Chapter 33 - Unwanted Flowers

On the morrow, the day that marked the end of Luke's time outside the internet cafe, a sense of finality hung in the air.

As he wandered aimlessly through the streets, an indescribable emotion weighed on his heart.

In the midst of this poignant atmosphere, his attention was drawn to a little kid, about seven years old, holding a basket. Her soft calls reaching out to the passerbys with a tinge of wistfulness, as if seeking connection in a world that seemed to be moving on without them.

The girl's emaciated form and sunken cheeks revealed her severe malnourishment, stirring a feeling of deep sympathy in Luke's heart.

From a distance, he observed her with a mix of concern and compassion, hoping to understand her plight and perhaps offer some assistance.

"Will you please buy flowers?" As the little girl persistently asked people to buy her flowers, her pitiful voice fell on deaf ears.

Luke couldn't help but hear her desperate pleas, her voice sounding parched and sorrowful. Sadly, everyone seemed to disregard her, walking past as if she were invisible, leaving her in heartbreaking isolation.

The little kid persistently tried to sell flowers, but it seemed that the citizens had no need for them in these challenging times. She offered flowers that nobody wanted, leaving her efforts in vain.

Luke couldn't bear the sight and felt his heart tighten with empathy. Overwhelmed with compassion, he approached the little kid, determined to make a difference.

"How much for the flowers?" Luke asked the little girl, and a glimmer of hope shone in her eyes as she heard his question.

As the little girl glanced at Luke, she couldn't help but be taken aback by his handsome appearance. Feeling a bit shy, she replied meekly, overwhelmed by his presence.

"Handsome brother, it's only one copper for three flowers. Please buy some," the little girl pleaded with a hint of desperation in her voice.

'Not again, copper coins,' Luke thought, feeling troubled as he didn't have any on hand.

The girl noticed Luke's downcast expression, and her own face fell in disappointment.

However, Luke composed himself and cleared his throat, determined to make a difference. "I'll buy it all. Here, have this," he said, handing a generous gold coin to the little girl.

The little girl was utterly shocked by Luke's generosity. She was overwhelmed, not knowing how to give change for the gold coin. In her perplexity, she struggled with conflicting emotions – relief that she finally sold the flowers and worry that she couldn't provide the change he might expect.

Feeling unsure if Luke might change his mind about buying the flowers, the little girl held the gold coin with trepidation. She didn't want to risk losing the sale, but at the same time, she didn't want to keep more than what was rightfully hers.

As she held the gold coin in her small hands, her distress was evident.

Sensing her inner struggle, Luke reassured her with a warm smile. "Take it. That's my payment for the flowers. No need for change," he said, putting her worries to rest.

Hearing Luke's reassuring words, the little kid's eyes lit up with gratitude and admiration. She gazed up at the generous and handsome brother standing before her, feeling a mix of overwhelming emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, handsome brother. *hic*," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. While she may not fully understand the true value of the gold coin, she was well aware that it could provide sustenance for her for many days to come.

With a heartfelt smile, she handed the basket of flowers to Luke, feeling a deep sense of appreciation for his kindness.

Luke gently patted the little girl's head as he took hold of the basket. To his surprise, when he peered inside, he discovered a collection of withered flowers. The sight saddened him, and he understood why nobody had shown interest in buying them.

"No wonder no one is buying them," he thought, realizing that the withering flowers had lost their allure and beauty.

Aware of the challenging circumstances faced by the common folk, Luke understood that no one would willingly purchase flowers that nobody wanted, given the difficulties they were all enduring.

Nevertheless, he admired the little girl's determination to sell instead of begging for help, seeing her strength in trying to make a living despite the odds.

In his heart, he applauded her resilience and wished he could do more to alleviate their struggles.

As Luke patted the little girl on the head, a sudden shout pierced through the air, startling him. Turning his attention, he saw a young boy of around 9 years old rushing towards them. The boy fiercely defended his sister, assuming Luke was causing harm to her.

Without hesitation, the young boy leaped and delivered a powerful flying kick towards Luke's knee. But to Luke's surprise, he felt no pain from the impact. Instead, he remained composed, understanding the boy's protective instincts.

The boy, having successfully rescued his sister from Luke's grasp, positioned himself protectively in front of her, his eyes fixed on Luke with determination and defiance.

"Sister, did this man do anything to you? Why are you crying?" The little boy spoke with concern in his voice, looking out for his sister's well-being.

Luke carefully observed the boy, taking in his appearance. Just like his sister, the boy's condition was dire. His cheeks were hollow, and his emaciated frame resembled that of a fragile skeleton. In fact, he appeared even more malnourished than his sister, indicating the severity of their plight.

"Brother, stop. The handsome brother bought the flowers," the little girl earnestly tried to clarify the misunderstanding to her brother.

