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Ever since Vernon Dursley changed jobs, his business seemed to have "unlocked easy mode." Everything was improving rapidly—bigger, stronger, and more profitable. This was evident both in the growing number of new appliances appearing around the house and in how frequently the family's clothes were being replaced.
"Oh~ my dear Dudley darling, what do you think of this outfit I bought for you?"
Petunia held up a black-and-white checkered shirt, comparing it against Dudley's body. It was already the largest size available in the store.
"Go on, try it on. It'll fit you perfectly."
Black-and-white checkered shirt…Petunia's sense of fashion was truly something else.
"A-Aunt Petunia…"
Harry pushed the door open at that moment. Seeing her, he called out timidly, his eyes lingering for a few seconds on Dudley—or rather, on the new clothes he was holding.
What seems trivial to some can be an unreachable luxury to others.
At least for Harry, who was currently living off his aunt's charity, being able to eat until he was full each day was already something to be grateful for. New clothes were nothing more than a distant dream.
Harry hid those feelings well, but Dudley wasn't blind.
Putting aside the fact that staying close to the Savior made completing missions easier, Dudley genuinely felt sorry for the boy.
Orphaned as a baby and raised in the home of an aunt who didn't treat him well, Harry had learned from an early age how to read expressions, choose his words carefully, and behave far more maturely than his age demanded. He was far too obedient… to the point of breaking one's heart.
If Dudley could do anything, it was at least treat him a little better.
"Mom… what about Harry's?"
In truth, Dudley knew that Petunia's feelings toward Harry were complicated. It wasn't simple dislike.
He had seen her more than once staring silently at Harry's back, or gazing into his green eyes with a distant expression—one filled with memories, longing, and pain.
There was everything in that look… except hatred.
Of course, those moments were rare. Most of the time, Petunia made no effort to hide her coldness.
Vernon was the same. Constantly calling Harry a "freak," though usually only when Petunia was around.
When she wasn't, Vernon simply ignored him.
"H-Harry has one too."
Somewhat reluctantly, Petunia pulled out a shirt of the same style, two sizes smaller, and handed it to Harry.
"This one is yours."
Harry accepted it with a huge smile, completely unconcerned with her cold tone. After all, he had gotten new clothes.
And most importantly… they were the same as Dudley's.
With Dudley acting as a buffer, life among the four of them was relatively harmonious. Harry's life, though simple, wasn't exactly miserable.
"Do you like it? But you'll have to wait a bit before wearing it."
Dudley walked over and patted Harry on the shoulder. Seeing his confused expression, he explained:
"Did you forget? We agreed to fix up your room today. You're always complaining that whenever someone goes upstairs, dust falls inside."
"If you wear new clothes now, they'll just get dirty."
As he spoke, Dudley grabbed a toolbox from the drawer, wrapped an arm around Harry's neck, and led him toward his "little house."
In reality, it was nothing more than a cupboard under the stairs.
That… was Harry's room.
The entire day was filled with the sounds of hammering and tools.
Thanks to the Decoration Lv.2 skill provided by the system, Dudley's hands were surprisingly skilled. After hours of work, the space finally looked like a real room.
When Harry opened the door again, his eyes widened in shock.
Was this really the dark, cold, dusty cupboard where he used to share space with spiders?
It wasn't even comparable.
Dudley had installed a soft night light that didn't hurt the eyes—Harry would no longer have to fear the darkness. The walls were repainted and covered with new wallpaper, the ceiling was finished to prevent dust from falling, and the bed had been replaced with a new one—soft and comfortable.
On top of that, small decorations were placed around the room. Dudley even used some design techniques from his previous life, making the space feel more open.
A small room… but incredibly cozy.
Aside from its limited size, everything about it was excellent—especially for an era when interior design barely existed.
Looking at Dudley, his face smeared with dust and his chubby cheeks coated in gray, Harry felt something tighten in his chest.
The cousin who usually seemed rough and stingy was now… gentle.
More than that, Dudley had remembered a casual complaint Harry once made.
That alone deeply moved him.
Just these decorations must have cost a lot… That cactus ornament alone cost one whole pound. This must have used up all of Dudley's savings.
Every small act of kindness Dudley had shown him began to pile up in Harry's mind.
"Thank you, Big D."
Dudley froze slightly. He scratched his head with his dirty hand, clearly not expecting thanks from the usually quiet Harry.
This… was a good start.
"Why thank me? We're family."
"Real family. Blood-related. We don't need formalities."
He wiped sweat from his face—only making it dirtier.
"Family…"
Harry didn't pay attention to that. He just kept repeating the word, over and over, his voice growing firmer each time.
When the whole world treats you badly, and only one person treats you well, that person occupies an enormous place in your heart.
Dudley patted Harry on the shoulder and spoke casually:
"If one day you become famous and rich, you won't forget your cousin, right?"
"Big D… you'll definitely be better than me."
Harry said it with complete sincerity.
To him, Dudley was practically perfect—grades, sports, strength, everything beyond normal. If not for his fearsome reputation as the "Food Protector," he would've been the most popular boy in school.
Compared to him, Harry was nothing more than an invisible background character.
"Everyone has their own specialty. You never know."
Deep down, Dudley was still just a big, muscular Muggle—at least by this world's standards.
Shinji Matou's "mage physique" had only slightly improved his body, bringing no signs of magic at all.
No magical surges. No out-of-control power.
Dudley believed that even if he became a mage one day, he would still need his cousin's help.
Harry's magical talent was immense.
And he was the protagonist.
Maintaining a good relationship with him could only bring benefits.
Mission completed: Improve the young Savior's living environment.Reward: 1 item lottery draw.
Hearing that heavenly message, Dudley broke into a huge grin.
Affinity gained and a reward secured. There was no loss here.
Good thing Harry doesn't know about this.
"Come on, Harry. I'll buy you some ice cream."
In high spirits, Dudley vigorously messed up Harry's already chaotic hair.
"Okay, Big D… but you don't have—"
Before Harry could finish, Dudley had already seen through him and kept ruffling his hair.
"Relax, cousin. I've got enough money for an ice cream."
The ice cream was sweet.
And Harry's heart was warm.
Thinking about it, his cousin wasn't stingy at all. Even though he often made Harry run errands, he also treated him to good food regularly.
And whenever Harry was treated unfairly… Dudley was always the first to stand up for him.
Having a cousin who protected you felt wonderful.
When you start believing someone is good, everything they do feels good.
Petunia watched the two boys walking away side by side, arms around each other, and her thoughts drifted back many years.
She and her sister Lily had once been just like that—sharing everything, staying up late talking about dreams and the future…
Until the day Lily received her acceptance letter at eleven.
After that, they became people of two different worlds.
Petunia let out a soft sigh, shook her head almost imperceptibly, and went back into her room.
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