The morning began like any other, with Axka moving through the familiar motions of breakfast preparation. The small, modest kitchen was dim, save for the warm glow of the stove. For a moment, the room brightened—not from the light, but from Mika’s presence. His easy smile cut through the weight that had clung to Axka’s chest since the night before, if only for a moment.

“Here you go, sir. Today’s special,” Axka teased, sliding Mika’s plate near him. Mika’s eager smirk almost made Axka forget his worries. Almost.

After breakfast, Axka dropped Mika off first. As he lingered by the gate, watching Mika disappear into the crowd of students, a ride-hailing car pulled up. He paused, his eyes following the vehicle as a kid around Mika’s age stepped out and walked into the school. A thought flickered through Axka’s mind:

Maybe that could be a solution for Mika’s school runs. It wasn’t cheap, but it might be the safest option.

Axka then continued his walk to his school, he took out his phone, searching for how much the cost for a few days. Upon arriving at his class, Axka was immediately greeted by Takoda, whose concern was evident. “You still worried about the camp?” His eyes direct and probing.

“Yeah,” Axka admitted, the word solidifying the weight of his concerns while he settling on his seat. “It’s just us now, y’know? No neighbors, nobody else from our building but us three.”

As Axka laid his face on the table, his thoughts wandered to the other two kids who had once lived in the building that shared his homeland. Axka stretched up, voicing his curiosity, "Now that I mentioned it, ever wonder what happened to the other two?"

Takoda’s surprise was palpable. “Why you never asked before?”

“I barely knew them when I reunited with you guys again,” Axka said, his voice quieter. “We weren’t close, but... it’s strange, y’know? Thinking about all of us, how we drifted apart.”

Takoda leaned back, a look of concern crossing his face. “Actually, I’ve thought about them a lot.”

“The girl… moved away a few years back.” Takoda said, his voice soft. “A family adopted her and took her to a better place outside Alpenreich. That’s what I heard anyway.”

He paused, his voice lowering and his eyes distant. “And the boy… he was different, wasn’t he? Smarter than us. The Federal noticed. Took him to some institute for gifted kids, could be in the Paragon-focused institute or maybe anything related to it. Said it was an honor, a big opportunity for him. Never heard from him again.”

Axka suddenly blurted out a memory from his shared past, reflecting on the numbers of children brought out from their land. “We used to be many tho—”

“I don’t want to talk about that,” Takoda interrupted quickly, his usually cheerful face darkening. His eyes, which always sparkled with humor, hardened, avoiding Axka’s. His sworn brother knew better than to push; Whenever the past came up, Takoda always built walls, shutting it out.

“Just… just not that,” Takoda muttered, the familiar wall coming up between them.

“It’s not your fault, brother,” Axka consoled, trying to avoid their painful past. Takoda looked down and nodded, absorbing Axka’s words.

“Well, my point is, it's just us left,” Axka murmured, the realization settling in. “If only they were still here. They could've helped with Mika.”

Then, a voice commanded at the front. “Alright, class. Let’s turn to page 93,” announced Mrs. Lucy, the art teacher from the front of the room without they noticed. The lesson began, but Axka struggled to concentrate. His thoughts kept drifting, not to sleep, but to plans for escaping and protecting Mika from the uncertainties that lay ahead.

***

The day dragged on, and the brief respite of breakfast during the class break provided a fleeting escape.

Amethyst High School stood tall atop a hill, offered a view stretching far into the distance, with the mountains silently witnessing the students' youthful days. Axka sat with his friends —the four of them on one of the benches at the hallway outside facing the view. The school’s arch towered behind them, casting long shadows across as the late morning sun climbed higher. Yet, despite the breathtaking view, Axka’s worries remained ever-present. The beauty around them did little to ease his concern for Mika.

Aime, his eyes still fixed on the stunning scenery while holding his food, remarked, “This view never gets old, eh? I dare say the camp's nowhere near as nice.”

Takoda picked up on this, turning to the group with a thoughtful look. “Yeah, speaking of the camp, any guesses on where it’s at?”

