Kai was reliving his sob story when Alice caught up to him. "Are you okay, Kai?"
He turned, glancing at the trio through his tinted glasses. "Yeah. I'm used to it now."
Claire muttered under her breath, "Didn't sound like someone who's used to it…"
Bryan, the girl built like an actual gym bro, elbowed Claire in the side. She was the only one of the three who actually took working out seriously. Hell, she even had abs.
Alice shifted her focus again. "Um, Kai, are you heading back to your room?"
Kai nodded. "Yeah. Figured I should. Something weird's happening in our heads, right?"
She hesitated, then asked, "So… are you going to accept it?"
"Maybe," Kai said, glancing at Bryan. "By the way, when did you dye your hair red?"
Bryan shrugged. "A few days ago. Thought red suited me better."
Kai gave a small nod. "Hmm. Looks good."
Suddenly, his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and immediately grimaced.
Alice tilted her head. "What is it? Who's calling?"
Kai sighed. "My sister."
Claire perked up. "Oh… Rosa?"
Kai raised a brow. "Why are you getting excited?"
Claire grinned. "Come on, everyone back in college knew her. That time you, she, and senior Kassian barged into the boys' hostel, dragged out those seniors, and had that karate showdown? Absolute legend. She's kind of an idol for us."
Kai ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, well… I gotta go. Catch you guys later."
Alice quickly called out, "Ah… Kai, about the date?"
He paused. "If nothing crazy happens today… I'll think about it."
Alice immediately lit up. "Alright."
Kai stepped out of the men's locker room, crossed the gym, and pushed through the double doors into the hallway.
Instead of taking the stairs down to the street, he turned toward the narrow stairway leading up to the terrace.
His sister was calling via video, and Kass was probably already on the line. He just needed a quiet spot to talk before things got chaotic.
* * *
Kai soon reached the terrace. Before answering the video call, he connected his earbuds and slid them on. Then he sat near the railing, using it for support.
He took the call. Two video feeds popped up… three, counting his own.
All three of them stared at each other like World War III was about to break out.
First was Rosa Ashveil. Long black hair in a hime cut, tied back with a red ribbon. Sharp blue eyes scanned the screen as if deciding whether the call was even worth her time.
She wore a crisp white karate gi and a black belt — fitting, since she used to be a karate champion.
Now? She was their guardian. More like the one who smacked them for snoring too loud. Also known as Big Sis.
Next came Kass, short for Kassian Ashveil.
He lounged on a balcony recliner, shirtless, wearing just a pair of trunks, abs out like he was getting paid for it.
Long blond hair tied in a short ponytail. Black eyes half-asleep. He was munching on bran flakes, the healthy kind.
In the background, a BTS song played. Butter, probably. The music was likely coming from Kelly's room.
The balcony was shared between Kass and Kai below, and Kelly and Mia above.
And finally, Kairys Ashveil. Most just called him Kai.
Jet-black, medium-length hair. Amber-tinted glasses. His usual lazy expression in place.
He leaned against the railing, eyes flicking between the other two like he'd already used up all his energy for the day.
They were the Ashveils. Not blood-related. But their bond? Thicker than blood. The kind that didn't need explaining.
Honestly? All three of them were objectively good-looking. Ask a random girl who was the most attractive, and she'd probably say, "I don't know… but I want all three."
Even Rosa. Especially Rosa. She was tougher than both of them combined. Girls probably called her more husbando material than Kass and Kai put together.
Rosa looked at the two of them and said, low and dangerous, "DON'T. YOU. DARE."
Of course, Kai being Kai, immediately betrayed his brother.
"Kass already did it."
"MOTHERFUCKER—!" An undignified shout blasted through the earbuds. Kai had been a bit too slow to mute it.
People thought Rosa Ashveil was the epitome of discipline, kindness, and quiet strength.
The ideal older sister. And she was… to others.
When it came to her siblings? She couldn't care less. She gave them hell like it was her full-time job.
Kai cringed at the echoing curse. Kass, now fully awake, rushed to defend himself. "Come on, sis. You know me… I just wanted to see if it was a prank or something."
Rosa put a hand to her forehead, like she was nursing a migraine, then looked at Kai.
"What about you, Kai?"
Kai shrugged, half-hearted. "Well… after this call, I'll probably check it out. Just to satisfy my curiosity."
"Fuck." Rosa groaned again.
Then she switched tactics, her signature move when she knew violence wouldn't work: The guilt trip.
Her blue eyes turned sad. Maybe even a little betrayed.
"I thought you two saw me as family. If something happens to both of you… I'll be all alone. Dad left us too soon. I just… wish my little brothers loved me."
Kass cringed like he'd been physically stabbed.
"Ah, stop it, sis. You know damn well you'd accept it too if we both did."
Kai nodded like a wise monk. Facts were facts.
Rosa's expression snapped. "Pray to every god you can find, fuckers. Pray I don't find you after this is over. Because if I do? You'll wish you were still in that damn orphanage."
Kass shivered. Kai just nodded along. He'd been beaten up by her so many times, even the trauma got bored.
"So we're all accepting, right?" Kai asked casually.
Rosa glared at them, then let out a slow breath.
"Once an Ashveil—"
Kass and Kai grinned, finishing in unison,
"Always an Ashveil."