It’s been a few days since I woke up in this strange world, and I’ve learned a few things.

One, He lives in this house alone. Two, just as I suspected, this is not Earth. The boy explained that we’re in the Zerathis Empire—a place that doesn’t exist in any history book I’ve ever read. And three, we only have each other to rely on because all the adults here are… well, crap.

Rewind toa few days ago~

“Unn…” A soft sound slipped past the boy’s lips as he stirred, rubbing his sleepy eyes with tiny fists.
“Good morning, kid,” I greeted him, my tone flat from boredom.

As soon as he heard my voice, he sat up with a jolt, his small hand pulling away. But instead of replying, he just… stared at me. His wide green eyes blinked, his gaze locked onto mine with a mix of curiosity and hesitation.

“Is something wrong?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.

“Ah!” He gasped, realizing he’d been staring. He looked away as he quickly greeted while stammered out, “G-Go-good morning! A-Are you feeling better n-now?”

It was only then that I realized the ache in my chest yesterday was gone. I patted the area, testing to see if the pain would return, but there was nothing. Completely fine. I gave him a short nod to let him know I was okay.

But before I could say anything else, a loud, growling noise echoed through the room. I stiffened and scanned the area, thinking something was wrong. Then I noticed the boy’s face turning bright red as he hugged his stomach, trying to hide the source of the sound.

“Hehehe.” I couldn’t help but laugh when I realized what had happened.
“Wait a minute… is that your stomach?”

His cheeks burned brighter as he looked away, clearly embarrassed.

I sat up and glanced around the room, trying to spot a clock—anything to tell the time. But there wasn’t a single thing resembling one. Great. No clocks.
With no other option, I looked out the window, squinting at the position of the sun. It was already high in the sky – so it’s noon.

“Wait… it’s already midday?!” I turned back to him, eyes wide. “Have you eaten yet?”

The boy shook his head, his lips pressing together as if he was afraid I’d be angry.

“Shoot! Come on, you’ve got to eat.” I hurriedly stood up and gently tugged on his arm to get him up.
“Where does your mom keep the food?” I asked as I scanned the room again, this time looking for a pantry or kitchen space.

Silence.

I turned back to him, confused by his lack of response. He avoided my gaze, his head hanging low.

“Hey… what’s wrong?”

A beat of silence passed before he finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.
“She’s… gone.”

My heart clenched.

“Gone?” My throat felt dry. “What about your dad?”

“Father…” He paused, his tiny hands gripping the hem of his long loose white blouse. “Father said I should stay here… after we buried Mom.”

And just like that, everything clicked into place.

This kid… he’s been living here alone.

His father left him. Abandoned him after his mother died.

I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. What kind of person leaves a child to fend for himself in a house deep in the woods? If he couldn’t take care of the boy, he should’ve at least taken him to an orphanage. Anywhere would be better than this.

“Raquel…” I whispered, after piecing together bits of our earlier conversations. “How long have you been living here?”

Raquel tilted his head, his brow furrowed as he tried to count on his fingers.

“I… I’m not sure,” he mumbled. “But… Auntie came twice. She said it was ‘Mom’s death anniversary’ both times.”

So, two years. At least, two whole years.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, but it didn’t go away.

“So… you’ve been here by yourself all this time?” I asked, my voice softer now.

Raquel hesitated. His lips pressed into a thin line before he gave me a small nod.

I didn’t press him further. Whatever the reason for his hesitation, it wasn’t something he was ready to share yet. But one thing was clear—there was no one around. No adults. No one looking out for this kid.

I let out a long sigh, trying to calm the anger swirling inside me.

“What have you been eating?” I asked, needing to know how he had survived this long.

“Oh!” His eyes brightened, and he pointed toward the forest outside. “I gather fruits and leaves from the woods! Some of them taste really good!”

My heart dropped.

Two years. Living off nothing but fruits and leaves?

Those people… they left him to starve.

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to scream. I swear, when I see those people, I’ll punch them at least once.

“Sister?” Raquel’s small voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Right…” I forced a smile and ruffled his hair gently. “Can you show me where you gather food? I’ll cook something for us.”

His face lit up, and he eagerly grabbed my hand, dragging me toward the door. I followed him, unable to bring myself to stop his excitement, even as my mind spun with anger and worry.

As we walked deeper into the forest, I took in the surroundings with more focus than before. The towering trees, their thick canopies blocking out most of the sunlight. The cool breeze that carried the scent of moss and damp earth. Birds chirping somewhere in the distance.

Raquel led me to a spot where dried leaves were piled high around a large tree, as if someone had intentionally gathered them there. He dove into the leaves with a gleeful laugh, kicking them aside to reveal a small burrow hidden underneath.

Inside the burrow was… a collection of treasures.

A few oddly-shaped rocks, colorful flowers, and a long stick placed carefully over a blanket. It was a child’s hidden trove of precious things.

Raquel grabbed a particular stone—a smooth, shiny rock that glowed faintly in the dim light—and held it out to me with both hands.

“This is my treasure!” he said proudly. “I’ll give it to you if… if you become my friend.”

I knelt to his eye level, my heart aching at his innocent offer.

“Raquel…” I smiled softly, accepting the stone with gentle hands. But the moment I touched it—

A surge of energy shot through me.

It was like an electric current pulsing through my veins, making my skin tingle and my heart pound. The sensation was so sudden, so intense, that I instinctively flinched and tossed the stone away.

Raquel gasped and frozen in place..

“I-I’m sorry!” His voice trembled, and he backed away, his eyes wide with fear. “R-Right… it’s t-trash… I’ll go throw it away!”

“No!” I grabbed his hand before he could run off.

He froze, looking up at me with those big, scared eyes.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm despite the lingering sensation from the stone.

“Raquel…” I spoke softly, patting his small hand reassuringly. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m just… surprised.”

I glanced at the glowing stone, now half-buried in the leaves.

He didn’t react to it. Whatever I felt… he hadn’t felt it at all.

What was that?

“Listen…” I turned back to him. “You don’t have to give away your treasure to make me your friend.” I smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair out of his face.
“A real friend doesn’t ask for things in return.”

Raquel blinked up at me, his expression a mixture of confusion and hope.

“Then… will you really be my friend?” he asked softly, almost as if he was afraid of the answer.

“Of course,” I said without hesitation, ruffling his hair playfully.

A shy, genuine smile bloomed on his face.

But before I could bask in the warmth of that moment, another loud growl echoed.

His stomach again.

Raquel’s cheeks turned bright red as he clutched his belly, clearly embarrassed.

I chuckled softly. “Okay, go hide your shiny rock, and let’s get you something to eat.”

He nodded eagerly, running back to hide his treasure while I waited.

As I watched him, a thought crossed my mind.

I hadn’t eaten since yesterday… but strangely, I didn’t feel hungry at all.