It didn't take me much expected period of experience to reach out of station – Mr & Mrs. Page's house. If I could have known that they live this far I would've brought the car, Man! Well, not to mention, I had almost worn out in this unwelcomed walking. Shh!
Finally, I reached Winter Page's house. As I thought of ringing their ringtone my eyes willingly lifted upwards. Not to mention, at this point, I wasn't surprised to see my eyes on Winter… Page. But… I felt a strong drum in my heart when I met him in an unexpected way. The blowing wind was giving it a more realistic vibe than it usually shouldn't.
What are you, Winter Page?
His calmness in front of me doesn't suit me well with him, though. His crystal clear eyes have a lot to discuss with me than the little I hold 'bout him. Does the dictionary have meanings to describe you, Winter Page?
"Oh. Dear, are you looking for anyone?"
Huh?
I deliberately cut off my sight with Winter and focused in the direction of the sweet, melody voice. I could say the woman standing in front of me might be Winter's Mom. She was holding the trash bag and looked so surprised to see me. She might have misunderstood me as a homeless child?! Ehhh?! No way.
"Ah! I-I'm not a homeless child!"
"Huh? Pardon me."
What the hell are you sprouting out, Moon?!
"Excuse me. I mean I'm Miko's elder sister. I'm sorry for the trouble."
I immediately placed my bow and felt so embarrassed. Ah, the first impression was so worst. I seriously messed up everything in just our first meeting. She might have surely thought me as a stupid. Aah! Hateful!
"Oh! If I'm not wrong, are you Moon Fowler? You look more beautiful than my son mentioned."
Huh? Is she talking about the Winter Page? Even after the rejection he speaks well about me to her Mother. Such a good son, though. I smiled and was only able to offer her a nod.
"Please come in. I'll be back soon, make yourself at home ~"
She's so kind but… Winter doesn't seem to be happy to see me at his home… Why is he wearing such a stern look now? Is that expression due to my rejection but her Mom was praising him a moment back. Ah, what a fantastic situation!
Now with his awful expression, how can I make myself at their home? Sigh…
"Will you stop looking at me? I'm already worn out to argue with you."
"Neither I'm interested in doing so."
Then what the hell that look was for before?! Are you testing my patience, Winter?! I wanna burn him for his unwelcomed stern attitude. Tsk!
"Well, what brought you here?" So straightforward! He's such a nerve-wrecking character!
"Is there anything good that I have to get from this house to bring myself this long?"
"Huh! What do you mean by your worst words? Dare you look down at my house!"
"You're the one insisting me to do so by your unbearable attitude, Winter Page…!"
More than an argument it feels like a cold war! Haiz!
At this moment, I can tell how furious we drag ourselves to. We both were fighting for something that has no point in it yet you see we are here to save our own reputation but from whom, Man! What the hell am I even doing here?!
"Ey, Moon Fowler! How dare you…–"
"Winter, may I know what your words were supposed to be? Is this how you welcome our guests, huh?"
"Tsk! I'm going upstairs." Oh! Mrs. Page is so powerful. He committed a futile attempt in defeating his Mom! Fabulous!
"I'm sorry for my son's behaviour, Dear."
"A-Ah. It's fine, Mrs. Page. I don't mind this side of him."
Aah! I can't let the elders give me a bow. That makes me struggle to offer my words, though. I'm straight worn out extremely after this unreasonable argument. All this credit should be offered to shameless, Winter Page!
"You've such good perseverance, Dear."
I was quiet yet thankful for her right words.
"But my son has great persistence. This thing worries me more."
"Isn't it good to have great persistence, Mrs. Page?"
"Huh? How can that be…?"
"I'm talking about positive challenges rather than negative ones, Mrs. Page. Using one's great persistence in a positive argument is really a good response, Mrs. Page."
"You really have a good view, Moon."
A new voice? Just to sight, I notice a brightest smile on Mrs. Page. She stood up and immediately walked behind me. I stood up and looked behind.
"My greetings, Mr. Page." I immediately bowed to him.
He placed himself with me and his wife. He had an out of ordinary matters. That beats me! I wasn't expecting to speak up so confidently and maturely with Winter Page's parents yet they were so kind then Winter Page. I'm glad to meet them.
Look at the time, I'm running out of it. I need to hurry up before it gets dark to be able to see. Climbing up – I halted half-way when I heard whispers. Seems to be a serious topic? I walked on my toes and hid against the wall to eavesdrop.
