"Hey, Cielo, how are you?" His sibling called from the other room. Dave was nowhere in sight earlier, but now he appeared, clearly searching for his book collection again.
"Fine," Cielo replied shortly, his eyes still fixed on the book he was reading.
"I heard you've got a new classmate?"
Cielo barely looked up. Dave, ever the nosy investigator, had picked up a magazine and was skimming through it while grilling his younger brother.
"Yes," Cielo said simply. That was typical of them — brief and straight to the point.
"Hmm?" Dave nodded slowly, still pretending to read. "Who? Girl or boy?"
"She's a girl."
Cielo turned another page, uninterested in continuing the conversation.
"Oh?" Dave raised an eyebrow. "I heard from Chris that she's in your section — Christian's younger sister, right?"
"Yes. She's our new transferee," Cielo confirmed.
Dave paused, trying to recall her face. "Hmm… can't remember that kid anymore. Wait… wasn't she the one you used to bully?"
"I didn't bully anyone," Cielo said defensively.
"Huh? You don't remember?" Dave smiled knowingly. "You grew up together, Cielo."
Cielo didn't answer, only acknowledging the truth that he once had a childhood friend.
"What was her name again?" Dave pressed.
"Julie Marie Navares."
"Oh! So it's Marie!" Dave exclaimed, clearly pleased with his discovery.
"Do you remember her face?" Cielo asked, a hint of curiosity slipping into his voice.
"Wait… didn't you two meet again at camp?" Dave tried to jog his memory.
"I guess not. We didn't even see each other at Uncle's wake," Cielo replied.
"Eh? Why does memory work like this? Maybe I wouldn't even recognize her if we crossed paths," Dave mused.
Cielo shook his head with a faint smile.
"I think she's your other half, Cielo," Dave teased, giving him a playful wink.
"Oh, shut up. I don't believe in fairy tales," Cielo said, shaking his head in amusement.
"You don't know the call of the heart, Cielo," Dave laughed as he walked away. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Yes, I'll follow in a bit," Cielo replied.
****
The next day, at school…
"Good morning, Chris!" A friend greeted cheerfully, giving him a light punch on the shoulder.
"Yes, good morning, Dave," Chris replied with a small smile. The two had grown up together and knew each other well.
"Tsk, you didn't even mention that your sister's studying here," Dave teased.
"Sheesh, Cielo already told you. Yeah, she's here," Chris said, half amused.
"Introduce her to me properly — your only sister, and yet I haven't met her," Dave insisted.
"Huh? You met her at camp, right?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, but my brain's dysfunctional. If I don't see people often, I forget their faces," Dave shrugged.
He softened his tone. "And how's your younger sibling doing since Tito passed away last year?"
"Julie's okay. She really misses Dad though," Chris sighed. Dave nodded, understanding.
"I bet Cielo forgot her too, huh?" Chris asked with a faint grin.
Dave chuckled. He still remembered how Cielo used to tease Julie when they were kids — but those memories had faded over time.
"You'll get to know her again soon enough," Chris reassured.
When they reached the classroom, Dave greeted a few friends. "Good morning, you two."
"Good morning, Jonathan," Kevin replied with a grin.
"What nonsense are you up to this time, Kevin?" Dave asked suspiciously.
"Ah? Nothing," Kevin smiled mysteriously.
Chris glanced over at Kelly's usual seat — she was rarely late. Julie had grown close to her, and Chris noticed how she lit up whenever Kelly was around. He hadn't seen his sister smile like that in a long time.
Before their father passed away, his final wish was clear: Chris was to protect his youngest sister, Julie.
Julie had been transferred to this school to honor that wish. Chris had his doubts at first, but seeing her happy with Kelly made him pause. Maybe it was okay to let her breathe — to just live and find joy again.
"Deep in thought again, huh?" Dave teased, slinging an arm over his shoulder.
Chris smiled faintly. Julie could be stubborn, but he loved her nonetheless. She's happy, he thought.
"Just let her be," Dave said with a grin. "And Kelly… she's happier too, right? After what happened at camp?"
Chris nodded. "Yeah. Just seeing her smile — that's enough."
Dave patted his shoulder. "Exactly. That's what matters."
Chris looked toward the front of the room, watching his sister laugh, realizing that maybe — some things are best left to her.