A Divine One

Chapter 3 Loyal Family flies

The brother and sister, Lucile and Rozen, embarked on a leisurely stroll toward the park, engaging in a reminiscing conversation about their school experiences and recent events - a quintessentially familiar exchange between siblings. Meandering through the somber neighborhoods on their route to the main park they frequented, they were accompanied by a cacophony of cawing crows swirling through the sky, while a brisk, biting wind tousled their hair under the overcast gray skies intermittently showering them with gentle raindrops. Upon finally arriving at the park's entrance, their initial excitement dimmed as they observed the park's altered appearance. "Remember when this park used to look so much brighter when we were younger bro?" lamented Lucile, briskly striding in as Rozen trailed behind, taking in the nostalgic sights of the park he once knew so well.

"It feels like the size of this place are shrinking, little bro," she said as Rozen observed, noting the weathered aspects of the once pristine park.

"Although it may look a bit weathered now, what can we really do about it?" Rozen pondered aloud, scrutinizing the familiar surroundings, his eyes eventually settling on his cherished swing - the sanctuary where he'd often lose himself in contemplation. Making his way towards it, Rozen settled onto the swing, gently swaying back and forth, lost in his thoughts, much like the way one would ponder during a shower. Beside him, Lucile occupied the adjacent swing, mirroring his motion but with a velocity that signified a contrasting air of liveliness.

They swung on the swings just like the old times they had spent there with their parents when they were much younger. Lucile couldn't help but smile as she recalled the feeling of wind on her face and the simultaneous movement of swinging. Rozen, on the other hand, mirrored her actions but with a tinge of sorrow evident in his expression. Despite their differing emotions, they continued to sway back and forth, with Lucile eventually turning to face her brother.

"Hey little bro, what's with the sadness on your face?" she inquired, adjusting her swinging pace to focus on Rozen's response.

Pausing momentarily, Rozen slowed down and swept his wind-tousled hair from his eyes before opening up about his lingering thoughts.

"I can't shake off that moment at the house with Dad. I fear being seen as a failure, especially to him, given my role as the eldest son," he confessed, his gaze fixed downwards as he swung at a reduced speed. Reflecting on recent conversations, he added,

"I overheard you and Mother talking; perhaps Father didn't mean what he said." Lucile said.

Despite his heavy emotions, Rozen remained despondent, caught in a swirl of regret over past actions and academic struggles. Recognizing his turmoil, Lucile stepped off her swing and tenderly embraced her brother, offering a glimmer of hope.

"Hey, little bro, I have an idea," she proposed, retrieving $30 from her pocket with a bright smile. "Why not give Mother and Father a gift? It may not be grand, but it's the love behind it that matters. Sometimes, the simplest gestures can bring the most comfort."

Intrigued by her suggestion, Rozen inspected the crumpled money in his palm, uncertain yet willing to entertain the idea of finding closure through a heartfelt gesture. "A gift?" he echoed, raising a hesitant gaze to his sister.

"It may not be much but, you know what they say, sometimes the smallest gift makes someone happy the most," said Lucile as Rozen took the money, his expression transforming from dejection to a hesitant smile as he straightened up on the swing.

"Thanks, sis. Maybe this will help me find some peace and begin anew," he mused, his demeanor transitioning from sorrow to newfound resolve.

Observing her brother's changed countenance, Lucile beamed with pride, witnessing the shift from despondency to hope reflected in Rozen's transformed expression. As they stood side by side, sharing a moment of healing and reconciliation, Lucile's heart swelled with contentment, grateful for the simple act that had sparked a profound change in her brother.