The arcade buzzed with noise, neon lights painting the floor in every color. Marco's eyes never left the group of girls laughing across the street. Raul was already adjusting his sunglasses like he was about to go on stage.
"Bro," Marco whispered, gripping Raul's arm. "This is it. This is our mission."
Raul smirked. "Mission: Straight Rizz. Watch and learn."
Before Jin could even protest, the two were already crossing the street like they owned it.
⸻
The Approach
Raul leaned against a holo-pole like it was a movie scene. "Evening, ladies. You enjoying the city after the chaos?"
Marco, grinning ear to ear, added, "You know, me and my boy here just came back from... let's just say, a rough shift at work. Thought we'd come out and see if the city was shining as bright as you all. Guess what? It is."
The girls laughed, exchanging glances. One of them whispered, "Oh, they're smooth." Another giggled, "I kinda like their confidence."
⸻
The Numbers
Raul pulled out his holo-pad casually, like this was nothing. "So, how about we make sure this isn't the last time we see you around? Numbers, maybe?"
Marco, never missing a beat, winked. "Yeah—unless you want us to risk another war just to bump into you again."
The girls laughed again, amused and charmed by their boldness. One by one, they exchanged digits, their devices blinking as the numbers transferred.
⸻
The Squad's Reaction
Back at the arcade entrance, Jerome nearly spat out his drink. "NO WAY. They actually pulled it off."
Min-seo just sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Unbelievable."
John crossed his arms but smirked faintly. "Guess loud confidence does work sometimes."
Jin laughed, shaking his head. "Straight rizz... that's exactly what it was."
Even Asura, standing quietly off to the side, raised an eyebrow. His expression didn't change much—but Jin swore he saw that tiny smile again.
⸻
Closing Beat
Raul and Marco strutted back like champions, Raul sliding his sunglasses back on. Marco pumped his fist in the air.
"Boys," Raul said proudly, "the war may be over—but tonight, the real battle was won."
The squad burst into laughter, their voices echoing under the neon lights.
For once, they weren't just Marines. They were just kids in the city, alive, laughing, and—against all odds—having fun.
-
By the time night fell, the squad stumbled into Jin's neighborhood—still buzzing with energy from arcades, shopping, and Raul's endless bragging about "straight rizz."
The door to Jin's family home slid open, and there stood his parents, faces lighting up at the sight of him. His mother gasped and rushed forward, wrapping Jin in a tight hug. His father clapped him on the shoulder, pride shining in his eyes. His younger siblings darted out from behind them, cheering, "Jin's home! Jin's home!"
Behind him, the rest of the squad froze for a moment, caught off guard by the warmth of it.
"Mom, Dad," Jin said with a grin, "these are my brothers-in-arms. My squad. We all made it."
His parents didn't hesitate—they welcomed them in, one by one, like family.
⸻
Dinner
The table filled quickly with food.
Traditional Korean dishes from Old Earth—kimchi, bulgogi, rice, stews—mixed with New Eryndorian fusion meals: glowing noodles spun with bioluminescent grains, meats infused with cosmic spices, and fruit that shimmered faintly under the lights.
Raul was the loudest, his plate stacked to the ceiling. "This is bussing!" he declared, mouth full. Marco nodded furiously, too busy devouring to speak. Jerome muttered, "Bro, don't embarrass us," while sneaking seconds onto his plate.
Even John, usually stone-faced, let a small smile slip as he quietly ate. Min-seo savored each bite carefully, saying little but clearly enjoying it.
And Asura?
He sat quietly, eating slowly, but for the first time—he gave a small, genuine smile. It was faint, fleeting, but it was there. The warmth of a family table... something he hadn't felt in years.
Jin noticed, and his chest swelled. He's finally letting it in.
⸻
Closing Beat
When dinner ended, the squad sprawled out in the living room, Jin's siblings climbing over Raul and Marco while Jerome told stories that had the kids laughing so hard they cried.
Jin's mother brought out tea, his father asked them questions about training, and the squad felt—for one night—like they weren't just Marines, but sons, brothers, and uncles.
Raul leaned back, patting his stomach. "Tomorrow... Jerome's place. I gotta see if his mom can cook like this."
The squad laughed. Jerome threw a napkin at him.
And Asura, sitting at the edge of the couch, gave another tiny smile.
Not forced. Not fleeting. But real.
-
That night, Jin's living room turned into pure chaos.
