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Skyline (Caleb Tender Moment)
With the Hunter's Exam fast approaching, my life has become nothing but studying.
Thankfully, the Aviation Administration just lifted its restrictions on visits. I sent Caleb a message to see if I could stop by. He quickly said yes.
Just as I sit down in my seat on the train heading to Skyhaven, I get a message from Caleb.
Caleb: Hey, pip-squeak. You didn't get on the wrong train, did you?
Main Character: Seriously? You're still going to treat me like that?
Main Character: I just got on the train. Be ready for my revenge.
Caleb: Awesome. But an emergency flight got dropped on me. I'm sending a colleague who's on leave to pick you up.
Main Character: Are they your friend? Guy or girl?
Caleb: They're my roommate. Why are you asking if they're a guy or girl?
Caleb: Oh, by the way. I found the video Gran recorded when I got back from Summerspace Camp in high school.
Main Character: You better not send it to me!
Caleb: It's already being sent.
Immediately, a video pops up in the chat.
Back in high school, Caleb spent a month at Summerspace Camp. Grandma and I were at the station to pick him up.
Those days are still clear in my memory.
I put on my earbuds and play the video. The camera is shaky, and the first few seconds are just half my face.
I cover my eyes before peeking through the gaps between my fingers.
Back then, I was a kid. And Caleb, being the troublemaker he was, pulled a prank on me.
Main Character: Caleb, what happened to your arm?
In the video, I'm standing on tiptoes and trying to get a better look at the scratch.
Caleb: Oh, this?
Caleb: Do you want to know what happened?
Caleb: Promise you won't tell Gran, okay?
Main Character: Promise!
Caleb: I got it from Summerspace Camp. I was flying a plane at the time.
Main Character: You can fly planes there?
Caleb: Yeah, the weather got bad not long after takeoff. Then, boom! Thunder! Lightning flashed in the sky!
Main Character: Really? How did you feel? It sounds scary!
Caleb: It was a little nerve-wracking. The instructor told me to land, but then it started raining. There was no way I could land safely.
Caleb: I had to fly through thick clouds and dodge lightning like a pro until I found a decent landing spot.
Main Character: And then what happened?
Caleb: I landed that bad boy in one go. This scratch is from the instrument panel.
Main Character: You're amazing, Caleb!
The video ends with me clapping and cheering.
I immediately open the chat and respond.
Main Character: Liar! You got that scratch from a clothes hanger!
Main Character: If I had known, I wouldn't have bothered with looking for a band-aid!
Caleb: Weren't you cute, though?
Caleb: I feel like it's been ages since you complimented me. Now I have to live vicariously through these videos.
Caleb: Oh. If you want to say anything, wait until we meet up.
Caleb: All right, I gotta head to the runway. See you later.
Main Character: Even though I haven't given you a knuckle sandwich... Stay safe.
Caleb sends a headpat emoji.
Sitting in the empty train, I chuckle and silence my phone.
The train station in Skyhaven is a sea of activity. A young man, tall and wearing a pilot uniform, holds up a cardboard sign.
My name is written on it, its letters practically swallowing the whole thing.
Main Character: Hello... I'm Main Character.
Colleague: You're Caleb's friend, right? I'm his colleague.
Main Character: Yeah, that's me. Thanks for picking me up, but... Can we ditch the sign? Haha...
The young man is embarrassed and quickly lowers the sign.
Colleague: I was in a rush. Caleb was worried you'd get lost or take the wrong train. He insisted on using giant letters so you wouldn't miss it.
Main Character: I appreciate the effort.
Clearly, I'm not just Main Character to Caleb. I'm still gullible and need to have my hand held.
Colleague: All right, let's go. The car's waiting.
Main Character: Okay.
He chats the whole way through. He's basically telling me about stuff related to Caleb.
Colleague: Caleb mentioned you've been hitting the books for the Hunter's Exam lately. That's rough.
Colleague: He didn't want to bug you while you were cramming. He was worried you'd be distracted.
Main Character: He's worried I might fail...
Main Character: Honestly... I do feel a little nervous. I've studied for so long, but I still have my doubts.
Colleague: Ah, don't sweat it! Caleb believes in you. He said you'll pass with flying colors.
Colleague: He even promised to treat you and me to a celebratory dinner if you pass. So you need to do your best.
Main Character: Thank you!
