The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh earth and old wood. Lying on the rooftop of the run-down house, Jin gazed at the star-strewn sky, his mind replaying the events of the day.
The warmth in his chest still felt foreign.
For as long as he could remember, hunger had gnawed at his insides, and the cold had been his only companion. Yet, tonight, his stomach was full, and for the first time in years, he had a roof over his head. The feeling was unsettling.
"Was it all just a dream?" he muttered to himself, gripping the rough tiles beneath him. "Will I wake up back in that alley?"
A voice called out, breaking his thoughts.
"Hey, Jin! You coming for dinner or not?"
He turned his head to see Lumine standing in the window, her golden hair gleaming under the lantern light. She was holding a bowl with wide, fascinated eyes. "Ohhh, this bowl of mixed colors looks amazing! Are we really supposed to eat this?"
A chuckle followed her remark. "Yes, Lumine, that's curry," Zegion explained. "You'll be eating it every day now, so get used to it."
Jin blinked before grinning. "Coming!"
Inside, the house was dusty and sparsely furnished, but to the five children gathered around the simple meal, it was more than enough. Seated on the floor, they dug into the food eagerly, savoring each bite like a rare delicacy.
Midway through his meal, Jin suddenly looked up, determination shining in his emerald eyes. "Big bro! I've decided something!"
Zegion raised a brow. "Swallow first."
Jin gulped down his food hastily before slamming a fist to his chest. "I want to get stronger! I wanna be able to eat like this every day!"
Beside him, Yuna, the silver-haired girl with dark obsidian pupils, tugged on Zegion's sleeve. "Me too."
Lumine, her mouth still half-full, raised her tiny fists in the air. "Me three!"
A timid voice followed. "M-Me four…" Ludwig, the brown-haired boy, mumbled softly.
Zegion took in their expectant faces, his expression unreadable. Then, he gave a small nod. "Hmm. Alright. But for tonight, wash your dishes and get some rest."
Jin didn't hesitate. He quickly grabbed his plate, heading toward the back area where a wooden bucket held fresh water. He scrubbed the dish clean and set it on the shelf, following the others to their sleeping spots. Some huddled together in the main room, but Jin found his way back to the rooftop.
He lay down, watching the sky, afraid that sleep would take it all away. But with a full stomach and exhaustion weighing on his eyelids, his resistance was short-lived.
Below, Zegion glanced at the sleeping children and let out a small sigh. His lips curled into a rare smile.
"Looks like I picked up a handful of trouble," he murmured before closing his eyes.