Vane Mountain Range. West outskirts.
In the woods, Aven and Shuron were standing facing each other. Aven had retracted his hands, something held in his closed palm. Just then, Shuron asked curiously, his gaze fixed on his father's palm, while one hand gently caressed his ear, which now felt light and relaxed.
"What is in your hand, dad?"
Aven heard this and, instead of replying immediately, simply opened his palm. Then he said, "That's the reason why you weren't able to hear my words."
When Shuron saw the object in his father's now-open palm, he exclaimed, "Earplugs!"
He immediately realised why he hadn't been able to hear anything, and also why his ears felt relaxed after his father had pulled his hands away. The reason was none other than the earplugs he had forgotten to remove.
After the realisation, he awkwardly looked at his father's face and said with a calm expression, not a hint of embarrassment visible, "My mistake."
Aven, on the other hand, just sighed upon seeing that Shuron wasn't embarrassed at all. He could feel that his son had grown tougher when it came to handling such awkward moments. His son was growing too fast, and he worried he might not get to see his son's embarrassing moments anymore. Even so, a faint smile still appeared on his face.
After a moment of awkward silence between father and son, Aven asked, "So, your work is done? If it is, then let's go. We shouldn't be late."
When Shuron heard this, he nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, dad. We should go."
He didn't mention anything about his work status, whether it was done or not. Why?
Even though he had found what he was looking for, he still didn't know what those so-called starlight particles truly were. He would have to research them, and for that, this place would be the best. He would have loved to stay here longer, but it was too risky.
For now, he decided to return home and research them there. Anyway, he could always come back later if he didn't get any results from studying at home.
Hearing Shuron's reply, Aven didn't delay by asking further questions about the work. He could ask about it later.
For now, he picked up the backpack from the ground and hung it over his shoulder. Then he told Shuron to stay close to him and began letting him lead the way.
Even though he already knew the path and didn't actually need Shuron to guide him, he still allowed it because it was safer that way. From behind, he could keep a better watch and protect his son. They were now leaving the woods, and although they hadn't encountered any dangerous animals so far, there was no guarantee they wouldn't be attacked while exiting. It was always better to be safe than sorry.
Now, the danger had increased, more than it had been several minutes ago. With each passing minute, evening drew closer, and the risks continued to rise.
If anyone attacked, they would face him first, not his son.
Shuron, on the other hand, also realised what his father was trying to do after hearing his words. He knew that he would do the same to protect his loved ones if he were in his father's position.
It wasn't a taught strategy or a learned technique to guard against danger. No one had trained them for this, and no one had explained such methods.
This instinctive strategy came from within. Their minds created it automatically, just so they could protect the people they cared about.
Shuron felt happy seeing his father protecting him. At the same time, however, he also felt a bit useless. He wondered when the day would come when he could protect his father instead, rather than needing protection himself.
For now, he simply led the way, leaving the woods and the west outskirts behind them.
Just as Shuron reached the cross section between the west and north outskirts, a thought surfaced in his mind. Confusion appeared first, followed by sudden realisation. "Why did nobody attack us? I thought someone would attack, and then I would find an opportunity... Oh, what am I even thinking? I should be grateful that I didn't have to run for my life, and that my father didn't have to get hurt protecting me. I shouldn't apply those novel plots to reality. They may be thrilling, but they come at a heavy cost..."
As he recognised his mistake, he began correcting his mindset. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and continued leading the way.
Soon, they crossed the small hills and reached the clearing where many vehicles had been parked earlier, and where the atmosphere had once been lively. Now, most of the vehicles and people had already left. Only a few locals remained, planning to leave later since their homes were nearby. The place had grown quiet.
When Aven and Shuron emerged into the clearing, they didn't attract any attention. Even the few remaining people showed no reaction upon seeing them—no surprise, no curiosity.
Shuron and Aven also paid no attention to them. They quickly got into their car, placing the backpack on the back seat. Both of them took their seats in the front.
Aven started the car and pressed the accelerator. The vehicle slowly moved forward, leaving the clearing behind as it merged onto the road.
