The faint chirping of early winter birds filtered through the wooden shutters of the house as dawn painted the sky in soft hues of gold and pink. Inside, Misaki groaned, pulling the blanket tighter over her head. Her brother Renjiro stood over her, arms crossed, his silver-white hair catching the morning light like a halo.
"Misaki, get up. You begged me last night to train you, and now you're acting like a hibernating bear," Renjiro said, his tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Misaki peeked out from under the blanket, her dark grey eyes bleary with sleep. "I just want to sleep today, okay? We can train tomorrow. Please, brother?"
Renjiro sighed, tapping his foot. "You're the one who asked me to train you. If you don't get up, I'm done helping you. Last chance."
With a dramatic huff, Misaki threw off the blanket and sat up, glaring at him. "You're the worst brother ever!"
Renjiro raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh? Last night you were talking like I am a hero before we went to sleep, and now I'm the worst? Make up your mind." He flicked her forehead lightly, ignoring her exaggerated yelp. "Go freshen up. I'll be waiting in the backyard."
As Misaki grumbled her way to the washbasin.
A different scene unfolded nearby.
Selena, Renjiro's elder sister, stood in the haruto room, surrounded by their friends. Her auburn hair fluttered in the crisp breeze, and her red eyes shimmered with a mix of determination and nervousness.
Yuki, the village head's daughter with sleek black hair and sharp black eyes, tilted her head. "Selena, what's this about? You said you had something important to tell us."
Selena took a deep breath, her hands fidgeting at her sides. Beside her, Takeshi, with his striking blue eyes and tousled yellow hair, leaned forward curiously. "Yeah, what's up with Renjiro?"
Reina, her red hair tied back and black eyes glinting with intrigue, chimed in. "Is it something big? You've got that serious look."
Himari, soft-spoken with a gentle demeanor, nodded. "What truth are you talking about?"
Haruto, ever the calm voice of reason, "Let's hear her out, everyone."
Selena swallowed hard, her throat tightening. She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. The weight of what she was about to reveal pressed down on her chest. Finally, after a shaky breath, she forced it out. "The truth is… Renjiro isn't my blood-related brother."
A stunned silence fell over the group. Yuki's eyes widened. "Wait, are you joking?"
Himari shook her head, disbelief etched on her face. "Did you get hit by something or are you lying?"
"There's no reason for me to lie," Selena said firmly, meeting their gaze. "Haven't you ever wondered why Renjiro has white-silver hair and dark grey eyes? None of us—Mom, Dad, Misaki, or me—look like that."
Haruto frowned, thoughtful. "I just assumed it came from your dad's side. Genes can be weird, right?"
Selena shook her head. "No. Even our has Dad has red eyes and black hair, like Mom. Renjiro… he's different because he's not biologically ours."
Reina blinked, still lost. "So, you're saying Renjiro's adopted? I'm not getting it. Someone explain!"
Haruto raised a hand, his voice steady.
"Everyone, calm down. Let Selena finish. We need the whole story." Inside, though, his mind churned with confusion—Renjiro, adopted? It didn't change how he saw his friend, but it was a lot to take in.
Selena steadied herself, her voice growing stronger as she began. "You all need to know where we came from. We arrived here seven years ago, in 664. Before that, we moved from place to place because of Dad's work as an archaeologist."
Takeshi scratched his head. "Wait, you're not born in our Village?"
"No," Selena replied. "Dad's job meant we never stayed anywhere long. We'd settle in a village for a few months, maybe a year, then move again."
Yuki frowned. "Then why have you stayed here for seven years? That's not temporary."
Selena nodded toward Yuki, acknowledging her point. "You know the history of Mizuhara Village, right? It's famous as the place where the first gate appeared and the Great War began. The natural minerals and big mountains here protect us, and the winding roads and falling rocks make it hard for outsiders—like the elves or anyone else—to invade. It's a safe haven, rich in resources, on the border of the human kingdom. That's one reason Mom and Dad chose to settle here permanently. The other was us—me, Renjiro, and later Misaki. They didn't want our childhoods ruined by constant moving, making friends only to lose them."
Haruto leaned forward. "So, where did Renjiro come from? Did you adopt him here?"
"No," Selena said, her voice softening as she delved into the memory. "It happened on December 8th, in the 659th year. We were living in Kurogane, a city in the dwarven kingdom, famous for its weapon forges. I was two years old. Dad was returning from an archaeological dig when a brutal storm hit. He took shelter in a cave to wait it out. While drying his clothes by a fire, he found a wooden box. Thinking it was just debris to burn, he picked it up—and inside was a baby."
Reina gasped. "Renjiro?"
Selena nodded. "Yeah. Dad heard the baby's faint heartbeat, but it was slowing. He didn't know what to do—he was no healer. Then he remembered his friend Shiori, who ran a hospital nearby. Even with the storm raging, Dad wrapped the baby in his cloak and ran. He arrived battered and bruised, clutching this tiny, barely breathing child."
Himari's hands clasped over her mouth. "That's incredible…"
"Shiori and her team worked fast," Selena continued. "They stabilized the baby while treating Dad's injuries. One of Shiori's assistants, Sakura, sent word to Mom and me. After the storm passed, we rushed to the hospital. Mom asked where the baby came from, and Dad explained he'd found him in the cave. When they came out of the treatment room, they were holding him—Renjiro. I was so excited. I asked Dad, 'Is he my little brother?' He smiled, a little teary, and said, 'Yes, he's your little brother.' Dad named him Renjiro right then, whispering it to him as he slept."
Yuki smiled faintly. "That's beautiful."
"Two years later, Misaki was born," Selena said. "We kept moving until we settled here four years ago. Dad left last year to work in the demi-human kingdom, but before that, he and Mom decided this village was home."
Himari tilted her head. "Is Renjiro a dwarf, then? Does he know all this?"
"He's human," Selena clarified. "And yes, he knows. Mom told us the truth last year—me, Renjiro, and Misaki. It hit him hard. He cried for two days straight. I'd never seen him break like that. He even… he tried to take his own life once."
The group froze, the air heavy with shock. Haruto's voice trembled slightly. "What?"
Selena's eyes glistened. "People mocked him for not awakening his core. He felt like a burden. Mom found him in time, stopped him, and asked why he'd do something so drastic. He sobbed, saying, 'I'm just weighing you down.' But Mom hugged him tight and said, 'You're my cute boy. I don't care what other says about you. I just want you to live happily.' He cried in her arms all day, but she convinced him he was enough."
Takeshi wiped his eyes discreetly. "Man, that's rough…"
"How did you and Misaki take it?" Yuki asked.
"We didn't care," Selena said with a small smile. "He's been our brother since the start. Blood or not, he's family."
Haruto his voice steady again. "Why tell us now?"
Selena hesitated, then smiled warmly. "Because you're his friends and you all deserve to know about him. His birthday is coming up on December 8th, and I didn't want you to treat him differently if this came up later. I trust you."
Himari grinned, her shock fading. "We're definitely celebrating his birthday! No way this changes anything!"
"Agreed!" Reina said, punching the air. Takeshi and Yuki nodded enthusiastically.
Haruto chuckled. "It doesn't matter to us. I told you yesterday what I think of him—he's a good guy."
Selena's heart swelled. Renjiro, you've got the best friends….
End of chapter 3..