When we reach the Aviation Administration, the scenery appears around us. And in the distance, the gate with "Deepspace Aviation Administration" is proudly displayed.
Colleague: His patrol should've wrapped up now. Follow me.
We weave through patches of green and buildings. I recognize a few pilots as I pass by.
Soon enough, we arrive at the runway where all sorts of airplanes are lined up. They're like gleaming metal birds under the scorching sun.
A flash of silver streaks across the sky-a plane roars overhead and leaves a clean contrail in its wake.
It descends gracefully and kicks up a dust cloud on the ground. The deafening engine forces me to cover my ears.
Colleague: There's Caleb's plane.
The cabin door slowly opens, and Caleb's
Main Character: Caleb! Nothing bad happened on the patrol, right?
Caleb: Nothing bad happened during your trip, right?
Main Character: Answer my question first.
Caleb: Pfft, this isn't any different from us being at home. You listen to me.
Main Character: Well, those rules changed when you flew off to the Academy. Now everyone except Grandma listens to me.
Caleb: Okay, but who else would listen to you aside from me?
Caleb: Even the stray dog we fed by the door only wags its tail for me.
Main Character: Caleb!
Caleb: What are you shouting my name for? I don't think that's a good thing.
Caleb: All right, all right. I'll answer your question first.
Caleb: Takeoff was fine, but the patrol itself...
Main Character: What happened?
Caleb: The radar just stopped working halfway through the flight.
Colleague: What? How?
Main Character: ...
Caleb: It got worse. I thought I strayed into a no- fly zone, so I tried to contact ground control...
Caleb: The signal was bad, and I got nothing but silence from ATC.
Caleb: And then-
Main Character: A UFO swooped in and saved you?
Caleb: ...
Caleb: Haha, I knew you wouldn't fall for it again.
Main Character: Even without the video you sent today, there's no way I'd believe you!
Main Character: You and your fake flight emergencies. Caleb, it's time to learn a new trick.
Colleague: Is this... how you two usually talk?
Caleb: You asked me if I argued with her before.
Caleb: Look at us. Perfect harmony, wouldn't you say?
Main Character: Ah yes, the true unadulterated bond that comes with love and support.
Colleague: I... I don't know how to respond to this.
After his colleague leaves, Caleb offers to show me around.
Feeling lighter on my feet, my worries about the Hunters Exam are forgotten.
Main Character: Caleb, I've been holding down the fort back home now that you're gone. Especially in the kitchen.
Main Character: Grandma's been praising my braised pork. She says it's better than yours!
Caleb: You and your tall tales. How do you even come up with this stuff?
Main Character: From the master himself, of course! Don't you know the saying? "You are the company you keep."
Main Character: ...Don't believe me? Next time you come home, we'll settle our braised pork debate in a cook-off.
Caleb: So you said all that because you miss me.
Caleb: I used to visit every month, but lately I've been busy with missions. It's tough to set aside time for you.
Caleb: Once things settle down, I'll be back to cooking for you everyday.
Main Character: Speaking of which... Grandma misses you too. Just saying.
Caleb: Hold up. Did you just say "too"?
Main Character: You gonna play word police now...
Main Character: Some things are better left unsaid... Or I can just bury my words and make sure you never find out.
Caleb: Whoa, there. You have secrets? What's going on? Is there something you're not telling me?
Main Character: Forget it. You don't need to know everything.
Main Character: I'm an adult now. Adults need some privacy.
Caleb: But for the big stuff, you can still come to me. I'll be worried sick if I couldn't help you with the important things.
Main Character: Yeah, yeah.
We stroll through the Aviation Administration's central square. I suddenly stop him.
Main Character: The air here is fresh.
Caleb: Linkon's air isn't bad either, right?
Main Character: Lately, Linkon's air feels... heavy.
Main Character: Like it's filled with something... a genius like you wouldn't notice.
Caleb: Still worried about the Hunters' Exam?
Main Character: ...
Main Character: Ugh, don't even mention it. It puts me in a bad mood every time.
Main Character: Hey, does the Aviation Administration have any cool places we can check out?
Caleb: I was going to introduce you to some friends, but...
Caleb: Come with me.
We walk through the corridor, and a bunch of young people greet Caleb.
He smiles and introduces me as his childhood friend.
