He was impossible to reason with. As Shamilia sighed in exasperation, the customer shrugged his shoulders and left with a farewell request to place the order, if possible.

“Luc. You do realize I run a bookstore, right?”

“…”

“To make a profit, I need to sell books.”

“Just close the shop. You don’t need to do this—I’ll take care of you for the rest of your life.”

“Haa…”

She couldn’t tell if that was a kind sentiment or a chilling one. Shamilia shook her head and looked at the clock.

“Let’s just close up for the day. Are you seriously going to read that book? You called it a mess earlier.”

“It is a mess.”

“Then why bother reading it?”

As she tilted her head in confusion, Lucberk locked the door firmly. He still held the two books tightly in his hands.

“It’s a mess in its current state, but with some adjustments, it might become useful.”

‘Well, he is a genius wizard, so who am I to question him?’

Walking side by side with him, she suddenly asked,

“So, what kind of magic is that book about? If it’s about memory… is it something like amnesia?”

“Could be used the other way too. Enhance memory to its maximum potential… or erase it all completely.”

“That sounds kind of terrifying.”

The thought of manipulating memories in such a way made Shamilia shudder. A world where such control was possible would truly be frightening. She could understand now why Lucberk had called the book dangerous. What would happen if wizards started tampering with memories at their convenience?

“But are you sure it’s okay for you to read such a dangerous book?”

“If I don’t, then who will? And someone must have written this, too.”

“Well… that’s true.”

“Even if it’s a mess, whoever built these theories and conducted experiments to this extent isn’t just anyone. But their name is nowhere to be found.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. No name, no clue about their purpose. Whatever their intention was, now that it’s in my hands, I can’t just ignore it.”

Shamilia chuckled softly. Lucberk didn’t act much like a typical wizard, but moments like these, where he couldn’t help but showcase his dedication to his craft, reminded her that they truly came from different worlds.

“So, what’s your plan?”

“Not sure. Haven’t decided what to do with it yet. Maybe figure out how to use it somewhere.”

He smirked.

“Like memorizing every formula with that magic and becoming an even greater wizard?”

“I don’t need something like that. I’m already a great wizard.”

“Of course you are.”

The house they shared came into view, its windows dark and unlit. For a brief moment, Shamilia understood what Lucberk had meant when he said, ‘I’d like it if you were waiting for me at home.’

Lucberk looked at her face, then casually snapped his fingers. Immediately, a soft glow emanated from inside the house, as if someone was there to welcome them.

Shamilia chuckled and gave his arm a light tap.

“I’m home.”

It was just a light, but for a moment, it felt as though their long-passed parents might be waiting for them inside. It was a cozy way to end the day.

***

Another unremarkable day passed. Meals as usual. Each of them attending to their own tasks.

Shamilia turned the page of a book. She wasn’t sure how much time had gone by when a shadow suddenly loomed over her.

“Sis.”

“What?”

Still following the words on the page with her eyes, Shamilia gave an absentminded reply. The shadow shifted slightly. A large hand rested on her book, and her gaze was drawn away by violet eyes.

She looked up at Lucberk. His expression, as he stood by her bedside, seemed oddly amused.

“What’s up?”

“I like you.”

It was such an unexpected statement that it left her momentarily speechless. Silence stretched between them before she finally managed to find a response.

“Oh, uh, I like you too.”

Her reply was slightly awkward, but it was genuine. She truly did like and care for him. He was the only family she had left in the world—there was no reason not to like him.

Though his sudden, unusual behavior was a little odd, it was still a harmless thing to say, easily brushed off.

“No, I mean I love you.”

Her vision wavered. Shamilia looked up at her brother, her face full of confusion. She had expected to see a playful smirk, but his expression was firm, as though he wasn’t speaking lightly. It was clear that these weren’t words spoken on a whim.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally responded, albeit late.

“…I love you too.”

When was the last time she had said those words? She couldn’t remember. Maybe it was back when they were both very young.

Lucberk’s displeasure at her delayed response showed in his frown as he perched on the armrest of her chair.

Shamilia tried to lower her gaze back to the book, but the words refused to register. She couldn’t stop thinking about his sudden declaration, replaying it over and over in her mind.

‘Out of nowhere?’

Why? It felt too strange for a family member to suddenly declare love in such a serious way.

She tried to concentrate on the book again, but it was useless. She closed it with a sharp thud, feeling Lucberk’s gaze on her. Meeting his eyes directly, she felt a hint of unfamiliarity in the gaze she had encountered countless times before.

“I really don’t get what’s going on with you.”

She forced her voice to sound light, trying to cut through the thick atmosphere. His words had been so heavy that it felt suffocating.

“Is something wrong?”

As she leaned back into the sofa and asked her question, Lucberk stepped closer. Even though they were siblings, he had never come this close before, and her fingertips instinctively flinched slightly.

“It’s nothing.”

But his expression quickly shifted. The radiant smile vanished, replaced by a sharp seriousness that made the air feel heavy.

“I’m just saying I like you. I love you, that’s all.”

“…”

“How do you feel about me?”

Why did he smile at the wrong times and not smile when he should? Shamilia blinked, caught off guard. If he had said this with a grin, she could have laughed it off, responded just as brightly, and shouted, “Of course, I love you too!”

But his face, frozen in an unsettling seriousness, left no room for lighthearted replies. The weight of his words pressed on her, stifling any casual response.

She parted her lips hesitantly. He was obviously talking about familial love, wasn’t he? Then why did she feel so tense?

“Well, uh… of course I love you. Naturally.”

“What does that mean?”

His tone sharpened slightly, his violet eyes locked onto hers.

“Is it just the kind of love you feel for family?”

“Of course.”

Shamilia replied firmly.

Lucberk tilted his head slightly, his gaze unwavering.

“Why?”

“What do you mean, why? What are you even talking about?”

“Why do you only think of me as just ‘family’?”

“Because you are family, obviously…”

What else was she supposed to think of him? Was he suggesting that she should see him as a man? The thought made her frown. The subtle, creeping closeness between them was starting to bother her.

She pressed her hands against his shoulders and pushed him back. To her relief, he stepped away willingly.

“What are you trying to say, Luc?”

“I love you,” he said plainly. “And I mean, more than as family.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I mean that every feeling of ‘love’ I have is directed at you.”

Shamilia couldn’t immediately grasp the meaning behind his words. She let out a short sigh.

“There are different kinds of love, you know?”

“…”

Lucberk remained silent, his expression unchanging, his eyes still locked on hers. Shamilia felt the weight of his words settle heavily around them.

“As you said,” Shamilia began, trying to keep her voice steady, “there’s love between family members, love between men and women, and even love for pets or plants.”

Lucberk’s face inched closer again. His violet eyes, framed by dark lashes, gleamed with a dangerous intensity that made her throat tighten. Unconsciously, she swallowed hard.

“What I’m saying is that every single emotion I can call ‘love’ is directed at you. Do you still not get it?”

His soft smile sent a chill down her spine. Shamilia pressed herself further back onto the sofa, her instincts urging her to create distance. She couldn’t comprehend what had caused this situation to suddenly change.

Just earlier, it had been an ordinary day, so why was Lucberk talking about love like this now? Her tongue darted out to moisten her dry lips.