THE ACCIDENT SCENE.

In June 2022, a tragic pile-up occurred at a major red-light intersection in Jakarta under the cover of night.

The event dominated headlines across television and social media, claiming 11 lives and leaving 17 others injured.

The cause of this fatal catastrophe was a heavy-duty truck that suffered brake failure while navigating a steep downhill road.

...****************...

15 minutes before the tragedy…

A fair-skinned teenager sat in a black car with his father on their way home. The boy was still in his school uniform, a nametag reading RENO pinned to his chest, while his father, Kenzo—who was of Japanese-Indonesian descent—was dressed casually.

A heavy, awkward silence hung between them; no words were exchanged, and not a single glance was shared.

Before long, Kenzo spotted the glow of a traffic light in the distance, situated at the bottom of the steep slope they were descending.

"Since when did they put a traffic light on this downward stretch? And it’s so dark out here," Kenzo muttered.

He applied the brakes gradually until the car came to a complete stop. They were third in line at the light. In the midst of the lingering silence, Kenzo felt it was finally time to break the ice.

"Are you still angry with me?" he asked.

Reno ignored the question. He pulled his earphones from his uniform pocket and stuffed them into his ears.

After seeing his son’s reaction through the rearview mirror, his father turned his body to face Reno directly.

He pulled the earphones away and asked,

“What do I have to do so you won't be angry anymore?”

“Is it because of what your brother said? Why are you taking your anger out on me?”

Reno's father asked with a serious expression. Reno took a long, deep breath, showing deep frustration at his father’s

words...

( CLASSICAL MUSIC )

Suddenly, a loud blast of music erupted from outside the car, intruding upon their serious conversation.

Instinctively, Kenzo rolled down the window and asked the person to turn the volume down. However, the individual only responded with a devious smirk and ignored him.

Kenzo’s temper flared, and he was about to lash out, but he was cut short by a sharp outburst from Reno.

“Dad, haven’t you had enough of treating me like some 'special' child?!” Reno shouted, his voice rising.

Startled, his father immediately snapped back, “Wh—what? What are you talking about?! I have never, ever thought of you that way!” he said, leaning closer to Reno to make his words clear.

“Then why did it become about Kevin? He’s like that because of your attitude, Dad. If only you were just a little firm with me... maybe I wouldn't think that everything you do is just out of pity, not love. Isn't that right, Dad?!”

Reno poured out his heart, venting the feelings he had suppressed for so long. He spoke while staring down at his left foot, which was physically impaired.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. Their argument was now underscored by the swelling classical music. Kenzo, the father, tried desperately to explain, but Reno shot down every word.

“It should have been me asking that question, Dad. What do I have to do for you to be fair?” Reno challenged.

His father could only fall silent, stunned after hearing his son pour out his heart.

However, in a split second, his father’s expression shifted.

He spotted something strange behind Reno—a blinding light flickering incessantly, its reflection dancing across his son's face.

Just as Reno turned around…

SUDDENLY…

TONNNNNN! (TRUCK HORN SOUND)

CRASH!!!!

—BANG

—CRASH!

A loud boom as cars from behind slammed into one another. The multi-vehicle collision was so powerful that it sent their car spiraling and flipping over.

Kenzo, the father, struggled to stay conscious in an overturned position. His vision was filled only with thick smoke and the smell of car oil leaking everywhere.

He glanced panically in all directions, trying to find the whereabouts of his son, Reno.

Kenzo finally saw his son lying not far from his car. Reno was outside the car, apparently thrown out due to the impact. His son lay helpless, without any signs of life.

Kenzo tried to release his seat belt, but his entire body felt completely paralyzed. The more he tried to move, the more he realized his body could not be moved.

“ARGGH! DAMN IT! Come on, Reno, hang on! Dad will do anything, as long as you stay for me!” The father muttered while staring at his son.

“Help! Anyone! Help my son! REN…! NO…!” (Reno’s father’s vision begins to blur slowly).

