The air is filled with the sound of wooden swords clashing against each other, of boys grumbling because of the pain inflicted upon them by their training mate. Yet, none stopped acting; no one dares to stop moving or practicing even without much supervision.

Those who fell to their feet rise back up. All who felt pain held their scream. Each of them was recruits for future soldiers, fodder for their small country that is slowly threatened by external forces.

Around them were young girls who laughed at and humiliated them, encouraging them to work harder unless they wanted to join the gang of girls on their way to the academy.

Robin wanted to join the girls.

His breath was already short, his chest was having difficulty rising up. He was exhausted, had already fallen countless times. His training mate's eyes are calm as he waits for Robin to get back up. Seeing Robin resting and kneeling on the ground, not holding his sword as a blessing, for he doesn't want to hurt the great general's son.

Robin disagrees, he felt that his training mate had hurt him enough, and he couldn't do it anymore. Alas, as he remembered what his father said to him this morning, the little one forced his body to stand up.

He used the wooden sword he had picked up back from the ground as support, ignoring his shifting, hazy gaze.

Robin practiced the basics of swordplay, put on the beginner stance, and again challenged the opponent who had been waiting for him.

Even so, his opponent could see past Robin's poor acting.

From the shaky sword to the semi-conscious posture, he knew his opponent could fight no longer; he has no need to use any more strength.

Believing his assessment to be correct, the training mate looks around for permission to leave the circle, not finding it from the coach's stern gaze. He was forced to finish what he didn't start.

Robin was pushed down. Scattering the dust, He meets the comfortable darkness and fell asleep in his weariness.

In his sleep, voices strange yet familiar call out to him, trying to tempt him.

Yet, before he could hear their offer, "Your son is sick, Ether." The voice of his parents wakes him.

"Sick? He's exhausted, Arion. You made him work as if he wasn't human!"

"He wasn't!" His father replied, inviting Robin to take a peek, seeing his father's eyes glowing with blood as the man continued, "He is a man." With a strong emphasis on his last word.

"He's ...!" His mother stops when she finds Robin's eyes staring at them both, watching his young mind grow confused about the reason for his parents' debate.

Unlike his mother, whose face is full of guilt, his father looked away, as if telling young Robin that he didn't deserve to make eye contact with the father he wanted to make proud.

Silent fell upon them, freezing the incident like a chill, ready to split and separate them all as a family, but Robin's mother stopped it.

"Robin," his mother said to Robin, who didn't respond, "Come here, honey." The boy's busy trying to read the look of his father's face, which was eaten by the veil of night that had descended across the city, "It's time to eat, son. Your day must be tiring, right?"

"And that's why he's so weak," interposes Robin's father, inviting a sharp gaze from his mother before she finally gave up on the father and chose to persuade Robin instead.

The loving woman walked closer to Robin, lifted her dress a little so as not to be dragged on the floor that is dirtied by the feet of the people who brought Robin home to rest.

Arriving at little Robin, the woman knelt down and put on a maternal smile as she slowly and gently stroked Robin's blonde hair.

"Robin," the mother whispered softly, "Robin," directed Robin's hand to touch her braided hair, "Robin!" But Robin's attention only breaks when the mother insists, raises her tone, and finally catches the boy's eyes.

Managed to take Robin's eyes off his father, "How about dinner?" The mother asked softly, holding Robin's arms as a symbol of an invitation in which those invited could not refuse.

Little Robin nodded and looked into her mother's eyes, teary with confusion and fear at the loud voice her parents had raised to each other in their quiet house.

Unfortunately, "Mom cooked your favorite today, you know?" Robin's mother could no longer see that. The gentle woman had carried Robin into the dining room while lighting the lanterns stuck on the stone walls of their house.

His mother sat Robin in the boy's usual chair before putting the luxurious foods they usually only eat at celebrations at the dinner table.

Robin watched in silence, keeping one question in his mind, "Mother."

"Hm?" His mother responded.

"Where's father?" A question he only asked when his mother sat down, but his father is nowhere to be found near them.

For Robin, this is the first time they have not eaten as a family.

