NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Chapter - 4
As she sets the food on the table, she smiles again. "Here you go. Eat up while it's warm."
"Thanks," Kaito says, sliding into the chair. Before she can walk away, he gestures toward the chair opposite him.
"Why don't you sit and eat with me?"
She hesitates, surprised by the invitation. "That's rare," she chuckles softly. "But sure. Why not?"
As they eat together, Kaito feels the moment closing in. With every bite she takes, he knows the seed of his power has been planted. A single cell—microscopic, invisible—now courses through her body, binding itself to her.
---
The Gradual Takeover
The cell works silently, infiltrating her bloodstream, spreading through her organs with surgical precision. Her heart, lungs, and muscles come under its influence, their rhythms syncing subtly to Kaito's will.
He watches her closely, noting every detail: the slight furrow of her brow, the way her breathing deepens.
"Mom," he asks, feigning concern, "you okay?"
She pauses mid-bite, blinking. "I feel... strange. Like... tired, maybe? I don't know." She rubs her temples.
Kaito leans back, his voice calm yet commanding. "It's probably nothing. Just relax."
The cell reaches her brain. It latches onto her neural pathways, sending pulses of control through her synapses. Her movements slow, her gaze unfocused. Kaito feels the connection snap into place, a faint tingling sensation in his mind as their consciousnesses brush against each other.
"Awaken," he says softly, the word laced with intent.
Her body stiffens momentarily, then goes still. Her pupils dilate, her face slackens. Slowly, her head tilts toward him, her expression vacant yet oddly serene.
"Are you okay?" he asks, testing her response.
"Yes... I'm fine," she says, her voice distant, her tone devoid of its usual warmth.
Kaito smirks. He feels the power coursing through him, the realization that he holds complete control over her. Her thoughts, her emotions, her very identity—all of it now bends to his will.
But a faint warning lingers in the back of his mind: "Prolonged control may lead to unpredictable consequences." He shakes it off. That's a problem for later.
Kaito leans forward, his eyes locking onto hers. The once-vivid light in her gaze is now a dull, glassy reflection. Her body remains still, her breathing steady, but her demeanor has changed completely. She is no longer his stepmother; she is an extension of his will.
"Stand up," Kaito commands, testing the limits of his control.
Without hesitation, she rises from her chair, her movements mechanical yet precise. He suppresses a grin, feeling a rush of power surge through him.
"Come closer," he says.
She steps around the table, stopping inches away from him. Her scent—subtle hints of soap and lavender—fills his senses, but there's no warmth in her presence anymore. She stands there, silent, waiting for his next order.
Kaito tilts his head, observing her like a scientist admiring his latest experiment. He wonders just how far this control can go.
"Raise your right hand," he instructs.
Her arm lifts effortlessly, her hand hovering in the air.
"Now your left."
She obeys, her hands now outstretched like a marionette waiting for its strings to be pulled.
"Drop them," he orders, and her arms fall to her sides.
Kaito steps back, crossing his arms. He speaks again, his voice quieter but sharper. "Tell me what you're thinking."
For a moment, there's silence. Then, in a monotone voice, she replies, "I am thinking only of what you want me to do."
His smirk deepens. Complete submission. Perfect.
---
Testing Her Limits
Kaito takes a step around her, studying her from every angle. His mind races with possibilities. If I can control her movements, can I alter her thoughts? Her emotions? Her memories?
"Do you know who I am?" he asks, his tone curious.
"Yes," she replies. "You are my stepson, Kaito Asura."
"Do you care about me?"
"Yes."
He narrows his eyes. "Why?"
"Because... I must."
Her response feels hollow, mechanical. It's not the affection she used to show him, and yet it satisfies him. He's reshaped her into a vessel of obedience, and that realization fills him with a mix of triumph and detachment.
"Good," he murmurs.
He gestures toward the sink. "Now, finish the dishes."
She nods and moves toward the sink, resuming her task without a word. As her hands glide over the soapy water, Kaito feels the connection between them strengthen. He can sense the rhythm of her heartbeat, the flow of her thoughts—or rather, the lack thereof. She isn't acting on her own anymore. She's an extension of his will.
---
Pushing Further
A dark thought crosses Kaito's mind, and he decides to push the boundaries of his control. He steps closer to her, his voice low and commanding.
"Drop the plate."
The sound of ceramic shattering against the tile floor echoes through the kitchen. She doesn't flinch, doesn't react. She simply stands there, waiting for his next command.
"Apologize," he orders.
"I'm sorry," she says, her voice calm, devoid of the usual warmth that would accompany such words.
"Clean it up," he continues, testing her reactions.
She bends down, picking up the broken pieces with careful precision. Kaito watches her, a mix of awe and unease stirring within him. She's fully under his control, but the sight of her subdued, emotionless, is both thrilling and unsettling.
The First Ripple of Consequences
As she finishes cleaning, a sudden jolt of pain shoots through Kaito's head. He staggers, clutching his temple, the connection between them faltering for a brief moment.
"Prolonged control may lead to unpredictable consequences," the earlier warning echoes in his mind.
He straightens, brushing it off as a momentary lapse. But as he watches his stepmother return to her tasks without question, a nagging thought takes root.
What if this isn't sustainable? What if she breaks?
For now, he pushes the doubt aside. This is just the beginning of his experiment, and there's so much more to explore.
Kaito retreats to his room, his mind swirling with frustration and curiosity. The fading control over his stepmother gnaws at him. Sitting on his bed, he gazes at the glowing blue screen, which now hums softly in front of him.
"Level 2 Unlocked: You have successfully controlled your stepmother."