Returning to the Family Home
I dragged my weary body toward the infirmary. As I walked, the surroundings naturally came into view. Fires were burning here and there throughout the academy grounds. Collapsed buildings, shattered walls. And people lying scattered everywhere.
“…”
I was at a loss for words for a moment.
By the time I reached the infirmary, a huge crowd had already gathered. People far more seriously injured than me. Folks bleeding out, being carried in unconscious. The medical teachers and healers were rushing around nonstop.
“Bring them over here!”
“Prep for treatment!”
It was total chaos. I stood there for a bit.
“…”
But I soon shook my head. I could tough it out for now. I got some basic treatment and left the infirmary.
Back at the dormitory. The moment I opened the door and stepped inside, the tension drained from my body. I flopped straight onto the bed.
“Haa…”
I looked at the kids.
“…Hey, kids.”
I said quietly.
“Let’s rest together.”
Psi and Dmol, Kent, Compi, Compf, Compa. They all gathered around me. On one bed. Curling up small and warm. I closed my eyes.
But my mind wouldn’t stop racing.
It wasn’t a win.
No matter how I thought about it, that hadn’t been a victory.
I ran away.
And I got help.
“…”
I let out a slow breath. Then I felt eyes on me. I opened my eyes, and Psi and Dmol were staring at me. Eyes full of worry. Kent, Compi, Compf, and Compa cautiously rubbed their heads against my body.
“…”
I watched them for a moment, then slowly sat up.
And I said,
“…It’s not because of you guys.”
Quietly. But clearly.
“Just…”
“…I’m the weak one.”
A brief silence. I forced a smile.
“…It’s okay.”
I reached out and stroked the kids’ heads.
“We”
“…are gonna get stronger.”
I looked up.
“…Right?”
The kids all looked at me at once.
And they answered softly, but surely.
“Yes, Dad.”
Hearing that, I quietly closed my eyes. That day, we didn’t do anything. We just stayed together. And like that, we fell into a deep sleep.
How much time passed? I was sleeping deeply, and only the kids were awake in the room. In the quiet space, Kent cautiously spoke up.
…Sisters.
Compi, Compf, and Compa came over quietly too.
Is he… okay…?
A small voice. After hesitating a moment, Compi said,
If we…
…had grown up faster…
Compf continued,
Dad… wouldn’t have gotten hurt…
Compa bowed her head too.
We… could’ve helped…
A quiet sense of guilt. Psi and Dmol paused at their words. Then they slowly approached and hugged the little ones.
“No…”
Psi’s voice trembled.
“It’s not your fault…”
Dmol said quietly too.
“…It’s us.”
“We’re…”
“the weak ones.”
A short silence.
“We couldn’t”
“…protect Dad properly.”
“Couldn’t even help him win.”
The air in the room grew heavy. But Psi took a slow breath and said,
“…Still.”
Dmol looked up too.
“…It’s okay.”
Psi hugged the kids tighter and said,
“You’ll keep growing,”
Dmol continued,
“…and become Dad’s strength.”
Small hands clasped each other. That night, no one was perfect, but everyone wanted to get stronger. And so the heavy night passed, and morning came the next day.
The moment I opened my eyes, I checked my phone. One notification. An announcement.
[Announcement]
Due to the attack by unidentified unregistered awakeners, the Awakener Academy has suffered major damage and numerous injuries have occurred.
Academy operations will be suspended for one month. During this period, reconstruction work will be carried out.
We sincerely apologize for failing to prevent this unforeseen incident.
“One month.”
I stared at the screen.
Then I quietly got up. Putting on some clothes, I muttered,
“…It’s been a while.”
I paused, then chuckled softly.
“Maybe I should head back home.”
“Since joining the academy…”
“I haven’t been in proper touch.”
“…Been too busy.”
I turned around. The kids were watching me.
“Kids.”
I said,
“Let’s go home.”
Psi and Dmol’s eyes sparkled.
“Home?”
“…Dad’s home?”
I nodded.
“Yeah.”
The words had barely left my mouth when they sprang into action.
“Then I gotta change!”
“…I should dress neatly.”
Psi and Dmol started grabbing clothes, and Kent, Compi, Compf, and Compa scurried around busily too.
“…Why are they so excited?”
I chuckled.
A little later. With all our stuff packed, we left the dorm. We called a taxi and got in. In the car, I wanted quiet, but the driver glanced at us and spoke up.
