That evening, after dinner had ended, a knock echoed from the front door.
Knock knock knock.
Ches was sitting out on the balcony, while Raeya was watching TV and nibbling on some snacks.
"Hmm? Who could that be?" Raeya murmured to herself.
She stood up and walked to the door, peeking through the peephole. It was Silan's mother.
Oh—it's Silan's mom.
Raeya quickly opened the door.
"Auntie, please come in," she said warmly.
Silan's mother stepped inside. The two of them sat down together on the living room sofa.
"What brings you here, Auntie?" Raeya asked politely.
"I wanted to talk about what happened earlier... with Ches and Silan," the woman said gently.
"Oh, I see. Please, go ahead."
"I took Silan to the clinic earlier. He's resting now at our apartment. At first, I thought Ches was the one who hurt him, since his face was all bruised… but turns out, he wasn't."
Raeya furrowed her brows.
"It wasn't Ches?"
"No. Silan told me himself. He said Ches actually helped him. Apparently, some older kids bullied him at the playground this afternoon."
Raeya's eyes widened.
"So that's what happened..."
"I came here to thank Ches," Silan's mom continued.
Raeya glanced toward the balcony. Ches was still out there, quietly staring up at the night sky.
"Hmm… maybe it's better to wait, Auntie. I think Ches wants to be alone right now."
Silan's mother nodded in understanding.
"Raeya."
"Yes, Auntie?"
"You're in seventh grade now, right? Thirteen years old?"
"Yes, that's right. Why?"
"You're still so young… but you already seem so mature. Living on your own, taking care of your little brother... I truly admire you."
Raeya gave her a small, touched smile.
"Thank you, Auntie. I couldn't have done any of this without Auntie Lily, Mama always supporting me, and everyone else. Without them, I wouldn't have the strength to do it."
Silan's mother smiled kindly.
"Oh, and about those kids who bullied Silan—his father and I will deal with them. You don't need to worry. Ches won't be blamed for anything."
"Really? Are you sure, Auntie?"
"Yes, Raeya. Consider it a small token of our gratitude for Ches. Who knows what might've happened to Silan if Ches hadn't been there this afternoon."
Raeya let out a breath of relief.
"Thank you, Auntie… Honestly, I was a little worried. I was scared Ches might get blamed…"
"You don't need to worry, Raeya. We'll take care of everything properly."
*:..｡o○ ○o｡..:*
On the apartment's small balcony, the night breeze brushed gently through the air. But to Ches, it felt like a quiet storm—one that kept stirring his restless mind. He sat silently, leaning back in the chair, his eyes fixed on the city slowly fading into the shadow of night.
Why am I like this...
His voice never left his lips, but inside, it was loud.
My emotions… they're too wild. I step in too quickly. And why… why couldn't I just ignore that annoying little kid? …Raeya.
He clicked his tongue softly.
Maybe because she helped me. But still… why does everything feel so damn complicated?
Even though his face looked calm as he sat with Ash the cat curled beside him, his thoughts were anything but. Everything inside him churned—like quiet waves crashing over and over again against the fragile edge of his heart.
And as always, that fragile peace was broken by a pair of light, eager footsteps.
"Hey, Ches. Spacing out again?"
Ches didn't answer right away. He let out an annoyed huff, his lips curling faintly in irritation.
"Tch."
"Hey, I'm just worried. The wind's getting colder. You might catch a cold if you stay out here too long. Come on inside, Ches."
He didn't say a word. Just stood up and walked in without a fight—leaving Raeya momentarily stunned.
"Whoa. I thought you were going to argue like always."
Still no response. Ches just kept walking. Raeya followed behind him with a small amused smile.
"Wait—hold on. There's something I wanted to say."
Ches paused for a second, and eventually, the two of them sat down together on the couch. Raeya looked at him with a gentle but meaningful expression.
"Earlier… Silan's mom came by. She told me what happened this afternoon."
"I heard everything," Ches cut in.
Raeya blinked in surprise. "Wait, seriously? From the balcony?"
"Yeah. So?"
"I thought you were too lost in thought to hear anything. Hehe."
She let out a small laugh, then continued in a quieter voice.
"So… you heard that Silan's mom wanted to thank you."
Ches turned to her sharply, his expression unreadable.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't help that kid. I just… wanted to beat the crap out of those jerks."
Raeya smiled. "No need to be shy. I still think you were amazing for protecting him."
"I didn't help him," Ches said again, louder this time.
"Okay, okay."
Raeya nodded gently, not wanting to push further.
Silence crept in for a moment.
Raeya looked toward the table, then turned her gaze back to the boy beside her.
"Ches."
He didn't respond.
"Even if you deny it… I still want to say thank you. Thank you for protecting Silan."
Her voice was soft—honest and sincere.
But Ches remained completely still, like a statue.
Raeya took a deep breath.
"If something's bothering you… or if there's anything you want to talk about… you can talk to me. I'm always here for you, Ches."
Still, no answer. The quiet returned like a thick blanket around them.
"…Are you done now?" Ches finally said, flat and uninterested.
Raeya groaned. "Ughhh! You just ruined the mood! I was being heartfelt and emotional, and now it just feels awkward thanks to your reaction."
Ches glanced at her for a second, then looked away again.
"I worry about you all the time, Ches. From the day you climbed up to the roof… to what happened this afternoon… everything makes me anxious. And now, I'm just confused. School starts for me tomorrow… and you'll be here alone."
"I'm not a kid. You don't need to worry."
Raeya immediately shot him a disbelieving look. "Hah! Seriously, how old are you actually? You always say, 'I'm not a kid…'"
She mimicked his tone dramatically, pouting as she crossed her arms.
...
Ches gave her a blank stare. "Nine. I'm nine years old."
"There! Nine is still young. You need an adult around to keep an eye on you. So…"
She paused, looking at him seriously.
"I was thinking… I'd ask Silan's mom to look after you for a while. You could stay there and play with Silan too—he's staying home from school because he's sick. I already told Auntie Lily about it—I said you were on a break from school for personal reasons. What do you think?"
"I object."
"Eh?! That was fast!" Raeya pouted. "At least think about it first—"
"No."
"Ehhhh, come on, Ches…" Raeya started to plead. "I won't feel at ease leaving you alone here. What if something happens…"
She kept talking, gently, patiently, persistently. Her voice was soft, persuasive, almost annoyingly sweet. Her eyes were filled with worry—so much that Ches tensed and clenched his fists.
"You—!!!"
He glared up at her, clearly annoyed, trying to hide how drained he actually felt.
But Raeya held his gaze… her eyes steady and full of hope.
Ches let out a long, deep sigh.
"…Fine."
"Yayyyyy!" Raeya threw her arms up in celebration, her face lighting up with joy.
Ches turned his face away, clearly irritated.
"Go to your room. Stop bothering me."
"Yeah yeah~ I'll go grab a blanket and pillow for you first, my little denial expert."
Raeya grinned as she skipped to her room, returning shortly with a blanket and a pillow. She placed them on the couch for him.
Ches lay down without a word.
Raeya watched him for a moment… then quietly went back to her room.