“Lena!” Leon yelled.

“Lena!” Of course, I’ve also been yelling my throat hoarse and then I heard something from the kid beside me. “Stupid uncle.”

No. I didn’t hear that.

““Lena!””

I know, I know. It’s really my fault. The heck with me?! Getting distracted with those fireworks. I have seen such things many times before. It was even on my wide screen LCD TV. What? There’s a better view. It was quite expensive, too.

I digressed. But where could Lena ran off to? What were we doing before the fireworks? I can’t think properly. I think I’m panicking.

“Why are we in the Lost and Found Counter?” asked Leon unhappily.

“…I’m gonna ask this pretty lady here,” I told him while feeling the sweat in my back, “Uhm, have you seen—I mean, do you know where can we report a missing child?” I definitely didn’t change half-way through!

She pointed us to the events administration’s tent and we ran there directly to make a report. I described Lena’s looks and the clothes she’s wearing tonight. After that, we were only told to wait. They said we can go home for the meantime and they’ll contact us first hand if they get any lead. Whoa. They’re like the police.

But I think I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight unless we found Lena. And also, this little guy beside me was on the brink of collapse. He’s so pale and he’s been looking everywhere since we found Lena to be missing.

“We’ll find her.” Was all I can say to him.

“…” he didn’t even look at me! This brat! Well, I need to act mature here. If I was the one in his situation, I won’t be able to calm down, as well.

People have been passing us. I don’t even know how long have we been standing there. Whenever I saw a small girl I would stare at her immediately and intently that I think I’m getting bad stares from their chaperones.

For many times, I also saw kids with their parents. All of them were giving a bright smile that’s almost making the night’s darkness dim. Or maybe it’s just the lighting in the area. Even this brat beside me was dazzled by them. He has been following his sight to these scenes.

“Excuse me, are you the one who reported for a missing girl who’s wearing a pale pink dress with a bear hat? Please follow me to check if the girl we found is her.”

I jumped when a young girl walked to us and asked that. I stood abruptly and followed her, making sure the little brat was still beside me. Oy, don’t overtake us!

Once again, we entered the admin’s tent and immediately saw a bear hat. That’s Lena’s!

““Lena!”” we both called, I and Leon.

“Wuu, wuu.” Lena, who seemed confused, cried when she saw us.

I took her to my arms and immediately felt her cold hands, and probably her face as well. Good thing, someone gave us warm drinks. It’s chocolate!

“Alright, drink slowly.” I told them both. I let Lena and Leon sat on the two chairs, while I squatted in front of them.

“Blow.” Demanded Leon. I was about to retort when he pouted towards Lena’s cup.

Of course, I’m a gentleman and also the mature one here, so I did. Then, I asked Lena where had she been.

“I thought I saw Dad,” she whispered and then continued, “And Mom.”

““…””

Both Leon and I couldn’t say anything. Is she feeling lonely? But I think—maybe Leon, too? He’s been staring at those happy families earlier like a puppy.

“Lena, you know your Dad and Mom—“

“I know. That’s why I thought I saw them, but,”

We waited for her to continue. I could see Leon tightening his hands on his cup.

“I just want to be sure. So I followed them. Wuu, wuu.” She started crying again.

“Alright, alright—“

“Uncle, don’t be angry. I won’t do it again. Don’t send me away. Wuu, wuu.”

OMG. What the—I thought she’s crying over her dad’s and mom’s. But it’s actually about me getting angry? I felt a bit more important. Somehow, my nose has gotten a bit longer, has it?

“Stupid uncle.”

“Huh?” I looked at small monkey that commented on my side but then remembered again the crying bun in front of me, “I will never send you away, Lena. Of course, when your Daddy Benjie returns home, you and Leon both need to go back.” And then I thought of something, “But you know what? For this holiday, we’ll be celebrating it like no other could.” I think I went overboard there. Can we please rewind and delete that?

“Really?” she looked at me tentatively with moist eyes.

“R-really.” I think my heart jumped on that MOE look. I touched my nose, good, no blood.

“Creepy uncle.”

The heck? Are you a mind reader, you brat?

We finished our hot chocos and thanked the event personnels. They reminded us to be careful next time and also wished us happy Christmas. I thought of asking for gifts, but nah, nevermind.

When we returned home, I was thankful that I had been such a farsighted genius for not turning off the heater or else we’d all be frozen due to the cold outside. No, I didn’t forget them. I never really go out, you see.

I prepared a quick hot bath for the twins and took out their change of clothes, then arranged their beds. I asked if they would want a glass of milk each but they rejected. I ate a cup of Instant Chow Mien; as I said I only ate ikayaki at the food stalls while the kids hoarded all the foods they laid their eyes on.

I prepared my mattress afterwards but was immediately given a surprise. Lena was pulling Leon, both on their pajamas, as they both hugged each pillows.

“Big Brother Ken, can we sleep together?”