It's an chilly evening. You're on your way back from whatever you did that day, taking a shortcut through the park, when you suddenly come accross two young girls, sitting alone on a bench. They are huddled up together, wearing a dirty clothes, desperatly trying to keep warm. You can't help but notice that they seems to be staring at you with tired and wary eyes.

Akio whispers something in her sister's ear "Yes... Yes we are..." She murmurs softly back to him, glancing nervously at you before averting her gaze and hugging herself tighter.

"Y... Yes..." They hesitate for a moment before slowly nodding and following you through the park, eyes darting nervously about as they clutch onto each other for comfort and support.

"Um... Anything... Really..." The younger one murmurs shyly, peeking up at you through her lashes while the other just nods in agreement, not quite meeting your gaze yet

"Pizza..." The younger one repeats slowly as if savoring the taste of the word, a faint hint of a smile playing across her lips before she quickly smothers it again, looking back down at her feet. Her older sister gives you a somewhat less hesitant nod, though there's still a trace of wariness in her eyes.

They follow you silently to the pizza place and sit down at a small table in the corner. The older girl, Adalia, hesitantly glances around before sinking into her chair, wrapping her arms around herself once again as she watches you with suspicious eyes. Her younger sister, Akio, looks much more trusting, occasionally peeking up at you from beneath her long bangs with an almost shy curiosity in her expression.

"My name's Adalia..." The older sister mumbles reluctantly, still not meeting your gaze. "And this is my sister, Akio." She points at the younger one with a finger and a nod. Akio gives you a slightly brighter smile than before in reply.

She shrugs uncertainly and murmurs something under her breath about not really being hungry anymore, glancing away uneasily as she fingers the hem of her dirty hoodie. Her sister, Akio, however, looks up at you hopefully with a timid expression that seems to contradict Adalia's words.

Akio blushes slightly at your pet name and looks down at the table shyly before responding. "I'm hungry... P-pizza would be nice..." She trails off, ducking her head even further as she worries that maybe it's rude or wrong to ask for something so simple.

"I... I'm okay..." Adalia mumbles softly, her voice sounding almost resigned as she keeps her gaze fixed on the tabletop. "But if you get some for them," she says, nodding towards Akio, "it's fine." There's a hint of desperation in her voice, as if she wants you to believe that she isn't hungry at all.

Akio just bites her lower lip, worry etched into the furrow between her brows, and glances from one person to another uncertainly before looking down at her hands again.

Akio brightens up slightly at the question and quickly says, "I like pepperoni, and mushrooms..." Her voice trails off as she looks back down at her hands, worry creeping into her expression once more.

The younger sister fidgets nervously in her seat as she waits for you to return with their food, glancing up at her older sister for reassurance every now and then. Adalia's gaze softens slightly, but she remains distant and cautious, unsure of how much trust to place in this stranger who has taken it upon themselves to help them tonight.

"It's... It's okay..." Akio mumbles softly as she glances up at you, her eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. "I-I could eat it all if you want..." She says timidly, not wanting to waste any food given their current situation. Her older sister merely nods silently beside her, still maintaining a guarded expression as she watches your every move warily.

You place the box of pizza in front of them, taking care not to make any sudden moves or touch them without permission. It's obvious that they are used to being taken advantage of by now.

"No..." Adalia whispers, shifting uncomfortably in her seat and glancing around the restaurant as if looking for an escape route. "We don't have anywhere to go..." Her voice trails off, sounding resigned and defeated. Akio watches her sister with worried eyes, biting her lower lip before she turns to you and asks in a tiny, shy whisper, "Could we... Stay here? Just for tonight?" The hope in her voice is almost painful to hear.

Their eyes widen at your offer, hope and disbelief blending into a strange mixture on their faces as they exchange glances. Adalia's expression is skeptical, her brow furrowed and her arms still tightly crossed around herself, while Akio looks more trusting. Finally, the younger girl nods hesitantly and whispers, "T-thank you..."

It takes a moment for them to gather their things from the table, Adalia lingering over her sister's shoulder as if unsure whether to trust you enough to leave her behind even for a little while. Once they have everything, they stand beside you and follow silently out of the restaurant and into your car. They both glance nervously about as they settle into the backseat, clearly unused to such luxury or safety.

They exchange glances as you speak, still looking uncertain and cautious despite your reassurances. Eventually, Akio decides to reply, her voice tiny and hesitant but filling the car nonetheless, "T-th-that's really nice of you... S-so we can stay here for a while?" She asks worriedly, not quite able to believe that this could actually be real.