Even though his vision is increasingly blurred, the father continues to struggle. He exerts his remaining strength to scream for help for the sake of his son, but to no avail. Not a single soul comes.

His world slowly darkens and his body grows increasingly limp, until he finally loses consciousness in an upside-down position.

...****************...

The condition at that red-light intersection is a total mess. Many cars and motorcycles are crushed to pieces due to the impact of the loaded truck. The streets are filled with oil, blood, and victims lying scattered.

This tragic accident became the center of attention and a major news story that year, even prompting the Regional Head to step in to handle the humanitarian tragedy.

In the end, that traffic light location was no longer used.

To this day, many people passing by take the time to lay flowers as a sign of condolence for the victims.

The Funeral.

A well-built young man, wearing a formal black suit, slowly approached a grave. His steps felt heavy as he neared Reno's final resting place.

His gaze was vacant, filled with profound grief. After his steps came to a halt, the young man placed a single white Chrysanthemum beside the photo of his late younger brother.

Various sweet memories began to flash through his mind. Kevin, that was the young man's name, remembered how he often spent time with his two younger siblings.

From the intimate moments of building Lego together in his room, quiet sessions of playing chess in the living room, to his willingness to play with make-up just to fulfill his younger sister's wishes.

...****************...

Kevin is the oldest brother with a handsome face, a tall and sturdy posture, neat short hair, and clean white skin.

However, he has emotions that tend to be unstable and is often stricken by regret at the end of the story. Additionally, he is an adaptive perfectionist who always tries to adjust his standards to the situation.

He has two non-identical twin siblings who were born only a few minutes apart.

Rina is his first younger sister, who is three years apart from him. That feminine figure is identical with her signature ponytail and her clean, light-yellow skin.

Behind her talkative nature, she has high empathy and can always be relied upon as a mediator.

Reno, the second younger brother, has a distinctive appearance with his curly hair, a cute face, and clean, light-yellow skin.

He is known as an individual who finds it difficult to refuse others' requests and seems to have lost his ambition.

Behind his lack of motivation, he is actually a very sensitive and feeling teenager.

However, exactly at the age of fourteen, Reno passed away.

After the tragedy, he was rushed to the hospital; however, during the journey, Reno was declared dead due to a ruptured blood vessel in his brain.

Those unforgettable memories now trigger tears for Kevin and Rina. Kevin's sadness deepens because of his regret over the sharp words he once said to Reno. The feeling of guilt has now become a burden that he can never forget.

...----------------...

LIFE AFTERWARDS

Nearly six months have passed, and the life of Kevin’s family has slowly begun to return to normal. Kevin and Rina have made peace with the shadows of the past and continued their activities.

However, for the Mother, the reality is different. She must now double her roles, replacing her husband's position as the head of the family as well as the breadwinner.

Mother now works at her husband's company, taking over Father's role as the Property Manager.

The tragedy that befell Kevin’s Father has left him lying in a coma for months in the hospital.

During that critical period, Mother faithfully watched over him; not only that, she was also assisted by Father’s trusted confidant, Mr. Bimo, while caring for him.

...----------------...

NEW YEAR

New Year's Eve is approaching….

Regardless of all the changes brought by time, this family consistently carves out their annual traditions.

The celebratory moment is a commitment that must be fulfilled, even though conditions are different now. It is At this moment that the most precious memories will be stored.

The family prepares various activities that must be arranged in detail, starting from ensuring the cleanliness of the house and preparing the event equipment, to sending out invitations to their closest relatives and friends.

Of course, Mother also had to invite her colleagues, especially the CEO of the company, Mr. Alex.

From start to finish, the celebration ran smoothly. The bursts of fireworks coloring the night sky perfected the sensation of happiness that had long been lost. Sincere smiles, which had not been seen for months, now returned to their faces.

After the event was over and most of the guests had said their goodbyes, Mr. Alex, the CEO, instead walked over to Mother.

He asked for some time to discuss work matters. Mr. Alex then explained that there was an urgent issue in Russia and specifically asked Mother to take over its handling.

