Realization

Shortly after they continued their stroll from the closed kindergarten school, they reached one of the many entrances to the nature park located in Mt. Tierra Subdivision phase 3.

"From here, it's just a bit of walking down the path and we'll be in the nature park in no time," Elesis pointed out as they've gone past the entrance.

Not long since they entered through the nature park's entrance, Elesis looked at the silver-haired girl with curious crimson eyes.

"How are you doing, Callisto?"

Callisto's breath was caught in her throat as Elesis's question reverberated through all four of her ears.

"Yes?"

"I just remembered when I was doing my research for my report back then, the reason you quit kindergarten was because you were sick. Although it was never specified in any news what kind of illness you had."

"... I see," Callisto uttered after a short silence.

For a second, Callisto thought someone had finally figured out about her situation. An internal sigh of relief escaped her lips as Elesis revealed she couldn't find any information about what kind of illness befell Callisto.

As for the reason why no information was out there, it was thanks to Raymond.

Raymond and Adela usually found their names on news headlines because they are very well known individuals who attract interest much more than the typical news. It was simply impossible to hide from the hungry pens of news journalists once they've caught wind of anything news-worthy surrounding the two of them.

And so, to avoid potential problems, Adela and Raymond simply give away what those who crave the news what they wanted.

Information. Answers. Context.

Doing so allowed them to manipulate what kind of information would come out in public.

That was how Raymond was able to hide the fact that they've performed the MDF on Leona after it got out that his elder daughter passed away. That was how Raymond was able to hide the fact that their daughters suffered from the same incurable genetic disorder, keeping the curious eyes of the public away from Callisto after what happened with Leona.

With her nerves returning to a state of calm, Callisto's lips parted to give Elesis an answer.

"Well, unlike before, I'm totally fine right now."

"I see. I'm glad you do," Elesis replied, a soft smile played on her lips. "So does that mean you're going back to school this year?"

"Yeah."

Callisto answered Elesis so quickly it was almost as if she had been waiting for someone to ask her that question for a while.

"I'm planning to go to Silangan High this year," Callisto added, a glint of excitement and anticipation in her sky-blue marbles. "But first, I have to go through the Educational Placement Test because I've never done actual home-schooling. It was only Mama and Papa who taught me everything I know now."

Elesis's forehead wrinkled with concern.

"But isn't the Educational Placement Test something that only happens every november," she questioned. "There's still a few more days before April ends."

"Yes," Callisto replied, maintaining her stride forward with the same pace along with the red head. "But Papa was able to make it so that I could take the exam one week before the school year starts."

Elesis let out a gasp following Callisto's statement, amazed by Raymond Mandjet's ability to rearrange the dates of something like the EPT just for his daughter.

"Your father must have insane connection with a lot of people," remarked Elesis.

"Yeah. So my plan after getting a job today is to study as much as I can."

A bulb suddenly lit up beside Elesis. She raised a finger in the air.

"In that case, would you like to borrow my books," she suggested. "I go to Silangan High and I'll be in 10th grade this year. If you do well, we could be classmates again!"

Elesis was beaming an eager smile. She seemed like she really wanted to be of assistance and wouldn't take no for an answer. Realizing that, Callisto's lips parted.

"I'll gladly take you up on that offer then."

"Yeah! I look forward to becoming classmates again," Elesis uttered with enthusiasm.

Eventually, they reached the center of the nature park. As they would expect, there were a number of people admiring the scenery and the sounds of nature just like them.

They sat on an empty wooden bench to take a breather after a while of walking.

"It's nice to be connected with nature like this, huh," Callisto commented, her eyes continued their exploration around them.

"Callisto, look!" Elesis suddenly raised her voice after her breath hitched in her throat, drawing Callisto's attention towards her. "Look at what that kingfisher's got in its mouth."

"Where?"

"There!"

The red head raised her arm to point towards a tree branch of a nearby tree where the kingfisher was.

"It's got fish."

Kik-kik-kik-kik!

"It's not eating it, though," Elesis noticed. "Is it for the baby? Or is it lost? It's just making noises."

"It's not lost, nor is the food for the baby," Callisto said in a low voice, her gaze remained on the kingfisher. "It's singing. It's courting another kingfisher with a song and an offering."

"Huh?"

Just as Elesis gave the silver-haired girl a puzzled look, a sound similar to the kingfisher's echoed around the nature park.

Kik-kik-kik-kik!

Kik-kik-kik!

A soft smile played on Callisto's lips.

"Oh, there she is."

Elesis's gaze returned to the tree branch and found that there were now two kingfishers right next to one another.

The male one faced the female one, offering the fish it captured. A shocked gasp escaped Elesis as the female kingfisher accepted the offering.

"Looks like the two of them just became partners," Callisto's voice resonated around them as her eyes followed the two kingfishers flying together until they disappeared from view. "It's like a romance anime."

She then turned to face Elesis who seemed at a loss for words as she stared back at Callisto.

"I'm surprised," Elesis mouthed. "To think you can tell what's going on just by looking and listening to them... you must have been reading a ton during your free time, huh."

A soft chuckle escaped Callisto's lips.

"Well, I do read things other than novels, but it was obvious what's going on just by watching."

Elesis shook her head in response. "Not for me though. I mean it's not like I can understand what the kingfishers were saying, so."

"Huh?"

Confusion struck Callisto following the red head's reply.

"Can't you understand what they said?"

"Huh?"

Elesis was struck with confusion as well.

"Not at all. Although I wish I could. That would've been amazing."

As the words escaped the oblivious red head's lips, a defeaning period of silence followed. Then, it started sinking in for Callisto as she fell into thought.

"Why can I understand them?"

A cold, glistening sweat ran down Callisto's cheeks.