A young golden haired boy could be seen seated inside a damp room. The sterilized hospital smell couldn't have felt more familiar. He wore a light Gray uniform with a black tie. It was his school attire. His green eyes were cold whilst his head was turned down. Grasping his hands together, he prayed.
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
The heart monitor beeped every few seconds, scratching away at his concentration, but he stayed focus and continued to do so as he had always done.
In the bed ahead of him, laid a stunning woman. Just like him, her hair, eyelids and eyebrows were all golden. Her expression was neutral, her eyes shut for she was in a deep slumber.
After he was done with his prayer, he would get up and make sure that there weren't any problems with the set of flowers he had gotten her, before watering them.
Once he was finished, he would bow before making his way towards the exit.
"I'm off… Mum."
This was his routine, every morning. And in had been this way for the past five years.
*Clunk* *Shut*
—————————
School for him was draining, he had difficulty fitting in at first, but he found the secret to getting along with everyone.
And that was to smile. Just smile and be kind, join the popular groups and think of great conversation topics. Whether it was forced or not didn't matter. As long as it was believable.
Thanks to this logic, he was able to get along really well with most of the year, he never caused any problems and was rather excelling in his grades and studies.
"U-Um… I-I really like you! P-Please go out with me!"
Here he found himself in a common situation. A young brown haired girl from his year had confessed to him out of nowhere.
"Sorry… I don't have time for things like that."
Another rejection.
But it wasn't unexpected. After all, he truly didn't have any time.
*Clunk*
"Ah, Brother, you're home!" Said the young light Blonde girl as she run up to the door with excitement, jumping at her brother to give him a hug.
"Brother's back."
With a smile, he gave his sister a pat. Before rushing to his room and getting changed. "Did you eat the food I made? Freya." He asked as he just finished putting on a pair of new clothes.
"Yeah… More importantly, are you going out again? You've been going out everyday…" She muttered, her brows lowered in a frown.
He walked up to her and crouched down before giving her another pat.
"Yeah… Sorry… I'll be back around the same time… Whenever you're hungry…"
"I know… I know… Heat up lunch and dinner…"
"And…?"
"Don't open the door no matter what…"
A smile grew on his face as he nodded. "Exactly."
His sister suddenly hugged him tightly before saying, "You better bring me back some sweets…" Her eyes growing watery, as she said so.
"Yeah… I will."
Sixteen. That was how old he was. Everyday, the boy would work multiple shifts. One after another. Usually he'd get home at midnight, sometimes as late as two in the morning. But he had no choice if he wanted to pay for his mother's hospital and the utility bills.
Was he legally allowed to be in care of a younger sibling at such an age on his own? No. In actuality, she would have been either transfered to an older relative or put on foster care.
The only relative he had available was a drunkard, his mother's brother. The boy knew the man couldn't be trusted the moment he had met him, so he would send him money every month to keep it on paper and play it off.
Other documents were also sent, there were even times she'd have to spend a few evenings there so that the government wouldn't suspect anything.
The point was, he had a lot on his plate.
But still he held his head high and always kept smiling. Smiling so that his sister could enjoy her life without worry. Smiling so that when his mother would wake up from a coma, he would be there to greet her with tears of joy.
For the following years, he would continue to work himself to the brink, sometimes not even getting any sleep after. But he had no choice.
Things were tight, what could he do?
But just when he thought things couldn't get any worst. Then came the apocalypse.
With his sister and his ability, he was able to get him and his mother to this refugee, just barely making it. In order to keep her safe, he had to protect this place.
Recently he found himself questioning whether or not he was doing the right thing. The people who managed this refugee, were truly despicable. The worst of the worst.
Many were homeless, despite there being countless rooms to spare because they lacked 'points'. Newcomers would be coerced to gambling all their points at the rigged casinos. The old which had no means of working would be disregarded all for what they claimed to be for the sake of a better future.
If not for the fact that he worked for them, his mother which was in a coma would too be disregarded. But the longer he fought for them, the more he wondered whether or not this was the right thing?
It wasn't. And he knew it. But if one were to choose between the world or their family, wouldn't it be obvious what they would pick?
Realm slowly opened his eyes, only to find himself staring at the starry night sky through the transparent dome ceiling.
"Why... Didn't you kill me?" He questioned as he stretched out his palm into the air.
"Because I still need you." Said Gray as he crouched down beside him with an icy smile.
*Crackle* *Shatter*
Aurora's figure could be seen as she walked around the empty facility, heading down the stairs. The little security which there was, were easily taken out by her whereas the doctors all seemed to mind their business.
Freya could be seen walking beside her with an excited expression. The look on her face showed, that she was looking forward to the journey ahead.
"We're really getting out of here? My brother would never let me get out, he would always tell me to wait here with mum to get my medication… I'll show him that I'm stronger than he thinks!" Said Freya as she extended her fist.
Aurora who was too busy thinking of a plan could only nod, before coming to a stop. A figure caught her eye down the hall.
An old man with a gray beard. He wore a black suit and white gloves. The air around him was dark and ominous, yet filled with class. Truly unexpected.
His next move was even more unexpected, as he suddenly bowed to Aurora.
"Young Lady, it is great to see that you are in good health… Your father-"
Without bothering to here the rest, Aurora grabbed Freya before running down the stairs. She was stopped however, as another figure stood in here path. A girl with short, straight purple hair which stooped down to her chin and bright scarlet iris.
Aurora recognized this girl right away, it was the Esper from before.
