James now walked beside Summer, following her through the quiet hallways.
He felt something unfamiliar stirring in his chest—a strange warmth. It wasn't attraction, not yet. It was simply… peace.
Relief.
For once, someone who wasn't family didn't look at him with disdain or disgust.
The absence of cruelty felt like affection.
As they went from room to room asking if James's siblings were inside, the two exchanged light conversation.
Surprisingly, it was James who broke the silence first.
"So… Summer, have you been working here long?"
He blushed slightly as he spoke, occasionally stealing glances at her face.
"Nope," Summer replied with a grin. "Today's actually my first day. My aunt works here and gave me a summer job. Old Summer got a summer job—ironic, don'tcha think?"
James burst out laughing. It was so unexpected, so casually ridiculous, he couldn't help it.
"HAHAHA! Ironic indeed. So how's it been so far?"
Summer shrugged playfully. "So far, so good. A tall guy asked me to help find his siblings—and here we are."
James couldn't stop smiling. Her easy humor, her presence—it was disarming.
"Hahaha… sorry for troubling you."
"Don't worry, it's fine. I'm having fun talking to someone new in a new place."
James tilted his head. "New place? You're not from around here?"
"Nope. I'm originally from the capital. I moved here recently because I want to attend college nearby. Turns out my aunt lives here, and there's a high school close by that offers 12th grade. I'm transferring there after summer break."
James's heart nearly leapt out of his chest.
'12th grade?! That's my school! The only one nearby that offers it is Newman High!'
"Oh, no way! I'm going to be a 12th grader at Newman High too!"
"Really?" Summer's eyes lit up. "Wow—future schoolmates! If we're lucky, maybe even classmates."
'Classmates!'
James could practically hear angels singing.
Eventually, they reached the last door on the second floor.
"Well, this is the one. Your siblings are inside," Summer said, her hands clasped behind her back, her blue sundress swaying gently.
"Thanks, Summer."
"Just doing my job," she replied playfully. "Did I do good?"
James didn't hesitate. His voice was soft, but sure.
"You're one of the best staff here. And that's coming from a former student."
"You jest…" she giggled. "Anyway, I should go—pretty sure my aunt's calling me. See you around!"
She waved with a smile that could rival the sun.
James just stared.
'Is she the sun? Why can't I stop looking at her…?'
Just then, the door creaked open. His younger twin brothers, Saul and Paul, stepped out.
"Saul, why's big bro smiling like an idiot?" Paul asked.
"I don't know. Guess that's just how idiots smile."
Snapping out of his daze, James shouted, "SAUL! PAUL! From now on, I'm picking you two up! So you better behave!"
His grin didn't fade—not even a little.
"Paul, he's definitely an idiot."
"Yeah. No doubt," Saul replied.
They nodded in perfect twin sync.
---
Later, at home…
A familiar DING echoed in James's mind.
It was noon—time for lunch.
Remembering one of his missions, James bolted upstairs, grabbed his phone, and opened a calorie tracker.
'With this, I can monitor my intake… I can't afford to slip. Not even once.'
He joined his mom and siblings at the table, eating slowly, chewing carefully, never overindulging.
If he ate too much…
He could die.
Literally.
---
After the meal, James stood in front of the bathroom mirror, shaving off the stubble that had started to grow. Water dripped from his chin.
He leaned in.
The reflection staring back at him looked tired. Bloated. Resigned.
"You let yourself go," he whispered.
He splashed cold water on his face.
"But you're still here. Still breathing."
He straightened his posture.
"Time to prove you're worth it."
DING.
---
3 PM.
The sun was gently descending. The breeze was light. The temperature? Just right.
Perfect jogging weather.
James was 3 kilometers in—just 2 more to complete another mission.
But his legs felt heavy. His lungs burned. Every hundred meters felt like dragging iron chains.
"Whew… It's been forever since I last jogged."
He slowed down, walking for a few steps, panting.
'Jog a bit. Walk a bit. Just keep moving. Walking still counts.'
He pushed forward, even as sweat stung his eyes and his shirt clung to him like glue.
Eventually, a DING echoed in his mind.
[Mission Complete: Distance Covered – 5km]
But rest? Not yet.
---
5 PM.
James returned home, drenched in sweat. His father, Aaron Draevin, was already tidying up, scrubbing the bathroom.
James saw an opportunity.
"Dad, let me help you."
Aaron didn't stop scrubbing. "You do you."
But inside…
he was happy.
Proud, even.
For the next hour, James cleaned, scrubbed, and wiped with aching limbs.
DING.
---
6 PM.
The front door opened. Julia Draevin—James's sister—walked in, her blonde hair tousled by the wind.
"Julia, welcome back! The toilet's clean, just finished it!" James called out from the floor.
He was mid-push-up, huffing and wheezing.
"What a surprise. The NEET actually left the house and did something useful," Julia teased, setting her bag down.
"Oh, you know me so well," James grinned, rolling his eyes.
Their bond wasn't perfect. They bickered. Teased. Took jabs.
But it was never truly cruel.
Still, Julia kept something to herself: She was sometimes bullied.
Because of James.
His size. His reputation.
She never told him. Never blamed him.
He was already carrying enough.
Now—seeing him like this, pushing through exhaustion, dripping sweat, refusing to quit…
It made her oddly happy.
Even if she'd never say it out loud.
She didn't smile.
But she glanced back once, just once, before heading upstairs.
---
James grit his teeth, pushing himself off the floor.
"Only one more active mission for today… thirty more push-ups…"
His arms trembled. His vision blurred.
"HUGHHH… 20!"
Sweat dripped to the tiles like falling rain.
"Damn—30 MORE!"
DING.
James collapsed to the floor, breathless.
The tile was cold. It felt like victory.
DING.
[Mission Progress Updated]
☑ Eat exactly 2,000 clean calories
☑ Jog 5 kilometers
☑ Do 50 push-ups
☑ Help your mother cook
☑ Help your father clean
☐ Assist your siblings with homework
☑ Shave your stubble
☑ Clean your room
☑ Throw away all erotic materials
☐ Avoid all pornography
☐ Avoid indecent self-contact
☑ Pick up your siblings from school
☑ Talk to a stranger
[Current Completion: 10/13 Tasks]
[Time Remaining: 6 Hours 12 Minutes]
He sat up and exhaled sharply.
"Only three left..."