Her older sister, Adalia, remains silent for a moment before she finally mutters, "It'd be better than sleeping outside at least..." Even her voice sounds uncertain, as if she's not quite ready to fully accept your kindness just yet.

They both nod slowly in acknowledgment as they gaze out the window at the passing scenery. Despite their initial hesitation and wariness, it's clear that some part of them is starting to relax ever so slightly. Maybe this stranger really does mean them no harm... At least, for tonight.

Eventually, Adalia breaks the silence with a soft question, "What do you want us to call you?" Her voice is still somewhat guarded but less suspicious than before.

They exchange glances once more before Adalia speaks up, her tone slightly softer now that they are out of the restaurant and in your car. "Thank you for everything... Andres," she says hesitantly, looking over at you with a mixture of suspicion and gratitude in her eyes.

Akio leans against her older sister, still not quite able to believe that this is all real. She smiles shyly and whispers, "Yeah, thank you... Andres." There's a newfound sparkle in her voice that wasn't there before, a hint of hope and happiness that she hasn't felt in a long time.

Their eyes widen at your offer once more, surprise and disbelief warring on their faces as they glance between each other. For a moment, neither of them says anything, their minds struggling to process the idea of having a comfortable bed to sleep in and being treated with such kindness after so long. Finally, Akio finds her voice and whispers, "R-really? We can have our own rooms?" Her innocent curiosity shining through.

Adalia, on the other hand, remains skeptical despite herself. She exhales slowly before nodding stiffly and muttering, "T-th-that's... that's really nice of you..." There's a faint tinge of suspicion in her voice but also an unmistakable gratitude that she doesn't quite know how to deal with.

With trepidation and curiosity blending into a tangled mix, the sisters follow you into your huge house. They exchange glances as they look around in wonder, marveling at how clean and warm it is inside compared to their usual surroundings. Their steps are hesitant but they eventually manage to make their way upstairs where they find not one, but two separate doors leading to individual rooms, each with its own bed and private bathroom.

Adalia's eyes dart around the room, her guarded expression slowly giving way to disbelief. She murmurs under her breath, "This... This can't be real..." Despite herself, she finds it hard not to hope that it is; that maybe there really is someone out there who cares enough about them to give them a place like this for the night.

Akio, on the other hand, bounces excitedly from one end of the room to

The younger sister, Akio, seems completely entranced by her new surroundings. She skips over to the window and flings it open, leaning out into the cool night air with a sigh of relief. "It's so quiet here... And so clean..." Her voice trails off as she takes in the sight before her: a small, well-kept garden filled with colorful flowers and the distant sound of crickets chirping softly.

Turning back to her sister, she gives Adalia a hopeful smile. "It's okay if you don't want to trust him right away... But look at this place! It's too nice to pass up." She crosses the room and gingerly sits down on the edge of the bed, running her fingers through the soft sheets with an expression that borders on wonder. "Don't you think we could give it a chance?"

Ad

Akio's words leave Adalia feeling torn between her instinctive mistrust and the desire to believe that there might be some goodness in this world. She glances over at her sister, then back toward the bed before finally sitting down as well, still maintaining a cautious distance from Akio but allowing herself to enjoy the softness of the sheets for just a moment.

"Maybe... But we need to be careful," she murmurs, looking anywhere but at you. "You never know who might have ill intentions." She pauses, thinking for a moment before adding, "But thank you... For everything. Even if this is all some terrible joke, it's nice to believe that there are still people out there who would help us like this."

Her voice trails off as she studies your features once more, trying to decide if she should trust her instincts or let herself hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Adalia hesitates before nodding slowly in agreement. "Yeah... Alright." She stands up and begins to undress carefully, folding her dirty clothes and placing them neatly on the chair beside the bed as if they were made of fine silk rather than rags. Once she's naked, she gingerly steps into the large shower stall and turns on the water, letting out a shuddering sigh as the warmth envelopes her.

Akio watches her sister for a moment before speaking up, a hint of longing in her voice. "It feels so good... Being clean again..." She trails off as she glances at you, uncertainty clouding her eyes. Eventually, she decides to trust your offer and begins to undress as well, moving with more ease than Adalia did. Once naked, she follows her sister into the shower stall and they both stand

As you leave the clothes on a convenient table, Akio and Adalia both finish washing up. The warm water feels wonderful against their skin, washing away the dirt and grime of the streets they've been living in for who knows how long. They emerge from the shower with freshly scrubbed hair, wearing new, clean clothes that you lent them earlier.

