After lunch the children went to the beach to have some fun. Some of them played volleyball, while the others played in the water.
Kishi was sitting under the shade of a large umbrella, enjoying his ice cream. He was reading a book and decided not to join the others. He did not like the sun and he can't really swim; he denies that though.
Looking around, he wondered where Kira is. She was abducted by their classmates and he did not get a chance to save her. He was worried what kind of cruel thing they did to her, but he just hoped she won't exert herself too much.
He was surprised when somebody rushed and hid behind him. Turning around, he saw Kira.
She was looking around nervously. Perhaps she managed to slip away from the others, but that wasn't what caught Kishi's attention.
Looking at her, Kira was wearing a frilly swimsuit. I was still white to say the least, and it's pretty cute, but this is the first time she wore such a thing.
"What are you--?!" but before Kishi could finish his question, Mythica and the earth sisters popped out of nowhere in front of him.
"Kira!"
"There you are, we've been looking everywhere for you. Isn't that right sister?"
"Yes, yes sister. We've been looking everywhere for her."
Kira became frantic almost instantly. She clutched at Kishi asking for help, but the guy is so confused he did not know what to do.
"What are you girls doing?" fortunately, Airi saved them. Or so they thought.
The three girls looked at Airi. They seemed excited, and got only worse when they saw him.
"We're dressing them in swimsuits!" Mythica said excitedly.
"Wanna help out?" Tsusu gave him a tempting offer. After all, it's not everyday he'll be able to see those twins in swimsuits.
Glancing at Kishi and Kira, they were looking at him in a threatening at the same time, pleading eyes. They seem to see him as their last hope. Unfortunately for them, Airi also wanted to see it.
"Yeah sure. I'm sure Rex and Lune will want to help out as well." He said.
"Yey!!" The three girls shouted in excitement.
Honestly, that was no less than savage. They might make the two of them cry just because of this.
And so, the two of them were dragged into their classmates' antics. They became like toys that was being played around and were not given a chance to retaliate.
Still though, no matter how much they hated being dragged around to the things they don't like, they can hardly deny that they are not having fun. Perhaps this is what it's like, to have friends. Playing together, helping each other out, playing pranks at each other. It was all so nice.
It was almost sunset and the two of them sat at the sand by the water. As they stared at the horizon, Kira leaned on him.
Mythica, Airi, and Rex walked over to them. They were about to ask them if they wanted to join a game of volleyball, but they can't help but notice that they look overly tired.
"Hey, are you okay?" Airi anxiously asked them.
Kishi wanted to answer, but he was too tired to say a word. His heart is beating so fast and his breathing is getting shallower and shallower. His head is throbbing painfully and his vision is getting blurry.
It seems they got a bit reckless. They pushed themselves to their limit. Kira is already long unconscious, and his consciousness is also slowly fading away. He can only hear distant calls, until the darkness completely engulfed him.
Opening his eyes, there was nothing but a white ceiling. Kishi sat up and he found Kira sleeping beside him and holding his hand. He held his head that was still aching. From what he remembers, they were just playing when he suddenly felt so tired and eventually passed out.
It seems that they were brought in the castle. The room they were at was so unfamiliar to him, but perhaps this the room they were supposed to stay in.
Looking at the side, he found someone. It was professor Galen. The teacher in charge of the school infirmary. She has braided blonde hair, and green eyes. She was wearing a summer dress that was white. Kishi barely know her, but she was nice to say the least.
She moved closer to him and placed a hand on his head. She beamed at him as she spoke. "You finally woke up. You passed out so suddenly your friends are very worried."
It was also then when the door suddenly opened. Apollo entered the room. His presence surprised him.
"Don't look so surprised." The palace healer told him. "It was only natural for me to be here. You should not forget that I 'am your healer."
Apollo strode toward him and gave the boy a stern look. Just by that, Kishi can already tell that he's gonna get scolded. Kira is really lucky not to wake up right now. Apollo is really scary.
"How many times will I have to tell you not to push yourself so hard? I 'am quite sure you knew very well that you're far too weak, yet are you still expecting so much from yourself?"
"No, It... it's not like that..."
"Come on, will you?" Glen hugged Kishi and a told Apollo. "Don't be so hard, he's just a child. So you should be more nicer."
"None of this is your business." Apollo snapped at her. "As for how I discipline those children is not up to you."
"Yes, I know that, but you should be nicer." Glen pouted, as she repeated.
Apollo is starting to get pissed with her. This nosy woman is just so annoying. "You know what? Get out!"
"Whaaat? No way! Who knows what you'll do to these adorable little children when I turned my back!"
"I said get out!" Apollo dragged her out of the room and slammed the door.
Sighing, he turned to look at Kishi. He was staring at them earlier, but now that Apollo's looking at him, he quickly shifted his gaze to the window.
After calming himself down, he silently walked over to the children and caress Kira's cheek. Sighing once again, he went to the window and stared at the children that are still playing down at the beach.
"Do you perhaps feel like normal children now that you're with them?" Apollo asked him, taking him by surprise.
Clutching the quilt as he stared at it, he pondered for a moment. Honestly, he doesn't know the answer. But maybe, maybe they do feel like those children. Are they not even? Why? What makes them so different?
Seeing that Kishi did not answer, Apollo sighed for the third time. "Don't get cozy just because you think you have friends. You're not like them."
This totally stunned him. Just how the hell are they different? Why can't they be just like everyone else and have friends and have fun?
Gritting his teeth, he asked him. "Why? Why can't we? Aren't we all just the same? What makes us so different that we can't be with anyone else?!"
The healer held the boy's cheek and made Kishi look at him. At this very moment, he was indeed just a child. He may look extraordinarily beautiful, and unique, but in the end, he was just a barely ten-year-old boy. He still had that innocent and childish look in his eyes. He looked like he would cry, but Apollo know that Kishi isn't the type who always cries, yet the child is obviously hurt.
He hesitated for a second, but he knew that this child should understand. "You are not like them and you'll never be. They may be children that are also not like the most but you're beyond them. I know this is hard to understand but child, you must." He paused for a moment before he continued. "Perhaps now you'll not understand why, but soon you will. When that time comes, I'm sure then you'll understand. This life that you're living in, is full of hardships. That is why you must be strong and not indulge yourself in your desires."
He carefully poured a newly brewed medicine in two cups and placed it gently to the bedside table. After that, he left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving the boy in a confused and sad state.
It might be unfair that he's only telling that to Kishi but he had his reasons. After all, he is the eldest among them and he understands better. Unlike Kira, she doesn't listen and was really stubborn. And although not always, Kira listens to him when she doesn't to anyone else.
"I'm sure Sychi will be angry once she finds out. However, I believe it was for the best." He mumbled to himself as he walked through the halls. It was totally not his plan but he needs to stay there a bit longer. The twins needed someone to watch over them.