I think I was starting to not only differentiate the twins, but also begin to understand them a bit more. Aki typically always talked first—quick, easy confidence, the kind of guy who answered questions before anyone else even processed them. Yuki, on the other hand, measured words like they cost money.You could see him running silent calculus behind his eyes before he opened his mouth.
They’re such an interesting pair. Hiro is lucky to have them around.
I put my attention on Hiro and pointed. “By the way, you’re Fred since you’re in charge.”
He stopped mid-stride, turned his head, and gave me a look so dry it could’ve dehydrated fruit. “Absolutely not.”
“What?”
“I’m not Fred. Assign me someone else.”
I chuckled. “You’re literally the blond leader. You give orders. People listen. That’s Fred energy.”
“No. I refuse.” Hiro returned to walking. “I’m Daphne.”
“Wow.” I blinked.
“I’m the pretty one.”
The twins nodded in agreement.
Another chuckle left me.
The twins slowed so we were briefly all in line.
“Then who are we,” Aki gestured to him and his brother.
Yuki shook his head. “Not Fred either.”
Aki touched two fingers to his jaw, which must have meant that he was thinking.
Yuki had his own thing. As he walked, he tapped his thumb against his thigh as if he were keeping time to a rhythm only he could hear.
Two brothers.
Two minds.
Yet, always syncing up in their own weird twin connection.
Hiro grabbed my attention. “The twins are Shaggy and Scooby. You two absolutely enjoy being high and you are addicted to snacks.”
The twins looked at each other.
Aki smirked. “We do like snacks.”
“Lots of them.” Yuki winked.
“But I prefer savory,” Aki added.
Yuki shot him a side glare. “You say that, but you always steal my sweet things first.”
Aki smirked. “Only because you hide them.”
Yuki frowned. “Because you eat everything not nailed down.”
Hiro chuckled, and the few harsh lines in his expression eased a little, before returning. For a second, I think I had an image of what he must’ve looked like before the Fox killed Nura.
We moved in silence for another thirty feet, the corridor stretching long and empty ahead of us. Soon, we reached the end of the first hallway and stopped at the elevator.
