Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

So, I came back after two years.

I actually abandoned this story because I didn't like where it was going. I had nothing planned, I was making things up as I went along, and it turned out to be really bad, haha.

I got discouraged and said fuck it, but inspiration came back to me a day ago and I told myself I could do something better than what I wrote before and here I am again.

So I thought about making a new post and everything, but I decided to do it on this one instead, in case anyone who read this before wants to continue it. I honestly don't know if anyone would want to, but just in case, I don't know if anyone would really be interested in this after all the time that's passed, so I'll take it at my own pace. If anyone actually reads this, I'll always be grateful for any comments you might have. 🙇‍♀️

So I leave you with the first chapter, I hope you like it.

Chapter Text

A hand gently stroked Mari’s forehead, but just enough to wake her. Mari opened her eyes, dazzled by the sunlight filtering through her bedroom window, only to see her older brother staring at her as if he was bored with waiting.

“Sunny?” Mari said, still sleepy, blinking away the sleep.

Sunny’s finger rested on Mari’s forehead, giving it a light tap, not hard enough to hurt, just enough to draw her full attention to him. “It’s late,” he said, tilting his head, with his characteristically neutral expression.

Mari put her brain to work, trying to figure out what Sunny meant. “THE PICNIC!” Jumping out of bed, she yelled and threw back the covers too tightly, trapping Sunny underneath.

She looked for something nice to wear as quickly as she could (as fast as her knee would allow). “Why didn’t you wake me up sooner?” Turning blushing towards her older brother, who was still trying to adjust the sheets that were thrown at him mercilessly, only to see him look at her with a frown without saying anything.

Oh, he did try.

Mari thought, giving her brother an apologetic smile.

After that, Sunny left the room, indicating he would wait for her downstairs. A few minutes later, Mari left her house, where she saw her brother waiting for her with a picnic basket.

Originally, that basket was a gift from her mother for her. She always played with it, putting different toys in it and taking it for walks. But everything changed when they met their friends and started having picnics. Sunny started making food for them. It was difficult to carry it around without it getting a little spoiled. That was how Mari offered him her basket to carry the food, since then that basket was almost exclusive to Sunny, which despite the years of that was still in good condition thanks to how careful Sunny was with it, Mari never minded that Sunny used it, on the contrary she believed that it looked good on him, although some adults looked at him strangely when he carried it, Mari never understood why they did that, but she didn’t think much about it after all her brother never cared about the looks or whispers of other people so neither did she.

The two brothers continued walking hand in hand, except when Mari went ahead to look at a flower that caught her eye, and so they continued until they reached their favorite hiding place behind some bushes in the park.

Upon arriving, they found their friends sitting on the blue picnic blanket, a little worn from years of use.

“Sun, Mari, I thought you’d never arrive,” Kel greeted the brothers with his typical cheerfulness. Mari looked at her brother to see his neutral expression, but she could still see how his gaze softened when he saw Kel, which made her smile. Although many would describe her brother as apathetic or uninterested, she and their friends knew that he wasn’t, of course he wasn’t talkative or expressive, but he still had different habits to show his affection and with the passage of time their friends came to better understand Sunny’s expressions, such as how his gaze softened when he was with them, how he frowned when he got angry, how his eyebrows raised when she was reading his favorite comics and his smiles that could go unnoticed by other people, but not by them, not by her.

Although all her friends understood Sunny, Mari still believed she was the only one who understood him perfectly. Even though Kel was always arguing with her, because he was better at it, while Sunny just snorted gracefully when he saw them fight. But it didn’t matter; Mari knew she was better than Kel; after all, she was his sister; no one else could understand him like she did.

Or so she thought.

They sat down with her friends. Sunny began arranging the food he had prepared when Aubrey came up to hug her excitedly. “Look, Mari, we can go to Hobbeez this afternoon,” she said happily, showing a shiny bill in her hands.

Mari leaned closer to look, her eyes sparkling. “Where did you get that?” Aubrey laughed, while Kel snorted on her other side. Mari continued to stare at them, confused, until Basil cleared up her doubts. “Since they were taking so long to get here, Kel and Aubrey made a bet about how long it would take,” he finished with a nervous smile, scratching his cheek with a finger. “I won.” Aubrey smiled at Kel, hands on her hips, looking triumphant.

“I had too much faith in them,” Kel said, dropping his head down. “I didn’t think it would take this long.” He turned to look at Sunny with a pout. Finally, Sunny looked up and affectionately tapped Kel on the forehead. “Don’t bet with the kids.”

“I told him it was a bad idea,” Hero added with a satisfied smile on his face.

“Hey, don’t take away my chance to get rich,” Aubrey said, grumbling.

“How much money do you think I have?” Kel replied, looking at her with discouragement.

“Anyway, why were you late?” Hero asked, making their eyes focus on the two siblings.

“Uh, well, haha…” Mari began, shifting her gaze, not at all suspicious, to a tree that now looked very interesting to her, at least until Sunny interrupted her. “She got up late,” he said while eating a piece of apple from the fruit bowl he had brought. “Sunny!” she shouted, while Kel was already laughing.

“I thought you said you started going to bed early so you could pay attention to class,” Basil said, smiling and raising an eyebrow. “I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t get the piano piece I learned to come out,” Mari said, crossing her arms and trying not to blush.

“Wow, you’re really taking this piano thing seriously. That’s impressive,” Hero responded with a fascinated smile at Mari.

“Just be careful not to fall asleep on the keys,” Kel said, giving him a thumbs-up in support.

“Don’t bother her. Besides, it’s Saturday, so what does it matter if she sleeps late, right, Mari?” Aubrey said, taking her arm and smiling, causing Mari to smile and nod enthusiastically. “We better go play, let’s go Mari.”

Mari was about to get up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to see her brother staring at her. “Stay seated, your knee isn’t healed.” Her brother was always affectionate and gentle with her, but she still knew she couldn’t persuade him when it came to her knee injury.

Making Mari sit back down with a frown. “Don’t worry, Mari, I brought a card game so we can all play together,” Basil said with a worried smile on his face.

“If it’s too sunny, it’s better to stay in the shade,” Aubrey replied with her signature smile.

Although she knows she’s only saying that to make her feel better, there isn’t even that much sun.

“Oh, I baked some raspberry cupcakes. Do you want to try them?” said Hero, offering the plate where the cupcakes were.

“They’re delicious, believe me, I was the taster,” Kel added, taking a cupcake from the plate and offering it to Sunny, who gladly accepted, taking a bite. Seeing her brother’s eyes widen, she knew what Kel said was true.

“They’re delicious, Hero,” Sunny concluded.

Hero blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m glad you like them, although I don’t think they’ll beat yours.”

Sunny approached Hero to stroke his head with a small smile, then took a pastry and offered it to Mari.

She accepted it with a smile. “Okay, let’s play. Deal the cards, Basil,” she said excitedly.

Basil laughed, arranging everything for the game.

Mari knew all her friends were trying to cheer her up; they did all the time after her injury, and she could never thank them enough for everything they do for her. But deep down, Mari couldn’t shake an unpleasant feeling that wouldn’t leave her.

She felt so worthless...

Chapter Text

“Isn't that too much popcorn?” I looked curiously at the large bag of popcorn my brother was carrying.

“We have to be prepared; what if we get hungry in the middle of the night?” Kel held up the bag of popcorn as if it were a treasure.

Sounds like something only he would do… well, maybe Mari would do it too.

Hero thought, letting out a snicker.

It was movie time, and all her friends had agreed to spend the night at Mari and Sunny's house. They hadn't been able to go out and play like they used to. After Mari injured her knee playing softball, Sunny had been very adamant that Mari not do anything that would hinder her health, which is very rare for him. He's always been very permissive with her just to see her happy, something Hero always noticed; Sunny adored his little sister.

Even so, Mari looked very discouraged, even though she tried to show that she was okay. Hero could still notice small signs of pain when she pushed her knee hard. So to cheer her up, everyone has planned plans and meetings that would not require physical effort; that's how today's plan came about, even though her brother and Sunny had made time to be with them, even though they were busy with their studies.

I couldn't help but be excited too. My brother and Sunny haven't had much time to spend time with us like they used to, so I was more than happy they could all spend the night together.

Upon arriving, Mari appeared behind the door with a smile and a face covered in flour. "Wow, looks like someone baked today," Kel said with a mocking smile.

Mari got clean her face as we walked into the house. "Sunny wanted to make cookies, so he let Aubrey and me help him." She bounced up and down, clearly proud of her collaboration.

"Aubrey? I thought we'd be the first ones here," I continued as we walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, she's here early. I was surprised too, but she said-"

"Hello," Aubrey waved vigorously from a stool near the counter. Sunny turned around, welcoming us with a softer wave.

“Wow, it really smells good in here.” Kel left the popcorn on the counter, where it wasn’t long before Aubrey and Mari snatched it.

Maybe it was a good idea to bring a big bag.

“What are you doing here, Sun?” Kel wrapped Sunny with his arms around his hips from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, and kissed his cheek.

"Puaj! So gooey," Mari mocked, her mouth still full of popcorn.

Kel just turned around to stick his tongue out at her, playing along. “It’ll take a few minutes for the cookies to be ready. How about you go to the living room and choose a movie?” Sunny said with a small smile on his face.

“Oh yeah, come on, Aubrey.” Mari jumped out of her seat with Aubrey. “Come on, Hero, let’s pick a horror movie,” Mari said with a mischievous smile.

I was about to protest when Mari grabbed my hand and led me out of the kitchen.

I felt the blood rush to my head. Her long, black hair flew as she started running, and her long eyelashes highlighted her big, bright eyes. When she flashed that big smile of hers, she looked very cute today, too.

“HERO,” I jumped up from where I was, turning to look at the person calling me. “I was asking, horror movie or romance?” Aubrey held a movie in each hand, raising an eyebrow, waiting for my answer. “Better an action one,” I shrugged.

“Oh come on, that wasn't even an option,” Aubrey rolled her eyes, and Mari just laughed.

While trying not to blush, I continued the conversation. “Last time we watched a romance, and if we watch a horror one, I guarantee you won't sleep all night, just like when we watched that horror movie on Halloween.”

Aubrey blushed in embarrassment and crossed her arms. "Of course not, I'm perfectly capable of watching horror movies without getting scared... but just this once, we'll choose another one."

"Hey, how about this one?" Mari was holding a movie featuring her favorite character, Sweetheart.

"Wow, I've never seen that one." Aubrey joined Mari's excitement about the movie.

"My dad recently bought it for me," Mari replied with a smile.

Sunny's going to hate that movie, I thought to myself, although I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up agreeing. After all, his little sister wanted to see it, and he'd never deny her anything.

The ringing of the doorbell interrupted their conversation.

"It must be Basil. I'll open it."

"Wait, I'll come with you." Mari and Aubrey stood up to greet Basil.

"Hey, what's up, Hero? Did they leave you alone?" Kel patted me on the shoulder. I didn't notice when he left the kitchen.

“They went to greet Basil, and you? Did Sunny kick you out of the kitchen yet?”

“Haha, very funny. I'm going to get some blankets so we can watch a movie at ease. Do you want to join?” He smiled, inviting me. My brother has always known that I don't like being alone, but he's always there to keep me from being alone, and I'll always be grateful to him for that. Even with his studies, the basketball club, and his relationship with Sunny, he never stops being a good older brother.

“Thanks for the offer, but I'll stay here.”

“Whatever you want, your poor brother will be carrying all those blankets alone,” he clutched his chest, pretending to be disconsolate.

After I laughed at his performance, Kel headed for the stairs. When I saw him leave the room, I stood up and headed to the kitchen.

Sunny was taking the cookies out of the oven when he noticed me.

We stood still. Sunny seemed to notice something when he tilted his head and gestured for me to come closer.

I sat down on the counter stool in silence. “Is something wrong, Hero?” Sunny was always that way. He's not the type to talk much, and most of the time he prefers to be silent, but I never thought it was a bad thing. For example, right now, you could see the sincerity in his words and the look of concern in his eyes.

