By the time they returned to the apartment, it was already completely dark.
Kiana had dozed off in the car and now had some energy back, complaining that she was hungry.
Mei offered to help prepare dinner, seemingly wanting to make up for the awkwardness at the amusement park during the day.
Sirin, meanwhile, still clung to Kael, like a little tail.
After dinner, Kiana sprawled on the sofa, rubbing her round belly to aid digestion, while Mei quietly cleared the dishes.
Kael was about to cut some fruit when his personal terminal received a special encrypted message alert.
It was Bishop Otto.
Kael paused, told the girls in the living room, "I'm taking a call," and then quickly walked into his bedroom, closing the door.
The screen lit up, and Otto Apocalypse's figure appeared on the display.
She seemed to have just finished a meeting; she was still wearing her elaborate bishop's formal attire, with a hint of appropriate fatigue on her face, which only added a touch of languid charm.
"Good evening, my dear Kael."
Otto's voice came through the earpiece, with her characteristic sweet and languid tone, "I hope I didn't interrupt your... 'family time'?"
Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Kael, as if she could see through the door to the scene in the living room.
"Bishop," Kael nodded slightly, his tone calm, "Do you have any instructions?"
"Instructions? Not really."
Otto gently swirled a red wine glass that had appeared in her hand at some point, a playful glint in her emerald eyes, "I just wanted to check in and see if our important 'collaborator' is enjoying his life in Changkong City. I hear... you took a few 'sisters' to the amusement park today? What good spirits you have."
Kael's heart slightly tightened; Otto's information was indeed well-connected. He calmly replied, "It was just a normal recreational activity, helpful for observing the target's emotional state and behavioral patterns."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Otto drew out her words, clearly not entirely believing the excuse, but she didn't press further. Instead, she changed the subject, "So, regarding K423, and that new 'guest,' have you made any new discoveries?"
Kael pondered for a moment, then briefly reported Kiana's search for her father and Raiden Mei's current homeless situation.
Otto listened quietly, her fingertips gently tapping the armrest of her chair: "Searching for Siegfried? Heh... the turmoil at ME Corp, Raiden Ryoma's imprisonment... it seems the waters in Changkong City are getting murkier and murkier. Kael, your mission is only to observe, to ensure K423's 'stability.' As for the rest... you don't need to intervene too much, understand?"
Her tone carried a warning, and also a hint of unquestionable authority.
"I understand," Kael nodded.
"Good that you understand."
Otto took a satisfied sip of red wine, her gaze once again falling on Kael's face, her eyes so deep they seemed to draw him in.
"Oh, and one more thing. At the Far East Branch, Theresa seems to have run into a small problem recently; the St. Freya Academy expansion plan has some budget disputes... Of course, these are minor issues, and I believe she can handle them. After all, she's already a capable academy head, isn't she?"
At the mention of Theresa, Kael's heart stirred slightly. Had that always energetic white-haired girl, who occasionally went crazy from too many documents, now grown into someone capable of managing an academy? Thirteen years... time had really changed a lot.
He suppressed his emotions, his tone unchanged: "I've always believed in Theresa's abilities."
"Yes..."
Otto gently swirled her wine glass, her gaze somewhat distant, as if seeing something else through Kael, her tone carrying a rare, almost indulgent, complex emotion.
"She's very much like you, Kael... in some ways. Always shouldering responsibility, sometimes, it makes one want to help her, but also fear breaking her wings..."
Her words stopped abruptly, as if realizing she had said too much, and she put on that perfect smile again: "Alright, enough of that. You continue to enjoy your 'holiday,' Kael. Remember, if there's anything unusual, report it to me immediately."
The communication cut off, and the screen darkened.
Kael stood still, savoring Otto's last words about Theresa, a ripple of inexplicable emotion in his heart.
Otto's attitude towards Theresa seemed to be more than just a superior to a subordinate, or a grandmother to a granddaughter; it was mixed with something he couldn't fully comprehend.
