After stepping out of Hanri with their shiny new shoe bags in hand, the buzz of the luxury store still clinging faintly to them, Eli and Jin made their way down the main street of Briggon. The crowd felt looser here—less polished, more familiar. The hum of conversation blended with the occasional call of street vendors and the distant clatter of a delivery bike.
A little farther down, tucked between a tea shop and an old stationery stall, was a narrow clothing store with faded signage and paper lanterns swinging lazily above the door. The handwritten sign on the window read:
"Local Threads – Honest Wear, Fair Prices."
Eli nudged Jin. "This looks more our speed."
Inside, the store had a soft, lived-in warmth. Wooden floors creaked underfoot, and the scent of cotton and lavender hung gently in the air. Folded stacks of shirts and trousers sat neatly on shelves, while old-school wire hangers clicked softly on a rack near the back.
A middle-aged man behind the counter looked up from his sewing machine, pushing up his glasses. He wore a loose tan tunic and had the kind of weathered face that came with years of listening to people talk about fit, fabric, and everything in between.
"Welcome in," he said with a smile. "New faces?"
"Yeah," Eli replied, glancing around. "Just moved to Briggon. Looking to get some clothes for school."
"Ah," the man said, rising and walking over. "Well, then—let's make sure you're both walking in style and comfort. I'm Mr. Pan. Been here twenty-three years."
Jin headed straight to a corner rack with faded black jeans and plaid shirts, running his fingers over the fabric with surprising care. He moved quietly, but Eli noticed how deliberate he was with his choices. Eventually, Jin walked back holding four shirts—one slate grey, one deep green, a dark maroon flannel, and a navy tee with a small stitched dragon on the sleeve. He also grabbed two pairs of trousers—one fitted black, one slightly looser and khaki-colored.
"Nice picks," Eli said, nodding. "That dragon one's very you."
Jin just smirked faintly. "Didn't want to pick anything weird this time."
Eli wandered a bit before settling on two button-down shirts—one a soft blue linen, the other olive green—and a pair of dark charcoal trousers that actually fit better than anything he'd worn in months. They weren't flashy, but they felt good. Clean. Fresh.
Mr. Pan helped them fold everything at the counter, making small talk about the neighborhood and asking what building they'd moved into.
"Blue Fern, huh?" he said, packing the final shirt. "Ah, you're near Mrs. Zhao then. Good people. You'll like it there."
The total came to a little under 1,800 yuan, and Eli paid without hesitation.
As they stepped back onto the sidewalk with their new clothes tucked neatly in brown paper bags, Eli glanced sideways at Jin.
"You got a whole new start in that bag, you know."
Jin gave him a small nod, his voice low but steady. "Feels like it."
They stood there for a moment, the evening light slanting across the street, painting soft gold over the pavement. The hum of Briggon moved around them—distant chatter, bike bells, the smell of grilled meat curling through the air.
"Hungry?" Eli asked, slinging one of the shopping bags over his shoulder.
Jin shrugged with a small smirk. "I could eat."
Eli smiled, already scanning the shop signs up ahead. "Let's go to a restaurant."
They didn't head for anything fancy. Just a few blocks over was a small local place with fogged-up windows and the faded red sign: "Tian's Eatery – Home Style Meals Since 1999."
Inside, it was warm and simple. Worn wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and the clink of dishes coming from the open kitchen. A few regulars sat hunched over their bowls, the air filled with the sharp scent of garlic and chili oil.
A young waiter—barely older than Jin—greeted them with a polite nod and led them to a table near the back.
Menus slid across the table.
"What are you feeling?" Eli asked, eyes flicking through the list of noodle soups and stir-fried dishes.
Jin flipped the menu lazily. "Something with beef. And no weird vegetables this time."
Eli chuckled. "Deal."
They ended up ordering one plate of stir-fried beef noodles, a steaming bowl of spicy dumpling soup, and a side of crispy tofu with garlic sauce. Eli also grabbed a cold chrysanthemum tea for himself and a sweetened soy milk for Jin.
The food came fast, hot, and full of flavor.
As they ate, there wasn't much talk—but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. Just two people sharing warmth, letting the day simmer down. Outside, the street lights began to flicker on one by one.
Eli paid the bill—200 yuan —leaving a little extra on the table as a tip, something the surprised waiter gratefully nodded at.
"Not bad, huh?" Eli said as they stepped back out into the cooling evening.
Jin wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Better than delivery noodles."
They strolled back toward Blue Fern under a slowly darkening sky, their shadows stretching behind them, their new life quietly unfolding—one meal, one decision, one step at a time.
They made their way back to Blue Fern Apartments, the night air crisp and filled with the low hum of distant traffic and quiet voices behind half-open windows. The metal gate let out its usual clang as they stepped inside, now somehow more familiar than it had been just days ago.
Jin kicked off his shoes first, arms full of bags. "I'll hang these up," he said, disappearing into his room.
Eli dropped the rest of the bags on the couch and exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the day settle into his shoulders. He sat down, stretched his back with a quiet groan, then pulled out his phone.
he opened his Bank Account
A quiet second passed while it loaded.
Balance: ¥103,000
He nodded slowly to himself.
Shoes: ¥6,000Clothes: ¥800Dinner: ¥200Total spent today: ¥7,000
Not too bad, all things considered.
Sure, it was a dent—but the essentials were covered, and Jin finally had things that fit and felt right. The apartment was paid for, the deposit was secure, and for the first time in a long while, Eli felt like maybe, just maybe, they were starting to find their footing.
From down the hall, Jin called out: "Eli, I think I accidentally hung your shirt in my closet!"
Eli grinned faintly. "Just don't wear it to school."
He leaned back on the couch, letting himself breathe.
This was their new life. And for all its chaos, it was beginning to feel real.