“No, no, not at all. I just wanted to see if I could help you.” I looked away, embarrassed, fiddling with my hands.

Sunny seemed to notice what I meant and nodded. “Sure, you can take the cookies off the tray and put them on a plate, please. Just be careful.”

I nodded in confirmation. It was a simple task; in fact, my help wasn’t even necessary after all the work was done. I pursed my lips until I worked up the courage to speak. “I wish I could bake with you too…”

Sunny looked at me, his gaze turning sympathetic. He leaned closer to stroke my head. “I could do it next Sunday.” Sunny grabbed his chin as if he were thinking.

I looked up at him in confusion. “What?”

“Are you free next Sunday? You can come bake with me. Mari is going out with Dad, so it'll just be you and me. What do you say?”

I bolted upright. “Really? But you've been busy with extra classes and studying. I don't want to interrupt you or waste your time.”

“I can make some space.” He shrugged indifferently.

“But—”

“Besides, I wouldn't waste my time. I've been wanting to try a new recipe for a while, and what better way to do it than with the best chef I know?” He gave me a discreet smile.

“Me?” I could feel myself blushing in embarrassment. I scratched the back of my neck to hide it. “I'm not as good as you. I'm just learning, and I make mistakes all the time.”

Sunny hummed in disagreement. “You underestimate yourself so much. You're a great cook. I can tell at a glance how passionate you are. I know you'll be a great chef when you grow up.”

“You… do you really think so? Mom and Dad say I should be a better lawyer or doctor.” I couldn’t help but let a disappointed tone escape my voice.

“I guess so,” he replied.

“Huh?”

“Hero, you’d be excellent at anything you set your mind to, I’m sure of that, whether it’s a chef or a doctor, but… without a doubt, what I’d like most is for you to be happy doing whatever you do.”

I was speechless, looking at Sunny.

“Anyway, you’re still young; you have plenty of time to think about it.”

“I… I want to be a chef,” I replied, completely determined.

Sunny smiled with a loving expression. “Well, in that case, you already have your first guest waiting for your impressive dishes.”

“Yes, I won’t disappoint you.” I smiled, raising my fist.

“I know you won’t. I can’t wait to see you become a great chef.”

“So, can I come over on Sunday?” “Sure, I'll be here waiting.”

My smile grew wider, and without thinking twice, I stood up and hugged Sunny. “Thanks.”

“You're welcome,” he said, stroking my head affectionately. “Well, let's go. The others should be waiting for us.” Sunny sighed. “I just hope it's not a Sweetheart movie.”

I laughed as we approached the living room, where everyone was already gathered.

“Oh, hello Sunny, hello Hero,” Basil greeted us from his seat with a smile. “Sorry I'm late; I got busy helping my grandma,” he scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

Sunny shook his head as he sat down, and Basil seemed to get the message, smiling. “Don't worry, Basil, we still have plenty of time,” I replied, patting him on the back.

“Wow, they made some cookies! Sleeping at Sunny and Mari's house is definitely the best,” he said, looking at the cookies, wondering which one he should choose.

“I can't deny it,” Kel replied, popping a cookie into his mouth while wrapping another around Sunny's neck. Basil whipped out his camera and took a picture of them.

“Oh, please, Basil, I'm covered in crumbs.” Basil just laughed. “Come on, have another one,” Kel said, smoothing his hair and flexing his arm while hugging Sunny, who just went along with it and continued eating popcorn.

Basil shook his head, smiling. “Unprepared, natural, those are the best moments for a photo.”

“I like Basil’s photos. Every time I see them, it’s like I’m reliving the moment,” Mari said, supporting Basil.

“I guess they have that effect,” Kel said with a smile. Sunny nodded in confirmation.

“Yes, Basil’s photos are the best,” Aubrey said, joining in.

“You certainly have a great talent for it, Basil,” I said, turning to him.

“Thank you all. It makes me very happy that you all like my photos.” Basil looked embarrassed, but at the same time, he looked really happy. “I hope I can take a picture of you playing the piano, Mari.”

“Do you want to take a picture of me?” Mari looked surprised.

“Sure, I’ve taken pictures of Sunny during his violin lessons. I’d love to have one of you playing the piano,” Basil said, waving his camera in his hands.

“You could play together sometime; that would be spectacular,” Aubrey suggested, getting excited by the idea. “Mari and Sunny playing together would really be something to photograph,” Basil immediately joined Aubrey’s excitement.

“Sunny’s already mastered the violin perfectly. I’m just learning, and he’s been really busy with school,” Mari pouted as she hugged her knees.

“I didn’t know you wanted us to play.” Sunny looked at his little sister strangely.

Mari shuffled her feet nervously. “I mean, I thought about it once, but you’re always busy, and you’re not even home that much.”

It wasn't news that Mari had been feeling down about Sunny's lack of time; it was something everyone had noticed, and with her recent knee injury preventing her from doing many things, it definitely didn't help her mood.

Kel and Sunny looked at each other nervously, not knowing what to say. Thanks to school and extra classes, they spend a lot of time together, but it wasn't something either of them could control or change.

Then something occurred to me. “Sunny has done several recitals. Just a few days ago, you were talking about doing another one."

“Oh, right, your mom's been pestering you to do another one, hasn't she, Sun?” Kel turned to Sunny, who nodded halfheartedly.

From what I've noticed, Sunny isn't really a big fan of the violin; it's something he does only because his parents forced him to take lessons (I never understood why he didn't sign up for drawing classes; I think it's something he would certainly like much more), but after a while he really managed to master it, in addition to giving recitals from time to time. Sometimes Mari tried to accompany him playing a toy piano she has; after the accident she had in softball, so that she wouldn't be left without doing anything, her parents put her in piano lessons, so it's not difficult to imagine that she would like to play with her older brother.

“Mom convinced my teacher to do another one,” Sunny finished, putting on a tired face.

“Isn't it possible for Mari to join?” I asked without thinking much about it. Everyone turned to look at me. Mari looked at me with surprised eyes but seemed hopeful about what I had to say next. I cleared my throat before continuing. “I mean, if it were possible, so you could play together and spend time together… I don't know; it was just something that occurred to me.”

Mari turned to her brother more quickly than usual. “Can we?”

Sunny also seemed surprised by the sudden idea. I started to think I should have told Sunny first; maybe he wouldn't be able to do it, and it would only discourage Mari.

Sunny smiled fondly. “I really don't see why not. Besides, I'm sure Mom would be excited about the idea. Do you want to do it, Mari?”

“Yeah, sure, we can play together, and all our friends could come to the recital too. I heard different piano and violin duo songs we could do; we could even perform more than one,” Mari began rambling, completely excited by the idea.

Sunny laughed when he saw her little sister jumping up and down with excitement. “I guess it's decided, thanks, Hero. It was a really great idea.” He turned and stroked my head.

All the nerves I felt disappeared, and I was completely happy to see the happy, very siblings.

“Sun and Mari giving a recital, that's going to be great. After all, Sun is a master violinist,” Kel said, teasing Sunny, hugging Sunny closer. While showing off, Sunny just rolled his eyes with a smile.

“I can't wait. I'm already excited just thinking about it,” Aubrey tilted her head as if imagining it.

“It's definitely something worth photographing. I'll be supporting you all the way.” Basil also seemed quite excited.

“We'll try really hard, right, Mari?”

“Yes, it will be the best recital you've ever seen.” Mari raised her fists with determination.

“Okay, okay, we'll tell Mom and Dad about the idea tomorrow. For now, let's watch the movie,” Sunny said with a smile before leaning against Kel's shoulder. We nodded enthusiastically as we settled comfortably into our seats, ate, and watched the movie, but I still couldn't get the thought of the recital out of my head. Imagining the brothers playing together excited me so much. I can't wait to see them.

10 MONTHS LEFT UNTIL THE RECITAL

Chapter Text

Three years after the recital.

"Henry, are you even listening to me?"

"Huh? Sorry, I got distracted for a second." He flashed his best apologetic smile, careful not to let any cracks show.

"Seriously, why’d you even ask for my help if you weren’t gonna pay attention?" Kim huffed, her brow furrowed. "What’s wrong with you? You’ve been acting weird—you didn’t even do the homework. Usually, I’m the one begging you for help." She narrowed her eyes, studying Hero as if trying to decipher something.

"I’m just tired. Didn’t sleep much."

"That just makes it weirder." She rested her cheek on her hand, exhaling in defeat. "Whatever, let’s just finish this. I gotta meet up with the guys to plan what we’re doing this afternoon." She shot him a cautious glance, though Hero could tell her intentions were kind. "Wanna come? Might help clear your head."

For some reason, Hero flinched at the invitation. It wasn’t unusual for him to hang out with Kim and the others, but not today… not today.

"Uh… thanks, Kim, but I already have plans. Maybe another time."

Kim stared at him in silence for a few seconds before finally giving up. "Suit yourself."

----

In the end, he did manage to turn in the assignment on time…

He should feel relieved. Finally free of pending tasks, yet the weight on his chest refused to lift.

The day was pleasant—the sky blue, the autumn leaves a vibrant orange, painting a scene worth admiring. Yet Hero couldn’t focus on any of it.

Birds sang, children’s laughter echoed, the occasional cat meowed in the distance… but all Hero could hear was an endless, piercing buzz.

"Hey, Henry."

Hero snapped out of his daze to see the twins waving at him from the bakery.

Oh. He’d already walked into Othermart without realizing.

"Shopping again? What’re you making this time?" Bowen approached with his sister, as friendly as ever.

Sometimes, Hero wondered if they pitied him.

"Oh, just forgot a few things last time." He flashed his charming smile—the one that always spared him from explanations.

"Is it for that recipe you mentioned before? I’m so glad you’re cooking again! It’s been forever since I’ve had something you made," Daphne chimed in, grinning.

Had he told them about the recipe?

He couldn’t remember.

"Yeah, I guess… I’m visiting someone later. Wanted to bring them a gift." Without meaning to, his gaze dropped. Suddenly, his shoes were the only thing he could focus on.

A sharp inhale. The twins seemed to remember something, and the mood shifted instantly. Hero couldn’t bring himself to meet their eyes.

"Henry, we can come with you if you want. We just have to ask permission.—we’ll be ready in ten minutes."

"Yeah! We can help with the dessert. Have you eaten? We could—"

Who was speaking? Hero didn’t know. He’d stopped listening without realizing.

He took a breath and lifted his head, meeting the twins’ worried expressions. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just tired—school’s been keeping me busy." His best smile calmed them, and the tension dissolved.

"Oh… okay. Well, you know where to find us," Bowen finished, giving Hero a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Hero said his goodbyes, finished his shopping, and left Othermart. His mouth felt dry, the bag in his hand heavier than it should’ve been. He pushed all thoughts aside until he got home.

"Hey, sweetie. How was your day?" His mother greeted him from the living room, where she sat with his father and little sister, Sally—who stared with wide eyes, gnawing on her fist like it was the most delicious thing in the world. The sight tugged a small smile from Hero.

After Kel left for college, Sally was the only sibling he really spent time with. Sometimes, when their parents were busy, he’d take care of her. Not that he minded—it was fun watching her antics.

Is that how he felt?

"It was fine, Mom. Turned in my schoolwork on time." He walked over to his parents, letting Sally play with his fingers.

"Of course you did! My son’s so responsible—you make me so proud." His mom pinched his cheek, making him laugh sheepishly.

"Honey, leave him alone. Henry’s not a kid anymore," his father joked, coming to his rescue.

"No matter how tall he gets, he’ll always be my baby. Right, Sally?" His mom argued, turning to his sister, who babbled. It was heartwarming to see her like this. If only she were like this with all her kids.

His father chuckled at her affectionate display before his gaze returned to Hero. "Anyway, looks like you’ve got things to do. We won’t keep you." He nodded at the shopping bag still in Hero’s hand.

"Oh—right. Thanks. I’ll be in the kitchen."

He headed there, arranging everything he’d need. Cookies. He’d decided on cookies. Nothing fancy, just a new recipe he’d found. The nostalgia of making them brought a warmth to his chest.

