Luca saw Evelyn's kindness. He wanted to stop her, but it wasn't his place to decide what she should or shouldn't do. All he could do was watch as she offered her bread to the young boy before returning to their side.
"Alright, let's eat," she said gently.
Before she could drink her soup, Luca quietly split his bread in half and handed a piece to Evelyn.
"No. Lu, you should eat that," she said, shaking her head.
"This is for you, sister."
"You're still recovering. You need it more."
"Aren't we brother and sister? We go through this together," Luca said, his tone firm and sincere.
His words touched her deeply. Her eyes welled up. A small smile bloomed on her lips, and for a moment, she looked… truly happy.
Like his words meant something to her.
She nodded and took the bread gently from his hand.
"... You want half of my bread?" Rin asked, fidgeting.
"Pfft," Evelyn burst out laughing at Rin's awkward offer and shook her head with a smile.
"Hm-mm. It's enough," she said kindly.
"If you say so," Rin replied with a grin, then returned to eating.
They ate their humble meal together, savouring every bite. Even with his past life's discipline, two days on one meal was wearing him thin. His body still ached from his injuries, and he wasn't yet used to hunger.
But that night, something warm bloomed among them. Their little group felt like a family. The laughter, the sharing, it softened the hard edges of their lives.
Other homeless folk nearby were also full because Solaris people shared food at the distribution site. They all slept more soundly that night, maybe because for once, they felt like they had something.
Morning came like any other. Luca was beginning to get used to this life. They started the day by continuing their studies. Evelyn, who had learned to count to thirty yesterday, now pushed forward.
"Thirty-one… thirty-two… thirty-three…"
"You're doing great, sister," Luca said.
"Hehehe," she giggled.
"What about you, Rin?" he asked.
"I can count to a hundred perfectly. I get how the numbers work now. I think I could go to a thousand if I want."
"Great. Let's start learning addition, then."
That day, they studied basic addition. Evelyn still struggled a little with single digits, but Rin, despite a rough start, picked up two-digit addition quickly once Luca showed her examples by drawing numbers in the dirt. With a little practice, she began to understand it.
While they were studying, the young boy from yesterday appeared again. He walked up to Evelyn and tried to hand her something. But she gently refused it. The boy was a little disappointed and left.
Evelyn returned to Luca's side.
"Why did you turn him down?" he asked.
"Uh… he stole it and I couldn't accept it," she replied softly.
"I see…"
Later, it was time for Evelyn to go out and beg again. Luca's chest ached just thinking about it, but they didn't have another choice yet. Today, Luca decided to gather information about the city. Unfortunately, people from the slums weren't allowed inside the proper city, so his only option was the Red District.
He asked Rin to take him there, and she agreed without hesitation.
The Red District was lively, full of people and colour. Most of the women here worked in brothels, but there were people from all walks of life. Even nobles passed through now and then, dressed in finery, ignoring the dust beneath their feet.
"If you're looking for girls here, I'll stop you right now," Rin said suddenly, eyeing him warily.
She added. "Your sister would kill me if she found out."
"I'm not," Luca replied. "I just want to gather information."
"Really?"
"Yes. So go ahead, help my sister."
"Hm… alright. But hey, if it's me, that would be fine, I'm a girl too, you know," she said with a teasing grin.
"… sorry."
"You always reject me. It truly pains my heart," she said with mock despair, covering her eyes dramatically.
Luca didn't know how to respond and it made her laugh.
"See you later, Luca," she said, waving as she turned and left.
"Alright. Stay safe."
Luca watched her go, waiting until she disappeared into the crowd before continuing. This place wasn't quite like the city, less order, more life. But it was still prosperous. He was sure there was something useful to be found here.
Walking was hard. His body was still weak, and hunger gnawed at his strength. He had to stop and rest several times.
Brothel girls teased him as he passed, but he ignored them. After wandering for a while, he'd gathered only fragments of information: the marquis who ruled the city was named Michael Kendall and was rumoured to be extremely corrupt. He owned half the Red District, and the taxes here were painfully high.
He also learned the value of local currency: one gold coin equalled ten silver, or a thousand copper. The cheapest bread or fruit costs two to three copper.
Eventually, he made his way back, limping slowly with his injured leg. The light was dipping below the horizon by the time he returned. Rin was already there, alone.
He asked her, "Did my sister come back?"
"No… she wasn't at the usual spot either. I begged for a while, but nothing worked, so I came back."
Worry twisted in Luca's chest. He couldn't sit still. Every minute she was gone, he imagined the worst.
And she returned at last, her hands empty. Her eyes flicked away from him.
"I'm sorry, Lu," she said, her hands empty. She forced a smile.
"It's okay. We'll buy something," he replied gently.
"Mm…"
"... I don't blame you, sister."
She smiled again, softer this time. "You know how to buy something?"
"I learned about it today," he said.
"Good. Rin, want to come with us to buy food?" Evelyn asked.
Rin perked up instantly. "I'm coming along"
"Alright. We'll go together," Luca said.
They quickly found a merchant nearby in the slums.
"Good evening," Luca greeted politely.
"What do you want, kids?" the man grumbled.
"Do you sell bread? How much for one?"
"Five copper."
"Could you lower it a bit? I saw some being sold for two copper earlier."
"Three copper. Take it or leave it."
"Two copper, sir. If three is the lowest, at least let us take one of those moldy ones too."
The man grunted, then shoved two pieces of bread, one partially molded, into a sack. "Fine. Take it."
Luca handed him three copper and thanked him.
They had only twenty copper coins left now for an emergency. Leaving the merchant's shop behind, they began the walk back toward the bridge.
"What did you do back there?" Rin asked, curious.
"That's basic negotiation," Luca explained, glancing at Rin. "Sometimes, when they won't lower the price, it's better to ask for something small on the side."
"Wow, you're so smart! You should just marry me, Luca," Rin said with a wink.
Evelyn glared at her silently. Rin shrank back, laughing nervously.
"Uh—never mind. Just teach me how to do that later, okay?"
"Sure," Luca nodded.
They returned to the bridge. Luca peeled off the mold from the bad bread, then tore both pieces into thirds. He asked for their cups and filled them with water. He dipped the bread in, softened it and turned it into something like porridge. Edible, if nothing else.
They drank quietly. It wasn't much, but it filled their stomachs just enough. Then they lay down together, huddled beneath the bridge.
Luca stared at the bridge ceiling above, unable to sleep.
He hated this situation.
But the truth was—he didn't know what to do yet.
So he lay there in the dark, wishing for an answer, as the wind whispered through the cracks above.