The afterglow of the setting sun painted the street a warm orange as Kael and Raiden Mei walked side-by-side on their way back to the apartment.
After yesterday's commotion, Mei seemed a bit more relaxed, but she still habitually walked half a step behind Kael, maintaining a slight distance.
As they passed a beautifully decorated gift shop, Kael's steps suddenly halted.
His gaze passed through the bright display window and landed on a display case inside the shop.
Mei, a little puzzled, followed his gaze and saw an exquisite necklace displayed in the case.
The pendant of the necklace was a perfectly cut amethyst, displaying a deep and pure purple, and under the shop's lighting, starlight seemed to flow within it, somewhat resembling Sirin's hair color, but adding a touch of luxury and mystery.
"Mr. Kael, is this...?" Mei asked softly.
Kael withdrew his gaze, a subtle, gentle smile appearing on his face, and simply replied, "Buying a gift."
With that, he pushed open the gift shop door and walked in. Mei hesitated for a moment, then followed him inside.
The shop assistant enthusiastically greeted them.
Kael pointed directly to the amethyst necklace: "This one, please wrap it for me."
He didn't spend much time choosing, nor did he ask about the price, his straightforwardness surprising the shop assistant.
Mei stood by, watching Kael intently as the necklace was carefully packaged into a dark blue velvet gift box, and her heart stirred slightly.
Is it for Miss Sirin?
After paying, Kael carefully placed the small, exquisite gift box into his pocket, as if it were some fragile treasure.
Walking out of the gift shop, the expression on his face seemed to soften a little.
Back at the apartment, Kiana was sprawled on the sofa, munching on potato chips and reading Haxxor Bunny comics. Hearing the door open, she yelled without lifting her head, "Kael! You're back! I'm starving!"
Sirin then came out of her room. She seemed to have just showered, her long purple hair still damp, draped over her shoulders, and she was wearing comfortable loungewear.
Seeing Kael, her golden eyes lit up, and she naturally walked over to him.
"Brother."
She called softly, her gaze falling on Kael, then she glanced at Mei, who followed Kael in, and her eyes imperceptibly dimmed a little.
Kael, as usual, ruffled Sirin's still damp hair: "Mm, go change first, prepare for dinner."
He acted as if everything was normal, not immediately taking out the gift, as if the small box in his pocket didn't exist.
At dinner, the atmosphere seemed a bit subtle.
Kael habitually served Sirin her favorite dishes, then noticed Mei seemed a bit reserved and couldn't reach the stir-fried vegetables further away from her, so he naturally pushed the plate towards her.
"Thank you, Mr. Kael," Mei thanked him softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.
This seemingly ordinary gesture, however, caused a strange sour feeling to bubble up in Kiana, who had been secretly observing Kael and Mei.
She looked at the "natural" interaction between Kael and Mei, and remembered that Kael and Mei had come back together yesterday, and again today... Although she knew Kael was only taking care of Mei for certain reasons, she just felt a little uncomfortable, and the delicious fried pork cutlet in her mouth didn't seem so tasty anymore.
She puffed out her cheeks, and as if by accident, tapped the rim of her bowl with her chopsticks, making a crisp sound that attracted everyone's attention.
Then, she deliberately drew out her words, in a tone that was a little mischievous and probing, imitating Sirin's usual manner, and said to Kael:
"Si—rin—look at Kael, how 'considerate' he is to Mei—"
She specifically emphasized the word "considerate," her blue eyes glancing at Sirin, with a hint of wanting to see a show.
This was a precise hit to a landmine!
Sirin's hand holding the chopsticks instantly froze.
She slowly raised her head, her golden eyes like a frozen lake, instantly locking onto Kiana, and the air pressure around her dropped at a visible speed, even the dining room lights seemed to dim a little.
She didn't speak, but that cold, almost tangible anger, as if her territory had been violated, was palpable.
Kiana was startled by her reaction, subconsciously shrinking her neck, but since the words were out, she bit the bullet and added, "...I, I was just saying..."
Mei was even more frightened, her face turning pale, and she quickly waved her hands: "N-no, Classmate Kiana, Mr. Kael was just..."
Kael looked at the instantly tense atmosphere and Sirin's icy expression, as if she was about to flip the table, and sighed helplessly in his heart.
This Kiana girl, she really loves to stir up trouble.
He knew that ordinary words of comfort were useless now for a bristling Sirin.
He put down his chopsticks, a perfectly timed look of "distress" appearing on his face, and gently "tsk-ed," as if chastising Kiana for her talkativeness.
Then, under everyone's gaze, he reached into his jacket pocket.