It was true that his father was extremely busy as the great general. Still, that man never once missed the opportunity to eat with Robin and his mother, even though he had to rush out afterward.

Therefore, Robin felt this was wrong. A feeling that was only amplified by the look on his mother's face, "Your father is busy, honey." And the woman's broken answer that is hard to believe.

However, little Robin could only nod. Knowing whatever his mother wanted to say can't be said, Robin chose to believe that there is a good reason behind it.

Seeing Robin nodded, "It's fine, Robin." His mother's smile returned, "Let us eat." As she invited him, "You know what we're celebrating, right?"

Robin shook his head, widening his mother's smile as she answered her own question, "We are celebrating the day where you will make us proud, dear Robin." Stroking Robin's hair yet again.

Robin finally smiled, holding his mother's words firmly in his heart as he chewed excitedly on the woman's delicious food that was cooked just for Robin.

And yet, Robin didn't finish it all, being careful not to overeat so that there was more leftover food for his father.

Robin knew very well that his father ate a lot, so he stopped eating after calculating roughly how much food his father used to eat.

Seeing Robin's actions made his mother asked, "Why did you stop eating, honey? C'mon now, eat more, will you? I know your day was tiring."

"But how about father ...?" Robin replied, a bit fearful to fight back.

Such a look on the young boy's face drew pity from his mother; it made the woman want to chase, beat up, and then drag her husband home to see how much love their child had for them both.

But not now, "... Robin ...." Now, "... I have set aside a special meal for your father." She must persuade her son to forget about that bastard for a little while.

The woman lied in an attempt to calm Robin down, making the boy ask, "Where?" With a sad expression.

His mother was stunned, confused before replying with another lie, "In the cupboard."

"There's nothing in the cupboard ..." Robin argued quickly in a whisper, finally exhausting the mother's patience, who hates his father for the moment.

"Robin!" The woman snapped, "Forget your father for a moment, okay?" Impatiently persuading Robin, "Today is only about the two of us. He will definitely eat out. " She continued.

Waiting in silence for a while, Robin, who tried to back away from his mother with every word she said, responded by shaking his head and pushing his plate away.

Realizing the results of her actions, the mother reached out, but it was too late. Robin climbed down and ran out of the dining room to his bedroom, for he would rather continue the sweet dream that invited him to nowhere.

What Robin left behind was his mother sitting in the kitchen, staring at the many meals she cooked in hopes of celebrating Robin's first day entering the military academy.

Something that they could no longer celebrate seeing the reactions of the two boys in the house, who were both immature and unaware of each other's situation.

There was a great desire in Demeter's heart to squander the contents of her table. Fortunately, her memory of Robin stopped her from doing that.

Her gentle son always seemed ill-suited to war, but that didn't mean he didn't have any talent in life.

Demeter was sure that her son would be a great warrior and different from the others because her son had the heart to use a shield to protect all who did not deserve to die.

And suppose her son really can't become a soldier. In that case, Demeter plans to send him to the university where she once studies.

A plan her husband would absolutely be against but didn't sound so bad to Demeter, who knew very well what her university was all about.

Sure, there are cooking lessons there, but the university's focus is to teach politics and diplomacy to young women to equate with the men studying at the capital's military academy.

Demeter could see the accomplished political would-be from their eyes, and she could see a caring light for the people in Robin's serene gleaming eyes.

The woman smiled with delusions that were starting to run wild—her son leading the troops with a large, heavy shield that could protect all of his soldiers.

Her son spoke passionately about the importance of well-being for all and how the aristocracy is a lousy system.

And so on, and so forth, until Demeter realized something and laughed out loud. So happy she feels that the burdens of all the troubles of today seem to float away.

Demeter realized she couldn't imagine her child hurting another creature, no matter what.

Her son would only protect his own soldiers, never kill enemy soldiers. Her son would just advocate for welfare for all and not death for kings.

In that realization, after her laughter, Demeter felt that she had understood her son.

The son that she kept thinking about while cleaning the dinner table to store the food in the cupboard per tiny Robin's wishes to feed his father.

Demeter's child is unique, unfit to be compared to all the other boys that are busy dreaming of war. Demeter is sure her son, even now in his sleep, dreams of peace, a victory for everyone.

