— Age Six —
Sunlight slipped in gently through the curtains.
Birdsong fluttered just outside the window, and the warmth of early spring wrapped the room in golden quiet.
Caelum was already awake.
Lying on his side, eyes half-lidded, he watched Lysia sleep with her hands tucked beneath her cheek, her breathing soft and even.
"She remembered everything."
"And didn't say a word."
He smiled faintly to himself, brushing a stray hair from her forehead.
You're still the same.
You think I don't know.
System Log – Morning Sync Complete
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM – OWNER: CAELUM]— Subject: LYSIA GREY— Dream Log: Peaceful / Content— Memory Status: Locked (By User)— Emotional Output: Stable (High Attachment)— Note: "Let her keep her secret. She's pretending for your sake. So pretend for hers."
He sat up quietly and slipped out from under the blanket.
Pancake Morning
By the time Lysia woke, the scent of pancakes was already thick in the air.
She padded sleepily into the kitchen in her bunny socks, rubbing her eyes.
Caelum was flipping pancakes with perfect form, humming softly.
"You cooked again?" she asked, yawning.
"Your turn was last time," he said without turning. "These have strawberries."
She grinned. "I love you."
He didn't even flinch.
"Eat first. Confess later."
Off to School
Hand in hand, they walked to school under a pale sky filled with puffy clouds.
Their backpacks bounced slightly with every step, and Lysia was humming again — that same off-tune melody she always did when she was quietly happy.
Caelum just listened.
Letting her be herself.
Letting this life flow gently forward.
At the Classroom Door
Right before stepping into the classroom, she stopped and tugged his hand.
"Hey, Cael."
He turned.
She leaned up on tiptoe and whispered:
"Thanks for yesterday."
He blinked. "For what?"
She smiled, all sunshine and secrets.
"For not asking."
System Log – Unspoken Synchrony Achieved
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM – OBSERVER MODE]— Dual Awareness Confirmed— Neither Subject Will Speak of Past— Current Emotional State: Mutual Trust (Deepened)— Status: Moving Forward