Sirin's icy gaze followed his movements.
Kael unhurriedly pulled out the dark blue velvet gift box from his pocket.
The box was small and exquisite, gleaming elegantly under the restaurant lights.
He didn't even look at Kiana or Mei, his gaze falling directly on Sirin, that earlier hint of "distress" transforming into a gentle, slightly helpless expression.
He gently pushed the small gift box onto the table in front of Sirin, his tone calm, yet like a stone dropped into a frozen lake, instantly breaking the solidified low pressure:
"I originally wanted to give it to you later. Here, I saw it passing by and thought the color suited you very well."
In an instant, the restaurant was so quiet that only the faint sound of cars from outside the window could be heard.
All of Sirin's coldness, all of her anger, at the sight of that small box, melted away at an astonishing speed, like ice and snow under the sun.
Her golden eyes suddenly widened, filled with disbelief and a hint of cautious surprise.
She stared intently at the box, as if she couldn't believe her eyes.
Kiana was also stunned, her mouth slightly agape. She looked at the obviously expensive gift box, then at Kael, and finally at Sirin. The sourness in her heart was instantly replaced by a sense of defeat, as if she had "lost."
Ugh... so Kael went to buy a gift for Sirin... Mei also breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, felt a subtle emotion. Mr. Kael... really cares about Miss Sirin.
Sirin's fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the small gift box.
She opened the box with extreme care.
When the necklace, inlaid with a deep amethyst, came into view, she clearly gasped.
The amethyst's glow seemed to shine directly into her heart, complementing her hair color, yet even more dazzling.
"...Brother..."
Sirin looked up, her golden eyes twinkling as if with stars. The previous coldness and anger were long gone, replaced only by overflowing emotion and joy, and a touch of bewildered helplessness after being struck by such a huge surprise. "This... this is..."
"Do you like it?"
Kael looked at her, the smile on his lips deepening slightly, his tone still calm, but filled with indulgence.
Sirin nodded vigorously, as if afraid he would change his mind, hugging the box tightly to her chest, a brilliantly clear smile blooming on her face. That smile was pure and dazzling, making Kiana stare for a moment.
"I like it! I like it very much! Thank you, Brother!"
Sirin's voice was full of joy. She picked up the necklace, caressing the cool, smooth amethyst with fondness, then looked at Kael expectantly, "Brother... can you help me put it on?"
"Alright."
Kael stood up, walked behind her, picked up the necklace, and carefully put it on her.
The cool amethyst pendant rested on Sirin's fair collarbone, its deep purple echoing her hair color, further enhancing her jade-like skin and adding a mysterious elegance to her original purity.
Sirin ran to the living room mirror, looking left and right, her face filled with uncontrollable happiness and satisfaction. Where was the murderous look from just now?
She was like a cat that had been petted and given its favorite toy, so happy she was practically bubbling.
Kiana looked at Sirin's smug and happy expression, then at Kael's profile, smiling as he watched Sirin. Her heart felt like a five-flavor bottle had been overturned, a mixture of sourness, envy, and a little bit of grievance intertwined.
She slumped her shoulders, poking the now cold rice in her bowl with a fork, and muttered softly, reluctantly:
"Ugh... favoritism..."
Kael heard her mumble, turned his head, and looked at Kiana's dejected, puppy-like appearance, finding it somewhat amusing.
He walked over to her and also ruffled her soft silver hair, his tone teasing:
"What? Does This Young Miss of our Kaslana Family also want a gift?"
Kiana's head swayed as he ruffled her hair. She looked up, her blue eyes showing a hint of grievance and expectation, but she stubbornly said, "Who, who wants a gift! This Young Miss doesn't care!"
That's what she said, but her eyes were eagerly gazing at Kael.
Kael smiled, not continuing to tease her: "Hurry and eat. Tomorrow, I'll make you your favorite mango pudding."
Hearing about her favorite dessert, Kiana's eyes instantly lit up. Although still a little sour, her mood had improved significantly, and she picked up her chopsticks again: "...That's more like it!"
A "crisis" triggered by Kiana's thoughtless words was thus easily resolved by Kael with a small gift.
Sirin was immersed in the immense joy of receiving the gift, occasionally touching the amethyst between her collarbones, having long forgotten Kiana's little provocation.
Kael looked at the "harmonious" dining table once more, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
To deal with a bristling Sirin, this trick really was the most effective.
He lowered his head to eat, a faint smile playing on his lips.
(Sirin: Actually, it's not that this trick is effective... it's effective only because the person using it is you, Brother... you idiot...)