The shifting had been exhausting. Lifting boxes, organizing rooms, and rearranging furniture had left everyone's backs sore and their stomachs growling. That's when the invitation came.
A simple call from Mira's uncle.
"I closed the bar tonight," he said.
"I want to feed you all properly. You all have to come. No excuses."
So they did.
By the time they arrived, the bar was glowing softly under amber lights. The usual crowd was absent, the music turned low, and every chair had been pulled closer, Near the centre of the table sat a small lavender plant in a black clay pot clearly picked with Mira in mind.
Her uncle stood at the far end, sleeves rolled, apron on, beaming like a proud host. "Took you all long enough, My lovely Mira doesn't like too much noise so, I closed the bar "
he grinned, stepping forward to ruffle Mira's hair. "You still look like a kid."
Mira swatted his hand playfully. "And you still smell like grilled meat."
"Watch your mouth," he said, winking. "Or I'll bring out the childhood photo albums."
The laughter started early.
So Ri slipped into a seat like she owned the place, greeting Mira's uncle like an old friend. "Still using too much chili in everything?" she teased.
"Still scared of real spice, I see, So Ri" he replied back.
They launched into a light hearted argument, trading jokes, while Jae Min helped Mira's uncle bring out the dishes steaming hot stew, grilled fish, and side dishes stacked like a feast.
Ares sat quietly at Mira's side, his gaze drifting occasionally between Mira and the room, observing, enjoying and thinking.
"Eat," Mira's uncle ordered. "You look like stressed out students during exam week."
As they all started eating, Mira's uncle took the spotlight like he was born for it. Between sips of cold drink and bites of food, he shared exaggerated stories from Mira's childhood. How she once tried to cure a broken toaster with bandages. How she used to scold grown men at the bar for swearing loudly.
"She was kid," he said, holding his fingers an inch apart. "But fierce, Used to yell at me for working too late. Acting like a real boss."
"She still is," So Ri said around a mouthful of food.
Laughter broke out again. Even Jae Min chuckled.
And Ares smiled too.
Mira blushed but didn't argue. Instead, she leaned into the moment the warmth of good food, the sound of voices she trusted, the way the lavender pot near the table softened everything around it.
But when drinks came out and the jokes grew louder, Mira quietly slipped away.
She climbed the stairs to the second floor, her footsteps familiar despite how long it had been. She opened the door to the room where she used to sleep, back when she had no parents, just grief.
The room was small. Clean
Untouched.
Her old books were still stacked on the corner shelf. The little desk still had her pen holder shaped like a unicorn. Even the purple throw blanket folded neatly at the foot of the bed it was all there, as if time had never moved.
Her throat tightened.
Her uncle hadn't changed a thing.
She sat on the bed slowly, letting her fingers trail over the old pillow. It still smelled faintly of something warm. Something safe.
Downstairs, she could still hear laughter.
And through the noise, a voice.
Her uncle.
"She's my girl, you know. My Mira," he said with pride. "I raised her after everything. I watched her learn how to survive, to smile again. And no matter what happens she's always my kid. I'd burn down the world for her."
There was silence for a beat.
Then Jae Min's voice, soft. "She's.… special."
So Ri added, "More than she lets anyone see."
Mira closed her eyes, letting their words wrap around her like a second blanket.
Downstairs, the table was full.
Upstairs, her heart felt a little less heavy.
She wasn't alone.
Not anymore.