"Hmmm… Brother Oliver, you've got a really nice body. Is that why so many women like you?" Gloomy asked curiously, staring openly at Oliver's bare upper body as Mother Ariana carefully bandaged his wounds with gentle hands.
"Hey! That's bad manners, Gloomy—and I don't get many women!" Oliver protested defensively, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment.
Off to the side, Miss Emmy shot him a look of pure disgust, her expression speaking volumes.
"Yes, yes—Oliver acts all cool, but he's actually a scared little cat," Fia teased playfully as she leaned in closer, examining his muscles with a critical eye. "Hmm… you still need more training. You can come to me—I'll train you properly," she said with determination, clenching her fists tightly to emphasize her point.
She then glanced over at Alfie and added with a wide grin, "This guy has a better body than you!"
"Thank you, Big Sister Fia, for the compliment," Alfie said with a bright, genuine smile as Mother Veny continued bandaging his wounds with careful attention.
"Hm, but he's still small. Alfie, you should grow up to be like me someday," Big Guy added confidently, puffing out his chest and admiring his own bulky, fatty muscular frame with pride.
"Guhh! He's fine! Leave him alone, you bastard!" Maren shouted protectively, quickly stepping in front of Alfie and blocking Big Guy's view with her body.
"Hahaha!" Everyone burst into laughter, the room filling with warm, happy sounds.
"Hm, it will probably leave a scar, Young Master Oliver," Miss Emmy said sadly, her voice dropping as she unconsciously touched her own shoulder where her own hidden scars lay.
"It's fine. Scars are a man's badge of honor, so I'll be fine," Oliver said with a confident smile, flicking his hair back handsomely in that theatrical way of his.
"For men, yes—but for women, they're a curse," Miss Emmy replied softly, her voice tinged with deep sadness and something darker—old pain that hadn't healed.
"Hm—" Oliver was about to ask her something, his expression growing concerned, when—
TAP!
Fia lightly tapped Miss Emmy's shoulder from behind, leaned in closer, and whispered gently into her ear with a knowing smile, "Don't worry. Oliver won't hate it." She gave her a playful wink and walked away casually.
TAP!
Maren also tapped her shoulder firmly, nodded in confirmation with a warm expression, and walked away.
TAP!
Sio laughed cheerfully and tapped her arm in encouragement.
TAP!
Big Guy gave her a big thumbs up with his characteristic goofy smile and walked away.
TAP! TAP!
Gloomy and Alfie both tapped her back from both sides at the same time, grinning at her, then walked away smiling.
Both mothers also smiled warmly at her with understanding in their eyes.
TAP! TAP!
They tapped her head gently, one after another, and said encouragingly, "All the best," then walked away to help others.
Huuuhhh, what's with this TAPPING? Are you making fun of me? Huh? What, whhhattttt? And what's with this 'he won't mind'? Did I ask you, bittchhh? Huhh, did I asskk yoouuu? Miss Emmy roared furiously in her mind, though a slight smile was still present on her face despite her internal rant. Then she looked over and saw a stupidly laughing Oliver, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
"Hey, you shampoo bastard! Why are you laughing? What's with this tapping?" Miss Emmy slapped his back lightly in annoyance.
"OW, OW! Don't hit this injured person!" Oliver acted dramatically, wincing in exaggerated pain.
"Tsk, acting like a girl! Did your head also get hurt or what?" Miss Emmy started cleaning up the medical supplies while continuing to talk with Oliver as the others slowly got their treatments finished around them.
Big Guy sat down in one spot and started playing with the little ones, his huge body getting swarmed and covered by many small kids who climbed all over him like he was a mountain. He just sat there yawning lazily, not bothering with anyone, completely relaxed despite being used as a playground.
"Ummm, Mr. Blake, do you need some treatment?" Mother Silja came over hesitantly, wringing her hands nervously as she asked him.
.
"Hmm, Mother Silja, you can call me Big Guy, you know? And don't worry, I'm fine. What about you? Have you calmed down, Mother Silja?" Big Guy looked at her kindly and signaled for her to sit down beside him as the others were mostly done with their treatments.
