Ren stepped through the worn-out door of their small home, the hinges creaking as he entered. The scent of the hot food he carried mixed with the usual musty air of the slums. The place was barely large enough for two people—one room, a mat to sleep on, and a small table where they ate.

  But it wouldn’t be home for much longer.

  “Kaede, I’m back,” he called.

  A soft rustling came from the corner of the room, and his sister peeked out from under the thin blanket. She had been reading by candlelight, her long black hair tucked behind her ear. Even in the dim glow, Ren could see the exhaustion in her eyes. Life in the slums took its toll on everyone.

  “You’re late,” she said, stretching. “Again.”

  Ren grinned, setting down the bag of food. “Yeah, but this time, I brought something good.” He opened the bundle, revealing steaming rice, grilled fish, and some fried vegetables. Better food than they’d eaten in weeks.

  Kaede’s eyes widened. “Where did you—?”

  Ren smirked and tossed a small pouch onto the table. It hit the wood with a clink, the unmistakable sound of Ryo—silver and gold coins spilling out.

  Kaede stared. “Wait. What?”

  “I passed,” Ren said, crossing his arms. “I’m officially a Shikari.”

  Her breath hitched. “Ren…”

  “Yep,” he continued, sitting down across from her. “Did my initiation, went into the forest, killed some essence beasts, and got a nice payday. Isamu even gave me an advance—said I could pay him back later.”

  Kaede still hadn’t moved. Her gaze flickered from the money to the food to Ren’s face, processing the words.

  “You’re serious?”

  Ren leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Tonight is the last night we sleep in this place.”

  Kaede’s eyes glistened, but she quickly wiped them, trying to act unfazed. “Tch. About time. I was getting sick of this dump.”

  Ren laughed. Classic Kaede.

  She picked up one of the silver Ryo coins, flipping it between her fingers. “I still can’t believe it.”

  “Well, believe it,” Ren said. “Starting tomorrow, we’re moving somewhere better. A real home. No more worrying about the rain leaking through the roof. No more wondering if we’ll have enough food for the week. We’re done with that.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Kaede swallowed. “Ren…”

  He reached across the table and ruffled her hair. “Hey. We made it.”

  Kaede smacked his hand away but smiled.

  Ren exhaled. This was just the beginning.

  The morning sun painted the slums in a deceptive glow, making the cracked walls and narrow alleys seem almost warm. But Ren knew better. He had lived in this place for nineteen years, and not once had it ever truly felt like home.

  Kaede, walking beside him, held onto the small pouch of Ryo, her fingers gripping the string tight. She was sixteen, a little shorter than him, with long black hair that fell to her shoulders, framing sharp, intelligent eyes. Even after everything they had been through, she had never lost that fire.

  “This doesn’t feel real,” Kaede murmured as they walked past a row of dilapidated buildings. “We’ve lived here for so long… and now we’re just leaving?”

  Ren smirked. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  She shot him a look. “I don’t mean it like that. It’s just… weird. I guess I thought we’d be stuck here forever.”

  Ren knew that feeling all too well. The slums had a way of trapping people—breaking them until they accepted their fate. But he had never been the type to accept anything.

  They arrived at the housing district, a stark contrast to where they had grown up. The streets were cleaner, the buildings taller, and most importantly—the air didn’t stink of desperation.

  A real estate broker, an older man with graying hair, led them around.

  “How long have you two been looking for a place?” he asked.

  “First day,” Ren answered. “But we know what we want.”

  The man gave him a knowing smile. “I see. Young couple starting out?”

  Kaede gagged. “He’s my brother.”

  Ren burst out laughing. “Yeah, thanks for that.”

  The broker coughed awkwardly. “Ahem. My mistake.”

  They toured a few places, but Ren had already made up his mind when they stepped into a modest two-bedroom house near the district’s edge. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was sturdy, clean, and warm. It had a kitchen big enough to cook a real meal, a living space where Kaede could finally study in peace, and a second room for her—no more sharing cramped spaces.

  Kaede walked through it in silence, running her fingers along the walls, as if trying to confirm it was real.

  Ren turned to the broker. “How much?”

  “For something like this? Eight hundred silver Ryo.”

  Ren pulled out his pouch. He had more than enough.

  Kaede’s eyes widened. “You’re just gonna pay in full?”

  Ren shrugged. “Why not?”

  The broker whistled. “You must’ve gotten a nice payout.”

  Ren simply smiled.

  By the time they signed the papers and got the key, Kaede was still in shock. As they walked through the empty house, she finally spoke.

  “You really did it…” Her voice was quiet. “You really got us out.”

  Ren leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “I told you I would.”

  Kaede turned to him. “Mom would be proud.”

  Ren’s chest tightened.

  She didn’t say it often, but when she did, it hit hard.

  He looked at her—his little sister, the only family he had left—and let out a breath.

  “I made a promise,” he said, his voice steady. “To protect you. To give you a better life. And I’m gonna keep that promise.”

  Kaede swallowed. Then, for the first time in years, she hugged him.

  Ren stood still for a moment before patting her head.

  This wasn’t the end of the journey.

  But for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were really living.