Suddenly, an icy voice cut through the air.
"Eve?"
She froze, turning toward the source of the sound with mounting dread. It was... Aaron.
Aaron is here! But did he manage to see Uncle Bruno?
Aaron drew closer, his brows furrowed in suspicion. "What are you doing out here? And all by yourself?"
Eve glanced back out of the corner of her eye. Bruno had vanished into the shadows without Aaron noticing. She let out a silent, trembling sigh of relief.
Seriously, if they had crossed paths right here... I’d be a dead woman walking.
Trying to mask her anxiety, Eve replied with a questioned look, "And you? What are you doing here?"
"Answering a question with another question—just what my dear sister does best," Aaron muttered. He casually looped an arm around Eve’s neck in a gentle, brotherly gesture, whispering, "I’m going to live here from now on. What do you think?"
"What?! What about your friend San’s place, where you usually go?"
"We had a falling out. Besides, which makes more sense? Living in my sister’s institution, which is practically bursting with empty rooms, or crashing at my friend’s place where his whole family is watching?"
"Do you think this institution is a hotel?"
"Isn't it?" Aaron scoffed. "What was the name of that poor, homeless brat you gave a room to, treating this place like a free resort? Right, Clarity... and for free, no less!"
Eve went stiff for a second. Without warning, she stomped the heel of her shoe hard onto Aaron’s foot.
Aaron winced, groaning in pain, as Eve glared at him with pure irritation. "Yes... the institution helps the homeless who have no roof over their heads and no money. So, I’ll show some mercy and help you too." She spat out the last word, her eyes drilling into him.
Aaron stumbled back a step, rubbing his foot, and muttered under his breath, "She is truly terrifying."
Eve straightened her coat. "Go to my office. I’ll be there in a moment. I have someone to meet."
"And who is this person?"
"Since when did you care about who I meet? Do you want me to change my mind about hosting you?"
"No, no need. I’ll go inside and wait," Aaron said, turning to leave. "Don't be long."
Once Aaron’s footsteps faded, Bruno materialized from the shadows.
"What is Aaron doing here?" Bruno asked, his eyes fixed on the door.
"He got kicked out of the house, like he does every single time," Eve sighed. "Even his funds have been cut off, so he has nowhere else to sleep."
"He is reckless and chaotic."
"You need to tell him the truth, Uncle."
Bruno looked away. "Remaining in the dark... is better for him. It’s for his own protection, in the end."
Eve’s voice trembled with lingering anxiety. "As you wish. But thank goodness you’re quick on your feet. If he had seen you, it would have been the end of me."
"Aaron isn't that terrifying," Bruno said, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Don't underestimate him, Uncle. Aaron is entirely different now. He’s no longer that innocent child who used to follow you everywhere and prefer you over his own father. Now, he is consumed by hatred and malice. How could he not be, when he spends all his time with my father, learning from him?"
Bruno’s smile vanished instantly. "That bastard, Konar... Don't bring up his name. I might lose my temper."
"I’m sorry," Eve said softly. "And how have you been lately, Uncle?"
"I’m fine. I had some important business to take care of, which is why I arrived ahead of our scheduled visit." Bruno reached into his cloak and handed Eve a small, neatly wrapped box. "A gift for you. I picked it up from a local market, so it might look simple, but I’m sure you’ll like it."
Eve smiled warmly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I’m sure it’s wonderful. Thank you, Uncle."
"I received all the documents you sent beforehand," Bruno continued, his voice softening. "I’m deeply grateful for your hard work, Eve. Thank you for standing by me."
Eve lowered her eyes half-shyly. "What’s with the sudden sentimentality, Uncle? You seem really different."
"Nothing has changed," Bruno murmured. "It’s just... I remembered how many friends and family abandoned me, and I remembered the only person who stayed by my side. You." He gently patted her head. "Stay safe, little one."
"I’m not that little anymore. Look at the institution I’m running."
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Bruno chuckled softly. "To your uncle, you’ll always be that little girl running and spinning around the halls."
In Clarity’s room:
Clarity sank into his bed, exhausted. Finally, he could get some peaceful sleep. He had visited his mother and taken the medicine Eve had prescribed for him. Since he started using it, his sleep had become much more manageable.
He stared intently at the ceiling, the chaotic events of the day playing like a movie behind his eyes.
The Boss... isn't he a strange man? Or did I just never really know him? Clarity had only met him once in the past, in the alleys of the slums. Back then, he had only seen the shadowy, mythical figure the gang members whispered about.
Yet, in that wretched alley, everyone had been showering him with blessings for bringing them food. He had treated them with kindness. But his coldness toward that dying old man made me despise him back then... Was it because he knew the old man was a goner anyway? Have I been wrong about him all this time? He seems entirely different from what I saw recently.
Clarity closed his eyes, letting the darkness claim him as he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, the aftermath of the Festival of Lights had cleared, and the institution returned to its usual routine. Clarity went back to his duties as a Cipher. He crossed paths with Aaron several times throughout the day, purposefully ignoring him to preserve his own sanity.
Out in the main courtyard, Eve was walking beside her brother, the two of them exchanging idle chat. Suddenly, Aaron froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as he stared toward the front gates.
Eve followed his gaze.
Standing there was a tall, brown-haired young man. It was Jake!
Losing his temper instantly, Aaron lunged forward, charging toward Jake, whose face was a picture of utter confusion. Eve stood frozen in place.
