Chapter 390: What A Fun Day

The two froze at the same time when they heard those questions. Slowly, Selina stepped back from Gray while he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"We’re doing nothing," Gray answered immediately.

"Y-Yeah, nothing," Selina added a second later.

"You were hugging!" Lily narrowed her eyes suspiciously while Eli simply blinked in confusion.

"We were discussing something important," Gray said with a completely straight face.

"In a hug?"

"Yes, Lily. Can’t I hug Selina?" Gray rose a brow as he looked at her. Because of his answer, Selina almost laughed.

Meanwhile Lily just crossed her arms and looked at them with squinted eyes, "You two are so suspicious."

"Anyway," Gray shook his head and cleared his throat before quickly changing the topic, "next month is the start of your new school year already."

Selina immediately understood what he was trying to do and played along.

"Oh, right," she nodded. "Lily’s entering middle school, isn’t she?"

Lily’s suspicious expression instantly disappeared as the topic became different.

"That’s right!" she puffed out her chest proudly. "I’m going to middle school now!"

"Lily is growing up now huh?" Gray commented casually.

"Hey!"

"I’m just saying. You’re getting old."

"I’m 11, brother!"

"Exactly. You’re becoming ancient now."

"Brother!"

Selina laughed softly at their bickering as she sat back down on the sofa. Somehow she liked how chaotic her office had become with them here.

"And Eli will finally start proper school too," she said gently as her eyes landed on him.

At that, Eli became a little quieter. Unlike Lily, he didn’t react dramatically. He just looked down at the ground for a moment.

When Gray noticed it, he called him out.

"Hey," he called softly that made Eli look up.

"There’s nothing to worry about, Eli." He muttered kindly.

"I know. It’s just... I’ve never really gone to a normal school before." Eli hesitated before speaking. Honestly, he didn’t know what to expect about it which is why he was a little scared.

Back at the charity home, education for kids like them had been inconsistent. They learned basic things, but it wasn’t the same as attending a proper school regularly.

Selina’s expression softened when she heard his concern. "You’ll do fine, Eli," she said warmly.

"But what if I can’t keep up, Sister?"

"You can. You don’t have to worry about it." Gray answered without hesitation. "You’re smart, and we’re here just here for you."

"Yeah! You’re smarter than me already." Lily nodded immediately.

"Oh, that will be very easy to surpass," Gray muttered, teasing Lily about it.

"Brother!"

Eli managed to smile at that. However, Selina knew that he might be smiling right now, but he’s still scared. As someone older, Selina leaned forward slightly.

"Starting something new is always scary," she said, her voice soft and filled. "But you won’t be alone. You have us."

Eli stared at her quietly. In his heart, his small fear was slowly melting away.

"And if anyone bothers you, Eli," Lily added dramatically, "I’ll protect you! You’ll have me!"

"You’re going to middle school too," Gray reminded her.

"Exactly. I’ll become stronger there."

"That’s not how school works, Lily." He sighed.

"Shushh. I’ll have lots of friends there, brother. Unlike you!"

Gray’s jaw dropped at that. He slowly shook his head, which made the room laugh again. With their talk to Eli, he was able to relax a little more.

Truthfully, he was really nervous. A real school meant he will have to interact to new people and maybe new rules... and more people again! It’s something he wasn’t used to!

But sitting here now, surrounded by people who genuinely cared about him, the fear didn’t feel as heavy anymore.

Gray looked between the two kids before glancing at Selina.

"Looks like next month’s going to be busy for us, huh?"

Selina smiled faintly.

"Yeah. New school year for the kids, your anniversary preparation for the store, and work deadlines for me."

"So basically, no time for us again?" Gray sighed at that.

"You’re overreacting," Selina chuckled as she shook her head.

Lily and Eli backed Selina up, causing Gray to be left alone. Gray looked at the three of them teaming up against him and couldn’t help but smile.

"Oh, so this is how it is now?" he muttered as he crossed his arms.

"What?" Lily tilted her head innocently.

"You all gang up on me?"

"We’re just telling the truth," Selina said with a small smile.

"Exactly," Lily nodded vigorously.

Even Eli nodded from the side.

Gray stared at them for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"I see." The corners of his lips curled upward. "In that case, I’ve made a decision."

The three immediately looked at him.

"What decision?" Lily asked curiously.

"Since you two are teasing me so much, I’ll reduce your allowance." Gray leaned back comfortably on the chair as if he knew he had won.

The room instantly fell silent at that.

"..."

"..."

"What?!" Lily’s eyes widened.

"Brother Gray!" Eli looked equally shocked.

"Yup yup yup," Gray nodded seriously.

"You’re joking, right?" Lily asked.

"No."

"Brother!"

"I think it’s a reasonable punishment." Gray maintained his calm expression.

"What punishment?!" Lily nearly jumped from the sofa.

"You were bullying me."

"We weren’t!"

"You were."

"We were not!"

"You called me friendless."

"Because it’s true!

"That hurts, Lily." Gray placed a hand over his chest.

"Don’t pretend to be hurt!" Lily immediately looked horrified.

Even Eli was trying not to laugh now.

"See? This is exactly why your allowance is being reduced." Gray pointed at the two children.

"Brother!"

"Brother Gray!"

The two complained at the same time.

"Actually, maybe I should reduce it even more." Gray nodded thoughtfully.

"No!" Lily immediately stood up.

"You can’t do that!"

"Why not?"

"Because..." She paused for a moment before looking at Selina for back up.

"Sister!"

Selina immediately understood and nearly laughed.

"You want me to save you?"

"Yes!"

"Shameless." Gray clicked his tongue.

Lily ignored him completely. Meanwhile, Selina smiled and looked at the two children.

"Don’t worry. If you ever need money, you can come to me, okay?"

The two kids looked as if they had just found a new source of hope.

"Sister is the best!"

"Sister Selina is amazing."

Gray burst out laughing at that and even Selina couldn’t help laughing when she saw their reactions.

Gray looked at the scene right before his eyes. Watching the three of them together, Gray felt the warmth in his chest grow stronger.

The past few months had been filled with problems.

But now?

Sitting here with Lily, Eli, and Selina and listening to their laughter felt peaceful.

’What a good day.’

Gray smiled faintly as he watched the three continue talking. Honestly, he hoped it would stay that way for a little longer.

===

A/N:

This is the end of another volume!