Caleb leads me to a building, and we stop in a hallway connecting two sections.
Floor-to-ceiling windows show off a vast blue sky.
Main Character: From here, the planes below look like the neatly arranged toys you used to play with as a kid.
Caleb: These aren't toys to us pilots, though. They're priceless treasures.
Main Character: So where did you put priceless treasure, then?
Understanding what I'm implying, Caleb laughs...
Caleb: Over there. Bottom left corner.
He points, and there is the sleek, iron-gray plane that he flew in earlier.
Main Character: So you're Caleb's precious treasure, huh? Nice to meet you. Oh, I'm Main Character, the friend Caleb barely remembers.
Caleb: Watch what you say, pip-squeak.
Caleb: Don't you wanna know who my real favorite is?
He points to another place where a gleaming silver plane gracefully takes off.
Caleb: Look. That beauty's a T-93.
Main Character: Wow, it's pretty. Is it a new model? I haven't seen one like that before.
Caleb: There are a few more over by the runway. We can get a closer look at them later.
The present fades and is temporarily replaced by a distant, hazy memory. Years ago, on a summer day, I was by the riverbank with Caleb. We were watching planes soar into the sky.
A plane cuts across the twilight. The younger me raises my arms and cheers.
Main Character: It's taking off!
Young Caleb: It's a L380 Airliner.
Main Character: Bye bye, L380!
Young Caleb: The L380 is flying to other cities. It might be far away now, but it'll be back before you know it.
Main Character: Let's meet again, L380! Stay strong!
Caleb: The T-93 is just starting its rounds. But it'll be back before you know it.
His words resound in my ears. They're eerily similar to something I once heard as a kid. I look at his grin.
Main Character: You're living the dream, Caleb. You're awesome.
Main Character: And here I am...
My gaze falls onto my hands. They can usually hit the bullseye with a gun, but...
Even missing by a millimeter throws me off.
Lately, I've been stuck in a rut because of the Hunters' Exam. There's nothing but paperwork and mountains of facts to review.
Anything less than a perfect score can ruin my chances...
My dream of becoming a hunter could pop like a bubble.
Caleb: Don't you believe in yourself?
Caleb asks, his voice noticeably softer.
Main Character: There's so much that could go wrong during the exam... What if I fail...
Even though he's a close friend, the words get stuck in my throat.
I'm scared. I'm scared I'll be a burden to him, scared he'll brush it off and say being a hunter isn't everything.
But I really want to be a hunter. I can't give up now...
Caleb: Hey, these exams are held every year, right? It's okay if you don't pass. You can always try again next year, or the year after that.
Caleb: I wouldn't even dare to tell you to give up on your dream of becoming a hunter.
Caleb: Besides, I have a feeling you'll pass it first try. But even if you don't, there's always next time, right?
Caleb: Don't worry about the job thing. I got your back until you pass the exam.
My eyelashes tremble, and I quickly look away to hide my tears.
Main Character: In... In that case, I can spend less, eat less, and pass the exam before I completely drain your savings, Caleb!
Main Character: If that's still a dealbreaker... I'll just keep to myself and not be a bother.
Main Character: Hmm... I could always massage your shoulders and legs if you want.
Caleb: Forget everything besides the massages. Taking care of you is nothing new for me.
Main Character: You're a good person, Caleb.
A soft chuckle escapes his lips. His eyes widen for a moment.
Caleb: ...
Main Character: What's so funny?
Caleb: I remember how when you were a kid, you were always right behind me...
Caleb: Saying things like "Caleb's the coolest! The best of the best! The bestest in the whole world!"
Caleb: A few years passed. And then it became-
Caleb: "Caleb's such a dummy!" Oh, can't forget "Don't let me catch you on the way home, Caleb!"
Caleb: Now you're saying I'm a good person today. Who knows, you might be singing a different tune tomorrow. Guess I'll bask in the praise while I can.
Main Character: You're so humble. But you weren't always Mr. Goody Two-shoes when we were kids.
Caleb: If that's what you remember, just wait till I dig up those videos from our childhood. I'll prove who the real bully was.
Main Character: Come on... Back then, we expressed ourselves in a weird way. Even happiness came out as anger at times.
Main Character: I remember when you first took me to see airplanes. It was summer-
Caleb: Spring.
Main Character: What?
Caleb: It was spring. Mid-March and constantly raining. For some reason, you were always grumpy.
