Sirin turned her back to Kael and Theresa, pouting, shrinking into a ball of purple, radiating a 'do not approach' aura.
Theresa, on the other hand, hugged Captain Kael's arm, a small triumphant smugness on her face, and even deliberately rubbed against him.
Captain Kael looked at Sirin's stubborn yet pitiful small back, and his heart felt as if it was being clutched by something.
He knew that Sirin was extremely insecure deep down; her possessiveness and jealousy were essentially a fear of losing warmth.
If he ignored her or treated her with a harsh attitude at this moment, it might make her temporarily 'obedient,' but that would undoubtedly be like sprinkling salt on her unhealed wound.
He couldn't bear to.
Besides, what kind of skill was it to make a child submit just by threats and neglect?
That was not the way he wanted to interact with her at all.
He hoped Sirin could truly become cheerful, feel loved and cherished, instead of being forced to 'be sensible' out of fear of loss.
Captain Kael sighed softly and patted Theresa, who was still clinging to him: "Theresa, you go wash up first. Don't you have a batch of documents to handle today?"
Although Theresa was reluctant, seeing Captain Kael's serious gaze, she pouted and let go of his hand: "Alright... then Kael, hurry over and help me!" She didn't forget to glare at Sirin's back before slowly walking towards the bathroom.
After sending Theresa away, Captain Kael stood up, walked to Sirin's side, and knelt down.
He didn't touch her immediately, but just called out softly with a gentle voice: "Sirin?"
The purple ball moved slightly but didn't turn around.
"Still angry?" Captain Kael's voice carried a hint of a smile but no trace of blame, "Is it because Big Brother hugged Big Sister Theresa just now?"
Sirin's shoulders stiffened imperceptibly, still not speaking, but her ears were clearly perked up, listening.
Captain Kael looked at her like this, his heart melting into a mess.
He reached out, not to forcefully turn her shoulders, but gently placed his hand on her head, stroking her soft purple hair with extreme tenderness.
"Big Sister Theresa, she's a very, very good friend Big Brother has known for a long time, just like family."
Captain Kael explained patiently, his voice like warm spring water, "She's been working very hard lately and isn't in a very good mood, so Big Brother was comforting her just now. Just like when Sirin is unhappy, Big Brother will comfort Sirin too."
He felt the small head under his palm move slightly.
"But," Captain Kael's tone shifted, becoming even gentler and more earnest, "this doesn't mean Big Brother doesn't like Sirin anymore, or that Sirin isn't important anymore. Sirin is Sirin, she's unique, she's Big Brother's very important little sister. Big Brother's love for Sirin, and his love for Big Sister Theresa, are different, but both are real."
He paused, leaned in closer, and whispered into Sirin's ear: "And, Big Brother promised Sirin that he would always stay with Sirin, protect Sirin, and this promise will never change. So, Sirin doesn't need to be afraid, and doesn't need to be angry, okay?"
These words seemed to carry magic, and Sirin's tense body gradually relaxed.
She slowly, little by little, turned her head, revealing half of her face, her golden eyes still misty with a hint of grievance, and asked softly, with a touch of uncertainty: "...Really? Big Brother won't... abandon Sirin?"
"Of course."
Captain Kael looked at her reddened eyes, his heart aching, and gently wiped away the moisture from the corner of her eye with his finger, revealing an incredibly warm and affirmative smile, "Big Brother swears."
Looking at Captain Kael's incredibly sincere eyes and gentle smile, all of Sirin's grievances and anxieties instantly vanished.
She suddenly turned around, threw herself into Captain Kael's arms, hugged his neck tightly, buried her face in the crook of his neck, sniffled hard, and said in a muffled voice: "...Mm! Sirin believes Big Brother!"
Feeling the little girl's complete trust and her re-lightened breathing in his arms, the heavy stone in Captain Kael's heart finally fell to the ground.
He gently hugged Sirin back and patted her back: "Alright, it's good that you're not angry anymore. Let's go wash up and then eat breakfast. Big Brother will make you your favorite steamed egg today, how about it?"
"Okay!"
Sirin looked up, a smile returning to her face. Although her eyes were still a bit red, her golden eyes had regained their sparkle, even brighter than before.
She actively took Captain Kael's hand and skipped towards the bathroom, as if the pouting pufferfish from just now wasn't her at all.
Theresa, who had just come out of the bathroom, saw this scene, especially Sirin's newly radiant smile, and the intimate way she and Captain Kael were holding hands, and her recently suppressed jealousy began to resurface a little.
But before she could say anything, Captain Kael gave her a look of slight apology and reassurance, and at the same time silently mouthed: "I'll spend time with you later."
Theresa snorted, reluctantly accepting this 'compensation plan'.
At the breakfast table, the atmosphere was much more harmonious. The steamed egg Captain Kael made was tender and delicious, and Sirin ate happily in small bites, occasionally even picking up a piece of what she thought was tasty food for Captain Kael.
Bianca quietly ate her portion, her eyes still a little blank, but watching Captain Kael and Sirin's interaction, she seemed to feel a hint of warmth, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards.
Theresa looked at this harmonious (?) scene of a 'family of three,' feeling sour inside, turning her grief and indignation into appetite, fiercely biting into the slightly charred bitter melon omelet Captain Kael had specially fried for her, as if she were biting the head of some purple-haired brat.
However, the tranquility of this breakfast was soon broken.
Captain Kael's terminal rang; it was a communication from Bishop Otto.
On the light screen, Otto still had her elegant and luxurious demeanor.
She announced with a smile: "Captain Kael, considering Bianca's special circumstances and her current closeness only to you, Headquarters has decided to officially transfer the daily guardianship of Bianca Ataegina to you. The relevant procedures have been completed, and from now on, she will live with you and Sirin. Take good care of them ~"
Captain Kael's hand, holding his chopsticks, froze in mid-air: "...Your Eminence, this..."
"This is an order ~"
Otto interrupted him, her smile becoming even more 'benevolent', "I believe Captain Kael will definitely be able to handle it. After all, you can even 'take care' of our little Theresa so perfectly ~"
She pointedly glanced at Theresa, who was wrestling with the bitter melon omelet next to her, and then, without waiting for Captain Kael to retort, cut off the communication.
Captain Kael looked at the darkened screen, then at Sirin, who was looking at him with an innocent face, and Bianca, who had a blank expression, and then at Theresa opposite him, who was so angry she was almost biting through her chopsticks... He silently put down his chopsticks, took a deep breath, and felt that the slightly relaxed mood he had just achieved from comforting Sirin was instantly crushed by an even heavier burden.
A jealous Sirin who needed careful nurturing; a memory-lost, clingy, sensitive blonde Bianca; and a Theresa who occasionally needed comforting and was also 'coveting' him... "Bishop Otto..." Captain Kael muttered the name for the thousand and first time in his heart, filled with a sense of powerlessness, "Are you truly valuing me, or... are you playing with me?"
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