"It's me."
Richie's voice came through the phone, clear but weak.
Relief washed over Si Ang in an instant. His nose stung, and he held back a sob as he tried to sound casual:
"Good, you're awake. You even remembered to call me back. That means I must matter to you at least a little."
Hearing Si Ang joke around and spout nonsense on the other end, Richie grew flustered and annoyed:
"What nonsense are you talking about? If you passed out, I'd worry about you too. If that's all, I'm hanging up!"
Richie was about to hang up when Si Ang hurriedly stopped him. "Wait, hold on."
Richie brought the receiver back to his ear, frowning impatiently. "What is it?"
Si Ang remained silent for a long time. Richie's patience ran out, and he began fiddling with his pajamas. "If you've got something to say, say it."
On the other end, Si Ang smiled. "I'll settle the score with you when we're back at school!"
Richie swallowed at those words. He had known he couldn't escape Si Ang.
Before Richie could reply, the disconnected line went, "Beep, beep, beep."
Richie gave a soft sigh, his heart heavy.
He had wrinkled his black pajamas with all his fiddling.
Richie's pajamas were made of the same material as Anya's, except his consisted of a short-sleeved top and shorts.
Anya was a little worried about Richie. After Si Ang hung up, she felt that her big brother Richie seemed to be in a bad mood.
"Big brother Richie, did Si Ang bully you? Anya will beat him up for you!"
Beside him, Anya demonstrated the punches Yor had taught them both.
Richie shook his head. "No, Anya. Si Ang was just a little worried about my health.
"I was just feeling a