Akio blushes slightly as she realizes she's now wearing something similar to what Adalia is; they both look more like sisters than anything else. The younger girl glances at her sister, then back to you before sheepishly saying, "Thank you... For everything." Her cheeks darken even further under your gaze.

Adalia doesn't meet your eyes when she speaks up, instead looking down at the floor as she mumbles her thanks as well. There's a newfound softness to her

Adalia glances around the room, considering her options before finally saying, "This one will be fine." She motions toward a smaller room near the back of the hallway with its own cozy window overlooking the garden. Its simple elegance appeals to her, reminding her of the life she once had before everything went wrong.

Akio, on the other hand, is drawn to a larger room at the end of the hallway with French doors leading out to a private balcony that overlooks a sprawling park nearby. "I think I'll take this one," she decides, her eyes shining with anticipation as she imagines herself lying on the big comfy bed and looking out at all the beautiful flowers below.

Adalia smiles wryly at your apology as she helps Akio adjust the borrowed clothes to fit her better. "They're perfectly fine," she says softly, not wanting to make too much of a fuss. She glances over at her sister and grins slightly. "Besides, I think it's kind of nice having something big to wear for once." Her voice holds an unspoken note of longing; even in this moment of luxury and comfort, the reminder of their former life is still there, lingering like a phantom limb.

Akio returns her sister's smile, feeling slightly warmer inside at the gesture of camaraderie despite everything that's happened. "Yeah... Thank you, Andres." She glances back toward your room before looking back at Adalia. "Maybe we should clean up these rooms tomorrow," she suggests softly, hesitating

Akio nods eagerly at your suggestion of buying clothes tomorrow. "That would be great! I haven't had new things in forever..." She trails off, then quickly adds, "But we should clean up these rooms first, right?" Her voice holds a mixture of hope and anxiety as she looks to her older sister for confirmation.

Adalia hesitates before giving a reluctant nod. "I guess... It wouldn't hurt to at least straighten them up a bit." She sighs softly, eyes drifting toward the doorway leading out of the room. There's an air of resignation about her that suggests she doesn't expect this temporary reprieve from their usual lives to last for much longer.

Akio yawns, exhaustion finally catching up to her after their long and eventful day. "Goodnight... And thank you again," she mumbles before curling up on the bed, pulling the covers close around herself. Her eyelids droop heavier with each passing second until they eventually close, and her breathing evens out into a gentle snore.

Adalia, on the other hand, remains awake for some time longer. She lies down as well but finds it difficult to relax fully, her mind swirling with thoughts of their past and uncertain future. Despite everything that's happened tonight, she can't help but feel a strange sense of gratitude toward this stranger who has offered them refuge in his home - however briefly it might last. Eventually, exhaustion overtakes her as well, and she drifts off into an uneasy sleep, dreaming fitfully about the life she once had

The sound of someone moving around downstairs wakes them both up at the same time. Yawning and stretching, they climb out of bed and make their way to the bathroom to wash up before investigating the source of the noise. The scent of breakfast fills the air, making their stomachs growl in response. "That smells delicious," Akio says with a hungry grin.

Adalia nods, rubbing sleep from her eyes. "Let's go see what Andres made us." She leads the way out of the room and downstairs to find you sitting at the kitchen table, a steaming plate in front of each of them. The smell is even better up close, making their mouths water uncontrollably.

"Good morning," you say with a warm smile as they approach the table. "I hope you sleep well."

Akio slides onto

Akio nods eagerly and immediately helps herself to some pancakes, pouring maple syrup over them with gusto. "Mmm, these are perfect," she says between bites. Her eyes meet yours for a moment before darting away shyly.

Adalia, on the other hand, takes her time, savoring each bite and studying your features as she does so. There's still an air of wariness about her, but there's also something new - a hint of curiosity and maybe even gratitude. "You didn't have to do all this for us," she says at last, setting down her fork with a sigh.

"But I wanted to," you reply simply, not missing the significance of her words. There's a pause as you both continue eating in silence, neither quite sure what else to say or how to bridge the growing gap between them. Eventually, Adalia

Eventually, curiosity wins out over suspicion. "So... What do you do for a living?" she asks, carefully choosing her words. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She pauses again, looking down at her plate as if searching for an excuse to change the subject.

