Kael's eyes cracked open slowly, like he was peeling them away from a lifetime of sleep.
His vision blurred, the ceiling above him coming into focus: crystal chandeliers, shimmering like constellations locked in glass.
"…My living room?"
His voice was groggy, raspy. He sat up, rubbing his neck.
"When did I—"
The door opened.
"Ah, you're awake,"
His mother, Seris, said, her voice soft, almost playful. She leaned against the doorframe, smiling like she had all the time in the world.
"Your friend dropped you off. You should thank her."
Kael blinked. His brain stopped.
"Friend…?"
He croaked, rubbing his eyes. Then it clicked.
"…Wait—you met Lunara?"
Seris chuckled lightly. "So that's her name." She tilted her head, as though savoring the syllables.
"Lunara. Pretty name. I'll be sure to remember it." She winked.
Kael froze. Brows raised.
"…You're acting… a bit weird."
Her eyes widened innocently. "Am I?"
She blinked once. Then twice. Then thrice.
"…Yes. Very."
He narrowed his eyes, watching her like a hawk.
She tilted her head further, smiling that same calm smile.
Kael dragged his hand down his face, groaning.
"Ah, forget it. I'm going to my room."
He stood quickly, nearly tripping on the rug.
"You need anything to eat?"
She asked casually, turning toward the kitchen.
Kael stopped mid-step, his foot hovering above the stair.
"…Eh?"
Her voice was gentle, completely genuine. "Food. Breakfast. You were out cold all morning. You should eat something."
Kael's heart skipped a beat.
> Has… has Mom always been like this?
> No disrespect… but when has she ever sounded that… caring?
He gulped, gripping the stair railing.
> I mean, sure, she's… Mom. But that smile—did she just wink at me earlier?! Mom doesn't wink. She doesn't "Ah, you're awake", me with a smile like some gentle fairy tale character.
His mind spun faster, tripping over itself.
> Wait. No. No, no, no. Don't tell me—did Lunara say something to her?
His heart dropped.
> No. That girl… she wouldn't. She wouldn't dare. Or would she?
Sweat formed at his temple.
> Ugh. Damn it, Lunara. Did you go and brainwash my mom with your sweet act? Did you sit her down and lecture her about "Kael this, kale that"? Is that why she's suddenly acting like… like a character out of a cheesy motherly play?
He turned his head slightly, paranoia taking over.
> This isn't right. This isn't normal. She's not normal. She's been replaced.
> How did Lunara even find my home !?
Sigh.
He whispered under his breath.
"…That creature can't be my mother."
Then he paused. The image formed in his mind instantly: his mother at the adventurers' guild, peeling her face off like a mask, revealing Lunara underneath, grinning.
"—Pffft,"
Kael slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Stop. Stop. That's insane."
And yet…
> …But what if?
His eye twitched. He bolted up the stairs, blurting way too fast: "No thanks!"
and slammed his door shut.
---
Inside his room, he leaned back against the door, clutching his chest like he'd run a marathon.
"What… was that," He whispered,
wide-eyed.
He slumped to the floor dramatically, one hand dragging down his face.
> My own mother, smiling at me. Offering me food. Who is this woman?
He buried his face into his knees.
> With that being said… does Lunara coming to my place have anything to do with it? I need answers.
The new woman acting like that infront of kael was both creepy and caring, and it had just sent his mind into a deep, overthinking, spiral of thoughts.
He rolled over onto his bed, staring at the ceiling with glassy eyes.
> No, no, no. This is too weird. Way too weird. First she sees me cry in public like some pathetic adventurer. Then she just carries me here, like I'm luggage. Then she probably sweet-talks my mom into suddenly playing "caring mother" role. And now I'm the one who has to sit here and act like it's normal?!
Kael threw his pillow across the room, growling into the empty air.
"God, that girl—"
But his voice trailed. His energy collapsed. Exhaustion weighed on him. His eyelids fluttered, heavy.
"And moms eyes..."
An image popped into his mind. A freeze frame of a better angle of the stairs. The light reflecting off of her eyes, showing a small bit of tears that didn't quite dry as yet.
"Why was she...crying."
He sighed, too exhausted to think about the topic further.
"…I'll think about it tomorrow."
And with that, he drifted into unconsciousness again.
---
The next morning.
DING-DONG!
Kael groaned, twisting in bed. "…What the…"
DING-DONG! DING-DONG! DING-DONG!
His eye twitched.
"…Who in all nine hells is spamming the doorbell like they're summoning a demon?!"
DING-DONG DING-DONG!
"ALRIGHT, I GOT IT!!"
Kael shot upright, hair sticking up like a storm had passed through.
He bolted out of bed, socks slipping on the floor as he nearly skidded into the wall. He stumbled down the stairs, skipping three steps at a time like a madman.
"COMING!!" He screamed, voice cracking halfway through.
He flung the door open—
—and froze.
Standing there, her arms crossed behind her back, smile bright as day, was Lunara.
Kael's face flushed instantly.
"L-Lunara?! W-what are you doing here?!"
She tilted her head, eyes wide, tone casual.
"Let's go conquer another dungeon."
Kael's jaw dropped. "…HUH?!"
"You heard me."
Her tone was flat, but her smile was bigger than the mansion itself.
"…I—didn't I just say I was taking a break for a week?!"
"Mhm."
She nodded, like she was agreeing with him.
"…And it's been three days."
Her jaw fell open. Her eyes widened as though she'd just witnessed a murder.
"Really?!"
Kael slapped a hand over his face.
"…Yes. Really."
Silence.
Lunara stared. Kael pinched the bridge of his nose, his entire aura radiating defeat.
"Three… days…" she whispered, counting on her fingers. "But—but it felt like forever!"
"That's because you're impatient!"
Kael shouted, his voice cracking again. "Normal people wait!"
Lunara puffed her cheeks.
"Normal people don't take breaks after fighting one battle!"
Kael threw his hands up, spinning in a full circle like he was trying to physically fling the conversation away.
"It wasn't just a battle! It was—"
He stopped mid-rant, realizing.
"…Why am I even arguing this with you?!"
Lunara grinned.
"Because you know I'm right."
Kael dropped to his knees dramatically on the doorstep, clutching his chest.
"Gods above… why is this my life?"
Lunara crouched down next to him, smiling like nothing was wrong. "So… is that a yes?"
Kael groaned.
Hard.