Nathan was still seated on the couch, his face tense. Validia sat beside him, her eyes fixed on the TV screen, which now displayed wild analyses and speculation from various reporters.
Validia parted her lips, about to speak—when the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the stairs.
"Eh? What happened to you two?"
A cheerful voice cut through the heavy atmosphere.
A small girl in a yellow hoodie with slightly messy hair stood at the edge of the living room. Lily—Nathan's little sister—looked at them with a flat expression, barely surprised by her brother's torn clothes and bruises.
Nathan frowned. "Why are you so calm?"
Lily shrugged. "You left in such a rush earlier, it reminded me I had a mountain of English homework… so I kinda panicked. But then I saw the news… and fell asleep, hehe."
Validia blinked slowly. "You're not scared?"
