The wooden floor creaked softly beneath their boots.
Windmill Village's little tavern glowed under the amber light of lanterns, the air thick with the scent of grilled meat and old rum. Villagers huddled around tables in twos and threes, laughter rolling out in bursts between hearty swigs and mouthfuls of roast pork.
Behind the bar, Makino moved gracefully, pouring drinks with her usual gentle smile.
And across the counter, those unmistakable violet eyes—Jin's—watched her like he was drinking her in more than the liquor.
Six months.
Six goddamn months since he'd seen her last.
"You planning to stare all night, or…?" Kuina's voice cut in dryly, perched beside him on a barstool. "Even I'm starting to feel secondhand embarrassment."
"Tch. Shut it, kid. Let a man appreciate art," Jin grunted, swirling the cup in his hand. "Women like her… they're the kind you'd kill for. Real. Solid. Makes you wanna drop your blade and fucking stay."
Kuina scoffed but said nothing. Her eyes flicked toward Makino. She didn't know why, but the warmth radiating from that woman made her… anxious. Jealous, even? No—just uncomfortable. It was her first time meeting this so-called sister, but there was a pull to it.
"You better stop staring, though," Jin said suddenly, glancing sideways at her. "You looked like you swallowed a goddamn lemon just now. Someone sees that, they'll think you're jealous."
"I'm not—jealous! Fuck off!" Kuina snapped, voice spiking up as several villagers turned to glance.
Jin just yawned lazily, sipped his sake, and muttered, "Don't yell, dumbass. Save that energy. You're still doing stances after this."
"You said we were resting tonight!"
"I did. Standing rest. Like a goddamn tree."
"Son of a bitch!"
The two of them bickered like siblings that hadn't seen each other in years. In the corner, Kuma huddled with a tiny sake cup between his claws, watching the exchange like it was a martial arts film.
"Boss…" Kuma whispered, scratching his massive ear. "Should I start calling her 'sister-in-law' now?"
Jin nearly spat his drink. "Hah? You serious?"
"I mean… didn't you say I'm your little brother now? That you'll 'cover me for life' and all?"
"I will cover you, dumbass. Doesn't mean you get to decide who's family. She hasn't agreed to shit."
"Oh…" Kuma deflated a little, nearly choking on his sake.
At that moment, Makino walked over, wiping her hands on a cloth, her smile as soft as ever. "What are you three whispering about?"
Kuina shot up straight like a soldier under inspection. "N-Nothing! I mean—yes! I mean… did you finish work, nee-san?"
"Mm." Makino nodded gently. "You've had a long day, haven't you? Want me to show you your room upstairs?"
"Eh?! Now?! I—my bags—"
"Kuma already carried everything." Jin waved her off with zero shame. "Now go. You're blocking my view."
"You're the one who's an eyesore," Kuina muttered, standing. But then… almost reflexively, she reached out and grabbed Makino's hand.
It was warm. Soft. Real.
"Thank you, nee-san," she said quietly.
"Welcome home," Makino replied, just as softly.
The two of them disappeared upstairs, leaving Jin and Kuma sitting there in silence for a moment.
"Boss… you're really happy, huh?" Kuma asked with a slow grin.
Jin lit a cigarette, blew out a long stream of smoke, and stared at the staircase where they'd gone.
"Damn right I am."
His voice dropped into a low murmur.
"Family isn't something you're born with. You carve it out. One fight, one scar, one person at a time."
He wasn't the same mercenary king anymore.
But fuck it—this version of him… wasn't so bad either.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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