In the confines of his room, the muted hum of the city did little to quell the storm brewing within Sky's mind. He was dressing, but his thoughts were miles away, replaying the chilling news report.
"Hmm… it's really surprising. How did she die? It definitely doesn't seem like a human attempt to murder, or an animal attack." He tugged on his shirt, the fabric a forgotten sensation against his skin. "But it's possible for an animal to do that and take her kid away, but surprisingly, that was a plain field area where animals are rarely seen. And those claw scratches… they looked more like a vulture's, not a bear's or any other animal."
A heavy sigh escaped him as he glanced at the time. "Hah… I need to be aware." His gaze drifted to the dark, inert screen of the television downstairs, then to his sister's closed door.
He descended the stairs, the quiet apartment echoing his unease. Slumping onto the sofa, he waited for Sillia, a conversation brewing in his mind. As he sat, a familiar current of his past few years flowed through him.
He was Sky Grace, twenty years old, on the precipice of graduating, ready to plunge into college, secure a good job, and finally settle into the quiet life he craved. Five years he'd savored the solitude of living alone, a choice he'd fiercely guarded.
Then, Sillia. His parents, still rooted in their old town, clinging to the familiar comfort of their home and grandparents, had sent his fifteen-year-old sister to live with him. Her school was closer, and the thought of her living alone in the city, especially during her "developing phase," as his parents had put it, was out of the question. He didn't blame them. While he cherished his solitude, he knew it wasn't ideal for a young girl. Yet, when he'd tentatively asked if she truly wanted to live with him, she'd agreed almost immediately, despite her usual theatrics. It had only been a few days since she'd settled in.
Sillia, with her sky-blue hair and captivating blue eyes, was undeniably cute and beautiful. But to him, she was also a bundle of charming arrogance and delightful annoyance, a stark contrast to the perfectly behaved child she presented to others. He chose to ignore her less flattering quirks, treating her with all the kindness he could muster.
His parents, steadfast in their old-town life and jobs, covered their expenses. They saw the city as a crucible, a forge for Sillia's future—doctor, engineer, lawyer, anything. Sky sat there, eyes closed, a calm mask on his face, but his mind a whirlwind of these thoughts.
"Oh, you're ready?" His eyes snapped open as Sillia materialized before him.
"Huh…?" Sillia startled. How did he notice me? I was walking so silently, and he didn't even open his eyes for a second. Did I make a noise coming here? She shook her head, nodding in response.
"Good… then sit here, I'll bring breakfast." Sky rose from the sofa. Sillia watched him, a flicker of something she couldn't quite place in his usually composed demeanor. He seems a little odd. Normal, but odd. Curiosity tugged at her, and she followed him to the kitchen.
She asked him what he'd made, even though she'd seen it, purely to prod him. But his eyes, calm and steady, held the stillness of a deep, chaotic sea.
They settled at the table, the clinking of cutlery a muted rhythm. Sillia couldn't hold back.
"Big brother…"
"Hmm…"
"What happened?"
"Hmm… what do you mean, Sillia?" Sky stopped eating, a slight furrow in his brow.
"Ah… I mean, you look a little off. Don't tell me you've invited someone over." A mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Huh… invited whom? I don't quite get it."
"Ah… you know. Your girlfriend. I'm pretty sure you have one… right?" Sillia's smile widened. It was the first time she'd ventured into such personal territory with him.
Growing kids and their curiosity, Sky thought, before a slow nod. "Hmm… I did invite someone, but you're here. So what can I do?" he said calmly.
Sillia's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Uh-ha."
"Wait, you really have a girlfriend?"
"Hmm." Sillia stared, surprised, before a grin bloomed on her face. "Guess I need to tell this to Mom." She thought she'd just unearthed a new weapon for future teasing.
"You can tell," Sky said, continuing to eat.
"I can tell, and you're not afraid?" Sillia pressed.
"Afraid of what? Mom and Dad aren't here to scold me. But just a reminder, little sister," Sky's gaze hardened, a glint of warning in his eyes, "if I ever see you in this 'girlfriend-boyfriend' nonsense, you better be ready to get scolded."
Sillia, momentarily taken aback, snorted, making a face. "Hmph… you're having a girlfriend and telling me not to… hypocrisy! But anyway, I'm not interested in those things." She stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye. How the hell does this stupid brother of hers have a girlfriend? He doesn't have good grades, isn't good-looking, isn't rich, has no job, no house. He literally has nothing. How? She kept her thoughts to herself.
Soon, they set off for school. They walked together for a while before their paths diverged. But before parting ways, Sillia, with an innocent, cute look, asked one last time, "Brother… do you really have a girlfriend?"
Sky nodded, then turned and walked away. Sillia stood there, watching his retreating back, before letting out a sigh and heading towards her own school.
Just like this few days went by in peace, Sillia do create problems for him. But being a big brother Sky endure it with calmness. Sky's calmness was itself a mystery as it was like Ocean of Nirvana which can never break the boundaries they poses. In his eyes calmness was unsettling for many people in the school where Sky studying because his calmness might calm many people just by presence and even made people irritated and fight or badmouth without any reason. But that doesn't affect Sky, as it feels like beneath that calm expression a deep knowledge of something profound was rafting in the Ocean of Nirvana.