My friends always say they're jealous of my life.
And honestly? I can't really blame them.
For starters, my moms are all famous S-Class Hunters.
They've always given me love, support, and more than enough to live comfortably.
Not to mention—they're still drop-dead gorgeous, even at their age.
"Your dad must've been the luckiest guy alive to land all three of them."
Except … what if he never did?
I found it out by accident.
It was back in fifth grade, during a visit to the hospital one of my moms worked at.
I saw Mama Lyrienna talking seriously with a man dressed in all black.
"Only six years left until the deadline. And none of you have Marked him yet?"
"Evan, he's just a kid. How could I—"
"You can. You should've. That was the deal from the start, wasn't it?" The man's voice was low, calm, but chilling. "Need I remind you what he really is? One of them. The same as the one who killed your beloved sister—"
"Enough!"
The whole room froze.
Literally.
Furniture started to frost over, the air turned icy, and my skin broke out in goosebumps.
It was hard to believe this was the same Mama Enna I knew—the sweet, gentle one.
But the man didn't flinch.
"This is your warning," he said, standing up and grabbing his bag. "Five years will pass quickly. And if you still do nothing…
"… then we will."
When he left, I panicked and tried to hide.
It was a dumb hiding spot—I got caught right away.
He looked at me over his sunglasses. Whatever he saw in me, it made his face twist with disgust.
I thought he might hurt me, so I instinctively shifted into a stance Mama Fiona had taught me.
But he didn't attack. He just walked off.
I let out a shaky breath, then ran to find Mama Enna—
—and heard her crying.
I peeked into the room. "Mama?"
She gasped. Her face was blotchy, tears still clinging to her cheeks. "Cain? You're here? Since when?"
"Did that man hurt you?"
"It's … not what you think."
"Then why were you crying?"
"I just got something in my eye."
Really? I was eleven—not clueless.
I knew she was lying. I just didn't know why. So I clenched my fists in silence.
Then she gently patted my head. "Don't worry, okay? It's just work stuff. I'm fine."
But it definitely wasn't normal work stuff—because that night, all three of my moms gathered in the living room, talking about the same exact thing.
"He threatened you? That guy seriously has no patience!" Mama Val muttered angrily, clenching her fists.
"But Evan's right," Mama Fiona said quietly, as calm as ever.
"Fiona!"
"There are only five years left, Valerie. Maybe we've played house long enough."
"Do you hear yourself?!"
And just like that, the air turned cold again. Mama Enna glared at her with the same intensity as before.
They bicker sometimes, sure. But those are usually light-hearted spats—nothing like this.
But now, Mama Enna was using the same cold stare she had aimed at that man in black—this time, toward Mama Fiona.
"So everything we've been through … was just a play to you?"
"Wasn't it? No matter how much you act like the perfect mother, it doesn't change the truth: he's not your son. None of us are really his mother."
"How dare you say that?! Take it back!"
"I'm just stating the truth."
As things escalated, Mama Val stepped between them. "G-girls, this isn't the time to fight."
"Move, Val. This stubborn woman needs a good punch to reset her brain," Mama Fiona snapped.
"Oh yeah? Try it!" Mama Enna shot back.
"Stop!" Mama Val yelled—and then her eyes turned to me.
I didn't even realize I'd been seen.
Had they known I was there all along? Letting me eavesdrop on purpose?
So I'd discover the truth myself?
That I was never really their child?
Never really part of this family?
I lowered my head. "I'm sorry." Then I ran.
"Cain, wait—" Mama Val called.
But I didn't stop.
I ran barefoot across grass, pavement, and sand.
Our house is three kilometers from the beach. We usually visit once a month.
We hadn't gone this month.
We were supposed to go tomorrow. But will tomorrow still come?
Is there even a tomorrow for me?
Who am I, really? Was I a burden to Mama Fiona? Did I hurt Mama Enna without realizing it?
Lost in thought, I heard footsteps approaching.
Mama Val's shadow loomed over me, as I curled up behind a big rock.
"Hey," she said softly. I didn't respond.
She sighed and sat beside me.
The silence stretched—awkward and unfamiliar.
Mama Val never stayed quiet this long. Which only made everything feel more wrong.
"You heard everything?" she finally asked.
"All of it," I said.
She went quiet again.
"Who am I, really?"
"Huh?" She looked startled—just like Mama Enna had been.
"Am I … a burden to you guys?"
"What? No! Of course not! Why would you even think that?"
"That man talked about a deadline. And what you all discussed earlier… it was about me, right?"
"Yeah, it was…"
"So should I just disappear? Wouldn't that be easier? So no one has to cry anymore?"
She didn't answer.
I glanced at her. Her eyes were full of sadness … and something like guilt.
"Ughhh." She ran her fingers through her long, golden hair.
Then she looked at me again—this time, with real hesitation. "I'm not supposed to tell you this. But I think … you deserve to know."
She took a deep breath.
"Cain, the truth is…
"…you're the last surviving member of the demon clan."