After dinner, the lively noise of the living room filled every corner of the home.
Darla was sitting on the carpet, surrounded by open textbooks and notebooks, groaning loudly.
"Uggggh! Why does math hate me?!"
Freddy mocked dramatically.
"Because you called it stupid last week."
"IT IS STUPID!"
MJ giggled from the couch.
Gwen knelt beside Darla to check her worksheet.
Mary looked worried.
"She has a test tomorrow… and she's struggling."
Rose peeked from the kitchen doorway with concern.
"Darla, mi amor, do you need help?"
Darla flopped onto her back.
"Mamá… I need a miracle."
Arin stood up quietly.
"Let me see."
All eyes turned to him.
He sat beside Darla, gently pulling the homework sheet closer.
Darla blinked up at him.
"You… know how to do this?"
Arin nodded calmly.
"I understand math well."
The moment Arin looked at the page, numbers and patterns aligned in his mind perfectly.
He could see the solution instantly.
But he didn't solve it for Darla.
He explained Step by step.
"So, look here," Arin said softly, pointing at the first problem.
"You don't need to memorize everything. Just understand the pattern."
Darla listened with eyes wide, absorbing every word.
Gwen and MJ watched, impressed.
Mary's chest warmed.
Billy, who originally thought Arin was like him a average student , suddenly paused.
"…He's… genius?" Billy whispered.
Freddy nodded.
"Yeah, kinda makes you like him more, right?"
"I didn't say that."
Yes he did.
Soon Darla's eyes lit up.
"OH! I get it! I GET IT!!" she shouted, bouncing.
Arin smiled softly.
"Good. Want to try the next one by yourself?"
Darla puffed up proudly.
"Yes!"
She solved it in seconds.
"Look Arin! I DID IT!"
He patted her head gently.
"Well done."
Darla melted into a puddle of pure happiness.
"I love you, Arin."
Gwen's eye twitched.
MJ's eyebrow rose.
Mary coughed.
Arin said jokly "I appreciate you too, Darla."
---
From the kitchen doorway, Rose watched the scene quietly.
Her eyes softened, and her heart swelled.
For month after her husband's death…
the house felt heavy.
Her children smiled for her sake
but she could always see the pain behind their smiles.
She knew they hid it.
From her to not worry her.
But tonight…
Her home was full of genuine laughter.
Her children all smiling happy and chatting with Arin and his friends.
Thinking this her gaze fell onto Arin.
He is gentle and kind boy and can be suitable life partner for her daughter .
Rosa felt her eyes sting with warmth.
It's been so long since I saw them this happy…
She placed a hand on her heart.
It feels like there's light in our home again.
---
Arin Stands Up
Darla hugged him tightly.
"Arin, you're the best big brother ever!"
Arin blinked, surprised.
But he patted her gently.
"Anytime."
Mary's heart fluttered.
Gwen and MJ exchanged jealous glances.
Rosa wiped the corner of her eye and approached.
"Arin," she said softly, "thank you."
He looked at her.
"For helping Darla?" he asked.
Rosa shook her head.
"to my family smile again ."
Everyone looked at her.
Her voice trembled just slightly.
"Ever since my husband passed… the children lost something.
They tried to smile for me, but I could feel how sad their hearts were."
The room went quiet.
Darla lowered her head.
Billy looked down.
Mary eyes are slightly red .
Freddy gripped his crutch tighter.
Rose continued.
"But tonight… I really saw them happy again.
Her eyes glistened softly.
"And that means more to me than you know."
Arin glanced around the room.
At the siblings
And then at Rosa's soft, grateful smile.
He felt something stir in his chest.
Not attraction neither desire.
Something deeper.
Respect and Admiration.
He smile gently and said "…I'm glad I could help."
Rosa smiled tenderly.
"You're always welcome here, Arin."
Mary's heart thumped.
Gwen and MJ exchanged nervous looks.
He simply look at Rose gentle smile and said "Miss Rose , you don't have to thanke, it's my good luck I get to knows such good friends who treat me like family.
Hearing this Rosa smile gentle
"Arin you are such kind and good boy , I am also happy that my kids get such a good friend"
After saying this she went toward kitchen to clean dishes thee remaining dishes.
Seeing this gwen, MJ and Mary also go with her to help her, at first Miss Rosa rejected MJ and gwen help but seeing them so persistent them , she finally agreed to let them help her.
So they went to kitchen to wash dishes while Arin went to play with freedy, billi and other especially Darla who was clinging to him like koala.
...
After Playing with Shazam siblings, Arin look at the time found it was already 9 pm so he plan to go before 10 pm at hotel as teacher instructed them.
Just as he about to say goodbye he found Miss Risa, Gwen, MJ and Mary coming towards him.
Seeing this Arin said "Miss Rose, I think we should go it's getting late...
But before he finish speaking .
she said softly " No, Arin It's too late for you all to walk back to the hotel especially with girls with you.
"the city at night isn't safe so you all can sleep here."
Gwen and MJ froze.
Mary smiled instantly.
Arin become surprised but he aloso nodded .
Rosa already had her phone in hand.
"I've called your teacher. He agreed to let You all stay here tonight."
Hearing Arin smile "Thank you Miss Rose ."
Rose touched his shoulder gently.
"You're welcome, dear."
Her warm tone made Gwen's eyes narrow.
MJ's eyebrow twitched.
Then Rose clapped her hands.
"Okay, sleeping plan!"
She pointed:
"Arin will sleep in Freddy and Billy's room."
Freddy pumped a fist.
"YES! Cool guy sleepover!"
Billy crossed his arms.
"Hmph. As long as he doesn't snore."
Rosa turned to the girls.
"And Gwen, MJ you'll sleep in Mary's room."
Mary flushed.
"S-Sure! They can use my bed, I'll can sleep on the floor."
Gwen grabbed her hand.
"No need! We can share."
MJ grinned.
"Yeah, it'll be fun."
Mary's heart practically melted.
Rose smiled, pleased.
...
The boys' room lights were off.
Freddy was already snoring.
Billy lay quietly but eventually drifted off.
And Arin on his back, awake, staring at the ceiling.
Unable to sleep he open his status panel
He whispered:
"Status."
A translucent panel appeared in front of him.
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Arin Aether
Age: 18
Base Form Combat Power:D Rank
Shazam Form Combat Power:GG Tier (God-Tier)
Skills:
• Psychokinesis (Level 1)
• Enhanced Body
• Lightning Affinity (sealed in base form)
Counter Points:7000
Arin raised an eyebrow.
"So without Shazam form… I'm still D-rank."
That alone put him above
Most trained fighters , low tier superhumans and Low-tier meta beings
Even without transformation…
he was already strong enough to break steel, dodge bullets, and fight squads of men like children.
"…Not bad."
But the 7000 counter points were expected because he change a big plot .
He tapped the notification log.
[Counter Log]
+5000 CP — to become New Shazam
+2000 CP — steal billi batson opportunity
Arin leaned back.
"So Now I more than 7000 counter point in just two days"
He smirked slightly.
"At this rate… purchasing the New ability won't take long."
He opened the Shop Mall.
Most high-tier abilities were are required massive counter points.
The ones he wanted was Lightning Affinity Upgrade, Divine Physique and finally Shazam Form Evolution
All required massive points.
"Too early for these…"
He closed the panel with a sigh.
Arin looked around the quiet room.
Freddy's soft snores.
Billy's calm breathing.
Arin was also decided to sleep but before going to sleep he plan to go to bathroom.