The barrage of messages and missed calls were all from the two overgrown brothers. They were currently making their way through the airport.


    Mirabe replied with a quick voice message before striding confidently toward the exit, her suitcase trailing behind her. In no time, she breezed through the checkpoint and immediately spotted Zach’s familiar figure. She quickened her pace, heading straight for him.


    “Zach.”


    Without a word, Zach took over the suitcase and therge shopping bag from her grasp, his concern evident in his voice. “You must be tired, huh?”


    “Not too bad.” Mirabe arched an eyebrow before scanning around the area. “Where’s Leo? Wasn’t he supposed toe with you?”


    Zach’s face darkened at the mention of Leo, and he replied, irritationcing his tone. “That .doofus is in the car waiting for you.”


    A twitch of amusement yed on Mirabe’s lips she had a hunch Leo had managed to get on Zach’s nerves again.


    “I told him to wait at home, but he insisted oning. Honestly, with his national boyfriend looks, what good could possiblye from him showing up here<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Zach practically growled the words, his mind reying the near–crushing encounter with Leo’s fans, a surge of irritation tempting him to throw a punch or two.


    National boyfriend looks… Mirabe covertly nced at her brother Zach, finding the description annoyingly urate.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe tried to soothe the tension. “Ease up, Zach. Leo can’t help it if he’s got a fanbase. It’s understandable they’d recognize him.”


    That, however, didn’t do much to lift Zach’s spirits. Ever since Leo moved back home, Zach felt like he was bing increasingly invisible.


    A few minutester, they reached the parking lot. As they approached the car, Zach spotted Leo already opening the car door, seemingly ready to hop out. His re was sharp and warning. “Have your fans left, huh?”


    Hearing this, Leo instantly withdrew his foot, and as he leaned forward to speak, a suitcase was shoved in, forcing him to scoot over.


    “The trunk’s packed, Leo. Squeeze in a little, will ya?” Zach dumped the suitcase and shopping bag onto the back seat with an emotionless face before mming the car door shut.


    Leo was left in a state of bewilderment.


    “Mira, you take the front seat.” Zach spoke as he gantly opened the passenger door for


    Mirabe.


    Leo was still a picture of confusion.


    Mirabe quietly took her seat in the passenger side, but not before catching a glimpse of Leo’s baffled expression in the rearview mirror, shaking her head in resignation. Poor Leo was always the one getting picked on.


    By the time they got home, it was already half–past ten. Their folks had been waiting in the living room, each holding a confetti popper. As soon as Mirabe stepped through the door. they simultaneously triggered the poppers. Instantly, ribbons and a shower of colorful confetti rained down on her head.


    “Congrattions to our schrly superstar for clinching first ce in the finals!”


    “Let’s hear it for the champ.”


    The couple beamed with pride, taking turns to embrace their daughter.


    Caught off–guard by her parents‘ exuberant wee, Mirabe stood rooted to the spot, two strands of confetti dangling before her eyes. She nced sideways at the gleeful grins stered on their faces – if they were happy, then so be it. Her lips curled up, almost without her consent.


    Once in the living room, Mirabe began distributing the gifts she had bought at the airport, one for each family member.


    “Why does Zach get a fancy pen, and I get this?” Leo’s voice, filled with mock indignation, drifted from across the room.