CHAPTER 48: THE MEMORIES OF LOVING FAMILY PT 3

"AH!~"

The trattoria door swung shut behind them with a soft chime. Rosa waved from the threshold, while Carlo stood proudly at her side.

"Come back whenever you wish!" Rosa called.

Carlo added with a grin, "Next time, I’ll surprise you with something new!"

Asahi and the others bid them farewell, their stomachs full and their spirits fuller.

Their journey resumed, Lucretia leading the way. She knew the town well and guided them confidently through the winding streets of Isola Rossa.

They passed stalls selling seashell trinkets and handwoven baskets. Tet pressed her face close to one stand, gasping. "Look! A starfish necklace! Asahi, you’d look hilarious in this!" She held it up, grinning.

Asahi waved her off, embarrassed, while Alice chuckled softly and brushed her fingers over a strand of coral beads. "They’re so delicate... I’ve only ever seen them in books."

Amaterasu examined a small wooden carving of a dolphin with a serene expression. The vendor tried to press it into her hand, but she merely inclined her head in thanks before moving on, leaving the man baffled by her quiet dignity.

Local children played with wooden tops on the cobblestones, their laughter ringing like bells. Alice crouched to watch, her eyes shining. "They’re so skilled... I’d trip in a second." One child offered her the toy, and she smiled shyly as she tried it, earning delighted claps when it spun true.

From open windows drifted the sound of guitars and the smell of frying sardines.

Tet swayed dramatically to the music, dragging Asahi into an impromptu dance until he stumbled, flailing. "H-hey! I can’t dance!" he protested, though his grin betrayed him.

Down by the shore, they strolled along the beach.

The sand was pale and fine, cool beneath their feet as the tide lapped lazily at the shore.

Tet skipped ahead, daring the waves to catch her ankles.

Alice knelt to gather smooth stones, holding them up to the light as if they were jewels.

Amaterasu, walking calmly behind, let the water wash over her toes. For once, her stern expression softened as she gazed at the horizon.

Lucretia glanced back at her companions—laughing, playing, discovering—and her heart swelled with quiet fondness.

For a while, they were simply travelers, enjoying the sun, the sea, and each other’s company.

Asahi trailed behind with his sandals in hand, gazing out at the sea.

Every scent and flavor from dinner still lingered on his senses, but something else tugged at him—something just beyond reach.

The afternoon softened into evening.

The sun sank lower, casting everything in gold.

Lucretia stopped at last, pointing toward the far edge of the cliffs.

"There," she said. "Our last stop for today—the Spanish Tower of Isola Rossa."

The group began the climb, the path winding upward past olive trees and herbs perfuming the air with rosemary and thyme.

The sea breeze grew stronger, carrying gull cries across the cliffs.

Tet bounded ahead like a mountain goat, calling back, "Hurry up, slowpokes!" Amaterasu kept to the rear, her gaze steady but calm.

As they drew closer, the tower rose higher, its weathered stones glowing in the dying light. Then, suddenly—

"Asahi?" Alice called, noticing he wasn’t with them.

He had broken into a run, feet pounding the stone path. His heart raced, though he didn’t know why. Something pulled him forward.

Reaching the ridge before the tower, he froze.

Before him stretched the finest sunset he had ever seen.

The horizon blazed with molten gold, melting into crimson and violet, the sea catching every shimmer like a mirror of fire.

The world hushed, as if holding its breath for this single, fleeting moment.

Then he remembered his promise.

Asahi’s breath caught.

His hands trembled.

Slowly, he reached into his [Storage] and drew out a worn photograph.

It showed his parents smiling, hands raised to display their engagement rings before this very tower, the sunset crowning them in light.

He heard their voices echo in memory—

"Then we’ll show you everything. The cliffs, the tower, the sea... everything we adventure, sweetie. One day."

Little Asahi’s eyes had sparkled. "Promise?"

His mom and dad smiled. "Promise."

Back in the present, his vision blurred.

Tears slipped down his cheeks, warm in the golden glow.

"I made it... I kept our promise. Mom... Dad..." he whispered, hugging the old photo tight against his chest, unable to stop missing them.

