He wanted to ask for their forgiveness, too, even if they did not seem to hold his decision against him... even if he knew that he would make the same decision again. He had waited for his friends to greet him, knowing who he was, for so long...
Sunny let out a heavy sigh.
Then, he said:
“Alright. Get in here, fool..."
With that, he wrapped his hands around Kai and hugged him back.
"This is a one-time thing, okay? Don't get any ideas!"
Despite the dire state of the world, here and now, it suddenly felt... like things were going to be alright.
Like their future was bright, and there was hope for them, still.
***
Some time later, when the rest of the cohort left to attend the emergency assembly, Sunny stayed behind and slowly made his way to the upper floor of the manor. There, he knocked on a door and waited patiently for an answer.
Eventually, the voice of a young woman resounded from the room inside:
"It's open!"
He hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and walked inside.
The room was spacious and brightly lit. There, Rain was sitting behind a desk, writing something down on a piece of synthetic paper.
Hearing his footsteps, she glanced up and smiled.
"Hey."
Sunny lingered a bit, then closed the door behind him.
“Hey, Rain. Oh... Ascended Rain, I mean. Congratulations."
She grimaced.
“I don't even remember becoming a Master, so... it's a bit peculiar. But thank you."
Rain glanced away.
“Anyway, I've been told to rest and recuperate. The world seems to be going crazy outside, but it's all peace and quiet here on the upper floor. I think Neph's mom is in the next room over... Cassie was sleeping in a room across the hall, but since she's awake now, it's just me."
Sunny nodded slowly.
"Rain..."
She drew a shaky breath and then glanced at him, her lips trembling a little.
After a long while, she said quietly:
“You've been watching over me this whole time. Long before we met in that convenience store... long before you told me who you are. That you and I are family."
Sunny nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Her smile faltered for a moment.
“But why? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Sunny remained silent for a long while, remembering his younger self.
In the end, he said simply:
"Because you didn't need me."
Rain turned away.
Sunny hesitated a little, then walked over and put his hand on her shoulder.
“But, for what it's worth... thank you."
He smiled.
“You might not have needed me... but looking back, I needed you very much, Rain. So, thank you for storming up to me that day, years ago, and calling me a brat. I don't think I would have ever gathered the courage to talk to you otherwise. Thank you for being alive, Rain, and for being who you are."
He glanced away, his smile turning softer.
"Look how far we've come, Rain. Not too bad for two orphans from the outskirts, isn't it?"
She glanced up at him, intense emotions burning in her eyes.
Eventually, she took a deep breath and said:
"You... do you remember what you told me before going to Antarctica? You told me that you'd be staying in the waking world this time, and that I could message you whenever. You told me not to be a stranger... that was seven years ago, Sunny! What the hell? Weren't you supposed to be the most honest person in the world, brother?"
Sunny grinned.
"Two worlds, actually."
Rain laughed, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Right...”
She paused for a moment, as if remembering something, and then said in a stunned voice:
"Wait, you're my brother... but you still charged me a fee for our lessons? At premium rate, mind you!"