---
"Will that boy be joining us tonight?" Lord Fred asked, his tone deceptively casual.
"What—you freaking wish—"
Marlowe slammed her hand over Yurrelian's mouth before he could finish.
"He's really shy," she said quickly, flashing a strained smile. "Maybe next time."
Lord Fred raised an eyebrow but didn't press. "What a shame."
Marlowe tugged Yurrelian away without another word. Lord Fred smirked as he turned and disappeared down another hallway, attending to whatever business nobles concerned themselves with.
---
They walked in silence through a dimly lit underground passage. The cold air clung to the walls, and their footsteps echoed quietly.
Eventually, Yurrelian broke the silence.
"What kind of business do you have with that man?"
Marlowe didn't look at him. "Yu… there's no way for a human to defeat a demonic human, not physically."
"You don't know that unless you try," he said, hands deep in his pockets. "Besides… you and that noble. You two seem close."
"Is that a problem?" she asked, stopping to face him. "Lord Fred gives me what I need in exchange for what I provide. Food. Safety. Comfort."
"You have to use your head to survive in this kind of place, Yu."
He stepped closer
Whack!
She winced, clutching her forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?!"
Yurrelian said nothing and turned away, walking off with hands still buried in his pockets.
"Yu! Don't you have something to say?" she called out.
"No."
---
Evening came.
Yurrelian sat alone on the rooftop, gazing at the night sky, lost in thought.
A voice cut through the quiet area.
"Yu, you again? What are you doing up here?"
Why aren't you with Mar?
He didn't look. "Why would I always be with her?"
"So something did happen between you and Mar?"
He ignored her.
"Hey, talk to me!" she said, jabbing him in the stomach. He jolted upright. She started shaking him.
"Stop it, stop it! You're making me dizzy."
"Oh—sorry," she laughed.
"So? Tell me what's going on."
"Oh, for crying out loud" he snapped, sitting upright. "Be quiet already. And stop talking as if we are so close."
She blinked, confused. "Why not? We're all family here. One big happy family."
"That's what you all decided," he muttered.
"Of course we are! The principal told us from the start: everyone in Blackwood is one big happy family!"
---
[FLASHBACK – Before the Calamity]
A woman's voice echoed across a bright hall.
"Everyone, attention! We have a new family member today. His name is Yurrelian. Make sure to treat him well!"
Marlowe, full of energy even back then, stood up with a grin.
"Roger, ma'am!"
Yurrelian was unpacking the few items he'd received as a "welcome gift" from the principal when a cheerful voice called out behind him.
"Yu!"
He turned. Marlowe stood there, flanked by two other children.
"I'm Marlowe," she said. "I'm an orphan like you, but now I have a sweet, big family. And guess what? Starting today, you're part of that family too!"
"Family, huh…" Yurrelian muttered, voice low. "Don't give me that crap."
His eyes darkened. "I came here because I had nowhere else to go. My parents died when I was a kid. My foster father tried to kill me. My foster mother cursed my existence said I was a evil child. I've been betrayed and abandoned. Nearly killed."
Marlowe didn't flinch. She extended a hand.
"You had it rough, huh? But starting today, that changes."
---
[PRESENT]
DONG. DONG. DONG. DONG.
The evening bell tolled, pulling Yurrelian from his memory.
"Let's go already," the girl beside him said, stretching. She climbed down from the rooftop. "Make sure you're home in time for dinner!"
He watched her go, then sighed.
"Ah, shit. I can't sleep anymore."
He stood, brushed himself off, and headed down.
---
When he opened the front door to the Blackwood residence, he was ambushed.
"Big bro Yu!"
"I'm starving!"
"Me too!"
"Big bro's back!" one of the younger girls shouted, running to hug him. Yurrelian froze but didn't push her away. Instead, he gently patted her head.
"Big bro Yu is smiling!" someone said.
He coughed and quickly turned away. "Alright, alright. Stop crowding me."
"Guess what, big bro! We're having rice for dinner!" another child cheered. "Adela is cooking it!"
"…Rice?" he muttered in disbelief.
Yurrelian walked into the kitchen and saw Adela slicing vegetables. The aroma of warm, simmering food filled the air.
"Surprised?" she asked, smiling. "Mar brought a bunch of ingredients. It's my first time cooking something this fancy… I'm excited."
He looked away without answering.
Soon, everyone gathered around the wooden table.
"Thank you for the food!" they shouted in unison.
"This is great!"
"It's delicious!"
Yurrelian sat, watching them all laugh and eat. One of the girls looked up at him.
"What's wrong, big bro Yu? Aren't you eating?"
"…It's nothing. I'll eat. Enjoy your meal," he replied with a soft smile.
Adela turned to the children. "Oh, and don't forget to say thank you to Mar when she gets back."
"Yes!" the kids all chimed together.
"But where is she? Why isn't she here?"
"Big bro Yu, where's big sis Mar?"
Yurrelian hesitated for just a moment. "She's… busy. She'll be back soon."
Laughter erupted at the table again. Someone accused another of stealing food. Another defended themselves with a mouth full of rice.
---
Meanwhile, Marlowe returned home.
The house was quiet. The kids had all fallen asleep. She tiptoed up the stairs, rubbing her eyes.
She entered the bedroom and saw Yurrelian lying on the bed, awake.
"I'm back," she whispered with a tired smile.
Yu blinked once. "Sure."
She pouted. "What, no 'welcome back'?"