The sun was shining high above the bustling city, casting a warm golden hue over the cobblestone streets. Merchants called out their wares, children ran laughing through the crowds, and colorful banners danced in the wind. It was a perfect day.
Aizen and his family stepped into the heart of the city—Lyra, beautiful and regal beside him; the twins Mikaela and Theodore gleaming with excitement; little Lina full of energy; and the newly rescued siblings, Amethyst and Crystal, still adapting to this strange new joy they'd never known.
They were shopping today.
Aizen wore a dark cloak with golden embroidery, though Lyra insisted he remove the hood. "Let them see the face of the one who saved their city," she teased, and Aizen just sighed—already aware of the stares.
They went from stall to stall, shopping for clothes, accessories, food, and magical tools. Lyra and Mikaela fussed over clothes for the kids, wrapping them in new silks, fur-lined coats, and stylish boots. Lina spun in her new red dress and shouted, "Aizen! Look! Look!"
He smiled at her and gave a small nod. "Cute."
Lina beamed. Crystal clung to Amethyst shyly, but eventually warmed up when Mikaela held her hand and showed her a soft pink scarf. "This would look lovely on you."
Amethyst, overwhelmed by the sights, kept checking that Crystal was still at his side. "You okay?" he whispered.
She nodded. "Yeah. I'm happy, brother."
As the group walked down the avenue, they truly looked like a picture-perfect family. People turned to watch them—partly in awe, partly in admiration. Aizen noticed it but said nothing. It wasn't the praise that mattered. It was the joy on the kids' faces.
And then, as he watched the children playing with a floating crystal ball at a nearby toy stall—laughing and glowing under the sun—a strange silence fell inside him.
Suddenly, a memory returned.
---
A different world. A different life.
He was 16.
A tall boy in a Japanese high school uniform, walking down a hallway filled with whispers and tension. People moved aside when he passed. Not in fear, but in respect. He was strong, confident—the top dog of the school. But more than that, he stood up for others.
He hated bullies.
His little sister, Sarah, always scolded him. "Stop being such a show-off, stupid brother," she'd mutter, arms crossed and cheeks red. But she always brought him lunch.
Their mother had died in a tragic car crash when they were young. Their father raised them alone, working hard and doing his best.
And then… there was her.
A girl with soft eyes and a kind smile. She asked him out one day under the cherry blossoms. His heart nearly exploded.
They were happy.
Until one day, she was kidnapped. Criminals demanded money from her wealthy family. Aizen, enraged, tracked them down with his friends. He fought through them—angrier than ever before.
But in the chaos, a gunshot.
One bullet hit him.
Another hit her.
She lay beside him, trembling. Her hand reached out to his.
"I love you, Aizen… I wish we could be lovers in our next life…"
Her voice faded with the wind.
---
Back in the present.
"Aizen?"
He blinked.
Lyra was standing beside him, holding two bags and watching him carefully. "Are you okay? You spaced out for a moment."
He gave a soft smile. "Yeah. Just… thinking."
She didn't push further. Instead, she handed him a small pouch of sweets. "Here. Try one."
He took it. "Thanks."
The family continued shopping. They visited a small café where the kids tried their first fruit tarts. Amethyst looked like he'd seen heaven. Crystal giggled as frosting stuck to her nose. Lina smeared syrup on Theodore, and Mikaela tried to wipe it off while also laughing too hard.
Lyra leaned close to Aizen, whispering, "You're smiling more today."
"Am I?"
"You are. And it suits you."
Aizen chuckled. "Maybe… I'm finally starting to feel like this is real."
They walked until the sun began to set. The city glowed in orange light as music echoed through the plaza and couples danced under string lights.
As they headed home, Aizen looked at his family again—this odd, beautiful, chaotic family. The life he had now… was something he never thought he could have.
And maybe, just maybe…
That girl from his past got her wish.
---
End of Chapter 24