Chapter 16- Heartfelt Moments (Part 2)

"You're becoming too emotional," I muttered, shifting uncomfortably in place.

"You're still a coward when it comes to emotions," my sister giggled, wiping the corner of her eye.

"I am not," I huffed, rolling my eyes.

"Arien Vale! Watch that attitude," my mother snapped, narrowing her eyes at me just in time to catch the eye roll.

Neris was now in full-blown laughter at my expense while my mother muttered something about "today's youngsters" and how we were impossible to deal with. She disappeared back into the kitchen, probably to stir something aggressively. I could already guess what my father was up to — most likely making another cup of coffee. That man's blood was probably 60 percent caffeine by now. 

"If it were me in your place, would you blame me?" I asked quietly.

"Huh? What?" Neris blinked, caught off guard.

"I mean," I said, a little more boldly now, "if you had been the one handling all the responsibilities back then... would you have blamed me?"

"Of course not! You're my sister," she said immediately, like the answer was obvious.

I looked at her, this time feigning a serious face. "Then what made you feel like you weren't my sister? Or that I didn't think of you as one?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Neris said dryly, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly! I was wondering the same — what kind of nonsense have you been cooking up in that head of yours?", I asked exasperatedly. "I mean I know you have such a beautiful sister to think of but still you should contain yourself"

She didn't reply right away. Then, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Not as beautiful as me," she quipped, flipping her hair dramatically — or at least attempting to, only for it to get caught on the zipper of her half-packed bag.

I burst out laughing. "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that. Let me know when the mirror finally agrees."

She rolled her eyes but grinned, untangling her hair with an exaggerated sigh. "The mirror loves me. You're just jealous."

"Oh absolutely," I said with mock seriousness.

"I meant what I said, though," she added. "You've always had my back. Even when we weren't close. And... I think I finally realized how much that meant to me."

I didn't know what to say to that — so I just leaned forward and bumped her shoulder with mine.

"No takebacks," I muttered. "You already admitted I'm the better sister."

"In your dreams," she huffed, shoving me lightly.

Before either of us could fire off another comeback, we heard footsteps approaching from the kitchen.

Our mom reappeared first, wiping her hands on a towel, her eyes narrowing at the sight of us sitting idly beside an open, half-packed bag.

"You two haven't finished yet?" she asked, already reaching to rearrange Neris's clothes for the third time. "Honestly, do I have to supervise everything myself?"

Right behind her came Dad, coffee mug in hand, wearing that usual half-smile he always had. He patted both our heads.

"Oh yeah! Neris, don't forget to take this taser with you," I said enthusiastically.

"Why specifically a taser?" my father asked, taking it and turning it over in his hands.

"Because it can make those Saurus guys vomit their guts out," I grinned. "I live-tested it on one of them."

"Yeah, right!" Neris snorted.

"I'm serious. My friends and I met that Virel guy from the Saurus," I said earnestly.

Dad raised an eyebrow, glancing between the taser and me. "Vomit their guts out? What exactly have you been doing while we've been worrying about world-ending skies and mysterious organizations?"

"Research," I said innocently, folding my arms. "Highly scientific, incredibly brave, and absolutely necessary research."

"Fantastic," Dad muttered, setting the taser down on the table. "We've raised a genius. A mad genius."

Mom groaned. "Please don't encourage her. Next thing I know, she'll be wiring the microwave to launch fireworks."

I opened my mouth to say that was actually a great idea — but Neris beat me to it with a firm, "No. Don't give her more ideas."

"Fine, fine." I raised both hands. "No more scientific breakthroughs tonight."

Dad chuckled, finishing his coffee with a satisfied sigh. "Well, at least if anything happens, I can rest easy knowing you'll be the most equipped — even with nothing in your hands."

"Technically," Neris said, mock-stern, "you're a menace."

I shrugged, arms crossed. "And proud of it. One of us has to hold down the chaos fort while the other joins a secret interdimensional hero organization."

Mom sat down next to the bag and gave Neris a long look, her tone quieter now. "Are you sure you packed everything? Toothpaste, socks, that hair oil you complain about but always end up using?"

Neris rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom. For the third time, everything's in there."

"I just... want you to be ready," Mom murmured, smoothing down the zipper one last time. Her hands lingered, like she didn't want to let go.

The silence that followed stretched a little too long.

And that's when my stomach decided to break it — with a dramatic growl that could rival a thunderstorm.

We all burst into laughter.