As they all had breakfast, Airi sat with them but stayed quiet and haven't uttered any single word at all, and also did not touch his food.
Bubblegum keep taking anxious glances at him and sometimes try to persuade him but to no avail. Having enough with seeing them like this, Kishi sighed as he placed down his fork.
"There's no point forcing you now, is there?" He said as he looked at Airi, whose eyes is still as empty and lifeless. "Airi, I'll say let's run away for now and worry about that later. What do you say?"
For the first time ever since they came there, Airi actually paid attention to him. Bubblegum was flabbergasted to see that Airi listened to Kishi and even turned his head to look at him.
But as bewildered as she is, Airi asked him in confusion. "Run away?"
Kishi nodded at him and slowly stood up. "Yes, let's us not worry about things too much. After all, we all know that we wouldn't be getting over with this any sooner, so why bother thinking about it if we could just run away for now? Who knows, we might even be able to run into the solution for our problem while we're at it. So Airi, run away with us." He said as he reached out his hand at him.
As Airi and Bubblegum stared at him in confusion and disbelief, Kira stood by his brother's side and gazed at the other two in an "what are you waiting for?" manner.
After pondering about it for a while, Airi finally accepted his hand. With a grin on his face, Kishi pulled him as they ran out of the place. Stunned, Bubblegum didn't know what to do until Kira dragged her off her chair and followed the two boys.
They arrived shortly before a humongous golden gate. Looking around, Airi immediately recognized the place as he had been there twice already.
Bubblegum however, was once again confused, though she had a strong feeling, she was not entirely sure, and was left out by the younger ones again.
"This is..."
"Our home" Kishi said with a smile.
"Why did you take me here?" Airi questioned him.
"To run away" he replied as-a-matter-of-factly, making Airi glare at him. With a helpless sigh, Kishi began to explain himself. "You need some fresh air, a place you can forget everything and not remember some unbearable memories of the past. Isn't this the best place?"
Somehow it is. Airi had no memory of this place except his visits, and there are no things that could trigger his memories. Here, they can do whatever they want and no one will bother them. The palace might be an overly big and lonely place, but it's not like it's empty. As long as he kept his mind off everything, he'll be just fine. And besides, unlike any other place, this place was very welcoming and will keep you warm with no judgment. Being here will also give him a sense of security, he felt that he'll be safe as long as he's in the palace's territory.
Bubblegum on the other hand, didn't like the idea after she confirmed her thoughts. But for Airi, she'll at least try to bear with it.
"she'll definitely scolded you though." Said Airi
Just realizing that, Kishi said with a rather confident way. "It's fine, Sychi's scolding isn't that bad anyway, aren't I right sister?"
Kira giggled and Kishi turned to stare at her. "What's so funny?" Kishi asked her
"Nothing. I just thought that Onii-chan is being a bit nicer than usual. Onii-chan doesn't even care about being scolded anymore."
Taken aback, Kishi quickly retorted. "No, I 'am not!! And why are you speaking so affectionate?!"
"Oh, aren't you blushing?" she giggled
"Kira!!"
The two of them could only sigh with the twins' behavior.
Placing his hand on the golden bars and after muttering the command, the golden gate automatically opened and revealed that gigantic palace behind it.
Unlike how they previously walked in great distances, the path that was before them lead to a shorter way that the palace was actually already in view.
Butterflies and other colorful insects and birds greeted them as they flew over different types and colors of flowers. Some animals and even elves peeked through the trees, and some would bow, while others will turn red and run away. The fairies also greeted them one after the other. It was as beautiful as Airi last remembered it. Bubblegum though, failed to see how beautiful it is as she holds a resentment towards the Sacred palaces and just bit her lip.
Sychi appeared before them. Her glamorous golden wings flapping elegantly with her flowy dress, as her eyes darted sharply at them.
"So...with you being here, I suppose that you did ran away from school after all."
She stated coldly yet the twins just grinned at her. With a sigh she told them.
"You weren't like this when you were younger, perhaps the outside world was a bad influence to you, isn't it?"
Kishi shrugged. "Maybe, but do you really expect us to be the good and perfect kids forever?"
"I suppose not..." she sighed again. "Either way, just don't cause too much trouble that you'll eventually end up hurting yourselves."
With a snap of her finger, four coats appeared in the air and fell over them. "And please keep yourselves warm and not catch a cold." She said as she looked exasperatedly at how they dressed in such a cold weather. Well, it wasn't that cold really, but their bodies are just too frail that can easily catch cold, and Sychi knows that well. She was about to leave but she turned back to remind them. "Oh, and another thing, the princess is worried sick about you, I think it's best to visit her." And with that she totally left, vanishing in thin air.
Before they proceeded, Kishi turned to look at them and asked. "Are you guys tagging along, or are you going ahead of us?"
Airi and Bubblegum exchange glances before they both agreed with a decision.
"I guess we'll be tagging along...If you don't mind that is." Bubblegum said
And so, the four of them went to where Kail is. Currently, or like she always does, she was at the waterfall where the twins also liked to stay and play.
It was a place hidden behind thick and tall trees and bushes. Frankly, not many really knows that part of the palace garden, so they're the only ones who actually knows about it, and it was a very relaxing and quiet place to stay in.
The moment they stepped on the stones near the water, Kail appeared out of nowhere and hugged all four of them with a sign of relief seen on her face.
"Oh, you little rascals, you made me worry..." she cried
Trying not to feel guilty, Kira apologized. "Sorry..."
She released them from her embrace and caressed Kira's hair, and told them gently with her soft voice. "It's alright. I know you didn't do it without a reason. I'm just glad that your safe..."
"Come on Aunt Kail, you worry too much, it's not like we'll die every second we disappear from our elders watch." Kishi said to her
"Of course you wouldn't, but it's better to be safe than sorry" she chuckled.
Shifting her gaze to Airi who was still looking as lifeless as ever, she can't help but feel anxious and concern.
"Airi, child, I pray that Clover may give you aid in the future. I 'am worried, I hope that things will get better."
Airi however, ignored her and stared blankly at a distance.
"We'll be going, see you Aunt Kail." Kishi waved good bye at her and took Airi away with Kira holding his other hand, and Bubblegum following closely behind them.
"Sugar, darling" Kail called out to her
"Yes?"
She smiled. "I bet your going to have fun in your short stay here, I hope you could visit more."
Bubblegum didn't take her seriously and just nodded while forcing a smile, before turning back again chasing after the other three.
As she watched them leave, Kail can only sigh. The children have their own thoughts and problems they're dealing with. Though it's what separates them, she hoped they can get over with it quickly.