I stretched my arms and headed downstairs. Thankfully, it's Saturday today. No more stressing about how I'll survive being around those guys. I sat down and glanced toward Enzo. My brother really did look handsome today—husband material, even. He was cooking while I watched him quietly.
"Enzo, where's Mom?" I asked.
"She went out. She'll be back later," he said without even glancing my way. That's when I noticed the bruise on his arm. And the small one on his cheek—barely visible, but enough for me to notice. I didn't need to ask who did that. I already knew. It was Mom.
That's why he hates me—because Mom loves me more than him.
"Can I help you with that?" I asked softly. He looked at me with those cold eyes of his, but I ignored it. I'll try to get close to him. Like they say, keep your enemies closer. Maybe I can change the plot.
"I don't need your help," he said flatly.
When he finished cooking, he set the food on the table and was about to leave, but I quickly grabbed his hand. He looked down at me in surprise.
"Eat with me," I said. He pulled his hand away immediately. Tsk. Here I am, trying to be nice.
"I don't want to. If Mom sees us, I'll just get scolded again." Mom never lets him eat with us. I smiled, making him stop mid-step.
"Mom's not here. I want to eat with you. There's nothing wrong with that—we're siblings, after all," I said. He let out a dry chuckle.
"Are we really siblings?" His words made me freeze.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Nothing." I was about to follow him when he spoke again. "I'm still full. You go eat first." When he finally walked away, I let out a long sigh. This won't be easy.
...
"Didn't I tell you not to leave the house? Why are you so stubborn?!" The shouting startled me, and I ran toward the noise.
"Mom! Stop it!" I yelled as I rushed to stop her from slapping Enzo again. He just glared at her—cold and furious, like he could kill her with a look.
"Your brother really wants to end up in jail! He never listens! Be like your twin! You're such a headache!" With that, Mom stormed out of the room.
"Are you okay?" I asked, worry lacing my voice. I reached out to touch his shoulder, but he spoke before I could.
"Don't touch me." I froze. I sighed quietly, remembering what he said in the original story: 'Only you can touch me. I won't let anyone else touch me.' He said that to Sol. Enzo turned and walked to his room, and I quickly followed him inside, sitting down on the floor.
He looked at me, clearly irritated. I just hoped he wouldn't kill me for this.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, annoyed.
"Uh… following you."
"Get out of my room," he said coldly.
"No," I replied, meeting his gaze with determination.
"Don't go against me, Luna. I'm not someone you want as an enemy." I swallowed hard. You can do this, Luna. Don't be scared of him. Then I lay down on the floor, which made him stop abruptly, obviously not expecting that.
"I'm not leaving," I said stubbornly. "I'm staying right here." His face flushed red with irritation. I couldn't help but admit—he looked cute when he was angry. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and pulled me up with surprising strength. "Hey, wait! Let me go! I said I'm not leaving!" I shouted.
"This is my room, so whether you like it or not—you're leaving!" he snapped.
"But I want to be with you, Enzo! Just for now! I want to cheer you up! I want to show you that someone still cares about you!" He froze. Did that… actually work?
"Are you kidding me?" he asked coldly. He let go of my arm, and I rubbed it—his grip had been tight.
"Do I look like I'm kidding?!" I snapped back, brushing off my pajama pants. "I really want to cheer you up, Enzo. After all, I'm your twin sister. Even if you think Mom doesn't love you… I do. I love you so much." I stepped closer and gave him a small smile.
"I don't believe—"
"I promise, I'll protect you. You don't have to trust me, but I'll still love you…" I said, sitting down on the floor near his bed. "So I'm not leaving. Deal with it." Then, I caught it—a faint smile on his face. Barely there, but real. "Did you just smile?" I asked, surprised.
"No. Why would I?" he said, sitting on his bed and grabbing his phone to play a game. I couldn't believe how I was acting. Great. I'm becoming just like Saichi—two-faced.
"What are you playing?" I asked, inching closer, but he quickly warned,
"Don't come near me." Ugh, he's so hard to deal with. Maybe I should just sneak out later. I sighed deeply, and that made him glance at me.
"I'll just go out for a bit. You seem to be enjoying your game anyway," I said. I was about to leave when he suddenly spoke.
"You're allowed to come back here, Luna." I turned to him and smiled. Did that mean… success?
"Then I'll stay a little longer," I said cheerfully, jumping onto his bed.
"Hey!" he protested, but I just laughed. "You know," he said after a moment, smirking slightly, "you actually look pretty when you smile." I stopped.
"So I look ugly when I'm not smiling?"
"Something like that," he teased. This was new—he was showing me his playful side. The side only Sol was supposed to see. Did I just change the story? Well, maybe that's for the best. As long as I can survive until the end, that's all that matters. At least now, maybe they won't kill me.