Chapter 34: A Red Light

~ Flashback ~

"Everyone, gather around now, and let's sing a song before we start eating!"

Aurelia shouted to get everyone's attention. Aranea and Elenea went in front of their birthday cake as they waited for everyone to gather around them.

In the orphanage's backyard, there was a table full of food and refreshments. The children gathered around the table and had started singing the twins a song.

Aranea and Elenea clapped along with them as they sang them a happy birthday. It was already evening and they were already excited to eat the meals prepared by Aurelia.

After singing them a song, everyone clapped and cheered as they all shouted in unison their greeting, making the twins happy as they celebrated their birthday with everyone.

"Happy birthday, Aranea and Elenea!"

When the children and their mother greeted them, the twins blew the candles of their chocolate cake. Today is their 14th birthday, so they had 7 candles each to blow together.

Another round of applause was heard along with the cheers from the children. Aurelia then kissed both of her girls as she put either of her arms on them.

"Now, did you two wish for something?"

Aranea and Elenea looked at each other, a smile appearing on their faces as they one by one gave their answer for everyone to hear.

"I wished to further strengthen my magical healing powers," Elenea started, everyone's attention on her. "I will then help a lot of people in need with the power I have," she added, everyone liking her answer as they clapped at what she shared.

Aurelia then looked at Aranea at her left and kissed her cheek, asking her what she wished for.

"How about you, deary? What did you wish for, hmm?"

Aranea was hesitant for a while. Her lips were on a tight line, but with everyone's attention on her, she knew she would have to share them with what she wished for.

She found no problems sharing her thoughts. However, compared to her twin sister Elenea's wish, her wish didn't seem great.

"Unlike my sister, I wish to protect everyone with whatever ability I have. And be good at it, I guess."

Hearing her wish, the children nodded as they clapped, congratulating her and appreciating her wish as well. Aurelia gave Aranea another kiss on the cheek, a loving smile appearing on her face as she encouraged her daughter.

"Whatever wish you have, it is still sincere, Aranea. Remember that even though you don't have magical powers, you are not less than everyone. Understand?"

"Yeah, Aranea!" One of the children shouted in response, getting everyone's attention. "Our Aranea is still Aranea! She is our great big sister and she will still whoop those people who are bad!"

"Yeah! Our Aranea is strong!"

"Big sis Aranea is not someone to be taken advantage of!"

"Yes! Big sis is scary!"

Everyone laughed when the youngest of the children shouted that Aranea was scary. Even Aranea herself laughed out loud when she heard the cute voice loud as ever, the children's encouragement making her feel better.

"Thanks, you guys," she said, wiping some of the happy tears that escaped from her eyes. "I know I could count on you guys to make me happy and I know that you would always support me!"

"Yeah, that's right!"

Another round of laughter sounded in the backyard. Aranea and Elenea hugged everyone as they thanked them for being there with them to celebrate their birthday.

Aurelia then started giving everyone plates for them to start choosing the food that they want to eat. As the children started helping themselves with the aide of the older children, Aranea watched them as her face slowly showed melancholy.

She looked at her twin sister as she gladly helped the younger children get their food. She remembered her wish a while ago of improving her powers so she could help them whenever they are in need.

Remembering that she didn't have any magical powers, it had saddened her even though she is confident of her physical prowess.

Aranea didn't want them to know because she wouldn't want to make them worry or sad on their special day.

She wished that somehow, she would have magical powers, too. Like her sister--like everyone else.

Aranea put up a brave front. One thing that she hated was making people worry about her, so despite her insecurities of not having any magical powers, she would always try to smile to not make them worry.

Aranea then discreetly heaved a sigh as she snapped herself out of her thoughts. She then started helping the other children get their food before she started getting her own.

***

It was already midnight. Even though the party ended hours ago and even though the twins helped in cleaning up, Aranea was still up--not tired.

She was up, staring out their window as she watched the moon. Her sister was fast asleep, Aranea minding her own business as she embraced the mini teddy bear Aurelia had given her as her birthday present.

One thing about Aranea is that even though she is a teenager, she would still love to get plushies or stuffed toys as her gifts.

She was embracing her teddy bear tightly as she looked at the night sky, feeling melancholic than usual. Her eyes started to water as she remembered how different she was compared to her twin sister.

Even though she kept putting a brave front, Aranea is still human enough to feel sad. With her not having magical powers when they would know it at this age already.

Some tears already started escaping her eyes. With her stifling her sobs, she stood up quietly as she made her way to her bed, hiding under her blanket as she sobbed silently.

She allowed herself to feel vulnerable for half an hour, her heart aching as she started to compare herself to other people.

Aranea felt that she is a lost cause--like a defect having no magic. With that in mind, tears unceasingly flowed from her eyes, making her feel tired as she then slowly drifted off to sleep.

However, when her lips unknowingly touched the head of her teddy bear plushie, a red light started to shine in her room, turning it into a human teenage boy who's now laying down beside her.