After dinner, Caleb insists on clearing the table himself. He tells me to rest, and he'll get my bedroom ready soon.
I hesitate for a moment before deciding to ask him about the explosion incident.Just as I reach the terrace, thunder roars from outside. The sound alone makes me jump. Maybe it's because we're closer to the sky here.Seeing Caleb's busy figure, I calm down a little.Caught by his gentle gaze, the words stick in my throat. I can only say a random sentence.

"I want a soda." I said Caleb steps aside, creating a path for me to get to the fridge. "Do you want one?"

He doesn't decline, so I offer him a soda can. "You're gonna move your hand when I try to take it. I'm not falling for that again."

"Stop acting like a baby. I'm done with those childish antics"Caleb reaches out. But I quickly move my wrist so the soda avoids his fingers.

"Haha, you—"

Before I can finish, the soda falls from my hand.

Caleb effortlessly catches it. "Talk about immature."We toast, our cans clinking against each other.Another roar of thunder startles me, however. I choke. "Still a scaredy-cat?"Caleb can't help but chuckle. He pats my back.And as if recalling something, he looks out of the window into the night. I thought you weren't afraid of it anymore."

"Cough, cough... What do you mean?"

Caleb sets down the soda and brings up a tablet that controls many of the house's utilities. The curtains are shut, which protects the room from the storm outside. "Remember your astraphobia from when you were little? Didn't you usually hide whenever thunder rolled in?"Maybe it was because thunder sounded too much like a Wanderer's roar. I was still terrified of it months after the Chronorift Catastrophe had ended. "At first, I thought you were playin' hide-and-seek with me. But then I saw you were just frightened.

"You always remember the minor details.But eventually, I became immune to it."

"And who should we thank for that?"

I look up. With his eyebrow slightly raised, Caleb grins. And reflecting on those memories, I pretend to be clueless. "We should thank my resilience."

."You ungrateful pip-squeak."

Caleb teases me and pinches my nose. Chuckling at my reaction, he lets go.Of course, I remember that whenever there was a storm, regardless of whether it was during the day or at night, he always stayed by my side.I didn't dare to fall asleep, but Caleb always covered my ears until I dozed off. The thunderstorms trapped him, the most popular kid on the block, inside the house. And so he had to seek refuge with me in various hiding places.No one else knew it was me that was trapped home, and Caleb was the one who broke that magical cage.

"Caleb, why were you always the first person to find me? It didn't matter whether I hid in the closet or the attic."

"We probably have a telepathic connection."

"You just got lucky every time."

"Yeah, and? It doesn't matter if I'm lucky or not."

Sentimentality grazes my heart's surface. My hand that's resting on the fridge subconsciously twitches.

Why do I feel awkward all of a sudden. "I mean... Isn't telepathy usually something twins have? Like the ones who are involved in this incident."
Thinking of those two that were affected by the explosion, my voice lowers.Over the next few days, there wasn't any progress in finding Kevi. And his sister Mia is still recovering. "Caleb, I.."

"You still wanna investigate?" Caleb has read my mind. I hesitate for a moment before nodding.

"Kevi is still missing, and I need to know if Ever is related to the explosion." If Ever is involved, there's a good chance I'll get important info that's connected to the Aether Core. Kevi might've already been marked as their target...

"The Fleet will handle it. And even if you doubt them, can't you trust me?Since you're on vacation, why not just kick back and relax in Skyhaven?

"But Caleb!His sister must be worried sick about him right now. She probably wants to be with Kevi again."

"I'm already your "adjutant." | promise not to cause any trouble. If anything bad happens, I'll take full responsi-ouch!"Something hits my head, but it's not a light tap or a smack. Caleb has a serious expression. "What are you even saying? I always have your back. Don't even think about drawing a line in the sand.Take care of yourself. Do that, and you can investigate whatever you want."

"So after everything draws to a close...Can you come home with me?"

"I remember you saying you'd be fine by yourself, but it seems like you still want someone with you."

"I'll worry about you if we're always separated."

"Is that the only reason?"He shifts his gaze down after suddenly using a softer voice.The fridge door is slightly ajar, and Caleb's hand rests on it. I'm seemingly trapped in this confinedspace.A cool breeze brushes against my shoulders. The faint glow from the refrigerator casts shadows in the depths of his determined, steadfast gaze. "Is it just because I said I'd always be by your side? I'm just messing around. What's wrong?Cat got your tongue?"

Feeling the tension dissipate, I pretend to be annoyed as I push him away and change the topic.

"Move. It's so cold being in front of the fridge. If I get sick, it'll be your fault...!"

Amused, Caleb willingly backs off.All right, all right, I'll keep my distance. It'll be like there's an ocean between us. You stick to your side, and I'll stick to mine. Don't worry, you won't have to remind me twice.

Caleb has returned to my side. I should be relieved, happy even. But I tossed and turned in bed that night. As I open my eyes, the bright morning light filters through the curtains. A warm glow is cast on the bedside After staring at the dimly lit ceiling for what feels like an eternity, I wearily get up.The house is silent. It seems Caleb just left. My breakfast, still warm, is sitting on the dining table. I notice a note tucked underneath it."Your highest priority is resting and enjoying your meal. Everything else comes second."I smile as I fold the note. When I sit down, I get a voice message.I finish eating my breakfast while going over last night's plan in my head.All right. It's time to visit that medical center.