The next day, the weather was fine, and Captain Kael decided to take Sirin for a walk in the park affiliated with the headquarters to sunbathe, hoping to further alleviate her tension.
Sirin, hearing that they were going out, was still a bit timid, but holding Captain Kael's hand tightly, she bravely followed him out.
The park was lush with green grass, birdsong, and the fragrance of flowers. Sirin was initially very reserved, clinging tightly to Captain Kael, and wary of everything around her.
But under Captain Kael's patient guidance and gentle explanations, she gradually relaxed and began to show interest in the fluttering butterflies and the small fish swimming in the fountain pond, with a hint of curiosity occasionally flashing in her golden eyes.
Captain Kael felt very gratified watching her eyebrows slowly unfurl and the corners of her mouth slightly turn up.
He bought a cute cloud-shaped cotton candy and handed it to Sirin: "Try it, it's sweet."
Sirin carefully took it, extended her small tongue to lick it, and the sweet taste made her eyes widen slightly. She licked it again, and a faint but genuine smile appeared on her face.
Just then, a vibrant voice, tinged with displeasure, came from nearby: "Kael! You actually brought someone else to the park behind my back!"
Captain Kael turned around and saw Theresa standing not far away, hands on her hips, pouting. Her eyes were wide, scanning back and forth between him and Sirin, finally settling on the cloud-shaped cotton candy, her jealousy almost solidifying.
When Sirin saw Theresa, the smile on her face instantly vanished, and she instinctively hid behind Captain Kael, almost dropping the cotton candy in her hand.
Captain Kael inwardly groaned and quickly explained: "Theresa, don't scare her. I just brought Sirin out for some fresh air."
"Do you need to buy cotton candy for fresh air?!" Theresa walked over persistently, pointing at Sirin, "And why is she always clinging to you! I haven't had a chance to go out alone with you for ages!" The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt, and her eyes even reddened a little.
Just as Captain Kael was about to comfort her, Theresa's personal terminal suddenly rang urgently.
She impatiently took it out and looked, her expression immediately falling—it was an emergency mission directive directly from Bishop Otto.
"Tsk!" Theresa stomped her foot in annoyance, glared fiercely at Sirin, then looked at Captain Kael with an incomparably mournful gaze, "Grandma is really something! Of all times! Kael! You wait! I'll settle accounts with you when I get back!"
With that, she dared not delay, turned and ran off angrily, her white ponytail swinging behind her, full of unwillingness.
Captain Kael watched her retreating figure and sighed helplessly. Sirin peeked out from behind him and whispered: "...Brother...is that silver-haired big sister...angry again?"
"It's nothing, she's just a bit busy." Captain Kael ruffled her hair, comforting her, "Let's continue our walk."
However, this tranquility did not last long.
Just as Captain Kael was slowly strolling with Sirin along the tree-lined path, pointing out various flowers to her, a figure appeared ahead on the path, seemingly walking towards them.
It was a tall, valiant silver-haired woman in a smart uniform, none other than Kallen Kaslana, whom he had met once before in the Bishop's Office.
Kallen clearly saw them too; her steps paused slightly, and her sapphire blue eyes once again fell on Captain Kael, her gaze complex, carrying an emotion Captain Kael couldn't understand, a mix of excitement, sadness, and restraint. She seemed to be hesitating whether to approach.
Captain Kael nodded at her, a greeting.
After all, they were colleagues.
Kallen took a deep breath and finally walked over, stopping a few steps away from them.
Her gaze first lingered deeply on Captain Kael, then fell on the wary Sirin behind him. She tried to force a gentle smile: "Hello, little one, my name is Kallen. You're Sirin, right?"
Sirin clutched Captain Kael's hand tightly, not answering, only scrutinizing Kallen with her clear golden eyes.
Captain Kael sensed Sirin's tension and answered for her: "Yes, Miss Kallen. She is Sirin. I apologize, she's a bit shy."
Kallen nodded, indicating understanding. Her gaze returned to Captain Kael's face, her tone carrying a hint of imperceptible probing and nostalgia: "Captain Kael...is that right? I heard you were on the Rhine Front before?"
"Yes, I just returned not long ago." Captain Kael's reply was standard, but he felt a little puzzled; this Miss Kallen seemed to pay him unusual attention.
"Is everything... all right there?" Kallen's question was somewhat abrupt, her eyes filled with a certain expectation.
Although Captain Kael found it strange, he still replied: "The hostilities have ceased, and the situation is currently stable."
Kallen looked at Captain Kael's calm black eyes, which showed no special reaction to her, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
She was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly asked softly, her voice so low it was almost a murmur to herself, yet ensuring Captain Kael could hear: "...Do you like...this kind of life now?"
Captain Kael was momentarily stunned; this question was even stranger. He looked at Sirin, who was depending on him, then thought of the noisy but vibrant Theresa, and Kiana's innocent smile.
Although his work was busy, and he had an elusive superior like Bishop Otto, overall... he nodded, revealing a gentle, heartfelt smile: "Yes, it's quite good."
This smile, overlapping with a vague shadow in her memory, made Kallen's heart contract sharply, a mix of bitterness and relief.
He's doing well... That's enough.
Perhaps, "forgetting" is a kind of happiness for him now.
She suppressed the turmoil in her heart and returned a somewhat forced smile: "That's good. I won't disturb you two." She looked deeply at Captain Kael one last time, as if to engrave his image in her heart, then turned and walked away quickly, her back carrying a hint of loneliness and determination.
Captain Kael watched Kallen's hurried departure, his confusion deepening.
This Saintess of the Kaslana Family, her words and actions all carried an indescribable strangeness.
But he didn't dwell on it; after all, there were many strange people at headquarters.
He looked down at Sirin and found the little one looking up at him with her clear golden eyes, softly saying: "...Brother...that silver-haired auntie just now...looked like...she was about to cry..."
Captain Kael was slightly startled, then smiled, tightening his grip on her hand: "Maybe. But it's okay, that's someone else's business. Let's go, Sirin, let's see if there are any balloons for sale over there."
He cast aside the strange feeling Kallen had brought and continued to focus on the small figure in front of him who needed his care.
Captain Kael held Sirin's hand, slowly walking back to the dormitory.
Sirin seemed to still be immersed in the relaxed atmosphere of their afternoon outing, a rare tranquility on her small face.
She held Captain Kael's fingers tightly, then suddenly looked up at him with her clear golden eyes, her voice very soft, yet carrying an almost devout plea:
"Brother...can we...be together forever...okay?"
These words fell like a feather on Captain Kael's heart, yet carried the weight of a thousand pounds.
He stopped, knelt down, and looked into Sirin's eyes.
He could see the insecurity and longing deep in her eyes, an extreme craving for stability and belonging.
Forever? That word was too heavy.
The future was full of variables, and he couldn't easily make a promise he might not be able to fully control.
He didn't want to use empty promises to placate this fragile yet sincere heart.
💎 Power Stone Bonus: Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
🌟 5-Star Review Bonus: Every 5 (5-Star) Reviews = +2 Extra Chapters
💬 Comment Speed-Up: If any chapter reaches +10 Comments = The Next Chapter Will Be Released Faster!
🔥 Want to Read Ahead? If you want to read advanced chapters, check out my buymeacoffee(.)com/02netnovel