Rebirth: Awaken, Milady

16 - The Beginning (3)

Aria and Julius were sitting next to each other in comfortable clothes.

Their hands held a gaming console that was being smashed every second.

The huge television screen displayed two Sm*sh Bros characters fighting and smacking each other with all their might.

"Ahhhh! Kirby!!!!!"

"..I win, brother. We are not ordering pizza takeout. Stop. Eating. Pizza. Everyday," Aria's grip on the controller loosened as she saw her character being displayed as the winner.

Aria stood up and took a bottle of orange juice out from the pantry and poured two glasses worth.

Coming back, she placed one glass in front of Julius.

"Here,"

Julius took a sip and sighed.

His next words went on another topic.

"...Was that you?" Julius' suspecting eyes landed itself on Aria.

Aria knew he was talking about the 'savior' incident.

"Hmm?" Aria hummed.

"Don't play dumb, c'mon!" Julius poked his sister on the cheeks.

"Yesh, yesh it ish me, now releash me before I cut your fingersh off," Aria glared.

"Aww! Our little kitten has grown up to bite!"

"..." Aria stayed silent.

"Then... all I have to say is.. Don't worry. We'll support you. No matter what,"

"What if I killed her without a good reason? What if the gates were caused by me?" Aria turned her head to look at her brother with a slightly agitated face.

"Aria," Julius' voice turned cold. His right hand moved towards her.

Aria flinched.

Indeed, she was still hesitant on whether her family would unconditionally accept her actions.

Aria thought she was going to get hit for the wrongdoings. She braced herself and didn't dodge.

However, what came wasn't a punch or a slap. It was a soft pat on the head.

"Remember this. No matter what the reason is, your safety is the most important thing.

I'm sure you wouldn't bat an eye if I killed the same woman in front of you?" Julius was serious.

Although the conversation might sound crazy to others, Aria was nothing but touched in this current scenario.

Her lips curved into an arch as she mocked herself for her worries.

This was the same family who she abandoned for Noir in the past. The same family who tried to rescue her and got killed as a result.

The same family that she now treasures and loves above anything else.

"I understand, brother,"

"That's good. Keep it moderate, though. You never know,"

"Roger,"

"...Another round?" Julius lightly coughed as he pressed a button, making the screen change into the character selection screen.

"Sure.. But I'm taking K*rby this time,"

"No! That's- too overpowered! No no no you can't do that to meeee.... Shit," Julius' fingers were smashing the button repeatedly in order to get to K*rby earlier. He cursed when he saw that Aria had already chosen the pink gumball creature first.