The restaurant we entered wasn't fancy—just warm. Wooden tables, soft lights, and the faint smell of grilled food and baked bread. People chatted in low voices; it was the kind of place where families came on weekends.
A server led us to two joined tables.
Kids on one side:
Rin—me—Syna—Lilia—Arin
Adults on the other side:
Serin—Mother—Father—Varis
Menus glowed softly as they unfolded, floating slightly above the table surface.
Rin immediately pointed,"I WANT THIS! And this! AND THIS—!"
"You can pick one," Arin said, snatching his menu.
"Impossible choice."
Syna looked at her menu like it was a test paper.Lilia calmly helped her decide.
I took a picture—not of faces, just hands, menus, and drinks—of the peaceful feeling of people simply being together.
After we ordered, the adults started talking softly.
Serin stirred her drink."We really wanted to meet him today."
Mother nodded."We thought… maybe it's time."
Father added quietly,"He's been home for a month. He's stronger now."
Varis folded his hands."And he needed to meet someone outside the house."
I glanced sideways.
So this wasn't random.They planned today for me.
And strangely… I didn't hate it.
Rin was swinging his legs, and Arin finally forced him to sit properly.
Then the adults' voices lowered slightly.Not secretive—just careful.
Serin looked at me."If it's okay to ask… How are you adjusting, Liam?"
The table fell quiet.
Even Rin stopped swinging.
I didn't know what to say, so I answered simply."…It's different."
Mother's eyes softened in that gentle green glow."We know."
Varis nodded."Take it slow. No one expects you to act like nothing happened."
Father looked at him silently.Something passed between them—understanding, old memory, old pain.
Serin leaned forward slightly."We also didn't want you to feel pressured. But the children… they wanted to meet you for a long time. Especially Lilia."
Lilia blinked, embarrassed."I didn't say it like that."
"You hinted," Serin said with a soft laugh.
Rin perked up."See?! Everyone likes Big Brother!"
Arin sighed. "That's not what they said."
Father spoke finally, calm and solid:"We're here today because you deserve to live. To walk around. To meet people. Not just stay inside and heal."
Mother added,"And because we wanted you to have moments like these."
I didn't know how to answer.Talking wasn't easy.But the warmth in their eyes didn't feel heavy—it felt… steady.
And then Varis said something that made even Father go still:
"You're relieved, Kael. I can see it. But don't assume he is. You had people and a family. He didn't."
His voice was gentle, not accusing.
"But his life… wasn't the same as yours. So don't expect your healing to be his."
The adults fell quiet.
Father looked down at the table.For a moment, something old and heavy flickered across his face.
Then he nodded once."…You're right."
Mother touched his arm softly."We'll go slow. Together."
The kids, meanwhile, stared at them like they were in a drama.
Rin whispered,"Why is everyone talking like a sad movie?"
Arin flicked his forehead."Because humans have feelings, Rin."
Finally the food arrived—saving Rin from further philosophy.
Plates filled the table:
sizzling meat
warm rice
garlic noodles
steamed vegetables
sweet buns
cold juice
The mood relaxed again.
While eating, Lilia asked me quietly,"Do you like the city?"
"It's… loud," I said.
"That's good. Loud means alive."
Syna nodded seriously as she chewed her bun."Yes. Alive."
Rin added proudly,"And he has TWO affinities, so he's SUPER alive."
Arin elbowed him."Don't talk with your mouth full."
Father looked at me suddenly."Congratulations again… on your awakening."
Varis added,"Shadow and Fire isn't common. One is rare, one is volatile. Together… they have potential."
Serin clapped softly."We didn't get to congratulate you properly earlier."
Mother smiled warmly."We're proud of you."
The warmth hit my chest before I could brace for it.
Rin practically shouted,"My brother is SO cool—!!"
Arin shoved a bun in his mouth.
Lilia said softly,"Congratulations, Liam."
Syna whispered,"Con… congrats…"
I didn't look up.But a very small, very real smile pulled at my mouth.
Lunch lasted longer than expected—slow, peaceful, and full of laughter, teasing, small questions, and small answers.
When we finished, Varis said,"Alright, kids first. Don't wander too far."
Serin added,"And stay in groups."
Arin stood and stretched."Okay! Let's walk around. Liam, coming?"
I nodded.
Rin pumped his fist."GAME STORE TIME LET'S GOOO—!!"
Arin grabbed him before he sprinted.
I followed them out of the restaurant —the warm voices behind us still echoing,the smell of food fading,the quiet realization settling inside me:
For once,This didn't feel like someone else's life.
It felt… like mine.
We stepped out of the restaurant into the mall's afternoon glow—sunlight filtering through the glass ceiling, mixing with the soft lights of the shops. The air smelled of perfume samples, bakery sweets, and warm electronics from the tech floor.
