Skyler lay in the built-in bathtub with his eyes closed, humming. It was peaceful and wonderful because he enjoyed taking baths, especially cold ones. That’s why, even after scrubbing himself clean, he stayed in the bath and didn’t go out for quite some time.
But the peace shattered when he heard a loud sound of something breaking outside. The sound was so loud that despite the soundproof walls, it reached his ears.
"What’s going on now??"
He stepped out of the bathtub, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste.
Cursing under his breath, he pulled on his briefs and trousers before rushing out of the bathroom without bothering with the rest of his clothes.
His face blanched as the ground trembled beneath him. Had his house been attacked by villains or something?? He bolted out of his room, only to freeze as Charles’s form slammed into the wall near his room.
"Who the hell!"
Skyler roared, his eyes darkening at the sight of the coughing young man. He drew his spear and turned, ready to fight whoever had dared trespass in his house and harmed Charles, but paused when he saw Jenny standing amidst the wrecked living room.
She has halted as well, likely drawn by the sound of his voice and the sight of him. In her hand was the familiar water whip, which was coiled around Riruru’s small figure, who was struggling to break free.
Jenny parted her lips, seeing him. Startled to see he had reached the middle stage of 4-star. How did he do that?
"Sky...?"
Skyler clenched his spear, anger evident in his gaze, and he raised his voice.
"Jenny Ironhart!"
She looked shocked at how he had called out her full name. Before she could recover, Riruru broke free from her whip and with all her speed rushed toward Skyler. Jenny’s eyes widened, and she followed.
"Be careful—"
Her words were cut short, her footsteps coming to a stop as she finally noticed her brother’s dark expression. He actually bent down to let the snake climb his arm.
"You... that’s a dangerous monster!"
She shouted, but Skyler’s glare silenced her. He stroked Riruru, his eyes filled with worry, shocking his sister who watched him.
"Are you okay, Ri? You can tell me if that person hurt you anywhere."
He was relieved to find no injuries on her body. But his eyes narrowed because, from what he had witnessed when he arrived, it was clear that only Jenny had attacked.
"Why didn’t you fight back?"
Riruru blinked back, telling him she didn’t understand what he was saying, and Skyler had no idea what to do with her anymore.
Charles groaned behind him and stumbled to his feet, glaring daggers at Skyler’s head. He had only been hit by one strike, yet he felt as if all his organs were shaken.
"You sure took your sweet time in the bath. I nearly died without even knowing why."
Skyler turned to him, completely ignoring Jenny, who looked as if she had a hundred questions she wanted to ask him.
"What actually went down here?"
Charles patted his clothes clean.
"I don’t know. I was in the room when I heard the commotion. When I came out, I saw that woman..."
He pointed at Jenny, who flinched.
"...attacking Riruru. So, I rushed to help, but as you saw, I was flung back. That’s it."
Skyler rubbed his temples, trying to ease the throbbing pain. He couldn’t believe the short time he spent in the bath had caused such a commotion. Still, it was his fault.
"Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I should have informed my family about you, but I thought I would just talk to my parents when they’re back. I had no idea she... would be back so suddenly when she hadn’t for years."
Charles was surprised by the heartfelt apology. It seems despite his mischievous nature, Skyler knew how to apologize. Even adults often found it difficult to do so.
Still, he wondered why Skyler called that lady ’she’ instead of ’sister’, when the way she entered the house so easily and talked with him made it obvious they were family.
Was their relationship strained? Well, it wasn’t his place to interfere.
"I’m fine. Nothing serious. Just..."
Charles leaned in closer and whispered.
"You know ’she’ is glaring at me. Her blue eyes are scary, unlike yours. Go handle your matter. I will wait in your room."
He patted his shoulder and entered his room, leaving behind a few words.
"Also, put on a shirt, will you? Riruru is taking advantage of you."
Skyler blinked and glanced at Riruru, and Charles was right because her lower body was roaming around his waist.
"Riruru."
He called out, and she looked at him with an aggrieved look in her eyes. She had even restrained herself from attacking Jenny for his sake, yet he was still getting angry!
With a sigh, Skyler let her be. He turned to Jenny who hadn’t moved from her place.
"Don’t just attack anyone if they aren’t attacking you first... At least, know who they are before you attack."
Jenny stared at him. Though she was clearly the stronger of the two, she couldn’t understand why he seemed so much more powerful standing before her. She had seen him during the preliminary test, standing on the battle stage so confidently. At that time, she could still see her little brother within him. The little brother she knew.
However, in such a short time, her little brother had transformed so drastically that she could barely recognize him. His voice and face had matured.
It finally dawned on her that the brother she knew had grown up. When did this happen? She hadn’t even noticed. Was it because of her? Because she left him to die? Or was it because she, like others, felt ashamed of him for awakening such a low potential?
She hadn’t come back home all these years, ignored him. Did that change him? So much had gone down between them... could they really go back to the way they were?
"I..."
Skyler saw the complicated emotions swirling in her eyes. He scoffed inwardly because he knew what she wanted to say. He recognized the look on her face—regret.
However, amidst the regret, he could also see something else—frustration. That’s why he wasn’t ready to listen, not yet. He would forgive her. How could he not? She was his older sister. But not now. He would forgive her when she genuinely wanted him to.
So, he changed the subject.
"Why are you back?"
Jenny swallowed the apology that was at the tip of her lips. She glanced around.
"This is my home too..."
Skyler wanted to ask her then why the hell she hadn’t come back for so long, but he held back. Instead, he nodded at her.
"Sorry... I brought a friend home. I didn’t know you would be here. So, you should apologize to him. He is my guest, and you attacked him. As for Riruru, don’t touch her again. Because I won’t stand for it."
Jenny’s eyes widened in alarm. Does he even know how powerful that snake is? It could kill him with a single strike! And he’s protecting it instead of taking her side?
"Sky!"
She exclaimed, her voice rising in indignation and laced with disbelief.
"That snake is very dangerous! You can’t sense it because you are weak, but I can!"
Skyler tilted his head, not surprised at all. Riruru had killed two powerful villains in the crystal in front of him. He didn’t need anyone to tell him just how strong she was.
"It doesn’t matter."
He said dismissively.
"Just mind your own business... like how you did when I was standing on the Battle Stage in the preliminary test and needed a weapon to fight, yet you didn’t offer one despite knowing how desperately I needed it."
Jenny’s eyes trembled. So this was why he was so angry? This was why he was siding with that snake instead of his own sister? She knew she had made some mistakes, but she was ready to own up to them!
"It was better for you to leave that stage! You know that too! You were angering the crowd around you by staying on that Battle stage! They would have attacked you the moment you had left the stage! Even if Max, I, and the others had helped you, we weren’t strong enough to fight so many people!"
Skyler closed his eyes.
This is why he didn’t want to hear her apology. She still hadn’t truly understood what she did wrong. They weren’t even yet talking about the time when she left him to die. Maybe she just didn’t want to admit it.
He couldn’t understand why she was trying to justify her actions. He didn’t ask for it and it wouldn’t make them right.
"Jenny, did I ever ask for your help? Did I ever ask you and Max to come down from the stage to help me? No, I never asked. All you had to do was throw me a weapon. But you didn’t. Just admit it, you wanted me to get down from the Battle Stage because you thought I wasn’t worthy. So, your friends who are worthy could climb it."
He wanted to say more but stopped when her eyes turned red, as if she were about to cry, and sighed. He was still shirtless, so he turned away with a dismissive tone.
"Let’s just drop it. We both know it wasn’t just about the weapon. It was about trust, and you didn’t trust me. Please clean up the living room before Mom and Dad get back. You’re the one who made the mess."