After his bath, Haru felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and comfort, a sensation so foreign that he marveled at its unfamiliarity. He stretched, muscles soothed, his mind quiet for once. The residual ache and tension from years of harsh treatment hadn't fully disappeared, but this...this calmness felt like a precious gift.
The past three days had been surreal, and though the initial shock had caused him to spiral, he'd since gathered his emotions, focusing on the little details of this alternate world. He thought back to Arabelle and Lucian's worried faces after his first outburst, the way they'd gently spoken to him, waiting until he was ready to talk.
"Right, I actually have parents," he murmured softly, a smile tugging at his lips.
This world's family name was Winters, he had learned. Not his original surname, yet it felt strangely right. They really are a different family. He ran his fingers over a mural of little penguins on the wall, their cheerful faces a stark contrast to his memories. He'd asked Gili, and the little boy had proudly explained that their mother, Arabelle, had painted them herself. She even had a studio in the house, yet she was fully present, hands-on, and attentive.
House didn't even seem to cover it—it was a sprawling mansion, filled with light, polished wood, and large windows overlooking lush gardens. Far from the tiny, grimy apartment he and Gili once shared. Just thinking about it brought a swell of gratitude.
Suddenly, Gili appeared out of nowhere and flung himself at Haru. "Good morning, brother!" he chirped.
"Good morning, Gili." Haru smiled back, his heart swelling. Gili was still the same sweet, brown-haired bundle of energy, only now... healthier. His cheeks were plump, his eyes bright. In his past life, Gili had been thin, too thin, and fragile-looking. Seeing his little brother this well made Haru's eyes misty, and he quickly wiped them.
"Wah! Are you crying again?" Gili's round eyes widened in concern.
"No, no, just... got dust in my eyes," Haru quickly reassured him, blinking away the tears.
Gili tilted his head, peering around. "But we're inside. How can there be dust?"
"Oh, well, um, you see... I was near the door earlier, and a gust of wind just blew a bunch of dust right into my face," Haru improvised, waving a hand for emphasis.
Gili gasped. "The wind attacked you? That's so mean! I'll tell it to leave my brother alone next time." He puffed out his tiny chest, looking both adorable and fierce.
Haru chuckled, ruffling Gili's hair. "Thanks, little warrior. Now, shouldn't you be getting ready for breakfast?"
"Oh yeah! But you have to get dressed too!" Gili grabbed his hand, practically bouncing with excitement, before dashing off towards the dining room.
As Haru dressed in his school uniform, he chuckled to himself. To think I'd be going back to elementary school. He remembered his last life, where he'd barely made it to his twenties. But now, he had the chance to live those years again, to experience things he'd once missed. "Whoever gave me this chance," he whispered, "thank you."
Once dressed, Haru made his way to the dining hall, only to be greeted by a surprising sight. Lucian, his father, was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, radiating an air of authority. Haru had only ever seen him in casual clothes, usually with gardening gloves on, so this new, polished look caught him off guard. Arabelle, too, looked stunning in a deep red dress, her presence elegant yet warm. And then there was Gili, beaming and bright-eyed, the perfect blend of his parents.
A sudden wave of self-consciousness washed over Haru. They're like a family out of a magazine, he thought, feeling a tightness in his chest. And here I am, muddy and broken, like some misplaced shadow in their light.
He was beginning to retreat into his thoughts when a young man, maybe in his early thirties, appeared beside him, smiling brightly. "Young master, aren't you going to eat?"
Haru blinked, stunned. Young master? He was too surprised to respond, and before he could gather his thoughts, he heard the man chatting with Lucian about a recent trip for the household staff. The casual, friendly atmosphere felt so foreign, yet comforting.
Before he could process it further, Gili tugged on his hand. "Come on, let's sit!"
As they took their seats, Arabelle noticed Haru staring and laughed softly. "What? Is there something on my face?" she teased, raising a brow. "Am I that beautiful?"
Haru, still in awe, responded in a roundabout way, "Actually, yes, you are very beautiful... more beautiful than those celebrities on TV." His honesty shone through, his tone both polite and genuine.
Lucian chuckled, raising his coffee cup. "Looks like our son has inherited my charm when it comes to complimenting ladies."
Haru laughed a bit but then suddenly muttered, "Can't be... I'm hideous." The words slipped out before he could catch them.
Silence fell over the room. The light-hearted mood shifted, and everyone, including the servants, turned to look at him. Lucian's smile softened, but his eyes held a dangerous glint.
"Who told you that?" he asked, voice calm yet firm.
Arabelle's brows furrowed with concern. "Haru, honey, has someone at school said something unkind? Because if so, I'll be having a word with them myself."
Panic flared up in Haru, and he frantically waved his hands. "N-no! It's nothing like that. Really, just a... silly thought!"
Just then, the young male servant from before placed a cup of hot milk in front of Haru and grinned. "Well, if young master is hideous, then I must look like a rotten squid!"
Haru looked up, startled, then gave the man a skeptical glance. The servant was handsome enough to be a model himself. A rotten squid? The absurdity of it almost made him laugh.
Lucian raised his eyebrow, playing along. "Indeed. We'd all be unfortunate sea creatures if Haru here was 'hideous.' Maybe I'd be a barnacle."
Arabelle chimed in, laughing, "And I'd be... what? Seaweed?"
Gili, catching on to the game, clambered onto his chair and announced proudly, "Then I'd be the biggest, meanest shark in the ocean!"
Haru couldn't help it—he burst into laughter, the sound filling the room. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt light, as though the burdens he carried were momentarily lifted.
Haru felt warmth spread through his chest. Maybe, he thought, just maybe, this could be a place where I could truly belong.