Nathan's POV

With my mouth still open in shock, I could only feel a shiver run through my body at the thought that I'd come into contact with two of the most powerful espers in the country—possibly the world!

Grabbing my spoon from where it had fallen onto the table, I wiped up the mess as she looked at me with kind eyes and lightly shook her head.

"Darling, how could you not know them? They're more popular than the biggest celebrities—even if they don't want to be. Their faces were plastered everywhere promoting the Association three years ago."

Shaking my head, I mumbled, "I was too busy three years ago… Melly had to have all those surgeries…"It had been such a dark time—my adorable little sister, exhausted and frail, constantly wheeled between tests and operating theatres.

She gave me a sympathetic look, reaching over to squeeze my hand. I looked up into her kind eyes, and the warmth pulled me back to the present. With a slight smile, I said simply, "I've never really been big on celebrities. I guess I missed all that."

Nodding, she clapped her hands and stood up. "Well, it looks like you've finished your lunch, so now it's time to put some pep back in your step and get out into the real world! You've got today and tomorrow—make the most of it, okay?"

Smiling up at her, I replied, "Exactly! I promise, when I come back, I'll be all fixed up and the fastest worker in sight too!"

She chuckled lightly. "You already are the fastest worker here. You're not making googly eyes at any of the espers or guides—that alone puts you ahead of eighty percent of the people here."

Grabbing the tray, she headed for the door. Looking back at me like the dorm mother she was—full of concern and love—she added, "I know these last two days were really scary, and I know you have to keep working here for your family… and the esper and guide you helped? They're good people. I'm sure they'll try to find you to say thank you."

Trailing off, she huffed and said more firmly, "It's your choice, but if they do come, try to keep it short. They're lovely, but with that level of power, they attract a lot of people who aren't so nice. Anyone they spend time with gets seen as a threat. So, keep your safety as priority number one. Stay under the radar, alright?"

I smiled at her kindness and nodded. "Definitely. They're way too big for me to ever feel comfortable around. That's not a world I belong to."

With that, she returned to the office. I grabbed my shopping bag, checked the bus timetable, and saw that the next one was due in five minutes. Dashing out just in time, I felt something light lift from my shoulders as I boarded and headed off. If only I didn't have to work there—if I had any other choice to support my family at this level, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

The Association, while incredible for the espers and guides and vital for national safety, was notorious for being less supportive of the normies working under them. My case wasn't unique. There were rumours—people disappearing, punished for 'breaking rules'. Nothing proven. Just whispers in the background.

Still, people fought for a spot in the Association. The pay and benefits were leagues ahead of anything else. The risk was high, yes—but so were the rewards. More worrying, though, were the stories about normies romantically involved with espers or guides. Jealousy, sabotage, attacks... The ones who suffered most were always the normies. The weakest link, unprotected and easily targeted—by others in the Association, and even other normies.

Not that any of that affected me. That was never going to happen. My only focus was work—and my family.

One of the perks, at least, was the direct Association buses that took us to the shopping centre. Looking out the window, I watched the lush bushland slowly give way to houses and small towns. As the city centre neared, the skyscrapers grew taller and denser.

I loved the bush. Nature walks were my escape when I got rare free time. The forest, the quiet streams... one day, when all this was behind me, I wanted to retire somewhere like that. Peaceful. Simple. Free.

At last, the shopping centre came into view. It was a massive complex—twenty storeys tall. Of course, the luxury brands were at the top levels, well out of my reach. I headed straight to the middle floors, and that's when I spotted Melly's favourite thing in the whole world (besides her big brother, of course!).

Inside the store were her beloved characters—two magical twins she'd adored since she was little. They looked like cute dolls with colourful hair and oversized eyes. One had purple hair with lightning bolt patterns, and the other had blue hair with icy motifs. She'd always said they were her good luck charms.

Melly had even built a mini shrine at the hospital—a corner packed with toys, cards, and stickers. The nurses loved it, often adding offerings (usually her favourite chocolate), which had a mysterious habit of disappearing within the day.

From the centre, it was a half-hour walk to the hospital. As I entered, the beeping monitors and sterile smell made guilt creep into my chest. I could walk outside, breathe fresh air... and Melly was stuck in here.

I greeted the nurses and doctors I knew—many had cared for Melly over the years. Reaching her shared room, I knocked and heard her small, tired voice.

Poking my head in, I grinned wide. "Hello, my most adorably cute little sister. Did you miss your most beloved brother?"

She smiled, wires jingling softly. "Of course I did! Seeing your smile is always the best part of the day!"

I kissed her forehead and gently pulled her into a sitting position for a hug.

Drum-rolling on the bedside table, I pulled out the gift bag. "Ta-da!"

Her eyes lit up. She hugged the dolls tight. "Oh my God! Why'd you get me these? I thought maybe I'd get one for my birthday—but both? And it's not even my birthday… Is everything alright?"

She looked up at me, big eyes full of concern. I patted her head, brushing her hair gently behind her ears.

"There doesn't need to be a reason to spoil the best sister in the world, does there? I saw them and thought, we've got to keep the shrine well-stocked!"

I pointed to her altar of toys—now thirteen strong. I chuckled when I saw a chocolate bar placed carefully in one doll's arms.

"Looks like someone's already made an offering to the shrine!"

Settling in beside her, we chatted about all the hospital gossip. I wasn't going to tell her what had happened at work. We didn't have much drama in our lives anyway—so the nurses' stories were juicy enough.

After a while, her eyes began to flutter shut. I pulled the blanket up around her and tucked her in, adding the two new dolls to her collection.

A soft knock came at the door. I turned to see her main doctor—a kind, older man and a specialist in Melly's condition. His eyes were serious.

"Mr Newman, great to see you. If you've got a moment… could we have a quick chat outside?"