The smell of frying oil and warm bread filled the small kitchen.
Maria Cole stood in front of the stove, her movements practiced and quick,a loose strand of hair had fallen across her face, and dark circles rested beneath her eyes.
Still… she was standing.
Healthy.
Lucas leaned lightly against the doorframe and watched her for a moment without speaking.
In his previous life, this scene had disappeared far too early.
"Mom," Daniel said cheerfully from the table, swinging his legs,
"is breakfast ready?"
"Almost," Maria replied with a tired smile. "Sit properly."
Lucas felt something tighten in his chest.
She looked thinner than he remembered but compared to the image burned into his mind, the one of her lying weak on a hospital bed, this version of her felt like a miracle.
Maria turned and noticed him standing there.
"Oh, you're up early today," she said. "Did you sleep well?"
Lucas hesitated.
"…Yeah."
It was a lie.
But it was a gentle one.
She placed two plates on the table simple food, nothing special. Still, she carefully divided the portions, making sure Daniel's plate looked fuller.
Lucas noticed.
He always did.
"Eat while it's hot," Maria said, sitting down with her own plate. Hers was smaller.
Lucas picked up his spoon.
His hand paused.
In his last life, he had rushed through breakfasts like this, always thinking about work, money, and time. He never realized how few of these mornings he truly had.
"Mom," he said suddenly.
Maria looked up. "Yes?"
"…You don't have to push yourself so hard."
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
She blinked, surprised.
"What are you saying all of a sudden?"
she laughed softly. "I'm fine."
Lucas stared at his food.
He wanted to say everything.
That she would get sick.
That he was sorry.
That he would protect her this time.
But he swallowed those words.
"Just… rest more," he said quietly.
Maria reached out and lightly tapped his forehead with her fingers.
"You worry too much for someone your age," she said. "Focus on school."
School.
The word echoed in his mind.
In his previous life, that path had ended here.
This time… it wouldn't.
Daniel looked between them, confused, then grinned.
"Hyung, you're acting weird today," he said. "Did something good happen?"
Lucas almost smiled.
"Maybe," he replied.
After breakfast, Maria stood up and began cleaning the dishes.
"I'm heading out later," she said.
"Don't forget to eat properly. And don't skip meals to save money, alright?"
Lucas froze.
She had said the same thing in his past life.
Right before everything started falling apart.
"I won't," he said firmly.
She glanced back at him, surprised by his tone, then nodded.
"Good."
Lucas stood up.
As he stepped away from the table, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
[DING]
Side Objective Completed:
✔ Shared a peaceful family meal
Hidden Reward:
+1 Emotional Stability
Lucas paused.
He didn't smile.
But for the first time in a long while, his chest felt… lighter.
This time, he would not lose these moments.
Not again.