"Oppa, you awakened, didn't you?"
Lucian's brows slightly furrowed, hearing his younger sister's guess with absolute certainty in her voice.
"H-how did you know?"
As he stuttered, Samantha shook her head with a frown as she sauntered towards the desk at the side of the medical bed, putting down a bag of fruits and snacks.
"Tch. You should look in the mirror. Even though that's not always the case when someone awakens, some of their physical features would change."
"What...?"
Being too fixated on the ridiculous details of his [ Status Window ] and the so-called Cosmic Fall System, such a simple fact escaped Lucian's mind.
"Let me borrow your phone. Let me see!"
"I see. Where were you going, huh? You didn't bring your phone with you?"
He was busted.
"Ah, well..."
Samantha knew her brother well, prompting her to let out a sigh as she handed her phone.
Receiving it after being unlocked by the owner, Lucian opened its high-quality camera and saw what had changed in his facial features.
From normal dull black eyes that seemed to have no flames to continue living properly to glimmering amethyst eyes that looked like they could pierce through the mysteries of the world.
Was it because of the Eye of Death? Or simply because I awakened?
Lucian thought.
"Here, take this. Now, tell me what happened?"
His little reverie ended when Samantha, who sat on the side of the medical bed, handed him an apple.
After receiving the fruit, taking a bite of it, and swallowing a piece of it, Lucian took a deep breath and sighed.
"There was an accident-"
"Stop."
"...?"
Samantha interjected. Then, just like her previous black eyes, which were now pink-hued after awakening two to three years ago, glared at him.
"I couldn't care less about that. I'm talking about why you were going to go there without your phone."
Samantha knew that whenever her brother went out without bringing any communication device with him, it was because the latter wanted to be alone.
And by being alone, she was also aware that something must be weighing on Lucian's mind that he wanted to drink until he fainted.
After their parents' demise, which included their father, who was working at that time and couldn't go home, they only had each other to lean on.
Knowing that there was no excusing himself in this matter, Lucian explained everything.
From the beginnimg in which he registered for Divine Sky Academy's holistic training program with the hope of awakening under extreme physical stress, but was rejected from it almost at the same time due to a first-come, first-serve basis that seemed to be nonsensical due to queue, and how he felt worthless as an older brother by being able to do nothing.
Even the basic needs such as food, clothes, and place were all from Samantha's allowance, which was more than enough.
As an S-rank Awakener by the Awakener Association's standards, one could say that she was wealthy enough to live comfortably her whole life while supporting her sole brother with anything.
Hearing everything, Samantha sighed, her gaze dropped to the white-tiled floor, unable to face her brother.
Her heart trembled.
Even though it was not the first time she noticed the burden of her brother who wanted to do something for her, she couldn't help but feel gloomy.
"I told you... Let me take care-"
"No. I'm now an Awakener too. Even if I awakened under unfavorable circumstances, that fact wouldn't change."
"..."
"Come here."
With his words, Samantha slowly scooted towards her brother. Upon reaching him, she couldn't help but bury her head in his chest.
She weakly sobbed.
This prompted Lucian to lightly caress her back.
Then, just as Samantha was about to mutter something-
"Memory-"
...Lucian interjected.
"It's okay now... I remember."
Samantha's eyes widened in shock, causing her to instinctively release his brother's embrace. Of course, if she truly wanted to, it's possible.
But the moment Lucian tried to contain her, letting her head be on his chest, she stopped resisting.
With a weak voice, she asked, trying to feign ignorance.
"W-what do you mean, Oppa...?"
"I know... that you are constantly erasing my memories of what happened that day when Mom died."
"..."
"I am not sure why it seems you are doing it repeatedly, but don't bother anymore."
The process of his awakening was not as simple as just because someone's body just got obliterated by a truck and had her brain and other body parts scattered in front of him.
It's due to the repressed memories of his mother's death that were shattered and gradually remembered at the moment of the accident.
"Oppa... I-I'm not sure what you're talking-"
"It wouldn't work. And I understand why you did that. So please, from this moment onwards, you should also take care of yourself better."
Her brother's serene voice caused her body to quiver.
Samantha didn't know why he seemed so sure that one of her skills, [ Memory Fragmentation ], wouldn't work. But his gentle voice sounded so convincing that she couldn't logically think of any possible reason.
"..."
"Let's visit Mother's grave, okay?"
At that moment, Samantha wept.
"WAH! F-Forgive me! Sob! Forgive me!"
Lucian's now amethyst-colored eyes also let out a few drops of tears.
He then chuckled softly as he continued caressing her back, feeling the outburst of emotion she seemed to keep within her all this time.
"My silly sister. Don't carry all the burdens by yourself, okay?"
***
As Samantha's head rested on her brother's chest, to the point that her mental state was becoming exhausted due to her emotions pouring out, she inwardly spoke.
Sorry brother...
I just wanted to protect you.
When we were kids and powerless with no home, you were the one protecting me.
With my every nightmare, you were there to pat my head.
You looted food, found drinks, and rummaged through the trash until the order of society got back on its feet.
Even after we were adopted, you continued to look out for my well-being.
Even if it seems like you tend to abandon your own.
And when I awakened at the age of sixteen, I noticed how you felt.
It's not jealousy or envy, and I know you're genuinely glad for me; it's the fear that you wouldn't be able to fulfill Mother's words... That you would take care of me.
So I asked myself, would it be okay if I make you forget about what happened that day?
So that you wouldn't remember Mother's words?
So that you'd be okay?
At first, everything was fine.
I proudly became a renowned awakener thanks to my Heroic-Grade Class known as the Plane Wanderer, which allowed me to alter that haunting certain memory that we shared.
I delightedly provided everything for you to have a comfortable life.
But it seems I have made a grave mistake; I didn't consider how you truly feel.
Even after forgetting our mother's words, you began to feel useless.
Was I wrong? Was I wrong...?
In the end, even before you remember everything, your nature as a caring brother never truly changed.
I realized my selfishness.
I'm sorry...
And forgive me...
With these tumultuous thoughts, Samantha fell asleep in his embrace.
***
Knock, knock.
Just a minute or two after Lucian let his sister sleep on his chest, a few gentle knocks came from the room's door.
There, an unfamiliar nurse donning white scrubs with a log book in her hand entered.
Seeing these siblings, the girl nurse smiled.
Lucian's questioning eyes gazed at her.
"Ah! It seems I was late. The doctor asked me to run some errands earlier; it caused me to unable to deliver the news.
"The news...?"
Lucian tilted his head.
"Ah yes, I was about to tell you that your sister would visit you after her duty. Sigh, that damn doctor's so timid unless there's a VIP patient! Anyway, I guess everything's okay now."
Lucian looked at this nurse, his expression turning incredulous.
What the hell does she mean?
Wasn't there a nurse earlier-
Lucian's train of thought paused, goosebumps spread all over his body.
D-don't tell me... The nurse from before...
Was a ghost...?!