Chapter 1
The tank loomed over the boy as he peered inside, full of awe. His dark, blue eyes glinted against the light radiating from the tube-like structure. The object, distorted by the glass, hung weightlessly inside, casting a shadow onto the ground adjacent to it, taking the shape of a young woman. The boy pressed his face up against the glass, breathlessly. His face, gleaming with joy, practically molded into the towering cylinder that stood before him. Taking a stout hand, he flipped his shaggy brown hair from his face, his eyes never leaving the tank.
The lab, quiet and serene, seemed to stretch about endlessly. Abandoned inventions and spare mechanical parts littered the room. The machines belonged to his father. The man was Kiyoteru Hiyama, who worked for the prestigious Kaminari Enterprises. He was a robotic engineer, and a brilliant one at that. Kiyoteru spent years of his life constructing robots, each more fantastic than the last. The boy, peaked by his father's skill, as well as inherited curiosity, couldn't help but sneak off to his father's lab to explore.
"Wow...amazing…" The boy whispered to himself. His eyes dances about, taking in the glorious figure that loomed in front of him.
"Kaito!" A voice from behind bellowed. Kaito spun around slowly, not wanting to face the angered figure at his back.
"Uhm… Hi dad...I can totally explain this…" He mumbled, nearly stuttering.
"Go ahead…" Beckoned the man, impatiently. The glare of the light on his glasses hid his aggravated brown eyes. " Make my day." He challenged, arms crossed.
Kaito hadn't thought this far ahead. A distressed "uhmmm" was all he could muster before his father cut in again.
"Again, Kaito? You know this place is off limits!" Snapped Kiyoteru, trying to hold back some of his anger, his black suit poping against the monotonous grey of the lab. He knew he was prone to fits of rage and ushered the boy away before he could snap.
"You're grounded"
"Grounded?!" Kaito echoed in distress.
"Two weeks!"
"Buh-"
"March!"
The boy stood with a sigh and began lugging over to the exit. As he walked, his father's eyes remained on him, making sure he made it to the exit and didn't make an detours along the way.
He never wants to spend time with me… The boy thought, his eyes glued to the ground in front of him. Am I just a boring person to be around?
Just as Kaito was lost in feelings of neglect, his father's headset began to buzz. The headset, which doubled as a phone, was a perk awarded to him from Kaminari. He clicked the on button and spoke into the mouth piece.
"Hello?... Yes, this is him" He told the mouthpiece, his expression a mix of frustration and boredom. His ear piece hummed and he instantly sprang up, nervously.
"Oh! Mr. Aruya!" He anxiously exclaimed. "Yes, I am available tonight!" Kiyo nervously eyes the room as he paused to allow Mr. Aruya to speak. "The presentation?" He continued. Kaito, who had yet to make it to the exit, looked over his shoulder at his father.
"Well, of course sir! Tonight is fine!" Kiyo's voice echoed through the lab.
Yeah, it's not like he has a family or anything… Kaito thought with a sigh.
"I'll be there as soon as possible!" Kiyo was desperately trying to maintain an air of professionalism, but his voice broke out of nervousness. He hung up before he could make a bigger fool of himself. And with that, Kaito sighed and left his father to prepare for his big night.