Memories flooded back—baking with his friends when they were younger, enjoying their creations over movies or picnics at their secret spot. The person who’d taught him his first recipes. How he had never managed to get them to taste the same, perfect flavor. Their determination every time they baked together. The comfortable silences. The small talks. The spontaneous laughter.

Now, all that remained was a suffocating quiet, pressing down on him from head to toe.

Was this even a good idea? Maybe he should’ve just bought something pre-made. It’d probably taste better. He forced himself to finish the cookies, ignoring the urge to throw everything in the trash—no matter how tempting.

It’d been so long since he’d enjoyed cooking. The satisfaction it once brought him was now just a faint echo.

Hero wanted to vomit.

I should’ve gone to see Basil. At least taking care of him would’ve distracted me enough to stop thinking about myself.

The thought only made him feel worse. He bit his lip hard enough to hurt.

He knows he can go to Basil whenever he needs to.

But not today.

Especially not today. It wouldn’t be good for either of them.

When the cookies were finally done, he stared at them on the tray—until his hands moved on their own, grabbing and hurling them to the floor. He stomped on them, crushing them into crumbs.

Ingredients, utensils—everything within reach ended up on the ground, spilled or broken.

Hero could only destroy, his face twisted in hatred, teeth clenched so hard it hurt, nails digging into his palms until they bled.

Then he blinked.

Back to reality.

The cookies sat untouched in front of him. The kitchen was spotless, undisturbed.

Hero dragged a hand down his face and sighed.

God, this day is really screwing with me.

He packed the cookies into a bag and left the kitchen. As he stepped out, he overheard his parents arguing. They sounded angry.

"That boy’s gonna give me gray hairs. How dare he call just to say he’s not coming back because he feels like it?" His mother stood with her arms crossed while his father rubbed his temples, sighing.

It wasn’t hard to guess who they were talking about. They were always like this when it came to him.

"How can the oldest act worse than a child? Where did we go wrong? Maybe I was too lenient with him. Now he thinks he can do whatever he wants." His mom clicked her tongue.

"Let it go. He’s a lost cause. When he realizes how childish he’s being, he’ll come crawling back." His father sounded exhausted.

Hero could only watch with disappointment before slipping out of the house. He thought they called after him, but he didn’t want to deal with them. It always frustrated him, hearing them talk about his brother like that—but he’d given up trying to change their minds. His brother had made it clear he didn’t want Hero’s help either.

The moment Hero stepped outside, the breeze hit his face. He started walking, unable to stop himself from glancing at the house next door.

Closed. As always.

Every step felt heavier as he neared his destination.

Hero looked up at the towering church before him. No matter how much time passed, it never changed. Stepping inside was like freezing time—the pressure in his chest only grew, making it hard to breathe.

Still, he smiled at the priest. Seemed like smiling was the only thing he was still good at.

He headed to the back, walking past rows of graves until he reached a familiar one.

Sunny Suzuki.

The stars always shone brighter when he was here.

Fresh flowers surrounded the grave—a white tulip standing out among them.

Basil must’ve come earlier…

Hero sighed before forcing a smile. "Hey, Sunny. Looks like Basil beat me here." He sat on the grass, facing the tombstone.

"Today marks four years since the last time I saw you…"

…

"I still miss you all the time. I’m sure the others do too."

…

"I know I said this last year, but… I wish Kel had come with me to visit you. But I don’t think he’s ready yet."

…

"I wonder if you’re watching us from wherever you are. Everything’s changed so much since you left… Everyone’s changed."

…

"Basil and I still talk. Not as much as before, but we’re still friends. I try to help him whenever I can, but he always seems so sad… I don’t know what to do anymore." His smile wavered.

…

"Kel’s at university. I think he’s doing okay. He doesn’t talk about it much—well, he doesn’t talk to me much, haha… Guess I’m not his favorite person anymore." His fists clenched around his shirt.

…

"Aubrey’s pulled away too. Basil’s mad at her for it, even if he won’t say it outright. I keep trying to reach out, but she always leaves. Guess she needs more time."

…

"Mari… she’s still shut away." The words caught in his throat.

…

"Oh—I made you some cookies." Hero pulled them out, taking one for himself and setting the rest beside the flowers. "You always said the best part of baking was sharing it. Guess I’m not as good at it anymore. You said you’d wait to see me become a great chef…"

…

"Guess you couldn’t wait that long."

…

"Why couldn’t you wait? Why did you leave so soon?" His lips trembled; tears welled in his eyes.

…

"Everything just keeps getting harder."

…

He stared at the grave in silence, his smile now just a grimace. He took a bite of the cookie as tears rolled down his cheeks.

It didn’t taste good

Chapter Text

6 months left until the recital

"I’m telling you, it’s eighty-seven," Aubrey insisted, pointing at her notebook filled with math exercises.

"It’s thirty-four. You forgot to divide before adding the results," Hero corrected with a patient sigh and a smile.

"What? How did I miss that?" Aubrey scowled at her work as Hero chuckled.

My gaze drifted to Mari, who—unusually—hadn’t chimed in to compare answers. "What about you, Mari? Did you get it?"

Mari startled, as if pulled from a daze. "Huh? Oh… the problem. No, I didn’t do it." Her eyes flicked back to her notebook.

"WHAT?!" The collective gasp from the rest of us was almost comical.

Mari had always taken school seriously, rivaling even Hero. She finished assignments first, volunteered answers, and helped us when we struggled. If she didn’t understand something, she’d obsess until she did. The idea of Mari not keeping up was unthinkable.

Aubrey pressed a hand to Mari’s forehead, squinting. "Are you sick?"

Mari laughed, though it lacked her usual energy. "No! It’s just…" She held up her notebook for us to see.

…

I stared. No matter how hard I tried, the scribbled notes made no sense. Judging by Hero and Aubrey’s baffled expressions, they were just as lost.

Mari groaned, jabbing a finger at the pages. "They’re notes on my piano practice! The mistakes I keep making!" She gripped her hair in frustration. "No matter how many times I try, I can’t get it perfect." A defeated sigh. "How does Sunny handle school, the recital, and extra lessons?"

Aubrey patted Mari’s head reassuringly before Hero could respond. "Well, Sunny’s always been… special," he said, grinning as if recalling something.

It was true. Sunny lived in his own world, yet he excelled effortlessly—in school, music, everything.

But "effortless" wasn’t quite right. I still remembered how he’d slump over his desk, frustrated and exhausted after studying something he hated. Yet somehow, he always pulled through.

Something about that bothered Basil. He hated watching Sunny push himself too hard. Whenever he voiced concern, Sunny would just smile and say, "I’m okay," though Basil never fully believed him. So he’d cheer Sunny up instead—rambling about his plants, knowing it’d at least earn a small smile.

"Sunny works really hard. It’s one of the things I admire most about him," Basil murmured, rejoining the conversation.

"I work hard too," Mari grumbled, pouting.

Basil flushed, realizing his comment hadn’t helped.

"Kel told me Sunny struggled with school and lessons at our age too. It’s normal—don’t be so hard on yourself, Mari. We all see how much effort you putAt least, not then.
 in," Hero added hastily.

"Sunny’s amazing, but he’s had more time than you. You’ll catch up soon!" Aubrey beamed.

"Yeah! Even Sunny said your progress is incredible," I chimed in.

"…I guess." Her fists clenched around her notebook, crumpling the paper.

No one noticed.

After school, Basil walked home from the bus stop. Normally, the group would take the long way—through the park, stopping at HOBBEEZ, or getting sidetracked by some game. But since Mari’s injury, Sunny had insisted Mari avoid overexerting himself. The bus rides were shorter, but at least they could still talk and enjoy each other's company, like today, where they were arguing about whether Sweetheart was a good character or not, even Mari got just as enthusiastic as always.

"I’m home!" He headed to the living room, where his grandma sat surrounded by papers.

"Oh, hello, dear! How was school?" She kissed his cheek, making him smile.

"Good. Math was tough, but Hero helped me figure it out." He dropped his bag and sat beside her. "What’s all this?"

Her smile turned wistful. "The caregiver paperwork. I mentioned her before."

Basil’s expression tightened.

"Come now, sweetheart. Her name’s Polly—she seems lovely. Young, but already a nurse. You won’t have to worry when I’m unwell." She patted his hand, but the words only made his chest ache. Wordlessly, he hugged her.

"I don’t want you to keep getting sick…"

His grandma stiffened, then hugged him tighter. "Oh, Basil. I’m stronger than I look! Besides, I’ve been feeling much better lately. Polly’s just extra help."

He buried his face in her shoulder.

"And she’ll look after you too. Think of her as a new friend. When we spoke earlier, I told her about your garden—she was so excited to see it!" Pride warmed her voice. "She’d love to help you, if you’ll let her. Doesn’t that sound nice?" She cupped his face, smiling.

"Mmm… I guess it could be good," he mumbled.

Basil wasn’t comfortable with a stranger living with them. But he couldn’t burden his grandmother further—not after his parents had left him with her. She always said he was a "gift," but he knew the truth.

His parents were barely memories. Distant figures who’d never shown him love. His grandmother was his only family, and his friends were his world. She says that if they love him but don't know how to show it, Basil knows that it's not true, in the past he felt alone, wondering what he had done to not have the love of his parents, now he handles it better after all he has his grandmother and friends that he loves with all his heart. If letting Polly in meant keeping her healthy, he’d endure it.

"Dinner’s not ready yet. I’ll call you when it is, okay?"

"Actually… can I go to Sunny and Mari’s? I have something for them."

"Of course! Just don’t be late." Another kiss on his cheek.

Basil hurried to the siblings' house with a bouquet of flowers. Some tulips had finally bloomed, and he wanted to share them with the siblings. After all, the white tulip was the flower he had decided would represent Sunny—a simple flower, but beautiful. When he saw it, he couldn’t help but feel calm, just like how he felt when he was with Sunny. The idea seemed to please the older one, as he had asked to see his tulips and occasionally inquired about them. Basil was very excited to be able to share his hobbies with him.

He loved all his friends, there was no doubt about that, and he enjoyed every moment spent with them. But he couldn’t help feeling more connected to Sunny. After all, they were the calmest ones in the group. When everyone else played and Basil needed a break, Sunny was always there with him. Most of the time, Basil did the talking—Sunny was the kind of person who preferred listening over speaking. Basil didn’t mind; after all, he could always talk to the older boy about his hobbies. They read books together or simply spent quiet time together. Sunny was the only one with whom Basil felt so at peace and connected that he could talk about his feelings and struggles, and the other boy always listened, supported him, was always there for him...

When he knocked on the siblings’ door, surprisingly, it was Sunny who answered. Usually, it was Mari who rushed out to greet visitors.
"Hi Sunny."

Upon seeing him, the older boy gave a small smile. "Hi Basil, come in."

"Yes, thank you." He stepped inside, welcomed by the warm atmosphere of the house—he never got tired of it.

Sunny looked curiously at the bouquet Basil was carrying before he offered it to him. "They’re for you. The tulips finally bloomed, so I wanted to bring you some," he smiled, a little embarrassed.

Sunny’s gaze softened at the gift. "I love them, thank you… want to help me put them in a vase?"

"Sure." They both headed to the kitchen, where Sunny took out a vase to place the flowers.

"By the way, where’s Mari?" Basil looked around in case she appeared suddenly.

"Doctor’s appointment… she has to do physical therapy for her knee," the older boy said in a calm voice, approaching the counter to arrange the tulips.

"Oh, I see. She seemed… a little stressed this morning." Sunny frowned slightly at that, which surprised the blond boy.

Sunny seemed to notice the reaction and sighed. "She keeps pushing herself because of the recital, even though I keep telling her to take it easy. I don’t know what else to do to help her relax…" It was understandable—Sunny rarely showed his frustrations so openly, except when it came to his little sister.

Basil didn’t think much before speaking, trying to reassure the older boy. "Don’t worry, Sunny. We all cheer her up, and we help her relax too. After some chats, we got her to loosen up and laugh like always. We’ll keep helping her as long as it takes." It wasn’t much, but even so, Basil said it with determination, puffing up his cheeks without realizing it, making Sunny laugh.

