[Daffodil Academy]

The bell rang loudly, and within seconds, the quiet classrooms burst into life. Children rushed out, laughing and chatting as they headed toward the playground for lunch break.

Leo walked along with his friends, Mia and John, and the three of them settled on a nearby bench in the wide, sunny playground.

"Woah..." John leaned closer, eyes wide. "Mia, your lunch box looks so cool!"

Mia giggled happily as she opened it properly.

Inside were neatly arranged sandwiches with cute cartoon faces made from sauce, and tiny carrot flowers placed carefully on the side.

"My mommy made it!" she said proudly. "She always tries something new. This time she used one of my drawings as an idea."

"Seriously? That’s so awesome," John said, clearly impressed.

Then he quickly opened his own lunch box.

"I also brought something yummy," he added. "It’s not that fancy, but it’s my favorite."

Inside was simple food, but it smelled delicious.

"My mom knows exactly what I like," he said proudly. "She never gets it wrong."

Mia nodded. "That’s the best."

Then both of them turned to Leo at the same time.

"Leo, what did you bring today?"

Leo blinked and slowly opened his lunch box.

The moment they saw it—

Their eyes widened.

"Woah!!" John almost leaned in too close. "Leo, that’s like a feast!"

There was roasted chicken, neatly packed vegetables, and other rich dishes arranged perfectly.

Mia blinked in surprise. "That looks so... fancy."

Leo looked at his lunch... then at theirs.

"...Do you think so?" he said softly, his lips forming a small pout.

His lunch had always been like this. Nutritious, carefully prepared, and full of things he liked.

But...

It didn’t look like Mia’s.

It didn’t feel like John’s.

There were no cute shapes. No little details. Nothing that felt... special.

Mia quickly noticed his expression change. "Hey, why don’t you like it?" she asked gently. "It looks super delicious! I’ve never seen such nice food in a lunch box."

John nodded. "Yeah! Mine looks boring compared to yours."

Leo looked at them, but their words didn’t fully convince him.

Something still felt... missing.

He poked his food lightly.

"...It’s good," he said quietly.

But in his mind, a small thought formed.

Maybe... I should ask Mommy to make my lunch like that. Something fun. Something special.

His mood lifted just a little at the idea, and soon, the three of them started eating together, chatting and laughing again.

But then suddenly—

Thud!

A ball came rolling fast and stopped right in front of them, leaving them jumping a little.

"Hey!" John said, startled.

Leo blinked, looking at the ball. And then—they all turned to see who it belonged to... Nate.

"You kids... this place isn’t for eating your tiffins."

Nate’s voice came from behind, smug and loud as he walked over with his group of friends. The ball that had rolled earlier clearly belonged to them.

Mia frowned immediately.

"And it’s not time to play either," she shot back, crossing her arms. "Didn’t you hear the bell? It’s lunch break. So maybe you should go eat instead of bothering us."

Nate chuckled, amused rather than offended.

"You think I’ll leave just because you said so?" he said, tilting his head. "Keep dreaming."

John sighed, already annoyed. "Don’t bother, Nate. We’re not in the mood."

But Nate ignored him completely.

His eyes shifted—and landed on Leo.

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Well, well... my dear cousin," he drawled, stepping closer. "Looks like Butler Rupert packed you a feast again."

His gaze dropped to Leo’s lunch.

"Don’t you feel like sharing with your brother?"

He pushed John aside casually and stood right in front of Leo.

Leo didn’t move. His eyes stayed on Nate, quiet and unreadable.

Mia on the other hand quickly stepped in, grabbing Leo’s hand.

"Leo, let’s go. We’ll eat inside the classroom," she said softly.

John nodded. "Yeah, come on."

They both knew how this would go. Leo wouldn’t fight. And Nate... would never stop unless they left.

Leo hesitated for a second, then nodded.

"Let’s go," he said quietly as they turned to leave. But—

Thud!

"Leo!" Mia gasped as the ball hit Leo square on his back, making him stumble forward, nearly losing his balance before steadying himself.

John turned sharply, anger flashing across his face.

"Nate! Why can’t you just leave us alone?"

Nate smirked.

"Kid, you should keep your mouth shut," he said coldly. "Stay out of it."

John instinctively stepped back.

Nate bent down, picking up the ball again, tossing it lightly in his hand.

"This is between me and Leo," he continued. "You two don’t get to speak. If you do... well, you know what happens."

Mia and John fell silent. They knew Nate was bigger and stronger, and if he decided to hit them, it wouldn’t end well.

"Come, Leo... let’s go," Mia whispered again, tugging his hand.

Leo looked at her. Then back at Nate. His expression remained calm.

Too calm.

"Let’s go," he repeated.

They turned again. But Nate wasn’t done, and this time he threw the ball harder, hitting Leo’s back with force.

"Leo!" Mia cried out.

Leo fell to his knees, his lunch box slipping from his hands. The food scattered across the ground.

Laughter erupted.

"Did you see that?" Nate laughed loudly. "He can’t even hold his lunch properly!"

His friends joined in.

"And you two think he’s worth being friends with?"

Leo’s hands slowly curled into fists.

He had been trying to ignore it. Trying to stay quiet. Trying not to react. But then a memory flashed.

Ivy’s voice. Her lesson.

Don’t stay silent when someone tries to walk over you.

Leo’s gaze hardened.

I can’t fail Mom. He told himself, and without another word, he reached for the ball beside him and threw it. Fast.

"Ah—Nate!" someone shouted.

The ball shot forward, cutting through the air—

And passed right by Nate’s face.

So close it brushed his cheek.

Silence.

Complete silence.

Nate froze.

His face went pale, his breath catching in his throat.

For the first time—

He looked shaken.

He slowly turned his head toward Leo.

Leo was already standing.

His eyes were no longer soft.

They were sharp.

Cold.

Steady.

"Next time," Leo said quietly, his voice carrying more weight than his age should allow, "it won’t miss."

A chill ran through the group.

Even Nate’s friends took a step back.

No one laughed anymore.

Mia and John stood there, stunned.

Their mouths slightly open.

They had never seen Leo like this before.

"Let’s go," Leo said, picking up his now-empty lunch box.

His tone was calm again.

But different.

Stronger.

Without waiting, he turned and walked away.

Mia and John quickly followed, still processing what had just happened.

Behind them—

Nate stood frozen, watching until Leo disappeared from sight.

Then—

His face twisted.

Red with anger.

And humiliation.

"Damn it!" he kicked the ground hard before storming off, his friends scrambling to follow him.

Because for the first time—

Nate hadn’t been the one in control.