But she's wrong.

Little Robin was dreaming of an old curse that had existed since the creation of the world.

Among the whispers that told Robin the totality of his desire was a secret that Robin was still not ready to accept, thus keeping the invitation hidden deep within.

However, Robin could already feel the pull. Dragging him to a place that doesn't exist, into a fight with dozens of other people. Houses burned, land razed, yet the war rages on.

Everything’s for entertainment, for the sake of a single wish.

The night’s gone, the moon reign ended, now replaced by a symbol of beginning that shone peacefully and quietly to all.

Robin opened his eyes; the sun had already invaded his room, dazzling him, who had a little difficulty getting used to it. He awakens from the same dream, a dream he first saw a decade ago.

Robin took a moment to stare at the ceiling of the room and consider what the dream meant for the millionth time before finally getting up from his bed.

He started the morning excitedly, stripping himself ***** and showering with clean water that Robin can use any time, an advantage of being the great general's son.

After being satisfied with scrubbing his body clean, Robin started dressing, wearing uniform per the university's rules while combing his waist-length blonde hair.

Now confident with his appearance, Robin prepared what he needed today. He then stepped into the kitchen of their house. There, he found it empty as he hoped.

His mother’s asleep still and his father's busy personally supervising the training of the most excellent soldiers of the capital for the annual competition.

All of that allows Robin to practice what he learned at the university yesterday, letting him cook two simple recipes that don't require a lot of spices or time.

After he finished making vegetable soup and meatballs, Robin arranged everything on the table for his mother to find. He then snatched an apple from a sack in the kitchen corner because now he had much more important things ahead.

Robin trotted cautiously through the streets of the still dozy capital. Along the way, she was greeted by people accustomed to seeing him enthusiastically starting the day so early in the morning with a pile of books in hand and an apple in his pocket.

Exiting the exciting part of town deliver Robin to the place where he stopped the most during his trip: the slums where he will always give a silver or two to the poor he finds.

That and the fact that Robin took the circled route was the main reason Robin woke up so early, not to mention he enjoy greeting people and the occasional cooking.

All that morning activities were enough for many people to call Robin productive, without counting the lessons he would soon receive at the university that he had reached.

"Sir," said Robin, accompanied by a smile to the university gatekeeper who replied, "Red." With a smile that is just as warm.

Has exchanged greetings with the gatekeeper, Robin stepped inside to find a sight he was all too familiar with.

The students walked back and forth with their respective companies. They were all graceful and beautiful in their ignorance of Robin, who also had his own goals there.

Robin continued walking, treading the usual road to his class before the bell rang and forced him to stay put until the next course comes, a boring experience for Robin.

On his way to class, Robin’s met and was greeted by several of his peers who replied in kind.

When he got to the classroom, Robin put the apple he had brought with him on the teacher's desk before sitting in the front, being the first to arrive at the class.

It only took a moment for the other friends to catch up and once again greeted Robin, who still looked full of energy in his seat.

Robin already has paper and stationery in front of him, ready to write down all kinds of explanations from the teacher, who finally comes in to receive the usual formal greetings.

Robin's day continues by listening to explanation after explanation. His first class today is ethics, and listening to and watching the teacher's demonstration, it’s clear that Robin still has a lot to learn about ethics.

Maybe mom too, Robin thought with a smile as he recalled his mother's much more masculine behaviour than all the women Robin had ever met.

Such thought evolves into more delusions that were ended by the bell, concluding their class while giving all the students a little rest before they move again.

The girls inside started gossiping and telling stories while Robin was busy tidying up his books and stationery to make it easier to carry them to the next class.

After doing that, Robin stared silently around for a moment with a hint of envy in his heart. Robin indeed knows them all, but none of them really know Robin.

After all, Robin's already been advised by his mother to keep his identity secret at the university. At least until he graduated and had the diploma and education to become a politician.

Here, Robin is known only as Red Hood, not using his family's name, which is more valuable and known to all.

Of course, some people are already suspicious of the similarities between Red's appearance at the university and Robin, the son of Arion Andemo, the great merciless general.

