Ah, damn it, it was bright.
Way too bright.
The moment I opened my eyes properly, the light flooded my vision, and I frowned without thinking. My head throbbed slightly as I squinted, trying to adjust.
…Why were they all here?
Didn't he say this was supposed to be a family dinner?
I slowly looked around the room, my brows knitting together on instinct.
The dining room was packed.
Too packed.
And the atmosphere—tense didn't even begin to cover it. Everyone was stiff, shoulders tight, backs straight, like they were waiting for a verdict.
What, did my father chew them out already or something?
Or—wait.
Oh. Oh no.
Was this one of those situations? A father who suddenly summoned his son's friends during the academy semester and gave them a long lecture under the excuse of "encouragement"?
…That would seriously suck.
"What is this?"
I spoke without raising my voice. Honestly, I was planning to just ask, then send the trembling kids away. I even felt a little bad for them.
