Autumn is a second spring

152. Talk 3.0

Ohm shifted slightly, rubbing the back of his neck as though bracing himself. "I know," he muttered.

Ann blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"That I am your favourite," he said simply, not looking at her.

Ann's brows knitted together, confusion flickering across her face. "H- how?"

Ohm let out a quiet snort, more embarrassed than mocking. "I know about all my merch you hide. The photo cards. The rare photos you collected. Even the ones you didn't post anywhere—you kept them inside your locker." He shrugged. "And I know you kept records of everything I have ever won. From that gold medal I got for the frog jump in kindergarten to the International Youth Business Magnate award from the Chamber of Commerce."

The silence that followed was sharp and immediate.

Then Ann's eyes widened, truly widened, and tears slipped down her cheeks before she could even compose herself. Her lips trembled as she stared at him, stunned, exposed in a way she had never prepared for. She had always done it secretly, quietly, from afar—thinking he would never know, never see, never find out how closely she had watched over him despite the distance.

She had never imagined Ohm knew.

"How...?" she whispered, voice cracking as she tried to hold herself steady. "How did you know?"

Ohm shrugged again. "You weren't exactly discreet."

And just like that, Ann burst forward, wrapping her arms around him so tightly that he stumbled a little. Ohm froze for a beat before his arms came up and he hugged her back, awkwardly but not resisting. Ann wept into his shoulder, all the years of guilt, distance, and longing pouring out in quiet sobs that shook her entire frame.

Seth exhaled, relief softening his features as he watched them. But then his expression turned curious. "If you knew all this time," he asked, "why did you stir up the whole matter about leaving the family?"

Ohm just shrugged casually as if it was not a big deal.

Seth narrowed his eyes. "Is this because of Fluke?"

Ohm gave the most nonchalant shrug in existence. "Sympathy card works best on Fluke."

He didn't even get two seconds of peace before Ann's hand smacked the back of his head.

"Do you know how worried we were?" she demanded, sniffing and wiping her eyes.

Ohm winced. "Sorry. I thought you would figure it out, just like Dream did. I am not dumb or hot-headed enough to leave the family over something that stupid." He paused, then added honestly, "I was mad though. You guys didn't show up at the hospital."

Ann groaned. "You brat. The only reason we didn't visit was because Kao and Boun were already there. We knew you preferred their company over me nagging you."

Ohm pouted, ready for petty revenge. "But you stayed with Boun when he was hospitalized."

Ann pinched his cheeks hard enough to make him yelp. "Because Prem wasn't around, and Boun likes attention. Unlike you—you would ignore me the moment I tried to fuss over you."

Ohm didn't argue because... she wasn't wrong.

Seth cleared his throat, his voice shifting into a serious tone. "Whatever the reason, you shouldn't do something like this again. You scared everyone."

Ohm looked away, shoulders drooping. "I just wanted Fluke to sympathize with me."

Seth snorted. "Did it even work?"