Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

Unfulfilled desires don't mean they're in vain; perhaps it's the universe's way of teaching us that some things are more beautiful left as dreams.

I find myself in a strange place. Honestly, I had been lost for what felt like hours, but now… now, I'm here.

"What is this place?" I muttered to myself, staring at the ornate gate in front of me.

The City of Granted Wishes, the words on the gate read.

I blinked. Could this really be true? A city where wishes come true?

I couldn't help but imagine the possibilities. If I wished to be surrounded by women, could it really happen?

My heart raced at the thought. I wanted to be a king—a king in a grand palace filled with women!

That was my wish, and I couldn't help but grin at the thought of it.

With excitement bubbling inside me, I stepped forward.

"Hello! Can I come in? Of course, I can, right? Definitely, I can!" I said, almost to myself, as I pushed the heavy gates open and strode into the city.

The moment I stepped inside, though, an eerie silence greeted me. The city was deserted. Not a single soul in sight.

"Huh? This place is so... empty?" I muttered under my breath, my voice echoing through the stillness.

Suddenly, my head began to ache, sharp and overwhelming. "Oh shit... My head...!"

I staggered, gripping my forehead as the world around me spun wildly.

Is this... some kind of illusion? I thought desperately, but the pain kept intensifying, blurring my vision.

I couldn't keep my balance. With one final, failed attempt to stay on my feet, I collapsed to the ground, darkness creeping into the edges of my vision.

Am I... dying?

I woke up, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding in my chest. "Huh? I'm still alive… Huff..."

I blinked, disoriented. The unfamiliar city, the strange silence—it was all gone. I was back. But... where was I?

I slowly sat up and realized I wasn't in that city anymore. No, I was in a room, a room I knew all too well.

This is my old room...

The walls, the furniture, the faint scent of home. I hadn't seen this place in so long.

Why am I here?

I glanced out the window. Morning light poured in, the soft glow of dawn casting everything in a peaceful hue.

"Morning?" I muttered, still trying to piece everything together. I looked down at myself—pajamas.

And why am I wearing pajamas?

Confused, I slid out of bed and shuffled to the mirror. My reflection stared back at me. I looked... normal. There was nothing wrong.

Hm, still handsome, I thought absently, trying to push away the nagging unease.

A delicious scent wafted up from downstairs, and my stomach growled.

My feet moved almost on their own as I followed the smell, instinctively knowing where it was coming from.

"Who's cooking? I recognize this smell..." I mumbled as I made my way down the stairs.

As I reached the bottom, the sound of a voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Oh? You're awake, sweetie?" A woman with amethyst purple hair turned toward me.

She wore a warm, familiar smile, and the apron she wore only added to the comforting image.

At the dining table, a man with emerald eyes looked up from his newspaper, his face lighting up with recognition.

"You finally woke up, sleepyhead," he said, his voice filled with affection.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my body refusing to move, my mind refusing to comprehend what my eyes were telling me.

Because I knew them. I knew them too well.

They are my parents.

They were alive. They were here. Right in front of me. The parents I thought I'd lost forever.

But even as I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest, something heavy settled in my heart.

Because no matter how much I wished it, no matter how much I wanted it to be true... this wasn't real.

It couldn't be.

I never expected to meet them again. And without even realizing it, tears started to spill from my eyes.

"Mom… Dad...?"

My mother's yellow eyes widened in surprise, her face softening into a gentle smile.

She quickly abandoned the food she was preparing and rushed toward me, concern evident in her every movement.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

So this is my wish, huh?

I wiped away my tears, forcing a smile, though my heart felt heavy. "Oh, sorry... I just had a nightmare. A really bad dream."

My mother looked at me, still full of concern. Her brow furrowed slightly, and she stepped closer.

"Did you have a nightmare...? What happened in the nightmare, sweetie?"

My father, who had been sitting at the dining table, stood up, his expression mirroring my mother's concern.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I couldn't let myself fall apart. Not here, not now.

"Come on, let's have breakfast. I'm fine, really. Just a little shaken up," I said, forcing a sense of calm.

I walked toward the dining table, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in my chest.

"Hey, Dad, what's the news?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from the whirlwind of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

I wanted to cry in their arms, feel their warmth and comfort, but I held it in.

I couldn't let them see just how much I was breaking.