Starting from the face, hair color, tone of voice to the route Robin takes. The similarity between the two was irresistible, and Robin had to agree because it was true.

However, not many people can prove the resemblance, especially after Robin slowly disappeared from the public eye with his mother's help. Add to the fact that Arion is too harsh to be persuaded by gossip, Robin has not been and probably never will be caught.

Because of that, without a doubt, he continued to the next class after hearing another bell.

His steps slowed somewhat, allowing the other students to pass but not so far ahead to cause concern.

Remembering the ten years of his life he spent here, Robin also remembered that soon he would graduate and have a certificate in his own name.

When that time comes, Robin must tell everyone his true identity and hoped his mother's influence is strong enough to get him the diploma.

And if his mother's influence is not enough, it means that Robin must admit everything to his father, who wants Robin to be a real man.

Robin’s afraid to do that. Thinking about that possibility alone was enough to make Robin stop on his way to class, only to be awakened by the teacher who will teach Robin in the next lesson.

Robin's day then continues as usual, going on without so much trouble with Robin jotting down all the things he feels are essential in his journals.

Ethics, dance, politics, history, and logic are all the lessons today. A schedule that is very unattractive for Robin, who really likes cooking.

Although Robin must admit, the reason he never really enjoyed dancing was because of the dance partner. Robin always thought she was not necessarily that attractive.

"No, no, no." Robin shook his head, "I'm sorry, Eri. Sorry, sorry, sorry." Erasing the thought from his head before standing and exiting the class that had been finished for a while now.

Robin watched the other students come home in pairs, lifting their uniforms so they wouldn't get dirtied with dust while holding their books in hand.

Robin's jealousy returned for a moment, bringing a melancholy that Robin didn't really want.

He had to go home before night comes and his father was home to see him looking like this because if that happened, Robin would die. Hence, in the worst case: Robin should not just go home until his father is not there.

Filled with such thought, Robin forced his feet to move and sped up his pace.

"Evening, sir!" Robin waved goodbye to the gatekeeper, too hasty to stop his jog for a proper goodbye.

"Evening, Hood!" He replied, "Be careful on the road!" And warned.

Robin nodded and continued.

Unlike the route he went, Robin's return route was relatively straight and lacked any turns or reasons to stop.

Even so, that doesn't mean Robin will arrive home fast enough to race his father, who should be on his way home too.

And sure enough, at home, Robin's mother was already busy arguing with her husband, who had just arrived.

"Can we at least wait for Robin? I'm sure he will be home soon."

"I'm hungry, Ether. And your child should be able to find food on his own now. All he did is disappearing since morning and coming home at dusk to sleep until the said morning arrives again." Arion rebuts his wife's plea, still busy removing the robes and armor he used to make him more authoritative.

"Our son is fighting his own battle." Demeter emphasized, full of anger, "What part of that can’t you understand?" She tugged at her husband's shoulder, so their eyes meet, "He just wants to make you proud."

In the last sentence, "Makes me proud?" The dam that held up all kinds of feelings for Arion every time his son was discussed, "If he really wants to make me proud ..." Broke, " ... he'll stay in the academy!"

Arion pulled his shoulder away, “He's running! After failing on his first day, he ran!" Arion's eyes accused angrily, "And you helped him!" Putting half of the blame on his wife.

"That’s my fault?" Demeter asked, raising an eyebrow. She challenges her husband, who answered: "Of course! You're his mother!"

"And you? Who are you if not the father?"

"I have no children." Arion answered with hatred, "Not anymore." Alongside a pang sadness.

His wife was silent in disbelief listening to the words that had just come out of Arion's mouth. The great general was aware of his words' implications but too proud to back down from the position he had taken so boldly.

Silence fell on the two, with Demeter tearily holding back her urge to beat the man in front of her with all the strength she had.

Robin still needs Demeter's good reputation among the people of the capital; if only his beloved son no longer needs her, then she will definitely ....

"... Forget it." Demeter calmed down, "Let me tell you what you don't have, dear Arion." Taking a deep breath that was exhaled with disappointment, “You have no heart. That's what you don't have. " Demeter finished her sentence, "Bastard." Letting her body wearily wilt into their living room chair.

