The alarm cut through the office.
Keyboards stopped. Chairs slid back. Screens went dark in rows.
Steve lifted his head, rubbing his face.
"Hm? Looks like we're getting off early."
He stretched, joints cracking.
"Finally. I'm exhausted. Getting out early is a blessing." He glanced at Luke. "I'm starving too. You in?"
Luke shut down his screen and stood.
"Tired?" Luke asked, bemused
Steve acted as if he hadn't heard his friend's mocking tone.
He picked up his bag.
"I'm not going. I have to pick up my sister from school."
"Oh, right." Steve nodded, then grinned. "There's still time before that. One round. I'll beat you today."
He clenched his fist.
"112–0."
Luke said the number without looking at him.
Steve froze.
"You—" He pointed at him. "I challenge you. I'm wiping that zero off today."
People moved toward the exit. Luke joined them. Steve followed, still talking.
"Just one round. I've been training. You won't even see it coming."
They stepped out with the others. The street in front of the building was already clearing.
A dark vehicle pulled up.
Several figures wearing special equipment came out and headed directly towards the entrance.
"Clear the area. Keep moving."
People adjusted their path and continued walking.
Steve slowed for a moment.
His eyes followed the group as they passed.
"What are you doing?" Luke's voice snapped him back to reality. He regained his focus and jumped around him, pleading, "Come on, just one more round!"
....
Steve tightened his gloves.
"Today I will reclaim my honor, defeat you, and erase all the humiliation of the previous rounds."
Luke stepped onto the mat.
But .....The exchange was short.
Steve hit the floor and stayed there, staring at the ceiling.
"113–0," Luke said.
He removed his gloves and set them aside.
"You were fierce today," Steve said between breaths. "Can't you take it easy once?"
"No. You improved. I won't lower my guard."
Luke picked up his bag.
"I'm leaving."
"Yeah, yeah." Steve waved weakly. "Say hello to my little angel."
Luke lifted a hand without turning and walked out.
...
The school gate stood open.
Children streamed out in clusters.
"Brother!"
A small figure broke free and ran toward him.
Luke stepped forward and caught her before she tripped.
"How was your day?" he asked. "Did you enjoy school?"
"No." She slumped against him. "I'm tired. There are too many lessons. I'm just a kid. I can't handle all this."
She was complaining and talking about her suffering, but... she looked cute to Luke and those around them.
Luke adjusted his grip and carried her carefully, then began walking towards the house.Some might be surprised that Luke is 25 and his sister is 6. What can he say? His parents were a bit mischievous in their old age. People mistakenly think she's his daughter. Well, he doesn't explain anymore.
Halfway down the street, she tugged his collar.
"I want fish."
Luke stopped, looked down at her, then turned toward the market.
He set her in the cart and pushed it through the aisles.
She kicked her legs lightly while he picked what they needed.
Fish. Rice. A few small items.
Near the registers, sirens sounded outside.
People turned their heads.
"That's a lot of police."
"Something must've happened."
"We might hear about it in the news tomorrow."
Luke glanced once at the flashing lights through the glass, then returned to the line.
He paid, took the bags, and crouched in front of his sister.
"Stay close. Don't wander off."
He had too much to carry.
She nodded and raised a hand.
"I'll help."
She grabbed a box of biscuits from the bag, opened it, and started eating.
"You just want to eat biscuits. Don't eat too much," Luke said. "You won't finish your fish."
"Mmm—just one," she said, chewing.
Luke shook his head and walked out with her.
Across the street, a man was walking briskly along the sidewalk.
Luke spotted him and slowed down; there was just something about him that seemed odd.
The man's face also looked familiar. His clothes were tightly tucked around his waist and looked as if they might tear at any moment. He kept looking around cautiously, his face a mixture of tension and fear.
Luke watched him for a moment, noticing a red light emanating from his hand.
He stood still for a few seconds, then... looked away and continued walking.
They reached the apartment building not long after.
Lina went straight to the living room and turned on the television.
Luke put away the groceries, changed his clothes, and went into the kitchen.
The smell of cooking spread through the apartment.
Lina appeared in the doorway, watching him.
"Can I taste?"
He gave her a small piece.
She chewed, then nodded fast.
"Mmm. It's good. Hurry up. I'm hungry."
Luke kept cooking.
She tugged at his pant leg.
"Hurry."
He caught her by the back of her shirt and lifted her away from the stove.
"Set the table. Food's almost ready. Stop bothering me."
"Tch. Stupid brother." She glared, then ran off. "I'll set it, so hurry up."
Luke let out a quiet breath and returned to the pan.
Sirens still sounded faintly outside.
...
They ate together.Lina talked while eating. She enthusiastically began recounting her adventures at school that day and describing what had happened to Luke.
Luke wiped her face with a napkin, and he listened without interruption.
When she finished, she tried to slip away.
Luke stopped her.
"Homework."
She complained through every line. He paid her no attention, even if she put on cat eyes. She finally gave up and grumbled, "Foolish brother."
When she finished her homework, she was already half asleep.
Luke took her to bed and closed the door quietly.
He cleaned the kitchen and put everything away.
The phone rang.
He checked the screen.
Uncle Ray.
"Luke," Ray said. "Sorry to bother you this late. I need the rent early today. Could you manage that?"
"That's fine," Luke said. "Are you downstairs?"
"Yes. I'll be there in ten minutes."
Luke ended the call.
He opened the wardrobe, took out a bundle of cash, and slipped it into his pocket.
He grabbed the key by the door and stepped out.
The stairwell was quiet.
He headed down toward the garage.