[Aran]
After school, we all went together. We followed Elio to an apartment complex not too far from campus, then made our way up to the third floor and stopped in front of a door.
"Welp, we're here!" Elio announced.
"Huh, didn't expect you to live this close to the school," I said. "I kinda imagined you living up a mountain or something."
"And what makes you think that?"
"I don't know. Maybe for training or something? Figured you'd get intense cardio just going to and from class."
"That doesn't make sense…"
"Yeah, you're right." I chuckled. "But hey, there's gotta be a secret to how you got so strong.
"There's really no secret. Just trained a bunch."
"Yeah, right... We'll see one of these days." I said, pointing at him.
Elio chuckled and took out his key to unlock he door.
Inside, we saw two kids sitting cross-legged in front of a TV, completely absorbed in whatever show they were watching. The smell of something delicious hung in the air, and we saw Lilia at the stove, stirring a pot.
"I'm home!" Elio called. "I brought them like you asked!"
"Welcome home!" Lilia turned with a bright smile. "And hey you two! Make yourselves at home!"
Kristina and I gave a small wave as we stepped inside.
"Thank you for having us." Kristina told her with a smile before bowing politely.
I awkwardly copied her to not seem rude.
"Aw no need for all that! The food's close to being ready, so just sit tight!"
"Yes, we will!" Kristina told her.
"Since when did you two get so close?" I asked
"It's basic courtesy. What are you talking about?"
"I see..."
Way to show your lack of social experience, Aran....
I sighed to myself as I looked around the place.
It was cozy. Lived-in. A couple of school bags by the door. Blankets tossed over the back of the couch and a cracked flower vase filled with plastic tulips on the counter.
It was a small place, but it seemed like a comfortable home.
We set our bags down near the door and made our way to the living room.
"So," Kristina said, flopping onto the couch, "does she do all the cooking?"
"Lilia? Yeah," Elio nodded, dropping beside her. "She won't let me near the stove anymore after I tried to cook fries..."
I raised a brow. "Should I ask?"
"You really shouldn't," Lilia called over her shoulder without missing a beat.
"Ooookay... Noted."
As the three of us talked, the two little girls slowly peeled themselves away from the TV. They approached shyly, peeking out from behind the couch like cautious kittens.
"Eliooo…" the younger one mumbled, tugging on his sleeve. "Are these your friends?"
"Yup!" Elio ruffled her hair. "Tiara, Tina — this is Aran and Kristina. Be nice."
Kristina knelt down to say hi. Or is what I thought before she started shaking with excitement.
"Awww, you two are so cuuute!~ Elio, permission to nuzzle them?!"
"Eh...?"
Before he could even answer, she was already squatting down and pinching their cheeks.
"Eee~ your skin's so soft! I could just eat you two up!"
Tiara blinked. Tina stood frozen like a deer in headlights.
"U-uh," Elio stammered, unsure whether to intervene.
"I-I think they're broken," I said, watching as the two kids stiffened like statues.
Kristina finally released them, grinning wide. "Sorry, sorry! I couldn't help it. You two are just so precious!"
Tina rubbed her cheek, then mumbled, "She's scary…"
Tiara nodded solemnly. "Like a smiley witch."
Kristina gasped, mock-offended. "Witch!? Excuse you, I am a fairy princess at worst!"
Tiara crossed her arms, studying her. "Fairy princesses don't attack strangers."
"I gently ambushed you with love! There's a difference!"
"Ahaha..." Elio awkwardly laughed.
"Are they twins?" I asked.
"Yup," Elio replied, scratching the back of his neck. "Though they'll bite your hand off if you mix up who's who."
"We will not!" Tiara and Tina chorused.
We laughed at their reaction. They're an energetic bunch, that's for sure.
The older of the two, Tiara, narrowed her eyes when she looked at my direction. "You don't look strong."
Like an imaginary arrow, it hit the bullseye. My pride...
I clutched my chest as I remembered Franz and Lily from back then. Kids really are brutally honest these days...
Kristina snorted, while Elio blinked.
"Uh… sorry?"
"Tiara!" Lilia scolded gently from the kitchen.
I cleared my throat to gather the remaining pieces of my dignity.
"W-well, I'm not strong like your brother, if that's what you mean. But I'm pretty good at running away."
Tina giggled. "That's lame!"
"Wha- hey, It's a very useful skill," I defended. "Someone's gotta be the decoy."
