Night had settled. The dining hall carried that soft murmur of voices, the kind that slips between the clatter of plates and the hush of waiting. The table stretched long and full, lit by the warm glow of enchanted lanterns. Steam rose gently from platters piled high: moonfruit tarts with a faint shimmer, wyrmtail skewers still sizzling from the fire, starberry stew warm enough to fog the silver plates.
No one touched a thing.
Nox leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the food. "Why can't we just eat already?"
Elias, resting his chin on one hand, didn't look up. "Because not everyone's here. Obviously."
Ruin stepped up, setting a basket of fresh bread on the table. The crust crackled as it settled. "He's right. We wait for everyone."
Old Man Wǔ's grumble rumbled across the table. "Why wait for Subaru? He always late."
Ruin smiled, polite but teasing. "Just a bit more patience, Give grandpa a bit."
Wǔ squinted at her. "You not bad girl. But too skinny. Eat more."
Ruin blinked, then gave a small, confused laugh. "What?"
Auren, seated with one arm resting over the back of his chair, offered a soft chuckle. "Didn't think you were the type to worry about appearances."
Ruin took her seat beside Raphael, smoothing her skirt. "It's not about appearances... just manners."
Kaya leaned forward, grinning. "Big sis isn't skinny, anyway."
"Thank you," Ruin said quietly, relieved.
Kaya's smirk widened. "But with that maid outfit, who can really tell?"
Ruin flushed, ears twitching ever so slightly. "It's not about the outfit." She turned toward Baek Dae-Won, seeking support. "Right?"
Baek Dae-Won met her gaze calmly, then answered in his usual quiet tone. "No comment."
That was enough to set Auren off in gentle laughter. Nox let out a low snicker, and Kaya covered her mouth as she giggled. The table shook with quiet amusement. Wǔ remained unmoved, and Baek Dae-Won sat still, serene as ever.
Ruin folded her arms, trying not to pout. "It's not."
Raphael turned his head toward her slightly. "You look fine," he said softly.
A faint smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Raphael."
He nodded. "And thank you… for the clothes."
Ruin's voice grew warmer. "Of course."
Elias shifted in his seat, glancing toward the hall. "Where is Lord Reaper, anyway?"
Ruin's smile faded a little. "He should've been here by now."
Auren spoke gently, a quiet playfulness in his tone. "Maybe he's out there singing to himself again."
Wǔ let out a sharp scoff. "He sing like dying goat. Terrible."
Kaya laughed. "Old Man Wǔ, you don't mean that."
Wǔ frowned deeper. "I do. And he still owe me money."
A voice drifted in from the doorway. "You wound me, Old man Wǔ."
Everyone turned.
Subaru stood in the entryway, his coat brushing the floor, a familiar crooked smile on his face.
Nox rose halfway from his chair, tail flicking behind him. "Lord Reaper!"
Wǔ didn't even flinch. "Don't call me Old Man. You old too."
Subaru chuckled as he made his way to the head of the table, settling into his seat with ease. His eyes scanned the faces in front of him, calm and amused.
"So," he said, "these are the star pupils I've been hearing about."
Elias stood so fast his chair nearly tipped. "S-sir... Lord Reaper... it's an honor."
Subaru raised an eyebrow. "Elias, right?"
Elias nodded stiffly, still standing. "Yes, sir."
"No need for nerves," Subaru said, his tone warm. "I'm not going to bite."
Elias blinked, then glanced toward Ruin as if seeking silent confirmation. She gave him a gentle nod.
"He knows my name," Elias whispered under his breath, awe settling in.
Kaya stepped forward, her hands behind her back, posture nearly perfect. "I'm Kaya, sir."
Nox leaned sideways in his chair and muttered, "We know, Kaya."
Subaru smiled. "She's got fire in her, doesn't she?"
Kaya gave Wǔ a sharp glance. "You told him that?"
Wǔ huffed. "Why you look at me? I no speak."
"It was Auren," Subaru said, waving a hand casually.