After laughing, he looked at him with a smile. "Then I’ll keep counting on you all to help her."

Basil nodded with determination, and then Sunny affectionately patted his head.

They continued arranging the tulips in a comfortable silence. Just as they were about to finish, Sunny broke the silence.

"And how are you?" he asked calmly, without lifting his gaze from what he was doing.

"Hehe… I guess I’m fine." He felt a tightness in his chest remembering the previous conversation with his grandmother, which made him grimace before sighing. "My grandma spoke with the caregiver applicant… I don’t want to worry her, and I know it’s to help her, but I’m a little scared. It’s always just been my grandma and me… I’m scared of what might happen." When he looked up, he saw Sunny staring at him.

Sunny walked over and sat on a stool by the counter, inviting Basil to join him. "It’s normal to be scared. It’s a big change from how you’re used to living, meeting a new person." Basil lowered his gaze, playing with his knuckles, still feeling the tightness in his chest.

"But it could be something good… remember how nervous you were the first time we met?" That surprised Basil, recalling how Aubrey was the first to talk to him and quickly included him in the group. Aubrey was his first friend—he had been afraid the others wouldn’t accept him and would push him away. "I… was really scared."

Sunny nodded calmly. "The unknown, changes, meeting new people and opening up to them—it’s scary. It’s normal, it happens to me too."

Basil looked up at him. "Really?"

Sunny nodded with a smile. "But if I hadn’t taken that step, if you hadn’t either, we would’ve never met. Taking that risk, even with fear, can lead us to meet truly special people—just like how I met you," he said, gently stroking Basil’s head.
"And if in the end they turn out not to be a good person…" Basil knew he shouldn’t think of the worst-case scenario, but his anxiety kept growing—it always did.

"If that happens, you have us." Basil looked at Sunny, who was gazing at him kindly. "We would never let you be with someone who isn’t good for you, and I think your grandma even less so." That made Basil chuckle a bit. "We all love you, so if that happens, we’ll be the first to step in. Don’t close yourself off to meeting new people—if someone turns out not to be good, you’ve got us to back you up. And I know the others must feel the same, but since I’m with you now, I want to tell you that I’ll always be here for you… no matter the time or what happens, I’ll be here to support and take care of you. How does that sound?"

Basil felt a few tears in his eyes. He lunged at Sunny, hugging him and burying his face in his chest. "Yes, thank you so much, Sunny."

Sunny gently stroked his back. "You don’t have to thank me. I do it gladly."

Basil finally felt his anxiety lessen. After all, he knew that someone would always be there for him.

Chapter Text

2 Years After the Recital

Basil woke up to the sound of his alarm. It was Saturday, but he’d made a promise to his grandmother to stay active while she recovered in the hospital.

After changing, he headed out and found Polly in the kitchen. “Oh, Basil, you’re awake! How’d you sleep?” She wiped her hands before walking over to him with a smile. She always tried to make conversation, no matter how many hints Basil dropped that he wasn’t interested.

“Fine…” he replied, walking to the fridge to grab some juice.

Polly didn’t seem discouraged. “I’m glad! What do you want for breakfast? I went shopping yesterday, so I can make whatever you’d like.” She was trying to cheer him up—Basil knew that—but after a while, it grew exhausting. It wasn’t even her job to take care of him, yet she never gave up.

Why can’t she just leave me alone?

“Thanks, but I’m not hungry… I’ll go to the garden.” He kept his gaze fixed anywhere but on her.

“Oh… alright. Let me know if you want something later.”

Basil just nodded. He stepped outside into the garden—the breeze on his face was always pleasant.

He followed the same routine as always: pulling weeds, watering the plants, checking if any needed care, repotting a few. It wasn’t much, but it still took up a good chunk of his day.

Truthfully, he didn’t enjoy it as much anymore—or at least, not like before. Some days, it even felt tedious. He loved plants, gardening, everything about them… but he just couldn’t feel the same joy he once did. If it were up to him, he’d stay in his room all day. He hadn’t found much enjoyment in anything for a long time. But he knew his grandmother loved this garden. He wanted to welcome her back with a beautiful landscape when she finally came home.

Some of his flowers had started to wilt. He hadn’t been doing a good job lately—until his eyes landed on a few small buds beginning to bloom.

Tulips. The best-cared-for flowers of them all.

Right… He used to love this garden too. I guess that’s why I can’t just abandon it.

Basil sighed as he felt his phone vibrate.

[13:11]
Henry: Hey Bas!
Henry: Wanna hang out today? Or we could just chill at my place. What do you say?

Basil stared at the messages longer than he should have. Just seeing them made him feel tired. It wasn’t that he disliked Hero Henry—he just didn’t have the energy for anything. Still, saying no to Henry was always hard, so he usually ended up agreeing. Either way, Henry never seemed upset or offended by Basil’s lack of enthusiasm during their meetups. Occasionally, Basil caught a flicker of discomfort or concern on Henry’s face, but he was too exhausted to try fixing it.

[13:22]
Basil: Sorry, can’t. Going to see my grandma today.

[13:22]
Hero: Oh, no worries! We’ll hang out another time. Hope the visit goes well.
Hero: Send her my regards :)

He didn’t bother replying. He just pocketed his phone and forced himself to finish his routine, pausing every now and then to gather his strength until he finally got through it.

By the end, he was completely drained. He went inside to clean up—today had taken longer than usual. It was time to head to the hospital. As he stepped out, he found Polly waiting for him.

“Here. You can’t go so long without eating.” Basil was buckling his seatbelt when he turned to see Polly holding out a sandwich, her smile pleading for him to take it.

“Thanks.” He took it without another word. Polly looked satisfied as she started the car.

Basil just stared at the sandwich, nausea creeping in. He sat like that for minutes until he noticed Polly glancing at him through the rearview mirror, waiting for him to eat. The discomfort became too much, so he forced himself to take a few reluctant bites.

When they arrived at the hospital, Basil sat waiting for Polly to return. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a little boy drawing. He turned to look—the messy handwriting on the paper read, "Get well soon," alongside a drawing of kids holding hands.

Basil suddenly felt like he was drowning in melancholy.

“Basil, we’re ready. Let’s go.” Polly’s voice startled him. Judging by her expression, he must’ve looked as awful as he felt. He didn’t want to deal with it, so he just started walking. He knew the way by now anyway. Thankfully, Polly didn’t say anything either.

Room 318. He was getting used to this place more than he’d like.

When he stepped inside, his grandmother greeted him with a smile—enough to make Basil feel better, even drawing a small smile from him.

“Hi, sweetheart. How are you?” Basil walked over and hugged her gently.

“I’m okay. How about you? How’ve you been feeling?” His grandmother kissed his cheek before answering.

“Much better now that you’re here. I can’t wait to go back home with you, but the doctors say it’s best if I stay a little longer.” Basil’s mood dropped. His grandmother had already been in the hospital for weeks. He’d hoped for better news about her discharge. “You know, all the nurses who come in always compliment the flowers you bring me. I tell them about my wonderful grandson, the gardening expert.” She smiled, looking at the bouquet on her bedside table.

It was a bundle of camellias Basil had brought on his last visit. “I’ll bring you fresh ones next time.”

“I can’t wait to see what you pick.” That made Basil smile.

From there, they fell into easy conversation—about Basil’s school, how his grandmother hated hospital food, his outings with Henry, how she bragged about him to the doctors.

Just this quiet talk filled him with warmth and happiness. No matter what happened, these moments with his grandmother always lifted his spirits. He just hoped she’d be discharged soon so they could go home together.

After a while, he stepped out to give his grandmother and Polly some privacy—they always asked for time alone to talk. After several failed attempts at eavesdropping, Basil had decided to use these moments to grab a drink and wait somewhere until they were done.

He was about to head to a vending machine when he overheard nurses talking.

“What’s the plan for the patient in Room 318?” Basil froze, staring at the nurses’ station. As discreetly as possible, he pressed himself against a wall—close enough to hear but out of sight.

“She’ll stay under observation, but she’ll most likely be moved to palliative care.”

Basil’s face went pale.

“Poor woman. I heard she’s raising her grandson,” one nurse sighed. “She’s always so kind to the staff.”

“You’re new, so you wouldn’t know, but I’ve seen cases like this. There’s nothing left to do. Best-case scenario, they send her home so she can spend her remaining time there.”

Palliative care.

The words stabbed.

Basil’s breath hitched—once, twice—then vanished. His fingers dug into his palms, moon-shaped wounds blooming, but he couldn’t feel them.

No. She’s fine. She—

The hallway tilted. Nurses’ voices melted into a distant buzz, like the hum of the fridge the day his parents left. (The day they didn’t even pack him a bag.)

A sound escaped him—a wounded, wet gasp—and suddenly, he was running. Or maybe falling. His knees hit tile, but the pain was muffled, like his body was wrapped in gauze.

Then, the storm hit.

Sobs wrecked through him, violent as convulsions. Tears dripped onto his shoes.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—” He didn’t know who he was begging. God? Sunny? His grandmother?

Flashbacks lashed, unbidden:

Sunny’s funeral, white lilies (too much like hospital sheets).

Henry’s voice, strained: “You gotta eat something, Bas.”

His grandmother’s hands, pruning roses, steady even when hers shook.

First his parents. Then Sunny. His friends. Now her.

He vomited air, gagging on nothing. His ribs were a cage of splintered wood.

“Don’t leave me,” he whispered to the ghost of Sunny, to the ghost of his parents, to the ghost of the woman still breathing down the hall. “I’ll—I’ll be better. I’ll water the tulips every day. I’ll—”

A hand touched his shoulder.

Basil jerked back so hard his skull cracked against the wall. The nurse—stranger stranger stranger—reached for him, but he scrambled away, nails screeching against tile.

“Don’t—! Don’t touch me!” His voice was glass shards.

The nurse froze. “Basil, it’s okay—”

Nothing was okay.

Sunny had promised it would be okay too. Then he...

Basil curled into himself, arms crushing his ribs. “She can’t— She’s all I—” The words dissolved.

He was 14. He didn't want to be alone again.

Chapter Text

3 Months left Until the Recital

The bell signaling the end of classes finally rang. Without waiting any longer, Kel grabbed his things to meet up with his wonderful boyfriend.

Daphne, who was in his class, walked over to join him on the way out. "Wow, if you put the same energy into class as you do when going to see Sunny, you'd be the top student in school."

"Your comments don't affect me. For your information, my grades have improved a lot," Kel said proudly, making Daphne chuckle.

At the exit, Sunny and Bowen were waiting for them. Kel approached and wrapped his arm around Sunny, greeting Bowen in the process.

"Someone seems happy," Bowen said with a laugh.

"Our math teacher got sick, so we had a free period," the twin explained, shrugging.

Her twin sighed. "Lucky... Our teacher seemed even grumpier than usual today. It was a disaster." Kel noticed Sunny nodding with a tired expression.

Daphne checked the time on her phone. "Well, we're heading out before it gets late. See you tomorrow?"

Sunny, Kel, and the twins had been at the same school since elementary, so over time they'd become close friends. Their group had lasted until now. With their busy teenage schedules, they always set aside days to hang out and relax. While Kel loved outings with his little brother and the others, spending time with friends his own age wasn't bad either.

"Sure, see you at the bakery," Kel said enthusiastically, with Sunny nodding beside him. The twins smiled and said their goodbyes.

Kel and Sunny also began walking home. Kel always enjoyed these moments when it was just the two of them alone. He wished it could last longer—he wasn't exactly excited to return home. He didn't even realize he'd gone quiet until he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"You okay? You've been quiet," Sunny looked at him with concern.

"Really?" Kel asked. He hadn't even noticed, which only deepened the worry on Sunny's face. "I'm fine, just a little overwhelmed." He sighed before continuing. "Mom's been driving me crazy lately. Apparently, nothing I do is ever good enough for her."

He felt a hand intertwine with his. Sunny gave him a knowing look before leaning his head on Kel's shoulder.

That made Kel smile.

