The neighborhood basked in the golden glow of a hot summer day, the sun beating down on the pavement and casting long, dappled shadows beneath the trees. A shadowy figure drifted along the way, its form dancing like a wisp of smoke in the gentle breeze.

Approaching a grand house, the name 'Kurogi' gleamed on the doorbell in bold letters. With tentative curiosity, the shadow creature reached out and pressed the button, making the bell chime softly.

Expecting no response, the creature hesitated, its silhouette wavering in the sunlight. But to its surprise, the door creaked open, revealing a boy with striking orange eyes and matching hair. He was rather small, maybe about 8 years old. His face lit up with happiness as he laid eyes on the visitor.

"Hey!" he said, his voice brimming with warmth. "How was school? Are you hungry?"

Confusion clouded the creature's features as it followed the boy inside, unsure of what awaited it within. Yet, there was something comforting in the boy's presence, that drew it closer despite its reservations.

Inside, the boy wasted no time, bustling about the kitchen and preparing a simple meal. He set a plate of sandwiches and a tall glass of lemonade on the table, motioning for the creature to take a seat.

"Here you go," he said with a smile, pushing the plate toward the creature. "Dig in! You must be starving."

The creature hesitated for a moment before reaching for a sandwich, its movements uncertain yet grateful. As they ate, the boy chattered away, filling the silence with stories of his day and snippets of neighborhood gossip.

After the meal, the boy ushered the creature into the living room, where a comfortable couch faced a large television. He plopped down on the cushions, patting the space next to him.

"Come on, let's relax for a bit," he said, kicking his feet up.

As they settled in, the television flickered to life, displaying a women in front of a big screen.

"…The pressing issue of climate change and its potential impact on our future," she said in a grim tone. The screen shifted to images of melting polar ice caps crashing into the water with a big splash.

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"Scientists warn that if we continue on our current trajectory, the consequences could be dire. The year 2050 is spoken about as a turning point if society doesn't drastically change its consumption habits."

The other reporter glanced at her with a smirk. "Well, luckily, that's enough time so that we won't have to experience it!" Then both of them laughed heartily.

The boy's expression turned serious as he listened intently to the broadcast, his brow furrowing with concern. "Man, things are getting crazy out there." He reached for the remote to turn off the TV. "Let's forget about all that for now. How about we play some video games?"

With a quick motion, the boy hooked up a gaming console, and a game started on the screen. He handed a controller to the creature, who looked down at it with curiosity and confusion, unsure of how to proceed.

"Okay, so here's how it works," the boy explained, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "You use this stick to move around, and these buttons to jump and attack. It's gonna be fun, trust me!"

With a tentative nod, the creature gripped the controller, crouching forward slightly.

The boy's euphoria filled the room as they delved into the virtual world, his laughter blending with the sound effects emanating from the screen. The creature, though initially bewildered by the controller, soon found its rhythm, soon able to keep up with the boy's skill.

"Did you practice secretly?!" he asked astouned, "I dont remember you being that good!!"

The creature shook its head, giggling.

"So you were! I knew it! Haha!"

*

As they played, they forgot time and shadows grew longer as time went by.

Suddenly, the main door creaked open, and a woman's voice floated in, soft and melodic. "Hello~ Anyone home?"

The boy's face lit up, and he dashed towards the entrance, calling out: "Me! Me!"

The creature watched with curiosity as the woman entered, her presence filling the room with affection. She smiled at the boy, her eyes twinkling with love as she enveloped him in a tight embrace.

"Hey there, sweety," she said, "How was your day?"

The boy beamed up at her, his excitement palpable. "It was great! My brother played with me!"

As the woman's gaze fell upon the creature, a flicker of surprise crossed her features, quickly replaced by a warm smile.

"Oh, how nice of him," she said, gently smiling at him.

The creature shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, feeling suddenly out of place amidst their family reunion. Yet, there was something reassuring in the way the boy and his mother welcomed it into their home.

"Okay then! Who's helping with dinner?" she asked.

The boy instantly rose his finger up, but before his mother could even say a thing, she looked to the side in confusion. The creature also hold up its hand, standing up from the couch.

The women seemed surprised, pondering for a moment, then giving the creature a questiong look. "First you spend time with Akira, and now you want to join cooking?"

The creature nodded a couple times.

"Mommy, why are you crying?!", asked the boy worriedly as he saw a tear dropping from her eye.

Quickly, she wiped her face. "Oh, it's nothing. I'm just happy that your brother is feeling better again."