A dramatic tale unfolded from Sol's lips.
The little girls gasped and giggled with every twist and turn, completely immersed.
Before they knew it, two hours had passed—the mighty Invincible Fist King had finally fallen, and Canvas Street's people were saved.
When the story ended, the girls slowly returned from their trance.
"Wow! That was way more exciting than the TV interviews!"
"No wonder they called him the Invincible Fist King—he was so strong!"
They sighed, reluctant to let the story end.
"…"
Nicole and Nekomata stifled their laughter, while Anby shook her head.
They had seen that fight. The so-called Invincible Fist King had been smashed into bits instantly, leaving Sol's clothes spotless.
Well… for them, he had been a dangerous foe.
But for Sol, it was barely an effort.
"Big Brother, you're amazing!" the little girls exclaimed, their eyes sparkling. "To beat such a terrifying villain—you're a real hero!"
In their eyes, the Invincible Fist King had been cunning, ruthless, and overwhelmingly strong. Just hearing about the battle had been thrilling.
Sol chuckled modestly. "Oh, it was nothing. Just a tiny thing."
The little girls leaned forward eagerly.
"Then tell us another! We want to hear more!"
"Maybe another time," Sol said with a wry smile.
He already felt a little guilty for exaggerating such a weakling into a towering menace. Though… he couldn't deny the way their admiring gazes felt good.
Still, he'd wait until he had real opponents worth telling stories about.
"Alright…" the little girls pouted, but didn't push him.
Sol smiled warmly. What lovely kids.
Glancing at his phone, he saw it was mealtime.
"Looks like it's time for lunch. Today, big Brother's treating you to hamburgers!"
"Hamburgers!?" Their eyes lit up—then dimmed just as quickly.
"But hamburgers are expensive…"
"Yeah, we can just eat what the orphanage makes. Don't trouble yourself."
The director, the old woman, also stepped in. "We already owe so much. Better to save where we can."
Sol waved off their concerns. "It's fine. It's a special day. A little treat won't hurt."
With his stockpile of burgers from the system, even a century wouldn't finish them. Sharing a few was nothing.
The old woman hesitated, but Nicole cut her off.
"This is Sol's gift. Please, accept it."
The director gave Nicole a long look—and seemed to understand.
Nicole, bringing someone here for the first time, and such a generous young man at that… Their bond was obvious.
So, our Nicole is finally getting married, huh? she thought fondly.
"I'll be back in a moment. Wait here like good kids."
Sol patted one lucky girl on the head and stepped outside.
"What a good big Brother…" the children whispered, watching him go.
Before long, Sol returned, lugging a massive bag of burgers.
He handed one to every child, saved portions for Anby and Nekomata, and gave Nicole something different—a fresh, healthier meal.
He figured burgers weren't the best for someone in Nicole's current condition.
Soon, everyone dug in.
"Thank you, big Brother! The burger's so good!"
The kids nibbled carefully, savoring each bite. To them, it was a rare luxury.
Sol smiled as he ruffled a few heads. "I'm glad you're happy."
An hour later, the food was gone.
The little girls huddled together, whispering, then approached Sol.
"Big Brother Sol, thank you for being so kind to us."
"You're welcome. Children like you deserve kindness."
If they had been spoiled brats like in his old world, he wouldn't have given them a crumb.
But these kids were sweet, polite, and precious. Worth every bit of effort.
"Big Brother Sol, you're the best!" Their eyes shone like stars.
"We talked it over—and we've decided to grant you a wish!"
"A wish?" Sol chuckled.
Sure, he had a wish: gold cards every draw. But that wasn't something they could grant.
"Yes!" they nodded firmly.
"Tell us your wish, and we'll make it come true with all our strength!"
Nicole perked up, watching with interest.
Maybe it was her mood after last night, but she actually felt a little jealous at the way they clung to Sol.
He'd better choose carefully, she thought. Or he won't be coming near me for a month.
Sol thought for a moment. Their eager little faces were impossible to resist.
Alright then. One wish.
He patted a girl's head and said seriously: "My wish is for you all to get into Metis Comprehensive School."
"Eh!?"
The girls froze, dumbfounded.
That wasn't what they expected at all.
Metis Comprehensive School—the top academy in all of New Eridu.
Even as children, they knew how impossible that sounded.
"Hahaha! Oh, Sol, only you would make a wish like that."
Nicole burst out laughing, delighted.
Of all the wishes he could make, he chose that! His brain worked in such bizarre ways.
Anby, however, nodded solemnly. "It is indeed an excellent wish."
The girls, nearly in tears, protested: "That's too hard, Big Brother! Choose another wish!"
Sol shook his finger with a gentle smile. "Nope. This is my only wish. If you don't want to try, then forget it."
The girls looked at each other, then clenched their fists with resolve.
If this was their good Big Brother's only wish—then they would fulfill it, no matter what!
"Alright! We won't let you down!"
"That's more like it." Sol pinched their cheeks fondly.
"To help you out, I even prepared a secret weapon for passing the exams."
"What is it!?"
Their eyes lit with hope.
Sol strode outside and returned with a massive bundle.
Unwrapping it, he stacked towering piles of study guides before them.
"From Primary School to Metis Comprehensive School. Surprised?"
"…"
The girls stared in horror. Even the boys who had been hanging off Billy stopped in shock, clutching their new gifts.
Wait, why are we getting dragged into this too!?
"Waaah!"
"Big Brother, is this really our present!?"
"Please take it back—we're too young for this suffering!"
The books loomed taller than the children themselves. So many pages, so many problems—utterly terrifying.
"A gift given cannot be taken back. You must finish every single question."
Sol's smile was gentle—but in the children's eyes, it was the grin of a demon.
"Quick, thank you Mr. Mercer! These are indeed treasures!"
The old woman beamed, overjoyed at the sight. For her, these were priceless opportunities for the children.
"…Thank you, Big Brother Sol," the kids groaned, near tears.
What could be worse than a mountain of homework taller than yourself?
Nicole was laughing so hard she could hardly breathe.
Watching the children's misery, she felt both amused and oddly proud.
No—this was about their bright future, of course. She was very happy for them.
But judging by the time, it was about time to leave.
"Sol, it's getting late. Let's head back, and let the kids dive into their sea of knowledge."
"Alright." Sol nodded, then waved at the children.
"Goodbye, little ones. If this isn't enough, I'll bring more books next time."
"Eh!?"
The children's faces turned to despair.
The sky itself seemed to fall.
Big Brother Sol… who was good.
Big Brother Sol… who was cruel.
Big Brother Sol… who was both good and cruel.
"Goodbye then. Next time, don't spend so much," the old woman said warmly, waving them off.
Nicole and the others waved back, then climbed into the jalopy and left the orphanage.