Varis checked the time."You all have two hours before we meet again."
Serin added gently,"Stay together, alright?"
Arin took charge immediately—of course she did."Okay, plan: Girls and I will look for some things first. Rin wants games. Liam, you take him."
Rin exploded with joy."YESSSSSSSSSSS—!! LET'S GO BIG BROTHER—!!"
He ran three steps before slipping.
Arin didn't even look—she simply caught him by the hood like she had practiced it her whole life.
Syna laughed softly behind her hands.Lilia exhaled like she was used to watching disasters happen.
Arin turned back to me."Are you sure you're okay with him? We can take turns."
"I'll be fine," I said.
Rin hugged my arm dramatically."SEE? He LOVES ME."
"I never said that."
"You IMPLIED IT."
"No."
"He did," Syna whispered helpfully.
Arin snorted."Go. Before Rin explodes."
Lilia lifted her bag."We'll meet at the sweets shop in forty minutes?"
I nodded."Okay."
Syna gave a tiny wave."Bye."
Rin replied,"BYE SYNA—I MEAN—BYE EVERYONE—BUT ESPECIALLY YOU—"
Arin kicked the back of his knee.
He stumbled."OW—WHY ME??"
I shook my head. "Let's go."
And just like that, the group split —
Girls heading toward clothing and accessories,
Rin dragging me toward the floor with the gaming stores.
Rin practically sprinted, only stopping when he reached the glowing entrance of the game store.
The storefront was lit with neon lights shaped like dragons, swords, and racing tracks. Holograms of characters fought above the entrance in looping animations.
He froze dramatically.
"Big Brother…"His voice trembled."We're here."
"You don't need to cry."
"I'm not crying. My SOUL is crying."
He darted inside before I could comment.
I took a picture —Rin's tiny figure standing between giant cardboard cutouts of monster hunters —His expression was pure awe.
Then I followed.
Inside, rows of floating shelves displayed game cases, accessories, VR visors, race controllers, and dungeon simulators. Rin touched EVERYTHING.
"LOOK AT THIS—!!"
"It's old," I said.
"OLD BUT LEGENDARY!!"
He grabbed a case with trembling hands.
Zombie Outbreak: Survivor ModeAge limit: 13+
He stared at the restriction sign, then at me, then at the sign again.
His green eye shimmered.
The plea was silent but powerful.
"No," I started.
He turned those shiny eyes on full blast.
I lasted 0.5 seconds.
"Fine."
"YESSSSSSS—!!"
He shoved coins into my hand instinctively."I have pocket money! I saved months! Take it!"
"You don't need to," I said.
"But—"
"It's a gift. Just buy something for others later."
He blinked."You mean… Syna?"
"Yes."
He gasped dramatically."Are you SURE??"
"Yes."
I patted his head."A man does what a man has to do."
His eyes widened like I had given him ancient forbidden wisdom."BROTHER… that's DEEP."
"No. It's simple."
He nodded solemnly, hugging the zombie game to his chest.
I paid for it and handed him the bag, and he held it like holy treasure.
We got ready to walk out—then I slowed.
Rin tugged my sleeve."What?"
"Gift store," I said."You need something for Syna."
He tried acting cool."I—uh—yeah. I guess."
"You're not subtle."
"I AM TOO SUBTLE!"
"No."
"I AM—"
"No."
He sighed."…Fine."
The gift store was small but cozy—pastel colors, shelves of plushies, bracelets, diaries, keychains, and charms.
Rin immediately went to the bracelet section.
He picked a pink good luck charm and a small pink bracelet with a crystal heart.
"…Too girly?" he whispered.
"She's a girl," I said.
"Oh—yeah. True."
He held them like fragile glass."Is this okay?"
"Yes."
He swallowed hard."Okay… then I'll buy these."
I bought:
✔ A green scarf with a nature pattern for Mother✔ A pair of black leather gloves for Father✔ A soft diary and pen set for Arin✔ A huge stuffed bear for Arin✔ A diary and pen set for Lilia✔ A rabbit plush toy for Syna
I placed everything on the counter.
Rin looked at the pile."BIG BROTHER. ARE YOU RICH??"
"No."I showed him my bracelet balance."It's almost the same after Father added money."
Rin stared."You have… magic money."
"No."
"YES."
"No."
"YES."
"No."
He puffed his cheeks."Fine. I'll buy my gifts. You buy yours."
We paid.Father's dimensional ring shimmered slightly as I placed my bags near him on instinct—but he wasn't there yet. So we carried them normally.
The sweets shop looked like it was carved out of a dream—warm lights, pastel walls, and the smell of chocolate melting somewhere behind the counter. People sat at tiny round tables, eating ice cream, cake slices, chocolate cups, and fruit parfaits.
Rin placed his new zombie game bag on the chair and sat opposite me.He swung his legs, unable to hide his excitement.