Raul fired up the advanced VR console, dropping everyone into a full-immersion horror game. Jerome screamed first when a grotesque monster jumped out, and Marco laughed so hard he fell over in the real world. Jin's siblings piled in, their laughter echoing as they watched the older Marines flail around in the headset.
"JIN! BEHIND YOU!" his little brother shouted as Jin spun wildly in the game, nearly tripping over Raul's legs.
Min-seo played calm and serious... until a monster lunged, and he let out a sharp yelp. Raul and Marco wouldn't let him live it down.
When the horror VR got too intense, they switched to a futuristic shooter. Now the squad was shouting over each other, trash-talking, and calling out "cover fire!" like it was a real battlefield—except this time, everyone was laughing.
Even John cracked a rare grin when he sniped Raul's avatar three times in a row. "Guess loud confidence doesn't save you here," he said coolly, while Raul groaned.
Jin's siblings cuddled up in blankets on the couch, giggling at the Marines' antics.
And Asura?
He sat quietly at first, but when Marco slipped and accidentally shot his own teammate, even Asura let out a quiet chuckle. A sound so rare, the whole squad went silent for a second—before bursting into cheers.
"HE LAUGHED!" Raul shouted. "Asura actually laughed!"
Asura shook his head, smirking faintly. "...Shut up."
⸻
The Morning
By the time the night ended, they were all sprawled across the living room—helmets, blankets, game controllers, and VR headsets scattered across the floor. Jin's siblings had fallen asleep tucked against Marco and Jerome, while Raul snored loud enough to rattle the walls.
Jin woke first to the smell of food. His mom was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast—warm rice, eggs, meats, and glowing fruit from New Eryndor's farms.
One by one, the squad dragged themselves to the table, groggy but smiling. Jerome rubbed his eyes, Raul demanded coffee, Marco was still bragging about his "high score," Min-seo quietly thanked Jin's mother, and John ate in silence.
Asura sat at the table, staring at the spread for a long moment. Then, quietly, he said, "Thank you." It was the first time Jin had heard him say those words with any weight.
Jin's mom just smiled warmly. "Eat up, son. You're all family here."
For Asura... that meant more than anyone realized.
Raul, Jerome and Marco was eating like crazy! Food was so good it's mouth watering.
Raul spoke up while his mouth is still full! "Maan! This is good! Miss Jin you're the best! Haha!"
Miss Jin who is named Kim-Syun, "why thank you Raul"
Jerome swallows his food, "So we're all going to my house during the afternoon?"
Jin simply nodded "yep! For sure"
Marco laughs, "Hey Jerome! Will your mom cook better than Jin?! I can't wait to try out her food! Haha!"
Raul simply agrees, "yeah I can't wait man! I love food! Thank God for the delicious food he provides!"
John and Asura simply just eats quietly like usual.
John then spoke... "it's good. Really good" with a small smile.
Asura agrees too and said "yeah... it's good." with a good small smile.
Jin smiled knowing his friends are happy. He chuckles and thanked the Lord Jesus Christ.
As the scene shows the family and Jin's squad having a good time eating dinner the scene cuts...
-
The sun hung low when the squad finally arrived at Jerome's neighborhood. Unlike Jin's quieter, traditional home, Jerome's block buzzed with life—kids playing in the street, neighbors talking across balconies, music spilling from open windows.
The door swung open before they even knocked.
Jerome's mom stood there first—a smiling woman with warm hazel eyes and hair tied back in a scarf. Behind her came his father, tall and broad-shouldered, with the same firm look Jerome carried when he was serious.
And then the rest came rushing in—four siblings total. Two little brothers darting around yelling, an older sister giving Jerome a mock salute, and the youngest of them, a girl just a year younger than the squad. She froze in place when she saw Jin, her cheeks flushing pink. She went over to Jerome and whispered close to him in a jokingly way.
"...He's cute," she blurted out, then immediately laughed.
Jerome face turned red, "s-stop joking joking like that sis!"
She immediately laughed louder, "what? All I said was your friend over there is cute." As she points directly at Jin.
The squad erupted.
⸻
The Squad's Reaction
Raul burst out laughing so loud he nearly doubled over. "OOOOHHH SNAP! Jerome's sister got taste!"
Marco leaned on Jin's shoulder. "Our boy Jin already pulling without even trying."
Min-seo rolled his eyes, muttering, "Immature..." but the corners of his mouth twitched.
John smirked faintly, shaking his head.
Jerome's face went red as he shoved Raul away. "Shut up, man! Don't start!"
Jin, scratched the back of his neck, "hello, nice to meet you!"
Jerome's dad stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. Boys, come in. You're all welcome here."
