Kai skipped the training hall that evening. For once, he just wanted to go home. The apartment was quiet when he stepped inside. The faint hum of the city filtered through the windows, a constant reminder of the world outside. It was a small, unimpressive place, but it was enough. More importantly, it was safe—away from prying eyes and constant questions.
"I'm back," he called out.
"Welcome home!" a cheerful voice echoed from the back.
His younger sister rushed into the hallway, stopping in front of him with a bright smile. Unlike Kai, she didn't carry the weight of their world. She had no hidden tension or constant alertness. She was just normal, and that alone made the apartment feel like a different world.
"You're late again," she said, crossing her arms playfully.
Kai slipped off his jacket. "Work."
She squinted at him, unimpressed. "You always say that."
Before he could come up with a better excuse, a knock sounded at the door. They both froze.
"Are you expecting someone?" she asked.
Kai frowned. "No."
He walked back to the door and swung it open. He froze. Aria was standing there, her hands buried in her jacket pockets and her expression unreadable.
"You going to let me in?" she asked.
Kai blinked, caught off guard. "What are you doing here?"
"Checking if you're still alive," she replied, stepping past him into the apartment without waiting for an invitation.
His sister's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh?"
Aria stopped in her tracks when she saw her. "You didn't tell me you had company."
"Didn't think I needed to," Kai muttered, closing the door.
His sister stepped closer, her face full of curiosity. "Hi there."
Aria nodded back, looking a bit stiff. "Hi."
The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions. Then, his sister went for it: "Are you my brother's girlfriend?"
Kai nearly choked on his own breath. "What?"
Aria's calm mask shattered instantly. She stood there, completely stunned. "I—what?"
Kai rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. "Just ignore her."
But his sister wasn't finished. "You came to his apartment," she pointed out logically. "And you're pretty."
Aria's face turned a light shade of red. "That's not—it isn't like that."
"She's a colleague," Kai cut in quickly.
His sister looked from Kai to Aria, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "That's even more suspicious."
Aria cleared her throat and looked away. "We just work together."
"So... not the girlfriend?"
"No," Aria said, perhaps a little too fast.
Kai noticed the rush in her voice. His sister definitely noticed it too. "Hmm."
The tension broke after that, replaced by a lighter, warmer mood. Aria sat on the couch, glancing around the small space. "I didn't expect this," she admitted.
Kai leaned against the wall. "Expect what?"
She shrugged. "Something colder. More like you."
He didn't have an answer for that. His sister returned with drinks, placing them on the table with a grin. "So, you're a Hunter too?"
Aria nodded. "Yeah."
"Are you strong?"
A faint smirk played on Aria's lips. "Strong enough."
"That's so cool," his sister beamed.
Kai watched them quietly. He hadn't seen this side of Aria before—relaxed, a little awkward, and human. After a while, his sister left the room to give them some space, though she didn't miss the chance to give Kai one last "I'm watching you" look.
The room grew quiet again. Aria leaned back into the cushions. "Your sister is... energetic."
"She keeps things normal," Kai said.
"You need that," Aria said softly. Kai didn't argue. She was right.
Aria's expression shifted, turning serious. "You're losing control, Kai."
She didn't sugarcoat it. Kai lowered his gaze. "I know."
"What happened back there... that wasn't normal," she whispered, leaning forward.
Kai didn't deny it. "It's getting harder to hold back."
Aria watched him for a long moment. "Then stop fighting it alone."
Kai looked her in the eyes. "You trust me that much?"
"Yeah," she said. There was no hesitation. It was simple, direct, and completely real.
For a brief second, Kai's expression softened. "Don't regret it."
Aria smirked. "I won't."
Later that night, as Aria stood at the door to leave, she glanced back over her shoulder. "Next mission, don't hold back so much."
"No promises," Kai replied, leaning against the doorframe.
She rolled her eyes and stepped out into the hall. The door closed quietly, leaving Kai alone in the silence. He stood there for a moment, then looked down. His shadow stretched across the floor—dark, still, but no longer silent. It didn't feel like something he could ignore anymore.