I made it downstairs and ran towards Dad. He noticed me speeding towards him and opened his arms wide.
"Aww, does my little daughter want a hu-"
"NOT THE TIME RIGHT NOW!"
I swiftly evaded his grasp and ducked behind him, using him as a human meat shield. His shoulders drooped as he let out a defeated sigh.
"...why are you hiding behind me?"
He tried turning around, but I firmly held him in place.
"NO! DON'T TURN AROUND, PROTECT ME, DAD!"
He turned his head slightly, peering at me with subtle tears forming in his eyes—or whatever those things were.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!"
He opened his mouth to say something, but before the words could come out, the room suddenly went cold. A shiver ran down my spine, and I clutched onto Dad's body as if my life depended on it.
He's here!
I should be the nervous one here, yet from our contact, I could feel Dad's body tense up.
What's…happening?
I cautiously peeked out from Dad's side.
Big Brother was standing in front of Dad, making direct eye contact. The annoyed smile Big Brother had before coming downstairs was... gone. His face was completely still, as if every trace of emotion had been wiped away.
A strained smile crept onto Dad's face as he awkwardly rubbed the tip of his nose.
"A-ah! Good morning, Son. Were you looking for your sister?"
Big Brother methodically shook his head.
"No, I wasn't. She's just running around doing whatever."
There was no annoyance or anger in his voice—just an undisturbed calm. Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed a piece of bread and sat on the couch like nothing had happened.
Again?
A subtle pout formed on my cheek. Whenever Big Brother gets like that, nothing can be done about it. I just wanted to mess around a little bit... So why does it always end like this?
Reluctantly, I let go of Dad and waddled over to the dinner table. I grabbed a piece of bread—the same kind Big Brother got—and began snacking on it.
Dad sat down beside me and patted my head. A soft smile formed on his face, though his eyes kept darting toward the couch.
"You didn't have enough fun, Lily?"
I shook my head dejectedly, pausing before my next bite.
"Then, do you want to go to the aquarium on the weekend?"
The bread slipped from my hands and landed on the table.
"R-REALLY?!"
I shot to the edge of my seat, leaning toward Dad with burning excitement. My legs swung in the air as I waited for his answer.
He nodded firmly.
"Yes, really. I already got us the tickets!"
Before I could say anything, a cold voice cut through the room—snuffing out the joy in the process.
"What about work?"
Dad and I both turned towards the voice.
Big Brother had his back to us, still eating his bread on the couch. He acted like he hadn't said anything at all—and I was almost inclined to believe it, if it weren't for the sweat forming on Dad's forehead.
"Y-you don't have to worry about that, it's a long weekend, remember?"
Big Brother replied without turning around, his voice carrying the same cutting edge.
"Is that so? It must have slipped my mind. My bad."
"Hahahaha…"
Dad's laugh echoed weakly—then died.
Wh-what do I do?
I frantically looked between Dad and Big Brother. I didn't fully understand what was happening.
I have to do something!
I reached out and grabbed Dad's hand.
He flinched. His eyes refocused as they locked onto me.
I tried to say something—anything—but my lips trembled, and no words came out.
Dad's eyes widened. He squeezed my hand back, closed his eyes, and began taking deep breaths.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and stared at Big Brother's back with firm resolve.
"What do you think about this, Son?"
Big Brother's response came instantly.
"I don't care."
Dad froze.
His breathing stalled. His brow tightened. The air around him seemed to harden as his empty stare slowly transformed into something sharper—something intimidating.
Even though it wasn't directed at me, I shuddered.
It was the same look our Father always had.
Dad pushed his chair out and began to stand.
This isn't good!
I tried to move, but my body remained paralyzed in my seat. I couldn't do anything else but pray.
P-please… wai-
Suddenly, a plate slammed in front of Dad.
The sharp clatter froze him mid-motion.
We both turned.
The person who loomed above both of us… was Mom. She was wearing an angelic—yet eerie—smile. Relief washed over me, though my knees still trembled.
She placed a hand on Dad's shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. He complied without resistance, his head hung low.
Her lips parted ominously, her voice refined and graceful.
"Now now, honey," she said softly. "Breakfast is ready."