A day ago.

***

Celeste's passion never waned. Hundreds of people filled the streets, bustling about. In the center district, the smell of freshly roasted coffee and baked goods filled the air. The aroma attracted the grumbling stomachs of workers. A girl strolled down these busy streets at a leisurely pace.

With each stride, her twin blonde tails swayed back and forth. Wearing black jeans and a crop top, she looked casual. Many passersby stopped to look at her rippling blue eyes. The smell of orchids assaulted their faces as they passed her.

As opposed than walking with her usual posse, Emily walked alone. In a café, she ordered a coffee and sat down. Worries sunk deep into the young girl's heart.

Bryan smokes?

Emily wasn't sure what to make of his recent changes. Although she was glad that he gained more confidence, she was angry about his delinquent behavior. As she recalled that night, she blushed slightly at the sight of his bare upper body. As soon as she realized she was getting distracted, she focused on her original thoughts.

Do I stop him? As a little sister, I should help him to make the right decisions! But do I have the right? I mean, we're not even blood related. Argh, I hate that jerk. It's his decision, why the hell am I thinking about him the whole day? So annoying!

Bryan's irresponsibility angered Emily. Knowing she couldn't rely on him to help her mother, she had to do it herself. A loud voice shouted across the shop, jolting her out of her reverie.

“Emily! It's great to see you here.” A handsome young man with brown curly hair made direct eye contact with Emily before walking over to her. Seeing his azure blue eyes, she froze for a moment before responding to him in a friendly tone.

“Hey Noah. What are you doing here?” In a flash, Noah sat down opposite her, a seat he eagerly took.

“Not much, just walking around. What about you?”

After contemplating her dilemma for a moment, Emily decided to tell Noah about it. Leaving aside her family situation, of course.

Noah wore a strange expression after hearing her out before asking in a low tone.

“Bryan again. Is he all you think about?”

Emily's face grew embarrassed as she remembered exactly what she thought just moments ago.

“Of course not! It's just that I don't know what goes through his head.” Emily heaved a large sigh.

“Maybe you don't have to.” Emily looked up to see Noah's huge grin. She rolled her eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you don't have to understand him. Just let him do what he wants. I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Your whole life doesn't have to revolve around him.” Noah shrugged his shoulders before sipping Emily's coffee.

“Hey, that's mine!” Emily tried to grab it, but Noah pulled back. He took another sip before handing it back.

“It's all yours.” Noah had a cheeky grin as he watched Emily in a fix.

She hesitated before downing the full cup, leaving Noah stunned. In his attempt to change the subject, his face also turned tomato red.

“Kuhum! Are you free right now?” Noah asked. He fidgeted with his fingers under the table, so Emily didn't notice his nervousness.

“Mhm? Yeah I am.” She replied nonchalantly. She savored the bitter-sweet taste of her coffee.

“Do you want to hang out together?” Noah asked.

“What the hell!? Isn't that a date if it's just the two of us?” Emily snapped back. She slammed her empty cup on the table, creating a loud noise.

Her shouting drew attention to the rest of the customers.

Noah's eyes flitted with a hint of panic, waving his hand. Answering quickly, he replied.

“No, no, just as friends. To take your mind off him.”

It seemed like a good idea to Emily after a moment's thought. She also trusted Noah not to do anything strange. Since he was already here, she decided to go along with it. After all, they were just friends.

"Hm, sure! Where do you want to go?" Emily leaned back and crossed her legs.

"Really?! Uh, what about the amusement park?" Noah stuttered a little, which she didn't notice.

Emily was immediately reminded of her promise to Bryan to go to the amusement park. She cursed Bryan internally. before replying with a lovely smile.

"Sure!"

After leaving the coffee shop, both of them entered the subway a few blocks away. Celeste had a fully connected subway system beneath the city. In a matter of minutes, each train reached each district. Additionally, it was inexpensive, making it the most popular form of transportation in the city.

They boarded the only available train, which happened to be the most crowded. The pair got pushed against the wall of the cabin when they entered. Emily received Noah's protection from the crowds pressing against her. It warmed Emily's heart just a little when he made that gesture. Noah looked up, avoiding eye contact, and asked something that had plagued him for months.

“Emily, can I ask you something?” Emily noticed his somber tone and nodded seriously.

Emily looked up at Noah's face. “What is it?” she asked. Noah was handsome and had a sense of justice, making him the ideal knight in shining armor. Since Emily always focused on Bryan, she failed to notice these points about him until now.

Noah took a deep breath before speaking.

“Do you like Bryan?”

“Eh?” Emily didn't expect that and croaked out in surprise.

“Well, do you?” Noah stared at her. At that moment, the fast train appeared to slow down. As the train slowed, the background noise became distant.

