Family

Outside, the streets were cold. Kenta walked, stomach growling, eyes scanning every corner.

"I'm sorry, Mom… I don't want to do this…" he whispered in his heart.

He spotted a burger on a food stand. His legs moved on instinct.

Run!

He snatched the burger and dashed, heart racing. Behind him, a boy—about the same age—noticed and gave chase with sharp eyes.

Inside the apartment

Kenta slammed the door shut, breathing heavily. Footsteps echoed outside the hallway.

Knock knock.

Panic struck.

"P-Police?!" Kenta gasped.

He turned. "Amelia, come with me!"

They rushed to the bedroom. "Stay here. Don't make a sound," he said firmly.

"No... I'll come with you—" she began.

Kenta knelt, holding her hand. "Promise me you'll stay inside. Please."

"…Promise," she whispered.

He locked the door and walked back, trembling. The knock continued.

Kenta slowly opened the door.

Standing there was a boy with sharp eyes and messy hair—calm, curious.

"Please don't call the police," Kenta blurted out.

"I won't," the boy replied casually, stepping inside.

"You live alone?" he asked.

"…Yeah," Kenta nodded.

The boy pointed at two cups on the table. "Then why two cups?"

"I-I eat for two," Kenta lied nervously.

But the boy wasn't fooled. He strolled to the back room and suddenly opened the door.

"Stop!" Kenta shouted—but too late.

Inside, Amelia was asleep, her small figure curled under a blanket.

The boy paused, staring in silence. Then he gently closed the door.

"You said you live alone," he said calmly.

"…Why are you here?" Kenta asked.

"That burger you stole?" the boy smirked. "I was gonna steal it too."

Kenta's eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry. Were you hungry too?"

"I'll forgive you on one condition."

"…What is it?"

"I live here too."

"What?!"

"I'm an orphan," the boy said with a grin. "Nowhere else to go."

Kenta blinked, then smiled. "…Okay. Welcome."

"I'm Shin Kazuto."

"I'm Kenta. And that's Amelia."

Just then, Amelia opened the door, rubbing her eyes. She stared at Shin.

"…Who is he?"

"Our new member," Kenta grinned. "He lives here now."

Shin smiled. "Let's play a game."

"Huh? What game?" Kenta asked.

It didn't matter.

In that tiny home of three broken kids—something was born.

Friendship.

Two days later…

Kenta and Shin walked along the empty road, their eyes scanning for scraps of food or dropped change. The cold wind brushed their cheeks, but they were used to it.

Suddenly, they stopped.

Up ahead, a group of angry people were surrounding a crying boy, kicking and shouting.

"Thief!"

"I saw him steal from that stall!"

The boy was sobbing, barely able to stand. But no one cared.

Kenta and Shin watched quietly, conflicted. The boy broke free and ran down a narrow alley.

"…Let's go," Kenta said, already moving.

They followed.

At the end of the alley, hidden behind trash bins and crates, the boy collapsed beside three others—two boys and a girl. The girl was sleeping, her head resting on the lap of one boy. They all looked tired, skin bruised, clothes dirty.

"I… I got caught," the crying boy whispered.

Kenta and Shin stepped forward.

"You're all orphans, aren't you?" Kenta asked.

The three boys looked up, startled.

"…Who are you?" one asked.

Kenta smiled gently. "Do you want to become part of our family?"

"…Family?" the oldest boy repeated, unsure.

"Yeah," Kenta said. "Come with us."

Back at the apartment

"I'm Kenta," he said as they entered.

"I'm Shin," Shin added.

"I'm Gin," the boy replied. "This is Izanagi, that's Nero… and the girl's name is Rozy. We've got no one else."

They all looked around the small, dim apartment, where a heater buzzed quietly in the corner.

Amelia stepped out of the room and froze. Her eyes widened at the sight of four strangers.

"…Who are they?" she asked sharply.

"They're our new members," Kenta said with a smile.

"I don't trust them," Amelia whispered, standing in front of Kenta.

"…Believe in them," Shin said softly. "We were strangers too, remember?"

Amelia looked at their faces—tired, dirty, and filled with silent pain. She sighed.

"…Fine. But one wrong move…"

Some Days Later…

Rozy followed Amelia like a little sister. One evening, she tugged at her shirt.

"Amelia… sis, are you okay?"

Amelia blinked in surprise. Then she smiled and placed her hand on the girl's head.

"…Yeah. I'm great."

Across the room, Kenta sat watching, his heart warm.

For the first time in forever, the broken children weren't just surviving.

They were building a family.

The next morning…

Kenta sat quietly on a chair, his gaze lost in thought. His hands were clenched, brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Shin asked, sitting beside him.

"…There are so many orphan kids like us," Kenta said. "All they want is a family."

"Kenta…" Shin hesitated. "But we're kids too. We don't have money. We can't take care of others."

Kenta looked up, determination in his eyes. "Then I'll work. I'll earn money. I'll never steal again. I want us to live happily—together."

"I'll support you," Amelia said softly. Rozy was curled up asleep with her head resting on Amelia's leg.

"Hahh… okay then," Shin muttered, scratching his head.

"We'll help too," Gin added with a small smile.

"We're with you," Nero said firmly.

"Alright," Kenta nodded. "I have a plan. Let's start a restaurant."

"…But we need money first," Shin reminded him.

"Then let's go," Kenta said.

All Day Long

From morning until evening, they searched the city for work. Door after door shut in their faces. People ignored them or laughed.

When they returned home, exhausted and empty-handed, Amelia opened the door.

"You're back," she said softly.

Rozy ran over and hugged Kenta.

That night, unable to sleep, Kenta quietly left the house.

My dad used to go somewhere… maybe I'll find something there, he thought.

Underground District

He arrived at a shady, hidden place below the city.

"Hey! This isn't a playground, kid," a man growled.

"I… I want to earn money," Kenta said.

The man studied him. After a moment, he smirked and handed Kenta a packet and a photo.

"Deliver this to the man in the picture. You'll get paid. Bring the money back and I'll reward you."

Kenta nodded silently.

He made the delivery without asking questions. He handed the suitcase back to the man underground.

"Not bad, kid," the man chuckled, tossing Kenta a few bills.

Kenta held the money tightly. "This… will help us."

But as he walked home, a group of thugs noticed him.

"Hey! What's a kid doing with that kind of cash?"

They surrounded him.

"Give it here, brat."

They beat him until he collapsed, stole the money, and vanished.

MidNight

Kenta limped home, bruised and bleeding. Still, he smiled as he walked in.

"Big bro! Where did you go?" Rozy asked.

"…Just for a walk," Kenta said weakly. "I'm gonna sleep."

He made it to his room and collapsed. He didn't cry out loud—but tears rolled from his eyes in silence.

Moments later, Amelia and Shin entered the room and froze.

"KENTA!" Amelia screamed.

His face was bruised, his shirt stained with blood. He was barely conscious.

She rushed to him, cradling his head on her lap. "Why… why would you do this?!"

"I'm… sorry," Kenta whispered, finally crying.

Shin clenched his fists, then turned and walked out of the room.

"Sleep… please, just rest now," Amelia said softly, wiping his tears.

Kenta closed his eyes.

That night, even in pain, he finally slept.