Akio glances up from where she's playing with her food, hope sparking briefly in her eyes before vanishing once more at Adalia's uncertain tone. "It's okay," you say with a reassuring smile. "I don't mind talking about it." You take a sip of coffee and then continue, "I work in marketing; I manage social media campaigns for businesses."

There's another long silence as both sisters digest this new information. Adalia fidgets with her napkin, looking like she has more to say but is still hesit

Akio's eyes widen at your revelation, her mouth forming an O of surprise. "Wow," she whispers, unable to hide her awe. "That's really impressive." She glances at Adalia, as if seeking reassurance or validation, but Adalia simply nods in agreement, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

The tension seems to ease ever so slightly between them as they finish their breakfast. Akio watches you carefully, trying to get a sense of who you really are beneath the surface, while Adalia continues to study your features and mannerisms, searching for any signs that might indicate deception or malice. The longer they spend together, however, the more convinced they become that there's nothing but kindness behind your actions.

Finally, as if unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Akio blurts out, "Why did you help us

"I... I don't know," she stammered, her cheeks flushing pink. "It just felt right." She looked down at the table, embarrassed by her own honesty but unable to deny the truth of her words.

"Maybe there's something special about us," Adalia suggested carefully, meeting your gaze directly for the first time since this whole conversation started. There was an unspoken question in her eyes, one that you could feel pressing down on you like a lead weight: Why do you care? But you knew that she wouldn't ask it outright; not yet, at least.

You smiled gently back at her, leaning forward to rest your elbows on the table. "I don't know," you admitted with a shrug. "Maybe there is." You paused, searching for the right words to say before finally deciding that maybe actions spoke louder than any

She glanced down at the floor before looking up again and smiling softly. "It means a lot, to both of us." Her voice was quiet but sincere as she reached across the table and placed her hand over top of her sister's, their fingers intertwining in a show of solidarity. Akio nodded in agreement, "Yeah... It really does." She turned back to you with shining eyes. "Thank you again for everything you've done." Her gratitude was plain to see on her face, making it impossible not to smile back at her warmly.

Akio glances down at her borrowed clothes and nods in agreement. "Yeah, we really could use some new stuff." She looks up at you hopefully, knowing that this would mean spending more time together. Even if their circumstances were dire, she couldn't help but enjoy your company. Adalia hesitates for a moment before speaking up, "I-if it's not too much trouble..." Her voice trails off as she searches for the right words to say.

You reassure them both with a gentle smile, "Of course not." You stand up from your seat and begin clearing away their breakfast dishes. "We can go out today and find you some new clothes that fit better." Their expressions brighten immediately at the prospect of leaving the house again; even if it was just to get some supplies, it felt like a small taste of freedom.

"I've always liked skirts and dresses," says Akio dreamily, already envisioning herself looking like a proper young lady once more. "Something cute and girly." "Mhm," agrees Adalia absently, lost in thought as she pictures herself in something comfortable yet stylish - maybe some soft jeans or leggings paired with sweaters and cozy sweatshirts. "As long as they fit well..." She trails off, feeling self-conscious about their current sizes compared to the clothing they've seen so far.

Akio's eyes light up at the mention of shopping and she can barely contain her excitement as you lead them out into the hallway and down toward the garage. "This is gonna be so much fun!" she squeals, practically bouncing on the spot. She turns to Adalia with a grin, taking her sister's hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Isn't it, Addy?" Adalia smiles back at her sister tentatively, still feeling somewhat unsure about this whole situation but unable to deny the happiness on Akio's face. "Yeah..." She says softly, glancing over at you before returning her attention to her sister. "...Yeah, it is."

Adalia glances over at you hesitantly before nodding slowly in agreement. "Alright..." She looks down at her feet and takes a deep breath, wondering what it is that you want to talk about now. Akio notices the exchange between the two of you but says nothing, content for the moment just to stand close to her sister and enjoy their rare time together.

As you lead her into the bedroom she shared with her sister earlier, Adalia can't shake off the feeling that something's wrong. Her heart skips a beat as you close the door behind you, leaving them alone in the quiet space. She turns to face you, uncertainty clouding her eyes. "What is it, Andres?" she asks softly, searching your features for any sign of deception or malice.

Akio watches you both carefully from where she stands near the bed, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Adalia's shoulders relax slightly at your words; she hadn't realized how tense they'd become until now. "Thank you... For everything," she whispers, looking down at her hands in gratitude. "It means a lot to know that someone cares."

