“I…” Leo began, the words almost tumbling out before he caught Mirabe’s all–knowing gaze, and suddenly, he couldn’t bring himself to finish. After an awkward pause, he finally managed to say, “…forgot.”


    Mirabe polished off thest slice of her apple, said nothing, and simply stood <b>up</b>.


    Leo watched his sister abruptly walk away, and for some reason, a sense of dread washed over him, reminiscent of the feeling he got when he was caught by a teacher with unfinished homework as a kid.


    “Weird,” he thought, “why would I even think that?”


    Before long. Mirabe returned with a ss of water, her expression unreadable as she handed


    it to Leo.


    Sitting up straight, Leo almost robotically took the ss, his hands moving faster than his thoughts. Without needing any prompts, he fished out a bottle of pills from his pocket. “I’ll take them right now.” He didn’t even bother to ponder the possible side effects of the medication; he just popped a pill into his mouth without hesitation.


    Watching him swallow the medicine, Mirabe’s stern expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm, “If you want to get better, you need to take the medicine I give you on time.”


    Leo nodded subconsciously, his usual air of cool detachment and standoffishness dissolving in front of Mirabe as if their roles had been reversed <b>– </b>she the protective older sister, and he the obliging younger brother.


    Leo was baffled. After a moment, he snapped back to reality and hesitantly began, “You know about my health problem…”


    Mirabe’s phone buzzed in her pocket, and she casually pulled it out while absentmindedly replying, “Mhm.”


    At her nonchnt acknowledgment, Leo’s expression flickered with confusion. Aside from Zach and Nick, even Emmitt didn’t know about his condition. How could Mirabe be aware of it?


    And surely… Zach and Nick wouldn’t have told her.


    Mirabe ignored the surprise in Leo’s eyes andfortably settled back on the couch to text. not saying another word.


    Leo had so many questions, but seeing her engrossed in her messaging, he finally mped his mouth shut and sat there, his mind elsewhere.


    The message was from a recent contact on Messenger named “No Stealing My Meds.”


    No Stealing My Meds: The Pharmacist’s Guild did have apounder make a batch of Sce Stem recently, but I heard that it wasn’t sold. It’s still with the Guild.


    Mirabe crossed her legs on the couch, leaning backzily. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she read the message. Her fingertips tapped swiftly as she typed a response.


    The Pill: Are you sure?


    No Stealing My Meds: Positive. The Guild has a lot of rare ingredients, so any high–level meds concocted there are cataloged and not allowed for private sale or removal.


    Mirabe’s fingers traced the edge of her phone, pondering for a few seconds before replying.


    The Pill: Do you know the name of thepounder who made the Sce Stem?


    No Stealing My Meds: Not sure about that. I can ask around if you want.


    Seeing this, Mirabe quickly replied.


    The Pill: No need, it’s not important.


    No Stealing My Meds: Ok. Hey, are you stillpounding?


    The Pill: No, no time.


    No Stealing My Meds: Alright, let me know when you start again.


    The Pill: I can’t for now. Senior year is hectic.


    No Stealing My Meds: …


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