Saturday mornings always felt different.
No alarms.
No lectures.
No rushing to catch the first bus to Crescent University.
For once, Benny allowed himself to enjoy the quiet.
The aroma of pancakes drifted from the tiny kitchen as sunlight poured through the apartment window.
Standing over the stove, Benny carefully flipped another pancake while Xavier sat on a chair nearby, his legs swinging back and forth.
The little boy rested his chin on the table, watching every movement with sparkling eyes.
"Brother Benny..."
"Hm?"
"Can I learn how to cook too?"
Benny smiled without looking back.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because you're six."
"I can still help."
"Oh?"
"I can wash vegetables."
"And stir things."
"And..."
"I can taste the food."
Benny laughed.
"So tasting is helping now?"
Xavier nodded proudly.
"It is."
Benny placed two pancakes onto a plate before setting them on the table.
"Eat first."
"We have a busy day."
Xavier immediately forgot about cooking.
His eyes widened.
"Today's the shopping day!"
"And the school."
Benny nodded.
"Exactly."
The little boy clapped happily.
"I can't wait!"
...
Nearly an hour later...
The two left the apartment together.
Xavier wore the new blue hoodie Benny had bought him yesterday after finding a discount sale online. Although simple, it made him look cheerful.
As they walked through the streets, Xavier looked around excitedly.
"So many people..."
"So many cars..."
Benny smiled.
"You'll get used to it."
"I don't think so."
"Everything is amazing."
His innocent words made Benny chuckle.
Sometimes...
Happiness really was simple.
Their first stop was another clothing store.
Although Benny had already bought a few essentials, Xavier still needed a proper school uniform, socks, a backpack, and a few everyday clothes.
Inside the store, Xavier kept looking at the price tags.
Every time Benny picked up another shirt...
The little boy quietly returned one to the shelf.
"B-Brother Benny..."
"I don't need this many."
Benny noticed immediately.
He crouched beside him.
"Xavier."
"Hm?"
"You don't have to worry about money."
"But..."
"It costs a lot."
Benny gently smiled.
"I'll work harder."
"So you don't have to."
The little boy lowered his head.
"...I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"For making you spend so much."
Benny softly tapped his forehead.
"You're family."
"I'll always spend money on my family."
Xavier froze.
Family...
No one had ever called him that before.
His eyes became slightly red.
"...Okay."
By noon...
They had finished shopping.
Benny carried several paper bags while Xavier proudly carried his own tiny backpack containing a notebook and a pencil case.
"I can carry it myself."
"I know."
"I'm strong."
"You are."
The two laughed together.
Their next destination was Greenwood Elementary School.
The principal welcomed them warmly after listening to Benny explain Xavier's situation.
Although a few documents were still needed, the principal assured him the school would help once the guardianship paperwork was completed.
"We believe every child deserves an education," the elderly principal said kindly.
Xavier couldn't stop smiling.
The moment they left the office, he grabbed Benny's hand.
"Brother Benny!"
"I can really go to school!"
"You can."
"I'll study really hard."
"I know you will."
"I'll become very smart."
"I'm sure."
"And when I grow up..."
"I'll earn lots of money."
Benny laughed.
"What for?"
"So you won't have to work so hard anymore."
Benny stopped walking.
His heart warmed.
He gently rubbed Xavier's head.
"You don't have to think about those things."
"I want to."
The little boy smiled innocently.
"Because you saved me."
For a moment...
Benny couldn't find the words to answer.
Instead...
He simply smiled.
Around two in the afternoon...
They stopped at a small ice cream stand.
Xavier carefully licked his vanilla cone.
His face immediately lit up.
"It's so cold!"
"But it's delicious!"
Benny laughed.
"It doesn't look like you're going to stop eating."
"I'm not."
Watching the little boy smile...
Benny silently thought that perhaps every sacrifice would be worth it.
Several streets away...
Inside the top floor of the luxurious Grand Meridian Hotel...
An entirely different atmosphere filled a private conference room.
The room was occupied by only a handful of men.
Each one carried an air of authority.
Power.
Influence.
At the center sat Nathan.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, he calmly crossed one leg over the other.
His expression revealed nothing.
Across from him sat another influential businessman.
Or at least...
That was what the public believed.
The meeting had lasted nearly an hour.
Neither side had raised their voices.
Neither side had smiled.
Every sentence carried hidden meaning.
Finally...
The man across from Nathan stood.
"It seems we understand each other."
Nathan rose as well.
"For now."
The two men shook hands briefly.
No warmth.
Only caution.
Nathan adjusted his cufflinks.
"We're done."
He turned toward the exit.
His men immediately surrounded him.
Outside...
The hotel entrance appeared perfectly normal.
Luxury cars waited.
Hotel staff welcomed guests.
Tourists took photographs.
No one noticed several unfamiliar vans parked farther down the street.
Inside one of them...
A masked man slowly loaded a rifle.
Another checked his watch.
"They're coming."
Meanwhile...
Benny and Xavier were walking home.
Instead of taking another bus, they decided to enjoy the afternoon on foot.
The shopping bags swung gently in Benny's hands.
Xavier happily skipped along beside him.
"Brother Benny!"
"When school starts..."
"Can I make friends?"
"Of course."
"And if someone is lonely..."
"Can I be their friend too?"
Benny smiled.
"I think that's a wonderful idea."
The little boy grinned.
"I don't want anyone to feel lonely anymore."
Before Benny could answer...
A deafening sound shattered the peaceful afternoon.
BANG!
Then another.
BANG! BANG!
The laughter on the busy street disappeared instantly.
People screamed.
Cars screeched to a halt.
Somewhere ahead...
Glass exploded across the pavement.
Benny instinctively pulled Xavier behind him.
The little boy clutched his hand tightly.
"B-Brother Benny..."
"What was that?"
Benny's face turned serious.
His eyes lifted toward the street ahead.
People...
Were already running.
And whatever was coming...
Was heading straight toward them.