As the car sped along, Shuron and his father noticed several other vehicles on the road, filled with people—likely families and friends—also returning from the mountain range.
At that moment, Aven turned to look at Shuron and said with a light smile, "Shuron, let's bring your mom and sister here sometime too. We haven't gone on a family trip in recent years."
Shuron nodded, agreeing with his father's idea. It would also help him grow more familiar with his new family and strengthen their bond.
He then looked out of the car window at the beautiful sunset. He enjoyed the view for a few seconds before drifting his gaze back to his father. Though the sunset was beautiful, he knew it would eventually be hidden behind air pollution, so he shouldn't get too attached to it and feel disappointed later.
His drifting gaze settled on his father's face, who was still driving toward home. The tiredness from today's adventure was clearly visible in his eyes.
At that moment, Shuron truly wished he could say these words to his father: "Dad, let me drive. I know how to drive. I am mentally an adult." But he didn't say it. Firstly, it was because of his small body—it wasn't enough to even properly press the accelerator or brakes.
Secondly, he knew it would only earn him the label of "craziest guy in the family." Who would even believe that he had come from the future and possessed the mind of an adult?
Still...if he tried to give proof and convince them, his family might eventually believe him, but there was no need for that right now. It would only raise more questions for him. And proving everything and convincing them would be exhausting, and he didn't want to deal with that now. He already had more important matters to focus on.
There was also another possibility. What if, after hearing the truth, they started to think he wasn't their real child?
"I do not want that to happen..." He shuddered at the thought. He absolutely wanted to avoid such a situation. That was also the reason why he had kept this secret until now and hadn't revealed it.
Shaking his head to push those thoughts away, Shuron said to his father, "Dad, wake me up when we reach home."
"Hmm." Shuron only heard a soft response from his father, but it was enough to bring a small smile to his face.
In his mind, Shuron murmured, "Even though dad is tired, he still lets me rest..."
After that thought, he adjusted his position. Closing his eyes, he began to rest.
Some time passed before Shuron woke up to his father's voice.
"Shuron, we've reached. Get down, I'll park the car."
Rubbing his eyes to shake off the sleepiness, Shuron opened the car door. After walking a short distance, he rang the doorbell.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the door opened, and he saw his little sister. Happiness instantly appeared in her eyes.
He heard her say excitedly, "Brother, what did you bring for me? Is it chocolate? Or my favourite cookies? Or something new?"
But Shuron wasn't in the mood to answer her questions. He simply said, "Dad is bringing it. Go get it. I'm going to take a bath."
Stepping inside, he spoke in a slightly louder voice, "Mom, please make dinner. I'm very hungry."
His mother, who was already preparing food in the kitchen, replied, "Just give me ten minutes."
"Okay, Mom. I'll come down after a quick bath."
"Okay," she replied, returning her focus to cooking.
After that, Shuron didn't say anything more. He went straight to his room on the top floor.
Opening the door, he headed directly to take a bath.
On the other hand, his father also arrived inside the house, but the same situation awaited him. Roxa immediately asked what he had brought for her.
Aven found himself in a difficult position. He hadn't brought anything for her. So what should he say? If he told the truth, Roxa would be disappointed.
Just as he was thinking, Roxa looked at him suspiciously and said, "Dad, say something. Brother told me you brought something good for me, so don't try to hide it."
Now Aven was even more confused. He questioned himself, "What did I bring? Why don't I remember?"
But soon, he realised that Roxa had most likely asked Shuron the same question, and Shuron had avoided it by passing it on to him.
He sighed inwardly. "Looks like I'll have to make my daughter sad. Shuron really didn't leave me any choice."
Just as he was about to tell the truth, his wife called out from the kitchen, "Honey, go freshen up now. And Roxa, your father is already tired. Don't trouble him."
"Hmm... okay, Mom," Roxa replied. She stepped aside, allowing her father to pass, while Aven sighed in relief and went to freshen up.
After that, Roxa went to the kitchen to help her mother.