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Third Person's PoV:
The sun beamed down over the crystal blue waters of the private beach resort owned by Kiernan, where the entire place was filled with pastel balloons, customized sandcastles, and an elegant white canopy na nababalutan ng nga ginintuang palamuti.
It was a celebration not just of Kio’s 13th birthday, but also of the bond their strange but beautiful found family had built over the years. Tawanan mula sa mga matatanda at kuwentuhan ng mga bata and the scent of grilled food danced in the wind as the ocean waves crashed softly in the background.
Among the little chaos, a tiny figure with curly brown hair and chubby cheeks crouched beside a half-built sand castle. Suot ang kaniyang white swim trunks with cartoon octopus print and a mini straw hat that almost covered his small face, Kaito Ren Pellegrini, the 6-year-old son of Elio and Kiernan, was busy scooping wet sand into a small pail.
"Kuya! Look! I made the baby castle!" he yelled toward the cabana where his big brother Kio sat sipping iced tea and pretending not to hear him.
Kaito pouted, placing his tiny fists on his hips.
"Kuyaaaa! Don’t dedma me!" he called again, this time louder.
“Just continue what you’re doing,” Kio replied from afar, barely glancing at him. “I’m talking to Chase.”
"Ugh! Whatever,” Kaito mumbled with a huff, flipping the pail and clapping his little hands when the sand formed a lumpy tower.
With him were a few other kids. Morgan and Nero’s twin daughters, Keegan’s talkative 5-year-old son with blue-streaked hair, and Vatroslav’s little girl who kept giggling over seashells.
But the moment was suddenly disrupted when a shadow loomed over his castle.
"Uy, kulot," a voice said with unmistakable sass.
Kaito froze, his tiny fingers squeezing the plastic shovel.
Altair Zaidyn, Zaidyn’s son, stood over him wearing black swim shorts and a loose sleeveless shirt that showed off his toned arms despite being only thirteen. With spiky jet-black hair, almond eyes, and a smirk that screamed “trouble,” Altair towered over Kaito, already much taller even though he was only a year younger than Kio.
“You call that a castle?” Altair mocked, snickering as he squatted down to poke at the structure with his finger. “Looks like a soggy pancake.”
Kaito gasped, standing up so fast he almost lost his balance.
“Hey! That’s not nice! I worked hard on that!” he yelled in his squeaky voice, hands on his waist.
Altair leaned closer, cocking his head. “You’re so white, para kang white lady. And curly pa. Do you even comb your hair?”
Kaito’s cheeks puffed in annoyance.
“Of course I do! And I'm not white lady, I’m just... uhm, naturally glowy! My mommy says I’m glowing!”
Altair burst out laughing.
“Glowing with saltwater siguro,” he teased, tapping Kaito’s forehead lightly. “Try harder next time, little ghost.”
The name little ghost stuck like an annoying sticker.
With tears pooling in his big round eyes, Kaito stomped one foot on the sand and ran across the beach barefoot, shouting—
“KUYAAAAAA!”
Kio sighed deeply, putting down his drink.
“He did it again?” he asked without looking. Busy ito sa kakayapos kay Chase na nagce-cellphone sa tabi niya.
BINABASA MO ANG
IKIGAI Series #1: Estranghero
Romance[1st Series under IKIGAI] Elio Maze Inoue is a bubbly and optimistic, with an infectious energy that draws people to him. He also have that bright, expressive eyes that sparkle with enthusiasm. While in a physical manner, he has this curly or wavy h...