My mother's gaze lingered on me, worry still dancing in her eyes, but she didn't push. She didn't ask any more questions.

My father chuckled softly, folding the newspaper with a smile.

"Oh, nothing too important. Just a case of theft," he said, his voice light and casual, as if everything was perfectly normal.

My mother smiled too and set some pastries on the table, her movements graceful as she returned to cooking.

"Dad, are you working today?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going, even though a part of me just wanted to collapse.

My father chuckled again, taking a sip of coffee before replying.

"Of course. Why the question?" he asked, setting his cup back down with a clink.

"No, I just thought about helping you today," I said, the words coming out too quickly, as if I were trying to convince myself of something.

"Huh? Are you still half-conscious? You always help me," he teased, the warmth in his voice making my chest tighten.

"Really? Uh... yeah, maybe I'm still half-conscious," I replied, embarrassed, my cheeks flushing slightly.

My dad laughed, and the sound felt both comforting and painful at the same time.

He ruffled my hair, his hand warm on top of my head.

"Yeah, you're definitely still sleepy," he said, his smile never fading.

Meanwhile, my mother watched us, her eyes filled with a quiet, loving affection.

I sat back, sipping my coffee with milk, enjoying the peaceful morning.

The warm cup felt comforting in my hands, a small moment of calm before the day started.

That's when my mother's voice broke the silence. "So, sweetie, when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?"

I choked on my coffee, startled by the sudden question. "Ugh?"

My parents both chuckled at the sound I made, and I could feel my face turning bright red. My mother leaned in, her expression curious.

"You haven't had a partner in a while, you know?" she continued, as if it was the most casual thing to bring up during breakfast.

I quickly recovered, trying to salvage some of my pride.

"Uh… I already have a candidate! Don't worry!" I said, puffing my chest out proudly.

"Oh? And who is this lucky person?" My mother's eyes sparkled with interest.

I froze for a moment, unsure how to spin this. "W-Well... you'll see her later..." I said, trying to sound casual.

My father, who had been quietly watching, couldn't help himself.

"Nice lie, Arche," he teased, catching onto my obvious bluff.

"S-Shut up!" I stammered, embarrassed.

The two of them erupted in laughter, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

My mother hid her laughter behind a hand, but my father didn't bother to hide his amusement.

"Oh dear, you're so red. Your father was just like this when he was courting me—if not worse," my mother remarked with a knowing smile.

"Hey! I wasn't THAT bad…" my father replied, feigning indignation.

We all laughed together, the sound of our shared moments filling the room.

It was a simple, ordinary morning, but it was filled with warmth and love—a kind of joy I hadn't felt in a long time.

After breakfast, I quickly went to shower and change into my clothes.

As I glanced around my room, my gaze landed on the bag I usually carry around. I reached for it, but then stopped.

It seemed... I didn't really need it today.

My father and I were heading to the bakery.

"We're leaving!" I called out, waving at my mother.

She smiled warmly at us, her purple eyes sparkling with affection. "Take care, you two."

We both nodded and walked out together, the cool morning air greeting us as we made our way to the bakery.

Once inside, my father and I quickly got to work, preparing the bakery for the day.

After cleaning, I wiped the sweat from my brow, letting out a sigh of relief. "Phew…"

"Arche, turn the board over!" my father called from the counter.

I gave him a mock salute. "Aye, sir!" I said with a grin, turning the sign to indicate that the bakery was officially open for business.

After a while, I found myself waiting for customers to come in.

The bakery had quieted down for a moment, and I was caught up in the calm routine of things.

Then, my father's voice broke the stillness. "Arche, I left something at home. Can you look after the bakery for me?"

"No problem!" I replied, waving him off.

He gave me a quick nod before heading out the door, leaving me in charge of the bakery for a bit.

As soon as he left, customers started trickling in—just as they always did.

My father's bakery was never empty for long.

I'd seen this before. There were days when my father was so busy with orders that he didn't even make it home until late in the evening.

With a steady flow of customers, I started taking orders, but I was quickly feeling a little overwhelmed.

"This is nothing!" I muttered to myself, trying to stay calm as the orders piled up.

I served with as much speed as I could, but by the time the crowd began to thin, I was wiping the sweat off my forehead, letting out a relieved breath. "Phew…"

Just then, I heard the familiar jingle of the doorbell. A customer? I turned toward the door with my usual greeting.

