Chương 18: /4 – The “Midnight Hug” Tradition

Chapter 18/1 – The "Midnight Hug" Tradition Whenever there's thunder (a rare thing in the region), the younger children run to Lysithea's room. But one night during a fierce storm, even Joker and Harley showed up hand in hand, pretending they "only came to keep the little ones company." Lysithea opened the entire bed. Eight children + one nun turned into a giant tangle of blankets and affection.

In the middle of the storm, Joker whispered so only Harley could hear: — One day we'll make the whole world afraid of thunder… — … so everyone will seek hugs just like this one. Harley squeezed his hand. — Promised. Chapter 18/2 – The Photo That Will Never Be Forgotten (age 7 – spring) The last cute scene before the next volume. Sunny day. Blooming garden. Lysithea achieved the impossible: lining up all eight children sitting on the grass in the shape of a heart.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Magical photo taken by Mirella: Joker and Harley in the center, sitting cross-legged, pinkies linked. All the girls around them forming the heart with their little arms. Lysithea kneeling behind, hugging everyone, tears glistening in her eyes. In the sky, clouds forming a giant smile (no one knows who did it, but everyone suspects Kuroe).

On the back of the photo, in Joker and Harley's childish handwriting together:"This is our family now. One day we'll make the whole world fit inside this heart. Even if we have to burn everything to make it fit." Lysithea read it, smiled, kissed the photo, and kept it close to her heart. She doesn't know yet… … but this heart really will grow. And it will catch fire.

Chapter 18/3 – The Great Collective Birthday Festival (every year) Since no one knows the exact birth dates of most of them, they made a rule: Every 15th day of spring is "Everybody's Birthday." Fixed traditions: 1. An 8-tier cake (each tier with one child's favorite flavor). 2. Lysithea wears a flower crown made the night before by everyone together. 3. Each child receives a gift made by the other seven + a secret gift from Lysithea.

Most memorable gifts ever given: - Joker gave Harley a little toy hammer painted pink-gold with the phrase "Forever my partner in crime." - Harley gave Joker a tiny top hat that shoots confetti when you press a hidden button. - Astrid gave everyone one of her fallen baby teeth (wrapped in shiny paper). - Marina gave glow-in-the-dark seashells "so no one is afraid of the night." - Kuroe gave "free prank coupons" (Lysithea kept them all and never used a single one).

At the end of the day, they form a giant hug circle and shout together:"One more year of chosen family!" Chapter 18/4 – The Easter of Colorful Little Ears Harley discovered that forest bunnies leave magical eggs on Easter. Result: the egg hunt turned into an extreme sport. Rules created by the children: - Whoever finds the golden egg gets "one wish granted by Lys-mommy." - Joker hid the golden egg inside Lysithea's own shoe. - When she found it, the children shouted: "Wish! Wish!"

- Lysithea used the wish to ask "that we all stay together forever." - Joker and Harley exchanged a look of "mission accomplished."