Mr. Alex, "Forgive me, Mrs. Ratna, could we speak for a moment?" Mother immediately invited Mr. Alex to sit down.

"So, it’s like this—there was a project being handled by your husband last year, but this Russian client is asking for a revision regarding the property prices we have designed. Please handle this, so the client is willing to deal at a price that is suitable for our company and for the client," Mr. Alex said, but in a relaxed tone.

"Very well, Sir, but I'm sorry Sir, about…." Mother had not finished asking when she was cut off by Mr. Alex.

"About your children, right? Don't worry about that... just bring your children along, since it’s almost their graduation holiday anyway. Just consider this a New Year's gift, but….. only for expenses related to work, okay? I’ll go bankrupt if it’s for anything else."

"HAHAAHA," Mr. Alex joked lightheartedly.

Hearing this, Mother felt relieved because she would be able to bring both of her children along with her while she worked.

THE STUDENT

(Sheremetyevo Airport, RUSSIA).

An adult man wearing casual student-style clothing, complete with glasses and a cross necklace, was sitting in a passenger seat of an airplane.

His eyes were fixed out the window, enjoying the view of the towering skyscrapers—a sign that he had almost reached his destination. At the same time, the flight attendant began providing landing information.

Exactly at 02:00 PM,

the student walked out of the airport. He immediately hailed a taxi and chose to sit in the back seat.

During the journey, the man repeatedly tried to contact someone via his phone. He called a contact named ROMAN, but his calls always went unanswered.

......................

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

January 08, 2023.

Suddenly, the phone rang loudly.

Rina! Your phone is ringing…! It’s annoying, you know, answer it quickly!” Kevin shouted in an irritated tone.

“Give it here!...” Rina replied briefly, appearing slightly panicked. Without wasting a second, she immediately grabbed her phone and rushed toward their room.

Kevin was overcome with suspicion. He wondered why Rina ran away, acting as if she didn't want her conversation to be overheard by anyone else.

Secretly, Kevin crept up and hid behind the wall, trying to eavesdrop on his sister's conversation.

From behind the tightly closed door, Kevin vaguely caught the sound of Rina’s voice. Her tone had turned soft and blushing—a warm conversation that sounded as if she were speaking to a lover.

“‘Darling’? Wow, she never even talks like that to her own brother. And now, this…” Kevin muttered to himself.

“MOM! Rina is on the phone with a guy, Mom!” Kevin shouted while running toward his mother's room.

Rina, realizing she was being overheard, immediately chased Kevin out of the room.

The two of them bumped into Mom, who had just stepped out of her room looking neatly dressed.

“Wait… Mom, where are you going?” Kevin asked.

"Going out? Is it possible we came all this way abroad just to stay inside all the time? Come on, get ready, let's go for a walk. Besides, Mom has an appointment with a client," Mom replied, seemingly unaware of Kevin's annoyed shouting from a few moments ago.

"Seriously, Mom? Yay!" Kevin exclaimed in excitement, momentarily forgetting his suspicions.

"Wait, what were you about to say earlier?" Mom asked then. At the same time, Rina was already standing right next to Kevin with a look that appeared tense and worried.

"Earlier, Kevin wanted to say something about—" Kevin's sentence was cut off instantly as he winced in pain; Rina had just stepped on his foot hard.

Swiftly, Rina snatched the conversation, "About... Kevin's shoes, Mom! They were soaking wet yesterday from a puddle. Right, Brother?" Rina threw a sharp, cynical glance, as if giving a stern warning for Kevin not to leak her secret.

"Ah... yeah! That's right, Mom. That’s what I meant," Kevin chimed in quickly, trying to normalize his voice even though he was still feeling annoyed.

Mom nodded slowly while thinking. "Hmm... Rina, as I recall, you brought more than one pair of shoes, didn't you? Lend one to your brother for now. Later, when we’re out, we’ll look for a shop to buy a new pair." Hearing Mom's decision, a sly smile immediately spread across Kevin's face. He stared at Rina with a triumphant look, as if saying, “Take that.”