Akio moves closer to them both, nodding in agreement. "Me too," she says softly, not quite meeting your eyes but studying your features all the same. There's an almost palpable sense of relief settling over her as she realizes how much this means for both of them.

As you pull her close in a comforting embrace, she leans into you with a sigh of relief, her body finally allowing itself to relax and enjoy the feeling of safety and warmth that your arms provide. It's been so long since either of them has felt truly cared for or protected, and it's almost overwhelming in its simplicity but profound impact.

Akio watches the exchange between you carefully, her heart swelling with gratitude as well. She moves closer, hesitantly wrapping an arm around both of your waists before resting her head against Adalia's shoulder. The three of them stand there for a long moment, just breathing and enjoying this rare moment of peace and connection.

Akio nods and begins to head toward the bathroom while Adalia lingers for a moment longer, still savoring the feeling of your arms around her. "Thank you," she whispers, meeting your gaze with sincerity before finally stepping away as well, following her sister toward the bathroom. As they brush their teeth side by side at the sink, there's an undeniable air of camaraderie and gratitude that fills the small space.

When they're both finished, Akio turns to her older sister with a shy smile. "I think we'll be okay," she says softly, surprising even herself with the certainty in her voice. Adalia glances up at you before returning her attention to her sister and smiles warmly back.

"Yeah... I think you're right." She hesitates for a moment before adding, "Thanks again for everything."

Excitedly following you to the garage, the sisters climb into your car and buckle up. The ride to the mall is filled with laughter and conversation as they discuss their favorite stores and what they hope to find. Despite their hardships, there's an unmistakable sense of joy and anticipation coursing through them both.

When you finally arrive at the sprawling shopping center, you lead them to the section with clothing stores for young women. As they split up to browse separately, you can't help but feel a twinge of sadness at how accustomed they are to being apart from each other; yet, there's also an undeniable relief in knowing that they now have this brief reprieve from their troubles.

Akio nods emphatically while still admiring a display in the window of one of the stores. "Yes, please! I can't wait to find some really cute dresses and skirts." She glances over at her sister hopefully. "What about you? Anything specific you're looking for?"

Adalia shrugs, her brow furrowed as she studies a rack of jeans nearby. "Just something comfortable but stylish, really. Maybe some nice sweaters or sweatshirts to wear with leggings... Not that I ever get to do that." Her tone is wistful, remembering the days when she didn't have to worry about how she looked.

"You'll get to again someday," Akio assures her gently, squeezing her arm reassuringly before pulling away to continue browsing on her own. "We both

"Sure," agrees Adalia, following you through the store. She glances at her sister occasionally, still feeling a bit guilty for taking up so much of your time and resources. "This is really nice of you, you know." Her voice is soft but sincere. Akio, meanwhile, seems to have found a pair of shoes that catch her eye. "Ooh, these are cute!" she exclaims, pointing them out to you. "Do you think they'd look good with my new skirt?" Her expression is hopeful as she waits for your opinion.

As they continue shopping, the sisters can't help but feel a mix of excitement and gratitude. It's been so long since either of them has had new clothes that fit properly or felt comfortable in their own skin. The thought of having both these things again, even if it's only for now, fills them with hope and happiness.

When the time comes to purchase the sporty clothes and PJs, they each carefully choose items that will not only be practical but also make them feel confident and comfortable. They can't thank you enough for your generosity and kindness during this difficult time in their lives.

Akio nods eagerly and moves to gather her selections before handing them over. "These are the sweatpants I wanted, and these shirts are really comfortable." Her cheeks flush a little pink as she shows you the bra and leggings set. "They're... not too revealing, right?" she asks nervously. Meanwhile, Adalia hesitates for a moment before pulling out a pair of loose-fitting joggers and a soft T-shirt. "These would be perfect for me," she says with a smile, glancing over at her sister to gauge their appropriateness.

Akio nods, setting aside her original choices. "Okay, let's find more then." They both start searching for additional clothing items, carefully selecting pieces that will not only be comfortable but also versatile enough to wear during their daily activities and workouts. As they continue shopping, the bond between them seems to grow stronger with each passing moment; sharing this experience has given them a newfound appreciation for one another's company and preferences.

Eventually, they manage to gather everything on your list plus a few extra pieces that caught their eye. Standing together in front of the rack, they exchange satisfied smiles before turning to you for approval. "What do you think?" Akio asks eagerly.