⸻
Inside the House
The squad squeezed inside, greeted by the smell of baked bread and sizzling food. Jerome's mom pulled them to the table, insisting they eat again despite their protests. His siblings crowded around, asking a million questions about battles, training, and what it was like inside a UNE starship.
Meanwhile, Jerome's younger sister kept sneaking glances at Jin, who tried his best to focus on his food while Raul whispered commentary in his ear.
"Asura," Raul whispered loudly, "what do you think? She's into our boy, huh?"
Asura, sitting in the corner, didn't even look up from his plate. "...Obvious."
Raul nearly fell out of his chair laughing.
⸻
Closing Beat
The room was noisy, warm, and full of energy. Jerome looked both embarrassed and proud—his squad was here, his family was safe, and even if Raul wouldn't shut up, it felt... right.
Tonight, in Jerome's house, they were just young men surrounded by laughter, food, and family.
-
The squad had been lounging around Jerome's house for a couple of hours—half playing VR with his little brothers, half talking with his older sister about what life had been like before the war. The house was warm, filled with chatter and the sound of pans clattering in the kitchen.
When Sarah, Jerome's mom, finally called out, "Lunch is ready!" the Marines practically bolted to the table.
⸻
The Meal
Plates were set, steaming with fresh food.
There were roasted meats glazed with cosmic spices, golden breads that still steamed when torn, vegetables grown in the glowing hydrofarms of Eryndor, and sweet sauces that made even Raul pause in awe.
"THIS IS FREAKIN' DELICIOUS!" Raul shouted after the first bite, nearly choking as Marco pounded his back laughing.
Min-seo nodded politely. John gave a quiet grunt of approval, but his plate was already half gone. Jerome's siblings dove in like it was a holiday.
Jin, sitting closer to Sarah, finally smiled and asked, "Ma'am, what's your name? I didn't catch it earlier."
She laughed gently. "Sarah. Just call me Sarah, dear."
Jin smiled warmly. "Sarah... wow. Your cooking is incredible. Mr...." He glanced at Jerome's father. "Sir, your wife is a very good cook! Comparable to my own mother's cooking too. Honestly... I could eat this all day."
⸻
The Parents' Response
Jerome's father chuckled, folding his arms proudly. "Why, thank you, son. Haven't heard that one in a long time."
Sarah flushed slightly, laughing. "Oh, stop. You're making me blush in front of the boys."
Raul leaned over and stage-whispered, "Bro, Jin already winning over the parents. Watch out, Jerome's sister's gonna faint."
Marco nearly spit out his drink from laughing. Jerome groaned, shoving them both away. "Can y'all NOT?!"
Asura sat quietly at the end of the table, but Jin caught the faintest twitch of a smile tugging at his lips as he listened to the noise around him.
⸻
Closing Beat
Lunch carried on with seconds and thirds, laughter mixing with clattering plates.
Sarah fussed over the Marines like they were her own sons, Jerome's father asked them questions about boot camp and battle, and the squad—just for a moment—forgot about the war outside.
For Jin, it felt like family.
For Asura... it felt like something he never knew he'd missed.
Raul then spoke up, "you know, yall should visit my family someday too! I bet you Jin and Jerome has never left your planet before and visit other Juno's planets! Like mines! The farm world! I'll even let ya ride one of the great beast! Hahahahaha!"
Min-seo thinks that would be nice, "that would really be nice Raul"
Marco laughs, "oh yeah? Is your mom cooking's comparable to Jin and Jerome?! Hahaha!"
Raul then looks at Marco with pride, "you bet! Just watch! When you all come over, it's GOING TO BE THE BEST THERE IS!"
Jin chuckles and says "ok ok Raul we get it, sit down. Someday we'll visit your family. As well as Min-Seo, John's and Marco"
Raul stops laughing and... "Wait what about Asura...?"
Everyone turned and looked at Asura...
"I don't have any"
Plained out said it. No guilt whatsoever.
Everyone felt bad. Raul was not smiling anymore, "wow man... didn't know that. Hopefully you're ok dude..."
Marco tries to make the vibe good again, "Well... hey! We're your family now Asura! No need for anyone else! We're here for you no matter what!"
Jerome mother speaks in, "yes dear, you're always welcomed here no matter what."
Jerome's father who's name
Is Tyrese spoke up, "Listen son, I was like you when I was little. Grew up without a real family, my father killed and mother died by drugs over my father's death."
Asura smiled warmly and spoke... "Thank you all..."
———————————————
To be continued...