"Welcome!"

But when I saw the customer, my words caught in my throat.

Ashen hair, a familiar witch's outfit… It was her.

Elaina.

I stared at her in disbelief, my heart skipping a beat. She met my gaze and then raised an eyebrow.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, her voice calm and collected.

I snapped out of my daze, realizing I had been staring at her. "Uh… no, I just wondered if we've met before…" I trailed off, unsure of how to explain myself.

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment before replying. "Have we? I don't recall meeting you before."

Oh, I see? I scratched the back of my head, feeling embarrassed.

"Ah, sorry, maybe I got the wrong person." I quickly gathered myself, grabbing the croissants she had ordered and handing them over.

She looked down at them, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you. They look delicious."

"Thank you, my name is Arche, nice to meet you," I introduced myself, almost absentmindedly adding, Thank you, as well, for some reason.

"I'm Elaina, nice to meet you too," she replied with a warm, friendly smile.

"Are you a traveler? I don't think I've seen you around before," I asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, I love to travel and explore new places. I'm just passing through this town for now."

"Um, I see..." I trailed off, a little unsure of what to say next. "If you want to ask something, feel free."

Elaina thought for a moment before speaking up. "Actually, do you know of any interesting places around here worth visiting?"

I smiled, happy to offer a suggestion. "There's a nice park nearby, perfect for relaxing and enjoying some peace."

She gave a small nod, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

"Thank you, I think I'll check it out." She turned to leave, croissant in hand, and took a bite as she stepped outside.

I couldn't help but watch her walk away, the way she seemed lost in the enjoyment of her snack.

She looked... happy. I gazed out the window, watching her figure disappear around the corner.

Then, out of nowhere, someone suddenly patted me on the shoulder.

"AHH?!" I jumped, completely startled.

When I turned around, I saw my father standing there, smirking as if he knew exactly what had just happened.

"Hey, loverboy, are you tired yet?" He grinned at me, clearly amused by my reaction.

I could feel my face flush. "W-What are you talking about?"

My father leaned in, lowering his voice with an exaggerated wink.

"You seemed pretty interested in the previous customer, huh?"

I blinked, trying to maintain my composure. "D-Dad! Stop messing with me!"

His grin only widened. "Just don't get too distracted by pretty faces now, alright? We've got work to do."

"When—" I was caught off guard when my father suddenly appeared behind me.

I hadn't felt his presence at all, almost like he had materialized out of thin air.

He grinned, giving me a thumbs-up. "Since you were overwhelmed with serving customers, I peeked in to see if you could handle it."

"And you did a great job," he added, his tone full of mock pride.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Well, thank you, stalker," I shot back sarcastically, barely keeping a straight face.

My father let out a loud laugh, slapping my back—no, he smacked it with a force that almost knocked the air out of me.

"Alright, you can take a break now. I'll take over for a while," he said, already moving toward the counter.

I grinned, feeling a rush of happiness. "Thanks, Dad! You're the best!" I said, slapping him back playfully on the shoulder.

"You damn brat," he muttered, chuckling under his breath.

I stepped outside the bakery, stretching as I stepped into the cool air. 

"It's been a tiring day..." I sighed, letting the peaceful moment sink in.

I was about to turn the corner when something caught my eye.

To my surprise, I saw Elaina in the middle of a fierce battle with someone.

The two were locked in combat, magic crackling in the air around them like a storm.

I wanted to help, but there was a problem—I didn't have any weapons with me.

"Oh, come on!" I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice.

I glanced around the street for anything I could use, but there was nothing in sight.

My fists clenched in irritation as I approached, deciding I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

I peeked around the corner, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible while watching their fight unfold.

The intensity of their magic clashes sent shockwaves through the air, making the ground tremble beneath my feet.

Then, with a sudden jolt, Elaina was thrown back, crashing hard into the ground.

She looked up, her eyes locking onto mine with surprise and something else... concern?

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice strained from the intensity of the fight.

"Um... watching?" I said with an innocent shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Elaina's gaze narrowed, and she let out an exasperated sigh. "Right, watching. Of course."

Then, her expression turned serious, her tone urgent. "Arche, right? Get away from here, it's dangerous!"

