to peek at the screen. “Who are you talking to?”

  Yumio hastily turned off her phone and slipped it into her pocket. “No one,” she said a bit too quickly.

  Akari raised a brow, unconvinced. “Really now?” She tilted her head, a knowing smile forming on her lips. “Is this perhaps the friend you’ve been seeing lately?”

  Yumio hesitated for a second, then nodded. “Yeah… that friend.

  Akari’s expression softened. She reached out and gently patted Yumio’s back. “That’s good,” she said warmly. “It’s nice to see you making friends—friends you chose on your own, not just the girls in your group.”

  Yumio smiled, feeling her chest warm at Akari’s words. “Thanks, Nee-san.”

  Akari straightened and gestured ahead. “Come on. Let’s catch up with the others before they leave us behind.”

  Yumio nodded and followed her, her smile lingering.

  As they approached the group, however, they noticed that everyone had stopped mid-walk. Touya stood at the front, arms crossed, his expression dark. Yukio looked visibly irritated, while Ariana’s gaze had gone distant and tense.

  Akari frowned. “What’s wrong, Nii-san?” she asked as she came to Touya’s side.

  Touya’s jaw tightened. “The Valencias,” he muttered, his voice low with annoyance.

  Yumio followed his line of sight and saw a family of four walking toward one of the college buildings. They looked composed and confident—almost too confident. Something about their presence felt heavy.

  “Valencia?” Yumio asked quietly. “Are they our family’s rival?”

  Ariana nodded. “Yes. The Valencias have been our family’s rival for decades.”

  “They’re manipulative,” Yukio added, disgust clear in his tone. “They smile like everything’s fine, but they’re rotten underneath.”

  Yumio glanced at him. “You sound like you have a personal grudge.”

  Yurio exhaled slowly. “They’re the reason Aunt Bambi is gone,” he said. “And Kio… had history with the second son. He’s around our age—and it looks like he’s enrolling here too.”

  Akari clenched her fists slightly. “The eldest son—the heir—is my age. He’s already studying here.”

  Yukio turned to Yumio, his expression unusually serious. “Once we start going here, stay away from them. Got it? They’re bad news.”

  Yumio nodded without hesitation. “I understand.”

  Her eyes lingered on the Valencia family as they disappeared into the building.

  They’re the reason Aunt Bambi died…

  Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. Then I can’t just ignore them.

  She took a quiet breath, resolve settling in her chest.

  I’ll keep my distance—but I’ll also keep my eyes open.

  Liam found himself smiling as they walked through yet another college building, his gaze wandering from the high ceilings to the wide windows that let sunlight spill across the polished floors. The atmosphere alone made his chest feel light. Students passed by in small groups, some chatting animatedly, others quietly reading as they walked, and it all felt so… alive.

  He couldn’t wait to study in Ainsworth.

  Ever since he was a child, the idea of becoming a doctor had never left him. It wasn’t a fleeting dream—it was something that had settled deep in his bones. He wanted to help people, to understand the human body, to be someone others could rely on in their weakest moments. Taking Biology as his pre-med was only the first step, and after that, he planned on applying to Ainsworth University’s College of Medicine. Just being here already felt like he was closer to that future.

  He walked alongside his parents and Nathan, listening to their quiet conversation as they explored the halls. Liam slowed down slightly, his attention caught by the artwork displayed along the walls—oil paintings framed in gold, abstract pieces splashed with color, and marble sculptures carefully placed in alcoves.

  “This building is wonderful,” Liam said, stopping briefly to admire a sculpture shaped like intertwined hands.

  Nathan glanced over and smiled. “This is the Arts and Humanities building. One of the oldest on campus.”

  Liam nodded thoughtfully. “Psychology is part of Arts and Humanities, right?”

  “It is,” Nathan replied. “Along with philosophy, literature, history—you name it.”

  “That’s nice,” Liam said, his eyes drifting toward a window overlooking the campus road below. Students were biking past, laughing, backpacks slung over their shoulders. “Biking around here must be really nice.”

