I didn't want to get up. I was tired from walking so much. Something tells me I should wake up, but I just don't want to. I don't mind sleeping in a car. I just want to sleep a little longer, even if someone is—
" -ku, wake up, let's go."
"...Mhh?"
"Look, but you're still alive!"
"Did I fall asleep?"
"Yes, but don't worry."
I got up quickly, especially because of the discomfort. It didn't take long for me to grab my backpack and my bag with all the things I had in it.
"Thank you so much for bringing me here." They had dropped me off in front of my house. They didn't have to go to the trouble of doing that, either.
"It's okay. By the way, is anyone home?" asked &$%"!'s mother.
"My father should still be at work, but my sister will most likely be in her room."
"You have keys, right?"
"Of course."
"Perfect. Have a good night, then."
"Likewise."
"Goodbye, Riku."
"Goodbye."
I closed the car door, and they left.
The night was quite bright, thanks to the full moon. The light of it reflected on my eyes as I watched the moon. It was a shame there wasn't a single star to be seen here. What a waste...
I approached the door to open it while taking out the key. There was a little lightbulb above the door, so I could see the lock perfectly, as soon as I turned it on, that is. I took out the key and used it to open the door.
I'm going to surprise Amaya...
There didn't seem to be any lights on in the house. I guess my sister's off on drugs, or doing something typical of hers. I'm glad she seriously doesn't do drugs.
Upon entering, I turned on the hall light, took off my shoes, and closed the door behind me.
Then I went into the living room, where I placed everything I was bringing on the table. I then left the jacket of my cosplay on a chair, as I was sweating a bit already. After that, I went to check out the figure I bought her, sealed inside a box with quite a cool presentation. I had planned to go up to my sister's room and surprise her with the figurine, like:
"Surprise! Amaya, look what I brought you!"
"Oh! Don't tell me, it's for me?!"
"Yes, I'm going to give it to you!"
"THANK YOU SO MUCH, RIKU!!!!" And she smiles, while jumping for joy, holding the figurine, and looking at it excitedly.
Ahhh, I can't get the image out of my head now…
But before doing anything, I threw myself onto the couch.
"I can wait a moment for that…"
Although I have been sleeping in their car for a while, I was still very tired.
Plus, there's nothing that can match the comfort of sitting here, it makes me want to lie down and everything.
I stared first at the ceiling, watching its white colour with more attention than I should. Then I lowered my head, to be able to face a shut off TV, its black screen reflecting my whole body.
"… Is she really going to like it?"
Why am I hesitating about it? Even if she doesn't like it, the mere thought of having bought her something will be enough...
-Will it be?
I sighed at my own doubt. "I'm useless even at this. It's only natural that he tells me I'm just being lazy."
And the worst thing is that I settled for it!
But she's right. I should start studying, even if I don't need to. I already get really good grades without even studying, but I do need to prepare myself for the future.
At the very least, I should prepare myself for when I need to study. And I should also start helping out at home!
If I were able to talk to complete strangers today, then I am capable of anything!
I jumped up from the couch instantly. "Whoo! Come on! If I don't give it to her now, I'll never be able to give it!"
I picked up the box with the figure in it and went up the stairs. I had to slow down my enthusiasm and climb slowly, as I didn't want Amaya to notice I was climbing. Although the loud voice I just gave may've busted my plan.
When I got upstairs, I turned on the hall light. I didn't want to use my phone's flashlight.
Maybe she's aware that I've arrived, but if she hasn't noticed, turning on the light may call more attention... Ahggg who cares!
I walked slowly down the hall, just in case, and soon, I reached the door.
I assumed she was asleep, since I couldn't hear anything.
If so, I'll go in slowly to wake her up with a surprise. I grabbed the handle and opened the door slowly.
When the light illuminated part of the room, someone was lying on the floor.
Their feet were facing the door. The more I watched, the less I understood what was happening.
