That afternoon, Kael was teaching Sirin to read on the living room carpet.
Sirin learned very seriously, pointing at an apple in the picture book and quietly repeating, "Ap...ple."
"That's right, Sirin is so smart," Kael said with an encouraging smile, ruffling her purple hair.
Sirin seemed to enjoy the gentle stroking, her eyes narrowing slightly like a kitten being petted.
Just then, there was a knock on the dorm room door, and Cecilia's gentle voice came from outside: "Kael, are you home? I brought Kiana to play with you."
Kael got up to open the door. As soon as the door opened, a small, silver-haired figure cheered and rushed in, like a tiny cannonball, accurately hugging Kael's leg: "Uncle Kael! Kiana is here!"
It was Kiana.
The little one was wearing a pretty dress today, her large, sapphire-like eyes sparkling, and her face held a bright, cloudless smile.
However, her sudden pounce startled Sirin, who was in the living room.
Sirin's relaxed state instantly vanished; she sprang up from the carpet like a startled rabbit, quickly hiding behind Kael, her small hands clutching his pant leg tightly, concealing her entire body. Only a pair of frightened golden eyes peeked out, vigilantly staring at the energetic Kiana who had suddenly burst in.
Kiana also noticed the 'obstacle' behind Kael.
She tilted her little head curiously, trying to look past Kael at the purple-haired older sister: "Uncle, who is she?"
Cecilia also walked in and, seeing Sirin hiding behind Kael, a hint of understanding and sympathy flashed in her eyes. She smiled gently at Sirin: "Hello there, little one, don't be afraid, we are Kael's friends."
But Sirin's fear of strangers was deeply ingrained, especially children like Kiana, who were full of energy and seemed carefree, made her even more uneasy.
Instead of coming out, she clung to Kael even tighter, burying her small face in his back, her body trembling slightly.
Kael felt Sirin's fear and quickly bent down, gently patting Kiana's head: "Kiana, this is Sister Sirin. She's a bit shy, so be gentle and don't scare her."
Then he turned sideways, trying to shield Sirin from Kiana's direct gaze, and softly said to Sirin: "Sirin, don't be afraid, this is Little Sister Kiana and Aunt Cecilia. They are both very kind people."
Kiana, hearing it was an "older sister," immediately became interested. She broke free from Kael's hand and tried to get closer again: "Sister Sirin! Let's play together! Uncle has so many fun things here!" She said, reaching out to grab Sirin's hand.
Sirin shrieked, startled by her sudden closeness, and recoiled sharply, almost hanging onto Kael, refusing to come out.
Kiana missed, paused for a moment, and then pouted unhappily.
She was used to Uncle Kael hugs and attention, and now someone else was suddenly monopolizing him and not playing with her, so the little one's possessiveness surfaced.
"Uncle! Hug!" Kiana opened her arms, also trying to burrow into Kael's embrace.
Kael was in a dilemma at this moment. Sirin clung to his back like a startled koala, while Kiana stood in front, arms outstretched, demanding a hug.
He couldn't possibly split himself in two.
He had to first squat down, reassuringly hugged Kiana, and then tried to coax Sirin out from behind him: "Sirin, look, Little Sister Kiana really wants to be friends with you, she has so many interesting toys..."
But Sirin just shook her head desperately, burying her face deeper, and whispered tearfully: "...No...Brother...make her go..."
The unconscious "Brother" she called out softened Kael's heart and was also heard by Kiana nearby.
Kiana blinked her big eyes, looking at Kael in confusion: "Uncle? Why does she call you Brother? Kiana calls you Uncle?"
The little one seemed very sensitive to titles.
Kael was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain the complex generational ranks and relationships to a three-year-old.
Cecilia watched the chaotic scene from the side, unable to help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly.
She walked over and gently picked up the somewhat aggrieved Kiana: "Alright, Kiana, Sister Sirin just arrived and is still a bit scared. We need to give her some time to adjust, okay? Today, let's play other games with Uncle, and let Sister Sirin watch from the side. When she's not scared anymore, we can all play together, okay?"
Although Kiana was still a little unwilling, she was very obedient to her mother and nodded, but she still looked at Sirin, who was hiding behind Kael, with curious and slightly unconvinced eyes.
Thus, the following scene became somewhat comical. Kael sat on the carpet, playing with building blocks with Kiana, while Sirin, like a little shadow, clung tightly to his back, only her eyes visible, vigilantly observing Kiana's every move.
Every time Kiana finished building a castle, she would excitedly show it to Kael: "Uncle, look! Isn't Kiana great!"
Kael naturally praised her with a smile: "Very great! Kiana is so amazing!"
And each time, Sirin behind Kael would almost imperceptibly tug at his clothes, as if silently asserting her presence, reminding him not to forget her.
Kael felt the small tugs from behind, finding it both amusing and heartwarming.
He would turn his head at the right moment, giving Sirin an encouraging smile, or handing her a quiet puzzle.
Although Sirin didn't participate in the games, she would take the puzzle and quietly work on it by herself, occasionally stealing a glance at Kiana and Kael, who were having fun. A flicker of subtle envy would pass through her golden eyes, but more than that was her unease in the unfamiliar environment.
What was originally a normal play session turned into a subtle "tug-of-war" because of Sirin's presence.
Kiana used her liveliness and enthusiasm to try and capture all of Kael's attention, while Sirin used her silence and dependence to firmly occupy the "exclusive spot" behind Kael.
Kael was like a sandwich, trying to balance the invisible "competition" between the two girls. Although it was a bit tiring, seeing their different adorable expressions made him feel exceptionally fulfilled.
He couldn't help but wonder what Theresa would be like if she were present, seeing this "cheese sandwiched between two slices of bread" situation. He imagined she would be incredibly jealous.
Just imagining it made his scalp tingle a bit.
(Taking a day off)
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