Dinner time at Mochi's house was usually calm.
Not tonight.
Because the moment Candy burst through the door from her school trip—backpack bouncing 🎒, face glowing—
She froze.
Everyone was already at the table.
Mother wore that soft, suspicious smile.Father was reading the newspaper… upside down.Maya and Cousin were whispering like conspirators.And Laddu sat beside Mochi, eating quietly like he belonged there.
Candy blinked.
Looked at her mother.Then her father.Then the table.
Candy:"…Why is everyone looking like they're hiding a dragon egg?"
Mother laughed nervously.
Mother:"Candy, darling…there's something we need to tell you."
Candy dropped her backpack.
Candy:"LADDU WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Father:"HE didn't do anything—"
Candy:"YOU'RE ALL ACTING SUSPICIOUS!"
Mother took Candy's hands gently.
Mother:"Candy…you're going to be a big sister."
The room paused.
Candy's eyes widened.Her breath vanished.
Then—
She screamed so loud the ceiling fan shook 🌀.
Candy:"WHATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!I'M GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER?!?!"
She jumped around the dining table like a monkey discovering fireworks 🎆.
Candy:"MOM IS HAVING A BABY?!ANOTHER ONE?!ANOTHER SIBLING?!OH MY GOD!!!"
She rushed forward and hugged her mother tightly.
Candy:"Mom! FULL SUPPORT!I'LL CHANGE DIAPERS!I'LL PROTECT THE BABY!I'LL FIGHT ANYONE WHO SAYS ANYTHING BAD!"
Mother laughed and hugged her back.
Mother:"You're so sweet."
Laddu grinned.
Laddu:"Candy… did your big brother know already?"
Mother nodded.
Mother:"Yes.He knows.He'll be back in five days."
💀 INSTANT DREAD 💀
Maya stiffened.
Maya:"Mochi's brother is VERY strict.VERY scary.He once scolded the principal."
Cousin gasped.
Cousin:"That man sounds dangerous!"
Suddenly—
Laddu burst into laughter.
The exact same laugh as Mochi's father.
Deep. Loud. Dramatic 😆
Laddu:"Haha!I like him already!"
Father looked at him proudly.
Father:"Good laugh!"
Candy pointed her fork straight at Laddu 🍴.
Candy:"You might NOT like himwhen he sees you sitting next to my sister."
Mochi choked on her rice.
Mochi:"CANDY!!!"
Candy:"What?!Big brother beats up ANY boy who makes fun of Mochi!"
Cousin's jaw dropped.
Cousin:"Laddu…stay far.Very far."
Laddu shrugged casually.
Laddu:"It's okay.If he tries to bully me…"
He leaned in slightly.Lowered his voice.Eyes sparkling with chaos 😈.
Laddu:"I'll add loose-motion medicine to his food."
💀 DEATHLY SILENCE 💀
Then—
Maya slammed the table laughing.
Maya:"HE'S CRAZY—I LOVE IT!"
Cousin fell off her chair.
Cousin:"He's going to give diarrhea to a soldier?!"
Candy clapped happily.
Candy:"YAY!LET'S DESTROY BIG BROTHER TOGETHER!"
Mochi covered her face.
Mochi:"STOP SUPPORTING HIM!!!"
Mother shook her head, smiling softly.
Mother:"You're all insane…but it's nice to have laughter again."
Laddu glanced at Mochi.
A soft smile.Warm eyes.
Laddu:"Anything for this family."
Mochi's heart kicked like a rabbit 💓🐇.