"Now I am sure I cannot tell my mother that I am her son. I don't want to know what her reaction would be." Lucian said in a depressing tone.
The words left his mouth quietly, but they carried weight.
[You don't know that. Maybe her reaction might be different from what you expect.]
"Akasha…" He let out a tired sigh.
"She took care of me for years. She loved me so much that she took every beating with a smile—even when she was shaking. Even when she was bleeding."
His fingers clenched unconsciously.
"And for whom?"
[...]
"For me." His voice dropped.
"And what did I do? When they interrogated me… I didn't even speak. I just nodded to whatever that bastard said."
The room suddenly felt smaller, suffocating.
[You were just a child.]
"That doesn't justify anything." His voice cracked despite his attempt to stay calm.
"I'm partly responsible for what happened to her. For the state she's in now."
Akasha sighed.
[Just don't beat yourself to it. I am here too. You can talk.]
"I know. Why do you think I am still sane?"
A pause followed.
Then—
[What are you talking about? Since when were you sane?] She scoffed.
[Just a reminder: You are already crazy.]
Lucian exhaled slowly, but despite the tears blurring his vision, a faint, crooked smile appeared.
"What is wrong with being crazy?"
[See? Exactly my point. These aren't the thoughts of a sane person.]
He didn't reply.
He just stared silently at the TV, the screen's glow reflecting off his unfocused eyes.
His head ached—a deep, pulsing pain threading behind his thoughts.
***
Late Evening—Outside a Café
"You don't have to pick me up every time. I can come by on my own."
A girl with brown hair and brown eyes said quietly, irritation threading through her voice.
She stood at 165 cm, still in her café uniform, the faint smell of roasted coffee clinging to her.
Before her stood a man taller than her, about 180 cm.
"Can't I come to pick up my cute little sister?" he asked gently.
"I was worried, you know? But it seems you don't love me as much as I do."
He pressed a hand to his chest in mild exaggeration.
"I-It's not like that, I just–I just…" Lia stuttered.
"It's alright. I am fine."
"Hmph." She puffed her cheeks.
Lucian smiled faintly.
Before they could walk out, a voice spoke from beside them.
"Ara, is this handsome lad your boyfriend?"
Lia jumped slightly.
An older woman stood at the café entrance—the owner. Warm smile, tired eyes, wiping her hands on a cloth.
Lia's blush deepened instantly.
Lucian chuckled softly and shook his head.
"No, ma'am. I'm her brother."
He then glanced at Lia.
"Thank you for taking care of her."
"Ahh, she's a good girl," the owner chuckled.
"Hardworking. Polite. You should be proud."
"I am," Lucian replied, his voice soft but sincere.
After a short, pleasant exchange, the two siblings stepped out of the warm café lights.
As they walked home, street lamps flickered to life one by one. People passing by couldn't help but glance at them—some openly, others with subtle curiosity.
Lia was cute, small, and bright-eyed. She naturally drew attention.
But Lucian—
People stared at him a heartbeat too long. His presence was striking: the calm eyes, the sharp features, the quiet aura that made him seem distant yet oddly captivating.
Lia noticed the lingering gazes on her brother.
Lucian noticed the gazes on her.
Neither said anything.
But both silently disliked the attention the other was getting.
After a while, Lia clicked her tongue
"It's annoying."
Lucian glanced at her.
"What is?"
"The attention you are getting," she muttered, glaring at a couple of girls who clearly weren't being subtle.
"Me?" Lucian looked around, genuinely confused.
'Am I?'
[More than her.] Akasha chimed in.
'Oh. I didn't realise.'
[Because you were busy giving death stares to most of the men.]
'I want to kill them, but the government rules.'
[Where the heck are these murderous thoughts coming from?]
'I don't know. You tell me.'
"Why are you blanking out?" Lia poked his arm.
"Nothing,'' Lucian shook it off. Then, casually said,
"Well… you get attention too."
Lia nearly tripped.
"W-What does that mean?"
He looked at her calmly.
"Some men were staring at you when we left."
Lia frowned instantly.
"Where? Who?"
"I don't know," Lucian said.
"But I saw some guys near the café door. They were staring at you for too long."
"That's—! Ugh!" she huffed.
"That's creepy. Why were they staring?"
Lucian's reply was simple.
"Because you're cute."
Lia stopped walking.
Lucian continued for two steps, realised she wasn't beside him, and turned.
She stood there, stunned.
"…C-cute?" she whispered.
Lucian tilted his head.
"Hmm? Did I say something wrong?"
Lia shook her head quickly, face burning.
"N-No… nothing. Forget it."
She jogged ahead to hide her embarrassment.
He couldn't see her blush because of the dim streetlights.
Lucian watched her—confused but amused, then followed at an easy pace.