Mother Silja sat down slowly, her body finally relaxing a bit as some little ones came to her side. She gently patted their heads with tender affection and said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don't know—it feels like a dream. I was just serving customers when your mother and Sio's mother came and brought me here. I still don't know if I have the right to be here." Mother Silja looked over at Gloomy, who had returned to his usual gloomy expression and was now relaxing with Lurvi floating beside him.
"Hmm, you have every right to be here. I'm sure the mothers have forgiven you, and it's our duty as sons and daughters to follow the mothers' decisions. Don't worry—no one thinks badly of you now." Big Guy smiled warmly at her as he looked around at all the commotion happening around them.
"Hmm, thank you, Big Guy," Mother Silja said gratefully, her eyes shining with unshed tears of relief.
.
"Ah, Miss Eva, come here! I'm Sio, and this is Alfie. Nice to meet you! We heard you're our new friend," Sio called out enthusiastically to Miss Eva, who had just finished putting things away and clearing the space.
"Hmm, hey there! It's nice to meet you two. Are you feeling okay now?" Miss Eva came over with a gentle smile and sat down beside them, patting Sio's head gently with motherly affection.
"Hmm," both kids nodded eagerly.
"Tell us, Miss Eva! I heard your husband is strong and fought Brother Zack. How did he get stronger? How did he get his moves to perfection? How did he train?" Alfie's continuous rapid-fire questions left Miss Eva looking a bit overwhelmed and at a loss for words.
"Hahha, do you think this clumsy lady will know that guy's crazy workout routine? Don't worry—as long as you want to protect something, you'll grow stronger," Miss Eva said in a warm, encouraging tone, her eyes softening as she thought about her husband with obvious love.
"Umm, fiiinneee!" Alfie sighed but then thought hard about what he wanted to protect. He clenched his fist determinedly, his jaw setting with resolve.
"Geez, can't think of anything besides fighting! Miss Eva, tell me, tell me about your secret!" Sio pointed eagerly toward Miss Eva's large chest, then glanced over at Big Guy playing with the kids. "GRRRR, men like big things, huh? Humph!" Sio huffed, still a little angry about something.
"Hahah!" Both women laughed together as Miss Eva said to Sio while following her gaze toward Big Guy, "Don't think too much, little Sio. Everyone experiences many things in life. If you keep your head straight with a clear mind and keep loving the person in front of you despite everything, then it'll be okay in the end. Of course, don't forgive them if they intentionally do bad things!" Miss Eva clenched her fist and showed fierce determination to Sio.
"Hehe, sure, sure, I'll do that! Hehe!" Both girls laughed together warmly.
"But what if you can't keep your head straight, Miss Eva?" Alfie asked casually, his young voice carrying an unexpectedly serious question.
"Hmm, then..." Miss Eva touched her belly thoughtfully, her hand resting there as she said quietly with sadness creeping into her voice, "I don't know. I guess that's where problems arise, I guess," not speaking more on the difficult subject.
.
CLAAPPP!
"NOW GATHER AROUND! INFORMATION TIME AND WHAT IS THE PLAN AHEAD?" Sasha clapped her hands loudly to get everyone's attention. She rounded everyone up after finishing Zack's treatment and started discussing future plans, her voice taking on a businesslike tone.
"Hmm, we did fight with someone who was a different group than that Dreadful guy," Alfie said first, sharing what he'd learned.
"Umm, I also saw... saw someone who was invited by the First Rock Leader, and he was strong!" Sio said meekly in a low voice, her eyes downcast as she remembered.
"We found that some people are taking similar energy which feels similar to that dreadful man's energy. We don't know how or from where, though," Big Guy added last, his expression serious.
"Similar energy? Hmm, isn't that a form of EIRNET energy that man had? Is it even possible to absorb someone else EIRNET energy ? Then isn't taking it directly going to kill that person if he or she gets an overdose?" Mother Ariana asked in confusion as she touched her gloved fingers thoughtfully.
"Hm, that's true," Fia nodded in agreement, absently twirling the tip of her hair. "If absorbing energy were that simple—if people could gain power just by taking it directly—then everyone would have abilities by now, without any concern about overdosing."
"Well, we still don't know whether this will lead to a wave of overdose cases in the coming days or result in more people gaining powers. It's all still unclear. What we do know is that this is a different kind of energy—one that can be absorbed by ordinary people. Since we know so little, we'll have to wait and observe.
