The morning was still young as we returned to the apartment.

  The footsteps barely audible on the cobblestone path.

  Above, the sky gradually shifted from the color of midnight to the soft hues of dawn, though the city remained in slumber a little longer—it was barely past five.

  The air was tranquil, undisturbed—until an intoxicating force shattered the quiet.

  I was leading the way with a casual nonchalance before I suddenly froze. My eyes widened, as I broke the peace from the sheer disbelief.

  “Ayo-oh! That’s some... a power move, no!?”

  Kai, caught off guard, turned to me in confusion, raising an eyebrow as if silently asking, What’s this?

  Unfazed, I turned my head with a proud smug. “I left her 4000 eons before our outing. And since they crashed early from exhaustion, they probably woke up early too—well, at least Reina did.”

  As we stepped inside, the rich, mouthwatering aroma of freshly prepared food, attacked our nostrils without mercy!

  It was the kind of thick, inviting scent that reached into your soul and told you that whatever was cooking was going to be unforgettable!

  And there, in the heart of the small apartment, was Reina—moving with practiced grace, her hands a blur of efficiency as she arranged the table. Bowls of steaming soup, tender slices of meat, crisp, colorful salads, and golden fries glistening under the dim kitchen light—it was a feast fit for royalty in the making.

  "So... her mother pulled off a midnight grocery run, huh?"

  “Most likely during our chat.” I replied, smirking.

  Reina, ever composed, placed the last dish onto the table with quiet satisfaction.

  The morning sunlight now streamed through the narrow windows, casting warm rays over the modest dining room as she finished setting the table. With a soft smile, she motioned.

  “Please, join us,” a gentle invitation, her voice carrying the warmth of home.

  In one of the chairs sat Ryna, patiently waiting with a calm, serene expression, her posture straight as she rested her hands in her lap. It seemed like her mother’s gentle command to take the day slowly had truly worked—Ryna appeared peaceful and at ease, a welcome sight, especially after the previous days’ worries.

  I, and Kai, still standing at the doorframe, blinked and took a moment to snap out of a statue-like trance, as though the sight of the feast had temporarily frozen us.

  The rich aromas had been so overpowering, our senses were momentarily overwhelmed.

  A subtle shift passed between us—a quiet, unspoken understanding that this meal was no longer just about food. It was a gesture, a form of hospitality that connected all of us to something more…

  We both approached the table, the anticipation in the air palpable. With a flickering smug, I pushed the usual aloofness aside, while Kai’s gaze softened as he observed the spread before him. The simple, modest table, its edges slightly worn from use, had somehow transformed into a stage for an extravagant feast.

  Despite the humble surroundings, today, the table had never felt more royal.

  This evening had become a momentary reprieve from the chaos of our journeys. The meal was no longer just sustenance; it was a rare reminder of warmth and connection.

  Reina stood beside the table with the practiced grace of a seasoned host, each movement deliberate yet effortless. With careful placement of every dish, thie rich aroma of home-cooked perfection filled the space—a silent testament to the love and effort woven into each item.

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  It was more than a meal. It was an experience, a memory in the making…

  The peaceful stillness was broken, the culprit unexpected; it was Ryna. Her small hand gestured near her mouth as she addressed the seat beside her, where Kai had seated himself. Her eyes were bright with a gentle sincerity.

  “Mister Kai, Ryna thanks you for helping little brother yesterday," she said, her tone filled with warmth, before pausing for a moment, as if savoring the weight of her gratitude.

  "Thank you!" Her words came with a radiant smile, the kind that could melt even the coldest of hearts.

  Kai, caught off guard by the attention, turned beet red, almost faltering for a moment. He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "No problem," before quickly looking away, his gaze finding comfort in the calm presence of Reina.

  As the last dish found its place, Reina took a step back, casting a quiet glance over the table as if ensuring everything was just right. Only then, with a content nod, did she finally take her seat.

  Reina, Ryna, Lucifer and Kai—we sat together at the table, like a small family sharing a quiet, sacred moment.

