The children returned to Playcare exhausted but buzzing with excitement.

The air was filled with chatter as they recounted their experiences at the Gamestation-who won the most games, who almost fell off the climbing wall, and who managed to complete the hardest puzzles.

They were blissfully unaware of the true nature of their "fun."

Yazmina, however, was already thinking ahead.

The data collected today would be analyzed, studied, and used to determine the next steps for the Bigger Bodies Initiative.

Some children would be pushed further, their limits tested in ways they couldn't yet imagine.

Others-those who had failed-would face consequences they wouldn't understand until it was too late.

She stepped away from the group, letting the caretakers usher the children inside. Leith Pierre was waiting for her in the hallway, leaning lazily against the cold metal wall. His usual smirk was in place, his arms crossed in a posture of easy confidence.

"Well," he drawled, tilting his head, "today was entertaining, don't you think?"

Yazmina glanced at him briefly as she adjusted her gloves. "If you enjoy watching children struggle."

Leith let out a low chuckle. "Struggle builds character. And besides, the ones who thrive under pressure? Those are the ones worth keeping."

She hummed in response, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Leith studied her for a moment, then shrugged. "Greyber's already compiling the reports. I imagine we'll have a few promising results."

Yazmina turned slightly toward him. "Any standouts?"

He tapped his fingers against his arm. "A handful. Some smarter than they look, others surprisingly resilient. But there's always one or two that don't make the cut." His smirk widened slightly. "I suppose we'll see who still has potential after a few more rounds."

Yazmina didn't react, keeping her expression unreadable.

Leith pushed off the wall, rolling his shoulders. "Well, it's been fun, Doctor De la Vega. Try not to lose sleep over the ones who fail."

She gave him a small, knowing smile. "Oh, I never do."

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, her red heels clicking against the cold floor.

Leith watched her go, his smirk lingering.

To him, she was just another scientist, another cog in the system, playing her part like the rest of them.

And that was exactly how she wanted it to stay.

Meanwhile, in the cafeteria, the children sat at long metal tables, eating their meals with the same enthusiasm they had shown at the Gamestation.

Laughter and chatter filled the space, a fleeting moment of normalcy in their structured lives. Soon, they would be sent back to Home Sweet Home for their scheduled nap, allowing the scientists to finalize their evaluations.

Near the far end of the room, the curly-haired girl moved quickly between the tables, giggling as she glanced over her shoulder. A boy with thick, wavy black hair chased after her, his lips curled into a sour pout.

"Give it back!" he huffed, reaching for the small object clutched in her hand.

She twirled away effortlessly, her amber eyes glinting with mischief. "You should be faster if you want it!"

The boy groaned in frustration, his arms flailing as he lunged forward, only for her to dodge at the last second. Their playful scuffle drew the attention of a few nearby children, some giggling, others whispering.

Yazmina observed from a distance, her gaze flickering between them. Despite the exhaustion from the Gamestation tests, the girl still had energy to spare.

More importantly, her reflexes and agility were still sharp-almost unnaturally so.

Interesting.

Doctor Greyber soon entered the cafeteria, clapping her hands twice. "Alright, children, finish up. It's time to head back to Home Sweet Home."

The murmurs of protest were brief. Years of routine had conditioned the orphans to obey. The curly-haired girl sighed dramatically before tossing the stolen object-a small, wrapped candy-back to the boy. He snatched it up with a victorious scowl before stomping off.

Yazmina's smirk was barely noticeable as she turned away. The day's tests may have ended, but her observations never stopped.

And neither did her plans.

-------------------------------------------------

As the children finished their meals, they shuffled into lines, preparing for their return to Home Sweet Home.

Some rubbed their sleepy eyes, while others whispered to one another, trying to stretch out their time before the inevitable nap.

Yazmina leaned against the wall, arms crossed, when she noticed the boy with thick, wavy black hair.

He stood slightly apart from the others, his sharp eyes locked onto the girl with curly brown hair. She was laughing, running ahead with another child as if she hadn't a care in the world.

His fingers twitched. His jaw tightened. Then, with swift steps, he marched after her.

Before the girl could react, he grabbed her wrist-not hard, but firm enough to stop her in her tracks.

"That's enough," he muttered.

The girl blinked at him, confused. "Huh? We were just-"

"Come back." His tone was unwavering, his grip unrelenting.

The other child hesitated before stepping away, sensing the shift in mood. The curly-haired girl frowned at Kevin. "You're being weird."

He ignored her words, his dark eyes flicking to Yazmina instead.

His usual scowl deepened as he strode toward her with all the arrogance of someone who thought he was in control.

Hands in his pockets, chin lifted just slightly, he stopped in front of her and looked up, inspecting her like he was sizing her up.

He had seen plenty of scientists before.

They all had the same expressions-some cold, some eerily fascinated, some with a detached interest that made his skin crawl.

But Yazmina...

She looked different.

Not just in the way she watched, but in the way she was.

It wasn't just her face-though it was impossible not to notice.

Everything about her was unnatural in the most perfect way. Porcelain skin, smooth and flawless, like she had never known a single imperfection. Deep, mesmerizing eyes that held secrets no child could understand. Even the way she moved-graceful, unhurried, effortlessly poised-made her seem untouchable.

It wasn't fair.

People who looked like that weren't supposed to belong here.

They weren't supposed to stand in places like this, surrounded by steel walls and cold lights.

He clenched his jaw.

She doesn't belong here.

Because people who looked like that-they weren't supposed to hurt anybody.

Someone that beautiful couldn't be cruel.

...Right?

As the line began moving, he suddenly broke away, his determined steps carrying him straight toward her.

Yazmina raised a brow, amused. "Well, aren't you bold?"

He stopped in front of her, glaring up. "What's your name?" he demanded.

A few nearby children turned their heads, watching the exchange. Most would never dare speak to an adult like that, let alone one of the scientists.

Yazmina smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Doctor De la Vega."

He made a face. "That's long."

"I suppose it is," she mused.

His eyes narrowed. "I'm gonna call you Yazmina."

"Oh?" She arched a brow. "That's rather familiar of you."

He just crossed his arms. "I don't care."

Yazmina chuckled, the sound light and smooth. "I see. And what should I call you?"

His glare softened, just a little. "Kevin."

"Just Kevin?"

He hesitated before mumbling, "Kevin Barnes."

Yazmina hummed. "Kevin Barnes. It suits you."

His ears turned slightly red, though his scowl remained. "Yeah, whatever."