Chapter 5 — When Hope Walks In

The afternoon sun dipped gently behind the rows of buildings as Wakasa stood outside his old university friend Gab’s apartment. The hallway smelled like faint coffee and dust, a familiar scent from the old study days that stirred a quiet smile on Wakasa’s face. It had been a while since he’d met Gab—years perhaps—but some friendships never grew old, only paused like a page waiting to be turned.

Gab welcomed him inside with the same easy grin he used to wear in lectures, and they talked—about everything and nothing, about the past and the strange shape the future had begun to take.

Wakasa leaned forward, his voice steady but layered with something deeper. “I need to find a job, Gab. A real one. I want to give my family a better life… and I want Dad to finally quit his job.”

Gab blinked, a little surprised by the seriousness in Wakasa’s eyes. “That’s… noble of you,” he said. Then with a glint in his eye, he added, “There’s a company hiring right now. Rich firm, stable income. You’ve got the degrees, Wakasa. You were always one of the top students—they’ll hire you without blinking.”

Wakasa leaned back, fingers tapping against the edge of the table, but there was already hope flickering behind his calm face. “Sounds like something I need.”

“Oh,” Gab added with a grin, “you can also work a part-time job at the café nearby. I do. It’s decent pay, warm people. Nothing too hectic.”

Wakasa gave a teasing smirk, eyebrows raised. “Sure, sure… but I better not catch you dragging me into your mess, Gab. My future office job comes first, you know?”

They both laughed—and in that moment, it wasn’t just about jobs or responsibilities. It was about walking into adulthood with hands full of dreams, even if they felt a little heavy.

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Elsewhere, in a quiet classroom filled with low murmurs and soft chalk scribbles, Ren sat like a shadow carved out of calm. He focused on the blackboard, notes neatly scribbled, jaw slightly tense. But the girls around him weren’t focused on the lesson. Instead, their eyes followed the poor boy with soft, handsome features, their whispers like petals blown by the wind.

Ren ignored them like always. The bell rang, sharp and liberating, and before anyone could blink, he was up, bag slung over one shoulder as he darted out of the room. His steps were fast, purposeful.

Because she was waiting.

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Liz stood outside her college gate, fingers brushing against the strap of her bag as she looked up, just in time to see her little brother running toward her. Her eyes sparkled with that quiet joy only a sister knows. “Well, well, look who came,” she beamed. “Where’s Waka Waka?”

Ren rolled his eyes but smirked. “Don’t call him that. He’s our big brother, girl. Sassy witch.”

Liz gasped dramatically, then gave him a playful shove. “Rude little rat!”

They bickered all the way home, their footsteps echoing along the sleepy sidewalk, lined with flickering lights and the fading scent of spring flowers.

But when they reached home, something felt different.

Their father was already there.

He rarely returned before sundown—his job, or rather, the "job" he always mentioned, kept him out late. Ren and Liz exchanged a glance before rushing inside to change from their uniforms. When they came back into the living room, they tossed themselves onto the couch, giggling and clinging to the last shreds of childhood. Their father laughed—a warm, deep sound that filled the room like sunlight.

It was then that Wakasa entered.

He paused for just a second when he saw his father—his smile held, but something in his chest tightened. The idea of their father being an ordinary employee felt… too normal. Too safe. But Wakasa forced that thought away.

Not now.

Now was about hope.

He walked over and dropped himself next to their mother. “I’ve got a surprise,” he announced. “For you, Mom. You too, Dad. And you two little pipsqueaks.”

Liz and Ren turned toward him instantly, eyes wide like children hearing about fireworks.

“I’ve got a chance,” Wakasa continued, “to work at a very rich company. It’s serious. It’s good.”

There was a beat of silence, and then cheers broke out.

Ren and Liz practically jumped up, their voices bubbling with excitement. Wakasa couldn’t help but chuckle as he looked at them, realizing how precious it was—this moment, this unity, this family joy.

His father’s eyes glistened faintly, and Wakasa caught it. That spark of pride, the sigh of a burden slightly lifted. His mother saw it too, and silently squeezed his hand.

“And,” Wakasa added with a cheeky grin, “I’ll also work part-time at the café nearby.”

Liz squealed. “Yes! Yes! You’re getting closer to your dream, and I’ll become a singer just like I always said!”

Ren grinned, a little shy. “And I’ll… uh… I don’t know yet. But I’ll become something. I promise.”

The room burst into warm laughter. In those minutes, the walls held nothing but joy. The kind that wrapped around you like a soft quilt on a winter morning. The kind that made you believe, just for a while, that nothing bad would happen again.

But happiness, as it often does, whispered quietly that it was only passing through.

Because time changes.

And happiness, no matter how fiercely held, can sometimes fade.

But on this evening, under a golden sky, the family of five didn’t think about that. They only breathed in the present—warm and alive.

Because when hope walks in, it deserves a seat at the table.

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To be continued...🍄

 

Dear readers,sorry for being late. 🥲. I'll try hard to post new chapters as soon as possible.