Nolan clenched his fists, his earlier bravado crumbling under the weight of the truth he couldn’t deny. Kai wasn’t just some stupid bird, as he accused him of being; he was that. And if his brother had taken him along, then the danger he’d faced must have been...
No. He wouldn’t think about that. Not now.
Instead, he lifted his chin, meeting his brother’s gaze with renewed determination.
"Brother—I’m strong now!" he declared, voice ringing with conviction. "I awakened a month ago! I even got a powerful resonance gift!"
His brother’s expression softened, a distant emotion flickering in his mercury eyes. "Good. I’m happy for you."
Nolan’s chest swelled, and for a moment, he couldn’t resist shooting a smug glance at Kai—See? My brother’s proud of ME—but the bird’s knowing smirk made him bite back his gloating. Right. This wasn’t the time to brag.
Then, an idea struck him.
"Brother," he said slowly, a grin spreading across his face. "You won’t return with me, right?"
"..." His brother hesitated. "...Yes. So you should return—"
"Hehe." Nolan cut him off with a laugh, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Then it’s decided! I’m gonna stay with you here!"
His brother and Kai tilted their heads in perfect unison, their expressions identically dumbfounded.
Then, almost imperceptibly, his brother’s lips twitched.
This was so like the Little Moon.
Acting all clever and composed, but beneath that polished exterior? Stubborn as a boulder and just as immovable. Once he set his mind to something, no force in the moon or the earth could dissuade him.
His brother sighed, rubbing his temples.
This foolish, stubborn little brother of his.
"I know you won’t agree, but you can’t," Nolan cut in, lifting his chin with a smugness that could rival the sun. "Because I already got a job here. Starting today, I am the Honorary Custodian of this establishment. So, you can’t drive me away even if you want to."
His brother stared at him.
Kai blinked, tilting his head. "Honorary... what?"
Nolan’s grin widened, his nose and pointy ears practically pointing skyward with pride. "That’s right. A prestigious position, I’ll have you know. Only I can do it, the job was destined for me."
"..." Thankfully, the little moon didn’t notice his brother’s lips twitching.
"!" Kai blinked again, his bird brain working at full speed.
It glanced at his brother and looked back at Nolan, squinting its eyes.
Nolan’s proud grin faltered. "...What?"
For a long moment, his brother simply looked at him—that infuriating, knowing look that had always made Nolan feel like he’d missed something obvious. Then, slowly, his brother exhaled, rubbing his temple as if fighting off a headache.
"...Honorary Custodian, right?" he repeated, voice carefully neutral.
"Yes!" Nolan declared, puffing up. "A high position, bestowed upon me by the shop’s manager themself!"
Kai couldn’t hold itself back anymore, it suddenly let out a choked noise. "Wait. Waitwaitwait—" The bird flapped his wings frantically. "You mean—you actually think—"
"Kai." His brother’s voice was mild, but the bird snapped his beak shut with an audible click.
Nolan frowned. "...What?"
His brother studied him for another heartbeat, then sighed, shaking his head. "...Never mind."
For a brief, glorious moment, his brother considered telling Nolan the truth—that "Honorary Custodian" was just a fancy title for janitor, that the clever human manager had played him like a lute. Watching his little brother’s face crumple in outrage would be hilarious.
On second thought, this might work in his favor.
If Nolan stayed as a "custodian," he’d inevitably realize the deception. The humiliation would be unbearable for his prideful little brother—he’d storm out within a week, maybe even leave on his own entirely.
Yes. That could work.
And in the meantime... well, he could keep an eye on him. And figure out another way, and then another in case the first two fail.
"...Alright," his brother said at last, his voice carefully neutral. " If you’re so determined... you can stay and work as a... Honorary Custodian."
Nolan’s eyes lit up like twin moons. "Really?!"
"Oh yeah!" Nolan beamed with joy.
Kai wheezed like he was dying and opened its beak. "Wait, hold on—"
His brother shot the bird a warning look. Kai snapped his beak shut with an indignant peep.
His brother ignored them both, turning toward the window with a thoughtful expression. "Though I should warn you... the work may not be as glamorous as you imagine."
"Pfft. Please." Nolan waved a hand dismissively. "I’ve already proven myself today! The manager was impressed by my skills!"
"Oh, I’m sure they were," his brother murmured, lips curving slightly.
Kai made another strangled noise.
Nolan narrowed his eyes. "...Why do I feel like you’re laughing at me?"
"Perish the thought," his brother said solemnly.
Nolan, still oblivious, was practically vibrating with triumph the next moment. "Then it’s settled! I’ll start properly tomorrow!" He spun on his heel, already marching toward the door—then paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "...You’re not going to disappear again, are you?"
The quiet vulnerability in his voice made his brother’s chest tighten.
"...No," he lied smoothly. "I’ll be here."
Nolan’s shoulders relaxed, his smile returning full force. "Good! Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Brother!"
And with that, he swept out of the room, his cloak billowing behind him like a banner of victory.
The door clicked shut.
"WHAT WAS THAT?! You’re just going to let him stay?! As a janitor?!"
His brother exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "It’s for the best. He’ll leave on his own soon enough."
"And if he doesn’t?!"
"...Then I’ll think of something else."
Kai groaned, flopping onto the desk with a dramatic thump. "You two brothers are impossible."
His brother chuckled, reaching out to ruffle the bird’s feathers. "You knew that when you chose to follow me."
Kai grumbled but didn’t argue.
Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, its silver light still spilling through the window.
His brother’s gaze drifted toward it, his expression unreadable.
He had a feeling this wasn’t going to be as simple as he’d hoped.