It wasn't normal for someone to be lying on the ground. But his hands were stained with-
"..."
I stayed quiet, trying to figure out what was going on.
An intense color, one that made one's heart burn, but this time, not for that intensity, but for the impact it had on watching it this randomly. The smell of iron lingered in the room, as the floor and their hands were stained with blood. But it wasn't just their hands. Their shirt was soaked with it, especially the neck.
No, it's not that her neck was stained with blood, the blood was coming out of his neck.
Time stopped for a moment.
My body reacted unconsciously, and I was taking out my phone, but I wasn't able to process it.
What was going on?
I didn't know if it was true or not, but the light in the hallway made it easier for me to see the scene.
There was a knife.
Near one of her hands was a knife.
While blood was still flowing from her slashed throat, I stood there, still, holding my phone. I couldn't understand what that person was doing there.
What? What's this? Is this a joke? A bad dream? I don't find this funny at all. What the fuck is this? What the fuck is going on? Who did this?
This isn't true. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
The door of the room was open, showing what had happened inside.
It's just a dream, a joke in bad taste. It's not true, it's not true, it's not true, it's not true.
The moonlight slipped through the window into the room, showing the body on the ground.
What's this body doing here?! What's this, a crime scene?! It's not like this is a bank!
My heart rate ramped up at the moment, while living this bizarre encounter.
This isn't happening. No. There should be someone here. Someone I know. There shouldn't be anyone lying on the ground.
What was I coming for in the first place?
Yes. Amaya. Where is she? This is her room, isn't it?
While I had a thousand and one thoughts in a single second, I looked at the face of the person lying on the ground.
She was pale.
She had purple dark circles under her eyes that stood out more than her eyes.
His eyes.
His eyes.
His eyes.
The light in her eyes was gone.
That's when it hit me.
I know whose eyes are these.
I know this-
"AMAYA!"
I lunged at her as fast as I could, throwing myself on top of her, and releasing the figure from my hands, still with my phone in hand.
I turned my attention to his wound.
Black. It didn't look like blood. It was coming from his neck. It was warm. It smelled disgusting. I wanted to stop it. How?
I realized I had my cell phone at hand. I turned it on.
My hands were shaking. It was hard to dial the emergency number, but I eventually did it. It didn't take long for them to pick up the phone.
"This is-" I interrupted the person behind the phone, and it didn't take me a second to give them my address.
I couldn't hear what I was saying, much less what was coming from the other end of the phone. The ringing in my ears wouldn't let me. Everything was spinning. I put the call on speakerphone anyway.
Everything glew white, as if I were drugged, flashed with the morning light.
"P-please, come here. A-Amaya, Amaya is…" My voice was shaking. I wasn't thinking about what I was saying. I wasn't thinking. About anything. I didn't know what to do. I was blank.
What am I supposed to do?!
"¡Please bring an ambulance!" I begged pathetically. As soon as I said that, I threw my phone to the floor to see Amaya, my phone on speaker mode.
I couldn't make sense of anything, let alone what I was seeing, what I was staring at.
They were talking to me. What were they saying? Oh, yes.
Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Amaya, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Blood, Amaya, Blood, Blood, Blood.
My attention was on his wound, and only on it.
I was frozen. I wasn't moving at all. I wasn't acting. I was just thinking. But what? What do I have to think about to make everything go well?
Ah, yes. That's true. Blood was still coming out. It was warm. Amaya still. Can I? Can I?
No, I can do it. She's just unconscious. As soon as she wakes up, I'll be able to look her in the eyes. She's not going to die so quickly! She shouldn't.
Amaya is strong. Yes. This is nothing. It's nonsense. After they treat her, nothing will happen, and everything will come back to normal. This is just a dream.
I'm not going to leave her! No, No, NO.
I'm going to save her! Yes, Yes, YES.
I'm not going to let her alone, I'm her brother!
I'm your brother, and I'm going to help you. I'm your-
"You are his murderer."