Her eyes stared at the ceiling in shocked still, wanting to ask justice from the gods who had matched her with an immoral man like Arion.

Or maybe, Demeter should blame her father. That stupid old man only accepted Arion's proposal because he wanted the best for his daughter and future descendants.

But clearly, Demeter's father's judgment was wrong.

Because outside, Robin was listening.

Robin froze in disbelief. He wanted to run away from reality, from his father's words.

His body trembled; his eye's teary. He wanted to cry as he kneels on the ground and blaming none but himself.

However, Robin couldn't do it. At this moment, he can't help but remember his father's speech about what defines a man.

They didn't cry; they swallowed it all up and used it as a weapon toward those who had stolen everything from them.

He held back his feelings, keeping his disappointment tucked in his throat with all his might until the doorknob was snatched from his hand.

His father appeared. The topless man stared at the crying Robin with anger before spitting in front of Robin and walking away.

Robin was silent for a while until he decided to step inside their cold family's home. He closed the door behind him, then joined his mother sitting on the sofa.

The woman who loved him so looked at Robin with pity as she strokes his blonde hair. A Soft, simple, and warm gesture he always liked.

Yet, Robin can only hate himself for not being able to fully enjoy his mother's love. All he could do was think of his father's angry and disappointed gaze.

"Mom." A gaze that made Robin, "What does it mean to be ..." Opened his mouth, "... a man?" And throws a question to his sweet mother.

A question that silenced his mother. Not a single strand of her long black braided hair or even clothes moved.

Robin's mother is petrified momentarily before regaining consciousness and then continuing all movements.

In his mother's head, there are so many words that come up to describe a man. However, none of these words define Robin.

This led them to silence and an awkward smile. Seeing such a smile etched on the woman's face, Robin's only response is guilt.

He knew very well that his mother didn't want to hurt Robin's feelings. After all, Robin already knew the answer to his own question. He could already imagine it since he asked.

His father is a man.

Strong, brave, and stubborn with a tall and muscular body full of wounds from the training and warfare that his father had been through.

It was clear to Robin that he wasn't all three. Robin is weak; he is afraid of the dark and can easily be dragged into anything.

His body was thin and short; his skin was white, smooth, and soft. His face was oval, his chin's not firm, his Adam's apple could hardly be seen.

He is anything but a man, everything that's excluded from the definition of a man himself. In fact, many people would argue that Robin is the opposite of a man.

From his long hair to his shallow note, no one would suspect Robin of being a man even if he wore masculine clothes in front of them.

"Maybe that's the problem ..." Robin whispered.

Inviting the attention of his mother, who then asked, "What's the problem, honey?" Surprising Robin, who didn't listen to himself.

His desire to hide his plans from his mother, "I ..." Was crushed after seeing the genuine concern on his mother's face, "... Would he be proud of me if I become a man?"

Like an innocent child who doesn't know anything, Robin's asked with a serious tone.

Even his mother, who can read all kinds of clues in Robin's body, eyes, and voice, couldn't find a shred of doubt in her son's heart.

Robin is serious, Demeter thought as she continued thinking about what to say next.

She could say yes to Robin's question, seeing how that was what her husband wanted in the first place.

However, doing so meant weighing his son with something he was not built for.

Demeter's child is unique, and she doesn't want to see her love and pride cut off his wings just because her stupid husband doesn't like to see an angel in their house.

Demeter opened her mouth, then closed it again, trying to find the best words and things to say.

Until finally, after so much deliberation about how she shouldn't lie to her flesh and blood, Demeter nodded, and Robin smiled understandingly.

Demeter often saw the boy put on a smile like that, "So ..." A yielding smile, "Are you going to do it?" But not a giving up one.

Robin's thoughts and ideas were not something that Demeter could read in detail. Still, Demeter at least knew that now Robin would try harder to satisfy his father.

And sure enough, Robin will.

He nodded in response to his mother's question, turning his yielding smile into a big one to hide any kind of fear and disappointment.

He held his tears on the emotional dam, didn't want them to fall, and violate his father's definition of what a manly man's qualities were.

"Thank you, mom." Robin held his mother's hand, pulled the hand away from his golden hair.

