What a busy day… so much for staying away from the spotlight.
Isaac lay stretched out on the nurse's bed, arms folded behind his head, staring up at the bland ceiling. The smell of antiseptic stung his nose. He sighed again. Even though he wasn't seriously injured, Maya had insisted he be checked out — "just in case." She always overreacted. And now she was balancing on one leg in the corner of the room, holding both arms straight up like a child being punished.
Isaac turned his head toward her, raising a brow.
"What did we learn today?"
She muttered something under her breath, cheeks puffed out.
Isaac narrowed his eyes.
"I said, what did we learn?"
She flinched slightly before answering in a groan, "Not to get involved in any dangerous situations again…"
Isaac smirked, mildly amused — but the amusement didn't last. He turned toward the second bed across from his and immediately regretted it. Sitting on the edge like loyal dogs awaiting a command were Leo and Liam.
They both stared at him like he was some kind of mythical beast. That wide-eyed look — like the first time a kid sees fireworks — was unbearable. Isaac could feel his soul trying to crawl out of his body from secondhand embarrassment. Their admiration was so intense it made his skin crawl.
"…So why are you guys looking at me like that?" Isaac asked, dragging his words as he squinted at them.
Liam lit up the moment he was acknowledged. He sat up straighter and beamed with the innocence and energy of a puppy reunited with its owner.
"It's nothing, big brother!"
Big brother.
Big brother.
Big brother.
The words echoed like a curse in Isaac's mind, building up pressure until something snapped. His face twitched, and his voice shot up a pitch.
"Since when am I your big brother?! Or wait… are you trying to say I'm your brother-in-law or something?! You little creep—are you saying you've fallen in love with Maya? If you dare, I swear I'll—"
His rant was suddenly cut off by a thwack! — Maya smacked the back of his head, her face bright red with embarrassment.
"Isaac, you stupid brother!" she shouted, then stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing like a retreating drumline.
Isaac froze, blinking. He rubbed the back of his head, still watching the door she disappeared through. A breath left him like a deflating balloon.
"That rascal… she just wanted to escape the punishment."
Muffled laughter caught his attention. He turned back toward the other bed where the twins were trying — and failing — to hold in their giggles. Liam was nearly falling over while Leo kept his composure with a slight smirk.
Isaac clicked his tongue.
"Tch. So what do you want?"
This time, Leo spoke, looking up with honest eyes.
"Thank you… for helping us."
Liam nodded excitedly. "And, uh, if you don't mind, big brother—could you maybe teach us how you did that?"
Isaac raised an eyebrow. "Did what?"
The two exchanged glances again before Liam leaned forward with childlike wonder.
"How you beat an awakened guy… even though you haven't awakened yet."
Silence filled the room. Isaac blinked once. Then twice.
They noticed. Of course they did.
He stood still, trying to keep his jaw from tightening. A storm of curses brewed in his head, but he swallowed them all. They weren't the ones to blame. He turned away from their hopeful eyes and slowly got to his feet. He picked up his uniform, slung it over his shoulder, and walked toward the door.
Just before stepping out, he looked back over his shoulder.
"…I'll think about it."
Then he was gone.
Out in the hallway, his footsteps echoed with thought. Isaac really can use them. He already knew one of them was destined to become a top-ranked awakener — a villain, to be precise. But maybe, just maybe… if he played things right, he could pull them over to his side. Maybe he can use them.
And that… would change everything.