Kristina leaned in. "He means he screams and flails like a cat in the rain."
The girls burst into laughter. But their laughter suddenly stopped as we heard the sound of clinking plates and silverware.
"Alright everyone, enough of that! Food's ready, so hurry while it's hot!" Lilia called from the kitchen.
The twins raced off like it was a competition. I swear I saw dust trails behind them.
"I wanna sit next to Elio!" Tiara shouted.
"No fair!" Tina cried. "You sat next to him last time!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Elio rubbed his nosebridge. "...Every time."
"They seem to really love you, huh?" Kristina asked Elio.
"They used to cry if he left the room," Lilia added with a nostalgic smile. "Even as babies, they clung to him like duct tape on skin."
"No we don't!!" The twins protested.
"Yes ma'ams. Now stuff your faces before your food gets cold." Lilia commanded them as she pointed a spoon towards the twins.
The twins scrambled to obey, climbing into their chairs and digging in like they'd been starving for days. Elio sat with a quiet sigh, scooping rice onto everyone's plates like it was second nature. Kristina and I exchanged amused glances before following suit.
I took a seat and looked at my plate, taking in the aroma.
"Whoa, just one whiff of this stuff and I'm already drooling..."
"Yeah, it smells really yummy..." Kristina added. Her eyes lighting up as she picked up a spoon.
"It's Big Sis' signature paella!" Elio told us, a rare glint of pride in his voice. "It'll blow your minds, I'm sure of it!"
"I like when the rice sticks to the bottom," Tina said with a mouthful. "It tastes crunchy."
"That's called socarrat," Lilia beamed, clearly pleased someone noticed. "And thank you, Tina. Took me a while to get it just right."
Tiara poked at a shrimp with her fork, then glanced at Kristina. "Do you like seafood?"
Kristina nodded, popping a mussel into her mouth without hesitation. "I love seafood. If this paella was a person, I'd marry it."
Tiara blinked. "…Can you do that?"
"No," Elio deadpanned. "And don't get ideas."
Kristina stuck out her tongue. "Boo. No shrimp wedding, I guess."
"At least invite it to a date first. And make sure it's a real one." I grinned.
Kristina's lips curled into a mischievous smirk. "Speaking from experience, much?"
I choked on my food.
Lilia raised an eyebrow, clearly lost but suspicious. "...Should I ask?"
"No," I coughed, waving him off. "Definitely not."
Well that backfired...
All of us sat at that dinner table. Telling stories and cracking jokes.
I've never been over to the house of a friend before, but I can say for certain it was fun.
Kristina and Elio were there, and with Lilia, Tina and Tiara there, things were even more lively.
As the plates emptied and the voices settled into quiet hums, I leaned back in my chair, just soaking it in.
________________________________________
"Whew, I'm stuffed!" Lilia said out loud as she patted her stomach. "Elio, make sure to leave mom a portion."
"Already on it."
"Nice. And you two, you're welcome to stay for a while longer! Just relax!"
She told us, getting ready to gather our plates to wash them.
"Oh, I can help!" I stood up.
"Hey, I can't let a guest do that!"
"Take it as an apology for uh... Picking a fight with your boys."
"I see. Well, can't argue with that!"
"Oh I can help too—" Kristina tried to speak before being interrupted.
"Big sis! Wanna play with us?"
Tina and Tiara pulled on her skirt.
"Oh, but I-"
"Please...?" They looked at her with sad puppy eyes.
Kristina looked back at Lilia who gave a nod.
Seeing her approval, Kristina immediately became a big mush as she went off to play with the twins.
"Okay~"
Lilia sadly sighed as she saw this.
"Whoa, you okay there?" I asked her.
"Yeah, it's just... They called Kristina 'big sis' while they just refer to me as 'Lilia'"
Oof...
________________________________________
The sink was covered with soapy water as Lilia and I washed the dishes.
I was in rinsing duty while she did the rest. Honestly, I'm not doing anything that important at all.
But still, the silence was loud. I couldn't really think of a good conversation starter.
"So slow..."
She muttered.
"Eh?"
"I said... YOU'RE SO SLOWWWW!!!"
She suddenly blurted out.
"What?!"
"You heard me! I can easily use my perk to summon my Phantom Guardian to help with these dishes! If you don't wanna be dead weight, then start rinsing faster!"
My confusion reached an all time high as I looked at her in disbelief.
