Chapter 15: The Courage to Ask[3]
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Noon sunlight poured through the school's wide glass windows, casting golden rectangles across the tiled floor.
In a quiet hallway near the restrooms, Shan gently dusted off his blazer as he stood back up. His gaze lingered in the direction Lily had run.
Her hair, the way she'd fumbled her words, the way her cheeks had flushed pink—it all replayed in his mind like a frame-by-frame scene from a shojo anime.
He reached up, touched the center of his chest.
"…Weird," he murmured. "Feels… warm?"
A soft breeze passed through the hallway windows. Shan stood there for a few seconds more, then chuckled under his breath.
"I don't know why… but I feel like we're somehow connected."
He turned, walking slowly away, but the smile on his face didn't fade.
Outside, just past the school gate, Luke stood with Sani, pacing slightly.
"Where is she…?" Luke mumbled, glancing around. "It's already been five minutes."
"Maybe she got summoned into another world?" Sani said with an utterly serious expression. "You know, typical: truck, reincarnation, boom—magical kingdom. Bet she's the chosen hero of frogs or something."
"…You seriously need to go outside more."
Before Sani could defend his worldview, a familiar voice called out.
"H-Hey! Sorry! Sorry I'm late!!"
Lily jogged toward them, waving her arms a little. Her face was red—not from embarrassment this time, but from sprinting.
Luke exhaled. "It's fine. Let's go home."
"Y-Yeah," she said, catching her breath. "Totally fine heh…"
Neither boy questioned it.
The three of them started walking home together, their footsteps falling into a familiar rhythm.
The afternoon sky was a flawless blue, the breeze warm but gentle. The streets of Brisden were quiet, save for the occasional car or a neighbor watering plants.
Sani and Luke chatted about games—something about a glitch in "Demon Breakers II" that made the boss scream like a rubber chicken.
Lily trailed beside them, earbuds in one ear but listening with a half-smile.
Eventually, they reached an intersection.
"Alright, my lair's that way," Sani said, pointing dramatically toward a quiet cul-de-sac. "Farewell, mortals. May your dinner not be burnt."
"See ya," Luke waved.
"Bye-bye, Sani!" Lily added.
A few minutes later, the siblings reached their house. As they approached the front gate, they spotted a familiar figure walking toward them from the other end of the street.
Golden blonde hair tied back in a low ponytail. A grocery bag in one hand.
"Mom?" Lily called.
Sarah looked up and smiled. "Oh! You're home already?"
"We ran into you," Luke said, his voice a little softer than usual.
Sarah laughed gently. "Then let's all go in together."
As they entered the house, Luke paused briefly, eyes narrowing. A strange sensation crawled down his spine—like someone was watching.
He glanced back.
Nothing.
Just the street, a few trees swaying.
Shaking it off, he followed the others inside.
What he didn't see—perched silently on top of a tall electric pole, bathed in sunlight—was a lone figure.
His features were hidden by the glare. He held a notebook in one hand, a pen in the other. The title on the cover was obscured by scratches, only faint letters showing: "#####."
He tilted his head, smiling faintly.
Then, as if melting into the light, he vanished.
Back inside, Luke shut the door behind him and headed upstairs to change. In his room, he slipped into his regular clothes, his hands slightly trembling.
He stared at himself in the mirror.
"I'm really gonna do it…"
The weight of the moment settled into his chest like a stone. Doubt tried to claw its way back in—What if she says no? What if it makes things weird? What if she thinks I'm just a kid?
But he'd already come this far.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled.
"I've made up my mind."
Downstairs, lunch was already being prepared.
The table was neatly set, warm dishes steaming gently. Lily hummed quietly as she took her seat, flipping through her phone. Sarah moved with practiced ease, placing bowls and plates on the table.
Luke walked in and sat across from her. For a while, they ate like normal—casual talk, a joke here or there.
But Luke could barely taste his food.
His heart thudded every time Sarah looked at him.
After lunch, Lily yawned and stood. "I'm gonna go lie down for a bit."
"Okay," Sarah said. "Rest up, sweetheart."
Lily disappeared upstairs.
Luke stayed behind, helping clear the plates, stacking them quietly. Sarah began washing dishes, humming to herself.
Luke stood nearby, drying a plate with a towel—but he wasn't really moving.
He was staring at the sink. Breathing shallow.
"Luke?" Sarah turned her head slightly. "You okay?"
He froze. Then nodded. "Y-Yeah. Just…"
He swallowed.
"You said this morning I wanted to ask something, right?"
She stopped what she was doing, wiped her hands, and turned to face him fully.
"Yes," she said, her voice warm. "You looked like you had something on your mind."
Luke held the towel tighter. His throat felt dry.
"I-I was thinking…" he began, eyes lowering. "It's been a long time since we did something… fun. Just the two of us. You're always working so hard—for all of us. And I wanted you to have a break, too."
Sarah blinked. "Oh…"
"So," Luke continued, gathering what courage he had left, "I want to take you on a date. Just us. I thought maybe… the amusement park? Like old times…"
His heart pounded. He waited.
Sarah didn't answer immediately.
She looked at him. Not just at his face, but at the young man standing there—flushed, nervous, but sincere. Her expression softened.
"You want to take me out?" she said gently. "Just me?"
Luke nodded quickly. "Yeah. I mean, if Lily and Emily come too, you'll be worrying about them the whole time. So just… you and me. So you can relax."
There was a small pause.
Then—
"…Okay," she said. "Let's go."
Luke blinked. "Really?"
Sarah smiled, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "You're thoughtful. And you're right—I haven't done something like that in a long time. So yes, Luke. I'd love to."
He exhaled sharply, shoulders dropping like he'd just unloaded a ten-ton weight.
Sarah giggled. "What day?"
"Tomorrow," he said. "No school. Afternoon?"
"Sounds perfect."
Before he could respond, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a soft, maternal hug.
Luke stiffened, caught off guard.
"Thank you for caring about me," she whispered.
"…Y-Yeah," he replied, a little stunned.
She pulled back, her smile warm as ever. "Now go."
Luke nodded dumbly, turning around before his face could fully blush.
He climbed the stairs back to his room, a stupid grin spreading on his face.
Behind him, Sarah watched him go, her expression thoughtful.
"…He's really grown up," she whispered to herself. "When did that happen? Ufufu now he can care about his family."
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By Ecstasy Crown