Loving Home (Purposeless Wandering)

“Families are those who love you most.”

Tch. Right.

The young boy scoffed at the book. Hah! What sort of bogus stuff is this? Family? If family really mattered that much, he wouldn’t have been tossed aside like a worthless ragdoll, right? He wouldn’t be in this stupid, stupid place!

“Darao? What are you doing?”

A dry voice called from behind the boy.

“None of your business.”

“Well, I’m making it my business.”

The elder Luminite marched up to him, snagging the book out of his paws.

“Hah, are you reading? Something so ridiculous, too? Tips on growing up as an adolescent Luminite?” She tilted her head, giving Darao an unimpressed look.

“I just wanted advice…” He sulked, casting an angry glance to the floor.

“Whatever. Just get up. It’s time for lunch.”

He gritted his teeth, following quietly behind his “mother” as they led him to the cafeteria.

Per usual, everyone was sitting in an orderly fashion. Backs straight, mouths full of food - not a word was muttered amongst them.

Darao, however, was the troublemaker.

“Pssstt,” Darao took his seat next to a quiet, uncertain looking Luminite. “Qiaosheng… Whatcha doing later today?”

“Um…” She glanced nervously at mother, who was eyeing the two of them suspiciously.

“We’re not supposed to talk, Darao…”

“Eh, what’s she gonna do? Hit me again? Hahaha! I’ll hit her back!”

“Darao!” Qiaosheng gasped, quickly catching herself as she noticed mother looking at them again.

“I-I mean… You can’t do that! She’ll kill you!”

“Nuh uh. I’m super strong! I’ve been training hard!”

“Oh, yeah?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Pfft. You’ve been reading too much of that silly book.”

“It’s NOT silly! Epics of Jiahao is the coolest book of all time! I wanna be strong and powerful and cool like that one day, too!”

Qiaosheng glanced at mother once again, sighing with relief when she noticed they had finally taken their attention off them.

“Right. How are you gonna do that again?”

“Uhhh… By standing up to tyranny, of course?”

Darao nudged his head in the direction of mother, a sly smirk across his face.

“...They’re just doing their best, Darao.”

“Hah…” He looked down at his meal. “Could’ve fooled me.”

“Maybe you should stop being so much trouble. Maybe then you’d have an easier time.”

“And end up like you? No way! I don’t wanna be all meek and sad all the time! I wanna be myself!”

Qiaosheng jolted at Darao’s comment. The hurt in her face palpable, and tears began pricking at the corners of her eyes.

“W-Wait… Qiaosheng… I didn’t mean it like that-”

“MOTHER! Darao won’t stop talking to me again!”

Darao’s eyes widened with fear, his eyes darting between mother’s furious gaze and Qiaosheng’s hurt yet defiant expression.

“Darao. Come with me.”

Darao sunk into his seat, but it was no use. Mother was going to drag him along one way or another, even if it meant by force.

As he was pulled away, he turned back to Qiaosheng one more time.

“Qiaosheng… Why?”

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