Alternatively, we may uncover some clues from the Fifth Underground Rock. I'll try to track down people who are using it and report everything to the Queen so she can investigate further. Meanwhile, Maren and Fia will attempt to purchase it from a source and gather more information," Zack said calmly, laying out the plan with careful deliberation.
Everyone nodded in understanding, taking in the information seriously.
"Hmm, what about the person Sio saw?" Sasha asked, looking directly at her.
"Is it a surprise? She's against the Queen quite openly, so it's no wonder she got some help," Oliver said casually, shrugging his shoulders.
"Mother Silja, have you ever seen someone weird and strong beside her?" Zack asked her directly, his gaze focused on her face.
"Umm, I don't know. I just... I just go to take the money, that's all," Mother Silja said in a low voice, her expression pained as she thought about what she had experienced in that place.
"And who were those people who Young Master Oliver fought?" Miss Emmy asked while sitting beside him, leaning in slightly.
"Who knows? There's no end to people wanting a piece of meat," Gloomy said lazily, his voice flat and disinterested.
"If you guys plan to do something, make sure to take help from others! Don't go anywhere alone!" Mother Veny warned seriously, her voice stern as everyone nodded in understanding, taking her words to heart.
Through all the chatter and discussion, Miss Eva remained silent—completely silent. Her fingers clenched tightly into her palms, nails digging into skin as she watched the children and mothers talking together. She felt a deep, crushing pang of guilt and sorrow twisting in her chest. She could hardly bear it, the weight of her secrets pressing down on her. Struggling desperately to keep her composure, she barely held back her tears, forcing herself to hide all emotion from her face, keeping it carefully blank.
"NOW! For the things we have gathered here for, let's do this!" Then everyone excitedly talked about their business plans, the mood shifting to something more hopeful.
After all the discussion and planning, Maren stood up and announced clearly for everyone to hear, "So we have Mother Veny, Mother Ariana, and Mother Silja as our new owners for a new fashion business, and Oliver and Sasha as our new owners for our tourist animal-meeting business. Both will help each other grow and succeed. Of course, everyone else will help too, with Emmy's orphanage kids as official partners for both businesses. NOW, EVERYONE!"
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!
Everyone smiled brightly and clapped for each other enthusiastically, the sound filling the room with celebration.
"Hehe, now let's begin my road to richness! Hahahah!" Oliver roared dramatically by standing up with a triumphant pose, but...
THUMMPP!
A strong hand came down and made him sit back down again forcefully, pushing on his shoulder.
Mother Veny glared at him with narrowed eyes and said firmly, "Now, now, don't be in a hurry! We have to first cook dinner—the little ones are hungry and so are the others! You and Alfie left this poor woman alone to handle all things, and left me carrying so many heavy bags. Now, how can I let you go without giving you some punishment? Hehehehe." Mother Veny then turned her glare toward Alfie, who shrieked in fear and tried to hide. She continued with an evil smile, "Dear Emmy, please bring all the things to cut for our dinner to these two boys. Since they're injured, they'll sit here and peacefully cut everything required for cooking." She smiled wickedly, her eyes gleaming.
"Yes, Mother Veny!" Miss Emmy stood up swiftly with proper posture and walked away obediently. But after she got a bit farther away, she started skipping happily as she went inside, thinking gleefully to herself, Hehe, poor shaammppooo bassttaardd! Feelll thhee dread for cutting some spicy things! Hahahah! You made me wait for so long, now it's JUSSTIIICCE TIIMMEE!
Miss Emmy brought back all the vegetables and ingredients as others also moved around, helping here and there with the preparations. After some time passed, everyone gathered and ate dinner together, laughing and enjoying their time with each other like a real family. The warmth filled the room. Then they started working on their projects—discussing ideas, planning strategies, designing concepts, and working together to create something special. As the night got deeper and darker, everyone started yawning in tiredness, their energy finally running out.
"Hmmm, I think this is enough for now. Let's go and rest," Mother Veny said as she stretched her arms above her head.
"Fine, let's go, everyone. It will take time to build this, so don't be in a hurry," Oliver also got up and started cleaning the room together with everyone else, putting things away.
