"Ash! Don't you peek, silly! Keep your eyes squeezed shut tight!" A muffled giggle reached Asher's ears, followed by the familiar press of Aurora's small hands over his eyes.
He sighed, the feigned boredom. As they tiptoed down the white hallway.
Asher knew exactly where they were headed. This wasn't about sharing a secret – it was about solidifying his con… relationship with his lovely twin sister.
"Have we reached there yet?" Asher asked, a little boredom in his voice. He wants this to end quickly.
"Not this time, Ash! Just a little longer, okay?" He could picture the nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Filled with nervousness and excitement bubbled in her chest.
Today was her day. From today onwards, she will be together with her brother.
Asher kept his eyes shut for a beat longer, letting the anticipation build in the small, trusting heart beside him. Though wondering 'What if I told her that I know what would happen?' Nah! He decided to let her indulge.
Soon enough the door opened, leading them inside a room.
…
The door appeared to be out of nowhere.
A hint of a smile tugged at Scarlett's lips as she watched from a distance, yet her heart a mess of worry and affection.
Aurora, her sunshine girl, was leading Asher, his eyes playfully covered, towards her. They looked like any other adorable siblings. A sight that warmed a corner of Scarlett's heart.
She knows that Asher knows she will teach him.
But Aurora doesn't. Bless her innocent heart, remaining blissfully unaware.
Scarlett wouldn't be the one to ruin her lovely daughter's surprise.
'Aren't they adorable hehe~' They look pretty as they enter inside, just like how normal siblings are supposed to act.
Her smile faltered slightly, remembering her peaceful talk with Asher. She had made up mind.
"Haa~" A sigh escaped her lips, "At least things haven't gotten worse," she murmured to herself, a wave of relief washing over her.
At least, there was that. The bond between them hadn't broken entirely.
Along with it, she felt it.
Dwelling on the past wouldn't bring back the time she'd lost, and wouldn't mend the already broken bond with Asher.
The past was a series of choices she couldn't take back.
The present was even bleak, and the only thread holding Asher back, she believed, was the connection he shared with Aurora.
Scarlett glanced at her son, her Asher. They look beautiful together.
That connection he had, she hoped, would be the foundation of their future, a future that shined with a fragile hope.
A future that is by far bright, full of warmth. Where she is together with them, and lives a happy life.
She wants to make sure of it.
For her, or at the very least for her family, for her children.
'Why?' That question haunted her through countless sleepless nights, and had now faded somewhat, replaced by a new hope and determination.
Finally she managed to get a blissful sleep.
She has thought, and thought, through and through.
Past was a mistake, a dark path, one that could poison the present and strangle any chance of a brighter tomorrow.
She had to focus. Teaching Asher and Elysia – separately – had been a difficult choice, but a necessary one.
She couldn't change what had happened, but she could fight for what remained.
She had a feeling. If she left Elysia unchecked, her volatile emotions, something will happen to her…. Not because of her hatred, but because of a far more terrifying truth – indifference.
Scarlett still recalled the footage – Asher's indifference and boredom when facing the holographic dummy.
The same would happen with Elysia.
Scarlett knew for sure. And that… that was a nightmare she couldn't bear. A future she won't dare to believe.
She knew. It wasn't his fault. But Elysia.
Asher had done everything a son could, a brother could. Yet, it wasn't enough.
Because they had failed him. He had tried, for her, for all of them. Elysia had failed, and Scarlett, in her own way, had failed him too.
"Okay, Ash! Open your eyes! Hehe~ You will be surprised!" Aurora, bubbling with excitement, could barely contain her squeal.
She glanced back, noticing her mom watching with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Aurora turned back to Asher, her grin practically making her look like a fairy of mischief.
"Okay~" Asher whispers, he flutters his eyes open, blinking twice, pretending to be startled.
He saw the massive grassland, it was expanded as far as his eyes could see.
A constant blow of winds rustled passed through them, creating a rhythmic and calm atmosphere.
Sweet, earthy scent, laced with the subtle fragrance of wildflowers, mixed within the air.
"Surprised? Hehe~ Mamma told me, it would be so fun." Aurora squealed, a smile plastered on her lips, as she whispered those words, the excitement didn't leave her, as she was looking forward to the incoming days.
"Yeah, I was surprised~" Asher softly told her, bjt his gaze on her face. He could see that, those small changes within her. Her thinking, those eyes… yet it was masked by a warm smile.
"With this, we can be together as always," She whispered to herself, in a low tone. A triumphant smile of satisfaction covered her foolish face.
"You both come late huh!" Scarlett gave Aurora a smile.
"Hehehe~ I wanted to give Ash a big surprise!" Aurora spread her arms wide, showcasing the grand scale of the surprise she'd planned.
Then, her smile faltered slightly. "But he wasn't that surprised," she muttered in a hushed tone, glancing at Asher with a pout.
"Maybe he'll be more surprised if you show him what you learned last week." Scarlett softly ruffled her head. Her gaze lingering on Asher's face. A faint smile on his face.
"Ooh!" Aurora's eyes lit up, her disappointment forgotten.
"Before that, let's change a little." Scarlett snapped her fingers. A soft light enveloped them, enveloping them in a gentle glow.
As the light faded, Asher and Aurora found themselves no longer in their regular clothes.
Instead, they were covered in sleek, comfortable bodysuits that seemed to hug their bodies perfectly.
In front of them, Scarlett stood in a different outfit, a long-sleeved shirt paired with a side-slit skirt that allowed for ease of movement.
Silence descended on the grassland, as they waited for what she wanted to do.
"Now that everything is ready, Ash! Do you know…"
***
[A/N]: I will probably remove this past chapters, or improve them altogether with my future chapter... Sorry for the delay