Denial and Acceptance

Denial... a psychological defense mechanism in which a person refuses to accept reality or facts.

It is a way for individuals to protect themselves from uncomfortable or distressing truths.

Denial can occur in different ways.

For some, it is the denial of having an addiction.

People struggling with substance abuse or addictive behaviors often deny the extent of their problem to avoid facing the need for change.

Some might deny having a serious illness.

People diagnosed with a severe or terminal illness might deny the severity of their condition to avoid the fear and anxiety associated with it.

Or perhaps, it is the denial of the death of someone they deeply care about.

Jasmine still remembers when she first heard the news of Azriel's death; she was in denial for weeks.

Unlike her father, who never accepted his death.

Gazing at Azriel in front of her, she was once again in denial.

This time Jasmine was in denial of reality...

The person in front of her just couldn't be her little brother.

'Even though 2 years have passed and he certainly looks older... it can't be him.'

If it was him...

Then how?

Why now?

'It could be a trick to deceive me...'

His birthday was just yesterday.

To have him appear suddenly the day after his birthday?

'No way.'

A white light started to shimmer on her right hand.

"Who are you?"

Her cold voice cut through the park as the air around them became tense.

Ba... Thump!

Even now, gazing at the face of her little brother, she heard her heart thumping loudly against her chest.

'Yeah, no way he was ever this handsome.'

That was all the confirmation she needed.

Azriel's eyes were wide open upon hearing her words. Jasmine could see a hint of understanding in them.

Scratching his cheek with his finger, Azriel's lips parted.

"What, don't tell me you think of me as a skinwalker as well?"

'Skinwalker...?'

Jasmine shook her head.

"No, with security as tight as it is in EASC, especially today, there's no way a skinwalker would be able to infiltrate the capital."

Jasmine was confident in her words.

A skinwalker trying to infiltrate the city wouldn't be the first time it has happened.

But today?

Impossible.

Not with the number of experts and masters patrolling the city.

"So instead, you must be..."

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, she was right in front of Azriel.

Drip...! Drip...!

A katana was placed against his neck, Azriel's blood staining the ground and her katana.

The katana's blade was a stunning silver, gleaming brilliantly and reflecting everything like a flawless mirror.

Silver Shine.

"Either here to kill or kidnap me."

Her words were met with silence.

The wind howled, making both their hairs flutter.

'...I got him,'

She was sure of it.

His silence must have been due to how shocked he was.

A crack appeared on her face as Jasmine smiled mockingly towards him.

"What? Cat got your tongue?"

His face was expressionless.

'Heh. And you used to mock me... brother for watching all th-'

Her thoughts were cut off as Jasmine noticed something odd...

Truly odd.

His shoulders.

They were...

Trembling.

Ba... Thump!

Jasmine tensed her muscles as she became even more alert.

She pushed Silver Shine deeper against his neck.

Ba... Thump!

Surprisingly, the person in front of her didn't even flinch, making her even more nervous.

'I can beat him, right? His aura... it doesn't feel strong at all.'

But if he was an assassin, it was possible for him to suppress his presence and mess with her senses.

Just when she was about to activate her unique skill...

She froze.

Because...

"Pffft! Hahahahaha! Oh, I am sorry, I really tried to hold it in but I really can't! Haha, what was it again you said, me trying to kill or kidnap you?"

The blade dug a little deeper into his neck before he suddenly stepped back.

Drip...! Drip...!

More of his blood stained the ground, yet he looked unbothered.

"...Huh."

Jasmine's mind blanked.

Truly, she couldn't keep up with the situation anymore.

What type of person would start laughing when a blade is pointed at his neck?

'Is he crazy?'

She was so confused that for a moment she just stood there in a daze, watching him wipe the tears that formed in his eyes.

Her lips twitched.

What the hell was so funny?

'Yes, yes, he must be crazy... I should kill him fast.'

Just as she was about to make a move, his lips parted again.

"Don't tell me even after all this time you're still watching those detective shows you were addicted to?"

"Eh?"

She was paralyzed, hearing his words.

"Haaa... You really have to stop letting those shows influence your thoughts..."

'...How does he know? And still watching? It can't be... can it?'

Maybe... Maybe by some miracle, it really was Azriel.

'No, I... It just can't be true.'

She didn't want to accept it.

But...

"I mean, think, sis."

Azriel could be seen tapping his temples with his fingers.

"If I was truly here to kill or kidnap you, why would I still be standing in front of you, still talking?"

"I could have waited for you to start filling your stomach with junk food, since that is when you are most vulnerable. Oh, by the way, Dad probably knows about this new secret spot and what you do here."

'H-Huh! He knows!?'

'There's no way, right? I mean, except for today, I've always been sure I managed to deceive him when I visited the mansion... Wait, no, why am I even listening to him!?'

Jasmine glared at him, but this time he was the one looking at her with a mocking smile.

"Haaa... Perhaps I should have asked Solomon to stay or brought Uncle Ragnar with me."

Jasmine could hear him muttering to himself.

'Solomon? Does he mean... Saint Solomon? And Uncle Ragnar is here as well?'

Ba... Thump!

'I-If they are really here... then...'

"I just thought it would be better if we had our little reunion without any prying eyes... I guess that was impossible."

'Impossible...?'

Drip...! Drip...!

"Huh...?"

Suddenly, she felt something wet trailing down her face and hitting the ground.

Hearing her exclaim, Azriel turned his head towards her again and looked at her wide-eyed.

'Why is he looking at me like that?'

She was confused, and her heart felt heavy.

Bringing her hands towards her face, she felt a wet sensation on her fingertips.

"Ah..."

Jasmine finally understood.

She was...

Crying.

"...Your body always reacted faster than your mind did."

Gazing up again, she saw Azriel looking at her with a gentle expression on his face while tears streamed down her cheeks.

"A-Azriel... Is it really you?"

Drip...! Drip...!

"Mm, it me."

Those words were enough.

Before she knew it, she jumped towards him and embraced him tightly.

Clank-!

The sound of Silver Shine hitting the ground resonated throughout the park.

Her tears stained his clothes, yet she felt his arms embracing her back, gently stroking her hair.

"I-It really is you... brother."

"...Yeah, I am back."