The RV smoothly drove on the fine pavement of the highway. The roads stretched for miles as cars passed like flies. Dante sighed, calming down after his proposal. Beside him, Missio sat with his back leaned. Just then, Dante remembered something.
"Oh, right. I forgot something."
Missio jolted up and looked at his brother.
"What?"
"Take off your contacts." He stated.
Missio paused for a moment, staring at Dante.
"…why?" He asked in a soft tone.
"Your eyes aren't something to hide, Missio. You should embrace them." Dante replied.
Missio slumped back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Now that he realized, his black contacts had made the world darker for him all this while. He drew a deep breath and straightened. He took off his contacts, carefully and closed his eyes shut. He exhaled heavily and opened his eyes. The world didn't just look brighter. It felt sharpened as if someone had dialed the resolution of reality up.
His scarlet eyes reflected on the windshield, a pair of red suns that were embedded into his sockets. He blinked – turning on X-ray. The world flipped its colors, allowing him to see its secrets. He glanced at his brother whose bones were exposed in his vision. He blinked again, turning it off. He threw his contacts in the trash.
"Feeling better already?" Dante chuckled.
"Yeah…" Missio replied.
"Embracing your differences is better than hiding them." Dante gripped the wheel. "That's the first lesson you should learn."
Missio nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. Just then, the voice of the Music box resounded in his mind. He leaned forward, holding his head. He tilted his head to the side and opened his mouth.
"I also wanted to tell you something…"
"Yeah? What is it?" Dante asked, overtaking another car.
Missio smacked his lips. "The Music Box spoke."
Dante's jaw dropped slightly. He curled his lips inward and adjusted his glasses.
"That's… weird." He said. "You sure it wasn't just your imagination?"
"Nope. Heard it clear as day." Missio shook his head.
"When did you hear it?"
"…When I transcended." Missio replied.
Dante leaned back but kept his eyes on the road. Missio narrowed his eyes, noticing his brother's heart beat jolt slightly.
"To be honest, I don't know why…"
Missio raised a brow.
"But you're the one who got it for me?"
"Yeah… but I don't know all of its functions." Dante responded.
Missio heaved a sigh. "Forget it, then."
Dante nodded, scratching his shoulder. He tapped the screen and music began playing from the speakers. Missio looked out the window, seeing the world in its true beauty for the first time in years. They continued the drive to their destination as the sun hovered above them.
***
After a few hours…
Dusk soon arrived like a haunting shadow. Dante exited the highway and drove into another, much finely paved roadway. Missio poked his head out the window, the wind blowing his back. He peered forward as they entered a city. Dante tapped the screen, activating the GPS to the nearest designated RV parking area. They drove by many streetlights that lit up the surroundings. Missio noticed that some structures looked more ancient than the others.
Eventually, they found their way to the stop. Dante halted near the gate and poked his head out the window.
"Hello, is this the RV parking?"
The man behind the counter jolted up.
"Y-Yes, it is."
"Great! Is a spot available?"
"Let me check."
The man typed swiftly on his computer like a machine. The keys clicked like those on a piano. A few seconds later, the man turned towards them again.
"There is a spot available. On the left near the lake."
"Thank you." Dante pulled out his phone. "We'll be staying for a month so…"
He handed his phone to the man.
"Just automate the payment."
"Will do." The man replied, typing his number into the database,
Then, he handed Dante's phone back and signaled for him to go. Dante pressed the gas and the car went forward. He turned a corner. They passed by many RVs of different shades as they headed towards their destination. After a few minutes, they arrived near the lake. Finding an empty spot, Dante drove forward. He braked and shifted into reverse gear. He slowly reversed the car and halted at the edge.
"We're here. Get off." He stretched his arms.
The sun dipped past the horizon. The moon rose from the other side as the stars flashed across the night sky. Dante pressed something on the panel as Missio exited the RV. As he stepped out, an awning unfolded itself top the RV. Dante brought two chairs and placed them on the ground.
"You wanna eat dinner or…?" He asked.
"No…" Missio replied.
Dante nodded. He pulled the chair towards himself and sat down. Missio did the same and sat beside him. The two brothers stared at the lake across from them. The moonlight reflected off the tranquil surface of the water, creating a mesmerizing scene.
"Excited to come to Verona?" Dante asked.
Missio nodded, leaning back.
"Well, it's the first time you've gone outside of Romulus so, I'd expect that." Dante chuckled.
"You don't have to say it like that…" Missio leaned forward.
"Fine but during this time on our cross-country road-trip." Dante locked eyes with him. "I'm gonna fix you up – I'm mean, you're already healing."
"Yeah…"
"Let's not start your training slash recovery immediately. I want you to explore this city." Dante stated.
"What's so special about it?" Missio inquired.
"It's the place where Romeo and Juliet takes place." Dante locked eyes with Missio. "It's also called the city of love… or city of Romeo and Juliet."
"City of love, huh…?" Missio narrowed his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I know… crazy coincidence, right?" Dante scratched his head, tilting his head.
"How long are you gonna leave Isabella on read?" Missio asked with a slight smile.
"When I'm sure I can survive her rage." Dante replied while looking at the horizon.