"You aren't supposed to be so rude with my Onee-san, Brother!" Miko…? Has the temperature become quite unusual because the subtitle is me? Unbelievable!
"Is there any reason behind such stiffness, Elder Brother." Even Race… is trying to defend me but why? All of a sudden? This matter is spicejet!
"No reason. I'm just behaving myself. Just remembered that, Race and Miko!"
What the! Hell! He – "But, I don't want her to recognise me. I'm just stressed to show myself after… rejection. She surely might have studied my behaviour after the argument. After all, I want her to see me in that way."
What is this? Why… Why are you behaving like this, Winter? I was already carrying that gloomy face and whispered a faint knock on the door. I didn't look at any of those willing eyes, I was quite speechless to speak either.
"Miko. Let's leave."
"Y-Yes, Onee-san."
What is the motive of those words? I really can't bear his attitude anymore. I hope this will be the last face to face between us, Winter. This uninstalled winter might turn into a winter storm one day just like the unwelcomed Winter's attitude.
All those words soon vanished from my mind when I saw our shadows leaving behind. I halt for a moment and a little voice raised up curiously,
"What happened, Onee-san?" I looked blankly at Miko and just stroked my head.
"Nothing, eventually."
Sometimes it's okay to not be okay…, I feel. I crouched down and cupped Miko's face. I should definitely describe my words confidently, after all, it's not me who has the right to push someone in a good path forcefully but any day if she purposely chooses a false path, I'm always standing on the right side to guide her righteousness.
"You really love Race?" She nodded blankly.
"Then can you promise me that no matter what you'll focus on your career as well as your feelings towards Race. Can you, Miko Kiyoko?"
I can feel the drums of her heartbeat rising in a momentum. She breathed high and with a bright and confident smile her jaws opened up.
"Yes! I can, Onee-san! I wanna follow your path and be best like you, Onee-san!"
"There. There. I'll be proud of you if you follow your own path instead of mine. I have made a list of failures simultaneously. Those blunders lead me to the brightest paths. Don't become like me – shine with your own light, Miko."
"...Onee-san. Yes, I'll shine like the sun!"
"Yes, Miko. Don't depend on others' light to shine like the moon."
At this point, I felt so low and helpless. It's like I'm performing in the way my name is given. Am I depending on others' light to shine like the moon? Am I…? But, I'm still proud of myself! 'cause I'm not like the moon, just the name seems to be similar but not the achievements. I'm a self linkage of atoms that shine for my simultaneous failures and achievements. In terms of humans, I can be both the sun and the moon. I can!
"Moon isn't incapable."
Huh?! I and Miko immediately responded to the voice's direction. I was stunned to discover someone I thought I could ever meet again after the countless treacherous nominees. Seeing him outstanding with his office suit and being professional made me face him straight into those hopeful sights. What's that escaping glint in his serving eyes?
"Dillon Alfie?"
"Moon isn't incapable, Moon. It doesn't rely on the sun for its shine. It's a chain of chemistry where they shine when their time comes."
Huh?
That's right. He really is a good observer, eventually he possesses an understandable soul. I smiled with speechless thoughts, facing together towards the bright success of the Moon. It's something I didn't understand about myself yet, but it's impressive that he is more mature than me. Man, I'm impressed with your aura.
Yes, the Moon isn't incapable.
Gathering my attention towards Dillon Alfie, I popped a query. "So, what brought you here, Dillon Alfie?" With a smile, his eyes were still stuck on the moon. Hearing my question he turned to me and his… face turned gloomy. Is there something sensitive gonna let out of his mouth? A sudden chill crossed through my spine and I held my edge of the shirt firmly.
What the…?
"I'm here to give my apologies, Moon. I'm here to show my guilt of your biggest loss."
My biggest loss? What is he even mentioning about?! So puzzled!
"Unconsciously, I did something for which I could never be forgiven and this guilt became a burden in my heart. I just wanna let it out by asking apologies to you, Moon."
"What are you talking about, Dillon?"
He looked into my shuffled eyes – I slightly narrowed my eyes in startle when I noticed sincerity in his eyes. What the heck?! I'm feeling so uneasy to even spare a sight for him.
"I'm sincerely a victim of guilt, Moon! Please accept my apology and light this burden!"
Huh? What the hell?! Man, what are you thinking of yourself?! Without any reason not even a fool asks for forgiveness! What should I name your apology now?! I can't let the elders bow in front of me! I'm wholly against their bow from now on! Though he isn't that old to call older yet he is. Supposed to be.