  Phoebe smiled fondly. “If you want, you can bring your bike once you enroll.”

  Liam’s smile widened at the thought. “I’d like that.”

  They continued walking, but suddenly Nathan stopped in his tracks. Liam took a few more steps before noticing and turned back, confusion flickering across his face.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  Nathan’s expression had changed—his earlier ease replaced with something more guarded. He lowered his voice. “The Kishimotos…”

  Liam followed his gaze and looked straight ahead. In the student park just outside the building, a group of six people sat around a table, talking and laughing as if the world were theirs alone. At first glance, they looked like any other group of students—but something about the way Nathan stiffened told Liam there was more to it.

  “The other girl,” Liam said slowly, squinting, “she’s the triplet of Yukio and Yurio, right?”

  Nathan nodded. “Yes. She made her debut in March. The same ball you attended.”

  Liam frowned slightly as he recalled the event—the grandeur, the polished smiles, the unspoken tensions beneath every polite exchange. “Is she… going here too?”

  Nathan shrugged. “Possibly. I hear the twins and Ariana are enrolling here. And knowing them, there’s no way they’d leave their precious triplet behind.”

  He then turned fully toward Liam, his tone firm. “Remember this—stay away from them as much as you can. They’re the reason Uncle Lucretius died.”

  Liam’s brows knitted together.

  Our mystery uncle…?

  Lucretius Valencia. Lucero’s older brother. Officially, he had died from alcohol poisoning—or at least that was what the Valencias claimed. But whispers followed his name like a shadow. Rumors said the Kishimotos were involved, though no proof had ever surfaced.

  Liam didn’t know much about Lucretius. Only that he was dead. Only that he was family. And only that his name was never spoken without tension thickening the air.

  He looked back at the group in the park, his expression unreadable.

  I don’t know what really happened, he thought. But if they’re connected to Uncle Lucretius’ death…

  His fingers curled slightly at his side.

  I can’t just ignore them.

  Afternoon had slowly settled in, the sun no longer directly overhead but still warm enough to bathe the campus in a soft, golden light. The tour had come to an end, and with it, the time for the Kishimotos to leave Ainsworth University.

  Yumio stood near the car, her gaze lingering on the tall buildings and wide paths they had walked through earlier. A quiet sadness tugged at her chest, but beneath it was something brighter—anticipation. It won’t be long, she reminded herself. Soon enough, she wouldn’t be visiting Ainsworth. She would belong here.

  Akari stepped closer and pulled Yumio into a gentle hug. “Good luck, Mio,” she said warmly. “You’ll need it.”

  Yumio hugged her back, smiling against her shoulder. “Thank you, Nee-san. I’ll do my best.”

  Yukio, watching from a short distance away, clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. “Alright, enough with the snappy emotions,” he said flatly. “You’ll see each other again in a month.”

  Yumio pulled away and shot him a glare. “You’re heartless,” she muttered, before turning on her heel and heading toward the car.

  Touya laughed softly, shaking his head. “Kio, be nicer to Mio,” he said. “Especially now that she’s outside the mansion. She’s still adjusting.”

  Yukio opened his mouth to reply, but Yurio beat him to it, slinging an arm around Yukio’s shoulder with a grin. “Don’t worry about him, Nii-san,” he said lightly. “I’ll take care of him.”

  Touya gave him a small nod in gratitude. “Thanks.”

  He then looked toward Yumio, who was already seated inside the car, gazing out the window. “I’ll also look out for Mio,” he added.

  Akari turned to Ariana and smiled, relief evident in her eyes. “Thank you.”

  Ariana nodded. “Take care of yourselves.”

  With one last look at the campus, the three siblings smiled and waved goodbye before getting into the car. The engine started, and soon they were slowly driving away from Ainsworth University.

  Yumio rested her head lightly against the window, watching as the iron gates grew smaller behind them. Trees lined the road, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze, almost as if they were bidding her farewell.

  A soft smile curved her lips.

  Just a little longer, she thought. I’ll be back.

  And this time, she wouldn’t be leaving.