Chapter 168: Reunite [1]

"....Brandon?"

It didn't make any sense.

He was missing—

No.

He was dead for nine months. Why is he showing up now?

And in the first place, is he even real?

She didn't want to accept it.

She had already managed to recover somewhat.

But if he was nothing but a sick illusion...

...She would revert back to day one.

"Sis, mom."

That was definitely his voice. Although his hair might be long, she couldn't forget her brother's figure.

He was definitely Brandon Locke.

Just a bit taller.

Brandon stood still. He seemed like he didn't know what to say as he averted his gaze.

Just like him, their mother stood in silence as well. Her gaze widened, and it seemed like her eyes were moist.

"...My baby boy. It's you, isn't it?"

"Yes... mom."

But despite confirming, Brandon's head was lowered, not meeting their gaze.

Tak. Tak.

That was when Brianna immediately ran towards Brandon and hugged him tightly.

With a smile on his face, Brandon returned the hug.

"...I can't believe it. I really can't believe it. This is really you, right? Where have you been? Where did you run off to? Why would you make us worry?

You've been gone for so long. And your father..."

Brianna spoke too fast. But eventually, she paused and her voice cracked.

Shoulders trembled, and Brandon caressed the back of her head.

No words were exchanged between the two. Brandon must've had his own circumstances.

Brianna seemed to understand that.

But Belle on the other hand, stood still as she watched the entire scene in disbelief.

Caressing his mother's back, Brandon's gaze eventually landed on Belle.

As soon as their eyes met, Belle flinched.

Despite the confirmation of his survival, she was still in denial.

If somehow, he wasn't actually Brandon, but a mere illusion, then her heart would undoubtedly shatter.

Drip.

Before she realized it, a single tear trickled down her cheek.

She missed him.

It was then when Brandon's lips pulled up to a warm smile.

That smile...

There was no mistaking it.

It was really him.

Tak. Tak.

...And she too joined their embrace.

The mother and daughter duo's shoulders trembled under the arms of Brandon.

Sob. Sob.

The silence being broken by the occasional sound of their sobbing.

They were the only Locke family members left.

All of Belle's problems were completely drowned out at this moment.

Just the confirmation of Brandon's survival had lightened the load on her shoulders.

This was the best news they had ever gotten in the past month.

And at that, the Locke family had finally reunited.

***

'So much has changed...'

The family roamed the streets of the human domain.

For whatever reason they were smiling, Brandon was unsure.

Now it was time to get down to business.

He brushed his bangs back and looked at the two seriously.

Shortly after, he pursed his lips and began explaining what he plans on doing.

"So..."

It took a whole lot of convincing.

"No, absolutely not!"

"She's right, Brandon. You just came back, and now you want to go and get yourself killed?"

He was met with opposition.

A lot of opposition.

In fact, it didn't even feel like he would manage to convince them.

"Sis, mom."

Out of respect for his family, he had to tell them. Even when he knew he would be met with opposition.

Time passed, and the three continued to argue. Attention was fixed on them, and whenever the two girls' realized it, they would lower their voices.

"When I return, I'll join the army and support you, sis."

And that was his proposal.

"Not you too, Brandon!"

Brianna's reaction was expected. Her husband died as a military man.

It seemed like even Belle had a hard time convincing her when she was about to join the army.

And now the topic shifted.

It seemed like his plan worked.

Now Belle couldn't retort, when even she was met with opposition by their mother.

Belle now argued with their mother. The topic had completely diverted.

It was then when Belle's gaze landed on Brandon.

The expression on his face told her all she needed to know. As if he was saying, 'This is how it feels like.'

Time passed like that.

The conversation died down, and Brandon had managed to convince both Belle and Brianna.

But in exchange...

"Visit us every month, please."

Belle seemed to share the same thoughts as Brianna as she nodded at her words.

He had already planned on doing that.

He couldn't worry them.

And eventually, their food arrived.

But that wasn't the only surprise.

Brandon's eyes shot wide open.

Several employees encircled them, wearing party hats.

And they began singing.

What in the world.

—Happy Birthday, to you~

This...

It was his birthday?

Even he didn't know.

All of a sudden, an employee appeared with a chocolate cake. On it had a candle that seemed to form the number '17'.

"Your birthday was yesterday. But still... Now that you're here, we have to celebrate it."

It was a pleasant surprise.

So Brandon Locke's birthday was June 1...

...On the same day he was transmigrated a year ago.

That mere fact had left Brandon conflicted.

It meant that he had replaced the original Brandon Locke...

'On his birthday...'

The only words he could think of were...

'That's kinda fucked.'

He blew on the candle, and the family enjoyed their meal shortly after.