"E-Eh? F-For what, Dillon?"
He walked to me so closely and suddenly held my arms with dedication and determination in his sparkling eyes. This uninstalled activity of Dillon Alfie is giving me shock waves! This feeling – what kind of situation is this, God? My heart got so stiff to react!
"Eh? What are you doing –?"
"I'm sorry for everything, Moon."
His voice became a soft touch of autumn leaves. But!
H-Hey! W-What are you doing, Dillonnnnnnnnn?!
He grasped my arms and put me into his warmth! He embraced me?! What is wrong with you, Dillon!! My head was hopelessly laying on his shoulder and his chin was breathing over my shoulder. I was so moved that I even let go of Miko's hand. Miko…? Damn, I forgot about Miko's presence!
Then a soft voice echoed in my ears with a whisper. "I'm…talking about your Dad, Moon."
And let go of my body from his welcomed warmth. By that moment, I forgot about everything. The mess he created and the emotions I experienced in a short period – everything just vanished in the thin layer of wind. He was apologizing for… my biggest loss. True, you unconsciously took something you can never bring back, Dillon.
Before I could touch your physique, I learned to haunt you until your death because of what you left me with – with nothing I can understand how it feels to grow beneath a father's guidance… I would have a desire that often blooms when I see a kid merrily being with their father – How does it feel to be clumsy with Dad? Sometimes when I hear about the Alfie family, I do often desire to kill every member but…
"It's okay, Dillon. Everyone makes mistakes due to the evil lives in all but only few understand their fault and feel guilty of it. I'm happier that you understood your fault and asked for forgiveness with respect. I always respected this side of you and I will."
Yes, it's okay. Now I don't have that vengeance in me anymore. I accepted the fact and moved on a long time ago. But I still have a strong desire to demise you, Dillon yet I can't commit such a sin. If I do so then what's the difference between you and me? And if I take him away too like his two brothers then doesn't Tangwen become an orphan? There's a high chance that Leen Hakong's mother might possess the whole rule on her. I can't let them lay their filthy hands on her feeble body. I will never let that come true any day! She needs Dillon to protect her when I let my guard down from her. It feels like sacrificing prestige, pfft!
Dear Tangwen, I still yearn for you. But... It's okay.
"Moon…, you're such a mature lady. I can feel the reason behind Tangwen's unconditional love for you."
Unconditional love. I liked this statement, though. I gave a short smile and patted his shoulder. "You can't even keep your mouth shut, Dillon."
I slid my eyes to Miko's presence which was followed by Dillon's eyes too. As he spotted Miko he immediately smiled sheepishly while scratching his hair.
"Ah. I got it. I guess I should sometimes really shut down."
"Thanks for the understanding."
"Hm." We both suddenly looked into our eyes and… hell, burst out in laughter. After a long time, I'm seeing him relieved and happier. Thanks to myself for lighting his burden.
"Thank you, Moon."
He looked and smiled. I really love this genuine smile of yours, Dillon. I smiled back. He walked close to me and suddenly grabbed my hand, making me wholly fall into his warm embrace once again and let go of my hand gently. At this moment, there wasn't any kind of new excitement in me. I just genuinely accepted it. My hands raised upwards to his shoulder blades with a calm down pat. For his hands, they were gently settled behind my waist. Calmly, calling off his burden with this final embrace. I hope this heals you and me, Dillon.
With the release he seemed to be over the moon with his lightweight physique. He crouched down and stroked Miko's hair with a relief beam on his healing face.
"You're lucky to have such an amazing sister, Dear."
"Yes. But are you in love with my sister? Is this why you rejected Brother Winter, Onee-san?"
Huh? We both were shocked by different questions asked by. Looking at each other blankly brought a sudden chuckle on both of our faces. I crouched down and held her shoulder gently.
"Sorry, Dear. You misunderstood me. I'm not in love with your sister. I just came here to say sorry for my fault."
"Is it? It would be so cool if you were my sister's boyfriend."
E-Eh? Don't cause uncomfortability between us, Little Monster! I immediately banged her head, "Shut up, Idiot. You're speaking too much."
"Aah! Well, you haven't answered yet."
"And my answer is NO. There's another reason for that. Now keep your mouth shut!"
"Umm! Humph!"
"Now don't make such a puffed face, Little Monster. It doesn't suit you in a selfie!"
"Ehh! You took my selfie without a say! I hate you!"
"I'm gonna send it to Race and family group, Little Monster!"
"Ehhhhhhh! I hate you!"