Summer stood by the bench, his eyes red and swollen, his face pale from the emotional turmoil he had just endured. Yet, despite the weight of heartbreak pressing down on him, he wasn't entirely broken.
But, the sadness that lingered in his heart was more about the memories Julia had left behind than the actual pain of her departure. Those memories, so vivid and bittersweet, played like a silent film in his mind.
He remembered the carefree days of their youth, sneaking out of class to go on dates atop high skyscrapers—riding hovercrafts— where they could see the entire city spread out beneath them. They would eat together, just the two of them, lost in their own world. The nicknames they called each other—sweetheart, darling—still echoed in his thoughts, reminding him of a time when the future seemed bright and untroubled.
She had promised him so much: that they would never be apart, that they would get married, build a life together, and raise a family. Those dreams had felt so real, so certain. But fate, it seemed, had a different plan.
Julia's Gene Evolutionary path had pulled her away from him, from the simple life they had envisioned together.
Now, all that remained were the memories of a love that once was, and the harsh reality that their paths had diverged, perhaps never to cross again.
"Can I really not unlock my evolution gene?"
As Summer stood there, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever feel such happiness again, or if those dreams would remain forever out of reach, like stars in the distant sky.
Screech!
"Young Sir, it's time to go home."
Edmond stepped in front of him as the hover car's window rolled down automatically.
Summer, lost in thought, didn't respond. He silently opened the car door and slid into the back seat, his mind clouded with distraction.
Edmond watched him, a hint of sadness in his eyes. The vibrant and passionate boy he once knew seemed to have vanished.
The car glided smoothly through the neon-lit streets, the cityscape and towering skyscrapers creating a mesmerizing backdrop. The AI system managed the traffic seamlessly, ensuring a smooth ride.
"Destination reached," the AI's voice echoed softly within the car.
Edmond got out of the driver's seat to open the door for Summer, but found the seat empty—Summer had already stepped out.
Summer walked up to their home, a spacious mansion reflecting their family's well off condition. His father, a businessman in the beast carcass trade, had provided well for them.
Summer tapped the dark XenoMesh suit, which instantly morphed into comfortable shorts and a t-shirt.
"Little brother, welcome back." His cousin Reena greeted him as soon as he stepped inside. She was a voluptuous woman, nearly 27 years old, with an unmistakable warmth in her voice.
Without warning, she pulled him into a tight hug, pressing his face against her ample chest. "Oh, look at you, my poor little brother. It's all because of that woman, isn't it? I knew she would do something like this."
Summer felt himself suffocating and managed to mutter, "I'm fine, Big Sis. But please, let me go before you smother me."
"Oops!" Reena quickly released him, her expression turning sheepish, though her concern was still evident in her mature features.
Before Summer could catch his breath, another voice chimed in from behind them, dripping with mockery. "Well, well, if it isn't brother Dullblade back from his heartbreak. How tragic."
Summer turned to see his other cousin, her face full of exasperation and a teasing smirk playing on her lips..
"Ruby!" Reena scolded sternly, her eyes narrowing at her sister's disrespect.
Ruby met her gaze with a shrug, as if to say, "What did I do?"
"I was just joking, Big Sis. You know I can't resist a little sass."
Ruby and Reena were sisters, born of the same mother, both sharing identical blonde hair, though Ruby was noticeably smaller in stature. Despite their sharp tongues, they had a deep affection for their cousin, Summer Sterling.
Ruby called him "Dullblade" as a teasing nickname, a reference to his repeated failures in awakening his Evolution Gene. It was none to all—his classmates, teachers and friends even.
To them, he was like a blade—but dull and rusty.
As the sisters bantered, a small figure appeared before them—a little girl with a face as sweet as cotton candy.
"Sum-Sum, where's the creamy chocolate you promised me?" she demanded, her voice a mix of childish innocence and impatience, her tiny hands resting on her hips.
Summer managed a small smile, the first in a while. "Aw, I'm sorry, Sweetie. Your big brother forgot. Will you forgive me?" He knelt in front of the little girl, his expression softening.
She was his only biological sister, the youngest member of the Sterling family, and the apple of everyone's eye.
"Hmph, I knew you'd forget," she pouted, her eyes beginning to water.
Ruby couldn't resist teasing. "Wow, little Silia, always the negotiator are you. Can't you see your big brother's feeling down?" she said with a mischievous grin, watching Silia's reaction.
Reena, too, was eager to see the concern on Silia's face. The little girl had a unique way of lifting everyone's spirits.
Instantly, Silia's face shifted to one of deep concern. She looked up at Summer with wide, worried eyes, noticing his red and swollen eyes for the first time.
"Sum-Sum, what happened to you? How did you get hurt?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
"Let me heal you first," she declared, spinning around like a magical girl in a playful display.
With a final, dramatic step, she leaned closer to Summer, her face full of determination. She blew cool air gently on his face, her expression as serious as if she were performing real magic.
"With this, you'll be healed completely," she whispered softly.
Summer's lips curved into a genuine smile, the warmth of his little sister's gesture melting away some of the weight in his heart.
On the other hand, the sisters broke into soft smiles.