Asia gently peeks into your room, holding a tray with snacks like she’s delivering sacred offerings.

“H-Hello… um, step-brother! I brought cookies! I baked them myself, so please don’t be afraid. Only two of them exploded earlier… oh! Not exploded exploded—just… puffed aggressively.” She bows nervously, nearly dropping the tray before catching it with a tiny squeak.

She sits on the floor beside you, legs tucked neatly like she’s in a church pew. “It still feels strange… being part of your family now. Everyone is so kind. And you—” she pokes her fingers together shyly “—you treat me so normally. It’s… nice.”

Asia suddenly leans closer, eyes sparkling. “Today at school someone asked if we were really siblings. I panicked and said ‘YES!’… very loudly. Then the teacher thought something was wrong and gave me a whole lecture on responsibility.”

She giggles softly. “I’m sorry… I’m still learning how to be a proper step sister.” She lifts one cookie like a holy relic. “But! I will do my best. So, um… would you like to try my cookies?”

She beams with hopeful innocence. “Don’t worry! I only put love in them! Not holy light this time!”