The Reborn Detective

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Elara sat by the window, the evening sun casting a warm glow over the room. Her gaze wandered aimlessly, her thoughts tangled in a web of past regrets and future uncertainties. She hadn't expected to feel so conflicted, but here she was, caught between the life she once knew and the new one she was carving out for herself. The breeze carried the distant hum of the city, but all Elara could focus on was the weight of her decision. Her fingers curled around the edge of the windowsill as she pondered,she also wondered if her teammates died like her or they were able to survive.

A soft knock on the door snapped her from her thoughts.

"Elara," her brother's voice came through the wood. "Dinner's ready. You better come before it gets cold."

She hadn't noticed how long she'd been lost in her thoughts. "I'll be right there."

When the door opened, her brother stepped in, a concerned look on his face. "You still haven't reconsidered, have you?"

Elara glanced up at him, meeting his gaze. "No," she said firmly, the weight of the decision hanging in the air. "I know what I want."

Her brother's face softened for a moment before a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes. "You know I can talk to Father. I can make him see reason. You don't have to throw your future away like this."

But Elara shook her head, determination setting in. "It's not about throwing my future away. It's about choosing the path that's right for me."

Her brother opened his mouth to argue, but then something unexpected happened. Elara, despite herself, found the words she hadn't said in years. "Elder brother."

Her brother froze, his eyes widening. The nickname—simple yet filled with so much meaning—caught him off guard. A grin spread across his face, genuine and bright, as if a long-lost connection had just been rekindled. "You... You haven't called me that in forever."

Elara almost smiled. "I know. But I meant it."

He laughed, the warmth in his voice soothing. "Alright, alright, I'll stop pushing you. But dinner's waiting. Let's go before Father gets impatient."

As they made their way to the dining room, Elara's father was already seated at the head of the table, his stern expression softening just slightly when he saw them approach. Without a word, he passed her a folded piece of paper.

Elara's eyes flickered to the form, recognizing it immediately. It was the military school application.

"Fill it out," her father said, his tone as commanding as ever. "You've made your decision, but I think you'll find this path is the one that suits you best."

Elara stared at the form, her fingers brushing the edges. Her father's words were always wrapped in authority, but she was beginning to wonder if this was his way of testing her resolve. She met her father's gaze, then her brother's, who watched with a mixture of concern and hope.

It was going to be a long journey. But Elara was ready.

As Elara stared at the military application form, her thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice, sharp yet filled with concern.

"You haven't even let her finish eating," her mother scolded, her gentle tone betraying the sadness that lingered in her eyes. She had been quietly watching, a soft frown on her face, as Elara's father handed her the form.

Her mother stood up from her seat, her movements graceful but swift, and crossed the room to Elara. Gently, she placed a hand on her daughter's head, caressing her hair in a tender gesture, as if offering silent comfort. Her mother's eyes glistened with an unspoken reproach as she turned to face her husband. "She is your daughter, and yet you are acting so heartlessly toward her," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You know what this means to her, don't you? You are pushing her further into a decision that is already weighing heavily on her heart."

Her father, though still seated at the head of the table, looked at his wife with a mixture of frustration and resolve. "She made this choice herself," he replied, his voice quieter now, though still firm. "I'm not forcing her into anything. She wanted this, and I'm merely making sure she has the tools to succeed."

Her mother's gaze softened at his words, but the sadness remained. "It's not about whether she wanted it, but about what this will cost her. She's still so young, still figuring out who she wants to be."

Elara lifted her gaze, meeting her mother's eyes. The tenderness of her touch was comforting, but the weight of the situation settled heavily on her shoulders. It was true—she had chosen this path to be a soldier, knowing the risks and the sacrifices. But seeing the worry in her mother's eyes, the unspoken fear, made her question whether her decision was the right one.

Her father, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, stood up, his voice softening. "I want her to be strong. This will make her strong."

Her mother's eyes filled with silent reproach as she stepped closer to Elara. She kissed her daughter's forehead, her voice filled with quiet sorrow. "I only want her to be happy."

The air hung thick with tension, but Elara remained resolute. She knew her path now, and though her parents' worries were understandable, they would not change her mind. She had chosen this life, and while it might break her mother's heart, it was her future to build.

Her father, sensing her resolve, finally nodded in silence, accepting that this was her decision to make, even if it caused him pain. Elara filled out the form with a steady hand, feeling the weight of both her parents' love and their fears as she took another step toward her future.

After she finish filing the form she glanced at her mother

Elara watched as her mother's eyes glistened with sadness, her gentle touch lingering in Elara's hair. She felt the weight of her mother's concern, but she also felt the unwavering determination within herself. She knew her mother only wanted the best for her, but Elara's path was her own to choose.

Taking a deep breath, Elara gently placed her hand over her mother's, holding it in place. "Mother," she said softly, her voice filled with quiet assurance, "I chose this. It's what I want. I'm happy doing it."

Her mother's lips trembled as she searched her daughter's face, as if looking for any hint of uncertainty. But all she saw was the same unwavering resolve .

"I know it seems hard," Elara continued, her gaze never leaving her mother's, "but this is the life I want. I know the risks, and I'm ready for them. I want to stand on my own, to prove to myself that I can do it. I'm not doing this to make anyone proud, Mother. I'm doing it because it makes me feel alive."

Her mother's expression softened, but the sadness in her eyes remained. Slowly, she nodded, squeezing Elara's hand. "I just want you to be happy, my dear," she whispered. "But I understand. If this is what you truly want, then I'll support you."

Elara leaned forward, resting her forehead against her mother's for a brief moment, a silent promise passing between them. "I'll be fine, I promise."

Her mother's arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly as if to reassure herself. "You're my precious daughter. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

As Elara pulled away, she looked at her father, who was watching quietly from across the room. His expression had softened, a quiet understanding passing between them. He hadn't forced her into this life—he had only wanted to see her succeed. And now, for the first time in a long while, Elara felt as though she was truly moving forward on her own terms.