Asahi, who had once believed himself numb to such feelings, realized otherwise.

In his previous life, he had been an orphan—raised only by religious sisters and staff.

Living without a family had become normal, an emptiness so constant it felt natural.

But this life was different.

This time, he had known them and met some of family want to adopt him—had felt their warmth, their smiles, their love. And because of that, the hole they left behind ached deeper than ever.

No matter how cold or distant a person he might seem, every heart longs for family.

That truth struck harder than the sea winds against his face.

The sea roared below, the tower loomed above, and the sun set on a boy finally standing where his parents once promised.

"Asahi..."

Alice’s voice reached him gently.

She and the others had caught up, slowing when they saw him clutching the photograph.

He turned slightly, quickly wiping his tears.

Amaterasu stepped forward first, resting a firm hand on his shoulder.

She didn’t speak—she didn’t need to.

Her presence alone was grounding.

Alice pressed her fingers to her lips, her eyes shimmering. "Your parents... they must be so proud," she whispered.

Tet, unusually quiet, slipped to his other side.

Her grin was softer, stripped of mischief. "Hehe... if it were me, I’d be so proud: ’My kid made it on his own.’"

"Heh... Ahahaha." Asahi blinked through tears, chuckling at last. "What do you mean ’on my own’? You’re all here with me. Without you, I could never have come this far."

The laugh that followed was shaky but real, warming the air between them.

Together, they stood side by side, letting the sunset wash over them.

For a little while, Asahi wasn’t just the boy who lost his parents—he was the boy who had found a family again.

Lucretia’s lips curved in thought. "How about a picture? To remember this day."

Alice clapped lightly. "That’s a good idea."

Everyone agreed instantly.

"Wait a minute—how about we take a picture with this?" Asahi said with a small smile, reaching into his [Storage].

Everyone watched curiously as he pulled out a strange object.

In his hand was a black sphere, the size of a tennis ball, with a lens in the center.

Asahi adjusted it. The lens lit up, a red dot glowing, as small bat-like wings spread from its sides.

Image Item:

The ball lifted from his hand, scanning the surroundings before circling Asahi and landing on his shoulder.

Lucretia and Alice exchanged surprised, curious glances.

"I didn’t know you had such an item," Lucretia said, her curiosity brimming. "May I know what it is?"

Alice nodded eagerly, leaning closer. "It’s so cute... what is it?"

Asahi smiled knowingly, almost proud from his baby(creation). "Hehehe, I knew you’d ask. This is my multipurpose golem."

"Golem?" Lucretia and Alice echoed, surprised like they didnt expect.

Asahi nodded. "Yes, a multipurpose golem... Well...I’ll explain later. Let’s take the picture first."

Lucretia nodded as she understand "Great. I look forward to hearing more in our class" she said, an almost mischievous smile tugging at her lips as her researcher’s curiosity slipped out.

The black sphere twitched at her gaze, startled.

"Me too—I want to know as well," Alice added softly, trying to touch it.

The little wings swatted her finger away.

Asahi sighed, a bead of sweat on his temple, before commanding the golem calmly. "Take a picture of us with the scenery."

The golem zipped off his shoulder, hovering in front of them.

"Okay, take your positions," Asahi said, gathering everyone at the ridge.

The lens projected a countdown.

5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

"Smile!"

Click!

The group posed before the Spanish Tower, the sunset blazing behind them.

A single shot froze that moment—laughter, warmth, and golden light—captured forever.

Lowering the device, Asahi turned to the others, a spark in his eyes.

"You know," he said with a grin, "how about we cook here tonight before going home? As thanks—for being here with me."

Tet’s eyes lit up. "Yes! Finally, the foodie becomes the chef! Go on, grill that meat you’ve been hiding!"

Alice smiled, brushing away a tear. "That would be lovely."

Amaterasu inclined her head. "Very well. We’ll eat together."

Lucretia ask as she taste his food before couldnt help want to know.

And so, as night settled over Isola Rossa, their day of travel and memories ended not in silence, but with the promise of a meal shared under the stars.

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