He and Sunny had been dating for quite a while after finally admitting their feelings for each other—something that hadn't been easy, given they lived in a small town that wasn't entirely accepting of two boys being together. So, after officially becoming a couple, very few people knew about their relationship: the twins, their younger friends, and their parents. Sunny's parents had been fairly understanding, and Kel had felt proud to earn their approval. His own parents, however, while they liked Sunny, weren't exactly thrilled about their relationship and mostly avoided the topic to keep things from getting awkward.

Still, Kel carried a silent truth in his chest: loving Sunny was like breathing after years of suffocating. He loved him in the little details no one else noticed—the way Sunny bit his lip when focused on his drawings, his calloused hands from playing the violin yet so soft when they held Kel's under the table. He loved their wordless understanding, the stolen nights in the garden where Sunny pointed out stars and Kel, instead of looking at the sky, memorized the light in his eyes. It was a love so big it hurt, a silent "I get you" every time Sunny shut himself off from the world, and Kel, without asking, would squeeze the back of his neck as if to say, "I'm here. You don’t have to talk." No one had ever made Kel feel so seen, so alive... and so, even if the town frowned upon them, he clung to that love like a castaway to his last piece of driftwood.

"Wanna come to my place? The others were gonna come over later anyway. We can wait for them together."

Kel felt his expression soften at those words. "Sure! Let’s go. As thanks, I’ll cook for you."

"Mmm, better not," Sunny averted his eyes, teasing Kel, who played along, laughing as they walked hand in hand.

When they finally arrived at Sunny's house, they went to the treehouse they'd built over the summer. They still had some time before their siblings and the others would arrive.

Kel had been playing video games until he lost for the sixth time and decided to set the controller aside with a sigh, turning to look at his boyfriend.

Sunny was focused on drawing in his notebook. He loved drawing more than anything else, and he was amazing at it—too bad his parents didn’t think it was a worthwhile hobby...

Kel stood up and sat beside him. "What’re you drawing?" Sunny turned to him with a smile and showed him the notebook. It was a colorful world with all their friends together on a picnic blanket under a purple sky. The amount of detail was astounding. "Oh, Aubrey has a baseball bat—that’s new."

"She said she’s starting to practice with her dad, so I added it."

This wasn’t new—Sunny always loved drawing them in vibrant worlds full of adventures and fantastical creatures where they were the heroes.

Kel couldn’t help but smile. "My Sun is such an artist," he said, leaning in to cover Sunny’s face in kisses. Sunny laughed—a rare, precious sound—and set the notebook aside, letting Kel smother him in affection before ending with a soft kiss on the lips.

They stayed embraced for a while longer, Kel gently stroking Sunny’s thumb as their fingers remained intertwined. "Actually, there’s something I wanna tell you," Sunny said, his tone subdued enough to make Kel turn and look at him.

If he was speaking like that, it couldn’t be good.

"I don’t know what to do about Mari anymore," Sunny sighed.

Mari?

Well, that was unexpected. If Sunny ever talked about Mari, it was only to say good things...

"Did something happen?" Kel prompted him to continue.

"It’s the recital. She keeps getting angry and throwing tantrums when it doesn’t go perfectly." Sunny closed his eyes, sighing. He looked genuinely exhausted.

"Yeah, well, she’s always been a perfectionist," Kel replied with a nervous smile. It wasn’t news that Mari obsessed over anything challenging until she got it just right.

"Yeah... but she’s taking it to a level that’s not healthy anymore. And honestly, I’m starting to get frustrated with her outbursts. This was supposed to be something fun for both of us, but lately... I don’t think either of us is enjoying it."

If it were anyone else, Kel would suggest postponing or even canceling the recital. But he knew how stubborn Mari could be—so that definitely wasn’t an option.

"I know it must be stressful, especially when it was supposed to be fun. Let her practice if she wants, but you don’t have to pressure yourself too. And you can try talking to her—if she’ll listen to anyone, it’s definitely you." Kel moved closer, rubbing Sunny’s arm reassuringly.

Sunny buried his face in Kel’s shoulder, seeking refuge in his desperation. "I’m supposed to be her big brother. I’m supposed to take care of her. I can’t be perfect no matter how hard I try... I can’t even handle something like this..."

Kel felt a sharp pang in his chest. He hated seeing Sunny like this—always pushing himself to be what others expected. He knew Sunny loved his family, loved Mari, loved his parents—but that always meant pressure. Pressure to be the good example, the one who had to be the best for his little sister’s sake.

To Kel, Sunny was the most perfect person in the world.

And yet, he also knew how Sunny never believed he met those impossible expectations. How he bottled things up, locking his feelings away. But since Sunny had trusted him enough to share his struggles, Kel had promised himself one thing: he’d always listen. Maybe he couldn’t always help, but at the very least...

At least he wouldn’t let Sunny feel alone again.

He took Sunny's face in his hands gently, making his look at him. "Sun... listen to me, okay?" Kel paused, sighing as he gathered his thoughts. "Mari... Mari adores you. Not because you’re perfect. But because you’re you. Her brother who draws her comics when she’s sick. The one who makes her tea after she cries over the piano. The one who’s always there, even when you don’t know what to say."

He gently cupped Sunny’s face, thumbs brushing his cheeks as Sunny frowned, as if turning Kel’s words over in his mind.

"And me... I see you. You can’t fix everything. But it’s not your job to fix it. No one can be the hero all the time. Not even you. You’re doing your best, and we all see that. No matter how it turns out, to us, it’ll be perfect. Remind her of that."

Sunny nodded into his hands. Kel leaned in to give him another soft kiss before smiling. "Besides, if you were perfect, what would I even do? Even Hero needs correcting sometimes—and he’s supposed to be the golden child!"

Sunny let out a small laugh. To Kel, that was already a victory.

"That’s what they say, but I have a preference for the older brother," Sunny murmured, resting his head against Kel’s chest.

"Ha! I’ll tell Hero I’m your favorite."

Sunny pinched Kel’s cheek. "Don’t you dare."

"Fine, fine, it’ll be our secret," Kel laughed, wrapping his arms around Sunny. "When all this is over, let’s sneak out for ice cream and doodle stupid things. No pianos. No recitals. Just us."

Sunny sighed happily. "That sounds nice..."

Voices suddenly echoed from the yard. "Guess our alone time’s over," Kel said, feigning sadness just to hear Sunny laugh again.

A familiar head popped up through the treehouse door. "I knew it!"

One by one, the four kids climbed in. "See, Hero? I told you they’d be together," Mari said with a reproachful look.

"Sorry, Sun’s all mine now," Kel declared, hugging him like a stuffed animal.

"I won’t allow it! I’ll always be his favorite," Mari protested, throwing her arms around her brother’s waist while laughing.

"Sunny, you have to choose—your amazing, charming boyfriend or your loud little sister," Kel teased.

"I’m not loud!" Mari shouted.

Sunny hugged Mari, making his choice while Kel dramatically clutched his chest in mock betrayal. Kel watched as the siblings embraced, Mari clinging to her brother with a bright smile while Sunny gently patted her head.

Kel knew they might have their struggles, but he also knew they’d be okay. After all, nothing could ever truly separate those two.

"Kel!" His brother’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You have no idea how mad Mom is that you didn’t go straight home after school." Hero sighed, sitting down.

"Heh, yeah... Sorry about that. I’ll talk to her when we get back," Kel apologized with a nervous smile.

The last thing he wanted to think about was the scolding waiting for him at home, so... he might as well enjoy the moment while he could.

"You’d better," Hero said tiredly, leaning back against Basil, who laughed softly, trying to calm him.

"It’s not fair! Why do you guys get out of school earlier?" Aubrey crossed her arms with a pout.

"Perks of being older," Kel shrugged, grinning just to annoy her.

"Anyway, I missed coming up here. It’s always nice being in the treehouse," Basil chimed in, smoothly steering the conversation away from the impending Aubrey-Kel argument.

"Our finest work," Mari said proudly, making Basil laugh.

"Gotta enjoy it while we can—soon it’ll be too cold to come up here," Hero pointed out.

"That’s a shame... But at least winter means snow! We should have a snowball fight!" Aubrey perked up excitedly.

"We could build snowmen and decorate them too!" Basil joined in her enthusiasm.

"Yeah, yeah! Can you play baseball with snowballs?" Aubrey asked innocently.

"Uh... probably not," Hero said, but seeing her disappointment, he quickly added, "But hey, we can try!" which made her brighten again.

Mari hummed happily. "Snow, cookies, hot chocolate... I love this time of year."

Sunny smiled before speaking up. "We’ll definitely do all that, even if it’s still a ways off." He glanced at Kel. "Besides, Kel’s birthday comes first."

That got Mari even more excited. "Oh! Right!" She turned to Hero. "Hero, we should make a surprise cake for Kel!" After a brief pause, she suddenly pointed at Kel. "Forget I said that!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

There were so many things to look forward to.

And Kel couldn’t wait to experience every single one of them...

Chapter Text

Over 2 Years After the Recital

I don’t know where I am.

The air is sweet, thick like honey in my lungs. It smells like him—like graphite pencils and that almond-scented lotion he always used. God, I don’t want to wake up.

A hand—his hand—strokes my cheek. The fingers are slender, cold at first but warming as they brush my skin. Just like they always did.

"Sun..."

It’s not a question. It’s a prayer.

But I can’t see his face. Only shadows and flickers: the gleam of his black hair under a sun that doesn’t exist, the outline of his narrow shoulders, the curve of his neck where I used to bury my face. I try—I reach out, I scream, I beg—

Please.
Let me see you.
Just one more time.

The wind answers for him: it drags his silhouette away like sand between my fingers. It dissolves. And suddenly—

—I’m falling.

The Hallway.

Endless. Black. The door at the end isn’t a door—it’s a mouth. Open, hungry, with teeth of white light.

I can’t run. My feet are nailed to the floor. But the hallway moves for me, dragging me toward that glowing throat.

Something—something—whispers:

"You were too late."

The buzzing starts then. It’s not a sound—it’s a scream. It comes from my own ears, from my veins, from the bones he used to touch like they were sacred.

I want to vomit.
I want to tear off my skin.
I want this to stop.

But when I close my eyes, he’s there.

The Garden.
The tree.
The rope.

And that—that thing—swaying like a pendulum. Too slow. Too still.

No. Please—

It’s just a dream.
It’s just a dream.
It’s just—

The rope creaks.

And then I see the shoes.

His shoes. The ones we bought together. The ones we bought for the big day.

Something in my brain snaps.

I scream. Or at least I try to. But my voice doesn’t exist here. Only the sound of the rope rubbing against the branch. Creak. Creak. Creak.

And then—

"Kel."

His voice. Sweet. Warm. Alive.

I turn—

And I’m in my room.
Sweating. Shaking. Nails dug into my palms hard enough to leave half-moon marks.

Outside, a bird sings.
It’s daytime.

I sit up, my breath still ragged, rubbing my face like I can make this pass faster.

Breathe.

Breathe.

Breathe.

I tilt my head back when I finally manage it. "Damn it," I whisper under my breath with a sigh. When I look across the room, it’s empty.

Thankfully, Henry’s already up.

I get up quickly to head to the bathroom before anyone sees me like this. I’m really not in the mood to deal with it.

I wash my face and take a moment to breathe before lifting my gaze and frowning at my reflection in the mirror.

How did I end up like this?

I look away in disgust before leaving. On the other side, I find my little brother passing by, and our eyes meet.

"Oh, hi Kel—"

He doesn’t get to finish before I walk past him toward my room.

Kel stayed locked in his room, the air heavy as if the walls were breathing for him. Henry, his younger brother, stopped outside the door, his hand hovering between knocking and pulling away. In the end, he just sighed and left. He was smart enough to understand Kel didn’t want company... even if that company was the only thing that could save him from himself.
Kel’s phone vibrated on the bed, lighting up the darkness with an intrusive notification. Over 20 unread messages from the twins. The same ones who used to send him memes, reminders about outings, stupid questions at 3 AM. The same ones who had been Sunny’s friends.

Something twisted in his chest—a mix of guilt and rage burning him from the inside.

He opens the chat but doesn’t read the messages. He just stares at the last one:

11:30 am
Daphne: Kel, we just want to know if you’re alive. 