Kaya turned her gaze. Auren sat quietly beside her, gently stirring the stew in his bowl. "I only mentioned it once," he said, voice calm and low. "I didn't mean anything by it."
Kaya narrowed her eyes at him. He didn't meet her gaze.
Nox puffed out his chest. "I'm Nox, by the way—"
"I know," Subaru said before he could finish.
Nox's ears twitched. He slumped back into his chair. "Wanted to say it properly."
"You already did," Subaru said with a small grin. "Now, all of you, drop the titles. No need for 'Lord Reaper' here. Just call me Grandpa."
There was a pause.
"Really?" Kaya asked, her voice soft with surprise.
"Finally," Nox muttered, relaxing again.
Elias hesitated, glancing between Kaya and Subaru. "Is that truly alright?"
Kaya gave him a nudge with her elbow. "Don't ruin it."
Subaru laughed, a deep, warm sound. "It's more than alright."
He clapped his hands lightly together, a signal as much as a gesture of joy. "Now then. Food."
Wǔ had already torn into a skewer and a chunk of bread. "You take too long. Eat now. You three need strength."
And just like that, the table came alive.
Nox leaned forward, sniffed a tart, then bit into it with sharp teeth. Juice slid down his chin. He licked it off, purring faintly. Kaya grabbed a roll of rice wrapped in seaweed and dipped it into broth, humming as she chewed.
Elias picked through his stew like he was deciphering ancient runes. Ruin sat calmly, savoring a bite of roasted yam. Her shoulders, once stiff, had softened.
Auren took a skewer and quietly pulled the meat free with his teeth, careful not to make a mess. Baek Dae-Won, ever composed, cut through a tart with precision and sipped from his cup without a sound.
Subaru already had a second plate in front of him.
Raphael, slow and deliberate, took another bite. He tilted his head thoughtfully. "This is... really good."
Ruin gave him a gentle smile. "Thank you."
Subaru turned toward her with curiosity. "Truly. Where did you learn to cook like this?"
Her smile dimmed slightly. "It's not a pleasant story."
"Sora," Baek said quietly, not even looking up.
Subaru leaned back with a laugh. "Ah. That makes sense. How was that experience?"
Ruin's answer came quick. "Torture."
Raphael hesitated. "She's strict?"
Ruin's voice was soft but dry. "She's cruel. The kind of cruel that smiles while you suffer."
Auren chuckled, gaze still on his bowl. "You asked to learn, remember?"
"I didn't ask to be chased through boiling kitchens," Ruin said, folding her arms lightly. "Or to be shouted at for stirring too slow."
"She doesn't hold back," Subaru agreed, amused.
Baek nodded once. "She's terrifying."
"But she's not here now," Subaru added, lifting his glass a little.
Raphael leaned in toward him. "Should we be worried about...?"
"Kibo and Lily?" Subaru shrugged lazily. "They'll be alright."
He and Auren shared a knowing look. A soft laugh passed between them. Raphael frowned.
Wǔ's voice broke through the laughter, deep and worn. "Sora, hmm. Long time no hear. She sad. I worry for her."
Raphael turned slightly toward Ruin. "I don't really understand what's going on."
"You shouldn't," Ruin said with a faint sigh. "Aunt Sora's brutal when she trains people. Vicious, even."
"She didn't seem like that," Raphael said.
"She hides it well," Auren said gently. "But Ruin's not wrong."
Subaru gave a nod. "And who's responsible for waking that monster up?"
"Uncle Bram," Auren said softly.
"And Yami," Baek added without emotion.
Kaya leaned in, intrigued. "What did they do?"
Subaru chuckled. "They brought out a side of her no one saw coming."
"She's not cruel by nature," Ruin said quietly. "But maybe she became that way for a reason."
"She wasn't always like that," Auren said. "But the pranks... the chaos. They wore her down."
"And Ayake," Subaru added, voice gentler now. "Those days were wild... but sweet."
The noise around the table softened. A pause lingered, just long enough to settle.
Raphael lowered his head, fingers curling around his cup. His voice was soft, barely more than a whisper. "I hope Lily's safe."