Yarin's POV:
Mom understood me very well. She would often say, "I understand that feeling, my child. When I was young, I woke up one day and felt like time had played a trick on me, spanning several years. I felt anxious like I was in a dream.
"But the power of time is so strong. It doesn't exist, but its influence is everywhere. Over the years, as I look back, I can advise you to go with the flow. Let time solve the troubles it creates.
"Anxiety is normal; it can make us restless, but everything will pass. You have family, friends, and you'll have a loved one in the future. The memories you create together will fill the gap of these four years. Gradually, you'll forget about it, perhaps remember it while eating ice cream one day, but by then, you'll have found peace. You'll know you're living in happiness, and time won't matter anymore."
Gapes indeed lived up to his reputation. He was as handsome as they said, standing tall and straight like a walking pine tree. I didn't miss the look of appreciation in my Dad's eyes.
His words and actions were in line with the character of a soldier-neither arrogant nor servile, courteous with just the right amount of distance. After a conversation, even if I scrutinized him with the utmost criticism, I couldn't find fault with him.
He even thanked me for the help and care I had given Lily. When I asked if they still had contact, surprised, he said, "Lily and I haven't been in touch for a long time, but she occasionally talks to Alfred.
"I understand that people think the three of us siblings don't get along because of our parents' relationship, but my relationship with Alfred is quite good. As for Lily, at the very least, I know we both consider each other family. Perhaps we can't be in frequent contact due to some factors, but the intimacy flowing in our blood can't be erased."
Well, because of his sincere words, I decided to like him a little for now.
Gapes was temporarily reassigned to the Lycan Pack because of his rank. Originally, the military didn't intend to have him teach at Sivir Academy, perhaps thinking it would be beneath him. However, Gapes himself was quite enthusiastic about this opportunity, showing no hint of it being a waste of time to teach a group of high school students. This made me have a good impression of him. Not arrogant or disheartened, though these were qualities expected of a soldier, how many people could truly embody them without resentment? No wonder Dad liked this kid too.
"You sound a bit like you're picking a fight," Cynthia said, hitting the nail on the head-she was as sharp as ever. She thought my prejudice was baseless. "I'm curious, if, according to you and Heller, Lily has never expressed dissatisfaction with her older brother, where does this unfounded animosity come from?"
Animosity?
Why indeed? I couldn't even understand it myself. "Perhaps it's just concern causing this," I said dejectedly, lying on the couch and nervously squeezing a pillow. "Lily must have gone through a lot during all those years of wandering, right?
"Compared to that, Gapes has had a much better life by his father's side. I know military life is tough, but can that fatigue compare to the pain of being away from home and living without a fixed place? And I must admit, now I've also started feeling dissatisfied with Alfred. My goodness, Cynthia, you're absolutely right. How did I become so dreadful!"
Cynthia was arranging flowers and upon hearing this, she looked at me very speechlessly and said, "Keep your lovesick brain away from me, it's bad luck."
Just then, Heller emerged sleepily from my bedroom. He had a hairpin on his head, the one Aunt Carolyn had given him.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Mmm... I dreamt I was eating coconut pudding. I'm hungry. Is it not dinner time yet?"
"It's still early, only three o'clock. But Bertha has prepared afternoon tea, and I think there's fresh roast beef in the kitchen for sandwiches."
Looking at the hairpin on Heller's head, memories from many years ago suddenly surfaced. "Speaking of which, do you remember the Moonlight Festival we attended in Silver Moon Pack? You remember the girl we were on the same float with, right? The human girl named Denise."
Heller thought for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Why are you bringing this up suddenly? It's been such a long time ago."
"Back then, you guys had made plans to hang out, and I even gave her one of your badges. But later, so many things happened, and everything faded away. It's a pity. I remember her family was also in business, right? They were on the list of the first companies to enter the Lycan Pack. Did you ever meet her again after that?"
Heller shook his head. "That's all stuff from when we were kids. Denise probably went back to her country a long time ago. Even if she returned, it would likely only be visiting Silver Moon Pack. Her family's business is there, but I haven't been to Silver Moon Pack in years." I had just asked casually, and hearing Heller's response, I didn't press further.