"Then you girls stay here. We'll go back. What about you boys?" Mother Ariana said, looking at the boys questioningly.
"Hmm, I'll go to Natlia. Since I saw people with those energies, I'll keep guard tonight," Zack said firmly while refusing to take Alfie with him, shaking his head.
"Fine, I'll just sleep at Brother Oliver's home," Alfie backed down, accepting the decision.
"Huh? Why is everyone making my house a guest house?" Oliver didn't reject it but still complained loudly.
"Ah! Oliver, don't forget to inform my family that I'm staying here," Maren said casually, to which Oliver just nodded in acknowledgment.
"I'll also stay with them and look after them," Big Guy said protectively, his voice gentle.
"Umm, Mother, let's go back," Gloomy said with slight discomfort, not wanting to go to that terrible place. But at least his mother had finally come out today looking all good and healthy.
Mother Silja also had a dejected look on her face, accepting her fate of returning to that hellhole. She nodded sadly and turned around to leave, but as she was about to walk away, she heard:
"WAIT!"
Mother Ariana reached out and held her shoulder gently, saying warmly with a kind smile, "Where are you going, my friend Silja? Do you think we would let you go to that hellhole again? No need for that! You'll stay with me and Sio from now on. Gloomy will also stay there with us. We have an extra room, so you guys can fit comfortably. As the money comes in from this business, you can then buy a new place at a better location. For now, stay with me." Mother Ariana looked at Sio, who nodded eagerly in agreement, then told Gloomy with a warm expression, "My dear Theo, you can bring your things from your old place tomorrow with these big boys to help you. For now, go sleep with them tonight while I and your mother take care of the house and prepare it for the shift."
Gloomy's face transformed completely. He smiled brightly, showing all his teeth in genuine happiness, and nodded heavily with enthusiasm.
"Hehe, we can't let you fall again when we were the first ones to offer our hands, right?" Mother Veny winked playfully at Mother Silja, who stood there completely surprised, her mouth open. She couldn't even say anything, too shocked to speak. As she was about to refuse out of habit—
"Nope, nope, don't think!" Mother Ariana gently closed her mouth with her hand and happily kidnapped her away, dragging her along toward her house while saying goodbye to everyone else with a cheerful wave.
"Hahah!" Everyone laughed at the scene as the boys also went their separate ways. Miss Eva said her goodbyes to her new friends and walked away into the night. Mother Veny also took her carriage and headed home, still carrying some bags which she'd brought for herself today—filled with some food and new clothes she'd bought. Sigh, these bags won't leave me! she sighed heavily but then looked up at the night horizon. Countless lights were shimmering in the distance, and the ground below sparkled with small lights from flying tools and city lamps. It looked beautiful and magical. One day for sure, I will fly here with my little ones dressed in cute outfits, Mother Veny thought with determination, clenching her hand tightly as she imagined a bright, hopeful future for all of them.
Zack also moved swiftly, heading to his house first to inform Grandpa. He gave him some food he'd brought along the way and told him briefly about what had happened today, sharing the important parts. Then he said goodbye and went away quickly toward the Queen's palace to stand guard for the night.
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END OF CHAPTER
Author Blabbering
It's Sunday. YEAHHHH!!
The official day of rest… except, unfortunately, for this author.
I write today not because I want to, but because my mind refuses to sit quietly like a well-trained cat. If I don't work, my thoughts start pacing the room, knocking things over, and judging me silently. So here I am. On a Sunday. Typing. Living dangerously.
The author is currently in a complicated relationship with himself. If any kind-hearted readers are feeling generous, please say a small prayer that I one day become the proud owner of a company. Nothing fancy—just enough to earn a few honest pennies so I can eat something respectable on a Sunday instead of negotiating with instant noodles.
And while we're here, a small piece of wisdom from a tired soul:
If you ever start a business with close friends—write a contract. On paper. With ink. Possibly laminated.
Because friends are lovely… but their kids might one day start a world war with your kids, and from heaven, you and I will be watching the chaos unfold like a brand-new drama series. Popcorn included.
Anyway, thank you for reading, thank you for existing, and thank you for letting this author pretend he's working while secretly enjoying the comfort of words on a quiet Sunday.
Now back to work. Or rest. Or snacks. Probably snacks.
— The Author ☕📚