Daphne: Reply with an emoji if you have to.

He types a "👍"... but deletes it.

Instead, he writes: "Leave me alone."

He doesn’t send it.

He turns off the phone and throws it to the other side of the bed, like it’s burned his skin.

He didn’t want to reply.

He couldn’t.

He withdraws into himself, not knowing how long it’s been until he hears the door open.

"Kel… Mom’s calling you for dinner."

He knows it’s Henry’s voice—soft and cautious—and the way he speaks gives him a headache.

"If you’re not feeling well, I can tell her you’ll eat later or—"

Kel turns to him with a glare that shuts him up. He just sighs.

"I’m coming. You don’t have to treat me like I’m sick."

He gets up and leaves the room without even looking at Henry.

Downstairs, he finds his mother serving food while his father seems to be checking something on his phone. Silently, Kel sits beside them, and soon Henry joins them.

"So, Kel..." His mother spoke without looking at him, as if talking to the air. Of course. They couldn’t even let him have one peaceful day.

"Have you been studying for college?" The fork in Kel’s hand sank into the meat on his plate, leaving marks of brute force. "You need to make up for that lost year."

His mother’s voice dripped with disdain, like speaking to him was a tedious obligation.

His father added, nibbling on bread like it was nothing: "Your grades are decent, but they’re not outstanding. It’s not that hard... when you put in the effort."

Kel didn’t look up, but the knot in his throat burned like a red-hot rope.

"You don’t even help around the house," his mother continued, crossing her arms. "Why can’t you be more like your brother? You’re supposed to be the oldest, but you act like a child."

Henry opened his mouth to intervene: "Mom, that’s not—"

"Sweetie, don’t defend him!" She cut him off with a sharp gesture. "He’s supposed to be your example, and look at him..."

Her eyes—full of disappointment—pinned Kel down, as if he were the one who ruined dinner... and not the other way around.

Kel finally looked up, a cold smile spreading across his face that made Henry shrink back.

"Yeah, Mom. I know. I should ‘move on’." He played with his food like it was more interesting than them. "Like you did, right? How long did it take you? A week?"

The silence was a punch to the gut.

"How dare you!" His mother slammed her palm on the tablecloth. "You’re not the only one who suffered! Don’t you even think about what your brother went through? Life doesn’t stop just because you choose to drown in it!"

Kel smirked, a twisted attempt at a smile. "Yeah, Henry’s perfect… Of course. He didn’t even love him enough to become this."

He didn’t look at his little brother.

He couldn’t.

He knew it was wrong. He knew he’d hurt him.

But he couldn’t take this shit anymore.

"Don’t talk about your little brother like that!" His father raised his voice, pointing at him with venom in his tone. "Can you stop acting like everything revolves around you? It’s been over two years. What else do you want us to do for you?"

"Oh, because you were so helpful, right?" Kel frowned, his smile sarcastic.

"We did everything we could, but you’re too busy thinking only about yourself to see it!" His father clenched his fists on the table, daring him to shut up.

Kel didn’t back down. His gaze locked onto his father’s. "Oh, I’m sorry. Next time, I’ll get you a ‘World’s Most Understanding Parents’ medal. Is that what you want?" His voice rose. "Why don’t you just admit you see me as a nuisance?!"

"Don’t you dare speak to me in that tone!" His father glared at him with anger, with disappointment...

Kel just laughed. "What? Can’t handle the truth to your face?"

His mother started sobbing in her seat. "Why are you doing this to us? After everything we’ve done for you..."

His smile widened as he turned to her. "Doing what exactly? Existing? Reminding you that your son isn’t just the one who gets good grades?"

His voice faded when he felt a sting on his cheek.

He turned to see his father staring at him with resentment—even after hitting him. "Don’t talk to your mother like that."

All he wanted was to disappear right then.

He looked at his parents, his voice trembling. "I’ll go to college. I’ll stay there. I’ll graduate. And then everyone will be happy—you with the only son who matters, and me without having to see your faces every goddamn day!"

He stormed out of the kitchen, hearing Henry call after him like he was crying and his father shouting.

But he didn’t stop. He grabbed his coat and left that house that suffocated him so much.

He ran. Ran and ran until he was out of breath, ending up in front of the park.

He sat under a tree in a corner.

He rubbed his face furiously, as if he could scrub away the pain with brute force. The tears burned, but they didn’t fall. He didn’t deserve them.

He was a disaster. He knew.

He was useless. He knew.

His parents were right. He knew.

He couldn’t even help the person he loved most.

He rested his head against the tree, feeling like trash.

He lost Sun, and he was still hurting the people he had left.

Did I hurt you too?
Is that why you left?

He pulled out the pack of cigarettes he kept hidden in his pocket, lit one, and took a drag as he stared at the stars...

Chapter Text

One Month Until the Recital

"What do you think?!" Aubrey asked Basil, who looked at her with affection.

The two of them got off at the same bus stop, so they walked home together. Aubrey had been practicing different baseball stances - she was so excited. Her father had been teaching her to play, and she couldn't be happier about spending time with him.

"I don't know much about baseball, but to me you look like a real professional," Basil said with proud eyes, raising his fists excitedly.

"Right? I've been practicing so much! Dad said he might even take me to a real game!" She jumped with excitement, stars in her eyes. "Oh, we're at the corner already. Goodbye Basil, see you tomorrow!" She waved cheerfully as they took different paths home.

She arrived home excited - today her dad had promised to play with her. She wanted to show him the new moves she'd learned. She couldn't wait to see the proud look on his face.

"Late again?!" Her mother's voice cut like a butcher's knife. "You couldn't even bother to call? Do you think I'm your damn maid?"

Aubrey's father threw his keys to the ground. The metallic clink made her blink as the air suddenly left her chest.

"Because I'm sick of your dramas!" he roared, tearing off his tie as if suffocating. "What do you want? Money? The house? How much more blood do I need to give you before you stop fucking tormenting me?"

Aubrey pressed her hands to her chest. They were supposed to play today. He'd promised. Everything would be fine, everything would be fine, everything would—

"You know what I want?" Her mother spat the words while grabbing their wedding photo from the shelf. "For you to act like a father for once in your goddamn life!"

CRASH.

The frame shattered against the wall, just beside Aubrey's head. Glass rained down on her shoes.

"Watch out!" her father shouted, but it was too late. Aubrey stepped back, crushing broken glass beneath her feet.

"See?" Her mother laughed bitterly. "You can't even get off the couch to protect her."

Her father paled. He looked at her for what felt like an eternity - or maybe that's just how she perceived it - and she saw fear in his eyes. For a second, Aubrey thought he might hug her. Instead, he turned to his wife with bared teeth:

"You viper. How could you do that? This has nothing to do with her! Or do you only know how to use my daughter as ammunition?"

"Your daughter..." Her mother smiled slowly, venomously. "Right. Because when she was vomiting all night in August, you held her hair back, didn't you? Oh wait—" She made a theatrical face. "You were at the bar with your friends!"

Her father lunged. Not to hit her - but his fist smashed through the cabinet door beside them.

That was enough.

Aubrey ran out without even removing her backpack. Overwhelmed by emotions, she stopped to gasp for air. She could barely see through the tears clouding her vision. She grabbed her hair with all her strength, sobs wrenching from her throat until it hurt.

Where could she go?

She was alone.

Where?

Where?

Among all the tormenting thoughts, only one person came to mind. She ran, stumbling along the way, only to get up and keep running.

Her eyes squeezed shut as she sobbed, clinging to the thought that soon she'd be with her...

Everything would be okay.

Everything would be okay.

Everything would be okay.

She knocked on the door harder than intended, her hands trembling against her chest as she sought some comfort within herself.

Someone opened the door. "Aub—"

Aubrey didn't hesitate - she threw herself into their arms, hugging them tightly. She felt safer now.

Everything would be okay with Mari by her side.

Mari didn't understand, only feeling her shirt grow damp from her best friend's tears as she quickly guided her inside. She carefully removed Aubrey's backpack before sitting her down on the couch. It hurt to see her always-cheerful friend crying inconsolably in her arms.

Aubrey felt a hand rubbing comforting circles on her back. "It's okay..." She clung tighter to Mari, focusing on her voice. "You're safe, I'm here with you, you're not alone."

They stayed like that for another minute until Aubrey finally lifted her face from Mari's chest to look at her.

For a second, she was afraid - she'd shown up a complete mess at Mari's doorstep without warning. But then she saw Mari smiling gently. "Better?"

Of course Mari would never judge her. Mari was an angel who'd never abandon her.

Hurried footsteps approached. "What happened? I heard a lot of noise—" Sunny appeared looking worried, his gaze settling on Aubrey. "Oh, Aubrey..." His frown relaxed slightly but concern remained - he seemed to understand the situation instantly.

Aubrey looked down in shame. Sunny knelt to her eye level. "Does it hurt?"

Following his gaze, she saw her knee was scraped and bleeding slightly - probably from when she'd fallen while running. She hadn't even noticed.

Sunny's lips pressed into a thin line before he turned to his little sister. "Mari, could you get the first aid kit please?"

"Of course!" Mari rushed off as fast as her knees allowed.

Now it was just the two of them. The little girl stared at the doorway until Sunny spoke. "Your parents fought again...?" Aubrey turned to him - the pressure in her chest remained - and with tear-filled eyes, she nodded.

Sunny was the only one who knew about her family situation. After finding her crying alone in their hideout one day, she'd poured out everything about her parents' fights, the screaming, their outbursts. He'd listened without judgment - he was always there to comfort her, and today was no exception.

"T-their screaming... it wouldn't stop this time..."

Aubrey trembled like a leaf in a storm, her small fists clutching Sunny's shirt so tightly the seams creaked. The older boy said nothing, simply enveloping her in his arms, letting his warmth shield her from the cold inside.

"Mom... broke all the photos of them together..."

Her tears soaked Sunny's chest, but he didn't move. His large hands - calloused from protecting Mari from her own nightmares - now gently stroked Aubrey's disheveled hair with infinite tenderness.

"And Dad... Dad screamed too and broke a shelf... I'm scared... is it because of me? Did they fight about me again?"

Sunny felt something inside him break at those words. Twelve years old, carrying pain most adults couldn't handle. Without thinking, he carefully lifted her onto his lap like he did for Mari during nightmares.

"Listen to me, Aubrey." His voice was soft but firm - the tone he used when Mari needed to understand something important. "Their fights aren't about you. You... you're the best thing that's ever happened to this world."

Aubrey looked at him with red, swollen eyes, searching his face for any lie. But she only found that serene gaze Sunny reserved for when the world was falling apart.

"But... but if I'm so good... why do they always fight? Why is it always about me?"

The question pierced his heart. Sunny closed his eyes for a second.

"Because sometimes adults are broken inside." He wiped her tears with his thumbs, leaving clean streaks on dirty cheeks. "But I love you. Mari loves you. And our love doesn't break so easily."

Aubrey's tear-filled eyes now held a glimmer of hope.

Sunny smiled with overwhelming affection. "We'll always be here for you, Aubrey... always ready to welcome you when you have nowhere to go... you're part of our family too."

"Found it!" They turned to see Mari holding the first aid kit, sweat on her forehead as if she'd searched at top speed. It made Aubrey laugh weakly.

"Alright, let's treat that wound first."

Sunny tended to her injury with utmost care while Mari chattered about anything to make Aubrey smile. Though Mari didn't know everything, she always cheered her up.

Aubrey couldn't be more grateful for these siblings in her life...

"All done. How does it feel? Still hurt?" Sunny watched her expectantly as she shook her head. "I'm better now, thanks..."

A silence fell. Aubrey nervously twisted her fingers, debating whether to ask until she finally gathered courage. "Can I... can I stay over tonight?... please." Her voice grew smaller, afraid of rejection.

She didn't want to go home.

It was always worse after fights - her mom and dad would approach her to badmouth each other, forcing her to pick sides.

She hated it.

The younger sister immediately brightened. "Of course! Sleepover! Can she, Sunny? Can she? Please?" She clasped her hands pleadingly at her big brother, who chuckled. "I'll call our parents... and yours too, Aubrey."

