"So...So far so good, Astrid." Mika said carefully. "From everything you've said right now, I don't think I particularly need to reprimand you or anything. In fact, you seem to be handling things quite well."
Astrid immediately pulled on his cheek, pouting.
"What do you mean, 'reprimand me'?"
She protested indignantly.
"I'm the oldest sister here! I'm the one who's supposed to reprimand you and scold you and teach you if you did something wrong! It's not supposed to be the other way around!"
Mika just smiled, gently removing her hand from his cheek.
"If you say so."
Then his expression became more serious, his tone shifting to something heavier.
"Now, for the final matter I want to talk about." He said quietly. "The most important one."
Astrid stiffened slightly, as if sensing where this was going.
"What about your mother?" Mika asked gently.
Immediately, a difficult expression appeared on Astrid's face—something cold and defensive all at once.
