As we finish our meal in silence, I let my gaze wander around the canteen. My attention shifts to Sheng Xin. I see him talking with Marcus, one of his subordinates.
Marcus seems nervous, which is rare for him. His features are tense, his eyes piercing as if he carries a message of the utmost importance. I can't help but observe them discreetly, trying to catch snippets of their conversation. My brother, sitting across from me, seems deep in thought, oblivious to my curiosity.
Suddenly, Sheng Xing abruptly stands up, abandoning his half-full plate. He says a few quick words to Marcus before heading towards the exit, his step quick and determined. Marcus stands still for a moment, then he follows his superior, glancing around as if afraid of being observed.
Intrigued, I turn to my brother.
-Did you see that?, I questioned him, trying to keep my voice neutral.
He looks up from his plate, seeming to come back to reality.
-Seen what?, he asked me perplexed
-Sheng Xing he left in a hurry, as if something important was happening, I repeated to him
-Are you calling my superior by his name now?, my brother asked me with frowning eyebrows.
-I remind you that he is not my superior, I said to him, smiling at him innocently.
My brother turned to look at the empty place where his superior was, then back to me.
-But yeah it happens sometimes. Maybe an emergency.
I nodded, but my mind remained alert.
-Maybe, I say, but something in the atmosphere tells me it's more than that.
The rest of our meal passes without incident, but the strange departure of Marcus and the superior remains etched in my mind. After finishing eating, we put down our trays and leave the canteen. Night has fallen, and the camp is plunged into a deceptive tranquility.
"Do you really think it was just a regular emergency?" I asked my brother as we walked to our dorm.
He sighs, hands in his pockets.
-There are always things going on behind the scenes. But as long as it doesn't directly concern us, it's best not to worry about it.
I understand his point of view, but my gut tells me there is more to this story. We arrive at his dormitory, a series of simple but functional barracks. As I entered, I noticed that the atmosphere was tense. The murmurs are lower, the glances more furtive.
My brother heads to his bed, but I stay near the door, watching the movements of the other soldiers.
-Come in, my brother ordered me
I enter the dormitory then close the door. I then head towards my brother's bed
-Guys, give my brother a warm welcome, my brother suddenly said to his roommates
-Finally we see your famous brother!, exclaimed one of them, I'm Satoshi
-Nice little beauty, I'm Leeyu
-I'm Akiro, said another to me, delighted
-Pleased everyone, it's Aiko, I smiled at them kindly
-Are you single?, Leeyu asked me with a seductive smile on her lips.
-Drug my brother again and I'll kill you, my brother said coldly to him
-Hahaha I was joking, said Leeyu, wiping the drops of sweat from her forehead.
-Have you always been together as roommates?, I asked curiously
Laughter bursts from everywhere, tears even flow down their cheeks because they are so hilarious at my question.
-T…your brother didn't tell you, said Satoshi breathlessly
-No, I told him, shaking my head.
-Have you finally finished laughing? My brother cut us off coldly.
-N…no almost, Akiro continued to laugh
The others continued to laugh as well, which made me laugh. On the other hand, my brother wasn't laughing.