"But—" Before I could finish my sentence, someone grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

I whipped around, surprised to find my father standing there, his face a mix of frustration and fear.

"Arche, you idiot! You'll die!" he shouted, his grip tightening on my arm.

"But, Dad, I—" I tried to explain, but the words caught in my throat.

"We're ordinary humans, Arche. No magic, no special abilities! Staying away is the wisest choice!" he insisted, dragging me back toward the bakery.

As I stumbled behind him, my mind raced. No magic, no specialties...?

"Arche, we are ordinary people," my father repeated, his voice firmer now, almost like a command.

Ordinary people? Am I really just... ordinary?

I felt a sinking feeling in my chest, a heavy weight pressing down on me.

I wanted to help Elaina, to do something. But my father's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the truth in them.

"I'm sorry, Dad," I muttered, looking down at my feet, even though unease gnawed at my heart.

"It's good that you understand," my father said, his tone softening as he patted my shoulder.

But there was something in his eyes—something tired, like he'd seen too much, and didn't want me to be a part of it.

I could feel the weight of the world on my shoulders as we walked back into the bakery.

As a normal human, I shouldn't risk my life for someone else's fight.

I should stay out of danger, keep my distance, and leave it to those who could handle it.

But something deep inside me rebelled against the thought. I can't... just do nothing.

But for now, I stayed behind, silently watching the world continue without me. The villain? Elaina would handle it.

I focused on the bakery, doing what I could in my small, ordinary world.

After all, that's all I was—just another person, working hard in a bakery, trying to stay out of trouble.

The bakery closed early that day, and my father suddenly turned to me with a grin.

"Arche, do you want to go for a walk together after this?"

"Huh? Sure!" I couldn't hide my excitement.

The thought of walking with my dad filled me with warmth, and I instantly felt happy.

My father smirked, noticing my enthusiasm. "Someone's excited here."

I blinked, realizing my mistake. Immediately, I cleared my throat to regain my composure.

"A walk, huh? Yeah, that sounds good," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, though I knew I was failing miserably at it.

"Arche, stop being a tsundere," my father teased, his grin widening.

"Dad! How did you know that word?!" I exclaimed, genuinely shocked.

He let out a hearty laugh. "You think I don't keep up with the times?" he said with a wink, clearly enjoying my reaction.

We started walking side by side, the atmosphere light and easy, like it always was when we were together.

After a brief silence, I decided to ask him something I'd been wondering about for a while. "Dad, do you ever feel lonely?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment, the usual warmth in his eyes replaced with a subtle sadness.

"Lonely?" he echoed, his voice quiet. "Everyone feels lonely at some point. It's part of being human."

I nodded, the weight of his words settling on me. "Hm, you're right."

He glanced at me, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And you," he asked gently, "do you feel lonely?"

I hesitated, the question catching me off guard. For a moment, I stood there, thinking deeply.

Then I answered, my voice soft but sincere. "Not today."

He smiled warmly, his gaze returning to the path ahead. "So today you feel happy?"

"Yes, I am very happy," I replied, the words flowing without hesitation.

He chuckled, reaching over to ruffle my hair affectionately. "That's good to hear."

We continued walking, aimlessly. Then, suddenly, my father spoke up, his voice breaking the silence.

"You're not from here, are you?"

I was caught off guard by the question. My heart skipped a beat. "…What do you mean?"

He took a slow breath, his gaze thoughtful, and continued.

"When I came home to grab something I left behind, I heard your mother crying."

I froze, his words sending a shock through me. "She was crying?"

He nodded. "Yeah. When I checked, she was reading a book. Your diary."

My chest tightened, and my mind raced. My diary? I had completely forgotten about it.

"The story in that diary... it's different from the life we know," my father continued, his voice steady.

"It says you're a former thief. That you wander to atone for your sins. It's surprising... everything about you."

I couldn't find the words. The weight of his revelations crushed me, leaving me speechless.

"You're quite strong, though," he added, almost casually.

I blinked at that. The shock was too much for me to process in one go.

But then I remembered. Elaina.

"But if you know I'm strong, why did you stop me when I wanted to help Elaina?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

My father let out a short laugh, and for a moment, I thought I saw a faint blush spread across his cheeks.

"Hah," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Because when you love someone, you want to protect them. To keep them safe from harm."