Aubrey's gaze dropped to her lap - she wasn't sure her parents would be in the mood to agree.

A hand on her shoulder made her look up to see Sunny's compassionate expression. "Don't worry, I'll make sure they say yes. You and Mari go get comfortable upstairs." Mari cheered as Aubrey finally relaxed.

The girls went up to get settled. Mari arranged all her stuffed animals to make space for Aubrey on her bed. "Thanks Mari... did I interrupt you by coming over?"

Mari blinked thoughtfully, tapping her chin. "Hmm, well I was practicing piano - there's this part I keep messing up." Her voice grew frustrated. "I know I can do it, but my hands keep failing! I can't make it perfect!" She punched the bed, startling Aubrey with her outburst.

Catching herself, Mari gave an embarrassed smile. "But there's still time - I'll get it right!" Her cheerful tone couldn't completely hide the tension. "Besides, you're more important than that." She took Aubrey's hand with a genuine smile.

Aubrey forgot her earlier shock, relaxing with Mari. "Thanks Mari, you're the best friend." She hugged her tightly.

Mari laughed, returning the embrace. "That's what best friends do. We'll always be together - you're stuck with me!"

Aubrey couldn't be happier with that declaration. After all, she couldn't imagine life without Mari.

She was her light in the darkness.

Mari would always be with her...

No one and nothing would separate them.

Everything would be okay...

Chapter Text

2 months after the recital

Her hands trembled with every page she touched—but she didn’t stop.

Her mind was a shipwreck adrift in a sea of guilt and pain, and this… this was her only lifeboat.

She could fix it.

Her fingers burned from tearing at the skin around her nails, the tips raw and red. She didn’t even realize she was doing it until the pain pierced through the numbness.

But she kept going.

And going.

And going.

Until the last page was perfect.

A shaky gasp escaped her lips as she took in her work—the notebook was now complete. A fragile, almost pleading smile tugged at her mouth.

She traced the repaired pages, the sunflowers and smiling faces barely holding together. The paper felt like moth wings, ready to crumble at the slightest mishandling.

She stood up abruptly, clutching the notebook to her chest. She tiptoed down the stairs—one wrong sound and her mother would explode. Lately, everything she did set her off.

I wish Dad were here.

That thought followed her every night, just like the sound of the door that never opened for him anymore.

She ran outside, the cold air slapping her face. The day was gray, smothered in a fog that turned the town into a ghost. She hadn’t even grabbed a sweater, but she didn’t care.

She was euphoric.

With this, everything would go back to normal.

Mari would smile again.

They would be together again.

Aubrey knew Mari never meant to tear Sunny’s notebook. She would never do that.

No.

It wasn’t her.

It was something else.

But it didn’t matter. Because now it was fixed. She could already picture Mari’s face when she saw it—her eyes lighting up, the way she’d hug her with that strength only she had.

And then…

Everything would be okay.

…

…

…

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

No one answered.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Silence.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—

Her knuckles bled from the cold and the force, but Aubrey didn’t stop. "She must be busy," she thought. "She always gets lost in her own world, but she always comes back to me."

Always...

The door creaked open—a sound like a stifled scream. Aubrey, gripping the notebook in her numb fingers, looked up with a nervous smile.

But it wasn’t Mari.

It was her.

Mari’s mother stood in the doorway, her face lit by the dim hallway light. Her eyes, once warm like honey, were now two black voids that seemed to swallow all light around them. When she recognized Aubrey, something shattered in her gaze. It wasn’t just hatred. It was the fury of a mother who had read the autopsy report.

"You."

The word fell like a verdict. Aubrey felt the ground tilt beneath her feet. The air smelled of wilted flowers and that pine-scented hospital cleaner.

How many times had they scrubbed the floor where…?

"Oh… s-sorry. I… wanted to see Mari," she mumbled, digging her nails into the notebook.

The silence that followed was so thick Aubrey could hear the ticking of the cuckoo clock in the living room—the same one Sunny hated because it woke him up on Saturdays. Mari’s mother didn’t look away, as if memorizing every lie, every tremor, every drop of guilt seeping from Aubrey’s pores.

"Mari can’t see you right now."

The woman’s voice was so cold it sent a shiver down Aubrey’s spine. But then, like a cornered animal, desperation drowned out her fear.

"Tell her it’s me! She’ll come, I know she will!" The smile she forced onto her face trembled like a thread about to snap. "She always does! She always—!"

Mari always came down. Always listened. Even when Aubrey showed up crying at midnight because her parents’ screaming matches drove her out in terror. Even when the whole world seemed to hate her. Mari never left her alone.

The woman closed her eyes, as if Aubrey’s words physically pained her. "No. Not this time."

And then, the door began to close.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No

Aubrey moved before she could think. She lunged forward, catching the edge of the door with both hands. "PLEASE, I NEED TO SEE HER!" The scream tore through her throat, but it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered except not losing her. She couldn’t. Not after everything they’d been through together.

Mari’s mother struck like lightning. Her fingers, strong as talons, clamped around Aubrey’s arm with enough force to make bone creak.

"GET OUT OF HERE, YOU LITTLE MONSTER!" The woman’s shriek rattled the porch, so violent Aubrey’s eardrums throbbed. "YOU TOOK MY SON FROM ME! NOW YOU WANT TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TOO?!"

Aubrey couldn’t hold back a cry as the woman twisted her arm and shoved her with full force. She fell backward onto the gravel, her hands scraping against sharp stones. The burning in her palms was nothing compared to the ice flooding her chest.

The mother, now hunched over as if hatred had eaten her alive, gasped through tears streaking her mascara. "My baby… my poor baby… Why? WHY?"

Aubrey didn’t notice when the door shut. She only realized she was on the ground, shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, her hands bleeding and the notebook smeared with dirt.

But the worst part wasn’t the pain.

It was the emptiness.

The terror that Mari—her Mari, the only person she had left in this rotten world—was on the other side of that door… and didn’t want her anymore.

"No… No…" Aubrey curled into herself, hugging her knees. "She wouldn’t leave me alone. Not after everything. Not after what happened."

The gravel dug into her knees, but the pain was nothing compared to the fire devouring her from within. Aubrey gasped, spitting out salt and tears, as if she could vomit up the guilt.

"Please… Mari…"

Her own hands—the same ones that had once been soaked in someone else’s blood—dug into her hair, yanking until strands ripped free. The physical pain was a relief. A deserved punishment.

Then came the darkness.

It wasn’t normal shadows—it was something worse. Thick, liquid. From it emerged hands.

Hands she knew too well.

Fingers bent at impossible angles, like dry twigs.

Blue nails, clawing at the dirt toward her.

Teeth marks on the palms.

Whose frantic bite was that?

"NO!" Aubrey kicked, but the hands gripped her ankles with corpse-like strength.

They crawled up her legs, leaving sticky trails. Aubrey felt death’s chill seep into her skin.

"Mari… please…" A broken whimper.

At the edge of her vision, the notebook sank into something.

Aubrey threw herself forward, crushing it against her chest like a talisman. The bloody hands twisted around her neck—not to strangle her…

But to caress her.

The notebook pulsed against her like a dying heart. Aubrey thrashed against the shadowy, bloodied hands now stroking her cheeks with grotesque tenderness.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry—"

But the hands didn’t listen.

They slid down her throat, retracing the path of Mari’s tears that night.

Of course… Mari just needed time… she wouldn’t abandon her.

She began to walk away slowly, dragging something behind her.

Mari will come back.

It’s just a matter of time.

I’ll wait for her.

I’ll wait.

"Everything will be okay," she whispered, even as she felt herself suffocating more and more.

Chapter Text

2 Weeks Until the Recital

The alarm woke him, and before it could ring for more than a few seconds, he turned to quickly shut it off.

5:00 AM

The clock marked. Sunny looked at it with distrust, wishing magically for time to rewind so he could sleep a little longer.

Yesterday, Mari kept him awake because she didn’t want to stop practicing. His parents were so proud of the little one’s effort that they allowed her to stay up a bit longer, and of course, Sunny wasn’t going to deny his little sister, no matter how tired he was, even though he had stayed up the night before studying for exams, the night before that because Mari had a nightmare and he had to console her, helping Mari with homework from her classes had to stay up late to do his own… When was the last time he slept well?

He kept staring at the clock, wondering if he’d indulge in sleeping 15 more minutes when he heard footsteps outside the room. His parents must have woken up already, which meant if he didn’t come out, his mother would come in to wake him and wake Mari in the process. At least he should let her sleep a little longer.

Washing his face, brushing his teeth, changing, combing his hair, arranging things for school, checking that Mari didn’t forget anything, packing Mari’s vitamins, making sure she had her knee brace and bandages in case she needed them, the prescription for her knee injury painkillers to pick them up in the afternoon—it was a routine he already had memorized. Sometimes he got so distracted that he did it without even thinking much.

He went down to the kitchen, finding his parents already there, greeting him with a smile and good morning.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” his mother smiled sweetly from the counter where she was making breakfast. “Looks like you were a little late today, you’re not a child to do that, sweetheart,” she said, letting out a laugh.

Seriously?

He could barely keep his eyes open. Maybe the tiredness made him slower than usual.

“Sorry, I’m a little tired…” he replied as he approached the kitchen. He had to prepare Mari’s lunch and his own.

“Nothing a good coffee won’t fix. I made a little extra, go ahead and pour yourself a cup, son,” his father encouraged him with the coffee pot on the table where he was having breakfast while examining some work papers.

Sunny, deciding he was too tired, gave in to his father’s request, leaving lunch for later before sitting down and taking the coffee pot.

His hands trembled, staining the perfectly white tablecloth with a coffee stain that grew larger. Sunny looked at it for a second before standing up to find his father already looking at him with a furrowed brow before sighing.

“Sorry,” he lowered his gaze reflexively.

“You’re too old for those mistakes, don’t you think?” his father said seriously without looking at him.

“Come on, sweetheart, it was just a little mistake. Sunny will clean it before we get home, right, sweetheart?” Her hand reached behind him, grabbing his shoulders affectionately.

He could only feel himself getting overwhelmed before nodding.

Lately, his hands trembled more. He should be more careful, or it might affect the recital.

He clicked his tongue remembering it. Lately, just thinking about it stressed him out. He couldn’t wait for it to be over. Mari had been irritable.

Just two weeks and it’s over…

“By the way, you sounded incredible practicing yesterday,” his mother commented proudly. His father nodded, smiling with satisfaction.

“Mari is trying very hard,” Sunny smiled affectionately.

“No kidding, not even you try that hard for a recital,” his mother laughed playfully.

Sunny stood still at that statement.

“She can be better, but her effort is admirable. She’s improved so much in this time. You should try harder. After all, you’re the eldest. I know you’re capable of doing better if you didn’t slack off so much,” his father gave him a pat on the shoulder.

Try harder?

They want more?

He couldn’t take this anymore. His grip on the coffee cup tightened.

After his parents finished breakfast, they organized everything to leave for work.

“Goodbye, sweetheart, have a good day,” his mother gave him a kiss on the forehead.

“Remember, we’ll be late today. Keep everything in order, okay?” said his father, carrying his briefcase with papers.

Sunny nodded, earning a smile from his father.

He turned to clean the kitchen, picking up the plates to throw away leftovers, wiping the table. He’d have to wash the tablecloth when he got back from classes. He couldn’t help but frown. The last thing he wanted was more chores to do.

Finally, washing the dishes, and the kitchen would be impeccable. Every plate, glass, and utensil had to be washed three times, making sure the soap covered them exactly the same, rinsing them delicately, and if any stain remained, repeat the process until they were spotless.

Too much unnecessary process, Sunny thought. But that’s how he’d been taught, and in some unfathomable way, his mother noticed if he didn’t do it well, which would only get him scolded. Everything had to be impeccable.

Perfect.

He hated that word. He didn’t believe anything could be perfect. Not these dishes, not his parents, not Mari, not him…

But his family had something about making everything perfect. It was exhausting.

