"No."
**Bang!**
Of course, Ivanna had already expected that. Even in the novel, Ivanna's original wish had been strongly opposed by her father. Still, Ivanna was a little annoyed that he had rejected her without even considering it.
"Dad, I really want to go to school. I've always studied at home, so I don't have any precious memories of school life. Besides, I'm fifteen now. I can start high school. Izora and Bro Rayden are there too, so I'm sure I'll be fine. Please, Dad."
Reno—Ivanna's father—set down the spoon and fork he was holding. He stared at Ivanna with an impassive expression, making her lower her head in deference. The man was the director of a major company that had been managed by his family for generations. Naturally, his authority was immense and oppressive.
The dining room, which should have been a relaxed place, was now filled with tension. Vita and Rayden could no longer continue eating and simply sat there in silence, not a word leaving their lips. Izora, meanwhile, continued eating without a hitch, as if the atmosphere didn't affect her at all.
"Why is Vanna suddenly asking for this? Did someone say something?" Reno asked, looking back and forth between Izora and Rayden. Izora ignored him, while Rayden kept his head lowered and remained silent.
Ivanna quickly raised her head and shook it. "No one. I'm the one who wants to go to school," she answered firmly. She dared to meet Reno's eyes as she spoke, convincing anyone who saw her that she was telling the truth.
Reno drew a long breath and slowly exhaled. He stared intently at Ivanna, then his gaze softened, turning warm and gentle, filled with concern. Ivanna was startled by the sudden change in his expression.
"Are you sure, Vanna? What if you suddenly collapse at school?" Ivanna's heart began to race. Once again, she was receiving an attention she had no right to have.
_"Original Ivanna, I'm sorry for taking this warmth away from you. It feels so comforting."_
"Nothing's going to happen, Dad. I'm getting healthier. I promise," she replied reassuringly.
"But Mom said you collapsed earlier," Reno suddenly interjected, making Ivanna flinch.
The young girl smiled awkwardly, unable to deny it. "I-it was just the usual shortness of breath, Dad. I'm fine now, see? Please, let me go, okay? Besides, Bro Rayden and Izora will be at school too. I won't be alone."
Unlike Rayden, who nodded, Izora clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Why are you dragging me into this? Whether you go to school or not, I don't care. So don't involve me."
Ivanna bit her tongue and blinked. She had forgotten that Ivanna and Izora's relationship had been terrible from the very beginning.
"Zora! Don't talk rudely to your sister," Vita scolded her, but Izora ignored her. The short-haired girl merely rolled her eyes lazily.
"I promise I'll take the best care of myself. I won't make Mom and Dad worry. Please let me go, okay?" Ivanna put on a pleading expression, making Vita and Reno soften.
"Just let her go, Dad. Vanna's practically begging, so she must really want to go to school." Ivanna nodded enthusiastically, confirming her mother's words.
Reno let out a sigh. He looked at Ivanna with a gentle gaze and unmistakable concern. "All right. You have my permission."
The girl thrust a clenched fist into the air, her face lighting up. "Thank you so much, Dad!" she cried happily.
Reno smiled faintly. "But remember, you have to take care of yourself. I don't want you collapsing at school. Understand?" Ivanna nodded, then touched the tip of her index finger to her eyebrow in a salute.
"Yes, boss!" Reno chuckled at that.
With that, Ivanna could carry out the plan she had carefully devised. Reno had opened the door to begin this mission. Ivanna would make sure to bring about a happy ending.
"All ready!" Ivanna exclaimed, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
Her white shirt and black skirt were paired with a black blazer decorated with white stripes. In her previous life, Ivanna had worn something similar. But of course, her appearance was different now because her face had changed. Ivanna wasn't exaggerating when she thought she looked incredibly beautiful in her school uniform. Especially since she had applied light makeup, so her skin no longer looked pale.
Several weeks had passed since Ivanna made that request, and today was her first day of school. She hadn't attended the new-student orientation yesterday because Reno hadn't allowed it, saying Ivanna didn't need to participate in unnecessary activities. Rather than argue with him again, Ivanna had simply agreed. The important thing was that she could attend school.
"Vanna," Vita called from outside the door as she knocked.
Ivanna turned around. "Come in, Mom. It's not locked."
Vita entered with a motherly smile on her face. She stared intently at her daughter's face, then cupped Ivanna's cheeks. The long-haired girl stood there silently, frozen and confused by what her mother was doing.
"My baby has really grown up. You're wearing a high school uniform now," she murmured softly. Vita lowered her hands and dabbed at the corners of her eyes, which had grown wet.
Ivanna's heart felt squeezed, leaving her breathless for several seconds. "Mom," she called, raising her hand, but she stopped when a thought interrupted her.
