The Boy at the School Gate

Chapter 1 – A Cold Bun

It happened after school, at the front gate. I tossed a cold steamed bun into the trash and turned to leave.

And then—words appeared before my eyes, as if glowing in the air:

“Oh no. The male lead is about to eat from the trash. My poor boy. No one will help him except the heroine… but she won’t arrive for another two and a half years.”

I froze. Then, almost on cue, a thin boy with sallow skin bent down and pulled that same bun from the trash.

He looked startled when our eyes met.
“S-sorry,” he stammered. “I thought you didn’t want it.”

I strode over, snatched the bun from his hands, and tossed it back into the bin.

Another line of words flashed:
“Unbelievable! The passerby girl is heartless—she won’t even let him eat garbage. I feel so helpless watching this!”

But I only smiled at the boy. “Food from the trash isn’t safe. Come with me—I’ll buy you dinner.”

He hesitated, embarrassed, shaking his head.
“No, no, it’s fine—”

“My family runs a noodle shop. It’s free. Come on.”

Before he could argue, I tugged him onto my scooter and sped away.

Chapter 2 – The Noodle Shop

When we arrived, my parents were idly scrolling on their phones. They looked up, stunned—I’d only ever brought girlfriends home, never a boy.

But their surprise quickly turned to warmth.

“Kid, what’ll you have?” my dad asked. “We’ve got beef, chicken, pork—anything you want.”

The boy squirmed. “Just… plain noodles, please. I don’t want to trouble you.”

“Nonsense,” I cut in. “Mom, beef noodles. Triple portion.”

My mother shot me a sharp look once we slipped into the kitchen.
“Who is that boy?” she whispered.
“No one. He’s a new sophomore. I met him thirty minutes ago.”
“Then why bring him here?”

I sighed. “Because I saw him trying to eat the bun I threw in the trash.”

Her face drained of color. A moment later, she smacked me lightly on the head.
“Waste food again, and I’ll tan your hide! From now on, take only what you can finish.”

When the steaming bowl arrived at the table, the boy’s eyes widened.
“This is… too much.”
“Eat what you can. Leave the rest,” I said.

But he did eat it all. Every last noodle. His eyes glistened as he whispered, “Thank you.”

Chapter 3 – Becoming Family

His name was Drew. He was fifteen, just starting high school.

At first, he insisted on leaving after the meal. But my father offered to walk him home. An hour later, Dad returned with Drew in tow—and a grim face.

“That boy’s mother threw him out. Wanted him to quit school and work. He’s been living near a public restroom for months, surviving on trash.”

My mother covered her mouth in horror. Then she grabbed Drew’s trembling hand.
“Stay here. We have a spare room. If you don’t mind, call us Mom and Dad.”

Tears spilled down his cheeks. “Thank you… Mom. Thank you, Dad.”

I folded my arms, pretending to pout. “And me?”
He glanced at me shyly. “S-sis.”

That single word made my chest ache.

Chapter 4 – The Past Returns

For months, Drew flourished. He ate well, studied hard, and helped in the shop. His back straightened; his eyes shone. He was no longer the boy digging through garbage.

Until one afternoon.

On his birthday, as we carried home a cake, a heavyset woman blocked our way. Two children clung to her arms.

Her face twisted when she saw Drew.
“You little brat! Living it up while I starve? Hand over the money, or I’ll sue this girl for seducing a minor!” She jabbed a finger at me.

Drew paled, shaking. “Mom, please stop. I don’t have any money—”

She slapped the cake box from his hands.

I grabbed Drew’s wrist. “Let’s go.” We ran until our lungs burned.

That night, Drew whispered, “Maybe I should leave… I don’t want to bring trouble to you.”

But Dad’s voice was steady. “You’re our son now. Don’t worry—we’ll protect you.”

Chapter 5 – Truth Revealed

The woman returned, dragging a reporter, accusing my parents of exploiting Drew. A crowd gathered outside the shop. Drew, trembling with rage, nearly grabbed a knife.

I stopped him, clutching his wrist. “Don’t. Trust us. We’ll handle it.”

When the police arrived, they revealed the truth: months earlier, my father had already reported her neglect. Recordings proved she had abandoned him.

Still, doubts remained—until a DNA test showed Drew wasn’t her biological son at all. He’d been brought home by her late husband, bought from a desperate student years ago.

Drew broke down, sobbing into my mother’s arms. “Then… I’m free?”
Mom kissed his hair. “Free. And ours.”

Chapter 6 – Growing Up

From then on, Drew soared. He studied with relentless focus, climbed from average to the top of his class, and eventually tested into an elite university program.

The internet called him “the boy who rose from trash to triumph.” But to me, he was simply my little brother, who still called out, “Sis!” with the same shy smile.

Yet sometimes, when our eyes met, there was something more. Something that made my heart stumble.

The glowing words returned:
“The male lead has found his destiny. But… is it really the heroine who comes two years late, or the sister who reached out her hand first?”

Drew’s gaze held mine, steady and unwavering.
“For me,” he whispered, “you’ve always been the one.”