Evan sighed deeply as he pced his phone on the table, staring at the empty screen in a secluded cafe. The low hum of quiet chatter and the occasional clinking of cutlery surrounded him, but he barely noticed. His mind felt like a storm—his thoughts swirling with memories and questions about his new life.

  He had received a text from Sienna earlier, letting him know she’d be skipping csses today because of a busy schedule. With his chauffeur arriving ter, he found himself with a rare moment to reflect in solitude.

  The cafe he’d chosen was tucked away in a secluded corner near the art building. Far from the main quad and the bustling lecture halls, it offered a rare pocket of quiet. He wanted privacy, a chance to breathe, and, most importantly, to organize his feelings. With a light breeze drifting through the open windows and the aroma of fresh coffee in the air, Evan felt a strange mix of calmness and unease.

  He poked at the sandwich on his pte before picking up his phone again. Scrolling through his old Instagram posts, a wave of embarrassment washed over him.

  The first photo that caught his eye was one of the old ‘Evan’ from a year ago, posing in front of a mirror. He was dressed in a pastel outfit—cute, frilly, and paired with knee-high socks. His old self had captioned it, "Feeling cute today!" with a heart emoji.

  Evan grimaced, his lips pressing into a tight line as his fingers hovered over the screen. He quickly gnced around, ensuring no one had seen the photo, his cheeks burning with a mix of embarrassment and disbelief.

  The next one wasn’t any better. He was wearing a slightly revealing tank top that showcased his colrbones and shoulders. The angle of the photo, along with his soft smile, screamed innocence. His old self had clearly taken pride in his appearance, but the current Evan couldn’t rete.

  “This... This isn’t me,” he whispered, shaking his head.

  One by one, he began deleting the posts, feeling a sense of relief every time one disappeared. Each swipe felt like shedding an old skin that no longer fit. After purging his profile of the cringe-worthy content, he hesitated before changing his profile picture.

  Among the recent photos, one stood out—a candid shot Sienna had taken yesterday at the mall. He hadn’t even realized she was snapping a picture at the time. The photo captured his soft smile, his expression rexed and natural under the mall's warm lighting.

  “Not bad,” he murmured, setting it as his new profile picture.

  As he closed the app, his gaze flickered to the little red circle in the corner of the screen. It simply read 99+, a silent flood of attention that his old memories had taught him to ignore. With a subtle smirk, he set his phone aside, leaning back in his chair.

  Evan’s thoughts wandered to Sienna. He’d already come to terms with the fact that they both liked each other—yesterday’s kiss had been proof enough. It wasn’t just her looks, though she was undeniably attractive. Sienna was confident, assertive, and carried herself with a natural ease that was hard to ignore.

  Her teasing could sometimes be too much for him, but her sincerity banced it out. Moments like today’s breakfast reminded him that she genuinely cared for him. It was strange, adjusting to someone putting effort into their retionship so openly.

  The thought made him pause. Am I really this easy to woo now? he wondered, shaking his head. The old ‘Evan’—the one from this world—would’ve probably expected grander gestures, or so he imagined. Yet, here he was, feeling oddly moved by something as simple as breakfast.

  Then again, for someone like him, who had no one in his past life to look after him, it had a big effect. He had spent so many years fending for himself that even small acts of kindness like this felt monumental.

  Evan sighed, running a hand through his hair. I can’t let it stay one-sided, he thought. Sienna was putting in the effort to make him feel comfortable and cared for; it was only fair he did something in return.

  Next time, I’ll do something for her too, he resolved. He didn’t know what just yet, but he wasn’t going to let himself be entirely passive in this retionship.

  As he sat quietly, Evan found himself reflecting on his promise to figure out his own pce in this world. He wasn’t content to rely entirely on the privileges that came with his new life. The idea of being a househusband, as common as it seemed here, didn’t sit well with him.

  “I need to find something for myself,” he thought, gncing out the window at the sparse foot traffic on the university paths. He didn’t know what that was yet, but he was determined to explore his options.

  Evan leaned back in his seat, his fingers absentmindedly tapping on the table as he compiled everything he knew. His family—the Lancasters—weren’t just rich; they were staggeringly wealthy. His stepmother’s empire spanned across industries, and their name was synonymous with power and influence.

