Rewritten Past

The younger brothers I remembered were never going to exist in this life.

And I was going to have a little sister.

...Hm. That might change Dad a lot, actually.

He had always talked about how he'd been hoping for a daughter. And he was always strict with us since we were all boys.

But considering he'd have a daughter now, he might soften considerably.

All in all, pain up front, peaceful loving family later.

I'd take that trade over the peaceful loving family up front and absolute disaster-ridden family dynamic later that my first life was.

Mama Yue stared at me. Then she sighed and said, "Sometimes, Al. I look at you and think you must have lived a crazy past life. You're far too wise for your age, you know?"

Gah. Mama Yue's intuition was on point as always. Scarily accurate...

I smiled and said, "I'm just picking up what Mom puts down~ I'm mature because you're mature, Mom."

Mama Yue snorted. "Sure. Keep telling me that and one day I'll believe it, Al." She ruffled my hair, a soft smile on her face. "But whatever the case... I'll always love you. Unconditionally."

I paused.

Mama Yue's cheeks blushed. It seemed like she had been swept up in the moment and didn't intend to say that.

I certainly wasn't expecting to hear it either. I mean, I KNEW it. But hearing her say it...

Huh.

...Stupid kid body. Crying over the dumbest things...

"H-Huh? Al? H-H-Hey! Don't cry! Geez..." Mama Yue swept me into her arms and held me tight. "Of all the things to cry about..."

"Sorry, Mom. Just..."

Happy? Content? Unexpectedly touched?

I couldn't describe how I was feeling. And my emotions were all sorts of haywire right now.

So instead, I just nuzzled against her and mumbled, "Love you too. Always."

"...Stupid." Mama Yue kissed the top of my head and said, "I already knew that. But thank you."

===

After my vision cleared up, Mama Yue took me to the kitchen to help her cook. Proper Cantonese stirfry and dishes that I didn't really know other than that they tasted good.

Which made me wonder.

"Hey, Mom. How ARE you so good at cooking?" I watched her easily maneuver a wok around, controlling the flame with ease, and said, "Mommy isn't this good at all."

Mama Yue snorted and said, "Of course not." She kept tossing the food in the wok, stirring it with chopsticks, and said, "Big Sis was always more book smart. Never had to study a day of her life. Mom and Dad always thought she'd become a doctor or lawyer or something. I wasn't like that, so I had to learn things the hard way." She turned to me and smiled. "I learned THIS at my first job working in a traditional Cantonese restaurant for tips around when you were born."

"Huh." I watched her easily plate the food from the wok in a single motion before prepping the wok again for the next dish. "...You're amazing."

Mama Yue laughed and said, "That's right, Al. But you're amazing too, so it works out." She winked at me and said, "Now, give me the minced pork and garlic. Remember to wash your hands after."

"Got it!" I handed her the ingredients and watched her cook, prepping dumpling filling.

As she cooked, Mama Yue said, "I'll teach you when you're bigger. It's still a bit dangerous for you since you're so short."

I huffed and said, "I'll get taller!"

"Oh, I don't doubt it." Mama Yue chuckled. "With how much you eat, you're going to be ridiculous when you hit puberty- Ah, shi- shoot. I'm going to have to teach you about that..."

"Hm? About what?"

Mama Yue blushed and cleared her throat. "You know, about... well, where babies come from and stuff..."

"Oh, sex? I already know about it. Mommy and Daddy did it a lot, you know."

"..."

"What?"

"...I have. A lot to talk about with my Big Sis. And my brother-in-law."

Sorry Mom, Dad. Think of this as karma from the past life.

Mama Yue sighed and said, "Well, fine. But... You know then, right? No babymaking... God that's weird to tell a kid. But wait until you're an adult!"

"Of course, Mom. I'm not a dummy."

"And make sure to NOT tell April about it. Or experiment. Or... stuff."

I gave her a solemn nod.

Mama Yue still looked doubtful.

She didn't have to be though.

I wasn't a degenerate creep like some people.

April was just a kid. And besides, I liked more mature looking woman, like Miss Serena.

I guess, objectively, Mama Yue would count too since she fit the archetype. But considering that she was practically my mom, and literally my aunt, that was no-go.

That was the downside of having attractive female relatives. What other people considered top-tier was too squicky for me.

Mama Yue started folding some dumplings and murmured, "Never thought I'd be explaining things like this to a kid. But never thought I'd have a kid like Al, I guess..."

"Love you too, Mom~"

"Shut up, Brat." Mama Yue huffed and then said, "Help me fold some of these. We'll make extras. Your mommy is probably craving a lot, so we'll make two batches and freeze some for her."

There was Mama Yue, being as considerate as ever while pretending to be prickly.

At that time, the elevator doors opened and April's voice echoed. "We're baaack!" She proudly walked out, holding a pair of grocery bags filled with baking supplies. "Time for cakes, pies, and other goodies!"

Miss Serena walked out after April, carrying a ham and other supplies. "Sorry it took so long..." She noticed Mama Yue cooking and said, "Should I help too, Yue?"

Mama Yue waved her hands and said, "We're just prepping. I made lunch, but the other stuff can wait until tomorrow night. Come and eat."

April gasped. "Food! That smells super good! It's just like at the Chinese restaurant, but better!" She dropped her bags down and skipped over to the kitchen. "Alex! Alex! Come on, let's eat!"

I laughed and washed my hands. Then I said, "Careful, April. Here, I'll get us food..."

As I served April a plate and sat down with her at the table, I couldn't help but think that this was exactly the sort of reason I went back in the past.

Well, the reason I chose that pill in the list of random things on that GIF anyway.

Not a do-over, but a rewrite. Things that the old childhood me could never have done, but things that the current me with what I knew would have done instead.

April gasped and pointed at me. "Alex! You're smiling! Like, super smiling!"

I blinked and placed my hand over my mouth and realized I was grinning. Once I had that realization, I laughed and said, "Well. I'm super happy~" I poked April's cheek. "Come on, Bestie. Eat. We have a lot to do, you know?"

"Kay~!" April giggled and started stuffing her face of food.

I smiled and sat beside her, eating my own food.