He reached out and gently placed his hand on my head, ruffling my hair as he spoke.

"That's why I stopped you, Arche. I know you want to do the right thing, but I can't let you throw yourself into danger."

I felt the weight of his words, and something in my chest tightened.

I wanted to argue, to say I was strong enough, that I didn't need protection.

But when he looked at me like that, with such care and concern, I felt my resolve start to crumble.

"…Huh," I murmured, the lump in my throat growing. I felt like I was going to cry, but I held it back.

"Don't cry now," my father said in his calm, steady voice as he continued patting my head.

"I know you're strong. But it's my responsibility as a father to look out for you. To make sure you stay safe."

His words were like a balm to my racing heart. I could feel the love and worry in every syllable.

"Yeah…" I said softly, my voice thick with emotion. "Let's go home."

He chuckled again, the sound warm and familiar. "Okay, time to go home."

We walked toward the house, and when I opened the door, the familiar scent of home greeted me. But something felt off.

"We're home," I muttered, my voice quieter than usual.

As I stepped inside, my eyes immediately landed on my mother, sitting in the living room with my diary open in her hands.

She was quietly sobbing, her face hidden behind the pages.

The sight of her like that made my heart drop. I hesitated in the doorway for a moment, the weight of everything—my father's words, my mother's tears—pressing on me.

When she heard me, my mother slowly turned her head, her yellow eyes filled with a mix of pain and relief.

She quickly placed the diary down, almost as if she hadn't realized she'd been holding it so tightly.

Without another word, she sprang to her feet and ran toward me, her arms reaching out.

I stood frozen for a moment

Suddenly, I felt her arms wrap tightly around me. I was startled but didn't move. 

She hugged me so tightly that I could feel the trembling of her body as she sobbed softly. 

"Arche…" her voice quivered, full of emotions she couldn't hide. 

"You… went through so many terrible things while wandering, didn't you?" 

"You always seem happy in front of everyone, but… but you've been keeping everything to yourself." 

I bit my lower lip, trying to stay composed. A strong urge to cry welled up inside me, but I held it back with all my might. 

Those tears—I didn't want anyone to see them. I didn't want to look weak. 

"Don't worry. My mental state is strong," I mumbled, barely audible. I kept my head down, hiding my face that was beginning to flush. 

She cried even harder. "You're such a fool, my child… I'm your mother! I know when you're lying and when you're not!" 

"Don't carry everything on your own, Arche… You're not alone, you hear me? You have Arthur, and even the woman you like—Elaina, right?" 

I didn't answer. It felt like something was stuck in my throat, making it hard to speak. 

I could only listen as she kept talking, pouring out her sadness, anger, and guilt. 

"You can rant, vent, and talk to the people you trust, you know!" 

Her embrace tightened even more. I lowered my head, and the tears I had been holding back finally fell. 

I bit my lip, trying to stifle any sound, but my body trembled. I had lost. 

"Alright," I said in a voice that was almost breaking. "I'll think about it…" 

She gently stroked my head. "You're such a good boy, Arche… But even good boys are allowed to cry. You also need a shoulder to lean on." 

The warmth of my mother's embrace suddenly grew stronger as another pair of arms wrapped around me.

I didn't need to turn to know—it was my father. He rarely showed this softer side of himself, but now, without saying a word, he held me along with my mother.

His embrace was firm, like a fortress that would never crumble.

"Arche," his deep voice finally broke the silence, calm yet full of weight, "it's okay to feel tired. It's okay to be afraid."

I felt his large hand pat my back gently. His voice softened further, carrying a sincerity that I wasn't used to hearing from him. 

"All this time, you've been trying to be strong for everyone, haven't you? But you forgot that you have a family. We're here, son. We're always here for you, no matter what." 

I shut my eyes tightly.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides, desperately trying to hold back the flood of emotions.

But his words kept cutting deeper, one by one. 

"I know you want to protect everyone. But you also deserve to be protected, Arche."

"You don't have to carry everything on your own. We're your family. You can lean on us." 

And in that moment, all the strength I had been clinging to shattered.

The tears I had been holding back for so long finally broke free. 

I cried like a child—silently at first, my body trembling violently in their arms.

My hands eventually moved, clutching both of them tightly.

I no longer cared how I looked. All I knew was that in this embrace, I felt safe. 

