"I am comfortable…" Sillia's voice was a soft murmur, her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror.
"That's good." Sky's reply was curt, his mind already drifting.
"By the way, brother, how am I looking? Am I looking good enough?" Sillia turned, seeking his validation.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Mother will be very happy to see you. You've grown quite a lot in just a year. I've really treated you well; these jeans are a testament to my good care. You won't be able to falsely accuse me of not feeding you well enough. Hahaha…" Sky chuckled, but Sillia merely looked at him with a hint of dissatisfaction. She'd been asking about her appearance, not his culinary prowess.
"Hmm… that's true…" Sillia hummed to herself. "I'm ready. Let's go."
"Are your clothes packed?"
"Hmm… here." She gestured to a small suitcase.
"Good, let's go then. But young lady, let me be clear: don't act like a spoiled brat at home. You've been living with me for the last year. If they see how spoiled you've become, my reputation will be harmed." Sky's tone was serious, thoughtful.
"Hmph… I know, don't lecture… Furthermore, you're the one who spoiled me, so you should take responsibility." Sillia puffed out her cheeks, moving closer to him. Despite her recent growth spurt, she was still dwarfed by his height.
Sky looked at her adorable pout, then patted her head. "Come on, girl, I know you're smart." A faint smile played on his lips. Sillia swatted his hand away.
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Okay then, let's go."
They left the apartment, the city's pulse fading as they made their way to the station. The train arrived punctually, a sleek, modern marvel that surprised Sky with its luxury. The journey home was long, a four-hour stretch of track.
"Is this our cabin?" Sillia's eyes sparkled with delight, clearly impressed by her father's booking.
"Hmm." Sky acknowledged, stepping into the compartment. He placed their two small suitcases to the side, his gaze sweeping over the pristine, elegant interior. It's nice and clean. Good. His mother called, confirming their boarding. Sky spoke briefly, while Sillia, perched by the window, watched the world outside blur into motion.
As the train began its journey, the rhythmic sway lulled Sillia into a comfortable boredom. She soon retreated to her phone, immersed in chats with friends. Sky, feeling restless, decided to meditate. Just as he settled into a lotus position, Sillia's voice cut through the quiet.
"Sky…"
"Sillia…" Sky's eyes narrowed, a silent warning in his gaze.
"Don't worry, brother, I wouldn't call you like that there."
"Hmm." Sky simply hummed, his mind already anticipating her inevitable attempts to embarrass him in front of their family.
"Well, Sky, I want to ask you something. Aren't you going to stay there?" Sillia's tone held a hint of slyness.
"I guess…" Sky replied calmly.
"Then what about your girlfriend?" Sillia's smile widened.
"What about her?" Sky asked, genuinely confused.
"Well, I mean, have you told her that you're going somewhere else for so long?" Sillia pressed.
"Of course I did."
"Then aren't you going to miss her?"
"Sillia, what are you trying to say?" Sky asked directly.
"Well… ahh… I… I don't want to appear rude, but I doubt how she could let you come here so easily?" Sillia feigned innocent curiosity. Her true question, unspoken, hung in the air: Since you're leaving her alone for so long, what possibility do you have that she wouldn't cheat on you behind your back? She bit her tongue, not wanting to appear rude.
"Well, I just told her the truth. But let me ask you this… what about you? What have you said to your boyfriend?" Sky countered, a devilish grin spreading across his face. The question caught Sillia completely off guard. A flush crept up her cheeks.
"I told you, I don't have anyone, and I'm not interested." Her voice was soft, laced with a light blush.
"Oh, but your habits say something else, plus I'm not surprised you have quite some male friends as well." Sky's words were a casual reference to her birthday, where numerous male classmates had attended. He saw nothing untoward in it; Sillia having male friends was perfectly normal.
"NO… you are wrong! I don't have any bo—boyfriend!" Sillia stammered, a hint of genuine agitation in her voice. Sky, however, didn't press the issue; her personal life was her own.
"Hmph… lies." Sky snorted, then settled into meditation. Sillia, despite her desire to explain, remained silent, knowing he wouldn't engage while meditating.
No, I am not lying, damn… they are just my friends! Sillia fumed, fighting the urge to punch him for his misjudgment. She bit her lower lip, pushing the frustrating thoughts away.
But come to think about it, I guess Sky is lying to me. I mean, he never showed his girlfriend's photo even once. Neither did I find anything suspicious on his phone. And he always tries to deflect the topic when I try to probe further. I guess he is lying to me. Sillia mused, before returning to her phone.
Two hours later, Sky's eyes fluttered open.
Sillia was asleep in her seat, curled up like a small bed. She looked utterly endearing. His gaze shifted to the window. The train had stopped at an unfamiliar station, still two hours from their destination. Sky decided against waking her, opting instead to listen to the train's gentle rumble and continue writing in his notebook.
Time went by as Sky woke Sillia.
' Sillia, hey..woke. We are going to arrive soon..hey..' Sky called her, while shaking her hand.
' Hmm...' She hummed as she looked at him before sitting up straight.
' Have we reached..?' Sillia murtted.
' No.. still some time until we reach. I woke you up early because you must be hungry and see our food have delivered. ' Sky said as Sillia nodded, saying that she was going to bathroom before eating.