I ordered:
4 chocolate cups (one for Arin, Rin, Lilia, Syna)
6-packs large chocolate box
A small mocha for myself
While we waited, Rin leaned forward.
"So… about the girl stuff."
I blinked. "Which girl stuff?"
"The stuff YOU said. Being a gentleman. Respect girls. Carry their bags. Look cool. Teach me MORE."
"Why?"
He puffed out his chest."Because I have to impress Syna!"
"… You're eight."
"Love has no age limit."
I took a photo of his dead-serious expression.
Then I sighed."Fine. Rule one: Don't chase someone who doesn't like you."
He blinked."Huh? But what if I like her more?"
"Doesn't matter."
"But—doesn't that mean she hates me?"
"No."I looked him straight in the eyes."Some people love you as family. Some love you as a friend. Some love you like a brother. Not everything becomes romance."
He considered it—really considered it.
I knew he wasn't emotionally mature enough to truly understand.But I also saw something dangerously bright in his eyes.
Obsession doesn't look scary in a child.It looks adorable.Until it isn't.
I continued, softer."You love me, Mother, Father, and Arin, right?"
"Yeah!"
"You marrying us?"
He recoiled violently."EW—NO—WHAT—NO—STOP—"
Good.
"Exactly. Love has different types. Don't mix them up."
He sat back, frowning deeply."You're weird."
"Probably."
"So… what should I do?"
I leaned in."First thing: Respect girls just because they're girls. Simple."
"Okay…" he nodded quickly.
"Second: When they're shopping, if they're carrying bags—offer help."
"Yeah! Gentlemen stuff!"
"BUT—only if they want help. If it's just a small purse, don't grab it. That's weird."
He nodded with the seriousness of a monk receiving holy scripture.
Then something caught his eye.
The girls had arrived—walking toward us from the clothing floor.
Arin carried two medium bags.Lilia had one light bag.Syna carried a small pink bag almost bigger than her.
As soon as they appeared, I whispered,"Remember the rule."
He nodded hard.
The girls reached our table.
Arin looked at us suspiciously."What were you two discussing? It looked secret."
Rin puffed out his chest."A MAN'S WISDOM."
"No. Don't say that," I said immediately.
But he already stepped forward.
He approached Lilia and Syna confidently."Ladies," he said in the deepest voice his tiny lungs could manage."May I help carry your bags?"
Lilia blinked."Oh. Thank you—"
Syna gave her bag instantly."Yes!"
Arin's mouth dropped open."What—where was this Rin when I asked for help last week?"
Rin said proudly,"THIS is the NEW Rin."
Arin snorted."You're still short."
He almost cried.
I placed a hand on his head."You did well."
He brightened immediately."Big Brother, does she count as a girl?"
The girls froze."What?" Lilia asked.
Arin stared at me, shocked."What are you teaching him?!"
I couldn't help it—a tiny laugh escaped.
"NOTHING BAD," I said, raising my hands."Just basics."
We all sat down.
The chocolate cups arrived.
Lilia looked at the table."Why only four?"
Arin answered before I could."He doesn't like overly sweet or overly spicy food. Always moderate."
Lilia stared at me."Like you?"
"…Yes."
We ate quietly for the first few minutes.
Then Lilia asked,"So what were you two really talking about?"
"Gentleman behavior," I said simply.
Rin nodded."I'm learning how to impress—"
Arin slammed her hand on the table."DON'T FINISH THAT SENTENCE."
Syna hid behind her cup, smiling.
Lilia tilted her head."Then why did you laugh when he asked if someone 'counts as a girl'?"
I sighed."Because I told him to respect girls. He asked if Arin counts."
Arin exploded."WHAT—???"
Rin defended himself."You pull my hair! And you beat me up! HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?!"
"You little—"
I took another picture.It was perfect chaos.
Then I shifted the conversation.
"I bought gifts."
Everything fell silent.
Rin jolted."GIFTS??"
Arin's eyes widened."You… you bought gifts… for us?"
Lilia blinked."Even… us?"
I nodded."Yeah. For all of you."
Arin looked away, suddenly emotional."Oh… then we'll open them at home?"
I nodded."Otherwise we'll be late."
They all agreed.But the sparkle in their eyes said they were dying to know.
We finished the chocolate cups, cleaned up, and got ready to leave.
Arin reached for her bags—I took them.She froze.
"…Oh. Thanks."
Lilia held her bag closer—Rin took it with both hands.She smiled, surprised."Thank you, Rin."
Syna held out her small pink bag."Me too?"
Rin nodded with exaggerated authority."Yes."
Syna giggled."I like the new Rin."
Arin muttered,"God help us."
We started walking together —
Two boys carrying bags,Three girls walking beside them,And me… quietly documenting it with my camera.
A small group,moving through the malllike we belonged together.