The Quo were walking home together after school, the afternoon sun beginning to dip behind the city skyline.
Johnson walked alongside his sister Rose and their friend Jerry. "So, how was your day, lil sis?" he asked, patting her head gently.
Rose pouted. "Boring. There was no fun today."
Jerry shrugged. "Mine was a bit interesting. We were being taught by Master Kelly, though he was loud."
"Oh, that guy," Johnson said, chuckling. "He's usually very loud when he's teaching."
Rose scowled. "Yeah. If not for one thing, I'd have squished his brains out because he likes shouting."
Johnson frowned. "Don't say scary words like that. Someone might get the wrong idea."
Jerry grinned and pulled Rose's hair, lifting her slightly. "Eh, just cut her some slack. Plus, she can't actually do anything."
Johnson's eyes narrowed. "I'd advise you not to do that. She's very aggressive."
Jerry laughed. "Ha! She's an insect."
Before he could react further, a sudden punch sent Jerry flying across the street. Rose's eyes glowed as she chased him through the air.
Johnson stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Okay, that's enough."
Rose's eyes flashed, but she stopped. "Don't try to stop me, Johnny!"
Johnson's eyes turned blue, his voice fierce. "I SAID YOU SHOULD STOP. Don't fight!"
Annoyed, Rose grunted and walked away.
Jerry crawled out from the shadows. "Sheesh! Where is she?"
Angry, Johnson turned and kicked Jerry in the stomach. His eyes glowed.
"Ouch! What was that for?" Jerry groaned as he crashed onto a park bench, breaking it.
"That's for bullying my sister," Johnson replied.
"I see… but you didn't have to go that far," Jerry said, healing himself immediately.
Johnson helped him to his feet. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Where's Rose?"
"Oh… she's… huh, where is she?" Johnson looked around.
Meanwhile, Angela walked along a quiet street lined with olive trees and street lamps, tears running down her face.
Rose approached her. "Why are you crying?"
Angela wiped her eyes. "I was blackmailed, and my identity was nearly revealed. But my hero saved me and forgave me, even though my entire class called me a slut."
Rose's expression hardened. "Hmm. How about you tell me the full details?"
"I can't… I was threatened not to," Angela whispered.
Rose's eyes turned green as she focused her aura. "Oh, I wasn't asking. I was commanding. Tell me—why are you crying?"
Under Rose's influence, Angela began speaking. "A few years ago, I was forcefully involved in a scandal, so I dropped out of my career and decided to lay low. The person who forced me into the scandal threatened that he would leak my private photos if I didn't comply. Every day, he abused me—sometimes alone, most times with multiple people. One day, Lucian Stark heard what happened. He destroyed the entertainment industry, arrested all the people involved, and later took me in to start over."
Rose's jaw dropped. "Wow. That's… messed up. What about your parents?"
"I have not met my dad. My mom is alive with my sisters, but they live on another continent," Angela replied, still hypnotized.
Rose's aura tightened. "You will forget what you told me. Today, you will tell Johnson and Jerry about your origins, and you will follow us home." She released her control.
Johnson spotted them. "Oh, there you are! We've been looking everywhere."
Rose smiled. "Oh hey! I just made a new friend. Look!" She dragged Angela to her side.
Jerry snuck up behind them, tickling both girls.
Angela snapped out of her trance, startled. "Oh! Where am I?" she laughed. "Stop! Who is that?" She turned and saw Jerry. "Oh, hey there. Who are you?"
Jerry transformed his appearance into a handsome young man. "I am King Raymond of the Round Table," he said.
Johnson glanced at Rose. "Where were you?" He dragged her chin gently. "Naughty girl."
"Ouch! I was walking away when I found her," Rose replied, pointing at Angela.
Angela laughed, addressing Jerry. "I believe it's King Arthur, not Raymond. Are you into cosplaying?"
"No," Jerry replied..
Jerry raised his sword and whispered, "Oh, this? Just one of my many swords. My Excalibur is much bigger."
Johnson coughed. "Ahem!"
Angela frowned. "What do you mean by…"
Johnson interrupted. "Oh, don't worry about that guy. He's an idiot."
Jerry raised his hands. "Hey! I'm standing right here!"
Angela gently dragged Jerry aside. "I think it's best you leave them alone."
Johnson looked at Angela nervously. "Umm… hey."
"Hey," Angela replied.
"How are you today? What are you doing here? Do you live nearby? If you do, does that make us neighbors? Have you eaten? Are you hungry? Where do you live? Can I know more about you?" Johnson asked rapidly, sighing heavily.
Angela, surprised, nodded. "Yes, I live near Queen's Street. I'm surprised you live here too. I'd also love to know more about you." Her stomach rumbled loudly. "And I haven't…"
Johnson immediately took her hand. "Say less. We're having a sleepover at my place tonight—all of us!"
Rose interrupted. "Wait—we? Who's 'we'?"
Jerry shook his head. "I think we need parental approval. And again, I don't think I want to come tonight."
Angela nodded. "Same here. Rain check?"
Johnson held her closer. "Yeah, rain check. Sorry for pushing."
Rose clapped her hands. "Okay! Then let's have dinner—all of us. You, speedy boy," she tapped Johnson's chest, "will fetch the food, and I'll cook."
Johnson hesitated. "What about Aunty Mary?"
"She'll be our butler… or better yet, our servant," Rose replied as they approached home.
Mary appeared, hiding her aura. "Oh really?" she said calmly.
"Yes," Rose said confidently. "She's going to wash our dishes and clean our floors while we eat and enjoy ourselves."
Johnson and Jerry exchanged terrified glances.
Angela crossed herself, concerned.
Rose continued, "I mean, that's her job, right? She's always bossing us around, now it's her turn."
Mary, still hidden, spoke behind her. "I see… so you can actually say that to her?"
Rose smirked mischievously. "Yes. I can, and I will challenge her to a duel."
Mary revealed her aura and patted Rose on the shoulder. "Is that so?"
Rose froze, shocked. "Aunty Mary! It's not what you think—"
"Oh, it's definitely what I think," Mary replied with a smile. "For a week, you are grounded and will do all the house labor."
Johnson tried to intervene. "Um, isn't that a bit harsh?"
Mary glared at him. "Do you want to join her?"
Johnson quickly stepped back. "No ma'am."
Jerry greeted politely. "Good evening."
Mary welcomed them inside. "Come in, Jerry. You both are part of the family." She patted Johnson and Rose's heads. "Don't be scared. I just don't think Rose can beat me yet."
Rose smirked. "I surely can…"
Johnson lightly tapped her with two percent of his strength, sending her flat on the ground.
Rose immediately regenerated. "Ouch! What was that for?"
Jerry scolded, "Apologize, you brat."
Johnson glared. "You said?"
"I said apologize to your aunt, you beautiful and sweet girl," Jerry replied.
Rose bowed. "I'm sorry, Aunty Mary."
Mary nodded. "It's okay. Always learn to apologize if you do something wrong, and respect your elders. It's not good to be rude."
Rose nodded obediently.
Angela watched, amazed at how quickly they all got along.
Johnson held Angela's hand. "Yeah, we do."
Mary opened the door. "Welcome to our home." She revealed a cozy, normal house with dining and living rooms.
Johnson quickly changed and freshened up. "Aunty, what's for dinner? Remember, we're having a dinner party!"
Mary smiled. "How about you go get some pizza?"
Johnson put on his clothes. "Nah, I can go myself."
Mary brought out her Universe 2 Samsung device. "You still have money?"
To be continued next chapter....