But the boy remained doubtful, shaking his head in disbelief. "No way. Maybe he was tricking you," he said, his maturity beyond his years due to the hardships they faced.

Having experienced the harsh reality of their situation, the boy couldn't fathom someone genuinely buying the unwanted flowers. His skepticism was a reflection of the challenges they had endured, causing him to be cautious and wary of unexpected kindness.

"Anyways, I've brought some food. Eat this now, quickly," the boy said, rummaging through his pockets and handing something to his sister.

The little boy's focus shifted entirely to his sister's well-being, forgetting about Luke and any previous apprehensions. He urged his sister to eat, displaying a strong sense of protectiveness and responsibility.

Luke watched this heartfelt interaction between the siblings and couldn't help but admire the boy's selflessness and devotion to his sister. He applauded the young boy's maturity and determination in caring for his family, even amidst their difficult circumstances.

Suddenly, an adult came running towards them, his rage evident in his voice. "You little brat! You've stolen my merchandise again!" he accused the little boy.

"Crap. Eat quickly and go back home. I'll deal with things here." Realizing the danger, the boy quickly urged his sister to finish eating and return home while he bravely stood his ground to face the consequences. He was prepared to endure any punishment to ensure his sister's safety.

However, the adult appeared to be ready for this confrontation. Another man emerged from the crowd, standing beside the siblings and firmly holding onto the little girl. The situation seemed dire, with no apparent means of escape for them.

"You! Release my sister!" The boy fought valiantly, attempting to free his sister from the adult's grasp.

"Brat. I finally caught you *huff,huff. You never learn, do you?" The angry adult retorted, poised to strike the boy, but Luke stepped in just in time.

"Stop," Luke firmly commanded, his voice cutting through the tension in the air. His presence intervened in the escalating situation, attempting to bring a moment of calm.

"You. Are you their accomplice?" The adult questioned Luke, eyeing him with suspicion.

Luke remained composed and inquired about the amount owed, seeking to understand the situation better.

The angry adult scoffed at the idea of money resolving the matter. "What? Even if you have money, you can't pay all. I lost a total of 5 silvers because of this brat. He's been stealing our merchandise for 2 weeks now. Finally, I caught him," he replied indignantly, revealing the reason for his fury.

Luke chose not to say much and swiftly took action. He threw a gold coin towards the adult man, asserting his intention to handle the situation.

"I'll deal with them. Take this and the change for compensation," Luke stated firmly, offering a generous amount to settle the matter.

The adult man's attitude shifted immediately upon catching the gold coin. Grateful for the unexpected resolution, he quickly changed his tune and left, accompanied by the other man, fearing that Luke might change his mind.

With the immediate threat diffused, Luke shifted his attention back to the two little kids, who now stood in awe of his intervention.

The little girl's face filled with realization, and she seemed to remember something crucial. Anger flared up within her, directed at her older brother. "Brother! Why are you stealing! You said that you sold our flowers and then bought food. I didn't know you stole those foods," she exclaimed with disappointment.

The little boy, feeling caught and guilty, cowered like a mouse in front of his sister. She had uncovered his wrongdoings, but he felt trapped in a desperate situation. He justified his actions, knowing that without stealing, they might starve to death. He believed that no one would truly buy the unwanted flowers, leaving them with no other means to survive.

The weight of their hardship and the boy's actions hung heavily in the air, leaving them both in a difficult and challenging predicament.

As Luke looked at the once brave boy now cowering in front of his little sister, he could sense the internal struggle within him. The boy's eyes betrayed the desire to cry, but he was holding back his tears, trying to maintain a sense of strength despite the guilt he felt.

Once the siblings' arguments had subsided, they both turned to Luke with a mix of gratitude and relief in their eyes. Despite their predicament, they found solace in his compassion and assistance. The weight of their difficult circumstances seemed momentarily lifted, knowing that someone cared enough to step in and help them.

"Thank you, handsome brother," the little girl said with a bow, her expression transforming as she turned to her brother. "What are you doing, big brother! Thank our savior now," she reminded him 'gently'.

The boy, now sniffling, expressed his gratitude as well. "Thank you, savior. Sniff. I'm sorry for earlier."

Luke couldn't help but find the situation a little amusing, but he held back any laughter, fully aware that a more significant issue needed to be addressed. Their expressions of thanks were heartwarming, but the root of their hardships and the boy's actions remained unresolved.

Luke's big brother instinct had kicked in once more, prompting him to delve deeper into the children's situation. He wanted to understand the challenges they were facing and how he could possibly assist them.

"Kids, tell me about your situation," Luke said gently, encouraging them to open up and share their struggles. His compassionate demeanor aimed to create a safe space for them to confide in him, knowing that a sincere understanding of their circumstances was the first step towards finding a way to help.