The mother was silent for a while before smiling empathetically, "How about dinner?" And move their topic to something lighter.

Robin excitedly agrees. He quickly walked to the empty kitchen and sat on the chair he had been sitting on since he was a child.

His mother, who followed behind, began arranging the food on the table. Every now and then, she glanced at Robin, who looked so happy with his new determination to become a man.

After finishing the food arrangement, Robin's mother sat beside Robin.

Their dinner for the umpteenth time started and ended without his father at the table.

However, Robin believes his decision tonight will quickly change all this. Soon, he will be able to reunite this beloved family of his.

Robin ate until he was full, then he washes up before going to sleep, ready to do everything he could to achieve his new want.

And like a sign, the dream that had haunted him for a little more than a decade had changed.

This time, Robin could clearly hear his wish, could easily see an invitation letter given to him by a red, crooked, and broken hand.

The creature's other feature was covered in a mist white as their empty surroundings.

Robin should've been afraid. He should've denied the letter, but he took it.

The wax-sealed letter glowed for a moment, then its details changed. Now, the wax seal has a particular motif, a small circle inside a larger one.

Intrigued, Robin opened the letter. Written inside:

"Robin Andemo,

We know of your destiny, of the red thread of fate that binds you, and we must confess: we sympathize with your situation.

Yet, we cannot help you, not if you are still where you are standing now. Our strengths, our abilities, can only be used in certain places.

And because of that, we invite you to our humble home in the center of the world.

Don't be late, my friend. Because twenty other people are in the same situation as you, and we can only grant one wish.

Whatever that wish might be.

Sincerely, Hidel"

Robin then saw the silhouettes of other people appearing around him, each one of them so different, from the color to the shape of their shadows.

A woman, a man. Adults, children. Blood red, natural green. They were twisting and turning, circling Robin as if threatening to take his place.

Taking his only chance to bring his family together, becoming a man his father would be proud of.

Robin opened his eyes, breathless from the dream that seemed so real. He looked out the window to find the sun already high in the sky, so high that it was too late for school.

No, no, no! Robin cursed in his heart, quickly jumping out of bed without care about the bath he usually takes.

The university must have been waiting and looking for him, especially the gatekeeper who Robin always greeted, so must be the people at the commercial area Robin often walked by.

Moreover, today's teacher is the most ferocious in the university. It will be tough for Robin to get good grades or even pass if the said teacher remembers his name the wrong way.

Thought after thought, worry after worry, kept Robin company as he hastily put on his uniform and combed his hair before the mirror wakes him.

Robin's petrified in front of the mirror as if he was Medusa who accidentally saw his own form.

All the worry that he felt was erased by the flowing tears.

His second failure today from fulfilling his father's wish for Robin to meet the standard that his father had been setting for him and every other man.

Slowly, Robin took off his clothes.  He re-opened the wardrobe, searching for far more masculine clothes than what he was wearing before.

However, Robin found nothing. None of his clothes were masculine. Most of them are gender-neutral clothes that lean more towards the feminine, while the rest are feminine clothing.

Robin paused for a moment staring at them all, reminded once again of the fact that whatever he was trying to pursue now was the opposite of everything he loved.

Robin shook his head, trying to shoo away the love he had for all the things he owns.

Robin understood that this is part of his journey, the sacrifice of his identity.

Robin unwillingly chose the most neutral outfit he had and stared at the mirror. He still looked feminine, and Robin felt there was only one thing that could cause it.

His long hair.

Robin held his beloved natural tiara, his shining long golden hair that even the sun's light envy.

Robin stroked his hair gently, remembering the reason he grew his hair in the first place.

Then he let go of it as his feet moved.

Bringing him into the kitchen looking for a sharp object, wanting to do what he was so afraid to do.

As he held the object, doubt filled Robin yet again. He knew what he was about to do can't be reversed; he realizes it will end him.

Yet, even so, Robin had no choice. He forced himself to walk backs to his mirror. Once again, Robin looked at himself, at his trembling hand as he aimed the knife at his hair.

He brought the sharp weapon closer, ready.

Then, "Robin!" A voice stopped him.