We stayed a little longer in the living room after that.
Mostly because none of us wanted to interrupt the atmosphere anymore.
But as time passed, more relatives kept arriving. Some carried trays of food. Others brought flowers, candles, drinks, folding chairs, anything they thought would help for the memorial gathering. The once quiet living room slowly became crowded with conversations again.
Paulo stayed near his family the entire time.
Especially near his mother.
Like he was trying to stay close for as long as possible now that he finally could.
I leaned back slightly on the couch and quietly observed the situation.
Then exhaled.
This wasn't going to work with this many people around.
So while everyone else was distracted talking, I stood up and discreetly walked toward Paulo's parents.
"Sir," I called softly enough not to attract attention. "Ma'am."
They both looked at me immediately.
I lowered my voice further.
"Do you… have somewhere more private? Somewhere only immediate family can stay for a bit?"
All three of them looked puzzled instantly.
Even Paulo's sister tilted her head slightly.
"My room is small," Paulo's father answered slowly. "But we can fit there somehow."
I nodded once and glanced back toward my team.
Cynthia noticed first.
Then Gino and Sarah followed my gaze.
I gave them a small nod.
The three immediately understood something serious was about to happen.
"If…" I started carefully while looking back toward Paulo's family, "if you could trust me just this once… I'd like only your family inside."
The room fell strangely quiet around us after that.
Not enough for the other relatives to notice.
But enough for Paulo's family to feel the weight behind my words.
Paulo's father studied my face for a few seconds before finally nodding slowly.
"Alright."
Then he led us toward the back of the house.
The room really was small.
Very small.
A single bed pushed against the wall, an old cabinet, a small electric fan, and barely enough standing space for everyone once we entered.
That was why Gino immediately stepped back toward the doorway.
"We'll stay outside," he said. "Just leave the door open if needed."
Sarah nodded in agreement while Cynthia quietly pulled Alicia beside her.
Millien stayed near the doorway too.
I gave them a grateful glance before stepping fully inside with Paulo and his family.
His mother looked nervous now.
Not scared.
Just emotional.
"What is this about?" she asked softly.
I took a slow breath first.
Because honestly?
Even after using the skill several times already, this part still felt unreal every single time.
"There's…" I paused briefly trying to phrase it properly. "There's something I can do in situations like this."
Paulo's sister frowned slightly in confusion.
I continued carefully.
"I can temporarily let souls become visible to the people they're attached to."
The room froze.
Completely.
Paulo's father immediately stiffened while his sister looked at me like she didn't know whether to believe me or think I had gone insane.
Meanwhile, Paulo's mother already had tears gathering in her eyes again before I even finished.
"It won't last long," I explained honestly. "Three minutes maximum. And it only works a limited number of times."
Paulo's sister covered her mouth.
"You mean…" her voice trembled slightly. "Paulo?"
His father still looked conflicted.
Like logic and grief were fighting inside his head at the same time.
But Paulo's mother suddenly grabbed my arm desperately.
"If it's true…" she sobbed weakly. "Please… please let me see my son…"
The room went painfully quiet after that.
I slowly nodded.
Then took a deep breath.
The familiar sensation spread through my chest immediately as the skill activated.
[LET THEM SEE YOU ACTIVATED.]
I turned toward Paulo who had been standing silently beside the cabinet the entire time.
His eyes already looked red.
"Paulo," I called quietly. "Let your immediate family see you."
For a second…
Nothing happened.
Then slowly, Paulo's form became clearer.
More solid.
More real.
His mother gasped sharply.
His sister stumbled backward slightly toward the bed.
And Paulo himself looked frozen in disbelief while staring at his own hands.
"Mama…" his voice came out weakly. Hesitantly. "Papa… Ate…"
All three of their breaths hitched at the same time.
Then they slowly turned around.
And there he was.
Standing beside the bed exactly the way they remembered him.
The first one to move was his mother.
She rushed toward him instantly without caring whether it would work or not.
Then she broke down completely when her arms actually wrapped around him.
A choking sob escaped her mouth as she held Paulo tightly like she was terrified of losing him again the moment she let go.
Paulo himself looked stunned before hugging her back shakily.
His father covered his mouth while tears finally spilled down his face for the first time since we arrived.
And Paulo's sister collapsed onto the edge of the bed crying openly now.
I quietly looked away from them.
Then spoke softly.
"You only have three minutes."
Paulo looked toward me immediately with gratitude all over his face.
I just nodded once before stepping outside the room.
Then gently closed the door behind me.
The moment it shut, the muffled crying inside became clearer.
Soft voices.
Broken laughter.
Questions spoken too quickly because they were running out of time.
A mother asking if her son was hurting now.
A father apologizing for not doing more.
A sister crying while holding Paulo's hand.
And mixed in between all of that…
Paulo's voice.
Happy.
Truly happy.
For the first time since meeting him.
Outside the room, none of us spoke.
Not me.
Not Cynthia.
Not Gino or Sarah.
We simply stayed there quietly by the hallway while the Balicasa family held onto the little reunion fate finally gave them.