There was no ceremony to it, no exaggerated welcome, yet the simplicity of her tone carried a quiet comfort that eased something inside him. Arceus nodded in return, stepping in with his suitcase rolling softly behind him, the wheels clicking faintly against the tiled floor.
Inside, the apartment felt alive.
Serestia was already there, seated in the living room with her handheld console, her posture slightly hunched forward in concentration, fingers moving with practiced rhythm. She glanced up briefly when he entered, her eyes meeting his for just a second.
"Hey," she said softly.
Then she returned to her game.
It wasn't much.
But for Arceus—
It was enough.
The mere fact that she was there, not hidden behind a closed door this time, brought a quiet brightness to his mood, something subtle yet persistent, like a small flame that refused to go out.
Before he could linger on it, Celia gestured for him to follow.
"C'mon," she said. "You should meet the other two."
They walked past the kitchen, where faint clattering sounds hinted at recent activity, and toward the second bedroom. The door stood open, and laughter spilled out in uneven bursts, blending with the faint glow of a video playing somewhere inside.
Arceus stepped in behind Celia.
The room was modest, slightly cluttered, carrying the distinct feel of two people sharing a space that had slowly adapted to both of them.
A tall woman sat on the edge of the bed, her posture relaxed but grounded, her fingers scrolling through her phone with quick, confident movements. Her chestnut brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders, and the red glasses perched on her nose added a sharp contrast to her otherwise casual look.
But what caught Arceus off guard—
Was her build.
Her arms were toned, her shoulders broad, and the shape of her muscles showed clearly even through her clothes, the kind of physique that came from consistent effort rather than occasional exercise.
For a brief moment, his eyes lingered.
She's… stronger than me.
The realization landed quietly.
A strange thought followed right after.
And she works as a receptionist?
It didn't quite fit the image he had in mind.
Most stores preferred something else.
A softer appearance.
A different kind of presence.
But standing there, looking at her, he couldn't deny the confidence she carried, the ease with which she occupied the space.
"Oh, so you're the new guy!" she said suddenly, looking up, her voice bright and energetic. "Welcome! I'm Emelia. You can call me Emma or Ella."
She grinned, tilting her head slightly. "Let me know if Celia makes you wash dishes."
"Hey!" Celia reached out and slapped her arm lightly from behind, the gesture playful rather than annoyed.
Beside Emelia, another figure sat cross-legged on the bed, his posture loose, almost lazy, as if he existed in a constant state of half-rest.
Neal.
His shaggy black hair fell messily around his face, and his expression carried a calm softness, the kind that made him seem approachable even before he spoke.
He lifted a hand in a small wave.
"Hey, man," he said. "What's your age?"
The question came so directly that Arceus blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Eh?" he let out before correcting himself. "Twenty-four."
Neal nodded slowly, as if confirming something important.
"I'm twenty-seven," he said, his tone steady but carrying a faint edge of humor. "Older than you. So don't get cheeky with me, alright?"
Arceus paused.
For a second, he didn't quite know how to respond.
Then he smiled.
"Elder Bro," he said simply.
The room let out a soft chuckle.
And just like that—
The tension eased.
***
After unpacking his clothes, folding them neatly into the drawers, arranging his chargers and a few old monster training books on the small table, Arceus returned to the living room, where the others had gathered.
This time—
Serestia was still there.
That alone shifted something in him.
He sat down with them on the floor, the cool surface grounding him as the conversation began to flow naturally, light and easy, like a stream that didn't need to force its direction.
Topics came and went.
Small stories.
Casual jokes.
Fragments of everyday life.
And gradually—
Arceus found himself speaking more, opening up without realizing it, his words coming easier than they had in a long time.
Then—
The attention shifted.
To Black.
The moment he introduced the small direwolf pup, the entire atmosphere changed.
Emelia leaned forward immediately, her eyes lighting up. Neal smiled more openly, reaching out carefully, while even Serestia paused her game, her attention drawn fully to the small creature.
Black, unaware of the effect it had, waddled between them with clumsy enthusiasm, its round body and oversized eyes making it impossible to ignore.
It didn't take long.
They were all hooked.
But among them—
Black gravitated toward Serestia.
It lingered near her.
Sat beside her.
Even leaned lightly against her leg as if it had already chosen its place.
Arceus noticed.
Of course he did.
A quiet thought slipped in.
Maybe it's because she's a trainer…
Another followed.
Or maybe…
He stopped himself.
Didn't let it go further.
Didn't let it show.
He kept his expression normal.
Or at least—
He tried.
***
As the sun dipped lower, the light in the apartment shifted, warm tones giving way to softer hues as evening approached.
The kitchen came alive.
Celia moved with practiced ease, chopping vegetables in steady, rhythmic motions, the knife hitting the board with clean precision. Serestia stood nearby, struggling slightly with peeling garlic, her brows furrowed in quiet frustration as the thin skin refused to come off cleanly.
Emelia hummed to herself, stirring a pot with relaxed confidence, the aroma of cooking filling the space, rich and inviting.
Neal had already disappeared, his footsteps fading toward the bedroom, a yawn escaping him as he prepared for his night shift.
With nothing immediate to do, Arceus returned to his room.
The space still felt new.
Unsettled.
But slowly becoming his.
He knelt near the drawers, adjusting his clothes, aligning small items on the table, creating order where there had been none.
At his feet, Black explored.
Sniffing.
Nudging.
Chewing lightly on the edge of a towel, its small teeth testing everything within reach.
Then—
Buzz
Ding!
The sound came together.
One from the phone.
One from his mind.
Arceus paused.
A shirt still in his hand.
His breath slowed slightly as his gaze lifted toward the holographic screen forming before him.
[You received an Order: 1x Luminous Direwolf Egg, 1x Terran Direwolf Egg, 1x Electral Direwolf Egg, and 1x Blazing Direwolf Egg.]
For a second—
He didn't react.
Then—
His eyes widened.
His heart slammed against his chest, sudden and heavy, the impact almost physical.
"The fk—"
The words burst out of him before he could stop them, his voice sharp, loud enough to cut through the apartment.
The shirt slipped from his hand.
Black jolted, startled, its head snapping up as it stared at him with wide, confused eyes.
Four eggs.
At once.
His mind raced.
Numbers flashed.
That's… a hundred thousand…
His fingers moved quickly, almost fumbling as he grabbed his phone, opening the app, confirming—
It was real.
Order confirmed.
Pending shipment.
His breathing quickened.
Excitement surged—
Then—
The door creaked open.
Celia stood there, a ladle in one hand, apron tied around her waist, her brows slightly drawn in concern.
"What happened?" she asked, stepping closer. "Did something break? Or did you see a cockroach or something?"
Arceus turned toward her.
And in that moment—
He couldn't hold it in.