"How dare you show your face here—right in front of me?!" Aaron roared, throwing a wild punch at Jake’s face. "Are you looking to die, you filthy gangster?!"
Jake dodged the blow effortlessly, stepping to the side.
The moment Eve heard the word "gangster," she snapped out of her daze. She quickly signaled the guards. "Stop him!"
The guards rushed in, pinning Aaron’s arms behind his back, though he continued to thrash and scream curses.
Eve stepped up, facing Jake, her tone laced with apology. "My brother is a bit unhinged, so I apologize on his behalf. Are you, by any chance... Jake?"
A faint, charming smile played on the corner of Jake’s lips. "I am. And you must be Eve."
"Yes. You can go inside to see Clarity. I take it you came to check up on him?"
"Well... you’re not wrong."
"And I bet you’re relieved that I actually turn out to be nice, just like Clarity told you," she added playfully.
Jake offered a polite, slightly bewildered smile, thinking to himself that she was a rather peculiar girl.
As Eve led Jake inside, he looked around, genuinely impressed by the beauty of the building. Eve kept up a warm, lighthearted conversation, gradually putting him at ease after the chaotic welcome Aaron had given him.
"Can I see Mother first?" Jake asked in a low voice.
"Mother?" Eve blinked. "Do you mean... Clarity’s mother?"
"Exactly."
The two navigated the quiet corridors to her room. She was fast asleep, so Jake contentedly watched over her from a distance for a moment. Once satisfied, he stepped back into the hallway with Eve, where they ran straight into Clarity.
Clarity stared at them, stunned to see them together.
Before he could speak, Jake stepped forward, a bright smile breaking across his face. "I came to check on my little brother."
"Out in the open?!" Clarity hissed, his voice dropping to a frantic whisper. "Wait, Aaron is in the building! You need to leave right now!"
Eve casually waved her hand, dismissing his panic. "Don't worry about him. I’ve handled it."
Clarity and Jake slipped out to the back garden, finding a quiet spot beneath a massive tree. They talked for nearly half an hour, catching up on everything.
"I have to get going now," Jake whispered, stretching his arms.
Clarity reached out, catching Jake’s sleeve, silently asking him to wait. He sat directly across from him, took a deep breath, and focused his gaze. "Jake... I want to give you a proper, long apology. But since your time is tight, I’ll keep it brief."
Jake chuckled, shaking his head. "All that dramatic build-up just for a 'brief' apology?"
"I was wrong about you, Jake. So wrong," Clarity continued, his voice heavy with sincerity. "I’m sorry for the doubts that crossed my mind. I’m sorry for ever thinking about breaking our vow, and I’m sorry for leaving you behind, making you face all those problems alone. I always misjudge things. So... please forgive your little brother."
Jake stared at him for a second, then burst into laughter, clapping his hands. "Wow, you really put some effort into rehearsing that speech!"
"Don't mock me..."
"I’m not mocking you, really," Jake said, his laughter softening into a warm smile. "I’m touched. But there’s no need for an apology like that. I never once thought about it that way. What you went through wasn't easy either. I have a lot I want to apologize for too, but from now on, I’ll keep supporting you with everything I’ve got."
"I’ll do the same. I’m coming back to the group."
Jake’s eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Do you doubt me? I’m really coming back. I have to... But I’m going to ask for a few small exceptions from the Boss, since he’s right here in the main building."
"From the Boss directly?" Jake raised an eyebrow. "Look who’s gotten brave after hanging out with him for a bit."
"You missed the whole show," Clarity grinned. "I told him straight to his face in front of Apollo’s crew: 'Is this how you build your kingdom?'"
Jake’s jaw dropped in sheer disbelief. "How are you still breathing?!"
"I didn't say anything wrong! I just asked him out of fear for you."
"Now I’m really touched," Jake smiled.
"You’re mocking me again!"
A short distance away, Aaron was lurking in the shadows, listening to their lengthy conversation, his blood boiling with rage. He had promised Eve he wouldn't cause trouble again.
But hearing them say that the Boss... that he was right here in the main building changed everything.
Aaron stood up, his face twisted in a mask of fury. He checked the weight of the firearm concealed in his jacket pocket, a dark plan forming in his mind.
He marched toward the main building. He wasn't going to be stupid like last time. Instead, he stealthily scaled the outer wall, aiming for one of the side rooms.
It was the exact same room where Bruno had been when Aaron found his fiancée, Ari, dead... with the Boss standing over her, a blood-stained knife in his hand.
Aaron closed his eyes tightly, the suffocating memory threatening to choke him.
Fortunately, the large windows were propped open, sparing him the need to shatter the glass. He hauled himself inside with a quiet grunt. The room was empty; Bruno wasn't there.
He exhaled a jagged breath, trying to steady his racing heart.
Suddenly, a chorus of voices approached from the hallway. Bruno’s deep, commanding voice was unmistakable among them.
Panicking, Aaron scrambled behind a heavy wardrobe in the corner. He closed his eyes, whispering to himself to quiet the thunder in his chest:
"Instead of useless planning and waiting... killing your enemy directly is the perfect way."
He was fully committed to this reckless act of vengeance.
The heavy door creaked open. Bruno walked in—completely alone. He marched toward the sofa and slumped onto it, closing his eyes in sheer exhaustion.
But when his eyes snapped open again...
The cold barrel of Aaron’s gun was pressed directly against his forehead.