The World Is Mine For The Taking

Zeruel's POV

Right now, I found myself standing quietly in the apartment we were calling home now.

It felt so unfamiliar, and yet comforting in a way that wrapped around me gently, like a blanket fresh out of the sun.

It was nothing like the old apartment we'd lived in before everything changed... I mean, before Mom collapsed and slipped away into Eternal Sleep.

That place… even remembering it made something inside my chest tighten painfully.

It had been so small that even just breathing at the same time felt cramped. Barely enough space for one person, let alone two girls trying desperately to hold onto the pieces of what was left of family.

Some nights, I remember sitting on the edge of that old bed, listening to Selene's breathing and trying to convince myself it was enough. That we'd be okay. That things would change.

But in truth, that apartment had never been a real home.

Instead of walls that held warmth, it kept in shadows. Every corner seemed to echo with memories I didn't want to remember. It was reminders of the days that had broken us, bit by bit.

So in the end, leaving it behind wasn't running away. It was freeing ourselves.

A chance to start somewhere new, without the suffocating weight of what had happened.

And somehow, deep down, I believed it had been the right choice.

"Wow! You've done a lot of good things in this place, I see," Mom said, her voice light but edged with something deeper. It was similar to something like relief, or maybe even pride.

She stood there for a moment, her eyes moving slowly over the walls, the small decorations we'd hung up, the secondhand sofa covered with a faded blanket, the cheap rug we'd chosen together.

It wasn't much, but it was ours.

"W-We've done a lot of decorating, but it wasn't really anything special…" I replied, my voice catching as I scratched my cheek, embarrassment creeping up and making my face burn.

"Well, although it's a little cramped for the three of us, I think we can manage," Mom said, the corners of her mouth lifting into a gentle, real smile that made my chest ache. "Now then, shall we prepare dinner for today? You must have missed my cooking, right?!"

"Yes," I said quickly, the word escaping before I could think.

"Hey, Mom, get this," Selene suddenly blurted out, her voice playful and sharp. "Sis sucks at cooking, you know?"

"H-Hey, I don't!" I shot back, too fast and too defensive, which probably made it worse.

"You do," she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Well, you can do the basic stuff, but most of the time, you really don't know what you're doing. Like, you forget seasoning or mess it up completely."

W-Well… as much as I hated to admit it, she wasn't wrong.

"Don't worry," Mom chimed in, her voice as warm as a soft quilt. "I'll make something that'll completely blow your minds. Even though I've been asleep for so long, I don't think my cooking skills have faded away."

She sounded so confident it almost felt like a light had been switched on in the dim corners of my heart.

I stood there silently, watching her move, and for a moment the smell of oil heating in the pan and the sight of her tying her apron around her waist felt almost unreal.

Like a memory that had slipped out of reach finally coming back.

Selene leaned against the small kitchen counter, chatting happily, asking Mom about old recipes and telling her silly stories from the days she'd missed.

And me? I just watched.

Watched the way Mom's hands moved so easily, as if the years hadn't passed at all. Watched the soft light catch in Selene's hair as she laughed.

I'd missed this so much.

Missed it more than I had words for.

And I knew deep in my chest that none of this would have happened if Leon hadn't been there.

He'd given this back to us.

And so, of course, I wanted to give something back to him too.

Whether it meant standing beside him in danger, or giving him comfort when he needed it—even if it was something as intimate as pleasuring him, I would do it.

I knew I probably wasn't good enough for him. But even so, I'd do everything I could.

***

The next morning, I woke up to find Selene's face practically squished against mine, her breath warm and a string of drool sliding down onto my cheek.

"Uhehehe~ L-Leon, not there… You're gonna wake up Sis, you know? What? The three of us? N-No way… T-The two of us sisters, at the same time? T-That's embarrassing, but if you really do insist, then… uhehehehe~..."

"What the hell is she even dreaming about…?"

I felt a sharp throb in my temples, and for a moment I debated just turning over and pretending I hadn't heard anything.

Better not to know.

"Oh, you're already awake," Mom's voice floated over from the kitchen, warm and steady, mixing with the quiet sounds of something sizzling. "You have to go to the academy today, right?"

"Yes," I mumbled, still half-asleep, trying to rub Selene's drool off my cheek. "Are you making…?"

"Yes," she said, smiling softly over her shoulder. "Your favorite sandwich."

"Ah…" The word slipped out, too small to carry the relief I felt.

"What…?" she asked, her brow arching a little.

"Uh, n-nothing…" I said quickly, looking away as heat crawled up my neck.

"Fufufufu…" Mom chuckled, the sound low and gentle. "Don't worry. I made extra. You're giving one to Leon, right?"

"H-How did you know…?" I blurted out, heart skipping embarrassingly.

"Well, Selene told me," she said, laughter softening her words. "She really doesn't know how to keep things to herself."

I glanced over at Selene, who was still asleep but giggling softly, probably lost in that ridiculous dream. This girl really couldn't stay quiet, even unconscious…

"You don't have to be upset with her," Mom added gently. "I know my daughter well enough to see she wants to be with that handsome young man—even enough to make extra food for him." She paused, her voice dropping into something warm and proud. "Leon must really be someone special, if he's got you falling for him like this."

I felt my face burn, my eyes dropping to the floor. "W-Well, I-I'm sorry…" I murmured.

"Don't be sorry," she said, her laughter soft as falling petals. "In fact, I'm supporting you. I even added something special to those sandwiches—maybe you'll win his heart even more."

"Y-You really didn't have to, but… thank you," I said softly, feeling something warm swell quietly inside me.

After getting dressed and packing my bag, I finally stood at the door, breathing in slowly.

Mom was watching me, her eyes kind but sharp, as if trying to see all the feelings I hadn't said out loud.

"You sound a little excited today, Zeruel. Are you that eager to see Leon?" she teased, her words playful but gentle.

"M-Mom…" I stammered, turning away quickly as heat climbed into my cheeks.

"Fufufufu…" She laughed softly, the sound light and soft as wind chimes. "Be careful out there."

"Yes…" I said, my voice quieter now, but real.

Since I'd be staying at the dorm for the entire week, it would be five whole days before I could see her again.

And with that thought lingering, I stepped outside into the morning air.

The breeze felt cool against my skin, carrying the faint scent of bread and rain-washed streets.

My heart beat faster, not just because of the academy waiting ahead—but because I knew Leon would be there.

And for now… that was enough to make me take the first step forward.