Caleb: Gran was busy with work, so it was just the two of us at home sometimes.
Caleb: You weren't talking a lot. And I thought it wasn't right. I couldn't let a good kid like you turn into a grump because of me.
Caleb: Back then, I had no clue what you liked. So, I just took you to see what I liked
Caleb reaches for the glass in front of me.
His hand, calloused from gripping a yoke, is reminiscent of a plane climbing into the sky.
Caleb: Watching the plane ascend like that, you suddenly burst into a fit of laughter.
Caleb smiles, his eyes lighting up under the sun.
Caleb smiles, his eyes lighting up under the sun. His gaze reflects a thousand tiny snapshots of the past.
Caleb: Sunlight finally broke through the clouds when you looked at me. Your smile that day... I think-
He abruptly stops himself as his gaze lands on me.
Caleb: ...
Main Character: What?
Main Character: Were you about to call me cute? Go ahead.
Caleb playfully ruffles my hair.
Caleb: You were a cute kid, I'll give you that. But now you're all grown up.
Main Character: So being an adult means you can't be cute anymore?
Caleb: ...Sometimes.
He laughs, and then he turns around. He walks ahead without looking back.
Caleb: Let's go. It's time to show you the T-93.
I follow after him, determined to resolve this.
Main Character: You're telling me I'm not always cute? Give me an example of when that was the case.
He doesn't respond. Instead, he smirks and shakes his head.
Main Character: I tell you everything, but you don't say anything about your own stuff? That's unfair.
Caleb: Yeah, and? I'm older than you, aren't I?
Main Character: You only use age as a last resort.
Caleb: You said you want your privacy. But what about mine?
We enter the elevator. He turns to press the button, and he speaks in a more serious tone.
Main Character: Fine. I get it. No more questions.
The elevator descends, the air heavy with tension between us.
On the runway, I make a beeline for the T-93.
Main Character: It'd be a sight to behold if you were piloting it, Caleb.
Caleb: Only veteran pilots get to fly it. But-
Caleb: I'll get there eventually.
Main Character: Even the paint looks good. I could see this in the sky as soon as I look up.
Main Character: And that's when I'll say—
Main Character: Bye bye, T-93!
Caleb: Didn't I tell you before? It'll be back.
His gaze flits from me to the plane. The aircraft is a snow-white hawk waiting for its rider.
Seeing the fire in his eyes, I feel a spark ignite within me.
Main Character: Listen up, Caleb. I'm going all out for this Hunter's Exam.
Main Character: And I'll pass on my first try!
Main Character: That way, my dream come true. I'll make Grandma proud. And...
Main Character: I'll make you proud, too!
The ground trembles as a plane roars overhead.
Caleb turns around to face me.
Caleb: You already have.
Main Character: What did you say?
His voice is swallowed by the deafening noise.
We stand there, some distance apart. His mouth moves, but his words are lost in the cacophony.
Caleb: I said I'm already proud of you.
He yells, but his voice is barely a squeak above the plane's roar.
Drowning out everything else, the wall of sound seemingly separates us.
I laugh. With my arms wide open, I shout. Yet my words vanish into the deafening din.
Main Character: Caleb-is-such-a-dummy!
Caleb: What-was-that-pip-squeak?
Main Character: l-said-
I say each word dramatically, one at a time.
Main Character: In the next life, I still want to be Caleb's childhood friend!
A flicker of surprise crosses his face.
Suddenly, I'm pulled forward. My body is being moved by an invisible force.
Main Character: Caleb! Don't use your Evol on me!
Caleb: Did you just say you'd be my childhood
Main Character: You... You heard that?
I sheepishly smile and nod.
Caleb: What if I don't want to be your childhood friend anymore?
Main Character: Well, what do you wanna be instead?
Caleb: Maybe something that can fly. Like a seagull.
Main Character: All right. I'll be a seagull too. I'll bring you twigs for your nest.
Caleb: Deal.
He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The roar seems to fade, and his voice becomes nothing more than a whisper.
Caleb: Little seagull in my next life, promise me you won't disappear again.
Slightly overwhelmed, I blink. I'm still processing his words.
The smile is still on his face. It's as if he's waiting for my answer. I gulp and nod.
Main Character: Okay, Caleb. I promise I won't disappear on you again.
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