Axka glanced at both of them, momentarily shifting his focus. “No idea. I just hope it’s held here; it’s more manageable.” Smitty added with a speculative tone, “It’s probably in the middle of nowhere, considering how secretive they’ve been about it.”

The conversation soon shifted back to Axka’s immediate concerns—Mika and the arrangements made for him. Although brief, the speculation about the camp’s location only added to the challenges Axka was already facing.

Takoda nodded, his stare still on the horizon. “So, Axka, you’ve been quiet. Everything planned out for Mika?”

“Yeah,” Axka began, his voice steady, though his chest tightened with every word. He swallowed the weight of his fears, forcing a calm expression.

Smitty, casually unwrapping his sandwich, looked up. “Who's covering for you during the day, then? And what about dinner?”

The question hit like a reminder of Axka’s constant juggling act, the lingering financial strain pulling back of his mind. They paused longer than intended, the silence thickening. “Well, I’ve arranged UrbanWheels for his school runs and food deliveries for his lunch while I’m—”

Before Axka could finish, Aime jumped in with a light tease, “What, no dinner plans?!”

Takoda shot Aime a slightly annoyed look, while Smitty quickly added, “He’s not as rich as you, Negus.” Axka exhaled slowly, the tension in his chest barely easing. “I was just about to get to that,” he muttered, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

Takoda leaned forward, his expression serious for once. “How about I cover the dinners? Make sure Mika has everything he needs.”

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The offer was generous—too generous. Axka’s heart swelled with appreciation, but a twinge of guilt crept in. He hated relying on others, especially when they had their own struggles.

“No, it’s your money,” he started, trying to force a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “But thanks, really. I’ll manage.”

Takoda’s concern didn’t fade. “If I ever find you stuck, we’ll just use my plan.”

“Thanks, man. But don’t worry, I always find a way,” Axka managing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Aime and Smitty listened in silence, the weight of Axka’s situation clearly felt among them.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of their break, the mountains silently observed as Axka, and his friends headed back to their classes.

***

Later that night, after Axka prepared their dinner, the orphaned brothers sat down to eat. Yet, the warmth of the meal did little to ease the lingering chill of worry inside Axka.

While they were eating, Axka began to explain the plans for the days they would be at the camp. "Mika, on the days I'm... busy, I've arranged for a driver to pick you up from school. And for lunch, there'll be food delivered here."

Mika paused, his spoon mid-air. “You’ve been sent and picked me up since I was first grade.” Mika said, a determined edge in his voice.

“I can walk home now by myself now, y’know,” Mika said, a determined edge in his voice. “I’m not a little kid anymore. I can cook something, too. Really, I’ve got it.” His words were confident, almost as if he needed to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince Axka. His words were meant to comfort Axka, but it only heightened his worries.

“No,” Axka interrupted gently but firmly. “I need you to be safe. That’s my job, Mika.”

“But I can handle—”

“No ‘but’,” Axka cut him off, his voice softer now, yet filled with an unspoken urgency. The last thing he could bear was something happening to Mika. He couldn’t let that happen. Not again. “We’ll talk about this when you’re better.”

Mika tried to act confidence in his face, otherwise Axka would get worried about him again. “Okay, Axka. If you say so.”

After dinner, Mika insisted on helping with the cleanup. “If you don’t let me help, I’ll refuse to let the driver take me home,” he teased, flashing a smile. Axka chuckled, though his mind lingered on the thought of Mika limping home alone—too soon, too dangerous.

“Alright, alright,” Axka sighed, watching as Mika hobbled over to the table. He balanced himself carefully on one leg, using the other hand to steady himself as he wiped the surface. Axka’s chest tightened—Mika was trying so hard, he’s growing up but was it too soon? Was he really ready?

As Axka focused on washing the dishes, the sound of water splashing over plates felt almost distant, drowned beneath the hum of worry. Each sound of plastic plates against the sink brought a new wave of thoughts—plans, fears, unspoken truths. But Axka blinked the thought away.

“Need any help with the rest?” Mika voice snapped Axka, he brought the dirty table cloth to him.

