CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: CALISTA AND SOPHIA SECRET

’What should I do? I’ve never comforted anyone before.’

Betty decided to pat Claire’s back... except her "pat" landed with the force of a hammer.

"Ouch! Ouch!"

Betty froze, meeting Claire’s teary glare. Claire hunched over, rubbing her back with a wounded expression.

"Don’t you know how to comfort someone? Why are you slapping me like that?"

"Oh sorry," Betty mumbled, awkwardly withdrawing her hands and stepping back.

Before the moment could get more uncomfortable, a drowsy voice cut through the air. "Why are you shouting, Aunt Claire?"

Sophia sat up on the couch, rubbing her eyes, her hair sticking up in all directions.

The moment Sophia spotted Betty, the sleepiness vanished from her face, replaced by a bright, beaming smile.

"You’re back!"

She hopped down from the sofa without hesitation. Betty stiffened at the sudden movement. "Careful, dear," she said quickly, stepping forward.

Sophia landed in her arms, and Betty caught her in a firm embrace, holding her close.

Sophia’s grin faltered when she spotted Claire over Betty’s shoulder.

Claire stood there with her arms crossed, glaring like a teacher catching a student red-handed.

With a defiant "hmph," Sophia stuck out her tongue and started making faces, her cheeks puffing out in exaggerated mockery.

Claire’s tear-streaked face was gone, replaced by a sharp glare. She gritted her teeth, and with an indignant huff, stomped her feet hard enough to echo in the room.

"Huh...?"

Betty shifted, glancing back—only to catch Claire with her eyes squeezed shut, contorting her face into ridiculous expressions.

"What do you think you’re doing...?"

Claire froze, eyes snapping open. She forced an awkward smile at Betty—then turned her gaze and nearly jumped when she saw Sophia staring at her with wide, innocent eyes, as if she had no idea what was going on.

"You... you—!"

Betty just shook her head and lightly patted Sophia’s back.

"Sophia, did you do something? Why is your aunt—"

Before Betty could finish, Sophia shook her head with perfect innocence.

Claire huffed in irritation and marched toward the door. "Hmph! I’m going. My holiday’s over."

Bang! — she slammed the door behind her, making sure her exit sounded as dramatic as possible.

A few moments later, Betty’s shoulders began to shake. "Pfft—haha... oh my god, hehe..."

Sophia blinked and tilted her head. "Why are you laughing, Mommy?"

Betty gave her a light swat on the backside, then pointed toward the mirror that reflected Sophia’s smug little grin.

"Did you think I didn’t see anything? Hehe, I didn’t know my daughter is a little troublemaker."

Sophia’s pout slowly melted into a sly grin.

Betty sighed, set her down, and ran her fingers through Sophia’s messy hair, trying to tame it. "Alright, little one—spill it. Why were you picking on your aunt while I was gone?"

Sophia’s grin faltered. She shuffled her feet in small circles on the floor, eyes darting away.

"Well... that’s because she first made me think she was eating my chocolate... and I was already annoyed that you didn’t take me with you, so... hmm."

[Flashback]

"What do you mean, Daddy didn’t tell me he was leaving snacks for me?"

Claire shrugged, rubbing her nose with exaggerated arrogance.

"Oh, he didn’t tell you? Then he probably thinks the snacks are safer with me, because you’d eat all of them. He trusts me so much."

Dark lines formed on Sophia’s forehead. "No, he trusts me more."

Claire just shrugged again, offering no reply.

"Answer me! He trusts me more, not you..."

Another lazy shrug. "Okay, now sleep. I’m already tired, and your eyes have been closing for the past few minutes."

Without waiting for an answer, she scooped Sophia up, carried her into the bedroom, and then came back to claim her spot on the couch.

Some time later, a piercing scream shattered the quiet.

"No—he trusts me moooore!"

"W–what the—?!" Claire jolted upright, heart racing, and found Sophia standing right beside her.

[End flashback]

"And I kept waking her up until she admitted you trust me more—hehe."

Seeing her proud little grin, Betty leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Yep, I trust my daughter more than anyone."

Sophia giggled, squirming at the ticklish feeling.

"Alright, I’m going to cook dinner. Do you want to play with Calista while I’m in the kitchen?"

Sophia nodded eagerly. "Hm... I didn’t beat—uh, I mean—I want to play with her."

Betty raised an eyebrow, amused. "Sure you do."

