a happy life kiyotaka x arusi

6

Chapter Six: The Test

It was a calm Saturday afternoon when Professor Ayanokōji arrived at the Ayanokōji household. The older man's presence was as commanding as ever, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the home Kiyotaka and Arisu had built for their family. He had long since retired from the White Room, yet his influence still loomed large over Kiyotaka's life.

Yuki, now six years old and brimming with energy and curiosity, was playing in the living room when her grandfather entered. She looked up from her puzzle, her dark eyes wide with curiosity. She knew Professor Ayanokōji was someone important—her parents had told her stories about how he had helped shape her father into the person he was today. But to Yuki, he was simply "Grandpa," a figure who, while serious, always showed a keen interest in her growth and education.

"Hello, Grandpa," Yuki greeted him, standing up and walking over to him with a bright smile.

"Hello, Yuki," Professor Ayanokōji replied, his voice as calm and measured as ever. He reached out to gently pat her head, a small gesture of affection that he reserved only for her. "How have you been?"

"I've been good!" Yuki replied eagerly. "Mama and Daddy have been teaching me lots of new things, and I just got my first report card! I got all 100s!"

Professor Ayanokōji's eyes flickered with a hint of approval. "That's impressive, Yuki. It seems your hard work is paying off."

Kiyotaka and Arisu entered the room, greeting Professor Ayanokōji with a respectful nod. They knew the real reason for his visit today—he had requested to test Yuki, to see just how far she had come in her development. Kiyotaka had agreed, understanding that his father's methods, though harsh at times, were thorough and effective. But there was also a part of Kiyotaka that was curious—curious to see how Yuki would fare under the scrutiny of the man who had once shaped his own life.

"Are you ready, Yuki?" Kiyotaka asked, kneeling down beside his daughter. "Grandpa wants to see how much you've learned."

Yuki nodded enthusiastically, her excitement bubbling over. "Yes, Daddy! I'm ready!"

Professor Ayanokōji observed their exchange with a thoughtful expression. "Very well. Let's begin."

They moved to the study, where Professor Ayanokōji had prepared a series of tests for Yuki. The tests covered a range of subjects—mathematics, logic puzzles, memory exercises, and even some basic physical challenges. It was a comprehensive assessment designed to push Yuki to her limits, to see just how much potential she truly had.

Yuki approached each task with a level of focus and determination that was remarkable for a child her age. She worked through the math problems with precision, solved the logic puzzles with ease, and demonstrated a keen memory for details. Even the physical challenges, which required a combination of balance and coordination, didn't faze her. She moved with the same calm confidence that Kiyotaka had always displayed.

As the tests progressed, Kiyotaka and Arisu watched from the sidelines, both of them quietly proud of how their daughter was handling herself. Kiyotaka noticed the way Professor Ayanokōji's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Yuki—he was impressed, though he would never openly admit it.

When the final test was completed, Yuki stood before her grandfather, her small chest heaving slightly from exertion. Despite the challenges, her eyes were bright with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

"Well done, Yuki," Professor Ayanokōji said, his voice calm but laced with a rare hint of approval. "You've exceeded my expectations."

Yuki's face lit up with a big smile. "Thank you, Grandpa!"

Professor Ayanokōji turned to Kiyotaka and Arisu, his expression thoughtful. "Her performance is extraordinary," he said, his tone measured. "She has surpassed the benchmarks I set for her, and in some areas, she has even exceeded where Kiyotaka was at her age."

Arisu's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She knew Yuki was talented, but hearing that she had outperformed her father at such a young age was beyond what she had imagined.

Kiyotaka, however, remained calm, though there was a flicker of pride in his usually stoic expression. "That's high praise coming from you, Father," he said quietly.

Professor Ayanokōji nodded, his gaze returning to Yuki. "She's not just talented—she's exceptional. If she had been in the White Room, her potential could have been fully realized. She could have become an even greater masterpiece than you, Kiyotaka."

There was a pause, the weight of his words hanging in the air. For a moment, the room was silent, each of them processing the implications of what Professor Ayanokōji had said.

But then Kiyotaka spoke, his voice firm but gentle. "Yuki doesn't need the White Room to reach her full potential. She has us, and she has the freedom to learn and grow in a way that suits her best. That's something the White Room could never offer."

Professor Ayanokōji regarded his son with a contemplative expression. "Perhaps you're right," he said after a moment. "She has something you didn't—she has a family who loves her and supports her unconditionally. That alone could make all the difference."

Yuki, who had been quietly listening to the adults talk, looked up at her father with wide eyes. "Daddy, what's the White Room?"

Kiyotaka smiled down at her, his expression softening. "It's a place where children are trained to be the best they can be. But you don't need to worry about that, Yuki. You're already doing amazing, and you have everything you need right here."

Yuki nodded, content with her father's explanation. "Okay, Daddy. I'll keep working hard and doing my best!"

Arisu smiled, wrapping an arm around Yuki's shoulders. "And we'll always be here to support you, no matter what."

Professor Ayanokōji observed the scene before him, his gaze lingering on Yuki for a moment longer. "She has a bright future ahead of her," he said quietly. "Make sure she stays on the right path."

"We will," Kiyotaka replied, his voice resolute.

With that, Professor Ayanokōji took his leave, his mind already turning over what he had witnessed. As he walked away, he couldn't help but think that perhaps, just perhaps, Yuki might surpass even his highest expectations. And though he would never admit it, there was a small part of him that was relieved—relieved that Yuki would never have to endure the harshness of the White Room, and that she would have the chance to become something even greater, something more human.

As the door closed behind Professor Ayanokōji, Yuki looked up at her parents, her face full of determination. "I'm going to keep getting better and better, Mama, Daddy. I promise!"

Kiyotaka smiled, pulling her into a gentle hug. "We know you will, Yuki. And we'll be with you every step of the way."

Arisu joined the embrace, wrapping her arms around both Kiyotaka and Yuki. "We're so proud of you, Yuki. Always."

And as the three of them stood together, their bond stronger than ever, they knew that whatever challenges the future might hold, they would face them as a family—together