_"What right do I have to comfort her? This isn't my mission."_
Vita noticed Ivanna's sorrowful, pensive expression. She tilted her head slightly, then took Ivanna's raised hand, making the girl start.
"What are you thinking about, Vanna?" Vita asked gently. Ivanna stared at her for a split second before curving her lips into a smile.
"Nothing. I'm just excited to go to school," she lied.
Unexpectedly, Vita pulled the girl into a tight hug. "Forgive Mom and Dad, okay, sweetheart? We've kept you cooped up at home all this time," Vita said, filled with guilt.
Ivanna closed her eyes without returning Vita's embrace. _"Ivanna, this apology is for you. What am I supposed to say?"_ she asked herself.
Ivanna slowly loosened the hug. "Don't think about it anymore, Mom. What's important is that Mom and Dad are letting me go to school now. I'm already really happy," Ivanna said with a gentle smile.
Vita still didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but Ivanna changed the subject first. "Mom, I think Bro Rayden and Zora are probably done getting ready. We might be late if you keep me here talking."
"Ah, you're right. Come on, let's go downstairs." Ivanna nodded quickly and picked up her schoolbag. Then she walked alongside Vita, chatting lightly.
When they reached the first floor, Reno, Rayden, and Izora were sitting together at the dining table. Reno and Rayden smiled when they saw Ivanna, while Izora ignored her.
"Daddy's girl looks so pretty in her uniform," Reno remarked, making Ivanna smile awkwardly.
Rayden said nothing, but the smile never left his lips. Seeing it, Ivanna had no hesitation about giving him her sweetest smile, briefly startling him. Caught off guard, Rayden grew flustered and quickly looked away. Ivanna smiled faintly, thinking her favorite character was absolutely adorable.
Ivanna sat beside Vita, across from Izora. The girl tried to make eye contact with her twin, but Izora didn't give her the slightest chance. Ivanna decided to eat her sandwich instead.
"Ahem. Ivanna will be in the same class as Izora. I've already asked your principal to arrange it. So, Izora, you need to keep an eye on Ivanna and make sure she doesn't get into trouble." Reno's words brought both Ivanna and Izora's movements to a halt.
_"Oh no!"_ Ivanna screamed inwardly.
"Dad, I—ow!" The girl yelped and grabbed her leg, then shot a sharp glare at Ivanna, who had stepped on her foot.
Ivanna glared back at the girl with an odd smile, confusing Izora. As if ignoring Izora's stare, Ivanna turned her attention to Reno and smiled sweetly.
"Thanks for putting Izora and me in the same class, Dad. I'm so happy! But, **I promise I won't bother Izora at all.**" Ivanna deliberately emphasized her promise while glancing at Izora from time to time.
_"I hope she understands. I hope she understands."_ Like a mantra, Ivanna kept repeating the words in her mind.
"Mom will be happy if you two can get along again," Vita suddenly remarked, drawing everyone's attention.
Ivanna glanced at Izora to see her reaction, but the girl merely lowered her head and continued chewing her sandwich. Ivanna knew it was still too soon to hope that the two of them could get along. Izora's wounds weren't that simple.
"I'm done," Izora said after gulping down the rest of her milk. She rose to leave immediately.
"Zora, you're riding to school with Ivanna and Rayden today." Reno's absolute command stopped the short-haired girl's steps.
"I have my own driver, Dad." Izora emphasized every word.
"I already fired him. From now on, you three are going to school together." Reno's words shocked not only Izora but the rest of the family as well.
"Why did you fire him, Dad?" Vita asked, receiving a sharp glare in return.
"Because I decided to." Vita lowered her head and fell silent.
Izora clicked her tongue in annoyance without turning around. "Whatever. I can take public transportation." Then she walked away, ignoring Reno's furious calls.
"Who has that child been hanging around with to become so rebellious? She treats her own father's words like they're nothing. She has no manners." Reno continued grumbling without pause. He was clearly furious.
"And you, Rayden!" The young man immediately looked up when his name was called. "Don't only worry about yourself. I've already told you to keep a close eye on Izora's friends. But look at her now! What has she turned into?" Reno sneered.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I'll pay closer attention from now on," he replied, lowering his head deferentially.
Ivanna watched the scene with anger and sadness. This wasn't Rayden's fault, nor was it Izora's social circle's fault. It was this family's fault. Reno and Vita had spoiled Ivanna too much while placing demands on Izora. They had given their daughters different amounts of love simply because of a disease.
Although she wanted to argue on Rayden's behalf, Ivanna couldn't. If she spoke up, Rayden would only be blamed even more. She didn't want that, so she chose to remain helplessly silent. If her mission went smoothly, this family would find happiness too. Rayden and Izora included.
To be continued ....