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Raphael and Daisy walked side by side through the quiet morning streets of Twilight Trails.
The town was still half-asleep, wrapped in pale light and lingering mist, but Daisy's mind was wide awake—too awake. Her steps slowed without her realizing it, her attention drifting again and again toward the tall figure beside her.
She kept staring at Raphael.
It had been so many years since she had truly seen him—not just in passing, not as a distant memory, but like this. Close. Real. Present.
It has been so many years since I saw him, Daisy thought.
He had changed.
No—he had grown.
Grown taller. Broader. Stronger. His presence carried a quiet authority now, a power that didn't need to announce itself. And somehow, impossibly, he had grown… handsome.
He has grown up so handsome, she admitted to herself, her heart fluttering in betrayal of her own calm.
Indeed, she decided, supernatural beings really were glamorous.
As if he could feel her gaze burning into his profile, Raphael suddenly turned.
His eyes met hers.
Sharp. Deep. Striking.
The force of his gaze hit Daisy like a wave. Her breath caught in her throat, lungs refusing to cooperate.
Why… why is his glance so powerful?
She didn't realize she had stopped walking until he noticed her reaction. Raphael's brows knit together in faint surprise. He hadn't expected that—hadn't meant to unsettle her.
"It's a pity," he said quietly, breaking the moment, "that we lost the bus on the first day of your school."
"Yes, Brother Raphael," Daisy replied, still flustered, her voice softer than usual.
She glanced at the road stretching ahead of them, then spoke hesitantly.
"If we keep walking like this… we will surely be late."
Raphael didn't respond right away.
A silence settled between them.
Then—suddenly—
An idea sparked inside Daisy's mind.
She looked up at him, eyes bright with curiosity.
"I heard that werewolves have unstoppable speed."
Raphael stopped walking.
He stared at her, genuinely shocked.
Daisy, on the other hand, looked delighted—almost proud of herself.
Gathering courage, she asked, her voice hopeful,
"Can you take me there with your immense speed?"
Raphael let out a small breath, half amused, half resigned.
"You are really into supernatural things," he said.
Then, more softly, with a hint of nostalgia,
"You haven't changed at all."
Daisy smiled shyly.
"Brother, you know me well."
She hesitated, then added quickly,
"But if you don't want to, I won't be stubborn. I don't want to trouble you."
Raphael stepped closer.
Too close.
Daisy's heart began pounding violently in her chest. She felt scared, overwhelmed, and inexplicably shy all at once. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her skirt as she struggled to steady her breathing.
"I can take you there," Raphael said.
Then he paused, eyes searching her face.
"But are you ready for it?"
Daisy swallowed.
He leaned in slightly, his voice low, almost teasing.
"It's going to be breathtaking. Can you take it?"
"W-what do you mean…?" Daisy stammered,
her body trembling.
Raphael tilted his head slightly.
"Will you get on my back?"
"Huh…?" Daisy gasped, heat rushing to her cheeks.
"On your back?"
"Don't think too much," he said calmly.
"I am your brother, after all."
After a long second, Daisy nodded.
"Okay, brother…"
Raphael knelt down, turning his back toward her. His wide, masculine back filled her vision.
Brother has grown so much…
He is indeed so powerful.
I can't believe I will be so close to him.
She stepped forward hesitantly.
"Are you thinking about something?" Raphael asked.
"Don't you want to get on my back?"
"No, brother… it's not like that. It's just…"
Her words faded.
"Are you feeling shy?" he asked gently.
"It's okay if you don't want to."
"No—no, brother. I will."
She moved closer, her heart pounding faster with each step.
She reached out and touched his wide shoulders.
His body is so masculine… so solid.
Raphael carefully took her hands, his touch steady and protective.
Daisy shivered.
He guided her arms around his neck.
"Hold tight."
She did.
He stood up smoothly, lifting her onto his back.
"Wrap me with your legs."
Daisy obeyed, wrapping her legs around his waist.
I can't believe I'm so close to him…
"Hold me tight and try to stay still," Raphael said.
"Don't worry," he added softly.
"I will never let you go, no matter whatever happens."
His words are so charming…
I might melt like ice cream…
"I will take you to your school faster than the bus."
And then—
He ran.
The world blurred.
Daisy gasped, shocked.
This is not like what I thought!
Brother is so fast!
My soul might leave my poor body!
"Brother—slow down a bit!" she cried.
"I'm running out of breath!"
Raphael immediately slowed his pace.
"Huff… huff…"
He stopped completely.
"Are you alright?"
"Shall I put you down?"
"No, brother… I'm alright… huff… huff…"
Raphael frowned slightly.
She is so weak.
Father said she is just like mother.
She gets tired so easily.
I haven't even run at my least powerful speed…
It's better to run at human speed while carrying her.
"Okay," he said aloud. "I will run slow from now on."
He started again—this time gently, steadily.
Soon, the school came into view.
They reached it.
The school bus was already standing there.
"Phew…" Daisy sighed.
"We missed it…"
"I'm sorry, brother. It's because of me. If I hadn't asked you to run slowly, we would have reached in time."
"It's okay," Raphael replied calmly.
"Let me help you get down."
Raphael lowered himself slightly, steady and careful.
Daisy loosened her grip and slid down from his back, her feet touching the ground at last.
For a brief moment, her knees felt weak.
She stood there, catching her breath, her heart still seeing flashes of speed, wind, and warmth. The world felt oddly quiet now—too still after everything she had felt moments ago.
Raphael remained kneeling for a second longer, making sure she was fully balanced.
Only when he was certain she was safe did he rise to his full height.
Daisy looked up at him instinctively.
Standing there in the morning light, he looked composed and calm once more, as if he hadn't just carried her across the town at inhuman speed. His expression was neutral, protective, familiar—brotherly.
Yet Daisy's chest still felt tight.
Not from fear.
From something she couldn't quite name.
She adjusted her skirt, brushing invisible dust from it, trying to ground herself.
Raphael glanced toward the school building ahead—the tall gates, the quiet grounds, the faint sounds of students beginning to gather.
Then he looked back at her.
"Let's meet your principal," he said simply.
The words brought Daisy back to reality.
Her first day.
Her new beginning.
She nodded quickly, straightening her posture, trying to look composed despite the lingering rush in her veins.
"Yes… brother," she replied.
As they began walking toward the entrance together, Daisy stole one last glance at him—this time more quietly, more carefully.
Her heart finally began to slow.
To be continued.....