Chapter 4- They Lived So Close

Zion and Xiao stood outside of their younger sibling's school waiting for them. Seems like they're taking longer than normal.

The bell rang and the kids started pouring out cars, parents, or guardians waiting for the kids. Kids laughed loudly while some were walking, playing around, or running around. Magic (Mana and QI) is taken very seriously by the school and they have strict rules and regulations in place to ensure that students are using it safely and responsibly. Those rules are enforced, and any misuse of magic can result in disciplinary action or worse, expulsion.

Celestia ran towards Zion hugging him when she got to him. Xiao said to Zion, "Your sister likes you." Zion responded to Xiao, "She's clingy, but I don't mind." Zion loves taking care of Celestia and the other younger siblings, and he knows that she is a bit clingy, but he loves her regardless. He also knows that she is a very popular and likable kid. Therefore, he keeps an eye on all of the other kids who might be paying too much attention.

Xiao leaned closer to Zion and said to him, maybe she's being bullied that's why she's clingy. Zion replied I hope that's not the case. Zion was concerned that if Xiao's prediction was true, he would have to step in and confront the bully to protect Celestia. Zion looked down and asked Celestia, are you being bullied? Celestia glanced up and nodded left and right indicating she was not being bullied, but it was a bit suspicious because she was not with her friends. Zion asked Celestia another question, Where are your friends? Celestia looked around and pointed to a mixed group of girls and guys.

Zion had assumed that the mixed group of girls and guys were Celestia's friends. However, when he noticed that she wasn't with them and was instead with a group of 4 girls, he looked relieved. This could be because he was worried that Celestia had been hanging out with a group of boys. However, he was relieved to see that she was with a group of girls instead.

Celestia's friends walked up to Zion and Xiao while Celestia was still hugging him. As the girls introduced themselves, they bowled. Mia Scovolich, Arya Lamoreta, Zofia Evie, Selah Serena. Zion whispered to Celestia remind me which are which. Zion then extended his hand and shake the girl's hands and said please take care of her. They turned around and started going home.

Tala is the youngest of the siblings. Walked out the gate holding a boy's hand and told him he was my new friend. In a look of surprise, Xiao replied, "You've gotten your first friend, that's fast," with a big smile on her face. Zion looked at Xiao and said he was the younger brother you were telling me about Kira earlier. Xiao glanced at Zion and said yes. Zion then asked what his name was, he replied it was Lao Yue in a respectful tone.

Mino called out to Zion where he was because he had made an unexpected friend and it was a girl. Among the siblings, the youngest in the family is Mino. Mina ran toward Zion while holding the hand of his new friend. Mino introduced her to his kuya (older brother) this is my new friend named Fol Yue and she's a transfer student. Fol looked at Xiao and Xiao looked at Zion and said, "Is it a coincidence that your younger siblings are friends with my younger siblings?" Zion looked at her with a serious face and said yes, it's a coincidence.

While in his head he said to himself that it is a coincidence because he wanted to get close to her instead. Zion had been trying to spend more time with Xiao and this was an opportunity to do so. He was the class representative and he felt like it was his duty to help out.

Let's go home now, Zion said to his siblings and Xiao. Xiao agreed and walked towards their house. They passed by a market and said to Xiao that they had plans to buy ingredients there. Xiao was reluctant to agree because she lost her money pouch to Zion. Both don't know yet who owns and who picked up the money pouch. Xiao blurred out that she didn't have money and Zion offered to help because his siblings insisted. Xiao agreed, they looked around to buy any ingredients they would want to use for dinner when they get home. After shopping for ingredients they headed home.

Xiao asked for a list of what is the most effective way to prepare the fish and the squid. Zion listed the recipe and continued talking while their younger sibling was talking with their new friend heading back to their house. When Zion looked around, they were standing in front of their house. Zion looked at Xiao and said that this was their house. Xiao was surprised because their neighbors, the young siblings, are happy because they live close, meaning they can play together more.

Zion offered to cook for them but Xiao was reluctant. Xiao was likely hesitant to accept the offer because she was worried about the cost and the amount of work it would take to cook for so many people. However, after seeing the enthusiasm of the other siblings, she agreed to let Zion cook.

They had just finished grocery shopping and Xiao wanted to make sure all the food was put away before they took the kids out exploring. Zion happily agreed and all of the kids, Lao and Fol, are excited to explore the mansion.

Zion was wondering why Xiao was taking so long, then he heard a noise coming from outside. Zion rushed out and looked at what the commotion was about. When Zion got outside, he saw Xiao trying to push a car out of a ditch. He had been trying to help an elderly couple who had gotten their car stuck. Zion rushed over so that it would be quicker. He used his gravity magic to lift the car out of the ditch. The grandmother complimented them for being kind people and asked if they were married. Zion and Xiao blushed and corrected their grandmother that they were only classmates.

They headed inside and the elderly couple looked at them skeptically as they entered the same house. This is because they don't believe that was the case, only classmates said the grandfather said to his wife.

Xiao and Zion then headed straight to the kitchen to cook dinner.