I nodded slowly, the weight of it settling into my bones.
This wasn't a mystery about an evil henchman in a mask.
This was about someone who loved their family or life so much they were willing to betray the man who'd given them everything.
And somehow, that made it so much worse.
We turned down another hallway, this one quieter. The staff doors dropped away, replaced by smooth walls and occasional art pieces.
The light dimmed a little.
The temperature seemed to fall a degree or two.
Hiro spoke, “The Personal Scales’ wing is close.”
The twins shifted almost imperceptibly, their bodies tightening, steps more deliberate. They moved like water turning to ice.
I watched them for a second, fascinated. “Do you two always do that?”
Aki eyed me. “Do what?”
“Move in sync like you’re one person as well as finish each other’s sentences.”
“Of course.” Aki nodded. “Sometimes we do it. . .”
“On purpose,” Yuki finished, a little ahead of me.
They both smiled.
Aki added, “Sometimes we do it to confuse our enemies.”
Yuki winked. “Sometimes it calms us.”
That last part settled in my chest with more weight than I expected. “You make me wish I had a twin.”
“I understand.” Aki nodded. “It’s fun to have him.”
“It’s a blessing.” Yuki winked again.
Aki's expression shifted to serious. "We don't like for people to tell us apart."
"Why not?"
“It keeps us safe,” Aki said.
“And powerful,” Yuki added.
Aki's voice was quieter now. "They all see us as. . .a matching set. Interchangeable."
Yuki nodded. "Only Hiro knows who is speaking.”
I straightened a little. "Really?”
“Yes,” They said in unison.
“Well. . .would you be mad if. . .I could easily tell who is speaking?"
They both stopped walking.
