Aunt Ulfi commented, "Alright, alright… if you two keep fighting like that, you'll end up sad and missing each other when you're apart, hahaha."I chuckled lightly and added, "Hear that? I'm someone you'll miss."At that moment, I didn't know that my words—and Aunt Ulfi's—held a different meaning for Estel. Hearing it, she could only give a bitter smile.
After that, Estel and I ate quietly. I finished first, excused myself from Estel and Aunt Ulfi, then left the dining room and walked toward my room.
Rain sat cross-legged, leaning against the corner of his bed while staring out the window. Watching the sea of night, scattered stars trying their best to compete with the glow of the moon. Moonlight cast a faint shadow across the floor through the window.
Outside, the noisy sound of footsteps and people talking could be heard, but nothing could overwhelm the singing of crickets beyond the window. Rain hopped off the bed and walked toward the window to enjoy the cold night breeze.
His mind was still filled with Uncle Eobard's question about dreams and purpose. This new concept was confusing for Rain, whose past memories were blurry—at least until he arrived in the capital. He felt it was impossible to find answers from his memories or past experiences. Rain regretted skipping class on Thursday. "Maybe Bunda or Auntie talked about something like this," he thought. All he could do now was decide based on the present and the future.
Rain turned his body and leaned back against the window frame, elbows resting on the sill. He inhaled the cold air and let his neck loosen, his head hanging backward. The night wind flowed past his body, giving him a feeling of not being alone. He wouldn't even be surprised if someone suddenly appeared in the dark corner of his room.
Tok… tok… tok…
A knock on the door came from outside, followed by a girl's voice."Abang, are you still awake?"Hearing that, Rain lifted his head."No, I'm asleep. Don't open the door."The door opened anyway, revealing the beautiful figure of Estel.
"You're not coming out? Aunt Aria is here, you know." Estel walked inside and stood exactly where the moonlight should have been shining—now blocked by Rain's shadow."Tomorrow. It looks crowded anyway, right? Poor Aunt Aria probably needs rest. And Bunda probably wants to talk with her." Rain said.Estel nodded slowly before adding, "She brought a new resident… a girl…"
Rain lifted his right hand and stepped forward."Let's go look!!!"Meanwhile, his left hand grabbed Estel's, pulling her along with him. Estel could only shake her head lightly at her brother's behavior.
Outside, Aunt Aria—a pretty girl with short hair and cat ears poking out—was chatting with Bunda while sitting on the living room chairs. Not far away, the orphanage kids were gathering around a girl wearing a ragged brown cloak. It was clear she was the "new resident" Estel was talking about.
It was that strange feeling you get when you look at a crowd—and someone there looks back at you with something familiar in their eyes. From afar, their gazes met. The girl smiled, though Rain wasn't sure whether it was meant for him or not. Rain smiled back. The girl returned her attention to the crowd—brothers and sisters of the orphanage eager to get to know her.
Suddenly, Rain's head felt heavy, and his vision flickered. He turned around, wanting to go back to his room.
"Eh? You're not coming to meet the new girl?" Estel asked, following him.
Rain gently patted her head with his left hand."You go ahead. I suddenly don't feel well," he said with a weak smile, his right hand massaging his temples."What's wrong, Abang?" Estel placed both hands on his shoulders.Rain paused, then answered, "Just dizzy. A little sleep will fix it. Go greet your new sister."
Rain left Estel behind and returned to his room. Estel turned back toward the living room. Even though she was worried, she felt her brother needed time to rest and be alone.
Bukk…
Rain dropped his body weakly onto the bed, eyes shut. He rolled around, trying to endure the growing pain in his head."Ugh… damn it…"He opened his now-watery eyes. Rain stayed still for a moment, staring at the night sky above him from the bed. Slowly, his eyes began to close—and this time, he fell asleep.