Anthony hummed before saying, “Don't you think that Nat's gentler than before?”
Benjamin blinked. “But Nat's always been gentle.”
“What are you talking about? She used to be so inflexible. It's not that she's gentler now, but... something else.” Anthony wracked his brain for the right word, but despite his long contemplation, he failed to find a suitable term for the feeling.
Benjamin studied him from head to toe. “Tony, you used to be Nat's die-hard fan. No matter how Nat is, she's always the best person in the world to you. What's wrong? Have you changed your mind?”
“I...” Anthony pressed his lips tightly together before saying, “Nat's still the best person I know. I'm just pointing a fact out.”
“And the fact is that people change. Doesn't that apply to you as well?” Benjamin questioned.
Anthony nodded after a while. “You're right.”
At Anthony's speechlessness, Benjamin chuckled.
“Fine. Ignore everything I said!” Anthony huffed and turned to leave.
Benjamin walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. “All right. I know what you mean. I'm not dumb, so how can I not sense Nat's change?”
Anthony turned to look at his brother. “Then why did you pretend not to know anything?”
“I just wanted to see you rendered speechless.”
“You—”
Just as Anthony was about to retort, Benjamin interrupted, “Regardless of everything, I'm fine as long as her change is for the better.”
Anthony nodded in agreement. “That's true, but I am worried about something.”
“About what?”
“We asked Nat whether or not she found the truth last time, and she told us yes. But she refused to tell us who it was.”
Benjamin continued, “So you're worried that Nat will continue trying to seek revenge?”
“It's not a worry; she'll surely do that.”
Benjamin lowered his gaze for a moment before inclining his head. “Nat's been troubled by this for so many years. She's not going to let it go so easily.” Then, he lifted his head to look at Anthony and asked, “What do you think about this?”
“Since Nat wants to settle this herself, I think we should find out who it is. Even if we don't intervene in this, we can at least have our guards up,” Anthony pointed out.
Benjamin bobbed his head. “Agreed.”
“I'll leave this to you, then.”
The younger boy continued bobbing his head, but he soon registered what Anthony had just said. “What?”
Anthony laughed at him. “I'm sure you'll do this well.”
“No, wait, why me again?”
“You're the most obedient child of us all. You're not as chaotic as Denise, and you're not as nosy as I. Nat has always been most contented with you, so you'll catch her off guard if you were the one to ask her,” Anthony pointed out.
“Anthony, you—”
“We're taking turns. If anything crops up again, it'll be my turn,” Anthony quickly said.
“Well, then you should go first!”
“I've already asked her, and you saw how Nat responded. That's why I'm sure she won't say anything if I were to ask her instead.”
“I'm always glued by your side. Won't she know that you'll know if I ask her about it?”
“Then come up with a plan and fish for information from her as nonchalantly as you can.”
“Are you overestimating my capabilities, or are you underestimating Nat's capabilities?”
“Just try. We'll think about what else to do if it doesn't work,” Anthony insisted.
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