  He pulled out his wallet and took a closer look at the sleek bck card that rested inside. It was the same card his stepmother had handed him the day she married his father, a gesture that old Evan had accepted with giddy excitement. While he had never tested its limits, from his memories, he knew it could handle anything the old him had dared to buy, from designer outfits to the occasional vish indulgence. For him though, there was something about his restrained spending habits that carried over into his current self. He couldn’t imagine splurging on anything unnecessarily extravagant.

  As he turned the card in his hand, his thoughts shifted to the Lancaster family businesses. He remembered snippets from his memories: real estate and housing developments were the backbone of their empire, with rge-scale projects that shaped entire cities. Then there was their finance and investment arm, which handled everything from venture capital to wealth management.

  What caught his attention most was their recent foray into the tech industry. Acquiring a renewable energy company specializing in sor and wind power was a bold move, and putting Sienna in charge of its growth was even bolder. Managing an entire company at her age was no small feat, and Evan couldn’t help but admire her determination and skill. In a world where women were often the ones leading, Sienna’s ambition and achievements still managed to set her apart.

  His fingers hovered over his phone screen as he browsed more about the Lancaster subsidiaries. Among the countless holdings, something caught his eye: a small robotics R&D firm listed under their umbrel, Panda Robotics. He didn’t know much about it beyond the brief description of "developing automated solutions for niche industries," but it piqued his interest nonetheless.

  Scrolling through more information, Evan realized he needed a pn. If he wanted to establish his own identity within this world—and in this family—he couldn’t ignore the foundation that had already been id for him. Starting from scratch might seem noble, but it would also be foolish when he had so many resources at his disposal.

  He didn’t aim to stand on par with Sienna—her accomplishments were in a league of their own—but he wanted to give his best at whatever he decided to pursue.

  Still, he wasn’t about to storm into his stepmother’s office and demand a position. From his memories, he knew she wasn’t the easiest person to talk to, especially for someone like him who had never really interacted with her one-on-one. His dad, on the other hand, was different. As his biological father, he’d likely be more approachable and understanding.

  Evan slipped his phone back into his pocket and stood up, his resolve firming with each step he took out of the cafe. He’d start by speaking to his dad, testing the waters and figuring out how best to navigate the complexities of the Lancaster family.

  ***

  Later, in the evening,

  Evan stepped out of the lecture hall, slinging his bag over his shoulder. The campus buzzed with the chatter of students, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He and Finn had agreed to check out the club tomorrow, since it was Saturday and they’d have all the time in the world to explore the activities without the pressure of rushing through csses. For now, though, his day was free.

  Evan dialed his chauffeur. The line clicked, and a warm, familiar voice answered. "Yes, young master?"

  "Aunty, can you pick me up from the gate?" Evan asked, his tone polite but casual.

  "Of course. I’ll be there shortly."

  True to her word, the sleek white car pulled up in no time. Evan slid into the back seat, greeted by Aunty’s kind smile in the rearview mirror. "How was your day, young master?"

  "Busy but good," Evan replied, leaning back against the plush leather. "Thanks for coming so quickly."

  As they drove through the city, Evan’s gaze wandered out the window, watching the luxurious surroundings blur past. When they were only a few minutes from home, he gnced at Aunty. "Can we make a quick stop at the park nearby? I’d like to take a walk."

  Aunty’s brows furrowed slightly, but she nodded. "Of course, but I’ll stay close. Your parents wouldn’t want you walking alone."

  Evan smiled faintly. He knew she was right. With their family’s status, safety was always a concern. Still, he didn’t mind her presence; it was reassuring in a way.

  The car pulled up near the park, and Evan stepped out, taking a deep breath. The crisp air carried the faint scent of blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. Aunty followed a few steps behind, keeping a respectful distance but close enough to intervene if needed.

  Evan strolled along the paved paths, taking in the tranquil scenery. The park was well-maintained, with neatly trimmed hedges, ornate benches, and a small fountain at its center. Even though the area was undoubtedly luxurious, it cked the grandeur of his family’s estate. The comparison brought a wry smile to his face.

  As he wandered, his attention was drawn to a small group of children pying badminton in a clearing. The shuttlecock zipped back and forth, accompanied by peals of ughter. Curious, Evan edged closer, watching the three girls, who seemed to be around grade-school age. Their coordination and energy were impressive, and it was clear they were having a great time.

  Evan hesitated at first, lingering by the edge of the clearing. The idea of joining them felt… odd. Back in his old life, approaching strangers—especially kids—would’ve felt out of pce. But here? Things were different. He thought back to how his body had felt sluggish tely, the ck of physical activity catching up with him. Maybe this was an opportunity.

