Ch.02 Bags, Burgers, and Trouble

The next morning, Aurora was sprawled across the old couch, flipping through TV channels like a person determined to find meaning in static. The new school she was supposed to attend was closed for the weekend, so here she was—trapped in boredom, wrestling with the remote.
On the floor beside her, Blake lay fast asleep, limbs stretched out. The lone bed in their small apartment was officially claimed by Aurora now, and her brother, resigned to his fate, had made the floor his nightly kingdom—blanket half-kicked, pillow nowhere in sight.
Aurora glanced at him, then back at the TV. Nothing. Not a single good show. Even the cartoons felt stale. Her patience snapped.
"Brother… Brother…" She shook his shoulder.
Nothing. Not even a grunt.
She shook harder. Still nothing.
Then her eyes glinted mischievously. Without hesitation, she tiptoed to the fridge and snatched a tray of ice cubes.
"Let's see if this works," she muttered with an evil little grin.
Plopping onto the floor beside him, Aurora carefully slipped a couple of ice cubes under his T-shirt.
There was a pause…
Then—
"AAAAUUURRRORAAAAAAAA!!"
Blake shot upright like a man electrocuted, thrashing as the ice slid down his back.
Aurora was already halfway across the room, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
"La la la! You can't catch me!" she sang, darting around the furniture.
"It's not funny!" Blake shouted, stumbling after her. "You're seventeen now, stop acting like a child!"
"You can't caught me, you can't caught me!" she teased, deliberately mangling the word just to irritate him further.
Slipping into her slippers, Aurora yanked the front door open—without the slightest look ahead.
BAM!
Her forehead collided directly with someone's nose.
"Ah—!" both voices cried out in unison as they tumbled onto the stairway landing. Aurora clutched her head, wincing, while the tall boy she crashed into cupped his nose, grimacing.
Blake halted mid-chase, gaping in disbelief.
"Are you both alright?" he asked, torn between laughter and concern.
The boy groaned, lowering his hand. Aurora blinked, recognizing him reluctantly.
Of course. Just her luck. It had to be K.
Aurora quickly pushed herself up, ignoring the dull ache still thumping in her forehead. She bowed deeply, her voice hurried and guilty."I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking ahead!"K pinched the bridge of his nose, his tone calm despite the faint streak of red sliding down."Nah… it's alright."Aurora finally noticed the blood trickling between his fingers. Her eyes widened in alarm."You call this 'alright'?!" she nearly yelped. "You're bleeding!"Blake rushed over, looking worried."K, you should come inside. Let me treat that."But K waved them both off, dabbing his face with a handkerchief."Nah. I'm fine. I'll be late if I stay any longer."The truth was, after last night's chaos, K had learned one lesson: the more he got involved with this family, the more trouble chased him down."Excuse me," he muttered, stepping past them before things could escalate into another event.As his figure disappeared down the corridor, Aurora turned back toward her brother — only to freeze at the sight of his face.Her brother's smile had vanished, replaced by the unmistakable look of an older sibling ready to pounce."U-uh… dear big brother…" Aurora began, clasping her hands together with angelic innocence. "You know how much I love you, right? How grateful I am to have such a wonderful, protective, charming brother? Really, I always think how lucky I am—"Her words tumbled fast, desperate to smother the storm gathering in his expression.Blake's lips twitched, a chuckle breaking the tension. Aurora half-smiled in relief—until his hand smacked gently down on her head."Ow!!" She yelped, clutching her scalp, tears prickling in her eyes. "What was that for?!"Grinning, Blake ruffled her damp hair as if nothing had happened."Nothing. Just… a gift for my cute younger sister."Aurora puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him through damp lashes."Some gift! Feels more like a curse!"Blake only laughed harder, and despite herself, Aurora found her lips tugging into a reluctant, warm smile.
By the time afternoon sunlight filtered lazily through the window, Blake was knee-deep in household chores. The washing machine buzzed while he sorted and folded laundry, sleeves rolled up.
Aurora, meanwhile, sighed dramatically as she paired socks together, her "help" a direct consequence of the punishment she'd been given for ruining her brother's sleep that morning.
Blake exhaled with satisfaction as he stacked the last neatly folded towel."Phew… it's always great having a helping hand. Right, Aurora?"
Aurora muttered under her breath, fingers fumbling with the fabric."More like… being forced into labor."
Blake raised an eyebrow. The towel in his hands twisted ominously."…Did you say something?"
Aurora froze, then laughed awkwardly, waving both hands."Ha—hahah! N-no, nothing at all!"
Blake smirked knowingly, setting down the towel."Good. Well then—get ready. We're going shopping."
"Eh? Shopping?"
"Yes. You need things to settle in here. Clothes, supplies… everything. Let's go."
Aurora bit back another sigh. "…O-okay."
At the MallAn hour later, Blake walked out in his casual combo of a checkered shirt layered over a black tee and jeans, perfectly neat as always. Aurora, in her soft pink leggings, creamy top, and a cardigan, looked every bit the cheerful younger sister—though more excited about people-watching than running errands.
The mall bustled, but for the siblings, time slipped by easily. They tried on clothes, argued over styles, and filled shopping bags with everything Aurora would need to feel at home again.
By the time evening neared, they were carrying more bags than their hands could manage. But for the first time in years, laughter echoed naturally between them.
"Whaaa, that was fun!" Aurora exclaimed, bouncing a step ahead, grinning ear to ear.
Blake chuckled. "Yeah. It's been a while."
She turned to him, thoughtful. "How long has it been since we last went shopping together?"
Blake tilted his head in mock-seriousness. "Hmm… about five years, give or take. So, basically forever."
Aurora chewed her lip, smiling softly. "…Yeah."
But then — gurgle.
Her stomach betrayed her, growling loud enough to turn a few heads nearby. Aurora's cheeks flushed crimson.
Blake smirked knowingly. "Sounds like someone's hungry."
"Ughhh…" She looked away, embarrassed.
"Come on," Blake said. "I know a place."
Trouble, Served with FriesA short walk later, they stepped into a cozy burger joint at the corner of the mall. The smell of fried potatoes, sizzling patties, and warm bread filled the air.
"Welcome to Burgeries—" A familiar voice rang out, crisp and polite from behind the counter.
And then it cut abruptly.
The boy wearing the staff uniform Red color t-shirt with red cap and Black lower froze mid-greeting, eyes locking onto the pair of siblings. His gray hair was still slightly messy from his stubborn way of combing it.
Of all people—it was K.
He blinked, stunned, then muttered under his breath, "…Trouble."