The Earth After Rebirth

It was almost time for their families to arrive. They didn't want to go to the airport, so they hired a driver to pick them up and waited outside on the street. Since their houses were 10 minutes apart, they yelled while chatting.

"Do you reckon we're making noise? This neighbourhood is a ghost town."

"No, they have soundproof houses, maybe."

Then a voice from across the street childishly said, "no we don't!"

The gate opened from the flowery house and an old man came out. Like, he was really old even by their standards. Kiro was sure he'd insult them.

"But it's good to hear some noise, this neighbourhood is too quiet, I thought I had cacti for neighbours. Keep it up!" He encouraged.

Kiro grinned, what a carefree old man. "Sure gramps!"

They watched as the old man entered the liquor store at a distance, and their attention shifted to a car pulling up by Kiro's house and Hiro ran to stand beside him.

Their families got out of the car, shock and confusion could be seen on their faces. They had printed the title deeds, so before they said anything they gave it to them. Instead of being happy, they frowned!

"Kiro Percival Waynworth, what is this?"

'Huh, why's she mad?'

"Why are you mad? It's a house, your house, our house." He stuttered as he failed to explain properly.

"I see that, are you selling drugs? are you in a gang? I didn't raise you to be that kind of a person! Have you gotten taller?" She asked, touching him frantically, as if it'd be written on his body that he was doing something shady.

His mother couldn't collect her thoughts properly. She wanted to reprimand her son, but looking at how healthy he looked, she couldn't help but comment on the changes also.

"Bro! How unreliable!" Loki chimed in.

He didn't want hear this from him. He joined a gang at 18 in his past life!

Hiro didn't fair any better, he was getting an earful. His mum told him to take back the money or she'd call the police.

'Amazing! So righteous! Righteous and poor. Goes well together doesn't it. The rich are ruthless. They don't mind stealing from the poor.' Kiro commented internally.

He wouldn't dare say that out loud though.

"Everyone, come see, this money is very legal. This is how we made it." He showed them a trailer of the game, and how in-game coins could be exchange for real money.

It was slowly just sinking in, Freya's knees went weak. Sekani caught her just in time.

"I'm sorry I kept it from you, but it absolutely had to be a surprise. I expect both of you to never work a day in your lives. I expect that you won't so much as clean this house. I'll hire help.

"I want you to rest for the rest of your lives, focus on your health. Please, sleep, eat and be lazy to your heart's content. Your son will do everything from now on."

Freya hugged her son and sobbed, Kiro could've sworn he saw something watery in his dad's eyes. Which he quickly wiped away.

"You've gotten taller after all, and sturdier." Freya said in-between sobs while hugging her son. "You've grown so much in only 3 months."

Kiro laughed a little, he knew the growth wasn't a result of just 3 months. It was growth of experiencing another life entirely.

Kiro didn't feel he was that tall, he guessed gaining muscles made him intimidating.

When the emotions calmed down. Hiro came over with his family.

"Kiro, Kiro's family, this is my family the Misaki's. Our mother is Kiyoko, my sister Yuri and my little brother Isao."

Kiro shook their hands and bowed at the same time.

"This my family. The Waynworth family. Our father is Sekani, our mother is Freya. My little sister is Alora Layana and that little brat is Loki Wilfred."

Kiro was reminded that he had Alora's gift. He took the flowers out from his pants, he had stashed them in the back pocket by the stem.

He knelt down, "ah Freckles, that reminds me. come here." She stood in front of him.

He took out the roses and gave them to her. Her reaction was priceless, her smile was so cute it melt his heart.

'Yup this is what I live for. I live for this smile right here.'

"What about me?" his brother asked.

"I seem to remember you said, I should keep my money?" Kiro could see he wanted to curse himself, he looked dejected.

"Don't worry, I'll buy you whatever you want. No head gear though. You must be 16 and older to use one." There was no such rule but he was making one for their household.

Kiro didn't know he could smile like that. It shocked him. He was sure he'll buy all kinds of skateboards, instead of hoverboards.

Then Loki did something more surprising and hugged his brother, but it was brief, he quickly let go.

"Thanks." He coughed.

The two families said their goodbyes and went their sperate ways. Kiro gave them the tour. There were two master bedrooms, he took one and the other was for his parents. His siblings chose their own rooms, he made sure they chose ones with their own toilets.

They called Philip who was left at the house and let him know what was happening. They instructed him to box certain things and tell the landlord they won't be coming back, to do whatever with the remaining lease.

Kiro bought a ticket for Philip, he didn't know why but he reckoned his parents would tell him why they needed this Philip.

"Wow Ki, you've outdone yourself, this house, this land, at the upper district, where did you even get the money to buy head gear?" Freya asked him.

Kiro could tell her 'mama senses' were tingling, "now, don't get mad, I used next semester's tuition."

She didn't know how to feel, she was so angry, no words came out.

"But but, everything worked out. I took a risk, it paid off, now we live here, that's all that matters!" He defended himself.

"He's right darling." Sekani rarely defended the kids against their mother, but he did this time.

Freya sighed, "yes, I guess you're right! I'm proud of you."

Kiro breathed a deep sigh of relief, he almost died just now. He mouthed a thank you to his father. He smiled.

They spent the next hour looking at the house and its land. Kiro decided to take them to the same mall, Hiro tagged along with his family.

They limited each family member to a million creds. They wanted to buy them whatever they wanted, but they were also not wasteful. They were business men now after all.

They bought so much clothes that they needed 4 carts this time.

Freya and Kiyoko bonded over what foods they should buy. They both loved cooking it seemed. Promising to give each other secret recipes, they got carried away and bought ingredients worth well over 10k.

"Oh by the way Mrs. Misaki, your son here owns this mall!"

"Hiroto, is that true? You didn't mention that!" She was beyond shocked.

"Haha, not enough time." He gave Kiro a deadly stare. Which he returned with a naughty smile.