The kitchen table was still cluttered with half-eaten breakfast plates when Riley leaned forward with sudden determination.
Aria and Sofia both looked up from their cereal battle.
"I want us all to play Realmwalker when it launches tonight," Riley announced. "But there's a problem."
Aria raised a hand dramatically. "I KNEW IT. Here comes the catch."
Sofia set down her spoon gently. "What's wrong?"
Riley exhaled. "We… don't have VR headsets."
Aria blinked.
Sofia blinked.
Mom, rinsing a pan by the sink, blinked too.
Aria slammed her hands on the table. "Oh NO. WOW. WHAT A HUGE SHOCK. It's not like we're broke or anything!"
Sofia touched her fingers together. "We can't afford those…"
Riley held up a hand. "Don't worry. I'll get them."
Aria frowned. "How? You have no money. Your wallet is a deserted wasteland."
"I have some money," Riley said defensively.
Mom turned around, arms crossed. "How much is 'some'?"
Riley hesitated.
Aria leaned closer. "He's thinking. That's a bad sign."
Riley sighed. "Okay, fine. I have enough for one headset."
Aria groaned. "One? BRO. There are three of us."
"Yeah," Riley said, rubbing his temples. "I thought I had more. But I forgot sixteen-year-old me doesn't exactly have millions."
Sofia's voice was small. "Then… only one of us can play?"
Riley looked between them — Sofia's disappointment, Aria's exasperation.
That wasn't an option.
He opened his mouth to say something — anything — when Mom unexpectedly stepped in.
"Please," she said dramatically, clasping her hands like an overly emotional soap opera actress. "All three children begging for gaming equipment… at the SAME time."
Aria snorted.
Sofia covered her mouth to hide her laugh.
Mom grinned and shook her head. "Fine. I'll buy the other two."
Riley's jaw dropped. "Mom—seriously?"
"BUT," she added sharply, lifting one finger, "this counts as your birthday AND Christmas AND possibly next year's Christmas."
Aria gasped. "MOM! That's illegal!"
"It's completely legal," Mom said.
Sofia murmured, "It probably is…"
Riley blinked at her. "Are you sure? They're not cheap."
Mom rolled her eyes. "When have I ever let my kids get left out of something important? And if this is something you want to do together… then yes. I'll help."
Riley swallowed hard.
In his past life, he barely spoke to his mother by this age.
Barely came out of his room.
Barely showed her any gratitude.
But now she was helping at the very first chance she got.
He would not waste that.
"Thank you," he whispered.
Aria dramatically dabbed at her eye. "Awwwww. He's going soft again."
Sofia smiled gently. "He's being kind, Aria. Let him."
Mom grabbed her purse. "Come on. Let's go before I change my mind."
Aria bolted up from the chair so fast it almost toppled. "I CALL SHOTGUN!"
Sofia sighed. "You always call shotgun…"
"BECAUSE I AM SPEED," Aria declared, sprinting out the door.
Mom followed, muttering, "Why did I have children again?"
Riley and Sofia walked behind them. Sofia nudged him.
"You know she's really doing this for you, right?"
Riley glanced at her. "What do you mean?"
"You've… changed. You're trying harder. You're being kinder. She sees that."
He swallowed.
"…Good. I want to be better this time."
Sofia blinked. "This time?"
Riley froze.
Then forced a smile. "I mean… you know. Now that I'm older. Sort of."
Sofia didn't buy it, but she let it go.
She always let things go.
Riley made a quiet promise to himself:
He would never take advantage of that softness again.
The electronics shop was bright, loud, and full of flashing displays. Posters plastered every wall promoting Realmwalker's launch:
ENTER A NEW WORLD TONIGHT — REALMWALKER ONLINE
CHOOSE YOUR SPIRIT — FORGE YOUR LEGEND
LIMITED EDITION BUNDLES AVAILABLE
Aria stopped dead in the doorway.
"Oh my GOD. LOOK at that poster! I want that one! Sofia, buy me that one!"
"I… can't buy you anything," Sofia reminded gently.
Riley coughed. "Focus. We're here for VR headsets."
Mom motioned to a display of three:
NEXUS-VR Gen4 Headsets
Top-tier. Sleek. Expensive.
Aria held one like it was holy scripture. "I can FEEL my future success in my hands."
Sofia read the manual closely. "The sensory precision is incredible…"
Riley lifted one off the shelf. He'd used cheap second-hand headsets his whole first life.
Holding a brand-new one felt surreal.
Mom braced herself. "Alright. Give me two."
The cashier nearly fainted ringing them up.
When the bags were handed over, Riley felt something warm settle in his chest.
They were really doing this.
The three of them.
Together.
Something he never had in the original timeline.
They hadn't even made it ten steps out of the shop before trouble appeared.
Three boys leaned against the wall outside, wearing school uniforms and smug expressions.
Riley recognized them instantly.
The year-11 bullies.
And right in the middle—
Harry Tomkins.
Even younger.
Even cockier.
Even more punchable.
Harry smirked the moment he saw Riley.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't the future disappointment of England." He looked Riley up and down. "Shopping with your baby sisters, are we?"
Aria immediately stepped forward.
"Oh HELL no."
Riley grabbed her sleeve. "Aria—don't."
She yanked free. "No. Absolutely not. He wants to talk? Let's talk."
Harry sneered. "Should've known your sisters would be louder than you. You hiding behind them, Grant?"
Sofia stepped up beside Aria—nervous, but standing her ground. "Leave Riley alone."
Harry laughed. His friends echoed it like trained parrots.
"Or what?" Harry taunted. "He'll cry on us? He'll tell his mommy?"
Aria cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, I'm gonna enjoy this."
She walked right up to Harry — not even hesitating — and punched him square in the face.
A clean hit.
A sharp CRACK.
Harry stumbled back, clutching his nose, eyes watering.
"WHAT THE HELL—?!"
Aria shook out her hand. "That's for breathing near my family."
Harry's friends rushed forward—
But Mom stepped in with a glare so lethal it could end nations.
"I dare you," she said coldly.
The boys froze.
Because no teenager, no matter how stupid, willingly fights a furious mother with grocery bags in one hand and murder in her eyes.
Harry sputtered, face bright red. "This isn't over, Grant!"
Aria blew him a kiss. "Anytime, sweetheart."
He stormed off with his crew.
Aria turned back, shaking with adrenaline. "Did you SEE that? I am a GOD."
Sofia examined Aria's knuckles. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Aria declared proudly. "Pain fears ME."
Mom grabbed Aria by the ear.
"Violence fears ME. Don't start fights."
"OW—MOM—OW—"
"You are grounded."
"Nooooo—"
Riley couldn't stop laughing.
For the first time since coming back, he felt truly alive.
Sofia looked up at him shyly. "Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Actually… better than okay."
Aria, still rubbing her ear, grinned. "That idiot had it coming."
Riley exhaled, a fierce smile spreading across his face.
"I can't wait to pound them in the game," he said.
Aria pumped her fist. "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT."
Sofia whispered, "Please don't start a guild war."
Riley laughed. "No promises."
Mom shook her head. "You all exhaust me."
But she smiled.
And for the first time since returning to sixteen…
Riley felt like he truly belonged in this moment.
Tonight, Realmwalker would launch.
Tonight, he would rewrite everything.
Tonight, their adventure began.