[Mital's home]
The boy wore glasses and a long-sleeved T-shirt. His shoulders were slightly hunched.
He looked up once—just long enough to meet Geone's stare—then lowered his gaze again, fingers curling into his sleeves.
"Why he's with you ?" Mom gasped.
Dad's brows furrowed.
"We found him while visiting local areas with the team," he explained, eyes flicking.
"He only had his mother… But.. she passed.. away suddenly from a severe illness."
Mom stared at him in disbelief.
Mr. Mital had never done something like this before.
Mom snapped,
"Did you try relatives? Or the police?"
"They couldn't find anyone. The police are helping."
She raised her voice.
"Then leave him at the station."
Dad shook his head, hardening his voice a bit.
"He's too little to stay there. So… I took responsibility for him for a few days."
Mom demanded,
"You think that's the right decision?"
"It's only a few days. He'll stay in Geone's room for now. Later... I'll.. prepare the storeroom."
A little rage was in his voice.
Geone interrupted, stepping closer.
"Which class are you in??"
Charleon stared at the floor, shoes nudging the tiles slightly.
"Friends?" Geone extended his hand.
Charleon looked up, eyes wide. His hand hovered—but didn't move.
Dad rested a hand on Geone's shoulder.
"Yes. You'll be friends. But let him come inside first."
Without waiting, Geone grabbed the boy's hand tightly.
"Come! I'll show you my room."
Charleon looked startled, but followed.
They went upstairs.
Geone's room was big, perfectly arranged—the room of an only child who never lacked anything.
Toys everywhere.
Computer games.
Posters of superheroes.
A single cozy bed.
A proper study table with a chair.
"These aren't just toys—see?" Geone pointed eagerly.
"Spiderman, Batman, Flash, Doctor Strange, Doraemon! You can have them all. Just play with me."
Charleon's fingers brushed a toy car. He nodded—small, almost unsure.
"Can't you talk?" A big confusion on his face.
Before Charleon could respond, Dad stepped into the doorway.
"Geone, he can talk. But let him rest today. Come downstairs now—we need to cut the cake. Come on."
Dad stroked his hair gently and guided him back down the stairs.
12:30 AM.
With a silent wish, Geone blew out the candle.
The three of them cut the cake together.
Dad asked,
"So, what's your wish?"
Geone's eyes lit up.
"I want Charlie to be my friend."
Mom frowned slightly.
"Geone, it's not decided yet...."
Dad glanced at her.But didn't say anything.
Geone pleaded,
"Please, Mom! Please let him stay."
Dad took a bite from his cake. With a controlled and patient voice, he tried to persuade her.
"Hmm… he's just Ten."
He exhaled deeply.
"Police are searching for his relatives. When they find one, he will go to them."
Geone's eyes sparkled.
"Mom, you said you'd bring a friend."
Mom rose from her chair at the dining table and turned to the kitchen, saying,
"No...!"
"Please, Mom. Please," he begged again.
Dad also followed her to the kitchen.
"Just for a few days, honey. He is Geone's age, lost his mother too... please..."
"No.."
"Please.. honey.. just some days."
She shook her head.
After convincing for a long time, Mom gave in.
"Okk." She sighed. "...But just a little while..."
Geone's grin widened with excitement.
"Thank you, Mom."
He ran upstairs, calling,
"Charlie.....Charlie!"
But when he entered the room, he saw Charlie already asleep on the bed.
Glasses still on, hands curled near his chest.
Geone stepped closer and stared at him for a moment.
Charlie looked silly to him—fast asleep, glasses still on.
Geone carefully removed them.
"You're my birthday gift," he whispered. "I'll take care of you."
He slipped his own watch off his wrist and put it onto Charlie's hand.
"From today, you're my friend," he whispered again.
"You are mine. Don't be friends with anyone else. ok"
At the sound of Geone's voice, Charlie stirred awake.
"Ooh!!! you're awake."
Geone quickly jumped out of bed and asked,
"Want some chocolate?"
Geone's eyes reflected both excitement and curiosity.
Charlie shook his head.
But Geone still opened his drawer, took out a chocolate bar, and placed it in Charlie's hand.
"If you eat this chocolate," Geone said proudly,
"you'll fly through the air like Spider-Man."
Charlie took a small bite.
Geone's eyes brightened.
"From today, you're my friend. Okay?!!!"
Then his voice became serious.
"But one condition… You can't be friends with anyone else. Got it?"
He held out his hand.
This time, Charlie slowly placed his small hand into Geone's.
Geone squeezed it tightly and pulled him into a hug.
"From today… we will play together.
Watch TV together — Ninja Hattori too!
Go to school together....
Do homework together. yahooooooo...!"
Geone gently rubbed Charlie's head.
"Don't go to your home tomorrow. We're going to have so much fun."
Then, with a playful nudge, he tapped Charlie's nose.
"Look—your nose is totally like Batman's!"
Charlie stayed quiet, just looking at Geone.
Again, a chocolate was pushed into his palm.
"Now I'll tell you a story… about a tiger and a deer."
Softly stroking Charlie's hair, he began.
"Once upon a time,
there was a tiger who cared deeply for a deer.
The deer trusted the tiger completely—the tiger had saved it many times.
They were very close....
"One year, a terrible famine came. Food grew scarce. Many tigers didn't survive.
The tiger struggled, yet he stayed beside the deer, protecting it as always...
But during those hard days, something unfamiliar stirred inside him—a strange pull he didn't understand.
Not because he cared less, but because hunger changes everything...
"The deer still trusted the tiger entirely…"
Geone's voice thinned and faded.
Charlie's breathing evened out, warm and steady beside him.
Soon, Geone drifted off too—curled close, the unfinished story settling into the quiet room as they slept.
Continues.....