"Estelle?" Rosette froze the moment she saw her sister standing in the living room, talking with Bryan and James. Her surprise deepened when her eyes fell on the gentle curve of Estelle's belly.
"You don't look too happy to see me," Estelle teased, pulling her into a hug.
"Of course I am! You just surprised me. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Rosette said, glancing at Bryan.
"Five months pregnant," Estelle said proudly, her hand resting on her stomach. "We wanted to surprise you. And… there's something else."
She handed Rosette an envelope. Inside was an acceptance letter.
"Remember the college application we gave you before we left?" Bryan said. "Estelle thought you might not send it, so she applied for you. And you got in."
Rosette stared at the letter, speechless. Estelle smiled softly. "It's a rare opportunity. Bryan had business here, but I also came to bring you back. James thinks it's a good idea too."
"You should think about your future," James said gently. "You can't volunteer at the charity forever."
Rosette looked down at the letter again. She knew they meant well — but for some reason, her heart felt heavy. Why did it feel like she was about to lose something precious?
"Just think about it, okay?" Estelle said, squeezing her hand.
"Dranred! What are you doing? Is that arm even fully healed?" Charlie's voice cut through the sound of the baseball hitting the net.
Dranred froze mid-motion and looked back at his uncle. "I'm fine. It's been two months since I last held a ball. I just want to make sure my arm's in good condition."
"You're reckless," Charlie muttered, crossing his arms. "So, it's true then?"
Dranred smiled faintly. "So you've heard."
"Peter told me," Charlie said. "You're joining the Guardians?"
"That's right. We'll be on the same team soon," Dranred said, trying to sound light. The Guardians — a Major League team, Charlie's team — had offered him a spot after seeing his performance at the World Cup. They'd been hesitant because of his injury, but after the tournament, the decision had been easy.
"I didn't expect you'd really take the offer," Charlie said, half proud, half worried.
Dranred grinned. "Don't tell me you're about to cry." He threw another pitch, the ball slicing through the air with practiced precision.
Charlie chuckled, then grew serious. "Does Rosette know? You're leaving in a month."
The question made Dranred pause, his grip tightening around the ball. "How could I possibly tell her that I'm leaving?" he said quietly before throwing again.
"She's not narrow-minded, Dranred. If she loves you, she'll understand," Charlie said.
After Charlie left, Dranred tried to focus on his throws, but the weight of his uncle's words stayed with him. He didn't hear James come in until the door creaked open.
"You're at it again," James said with a knowing sigh. Ever since they'd reconciled, James often dropped by — sometimes to talk baseball, sometimes just to make sure Dranred wasn't overworking himself.
Dranred turned toward him with a half-smile. "You really can't resist checking up on me, can you?"
"Someone has to," James replied, shaking his head. "You'd pitch with a broken arm if you could."
"Looks like you're back in shape," James said as he stepped closer, grabbing a bat from the rack. "I'd like to be the first to hit your pitch now that you've recovered."
Dranred smirked. "Don't you have basketball practice? The finals are close."
"I'm running out of strategies," James replied, stepping into the batter's box. "Thought I'd clear my head. Maybe a few swings will help."
"So, that's your excuse for showing up here?" Dranred teased, throwing an easy pitch.
James swung and hit it cleanly. "Well, not entirely. I actually need to talk to you about something."
"What about?" Dranred asked, winding up for another throw.
"Rosette," James said simply.
The moment her name left his lips, Dranred's focus broke. The pitch veered off course, weak and uneven — an easy hit for James, who sent it flying toward the far side of the net.
"Whoa," James said with a laugh. "Maybe I should switch careers."
"What about Rosette?" Dranred asked again, ignoring the joke, his tone more serious now.
James placed the bat down gently. "You haven't proposed to her yet, have you?"
"Not yet. I just haven't found the right time," Dranred said, a faint unease rising in his chest. He wasn't sure where this conversation was headed.
"Good," James said.
"Good?" Dranred repeated, frowning.
"Don't look at me like that," James said, half-smiling. "You still have my approval. But I've been thinking about her future. She's spent so much of her life thinking about us — about the people around her. Don't you think it's time she focused on herself, too?"
Dranred's brow furrowed. "And your point is?"
"She was accepted into a college in Switzerland — where Estelle and Bryan live," James said, watching his friend closely. "I'm thinking of sending her there. It's for her own good… for her future. She's lived in darkness for ten years. It wouldn't hurt if—"
"I get the point," Dranred interrupted quietly. "What's Rosette's decision?"
"She hasn't said anything yet. Haven't you two talked?"
Dranred shook his head. "She hasn't mentioned it when we go out."
"Figures," James sighed. "I think she's hesitating because she doesn't want to—"
"Because of me?" Dranred asked, his voice tightening slightly.
"I don't know," James admitted. "She doesn't talk about it. Without realizing it, she's already grown into a woman capable of making her own choices. But in case she's hesitating because of you…"
James paused. He didn't need to finish the thought.
"I understand," Dranred said softly. He lowered his gaze. "You're right. She deserves to choose her own path — not stay tied to me because of love. I'll convince her to go with Estelle."
James saw the sadness flicker in his friend's eyes. "It won't be easy. But if you—"
"I can wait for her," Dranred said, his tone steady now. "She waited for me for more than ten years. What's three or four years compared to that?"
James smiled faintly. "That's good. I was expecting you to sulk and cry."
Dranred chuckled. "You really have a great way of encouraging people."
James laughed, shaking his head. "You'll do fine, Fire Ace."