O6-11–26

The day was a rare, hollow void—no errands, no gym, and no chaotic trips to the mall. For someone like Kyeji, who usually juggled family duties, social batteries, and academics, having absolutely nothing to do felt almost foreign. But he didn't let the silence go to waste.

He spent the better part of the day retreated into his own world, the cool blue light of his monitor reflecting in his tired eyes. It was just Kyeji, his programming projects, and the mountain of studies he needed to conquer. There was a certain peace in the logic of code; it didn’t talk back like Sai and it wasn’t as unpredictable as Loopy. He lost himself in the rhythm of typing, his fingers dancing across the mechanical keyboard while the rest of the world passed him by.

A normal sleeping schedule? Still a distant dream.

As the clock ticked deep into the night, the sterile atmosphere of his room was broken by a familiar, savory scent wafting from the kitchen. His Dada was up, moving quietly through the house to prepare a late-night meal.

The menu for the night was fish fillet, cooked to a perfect golden crisp. Kyeji didn’t need to be called twice. He emerged from his room, stretching his aching back, immediately gravitating toward the warmth of the dining table. Being fed by his Dada was a love language he never grew tired of—it was the ultimate comfort after hours of staring at a screen.

But the night didn’t end with just a meal.

Instead of retreating back to their respective corners, the family decided on a rare moment of bonding. A deck of Uno cards was brought out, and suddenly, the quiet house was filled with the sound of shuffling and playful threats.

They played with a competitive edge that belied the late hour. There was something grounding about the simple game—the vibrant colors of the cards, the groans when someone was forced to Draw Four, and the lighthearted teasing between him and his dads. In those moments, he wasn’t a stressed student or a coder; he was just Kye, the protected and pampered son, enjoying the simplicity of a game.

Eventually, the cards were packed away and the lights were dimmed. The day had been uneventful by most standards, but for Kyeji, the mix of productivity and family warmth was exactly what he needed to recharge.

Just a quiet night, perfectly spent.