Sending Sophia into the training space, Betty headed into the kitchen and began preparing dinner.

---

In the grass field, Sophia cupped her hands around her mouth and called out,"Hey, birdy! Where are you? Come out!"

Far away, perched on a tall tree branch, Calista snorted at the sight of the tiny figure below."Hmph, this little demon again."

With a graceful leap, she spread her wings—scarlet feathers flaring with a crimson glow, trailing streams of heat and fire in the air.

Sophia’s eyes lit up. She waved both arms and shouted,"Hey, birdy! Come down! You promised to fight with me!"

Calista touched down on the grass, her voice dripping with sarcasm."First grow up, little demon. Then maybe you’ll be able to fight me."

Even as she mocked her, a fleeting glimmer of respect flashed in Calista’s eyes—brief, but unmistakable. The way one might look at a far older, wiser elder.

"Hmph, are you mocking me, birdy? Backing away from your promise?"

Calista snorted, heat rippling faintly around her as her form began to shift. Sophia’s expression didn’t change—she’d seen this before.

Where the fiery-winged bird had stood, a little girl about Sophia’s height now appeared, dressed in flowing red ancient robes. Her crimson eyes locked onto Sophia with a mix of challenge and warning.

"Yeah, yeah, I’m not backing away," Calista said, folding her arms. "But this time, don’t go tying me to some branch when you win. And remember—" her gaze sharpened "—don’t you dare tell your mother about this form. That was our promise."

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

"I know, I won’t tell. But if you really want to hide it... Why show me this form at all, hmph?"

Her blunt question made Calista freeze mid-breath. The fire in her eyes flickered, and she gave a small, awkward cough, glancing away.

"Well... it was important for you to see me. I... I thought you would remember—"

She cut herself off, lips pressing into a thin line, the rest of her words swallowed by silence.

What would I remember? What are you talking about?"

Calista shook her head and, without missing a beat, switched topics.

"Hmph. Little demon, you wanted a fight, didn’t you? Then let’s fight."

Sophia’s earlier curiosity vanished, replaced by a wide, toothy grin. She lifted her small fists into the air.

"Haha! Let’s fight! I’m going to beat you this time!"

Calista arched an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk.

"Tch. Don’t kid yourself. Last time, you couldn’t even touch me."

Ignoring the taunt, Sophia charged forward. Calista easily stepped aside, dodging the punch without effort.

"Take your stance properly," she instructed, her tone shifting into that of a teacher. "Spread your legs a little more. Don’t clench your fists so hard—keep them loose, then tighten only when you’re about to connect with flesh."

As Calista sidestepped Sophia’s wild swings, her mind began to drift. The scene before her blurred, replaced by a memory long buried.

A tall woman with flowing crimson hair stood beneath a burning sky, her white dress adorned with intricate red embroidery. She moved with effortless grace, her every step precise, her every motion carrying an air of authority.

Opposite her stood a much smaller figure—a little girl with the same fiery red hair, fists raised in determination. The woman’s voice was calm but firm as she repeated the same corrections Calista had just given.

"Spread your stance... don’t grip so tightly... power comes in the moment of impact."

The memory lingered, making Calista’s chest tighten before the sound of Sophia’s footsteps snapped her back to the present.

"Why didn’t you feel pain? My punch landed right on your shoulder, and you didn’t even blink!"

Sophia frowned, glancing from her small fist to Calista’s shoulder.

Calista looked down at the spot, then shrugged casually."That’s why I told you—grow up first."

Her teasing tone made Sophia’s cheeks puff in irritation."What? You’re the same age as me! Look at your height!"

Calista laced her hands behind her head, whistling innocently."Whoa, looks like the baby is crying now. Eh—"

She cut herself off mid-taunt, eyes widening when she saw Sophia crouching down, clutching a handful of vines.

"W–Wait! You promised not to bind me!"

Sophia’s grin turned mischievous.

Calista yelped and spun on her heel, sprinting away."Waaah! Stay away from me, you little demon!"

"Stop right there, or else I’ll tell Mommy about this form of yours!"

Calista froze mid-step, her red eyes narrowing. She slowly turned her head to see Sophia strolling toward her with a smug grin, laughter bubbling from her lips.

"N–Nooooo!" Calista’s voice cracked in panic.

Sophia tilted her head innocently, but the glint in her eyes was pure mischief."Then don’t run."

Calista’s wings on her back twitched, torn between fleeing and surrendering.