The gentle rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, filling the small apartment with a warm glow.
The aroma of fried eggs drifted from the tiny kitchen.
Benny stood in front of the stove, flipping the eggs while occasionally glancing toward the bedroom door.
A few seconds later, the door slowly creaked open.
Xavier peeked outside.
His hair was still messy from sleep, and he rubbed his eyes with his tiny fists.
"Good morning..."
His sleepy voice made Benny smile.
"Morning, sleepyhead."
Xavier yawned before walking toward the dining table.
"I woke up..."
"I can see that."
Benny placed two plates of fried eggs, toast, and sausages on the table.
"I didn't know what you liked, so I made something simple."
Xavier stared at the breakfast.
His eyes gradually widened.
"...Is all this for us?"
"Of course."
The little boy lowered his head.
"I've never eaten breakfast like this before."
Benny's smile softened.
"Then today will be your first."
Xavier nodded happily.
"I'll eat everything!"
After saying a quiet prayer, the little boy carefully picked up his fork.
Watching Xavier eat with such excitement made Benny realize just how little the child had experienced.
For a moment...
He forgot all about yesterday.
After breakfast, Benny washed the dishes while Xavier sat on the sofa, curiously looking around the apartment.
His eyes landed on the bookshelf.
There were dozens of books.
Programming.
Networking.
Cybersecurity.
Mathematics.
Xavier carefully walked over.
"So many books..."
Benny wiped his hands with a towel before joining him.
"I like reading."
"You've read all of these?"
"Almost."
Xavier looked at him with admiration.
"Brother Benny is amazing."
Benny chuckled.
"Not really."
He crouched in front of Xavier.
"I need to tell you something."
The little boy nodded seriously.
"I'm listening."
Benny smiled.
"I have classes until about 3:30 every afternoon."
"After school, I work part-time at a café."
"I usually don't get home until around six in the evening."
Xavier listened quietly.
"So..."
"You'll be alone for a few hours."
The little boy quickly shook his head.
"I'll be okay."
"I won't open the door for strangers."
"I won't touch anything dangerous."
"I'll wait for you."
Benny couldn't help smiling.
"What a good boy."
He gently patted Xavier's head.
"And this weekend..."
"We'll go out together."
Xavier's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
"We'll find a school for you."
"You should be studying like other children your age."
The little boy became excited.
"I can go to school?"
"Of course."
"You deserve to."
Xavier's smile was brighter than the morning sun.
"I'll study really hard!"
"I know you will."
Benny stood up and glanced around the apartment.
Then...
His smile slowly faded.
School fees.
School uniforms.
Books.
Shoes.
Food.
Electricity.
Rent.
He quietly looked at the wallet lying on the table.
There wasn't much money inside.
His scholarship covered tuition.
His part-time job at the café paid enough to survive.
But now...
There were two mouths to feed.
He would need to buy clothes for Xavier.
School supplies.
Medical checkups.
The expenses would only continue to grow.
Can I really do this...?
The thought lingered in his mind.
Almost immediately, he shook his head.
"No."
"I'll find a way."
He had survived alone for two years.
He could survive a little longer.
No matter how difficult it became...
He would never allow Xavier to return to the streets.
Just then...
Knock! Knock!
Someone knocked on the apartment door.
Benny looked at the clock.
"That must be Daisy."
He walked over and opened the door.
Standing outside was Daisy, dressed casually with her backpack slung over one shoulder.
She smiled brightly.
"Morning!"
"Morning."
She stepped inside before suddenly noticing the small figure standing in the living room.
The little boy blinked curiously.
Daisy blinked too.
"...Benny?"
"Who's this little cutie?"
Xavier immediately hid behind Benny's leg.
Benny smiled awkwardly.
"This is Xavier."
"He'll be staying with me from now on."
Daisy looked surprised, but she didn't ask any uncomfortable questions.
Instead, she crouched until she was eye level with the little boy.
"Hi, Xavier."
"My name is Daisy."
"I'm Benny's friend."
Xavier peeked at her timidly.
"...Hello."
Daisy smiled warmly.
"So polite."
She reached into her bag.
"I bought some chocolate on the way here."
"I was going to eat it myself..."
"But I think someone else deserves it more."
She held out the small chocolate bar.
Xavier looked at Benny first.
Only after Benny nodded did he carefully accept it.
"Thank you, Big Sister Daisy."
Daisy placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"Oh no..."
"He's too adorable."
Benny laughed.
"I had the same reaction."
Within minutes, Xavier was smiling and chatting with Daisy as though they had known each other for much longer.
"So you're six years old?" Daisy asked.
Xavier nodded proudly.
"I'll be seven soon."
"That's wonderful."
Daisy smiled before gently fixing his slightly messy hair.
"You have to be a good little boy while Brother Benny is at school, okay?"
Xavier nodded immediately.
"I will."
"And don't make him worry."
"I won't!"
"I'll wait for him until he comes home."
Daisy smiled with satisfaction.
"That's a promise."
"It's a promise!"
Benny watched the two of them quietly.
A warm feeling spread through his chest.
For the first time...
His apartment no longer felt lonely.
There was laughter.
Conversation.
Life.
Perhaps...
This little home was finally beginning to feel like a real family.
After checking the time, Daisy stood.
"We should go."
"Our lecture starts soon."
Benny nodded before turning to Xavier.
"Remember what I said."
"No opening the door."
"No going outside by yourself."
"If you need anything, call me."
Xavier saluted playfully.
"Yes, Brother Benny!"
Benny smiled and gently ruffled the boy's hair.
"Good."
Locking the apartment door behind them, Benny and Daisy headed toward Crescent University.
Neither of them noticed...
The little boy standing by the window, waving until they disappeared from sight.
For Xavier...
This was the first morning in years that he wasn't afraid of being left behind.