Chapter 36 - Satiety

In a determined manner, Luke ushered the two kids into the hotel where he was lodging. Fortunately, the room turned out to be spacious and well-equipped with all the essential furnishings.

Giving them a nod, he motioned for the kids to come inside. Like little chicks tagging along, they followed him, taking in their surroundings with wide-eyed curiosity, almost as if they had stumbled upon some extravagant haven for the very first time.

Luke motioned for them to settle into the chairs next to the table.

*Grumble*

The rumbling of their stomachs caught his attention, prompting him to quickly access the system.

Out of nowhere, an assortment of food materialized on the table. Luke had decided to use the system to purchase food after witnessing their obvious hunger.

Given their thin and malnourished appearance, he opted for nutrient-rich options, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats.

The sight of the array of foods triggered an almost reverent response in the two children, their mouths beginning to water uncontrollably. While their eyes conveyed a profound longing for the nourishment before them, a sense of restraint held them back, stemming from a concern not to upset Luke.

They approached the situation cautiously, inhaling the air tentatively, hopeful that the fragrant aroma might alleviate their hunger. Regrettably, the scents served only to magnify their yearning, deepening the solemnity of their hunger.

Catching on to their hesitation, Luke quickly broke the ice, saying, "Dig in first, we can chat later."

Hearing those words, it was like a dream come true for the two kids. They exchanged incredulous looks, almost double-checking if their ears were working right.

They glanced at Luke, searching for confirmation in his eyes. With a reassuring nod from Luke, their faces immediately lit up, and they couldn't help but burst out in gratitude. "Handsome brother is awesome!" "Thank you handsome brother!"

Luke chuckled at the funny way they addressed him. Their innocence was truly heartwarming. As if to convey his reassurance, he gently patted their heads, cherishing the moment.

Their complete focus was drawn to the spread of food laid out before them. A blend of enthusiasm and anticipation stirred within them, causing them to gulp in both excitement and hunger.

The visual presentation of the mouthwatering dishes teased their appetites relentlessly. The assortment of foods presented was a stark departure from anything they had encountered before, leaving their eyes wide with awe and amazement.

Exercising patience, the young boy held himself back, giving his sister the opportunity to take the first bite. With an eagerness that was palpable, he eagerly awaited her reaction, desiring to witness her enjoyment of the food before he allowed himself to partake.

The young girl's hand delicately reached for a piece of banana bread, and an undeniable solemnity enveloped the moment as she encountered its unexpected softness. This contrasted sharply with the hearty bread they were accustomed to, deepening the profound significance of the experience.

With a measured determination, she took a deliberate bite, and in a surprising twist, tears gathered in her eyes. In that moment, a profound solemnity enveloped her as she savored the rare luxury of such delectable sustenance. The gravity of their recent hardships seemed to amplify as she chewed the bread, each bite resonating with the profound weight of their struggles.

Her tears didn't stop her from enjoying the bread; if anything, they added a bittersweet flavor to the experience. With each bite, her tears mingled with the dampened bread, yet its taste remained delightful.

With unwavering resolve, she continued to nibble and munch until every morsel of the bread had been consumed, the gravity of her action underscoring its profound significance. The solemnity of the moment spoke volumes about her resilience and the weight of her hardship.

As he observed his sister's unexpected outpouring of emotion, a solemn concern settled within the young boy. Her tears, seldom seen, carried a weight of happiness he could sense.

Witnessing her profound emotional reaction, he was deeply moved and felt a surge of inspiration to partake in the meal laid out before him. Her unmistakable joy served as a catalyst, kindling his own appetite and forging a resonant connection between their shared moments of relishing the food.

He chose a portion of fruit salad and placed it in his mouth. Unexpectedly, tears welled up in his eyes, seemingly out of nowhere. Mirroring his sister's experience, he found himself shedding tears while consuming his meal.

With each subsequent bite, the emotional floodgate remained open, as if the flavors were intricately tied to a deep reservoir of feelings within him.

The unusual yet remarkably delicious food on the table was devoured with an intensity that implied it could very well be their last meal.

As he watched this touching tableau unfold before him, Luke's inquisitiveness regarding the children's past challenges deepened. Empathy surged within him as he absorbed the weight of their circumstances. The sight resonated with him on a profound level, evoking a keen sense of compassion.

This heartrending scene tugged at Luke's heartstrings, prompting introspection on his own upbringing. Memories of his fortunate time in the orphanage, untouched by the agony of starvation, flashed through his mind, making him acutely aware of the contrasting lives he and these children had lived.

Approaching the two young diners who were engrossed in their meal, Luke gently reached out to pat their heads. Initially taken aback and resistant, they soon felt at ease due to Luke's gentle touch, which conveyed a sense of reassurance and comfort.

The sight of the kids devouring their food with such delight painted a smile on Luke's face. Their expressions evoked an image of wagging dog tails in unadulterated happiness. He couldn't help but chuckle at the thought, though he promptly dismissed the comparison, acknowledging that likening humans to dogs might not be quite fitting.

However, his fondness for dogs and their endearing qualities remained, as he couldn't help but admire their cuteness and unwavering loyalty.

"Go ahead and have seconds. If it's not filling, just let me know. There's plenty more," Luke offered.

Both kids nodded in unison, their mouths too busy to form words.

"Take your time, no need to rush," Luke chuckled. "And here, wash it down with some juice."

Luke carefully wiped their mouths with a pristine handkerchief and offered them each a glass of fruit juice.

Despite the pleasure of the moment, he couldn't entirely shake off his concern about the potential for stomach discomfort due to their rapid consumption. Nevertheless, he was determined not to dampen their enjoyment. Should any issues arise, he knew he could rely on the system to acquire medicine as a remedy.

As the two kids gradually finished off the feast on the table, Luke's observation couldn't ignore the lingering sense of hunger still present in their expressions. Their looks suggested that they were far from satisfied, a detail that didn't slip past his notice.

'Oh dear. It's like they've got stomachs that are bottomless pits,' Luke reflected, taken aback by their seemingly insatiable appetites. The capacity of these little ones to consume so much struck him as astonishing.

Lost in his thoughts, Luke pondered over the situation but ultimately decided to order another round of the same kind of food.

The kids' eyes lit up at the sight of the replenished feast, and they attacked it with even greater enthusiasm than before, consuming it with unbridled joy.

Luke's lips curved into a tender smile as he watched the unfolding scene. 'Kids should have the chance to enjoy such happiness,' he reflected, a gentle sigh escaping his lips, his sentiment carried by the quiet air.

With their hunger finally appeased, Luke's attention was caught by something truly remarkable. He can't help but notice it as it was something quite extraordinary.

The children, who had previously displayed signs of malnourishment before the meal, now bore a subtle resurgence of plumpness. Their once-emptied cheeks seemed to possess a slight chubbiness, although their thinness remained apparent. The change was quite striking, and the disparity from their appearance prior to the meal was considerably notable.

Luke's gaze remained fixed on the two siblings, who now held their satisfied stomachs with contentment.

Their shared lineage was unmistakable, a clear testament to their sibling connection. Both emanated an inherent charm, though the young boy carried a touch of fierceness in his demeanor. In contrast, the little girl exuded an air of gentleness and tenderness.

The sudden and unexpected transformation of the two children left Luke in a state of surprise.

"What in the world just occurred?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment.