A girl with healthy pale skin and messy, tied-up jet-black hair appeared from behind it. She was wearing an oversized school tracksuit and thigh-length shorts. Her gray eyes were drowsy, as if she had just woken up...
So this is my sister? Alicia... She's very beautiful.
"Uh... you're home?" she rubbed her eyes, her face suddenly energetic—was it because she saw me?
"Y-yes, sorry it took so long," I didn't know how to act.
"Come in..."
I nodded, then followed behind her. The cold air from the AC immediately cooled my sweaty skin as I closed the door.
Woof!
Suddenly, a Golden Retriever dog pounced on me, then licked my body all over as if saying 'welcome home'.
I was briefly startled, almost screaming.
"What's wrong with you? That's just Debby," said Alicia, looking at my shock, which probably made me seem like someone who'd seen a ghost.
'Oh right, Adrian has a pet.' After remembering that, I crouched down and started petting the Golden Retriever.
"Alright, Debby, that's enough. I want to eat," I stood up and headed to the dining room, where Alicia was already seated and waiting.
I looked around. The inside of this house looked very simple compared to its exterior. The brown-colored floor gave a warm impression, and most importantly—it had all the necessary household furnishings.
After taking off my robe and hanging it up, I sat down across from Alicia. The dining table in front of me was already filled with food—complete with meat and vegetables. And it seemed she was the one who cooked it, as there was no one else here but her.
"Whoa, you cooked all this?" I broke the silence.
"Don't I always cook when Aunt isn't home?" She looked at me, puzzled.
Oops.
"No, I mean," I took a bite, "Even though I always eat your cooking, every time I taste it, it feels new. Hmm, did you use new spices? This is really delicious."
She smiled, then looked at me. "How did you know?"
'Uh, so that was true?' I just shrugged with a smile.
As it grew quiet again, I tried to restart the conversation:
"How's school?"
"Good," she swallowed her food. "This Monday I'll be facing final exams and finally graduating!"
"Really? Have you been studying?" I continued this conversation because she seemed to like it!
"I was earlier... While waiting for you, but you took so long! So I fell asleep... Good thing the food isn't cold yet. If it were cold, you'd have to take responsibility."
'She waited for me until she fell asleep?' I felt deeply touched just by those simple words.
"Sorry..." that whisper just came out of my mouth, and maybe only I could hear it.
"Oh yeah!" she suddenly became excited. "After the semester ends, there's a party, and I have to bring someone. But... I... don't have that, you know? So can you come with me...?"
Did she mean she doesn't have a boyfriend and that's why she wants to ask me?
I nodded, unable to refuse. "Yeah, maybe... When? Date, month, year?" I turned it into a joke, while also wanting to know the time.
She laughed. "You can be funny too, it turns out. OF COURSE it's this year! June 12, 2050! You can come, right? Right?" her eyes were full of hope.
I agreed with a nod. "What's the date now?"
"May 21," She smiled widely, for whatever reason.
I continued eating while thinking, 'So it's true, this is Chapter One of my novel.' Then, I realized something about the date Alicia gave:
"June 12? Isn't that three weeks away?" I was a little surprised. If it's three weeks away, why did she say it now?
"Hehe, I said it now on purpose so you could mark that day in your busy schedule. Note that date as a special day, sir. You've accepted, so you can't refuse for any other reason, whatever it is," she giggled.
I didn't expect her to say something like that. So Adrian has been busy all this time? Alicia had to book three weeks in advance to make sure I would actually attend...
I looked at her as she ate. Somehow, even though I just met her—it felt like I had known her for a long time...
I let out a dramatic sigh. "Alright, I'll put it in my schedule."
We finished our meal, and I didn't leave immediately. Instead, I helped Alicia tidy up and wash the dishes. She raised an eyebrow in surprise, perhaps finding her brother different today.
After this, I planned to go to my room and try to find out where Lucas's city is located. That way, I would also know my location and could anticipate the coming dangers.
I finished washing the dishes, then walked up the stairs since my room is upstairs.
"Alicia, I'm going to my room," I said to Alicia, who was lounging on the sofa.
She just nodded and smiled. For a moment, I thought this was a dream... Even if it's just a dream, I beg to sleep a little longer, I beg...
I was now in front of the door, then opened it slowly. What was behind the door made my jaw drop in amazement. This room was not wide but also not narrow. Its paint was a bluish-black that reflected the light from the decorative lamp. The white bed looked soft, and beside the window, there was a computer—complete with its glowing monitor.
But that wasn't the only thing that amazed me. It was also the rows of trophies and medals behind the glass display cabinet...
I approached to look.
"School Academic Ranking 1st, 2nd." "1st Place Robotics Practicum." And many more, I couldn't name them one by one.
I stroked my chin while nodding slowly. "Hmm... is this me if I got everything I wanted?" Haha, if this is my parallel version, then my guess might be right.
Setting that aside, I then sat in the comfortable swivel chair. The computer screen was in front of me. Then, I searched the desk and found a photo frame containing a picture of me as a child—probably around seven years old—with Alicia and Erickson, my oldest brother. In the photo, I was wearing a baseball glove with a ball in the middle, then a young Alicia posed with a stiff but very cute two-finger peace sign, and Erickson was touching my head, his fingers running through my hair. Everyone was smiling widely and sincerely...
Simple, yet this was something I couldn't get in my old world.
Unconsciously, my lips curled into a smile, and my tears were already welling up. I wiped them away and placed the photo frame down slowly.
Still smiling, I searched for other things and found what seemed to be a Valentine's chocolate box. Seeing that stimulated my brain into thinking it was a gift from Sierra.
'Wow, we're that close?!' But I had no memory of them dating. 'Oh my God, Adrian, what are you still waiting for?' I was a little disappointed with this Adrian.
Clap!
'Idiot, remember your purpose here!' Shaking my head, I returned to my reason for being in this room: to find out where Lucas is located.
I pressed the computer's power button.
---
ALICIA HALE'S POV:
Click!
I heard the sound of Adrian's door closing from downstairs.
Seeing his face with a red mark and his dirty robe—I grew worried about him. I mean, why is he so foolish? We already live comfortably thanks to Erickson being an S-Rank Hunter. What else is he looking for? Isn't it nice to just live on what he provides? College, playing...
\--Sigh--
I have forbidden him many times—but he never listens. I want to tell him again... but I'm afraid he'll get angry and it will strain our relationship. I don't want that. But I also don't want anything bad to happen to him. Hhh! He's the stubborn type when he wants something. Who knows what he's looking for by becoming a Hunter...
Debby suddenly came over and leaned against me. I patted her head.
Actually, what I fear most is if he succeeds in becoming a great Hunter like Erickson. He will definitely leave me alone at home. I don't want that! And the possibility is also very high—he is very smart.
I hugged my knees tightly, then buried my face deep. I wanted to scream, but all that came out was a tired sigh.
I don't want to be left alone again...
In this silence, I suddenly remembered something:
"Oh right, I have to give Auntie her lunch!" I jolted, my eyes fixed on the clock, which now showed 2 o'clock. Her break is soon; there's still time.
I got up and prepared the food. After finishing, I went to my room to change clothes. And because the weather was hot, I wore a bright cream-colored top.
I left my room, and since my room is close to Adrian's, I wanted to say goodbye to him first. I could hear the sound of very fast keyboard typing from inside his room.
"Adrian, I'm going to Auntie's garden," without waiting for his answer, I immediately walked away, but I faintly heard him say, "Be careful on the way."
On the way to the complex gate, several neighbors and people I didn't know greeted me. I just smiled back. The reason they're friendly to me is because I'm the sister of S-Rank Hunter Erickson Hale.
Now I'm halfway to my aunt's garden, located in Defier City, not far from here. Sweat was flowing because of the heat. Actually, I could have taken public transportation, but I don't like the smell, and I also wanted to exercise!
Suddenly, my eyes were unintentionally drawn to a large screen attached to a building. The screen showed a huge creature, maybe as tall as a few floors. It was shaped like a turtle, but with a stone shell and trees. The news text said that the place thought to be a mountain turned out to be a sleeping monster. Its location is in Clayton, far from where I am now.
Hmm, that monster looks tame... Back when I was little, in Havient City, there was also a monster like that, but bigger and more aggressive, shaped like a lizard. I saw it directly. No—at that time, it ran towards me. Erickson, who wasn't a Hunter yet, desperately carried me away. Then, a Hunter in a black robe saved me and killed that creature.
Wow, he was very handsome. I want to meet him again...
After a few minutes, I finally arrived at my aunt's garden—if you can even call it a garden. This garden is inside a large building still in the middle of the city. Almost all the walls are transparent so sunlight can enter. And wow, there's air conditioning too! By the way, this doesn't belong to my aunt. It's owned by a large company called "Biogenic" with many branches. My aunt just works with them.
I met my aunt and her friends who were on break, then I gave her the lunch I brought. Before I left, I chatted with them for a while. Um, after this, my plan at home is to study until night. Yes, study. I have to get good grades so my brother can see me!
...
Ring! Ring!
I was woken up by my alarm. Turning it off slowly, I looked at the time; it was half-past four in the morning. Then, still sleepy—I sat up and stretched my body, then grabbed a towel to shower.
Why did I wake up early? The reason is that it's Sunday, and as usual, Adrian and I will do our routine: morning jogging.
I had put on my tracksuit and black pants. Leaving my room, I went straight to Adrian's room. You know? This is so annoying! He's the one who asked me to jog, but he's the one who's hard to wake up. Luckily, I'm a good sister. He's lucky to have a sister like me.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Adrian, wake up. It's morning. You said you wanted to jog?" I kept knocking while calling his name in different tones so I wouldn't get bored waiting.
I heard the sound of footsteps.
He woke up quickly? This is beyond my expectation.
After hearing the sound of the lock, the door opened slowly—revealing Adrian, who now looked tired with slumped shoulders and red eyes adorned with black lines like a panda. Did he stay up all night? What did he do?
"Umm... what?" he yawned.
"Jogging..." I answered shortly because he should already know. But he seemed very tired. "You look tired. Maybe I'll go alone this time."
"Wait, I can do it," he opened his eyes wide as if to show that he could.
He went into his room, then came back out with a towel. "Wait for me."
I nodded, almost invisibly because I was surprised.
I went downstairs to put on my shoes. Then, after a few minutes, Adrian appeared, still with his sleepy face even though he had showered.
"If you're tired, you can sleep."
"I'm coming," he looked around. "Where are my shoes?"
Oh my God, he forgot his own shoes? Is he joking?
"Outside."
He went out, and I followed behind. We warmed up in the yard while waiting for him to put on his shoes.
"Ready?"
"Yeah," he stretched his body, then started walking past me.
We started running when we left the residential complex and, as usual, would follow our jogging route. But Adrian refused. He wanted to go to a different city. What on earth does he mean? I just followed him. We ended up in Esil City. This is our first time jogging here, and I noticed something: Adrian's eyes kept looking around as if searching for something.
"Are you looking for something?" I asked.
"Nothing," he answered briefly. "Want to race home?" he added in a teasing tone.
I accepted it by running ahead, leaving him behind. But my stamina kept dropping when I was almost home. I lost. He teased me!
Debby welcomed me with her attack, then licked me.
We entered the house and were greeted by Aunt Maya's cooking! Adrian and I immediately sat down and ate together. This is our routine, but my brother seemed different today. He preferred to talk and joke more than before. I wonder what hit his head to make him like this now, but I like it.
After we finished eating, Aunt Maya told me to go to the market because the household supplies were running out. I got ready now and went to Adrian's room to say goodbye.
"Adrian, I'm going to the market."
"I'll come!" he said from inside. Then I heard a thump. Did he fall?
"Wait, I'll get ready."
"Oh, alright." Hmm, it's unusual for him to come to the market.
At the market, we walked around together to look for what we needed, like spices, meat, and other things. I watched Adrian. He was wearing a black coat with a white collar. Not to forget, there was something strange about him. Throughout the trip, he kept touching his chin, his eyes kept searching for something, and he also kept asking about cities. "Scattern," "Elfier," "Blackbourne"—what cities are those? I've never heard of them. Why is he looking for those cities?
I didn't really mind it, actually. What I found stranger was his behavior today. He liked to play around, chat about nonsense, and joke. That's not like him... Hmm, it seems like he's trying to make his sister happy? Haha, but his style always makes me laugh. He's so awkward around me. But I like it; I prefer him like this.
We arrived home with all the supplies we managed to bring. Adrian seemed very exhausted; he immediately collapsed on the sofa. I put my things in the kitchen, and when I returned... he was already asleep on the sofa. I knew he'd be very tired.
I took a blanket from the drawer near me, then covered him. He frowned when I did it but fell back into a peaceful sleep.
I just smiled, then sat a little away from him and turned on the TV. But my thoughts were anchored to him. He has changed, and that actually makes me more worried that he will leave me...