“I like him as family, nothing more. Are you crazy?” Emily said with absolute conviction. Nevertheless, Noah noticed her face wavered in the latter half of her reply. Despite that, he was satisfied. Noah noticed Emily's ambiguous attitude toward Bryan. He felt relieved when he heard her firm response.

He still had a chance.

“I see. Well that's fine then.” Noah had a dumb grin, which made Emily roll her eyes again. The thick air dispersed.

“Why did you ask?” She asked curiously.

“Well, you seemed to talk about him all the time. Just know you're not alone. If he needs help, Elina is there. Not to mention me.” Noah's warm smile made Emily smile as well.

“Thanks Noah.”

“No problem!” Noah smiled even more in response.

----------------------------------------

After they arrived at the amusement park, they spent the whole day on the rides and games. It was lunchtime in a blink of an eye. During lunch, they discussed school and other issues. Since they had a lot in common, Emily and Noah enjoyed talking to each other. After that, they stayed in the park until it closed.

Just outside the joy town, a lone swing set lay in the middle of the park. They now sat on the pair of swings, talking and laughing. Noah looked up to the sky before he asked.

“What do you want to be?”

“You mean like a job? I just want to retire now.” Emily giggled, which caused Noah to chuckle a little too.

The umpteenth time throughout the day, Noah's expression conveyed serious intent. “What do you want to be?” She knew he wanted to have a serious conversation. Noah's serious attitude surprised Emily yet again. In her opinion, he was always easygoing. It was yet another misconception she had about him.

“I want to be a lawyer and help out my mom.” Emily had opened up to Noah, something she hadn't done with anyone before. Albeit very little, it made Noah very happy.

“Really? My dad wants me to become a police officer.” Noah said in an imperceptible downcast tone.

However, Emily noticed it.

“It seems like you don't want to?” Noah asked, looking at Emily's enchanting face under the golden glow of the setting sun. Before he lost himself, he looked away.

“Y-Yeah, not really.” Emily narrowed her eyes at his suspicious stutter, but didn't give it too much thought.

“Then what do you want to be?”

“Hm, I want to go into the army.”

“Huh? Isn't that still law enforcement?” Emily asked in a confused voice.

“It is, but I want to serve Zain properly. I felt that my father never kept Celeste in order despite being a commissioner. I want to join the army and fight our enemies for our country.” Noah's voice held passion and longing, which Emily thought was very admirable.

“So why don't you become a soldier?”

“Well, I don't want to go against my father…” Noah looked down and pouted.

“Pfft!” Emily burst out laughing, hearing his submissive tone like a lost puppy.

“Hey!” Noah made a frown hearing her laugh in such a blatant manner.

“Sorry, sorry. Why don't you just do what you want. Like you said, your life doesn't revolve around your father's,” Emily stifled her laughter and gave him the same words of advice.

Noah made a thoughtful expression before grinning. His silly grin was a common occurrence by now. She smiled back.

His eyes flickered at Emily before opening his mouth once more.

“Hey, do you know where Bryan went? I couldn't reach his cell.”

Hearing his name, her face stiffened a little. In a huff, she replied.

“I don't know, he didn't tell me or mom. He left early in the morning saying he was going on a trip.”

Noah made a weird expression.

“You know, I talked with Elina earlier. Her family is pretty big and influential in Celeste. She got insider information. Her dad told her to be careful since something big was going to happen. Then today, Bryan goes on a trip? Isn't that too coincidental?”

Emily listened carefully, her face changing into worry. She shook her head before answering.

“What are you trying to say?”

She stared directly into his eyes. Noah turned away, frightened, before recomposing himself. After getting up from the swing, he walked towards the front gate. Emily followed him, arriving at his side. A few streetlights illuminated the dark street as they walked. Emily's house was a slow walk away. Emily snorted angrily at Noah.

“You didn't answer me. What did you mean by that?”

Noah stopped in his steps and turned around. His stern expression caused Emily to flinch in surprise.

“Does Bryan look normal to you?” His random question threw Emily off.

“I-I mean, recently he's been a bit weird, but it's nothing to worry about.”

Noah shook his head slowly before approaching Emily. He grabbed her shoulders and looked directly at her flustered face.

“What are you doing? Let go!” Emily struggled in his grasp, but he only responded by grabbing tighter. He shouted loudly.

“Listen to me!” His voice echoed through the empty street. Emily shut her mouth, hearing his loud, stern voice for the first time she met him.

“He's not normal. Don't you see? Do you feel a chill whenever he looks at you? Like, one wrong move, and you're dead?”

Emily listened to him in shock. Reflecting back, she felt like that in the bathroom and when he carried her away after his fight. She slowly nodded.

“I've seen those eyes before in criminals. My father taught me what those eyes mean.” Noah looked more serious than ever. Emily gulped the ball of saliva clumping up in her throat.

“He's killed before. He's a murderer.” Noah let go of her shoulders, standing before her with a face full of worry and concern.

***