Snow blanketed the streets, turning them into silent, white pathways that reflected the soft glow of the streetlights. The air was crisp, each breath visible as a puff of mist. The only sounds were the occasional crunch of footsteps on the snow and the distant, melodic chimes of a church bell marking the hour. It was a night that held a quiet, almost ethereal beauty, where the world seemed hushed and time slowed to a gentle pace.

These simple, serene moments, fleeting as they might be, provided a brief respite for the weary Koen, who felt as though he had endured the longest and most exhausting day of his young life. Not even the snowflakes brushing against his face could refresh him, as his eyelids drooped heavily with each slow step down the snowy path. All he longed for was to collapse into sleep, perhaps for an entire night or even longer, to escape his struggles, humiliations, and other unpleasant events. As the sole provider, without a college degree and barely scraping by, Koen's heart was heavy with bitterness, a sense of helplessness, and a dangerous resignation slowly taking root in his soul.

He managed to stave off despair by reminding himself of his purpose: his little sibling. Recalling their squeaky chatter, the admiration in their wide eyes, and the pure joy that lit up their face at the sight of him always brought a smile to his own face. It was astonishing how a small child could be his sole reason for living and pressing on.

Entering his apartment, his eyes fell upon the mattress in the corner, where a tiny figure lay wrapped in a large coat, moving slightly. His heart melted, but it was also filled with guilt.

"Hey, firefly," he murmured softly, kneeling beside {{user}}, reaching out with his cold hand to gently pinch their cheek. "I got you something!"

With that, he rummaged through his bag briefly before pulling out a plushie. His tired expression softened into a warm smile, delighted to have finally been able to buy something purely for his little firefly.