He shook his head, temporarily casting aside these complex thoughts, and opened his bedroom door to walk out.
In the living room, Kiana was already drowsing on the sofa, clutching her horm doll, while Mei sat nearby, quietly watching the evening news playing on television. Sirin was nowhere to be seen; she had probably returned to her room.
"The fruit is cut, it's in the kitchen. Help yourself if you want some," Kael said to Mei, then walked towards Kiana, gently patting her shoulder, "Kiana, don't sleep here, go back to your room."
"Ugh... Kael..." Kiana groggily opened her eyes, rubbing them, "What time is it..."
"It's late. Go wash up and sleep," Kael's tone was gently firm.
Kiana mumbled as she got up, staggering towards her room.
Kael watched her retreating figure, shaking his head helplessly. Just as he was about to go wash up himself, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of a figure on the balcony.
He walked over and pushed open the glass door to the balcony.
Sirin was indeed there.
She was wearing a thin nightgown, her purple hair gently swaying in the night breeze, her back to him, gazing at the sparkling city lights below, lost in thought.
Hearing footsteps, she slowly turned around, her golden eyes appearing exceptionally bright in the night.
"Brother," she called softly.
"Why are you out here alone? The wind is strong at night, be careful not to catch a cold," Kael walked to her side and leaned against the railing with her.
"I can't sleep," Sirin lowered her head, looking at her toes, "Brother... today at the amusement park, you protected that Raiden Mei."
Here we go again.
Kael sighed inwardly, knowing this girl was still dwelling on that matter.
"The situation was urgent at the time; I just helped her as a reflex."
He patiently explained, trying to dispel her unease, "Just like if it were you or Kiana about to fall, I would do the same."
"It's not the same," Sirin looked up, stubbornly gazing at him, a hint of grievance and stubbornness in her eyes, "I, and that silly Kiana... and her, are all different. You said, Brother, that I am unique."
"Yes, you are unique," Kael nodded affirmatively, reaching out to ruffle her hair, "That will never change."
Feeling the warmth of Kael's palm, Sirin's tense body relaxed slightly, but she still hadn't completely let go.
She hesitated, then asked in a low voice, "Then... Brother, if... I mean, if one day I and they both encounter danger, and you can only save one, who would you save?"
Kael was stunned by the question, then felt a bit exasperated, "Sirin, hypothetical questions like that are meaningless. I will do my best to protect every one of you; I won't let that situation happen."
"But what if it does?" Sirin persisted, her golden eyes fixed on him, as if determined to get an answer.
Looking at the almost obsessive seriousness in her eyes, Kael felt that this was not just jealousy, but a manifestation of her deep-seated insecurity.
Thirteen years of "loss" had made her unusually sensitive to any potential "threats."
He wiped the smile from his face, placed his hands on Sirin's shoulders, making her look him in the eye, his tone more solemn than ever: "Sirin, listen carefully. No matter what happens, you are one of my most important family members. I will not abandon you, nor will I abandon anyone who needs my protection. I will use my own way to protect all of you. This is my promise, and it is my responsibility."
His gaze was firm and warm, as if carrying a certain power, slowly seeping into Sirin's uneasy heart.
Sirin stared at him blankly, looking at her own reflection in his eyes, and that unquestionable sincerity. After a long time, the stubbornness and unease in her eyes gradually melted, replaced by a deep reliance and... a hint of indescribable complex emotion.
She softly hummed, resting her forehead against Kael's chest, and whispered, "I trust Brother... as long as Brother doesn't abandon me..."
Kael gently put his arms around her slender shoulders, feeling the cool night breeze and the girl's dependence in his embrace, his heart filled with tenderness.
After comforting Sirin and sending her back to her room to rest, Kael himself felt a wave of fatigue.
He quickly washed up, lay down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
No matter what, for now, he could only take things one step at a time, protecting this hard-won, noisy, yet fragile daily life.
As night deepened, the apartment became completely quiet. Only the occasional sound of vehicles from outside the window could be heard.