The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

AFTER walking out of the mall, the twins didn't dally any longer and went straight to the building where the apartment Astrid rented was.  They were afraid that if they went to another place, they would encounter something they didn't want to encounter again.  It's better to be safe than sorry.

They just finished talking to the landlord of the apartment complex.  Astrid signed a one-year contract for the apartment and paid for it.  He had enough star coins in his savings account to pay for a whole year of rent.  After all, their parents weren't exactly cheapskates when giving their children money.

The twins went up to the 20th floor where Astrid's apartment was.  There were 10 apartments in each floor.  Since his apartment number was 2010, one could easily presume that it was the apartment at the very end of the corridor after getting off the elevator.

Finding the apartment, Astrid used the key given to him.  The moment he and Reas entered the apartment, the lights inside automatically turned on.  He walked forward and glanced around. 

The small living room had a comfortable-looking couch and a glass center table.  The connecting dining area and kitchen had all the necessary appliances.  He really liked the small black wooden table with two chairs on the dining area.  He then took a quick look at the bedroom and bathroom.  Both were also complete with important amenities.

He was relieved to see that the whole apartment seemed to be fully furbished.  Just like how it was advertised online.  If the reality of this apartment didn't meet his expectations, he might just really lose it.  Especially after the day he and his brother just had. 

He walked out of the room and saw Reas sitting on the couch.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, since both of them still hadn't had lunch. 

"Yeah.  I could probably eat a whole cow right now," Reas answered.

But none of them suggested to eat out.  Probably because both of them were still thinking of that 'magical encounter' they had at the mall. 

"Then I'll just order our lunch online," Astrid said.  He also planned to order groceries after.

Seeing that Reas had no objection, he proceeded on ordering using his Terminal.  He also sat down beside his brother so he could order more comfortably. 

He was also planning to order an extra foldable mattress for Reas.  So, his brother could have something to sleep on.  After all, this place only had one bedroom.  They couldn't exactly share the same bed since Reas' build was too big.  That's why he could only have him spread another mattress on the floor and let him sleep on it.

Seriously, he was thankful that everything now could be ordered online.  Maybe they should have done that instead of going to the mall personally.  Then they probably wouldn't have encountered such situations. 

"You should buy a housekeeping robot to help you maintain this apartment," Reas suggested when he saw that his brother was already done ordering.  "Even a simple one would suffice.  It could also add as an additional security for this apartment."

Housekeeping robots had a system that would immediately release an alarm once they judged that the owner of the house was in danger.  It would also issue an alarm if someone trespassed in the apartment.  These two reasons were enough to buy one.  Especially for those who was living alone.  Like his brother would be once school started.  With the presence of a housekeeping robot here, Reas would be more relieved.

Astrid nodded.  He was also planning that.  Not only for the security but also for the convenience.  Although he could clean this place by himself, once school started, it would be hard to do that.  So, it's better to have a housekeeping robot with him then.

"Should we tell Mom about the incident today?" Reas asked, changing the topic.

Astrid closed his Terminal.  "Absolutely not.  We'll just worry her unnecessarily.  Besides, it's not like Cassius Grimaldi recognized us as his sister's children.  It probably didn't even cross his mind that we are remotely related to him."

"Well, he certainly didn't show any surprise when he saw us," Reas agreed. 

The only time he looked surprise was when Astrid removed his hat and reveal his hair and face.  Which was a natural reaction.  Anyone who saw Astrid for the first time would have the same reaction.

"At least now we can confirm that people from Mom's past wouldn't immediately connect us to her once they see us," Astrid said.  It was almost the same as his hypothesis.  "Now, we don't have to worry too much that people would think that we're related, in any way or form, to the Grimaldis."

"It's probably a good thing that the two of us didn't inherit their famous silver hair," Reas added.

"Yeah."

Although Reas did inherit their mother's ice-blue hair, it's a hair color that wasn't really that uncommon.  Not to mention Astrid who had very-un-Grimaldi like features. 

"But seriously, how come we're so unlucky today?" Reas asked.  "Did someone curse us or something?"

"I think I'm the unlucky one and you just happened to be a collateral damage of my misfortune," Astrid said.

After all, he had a lot of experience being unlucky.   

Reas pinched his brother's cheek.  "Stop talking nonsense.  We're twins.  If you're unlucky, then so am I."     

"You know that reasoning was as unfounded as what I just said earlier."

"At least you know that what you said was unfounded," Reas said, frowning at him.

Astrid only looked amusedly at his younger brother.  "What got you into a bad mood?"

"I just don't want you to make such a separation between us," Reas answered seriously.  "You don't have to carry your own misfortune.  Because we will share it together."

Astrid smiled.  This kid could be really sweet sometimes.  "Okay." 

Soon, their lunch arrived.  Delivered to them by a delivering robot.  And the two soon started eating.

While the twins were having lunch together, they had no idea that a hot topic was fermenting online.  And the two of them were the center of it.