“You guys are something else.”
I looked up.
“Pardon?”
The driver smiled.
“You’re an awakener, right?”
I hesitated, then answered.
“…Ah, yeah.”
“That’s right.”
The driver nodded.
“Knew it.”
And continued,
“Coming from the academy, huh?”
“Saw it on the news.”
A brief silence.
“You didn’t get hurt, did you?”
I let out a short breath.
“…Got a little banged up.”
“Nothing major.”
“Aigoo…”
The driver said with relief.
“Glad you’re okay.”
After that, the car went quiet again. I stared wordlessly at the scenery passing by outside. Soon, the taxi stopped.
“…We’re here.”
I paid and got out.
“Kids, everyone out?”
I turned around. Psi. Dmol. Kent. Compi, Compf, Compa.
“…Good.”
I closed the door and looked at the house.
“…”
For a moment, I couldn’t say anything. The familiar sight. It had been so long. I took a deep breath. And slowly approached the door.
Knock, knock.
Footsteps came from inside.
“Yes, who is it?”
The door opened. Our eyes met.
“…!”
Mom’s expression froze.
“…Sung-jun?”
I couldn’t speak. The next moment, Mom pulled me into a hug.
“My boy…!”
I froze for a second, then slowly closed my eyes.
“…I’m home.”
Led by Mom’s hand, I entered the house. As we passed the entryway toward the living room, small footsteps cautiously followed behind. Psi and Dmol. And Kent, Compi, Compf, Compa. The kids were tense in the unfamiliar space, shuffling in slowly.
Mom saw them and asked with slightly surprised eyes,
“Sung-jun… who are the kids behind you?”
I hesitated, then nodded.
“…I’ll explain once we’re inside.”
In the living room. I stood with the kids and looked at Mom.
“Let me introduce them, Mom.”
I took a breath and said,
“This is…”
Looking at Psi,
“My first daughter, Psi.”
Psi stepped forward. And bowed politely.
“Nice to meet you.”
Mom’s eyes widened.
“…Oh my.”
“Such a cute kid…”
She paused, then
“…That little dinosaur from back then, Psi?”
I smiled faintly and nodded.
“Yeah.”
And continued,
“And…”
“These are the new family I got while at the academy.”
I pointed to each one.
“Dmol.”
“Kent.”
“Compi, Compf, Compa.”
Dmol stepped forward first and greeted calmly.
“Hello. I’m Dmol.”
Kent quietly bowed her head, and Compi, Compf, and Compa wiggled their bodies in greeting.
“Peep…”
“Pee…”
Mom looked them over, then slowly nodded.
“…I see.”
“You’ve been doing well at the academy.”
Her expression hardened a bit.
“…Actually.”
“I was gonna call you today.”
I looked up.
“The news…”
“Said the academy got attacked.”
Mom’s gaze turned to me.
“…You didn’t get hurt, right?”
I nodded right away.
“Yeah.”
“Nothing serious.”
The words had just ended when Mom hugged me again.
“Thank goodness…”
I paused, then gently patted her back.
“…I’m fine.”
Mom pulled back a little and said,
“Still…”
“Call more often.”
“…”
“Since you joined the academy,”
“Not a single call…”
A slightly hurt tone.
“…I was so worried.”
I bowed my head.
“…Sorry, Mom.”
A brief silence. Then.
Ahem.
Psi coughed on purpose. I looked up and chuckled.
“…Psi?”
“What’s up.”
Psi averted her eyes a bit.
“…Nothing.”
Mom saw and laughed.
“Anyway,”
“Let’s all eat.”
The kids’ faces lit up.
“What’re we having?”
“…What can we eat?”
I said naturally,
“Psi and Kent like veggies,”
“Dmol, Compi, Compf, Compa”
“…meat.”
“Raw meat’s even better.”
Mom paused.
“…”
“…Really?”
But she soon nodded.
“Got it.”
And headed straight to the kitchen.
“I’ll whip something up quick.”
I followed, saying,
“Mom, let me help.”
But Mom waved me off.
“No.”
—She glanced at me and said,
“You just rest.”
“…”
“Today,”
“Mom’s cooking.”
I stood there a moment, then smiled faintly.
“…Okay.”
I turned around. The kids were waiting for me in the living room. I walked over slowly.
And thought,
I’m back.
It had been so long. I was really home.