I couldn't believe this was the gentle big sister I was talking to earlier.
"Uh oh!" Elio said from the living room.
"S-sorry Aran, big sis gets like this when she's doing chores! She's like a drill Sargeant!"
"And who gave you permission to butt in?!"
"S-sorry, ma'am!"
"And you! Better rinse all of this or drop down and give me twenty!"
"Y-yes, ma'am!" I saluted on instinct.
Lilia pointed a soapy spoon at me like it was a dagger. "That's the spirit, soldier! Now hustle! That plate's not going to rinse itself!"
"W-why are we yelling?!" I cried, speed-washing the next dish like my life depended on it.
________________________________________
After we finished washing the dishes, I sat at the dinner table, slumped forward with my hands splayed out, panting from exhaustion.
That was the most intense session of washing dishes I've ever experienced.
"Uh... Sorry about that..."
Lilia walked over, rubbing the back of her neck.
"N-no need... Wow, that was... something..."
I exhaled, still recovering.
She looked genuinely apologetic. "I get kinda… tense when it comes to chores."
"Ahaha..." I cleared my throat. "I don't think you have to feel bad about this."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
I took a deep breath before speaking.
"Well... To be honest with you, chores for me are a pain in the butt. I'm a really lazy person when I'm at home, haha... Like used clothes everywhere, messy sheets, unorganized stuff..."
I noticed her face start to flare up—eyebrow twitching, posture straightening—a glimpse of her drill sergeant persona slipping through the cracks.
"Ah—b-but! The point I'm trying to make is—chores are hard to take seriously. Especially to a lazy guy like me, so... I can't help but admire your dedication."
Her face froze for a second. Then her expression softened. "You… admire it?"
I nodded. "It's kind of impressive, honestly. You treat even dishwashing like it matters. That's cool."
Lilia blinked at me. Then she turned away and coughed into her hand.
"I-It's not that big a deal... Someone has to keep this house from falling apart. Plus, I should thank you."
"Uh... I don't really think that my pathetic display of plate rinsing is anything to be grateful for..."
"Not that!"
"Oh?"
"It's just... The face Elio makes when he's with you guys... I haven't seen it in a long time."
She gave a small smile, a quiet one, like it came from somewhere deep.
"After everything that happened to him... he closed off a part of himself. Always kept things bottled up. Always tried to act strong for my sake. Well, that was until a month ago."
Her hand gently rested on the table, fingers absentmindedly tracing the wood grain.
"Whenever he talks about you... he smiles like a kid again. It's weird, I didn't realize how much I missed that face until I saw it."
A warm silence settled between us.
"I guess... I just wanted to say thanks for bringing that part of him back."
I looked down, heart thudding a little. For once, I didn't know what to say.
"I... honestly think he's given me far more." I chuckled.
"You're a good kid, Aran," she said, her voice quieter now.
________________________________________
"Thanks for having us over!" Kristina bowed her head respectfully.
"Don't mention it. Anyways, feel free to visit often! Tiara and Tina loved playing with you!
"Don't mention it. Anyways, feel free to visit often! Tiara and Tina loved playing with you!" Lilia replied, waving as we stood by the door.
Elio stood beside her, hands awkwardly tucked into his sleeves
"Yes, we will! Bye!"
She waved as the two of us walked towards the stairs and out into the quiet street.
The night's air was a little chilly, brushing against our arms like a gentle warning that summer was slipping away.
"Want me to walk you home?" I offered, glancing at her.
"Oh, what a gentleman!" Kristina teased, playfully elbowing me with a grin.
I laughed, rubbing my side. "Hey, I'm just trying to be polite here."
"Mmhm. And I suppose next you'll be offering your jacket too, Mr. Polite?"
"If you're cold, I might."
She gave me a sly look. "Careful. Keep saying things like that and I might actually start thinking you're sweet."
"Yeah yeah... Anyways, do you need someone to walk you home?"
"Thanks, but I live close by. You however, should get rushing." She pointed at me. "Don't wanna miss the train now, right?"
I checked my phone to see the time. "Oh shoot, you're right!"
"Looks like someone was having so much fun that he forgot to check the time."
I chuckled. "Yeah, I guess so." I turned around to jog away. "Bye, Kristina! Stay safe!"
"You too!" She called back.
As I ran through the quiet streets, I couldn't stop the grin from creeping onto my face. Even the cold air couldn't wipe it off.