Ethan took a large bite of fish, his thoughts drifting like leaves on a gentle stream. "When I regained consciousness, it was still morning. It was as if time hadn’t moved at all—everything stood completely still." He thought as he chewed slowly, lost in contemplation. Outwardly, nothing had changed—_not a single thing._ Yet deep inside, he could feel that something had shifted. Finally, he had a chance.

Under the table, his fists clenched as he felt the weight of last night’s events settle deep within him. The air around him seemed different now, charged with a mysterious energy that he could not quite name. His fingers curled tightly around his chopsticks as he took a deep, steadying breath. His mind raced with thoughts of the future.

"No more powerlessness. No more watching helplessly as everything crumbles around me," he vowed silently.

He stole a quick glance at Elise, who was still happily eating—her face bright and carefree, unaware of the storm raging within him. His gaze softened as he murmured, "This time, I will protect them. _This time for sure._"

He took another bite, savoring the food. Breaking the silence, Elise tilted her head and asked, "So? Are you going to tell me or not? Did anything happen while I was sleeping last night?"

Ethan paused. For a split second, a devilish smile flickered in his mind, but he quickly masked it with a look of feigned hurt. "Oh, that..." he began, trailing off before adding, " It’s true—I was worried sick for a while." His voice held both concern and a playful edge.

Elise stopped eating, her eyes widening with concern. "Really? What happened?"

"It’s not so much about what happened as it is about how I handled it," Ethan explained, meeting her gaze steadily. "I managed to get through it all because of you. You... you are the reason I could bear it."

Elise’s face lit up with pride, a soft smile blooming on her lips. "Really?" she repeated, delight clear in her tone.

"Yeah, absolutely. Want to know how?" Ethan asked, leaning forward as if about to share a secret.

"Yes, yes, tell me!" Elise's voice was bright with anticipation. She expected a story about how he was inspired by her gentle strength. She even hoped for a little pat on the head, a small token of praise that would confirm her importance in his life. But what Ethan revealed was not what she anticipated at all.

"Well," he began slowly, "just when I was drowning in my worries of the debt and how to move forward, I suddenly remembered you. And then I realized something. If I can put up with you all these years, then I can handle anything—even if the world were to end tomorrow." He paused, his voice softening into a mix of laughter and teasing. "So I got through it, and I feel stronger now. Thanks, lil’ sis. I will never forget your kindness."

Elise's smile wavered into a playful pout as she gave him a gentle hit on shoulder. "You—why do you always have to tease me?" she complained, half-laughing, half-scolding.

"Well, you shouldn’t be so gullible then." Ethan retorted with a grin, as he tried to protect himself behind the chair.

For a long moment, the dining table buzzed with a warmth that both siblings had not felt in years. It was as if they had been transported back to simpler, peaceful days- back when their parents were still alive, and the only worries were not getting scolded by them because of small the pranks they used to commit. In that moment, it was as if the laughter from the past mingled with the present.

Amidst the familiar teasing and shared memories, the heavy burdens of debt and unsaid promises of revenge faded into the background. They had resolved, at least for now, the most pressing problem: their internal problem, the pain that had haunted them. Genuine happiness were present in their eyes as a quiet, steady light in the midst of a chaotic world

The siblings’ playful squabble was finally over, leaving the dining table filled with the soft clatter of cutlery and gentle conversation. Just as Ethan swallowed a bite of fish, Elise suddenly perked up.

"Oh, that reminds me!" she said, tilting her head with a smile. "Adrian was supposed to stop by this morning. Why isn’t he here yet?"

Ethan blinked, momentarily pulled from his daydream. "Huh? Why would Adrian come so early in the morning?" he asked, puzzled. "We didn't even finish breakfast."

Elise sighed and waved her chopstick like a playful teacher scolding a forgetful student. "You really are hopeless with dates. Today’s the second Sunday of the month -market day, Remember? You, me, and Adrian were supposed to head out for supplies."

The realization hit Ethan like a sudden slap. "Ah… that’s right," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "I totally forgot to check the calendar. He should be here any minute now—"

Before he could finish, a sharp knock echoed through the house.
"Oi, Ethan! Elise! You two in there?" came a familiar voice.

Elise grinned. "Speak of the devil."

Ethan exhaled, shaking off the last traces of his earlier thoughts. There would be time to dwell on last night later. Right now, life was moving forward, and he had a role to play.

With a small, knowing smirk, he got up and made his way to the door. When he pulled it open, he found Adrian standing there, his lean figure being outlined by the morning light. Taller than Ethan yet skinnier from years of hardship, Adrian’s worn-but-well-kept clothes hinted at shared struggles.

Despite his build, there was a keen sharpness in his dark eyes. It wasn’t the look of someone suspicious, but rather of someone who had learned to be wary of the world—who had seen too much to take things at face value.

“Took you long enough,” Adrian said as he stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. “I was about to knock the door down.”

Elise rolled her eyes. "You say that like you weren’t already late."

Adrian clicked his tongue but didn't argue. Instead, he turned his attention to Ethan, his expression softening into concern. "You good, man? You look..." He paused, gesturing vaguely at Ethan’s face. "...different."

"Different? Different how?" Ethan asked, a mix of surprise and curiosity present his voice. His mind raced though he tried to keep a calm face.

"I don’t know," Adrian replied thoughtfully. " You look like you have been through a lot. I mean, you do have a lot on your plate, but" He stepped closer to Ethan. "Today you look as if you have been through a shit ton more than usual."

Ethan sighed in silence. _"He did have the strongest instincts of anyone I know,"_ he thought.

Elise leaned forward, studying him with gentle concern. "Really? Why can't I see it? He seems the same to me except that he is much happier since this morning."

"I am not talking about any physical changes." He pointed to Ethan's face. "I am talking about his eyes. He seems as if---. Wait, what do you mean happier than usual? Did anything happen?"

"I don't know." replied Elise raising her shoulders. "Ask him. He refuses to let me know.",

Adrian’s tone grew more insistent. "Tell me honestly, did you land a good job or something? You must have done something in secret, I know it."

Ethan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, I did not get a job behind your back, promise. Can't a man be happy without any reason?"

"Sorry, man," Adrian said, his tone softening. "I guess I was just on edge by everything that's been happening lately."

Ethan glanced back at the table. "So, how long are you going to keep chatting in the hall? Are you coming in or not?"

"Coming. Coming.", said Adrian, as he rushes inside the house. "Wait, why am I coming inside?", He paused. "The market’s gonna be packed soon. You coming or not?", asked Adrian, going to the door again.

"That's right!" Elise exclaimed. "Let's go, brother. We have a lot to buy, and we can't be late. Otherwise it will take a lot of time to return. We can finish breakfast later."

"Huh? At least let me finish my fish—" Ethan started to protest, but Adrian pulled him toward the door with a look that said he knew exactly what Ethan would say.

"Elise, grab his wallet. I'll keep an eye on him outside, just in case this glutton tries to sneak in more breakfast," Adrian sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Roger that," Elise replied, laughing as she dashed back into the house. Moments later, she reappeared, clutching Ethan's wallet and an umbrella.

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing with that umbrella? It’s not even that sunny."

Elise twirled gracefully after opening the umbrella. "Don't you know? A young lady always carries an umbrella—it's a sign of novelty."

"Right..." Ethan and Adrian replied in unison, clearly uninterested as they began to walk.

"Hey, what's with that reaction?" Elise teased, pouting playfully as she caught up with them.

And with that, the three of them stepped out into the bustling streets of the city heading to the market.