“No, it’s alright. I’m almost finished here. Go on to bed,” Axka’s voice firm but not hard, hiding his concern behind a smile.

“Goodnight, Axka,” Mika said, his voice heavy with unspoken words.

As soon as Mika entered the bedroom, away from Axka’s watchful eyes, his thoughts weighed heavily on him:

He worries too much... but I don’t want to be a burden to him. I’m grown now. Why can’t he see that? Guilt tugged at Mika’s heart as he lay down. Axka worked so hard, did so much—all for me.

I wish I could do more. I wish I could take some of that burden off him

He felt a pang of guilt for the burden his brother carried, silently wishing he could ease Axka’s struggles.

Despite Axka’s efforts to shield him, Mika was acutely aware of the sacrifices being made. In the quiet night, his concern for Axka’s well-being. He closed his eyes, wishing for his brother to find peace amidst his struggles became a silent prayer to the ancestors above.

Once Axka finished everything, he opened the bedroom door to check on Mika, who was already asleep and peaceful.

“Good night Mika…” Axka whispered, even though Mika was deep in slumber and unaware of it. Axka then quickly prepared his things for the camp, making sure to be quiet and packed just enough.

Before wrapping up, Axka took out his phone and about to text Takoda about the plan to sneak out for the camp preparations, making sure that Mika wouldn’t notice his stuff.

Axka texted him:

Sworn Brother Takoda >:-D

online

I'm almost done w the packing <

I'll leave my stuff at your place so Mika won't get suspicious <

seen at 8:02 p.m.

> Im in my house, text me if ur done

sent at 8:04 p.m.

Axka moved quietly through the small apartment, packing only the essentials for the camp. His hands moved swiftly, but his mind raced, calculating every possible scenario. He couldn’t afford to leave Mika unprepared. Just enough. That’s all he needed to take—anything more would raise Mika’s suspicions. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he zipped his bag shut.

After finishing packing, Axka walked outside with his worn bag and slowly closed the door. While he stepped down to Takoda’s floor, he sent a new text to Takoda:

Sworn Brother Takoda >:-D

online

I'm outside <

seen at 8:11 p.m.

Takoda opened the door, standing there in a singlet and boxers. Axka immediately bit back a smirk. “Man, you look like an old ugly bastard from that cartoon porn from Ryuha,” he teased.

Takoda chuckled along. “Can’t take that position when you already taken it.” Axka continued his laugh with Takoda laughing harder, trying to ease up Axka’s worries over already things stuck in his mind.

Takoda stopped his laugh. “So, you'll take your brother first, then come back here?” Takoda asked casually, though there was an undercurrent of concern in his voice. He tried to play it cool, but Axka could sense the worry beneath his friend’s usual cheerfulness.

“Yeah, that’s the plan,” Axka confirmed, feeling a mix of relief and tension about the plan.

“Well, I think I’ll have to wait for you to return then,” Takoda remarked, a supportive note in his voice. Axka nodded in agreement.

“Hey, I’ve got to head to work early. Got a scolding last night,” Axka laughed off the tension. “Tough as nails, huh?” Takoda grinned but his eyes lingered on Axka, a glint of concern hidden beneath the usual playfulness.

“You know it.” Axka chuckled, trying to ease the tension. “See you tomorrow, bro.” As he walked away, the dark streets ahead seemed to stretch endlessly, each step a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.

“Alright, bro. Be careful at work,” Takoda called out, waving goodbye.

Axka nodded. The night stretched ahead of him, the darkness pressing in like a never-ending road. Each step felt heavier, weighed down by the thoughts of the coming days at the camp.

The streets were quiet, but in Axka’s mind, the noise was relentless—the what-ifs, the fears, the responsibilities.

What if something went wrong? What if the camp took him too far from Mika? Would he be able to come back in time if something happened?

The worry gnawed at him, no matter how much he tried to push it down. As the silence of the street enveloped him, one thought lingered at the edge of his mind, refusing to let go:

I just hope this camp will be fucking worth it.