Chapter 23 - I Always Look Good!

I eventually recover from the state of shock Sylvia put me in. Then, as everyone else does, I pack my bags and prepare to leave for the Evergreen district where I reside. When I open my apartment's front door, I see Asher and Calliope having an arm wrestling match. I say that, but to call it a match would be an overstatement. What I see is Asher sweating profusely, using both hands and screaming while Calliope remains motionless, unsure what to do. Aurora is sitting on the couch, reading a book, unbothered. Surely, this is not the first it happens. At one point, Calliope gets bored and gently pushes on Asher's hands, forcing them to make contact with the table. 

"ONE MORE! BEST OUT OF 13!!" "I don't wanna play anymore, this isn't fun, can we play Sonarise again?" "I SWEAR THIS IS THE LAST TIME, I JUST NEED TO WIN ONCE, YOU HAVE TO BE TIRED BY NOW!" Aurora looks away from her book and speaks to Calliope with an exasperated voice. "I told you to just let him win Calli, he won't let it go if you don't." Asher quickly retorts. "DON'T YOU DARE LET ME WIN, IT HAS TO BE FAIR AND SQUARE!!"

Aurora rolls her eyes and returns to the book she was reading. I enter deeper into the apartment, take off my shoes and that's when the three of them finally notice me. Calliope is the first to move, she lets go of Asher's hand and rushes towards me.

"Big brother!!"

She jumps into my arms with inhumane strength. Fortunately, the cuteness makes up for the sheer pain of her embrace. I hug her back and announce my return.

"I'm back!"

"Already? you were just here two days ago. Can you tell Asher that he won't beat Calli at anything that requires the use of muscles?"

"Alden?! Why are yo- wait no, before that, you really weren't lying when you said Calli was strong!"

"I am also very happy to see you both again."

Calliope, who is holding my hand, looks at me with eyes full of expectation. 

"Are we going to visit more stuff? Staying here all day is boring!!"

I had not thought of that, I'll have to think of a solution for when I am not there to take her out. She can't stay home all day, even if we hire a babysitter. She needs human interaction and she needs to see the sun from time to time. She has already proven that she can adequately control her strength if needed, but I wish there was a school for [enlightened] children, even if that is a concept that makes no sense at all. I urgently need to find some sort of fix for this situation.

I set Calliope on the couch next to Aurora and tell her to wait for me there. I go to my room, change my clothes, and return to the living room. There, I tell my three siblings that I will be taking them out today. Their eyes reflect admiration as they prepare to accompany me. Once everyone is ready to go out, we venture to a local buffet specialized in fresh and authentic seafood. At first, Asher, Calliope, and I eat as if it is the last meal we will ever have, indulging voraciously. Meanwhile, Aurora attempts to maintain an air of refinement. Emphasis on the word 'attempt', that act of hers does not last long. Soon enough she joins us and fills her belly until no more food can find place in it. We finish our meal with ice cream. Once again, Calliope eats an astonishing amount of it. That evening we return home with at least 30 pounds added to our weight. 

After nearly putting the place out of business, we return home and sleep like babies. It seems like the twins had already decided to give my room to Calliope, she tries to give it back but I assure her that it is okay and sleep on the couch.

The fateful day finally comes. I wake up at around 10:00. As soon as I leave my bed, I eat breakfast. Then, I brush my teeth, shower and groom myself. Today, I decide to put my wavy hair in a short ponytail at the back of my head. I shave the unnerving patches of beard that had been growing on my face due to the lack of care and keep only a nicely trimmed goatee on my chin. I apply my most prized facial moisturizer which rids my skin of dryness and gives it a nice glow. I then rub my best-smelling deodorant under my armpits and leave the bathroom. When I reach my bedroom, I choose my outfit for the day. I select a nice white colored polo shirt which I wear with beige cargo pants, the colors fit nicely together. Then, I apply men's cologne to my neck, wrist and chest area. Finally, I pick my nicest watch and wrap it around my left wrist.

It is now 14:20, what took the most time was picking a set of clothes to wear. I would put something on then immediately take it off thinking that it did not look adequate, the process was repeated multiple times. I talk to myself before leaving the apartment.

'Alright, you are going on a date with Sylvia FullCastle man. You are living every guy's dream. However, don't let that cloud your judgment. Sure, she is hot and all, but when you get there you have to tell her that you're not in the right place for a relationship right now. With Daikar, Calliope, financial troubles, and a million other things, you just aren't available to explore such things. The reason you decided to look so nice today is because... uh.... well, because... you always try to look nice! Yes, let's go with that!'

As I prepare to exit my home, Aurora briefly glances at me, looks away, then looks back at me.

"What's got you looking so nice today?"

"I always look nice!"

"Sure, sure, but there's something different today. Are.. are you wearing cologne...? You don't usuall- Omg... YOU HAVE A DATE DON'T YOU?!"

"Shh!! Don't alert the others!!"

"Calli!! Asher!! Come here now!!! Alden has a date!!!"

I run out of the apartment. Aurora has finally turned against me, I will not take her betrayal lightly! Instead of taking a taxi to the date area, I board a public transport vehicle, money is quite tight lately. After a 20 minute ride, I reach my destination. The café Sylvia wanted us to meet at is the 'Roasted Bean'. It is popular among younger people because of its modern vibes and affordable prices. Generally, it's very difficult to find open tables, but today the exterior terrace is empty. The windows which generally give a clear view of a vibrant and colorful coffee shop are covered by blinds. After analyzing the place before me for a bit of time, I wonder if I've come to the wrong 'Roasted Bean' until a soft voice resonates behind me.

"Hey Alden."

I turn around and there she is. Sylvia FullCastle, radiant in her presence. She is draped in a beautiful blue sundress which flutters in the wind and echoes the color of her eyes. It halts midway along the length of her thighs, revealing elegant, toned legs. It is adorned by a neatly tied black ribbon at her chest area while a luxurious looking black belt cinches her wait, exposing her enviable hourglass figure. She calls out to me once more.

"....Alden?"

"Uh? Oh yeah, hi!"

'Don't forget! you're here to let he down easy, focus!'

"Are you going to keep standing there or are you coming inside with me?"

She marches toward the entrance of the café, opens, the door and beckons me to follow her inside. There, as I had already suspected, there is no one. No one but a lone waiter who places two warm cups of coffee on one of the tables.

"Hey Sylvia, isn't it a bit weird that there's no one here?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention it, I rented the whole place for the day."

"Ah."

'People with money really are different...'

As soon as we sit down Sylvia speaks.

"You must be wondering why I invited you here right? We've known each other for some time now and we've grown closer. I've come to take notice of-"

'Is she seriously confessing right off the bat?!'

"you because of your incredibly detailed ability at first, then because of your determination and your dedication to training. This has led me to-

'It's coming...!!!'

"select you and one other person to investigate something I've come across during our last assignment. She should be here soon. When she arrives, I will explain the details."

'... It was nice to dream for a while I guess... What did I even dress up so nicely for?'