Chapter 769: Side Story 4. Endless Journey - 52
It came very slowly for Kar.
Byul had always been pretty and adorable, a cute little thing. Something precious, but just as his twin was precious, and Lucy, and his parents. He had never thought of putting a hierarchy on who he considered as the most precious.
The most precious never occurred to him until he realized who his priority was in that trial he had to face in the Tower. Even back then, he still reasoned things with the fact that Byul was objectively the weakest, or that everyone else was strong enough to protect themselves.
But at the same time, he knew that his father would always prioritize saving them, his stronger, younger children. It had nothing to do with strength, even though he knew his father was a rational person. Then...wasn’t it weird that Kar would immediately think of Byul instead of his family? It wasn’t like Byul didn’t have his own family--or an esper sister who would be more than willing to protect him.
He thought about it a lot when he was resting after finishing the last trial, and changed his perspective. What if Byul was an awakened? What if he was as strong as Asa or Lucy? Would Kar still come to save him first?
The answer that he found after that long train of thought brought him to the meaning of the most precious.
He was feeling a bit dumb then. Well, maybe a lot. What was he supposed to do with that newfound realization when he was going away in order for Byul to forget him?
But, well...he was Karna Ishtera. To know the answer, he had to see the boy with his own eyes, meeting face-to-face. That was how the vague, but also direct [Are you at school?] was born.
Who knew the boy who Kar thought would be in the graduation ceremony would immediately call instead of replying through a text?
But it was good that he did, because the first thing Kar thought as he talked to the boy was...ah, nothing changed. It was comfortable and nice, just with a sprinkle of more consciousness toward each other.
Kar thought things would just happen naturally after that. Moreover, his mischievous sister made a suggestion that basically nudged their relationship forward. Well, it meant both of their sisters gave them blessings, so...that felt good.