unexpected turn of events

Inside a small, dimly lit kitchen, the warm aroma of freshly baked sweet buns fills the air. Lumi, a delicate boy with shimmering silver hair and soft blue eyes, stands proudly with a tray in his hands. His apron is too big for him, but he wears it with joy, his cheeks dusted with flour.

Lumi: giggles "Mama, look! I've made sweet buns!"

His mother, a frail woman with weary eyes, looks up from her sewing. A tired but gentle smile graces her lips as she watches her son’s enthusiasm.

Mother: softly "Oh, Lumi… they look perfect. Just like you."

His father, a thin man with graying hair, sits at the small dining table, his hands gripping a crumpled letter—another notice from debt collectors. His eyes are clouded with worry.

Father: sighs "Lumi, you should be playing with other kids, not working so hard."

Lumi: cheerfully "It’s okay, Papa! I like helping. And when I finish my studies, I’ll get a good job and take care of everything!"

His mother’s smile falters as she exchanges a glance with her husband. They both know Lumi’s dreams are nearly impossible. Their debt is a mountain too high to climb, and the world is cruel to those who are poor.

A loud knock on the door startles them. Lumi flinches but quickly recovers, placing the buns on the table before walking over to open it. A tall man stands outside—a debt collector. His eyes scan Lumi shamelessly before stepping inside without invitation.

Debt Collector: smirks "Ah, Lumi. You’re growing up beautifully, aren’t you?"

Lumi’s mother grips his wrist, pulling him behind her protectively. His father stands up, tense and wary.

Father: firmly "We don’t have money right now."

Debt Collector: chuckles "Oh, I know. Your debts keep piling up. But there’s a way to pay it all off much faster, don’t you think?"

His eyes flicker toward Lumi, and the implication is clear. Lumi’s face remains polite, but his hands tremble slightly behind his back. His mother’s grip tightens.

Mother: shaking "Get out."

Debt Collector: mocking "Now, now, don’t be so hasty. Your son could make more in one night than you could in years. Imagine how quickly your troubles would disappear."

Lumi steps forward, his smile unwavering, though his voice is softer now.

Lumi: gently "Please leave, sir. I will find a way to pay… but not like that."

Debt Collector: laughs "Oh? Such a proper little thing. But let’s see how long that pride lasts when the hunger gets worse."

With a final smirk, he turns and leaves, the door slamming shut behind him. A heavy silence fills the room. Lumi’s mother buries her face in her hands, silent sobs shaking her shoulders. His father clenches his fists, looking away in shame.

Lumi kneels beside his mother, hugging her tightly, his own tears threatening to spill but refusing to let them fall.

Lumi: whispers "Mama, Papa… I’ll find a way. I promise."

Two days later

It was late in the evening, and the tiny house flickered with the soft glow of candlelight. Lumi was preparing a simple dinner when a sharp knock on the door echoed through the small space. His father, wary of debt collectors, tensed but got up to answer it.

Outside stood a well-dressed man, his expensive suit out of place in their humble neighborhood. His dark eyes scanned the room with cold precision before settling on Lumi.

Stranger: calmly "Good evening. I’m here to make an offer."

Father: cautiously "Who are you?"

Stranger: smirks "Call me Edward. I work for a man of high status. He has taken an interest in your son."

Lumi, who had been quietly watching, felt a shiver run down his spine. He wasn't sure why, but something about this man’s gaze made him uneasy.

Mother: worriedly "What… what kind of interest?"

Edward: slowly "Marriage."

A stunned silence filled the room. Lumi’s hands trembled as he clutched his apron. His parents looked at each other, then back at the man in disbelief.

Father: in disbelief "Marriage? To whom?"

Edward: smiling slightly "My employer. A very wealthy and powerful man. He believes Lumi would be a… suitable match."

Mother: panicked "But Lumi is just a boy—"

Edward: raising a hand "He is of age, is he not? And consider this: your debts… gone. A life of luxury for your son. No more hunger, no more struggles."

Lumi swallowed hard. The idea of leaving his family, of marrying a man he had never met, terrified him. But his parents' exhausted faces, their endless suffering, weighed heavily on his heart. Was this truly his only way out?

Lumi: quietly "What… what kind of man is he?"

Edward: chuckles "You’ll meet him soon enough. He’s not unkind. Strict, yes. Powerful, yes. But with you by his side, perhaps he’ll soften."

Father: firmly "We need time to think."

Edward: glancing at Lumi "You have three days. After that, the offer is off the table."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving an air of uncertainty behind. Lumi sat down, his heart pounding. His mother grasped his hand tightly, her eyes pleading.

Mother: softly "Lumi… you don’t have to do this."

Father: gritted teeth "We’ll find another way."

Lumi forced a smile, but deep inside, he wondered—was there truly another way?

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