  The gentle clink of silverware against plates and the soft sounds of sipping and chewing filled the space, and for the first time in what felt like ages, there was no rush, no pressing need to be anywhere or do anything. It was just the four of us—an unspoken connection shared through the simple act of being together.

  The meal began slowly, each bite savored, each dish a comforting reminder of the normalcy of a slow, joyful life. Reina's skillful hands had created something magical for her guests. Each ingredient seemed to sing a note of gratitude to the hungry souls seated around the table.

  Ryna, with her soft smile, kept her focus on her plate, savoring each bite like it was a small treasure. The atmosphere was almost dreamlike—calm, peaceful, the way mornings should be. She gently wiped her hands on a cloth, her smile serene. "Ryna thanks everyone for joining us!” she said, her voice soft but filled with meaning.

  I nodded, a rare moment of sincerity slipping through the unusual goofiness.

  "Anytime, kid."

  Kai, now relaxed, finally spoke. "So... What are our upcoming plans?"

  "A meet-up, but... After this divine feast, the atmosphere of a restaurant will surely overwhelm me. Guess I'll have to relocate our little chat. I wonder if we can still get some cola though..."

  Upon hearing the words, Reina gracefully rose from her seat, her movements fluid as she made her way toward the small fridge nestled in the corner of the kitchen. I exchanged a puzzled glance with Kai, but neither of us made a sound—after all, the meal had barely begun, and the food was far from over.

  The fridge door creaked open, and a cool draft brushed past them, attempting to push against the warmth of the morning air, though it barely made a dent. Reina carefully pulled out four glass bottles of dark liquid, each one gleaming under the kitchen light. Her eyes flickered to Ryna for a moment before she approached the table.

  "Ryna mentioned you were looking forward to this drink. Did I pick the right one?" she asked, offering a bottle to each person seated.

  My eyes immediately widened as I saw that familiar label, my face lighting up with excitement.

  Without so much as a second thought, I grabbed my offering, eagerly unscrewing the cap before taking a long, indulgent sip.

  The effervescent drink fizzed in mine mouth, its bold, refined taste dancing perfectly with the flavors of the meal!

  “That’s it! That’s the one!” I exclaimed, a satisfied grin spreading across mine face!

  Reina paused, watching me with a small chuckle. She was surprised at first by his reaction, but it was quickly replaced with a quiet sense of peace—seeing my genuinely pleased face brought an unexpected warmth to her heart.

  Kai, watching the scene unfold, couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Even Ryna, who had been quietly eating her meal, looked up from her plate with a soft grin, happy to see everyone in such contentment.

  Reina, now feeling a soft glow inside, returned to her seat, the four of them sharing another moment of simple joy, enhanced by the perfect drink and the warmth of the morning.

  As the meal continued, conversation flowed freely between us, light and easy, though unspoken understandings lingered. The meal wasn't just about food. It was about something deeper—something intangible. It was about being here, at this moment, with these people.

  After a while, the table grew quiet once more, the last bites of food consumed, and the plates were cleared. The dishes were stacked neatly in the sink. The quiet that followed was warm and peaceful, settling over us like a soft blanket. It was a stillness that didn’t feel empty, but complete—like the calm after a storm.

  Plans for the day were already in motion. Lucifer, Ryna, and Kai—we had opted to skip the restaurant for obvious reasons!

  And so, after exchanging a few final words, we left the apartment, leaving Reina to tend to the tiny apartment.

  As for the little boy who had caused so much worry just the day before, he lay soundly in the room where he'd been found. His small, steady breaths rose and fell in the quiet, the rhythm of his rest a comforting sign that he was well on the path to recovery. The medication had been administered promptly, and now, it was time for him to rest—his body and mind still catching up with the trauma of the previous days.

  Reina wasn’t one to let time slip by without making the most of it. She had already started preparing a special meal, just for him—a carefully thought-out dish that would be ready at the perfect moment. With tender care, she had selected each ingredient, knowing exactly what he would need to bring him back to his full strength. Hot and fresh, the meal would be ready to serve as soon as he woke—nourishment and comfort served with the precision only a mother’s hands could provide.