CHAPTER 354: CONGRATULATIONS

Walking down the softly lit hallway, Ravene paused before a familiar door.

For a moment, she stood there silently, her hand hovering midair.

Finally, she took a quiet breath, gathering herself, and tapped gently against the wood. "Brandon?"

A muffled voice came from inside "Come in, Aunt."

She smiled faintly at the sound of his voice, and pushing open the door, she stepped into the room.

It was tidy, though a little cluttered near the desk.

Books, papers, and a few academy notes were stacked neatly in piles.

By the window, Brandon was adjusting the books in his bag, preparing to leave for the day.

Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, tracing soft lines of gold across his hair.

Ravene’s gaze softened, and Brandon turned at the sound, smiling when he saw her.

She walked toward him, and before he could react, she pulled him into a gentle embrace.

Surprised, he blinked and chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around her in return. "What happened suddenly?"

Ravene let out a small sigh against his shoulder, her hand resting on the back of his head like she used to when he was younger. "Nothing..."

Then, after a pause, she leaned back slightly to look at him and her eyes were full of warmth. "Tell me, is Elize taking good care of you?"

Brandon smiled easily "Of course. You know how Aunt Elize is... she spoils me too much."

That earned a small laugh from Ravene "Hmm, that sounds like her."

She reached up, brushing a loose strand of his hair back from his forehead "But still, if you ever need anything, money, help, anything at all... you can call me, okay?"

"Don’t forget that you have an aunt named Ravene," she said, wagging her finger.

He rolled his eyes playfully "I do remember you. But it’s starting to feel like you’re the one forgetting me."

"Huh?"

"These days," Brandon continued, "you’re barely home. You always say you’ll visit, and then something ’comes up.’"

Ravene looked away, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly "Ah... yeah. I’ve been caught up with work again."

Brandon raised an eyebrow "Work. Right. You’ve been saying that for years now."

Her lips twitched "Because it’s true."

He squinted at her, "Hmm. I don’t even know what kind of work you do that keeps you so busy. You’re not... secretly doing anything illegal, right?"

Ravene gasped softly and placed a hand over her chest, "Illegal? Me? Brandon, I’m hurt. Do I look like a criminal to you?"

He grinned. "A little."

"Excuse me?" she laughed, swatting lightly at his arm. "Brat."

Her eyes grew fond ’It’s strange. You still have the same smile... but you don’t look like that little boy anymore.’

Brandon tilted his head slightly, noticing her expression. "Aunt Ravene?"

She shook her head and smiled, forcing the mood to lighten "Ah, nothing. Just sentimental nonsense."

He chuckled and picked up his bag, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. "Well, I should go. I’ll be late for class."

Ravene blinked and a teasing smile appeared on her lips "You’re leaving already? No love for me."

Brandon laughed, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he stepped closer. "I can’t miss my classes today. After I return, we can go out."

Her teasing smile softened at his words "You promise?"

"Promise," he said with a grin, before wrapping his arms around her in a brief hug.

Then he stepped back "See you later, Aunt Ravene."

She watched him turn toward the stairs, and her smile lingered even after he disappeared down the hall... until reality caught up with her.

Her eyes widened slightly as a faint blush dusted her cheeks "Oh god..." she muttered under her breath, pressing a hand over her face.

"What the hell are you thinking, Ravene?"

She groaned and lightly thumped her head against the doorframe once as she whispered in frustration "He’s in high school, for crying out loud... get a grip, woman! You are pushing fourties."

She sighed, half embarrassed and half scolding herself. "You just hugged him, not proposed marriage... relax."

Just then, a voice startled her.

"Bitch?"

Ravene froze mid-motion with her forehead still resting against the wooden frame.

Slowly, she turned her head to the side and saw Elize standing in the hallway "Elize?"

Elize tilted her head in confusion "What are you doing... standing in his room? Are you trying to do something weird?"

Ravene’s lips twitched. "I-I am not a weird woman! What are you even implying?"

"Is that all our years of friendship amount to? You think I’d actually do something weird like that?"

Elize blinked once... then broke into a soft giggle "I’m just kidding, Ravene. You’re so easy to tease."

Upon hearing this, Ravene was even more flustered, and Elize shook her head helplessly "Anyway, come on, let’s go downstairs."

---

Stepping out of the house, Brandon adjusted the strap of his bag and glanced around as the cool morning breeze brushed against his hair.

His eyes caught a familiar figure standing near the garden... Charlotte.

She stood beside a rosebush, one hand holding her phone, the other resting lightly on her hip.

For a moment, Brandon hesitated.

He had already decided to just walk straight to school and avoid any awkward conversation, but something inside him made him stop ’She became an Empyrean yesterday... I should at least say something.’

He sighed softly and took a step toward her.

Noticing his presence, Charlotte tilted her head slightly and looked at him before returning to the screen of her phone "What?"

Brandon froze in place for a heartbeat. Even after all these years, her voice could still make him tense up.

He forced a small smile. "I... uh, congratulations, Big Sister."

Charlotte gave a brief nod. "Mhm."

Brandon stood there for a few seconds, unsure what else to say.

Finally, he sighed inwardly, turned away, and stepped out of the garden toward the quiet street.

He didn’t look back.

But as the sound of his footsteps faded, Charlotte’s hand, which was holding her phone, began to tremble faintly.

Her lips parted slightly as a quiet breath escaped her. "Huff..."

The phone slipped from her fingers onto the wooden bench beside her as she lowered herself down on the bench.

"H-He... congratulated me..." she whispered under her breath, and her eyes softened, glimmering faintly in the light.

She reached into her storage ring with trembling fingers and took out a small leather-bound diary.

Its edges were slightly worn, showing how often it had been opened.

Along with it, she also took a fountain pen.

She flipped through the pages quickly, her fingertips brushing over the inked words written in neat, flowing script.

Every page carried traces of her heart... little thoughts, half-confessions, quiet longing.

Another day without Kael...

I miss him...

I wonder what he thinks of me.

He walked past me today but didn’t say a word.

I pretended not to care...

I miss him today too...

Each entry was carefully dated, with small notes tucked into the corners, sometimes even a pressed flower or a doodle of a smiling face beside his name.

Finally, she reached the page marked with today’s date.

She uncapped her pen, pressing it gently to the paper.

Today... he congratulated me.

He called me Big Sister again. I don’t know why my chest feels so warm just hearing it.

It was just one word "congratulations" but it made my whole morning bright.

I wanted to say something more, maybe smile back... but I couldn’t. I was scared my voice would shake.

Her pen paused, a small drop of ink forming at the end of the stroke before she continued.

He has grown and now when he speaks, his voice sounds so calm... it makes my heart hurt, but in a sweet way.

If only he knew how much I missed him.

Charlotte closed her diary slowly, pressing her hand against the cover for a moment.

Then she leaned back against the bench, exhaling softly.

"Kael..." she murmured under her breath, a quiet smile lingering on her lips.

"Just hearing you say my name again... was enough."