I followed Kimiko into the dining room, my guard still sky-high after our conversation. The domestic scene that greeted us was like something from a family sitcom—Luka arranging plates of glistening bacon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and perfectly browned toast while Natalia sullenly poured orange juice into glasses.
"There they are!" Luka boomed, his face lighting up with genuine joy at the sight of his wife and stepson. "Just in time! The bacon's at peak crispness!"
I slipped into my seat, adopting the eager-to-please son persona I'd been crafting. "Everything looks amazing, Dad. Thanks for cooking."
"My pleasure, kiddo! Gotta fuel up that new muscle you've been building!" He clapped a hand on my shoulder with enough force to stagger a normal man. I absorbed the impact without flinching, earning an approving nod. "Strong as an ox now! What did I tell you, Kimiko? Just needed some motivation!"