  Straightening his posture, he stepped forward, a pyful grin curling his lips. “Hey, you girls look like you could use some real competition,” he called out, his tone light but confident.

  The girls paused, their eyes lighting up as they turned toward him. One of them, holding the shuttlecock, raised an eyebrow. “You think you can keep up, brother?” she asked, her voice teasing.

  Evan chuckled, twirling his fingers as if warming up. “Oh, I can do more than keep up. Let me show you how it’s done.”

  The girls giggled and handed him a racket. “Alright, but we won’t hold back!” one of them said as they reset the game.

  The first few volleys went smoothly. Evan’s initial confidence carried him through, his long strides and quick reflexes surprising even himself. He grinned, feeling a rare sense of exhiration.

  “Not bad, huh?” he said after scoring his first point. The girls ughed, but their competitive glints sharpened.

  It didn’t take long for the tide to turn. Their movements became faster, more coordinated, and Evan quickly found himself struggling to keep up. He lunged for a particurly tricky shot, only to miss by a wide margin. His legs burned, his breaths grew shallow, and the racket felt heavier with each swing.

  “Whoa, are you slowing down, mister?” one of the girls chirped, her pigtails bouncing as she skipped to retrieve the shuttlecock.

  “I think he’s tired!” another teased, barely suppressing a giggle.

  “Pfft, as if,” Evan said, straightening up and trying to appear nonchant despite the sweat forming on his brow. “I just—uh—thought I’d give you a chance. Wouldn’t want you to cry when you lose.”

  The girls burst into ughter, clearly not buying his excuse.

  “Sure, sure!” said the smallest one, smirking. “You wanna py another round? Maybe you’ll get lucky!”

  Evan hesitated, quickly masking his embarrassment with a casual wave of his hand. “Nah, I think we’re good. Gotta save my energy for… uh… more important stuff.” He scratched the back of his neck, avoiding their knowing stares.

  “Aw, you’re scared!” the tallest girl said, sticking out her tongue.

  “We lost! We gotta keep pying to one-up them!” the girl on Evan’s team said, crossing her arms with determination. Her eyes sparkled with fierce competitiveness. “Come on, brother, we can’t stop now!”

  Evan hesitated, feeling his legs protest at the mere thought of another round. He forced a casual shrug, trying to sound breezy. “Ah, you know, I think I’ll sit this one out. Can’t hog all the fun, right?”

  The girl narrowed her eyes at him, unimpressed. “What kind of excuse is that? You are scared, aren’t you?”

  “What? Me, scared?” Evan feigned a ugh, pointing at himself. “No way. I’m just… uh, conserving my energy for ter.”

  She huffed, stomping her foot. “Boys are so me! You get tired so easily. No wonder we lost—you’re all talk and no game!”

  Evan winced but quickly masked his embarrassment with a weak grin. “Hey, let’s not py the bme game, alright? It’s about having fun.”

  “Losing’s not fun!” she snapped back, sticking her tongue out at him.

  Evan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he gnced at Aunty approaching with a water bottle. He muttered under his breath, “Kids these days are brutal.”

  “Thanks for the game, though,” he added, turning back to the girls with an exaggerated grin that he hoped masked his embarrassment. “You’re lucky I went easy on you.”

  The girls dissolved into a chorus of giggles, their earlier teasing repced with giddy satisfaction.

  “Yeah, sure! Come back when you’re better!” one of them called after him as he walked away.

  Evan sighed, his pride taking a hit but refusing to let it show. As they approached the car, Aunty gave him a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, young master. Girls their age are like that—full of energy and sharp tongues.”

  “Yeah, sharp enough to stab someone,” Evan muttered under his breath, taking a long sip of water.

  Sliding into the car, he leaned back and stared at the ceiling, shaking his head with a wry smile. How did I lose to kids?

  He let out a small, frustrated ugh, trying to console himself. "Hey, it's not like I’ve pyed badminton before… this was my first time holding a racket, so it’s fine," he muttered to himself, even though the words felt hollow. He knew better—his body had betrayed him, and it stung.

  “I need to start working out,” he muttered. His gaze shifted to the park, then to his own hands. “I can’t just stay like this. I have to get fit.”

  As they drove home, Evan stared out the window, new goals forming in his mind. Getting fit, finding his pce in this world, making an effort… it wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  LunarEcho