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." Those were the only words I could muster between my sobs. 

My mother gently stroked my back, while my father kept patting it steadily.

"There's nothing for you to apologize for, Arche. We're proud of you... so proud," my father said, his voice now trembling slightly. 

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I let all my pain pour out.

I cried as though every burden I had been carrying had finally been lifted.

In their arms, I felt like a child again—surrounded by unconditional love and warmth. 

After my tears subsided, my mom, dad, and I sat together in the living room. 

It felt like all the walls I had built up over the years came crashing down, replaced by a warmth I had never felt so strongly before. 

We began talking—about everything. About my travels, their concerns, even the small things that used to feel insignificant. 

Mom laughed when I told her one of the funny stories from my travels. 

Dad smiled widely, listening more than speaking, but I knew he was enjoying every moment. 

Occasionally, I caught their gazes—full of love and pride. 

We decided to cook together in the kitchen. Mom took the lead, giving instructions cheerfully, while Dad was busy making comments. 

We laughed together when I accidentally dropped some flour, making the kitchen a mess. 

Once the meal was ready, we ate together at the dining table.

Dad joked about the customers at his bakery, while Mom nodded, smiling, and added more food to my plate. 

We chatted nonstop, talking about the past, plans for the future, and the simple dreams that brought us closer. 

That night, the sky stretched wide above us, filled with twinkling stars.

The three of us lay on a mat, our bodies comfortably spread out on the backyard, enjoying the silence, occasionally interrupted by the soft rustling of the wind.

Mom and Dad lay side by side, while I lay in the middle, gazing at the vast sky as if it would never end.

We didn't talk much, only occasionally did Mom mention a pair of stars that seemed brighter than the rest, while Dad pointed out a constellation he recognized.

Everything felt so simple, yet in that moment, that simplicity felt absolutely perfect.

It felt as though the world belonged only to the three of us—away from the hustle and bustle of life, there was only tranquility and togetherness.

I could feel Mom's warmth beside me on the left and Dad's on the right.

They were here, at the moment when I truly felt whole.

Without words, we shared comfort, simply lying there and enjoying the peaceful night.

Over time, the stars in the sky began to twinkle more brightly, as if welcoming us into the quiet night.

I could hear the steady beat of Mom and Dad's hearts, harmonizing as if it were a gentle melody in the cool night air.

Suddenly, breaking the silence, I spoke softly. "Thank you, Mom, Dad."

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, then smiled, as if feeling the same gratitude.

Without saying a word, they reached for my hand, pulling me closer.

Dad hugged me from the right, while Mom embraced me from the left.

The hug was so tight, full of love that words couldn't express.

I felt their warm bodies and the immense strength of their love, surrounding every inch of me.

"You're welcome, dear," they whispered in unison.

With a small smile, I looked up at the sky once more, then closed my eyes.

My heart was full, more than enough.

"Good night," I whispered softly, before finally drifting off in their embrace.

That night, I slept soundly, surrounded by love and happiness that knew no bounds.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in the middle of a vast field.

The soft rustling of the grass was the only sound around me. 

I couldn't remember how I got here—one moment, I was somewhere else, and now, this.

I've slept under bridges before, when I was broke and with nowhere else to go.

But this? This place felt... different. Almost peaceful.

I sat up, my legs stiff from the ground, and looked around, trying to make sense of everything.

My eyes landed on my bag, and I noticed my diary tucked inside.

"Maybe I wrote something about this..." I murmured to myself, almost absently.

Yesterday... I felt like I had an ordinary life.

An ordinary life.

The thought lingered in my mind, like a fleeting dream that never fully takes shape.

It sounded so simple, yet so impossible.

An unattainable dream, something I could only wish for.

But if... just if... there was a miracle, one that could make my wish come true, maybe—just maybe—I would ask for a life like that.

A life where I could stop running, where I could belong.

It was time to move forward, like I always did.

I pulled out my broom, the one I used to travel from place to place.

The wind whipped through my hair as I mounted it, the cool air giving me a momentary sense of freedom.

Opening my map, I scanned it for the next step of my journey.

There were still so many things left to do, so many questions left unanswered.

But for now, I would continue. Just like always.

Sometimes, the most unattainable dream is the one that feels closest—an ordinary life, where you can simply belong.