Continuing with the dishwashing process, without realizing it, the edge of the knife cut his finger, making him let out a groan of pain.

Damn protocol. At least Mari doesn’t have to deal with this.

The thought pierced him like a rusted knife, slow and deliberate. Mari is upstairs, in her lavender-scented room, sleeping without worries. Or maybe practicing that damn sonata for the umpteenth time, frustrated because the third measure isn’t perfect. Or maybe whining because her fingers hurt after three hours of rehearsal.

But she’s not here.

She’s not here with her hands submerged in ice-cold water that cuts off her circulation. She doesn’t have to scrub plates until her fingers wrinkle like corpses, nor remember that the detergent runs out tomorrow and they have to buy more with the money they barely have.

She’s not here, with her back on fire from carrying grocery bags from the other block because the bus passed by. She doesn’t have to calculate how many meals she can stretch from a bag of rice, nor lie saying “I already ate” when hunger twists her insides, but he was too busy to have time to do it.

She doesn’t have to hide bills under the mattress because it’s his responsibility to do the accounts and pay when his parents don’t have time for that.

She doesn’t have to play dumb when his mother asks “Where’s the money I gave you?” and he knows they never gave him anything.

She doesn’t have to hold her breath every time the phone rings, praying it’s not the collectors when he forgot to pay, or the hospital reminding him that Mari’s pills are about to run out.

She doesn’t have to swallow her fear when Mari says “You always know what to do,” because he doesn’t know. He just improvises.

If he didn’t manage, his parents would just say he has to manage his time better. That, that was too frustrating to hear.

At least Mari could have a calmer life thanks to his work…

Mari could…

Only she could…

When he finally finished, he headed to his room to wake Mari when he saw the time on the living room clock.

6:10 AM

Shit, it’s late—

He ran to his room, arriving at Mari’s side. “Good morning, Mari.” Mari squirmed, squeezing her eyes shut, asking for five more minutes. “Sorry, but it’s late. Get up quickly so you have time to eat breakfast.” A pitying smile formed on Sunny’s face. What he wouldn’t give for him and his little sister to sleep more.

Resigned, Mari woke up, rubbing her eyes and letting out a yawn. She looked like a cat, which made Sunny laugh. “I’ll be downstairs. Hurry up.” He patted Mari’s head before leaving.

He ran downstairs to the kitchen to heat up Mari’s breakfast and prepare it on the table. At this rate, he wouldn’t have enough time, so he decided to only make Mari’s lunch—at least he managed to eat breakfast earlier… He was halfway through the task when Mari came downstairs.

“Yay, pancakes!” Mari quickly sat in the chair, taking a big bite of breakfast.

Sunny smiled at her. “Thank Mom for that later.” Mari nodded frantically, still with her mouth full, smiling.

He continued with the lunch in silence before Mari spoke. “I’m so sleepy. It’s really amazing how you can wake up early every day.” She yawned while praising her brother.

Mari smiled proudly at her brother, but something about that phrase, along with Sunny’s lack of sleep, made him feel a bitter emotion inside, causing a small, imperceptible tic in his eye to Mari.

He took a deep breath before looking at his sister with a smile. “I’m used to it.”

---

They managed to arrive on time to catch the bus. When he finally got to class, he was so tired he resisted the first classes but eventually gave in to fatigue, falling so deeply asleep he didn’t even hear when class ended until he felt someone shaking him to pull him out of his precious and much-desired sleep.

“Someone’s more tired than usual.” When he opened his eyes, he was met by Bowen with a neutral face that showed sympathy.

He sat back up in his seat with blurry vision while rubbing his temple. “Class is over?”

“Yeah, I was about to ask if you wanted to hang out, but I found you completely asleep.” Bowen crossed his arms with a mocking smile.

Shit. He needed the notes from this class to study for the upcoming exams.

His expression must have been too obvious because Bowen threw a notebook in front of him, making him blink confusedly at him.

“Class notes. You can take them home, don’t worry.” He gave him a smile as if it were obvious he’d give them to him, which made him feel calmer. “The other two must be waiting. Eating will probably wake you up.”

Sunny smiled before remembering he didn’t pack his lunch. The cafeteria was always crowded, seeming like a jungle just to buy something to eat, which made him feel even more tired. “I didn’t bring my lunch.” He frowned, mentally preparing to have to venture into the cafeteria jungle.

“Seriously?” Bowen looked at him, puzzled. It wasn’t normal for him not to bring it—it was public knowledge among his friends that he didn’t like buying at school. Bowen sighed before giving him a consoling pat on the back. “Don’t worry, I’ll share mine, and if not, I’ll be your backup in the cafeteria.”

Both left, meeting up with Kel and Daphne at their favorite table in the schoolyard.

Just sitting down, he was bombarded by Kel with kisses on his cheek, making him blush. Part of the decision to sit at that table was that it was secluded from the other students, so besides being a quiet place for them, no one would see them, and they were freer to show their relationship. The only thing missing was for rumors about their relationship to spread—damn small, backward town.

At least he could be open with his friends, which gave him great comfort.

He was pulled from his thoughts when Kel caressed his cheeks. “Didn’t sleep well? You have big dark circles.” His voice showed concern, but all Sunny did was lean on his boyfriend’s shoulder. “I slept late practicing,” he said, resting and letting his eyes close for a second.

“God, that recital is really wearing you out,” Daphne said, putting her half-drunk juice down to look at him.

“Is it that obvious?” he replied sarcastically, still without opening his eyes.

“You already sound perfect. You shouldn’t push yourselves so hard,” Kel hugged him in a way that felt more comfortable for resting.

“Yeah, dude, it’s too much if it’s making you fall asleep in class.” He heard Daphne’s surprise at her brother’s comment. “Wait, seriously? You fell asleep?”

It wasn’t normal for him to fall asleep in class—not when he was an exemplary student. It was his responsibility as the older brother to be the best example for Mari, which meant being the best he could be in school—or so his parents told him.

“Too much practice. Mari asked. I couldn’t say no.”

“You never say no,” Kel sighed. It was already a habit to hear how stressful the recital was for the siblings.

Sunny sat up, blinking to shake off the tiredness. “It’s fine. It’s her first recital—she’s really trying hard. I can’t blame her.” But something inside him twisted at the thought. He was tired, and he still had to deal with this.

But it didn’t matter. After all, it was for his dear little sister.

“I don’t know how you handle all that. You’re really a role-model big brother,” Daphne laughed, earning a frown from Sunny.

Kel wrapped his arm around Sunny’s neck defensively. “My Sun is too perfect. Don’t listen to the envious people.”

Sunny smiled, letting out a small laugh.

But one word stayed engraved in his mind:

Perfect.

He was starting to hate it more and more.

Chapter Text

"Are you sure you don't want to go home?" Kel held Sunny's cheeks playfully as he struggled to keep his eyes open with more effort than usual.

It was the end of lunch period, time to return to class. After his wonderful boyfriend and his angelic friends had shared their lunch with him, Sunny had spent the remaining time napping on Kel's lap. Now, thankfully, he felt slightly more rested. Only slightly...

"Do I really look that bad?" Sunny averted his gaze, trying to dodge the question.

Something about it worked, because Kel let out a soft laugh before planting a tender kiss on his forehead. "You know that's not what I meant. My Sun is always cute." His expression shifted, showing deeper concern. "At least let me walk you home after school. We can go together."

Sunny frowned at him. "You have practice."

"Come on, I'm the star of the team. No one's gonna say anything if I miss one practice," Kel boasted, dramatically sweeping his hair back. Sunny just rolled his eyes in amusement.

Sunny was about to protest when suddenly two arms draped over his shoulders from behind. "Don't worry, Kel. We'll make sure he gets home safe and sound," the twins chimed in simultaneously, their faces neutral but their eyes gleaming with their usual determination.

"You don't have to—"

"We can even stop by the bakery so he can take something home. On the house," Bowen added.

That immediately caught Sunny's attention, his face lighting up at the offer.

"Well, looks like your plan's all set," Kel smiled gracefully, watching his boyfriend's delighted expression.

After classes—which he'd endured awake through sheer willpower and maybe a few nudges from Bowen whenever he dozed off—Sunny could finally go home. Not without stopping by the twins' bakery first, though. He felt a little guilty about making them look after him, but on the other hand... free bread.

"The other day, Michael tried making me breakfast," Bowen said. "He burned the eggs and spilled the juice... but he brought it to me on a tray, with a flower he stole from the garden."

Daphne laughed. "He drew me a dinosaur in my chemistry notebook! Do you know how hard it was to explain to the teacher why there was a T-Rex in the middle of my homework?"

"The worst part is that it was better than any T-Rex I've ever drawn," Bowen added, feigning indignation.

Hearing about the twins' little brother wasn't anything new—it was a common topic in their group. They were all older siblings who loved bragging about their younger siblings, and it usually devolved into a comedic battle over whose little sibling was the best. But right now, Sunny didn't have the energy for it, so he just listened quietly as the twins talked.

"Our baby brother has grown up so much," Daphne sighed. "He's starting to think he's too old to play with us." She made an exaggerated sad face, but her eyes sparkled with affection.

Bowen laughed, giving her a light shove. "I still remember how he used to beg me to carry him on my back all the time when he was little. Time flies!" He rubbed his eyes with his fist, pretending to wipe away dramatic tears.

Sunny managed a weak smile.

"At least he still comes to us when he has nightmares," Daphne murmured, softer this time. "That won't change."

They were right about one thing—time passed too quickly.

Sunny stared at his shoes.

He still remembered the day Mari was born.

His father had placed a hand on his shoulder, solemn, as if entrusting him with a sacred mission. "Starting today, you're the big brother, Sunny. You have to work hard. Be the best. Set a good example for her."

He was only four years old.

He didn't know what he was supposed to do. He didn't know if he could be the best. But he nodded anyway, because it was the first time his father had smiled in weeks.

Now, twelve years later, he still wondered: What the hell did "be the best" even mean?

They soon arrived at the bakery, the aroma hitting Sunny immediately as he carefully browsed the shelves, deciding which treat would win over his appetite.

"Relax, dude. The bread isn't going anywhere," Bowen called out, laughing from behind the counter. Their parents, seeing they'd arrived early, had put them to work—not that the twins minded. Everyone knew they loved working in the family bakery.

Sunny didn't let the comment stop his meticulous search, eventually settling on two donuts—one chocolate, one strawberry jam. He walked up to the twins to have them wrapped.

"I thought you didn't like jam donuts," Daphne said, raising an eyebrow.

"It's for Mari. I'll pay for the extra one," Sunny replied, pulling out his wallet.

"Don't worry about it. We told you—the house is treating. Consider it an apology for not being able to walk you all the way home," Daphne said with a wink.

Sunny smiled before saying goodbye to the twins and heading home as fast as he could. He couldn't wait to get some sleep. His parents weren't home, so no one would stop him.

The moment he stepped inside, Mari hugged him. Sunny could only smile at the gesture, gently patting her head.

"I brought you a present," he said playfully, watching as Mari immediately perked up.

Sunny pulled the jam donut out of the bag and handed it to her.

"You stopped by the bakery!" Mari's eyes sparkled before she took a big bite.

"Do you like it?" Sunny tilted his head with a smile.

"Mhm!" Mari nodded enthusiastically, her mouth still full before swallowing. "Thanks, Sunny!"

"It's nothing," he said, smiling before glancing at Mari's backpack thrown on the couch. He sighed. "Mari, did you finish your homework?"

Mari froze, avoiding his gaze.

"Mari?" Sunny raised an eyebrow at his little sister, finally prompting her to speak.

"I was practicing piano. I almost mastered the entire first part perfectly," she said, her eyes filled with determination.

"What about the recital and school?"

"School comes first," she replied, pouting.

"Then go do your homework. After that, you can practice or rest. You know, it's been a while since we watched a movie together," Sunny suggested, hiding the fact that he had zero energy to practice.

"I'll go do my homework. Then we can practice together," Mari said, smiling before grabbing her backpack and heading to her room.

Sunny could only frown tiredly. At least he could rest while Mari did her homework. Then he sighed, remembering he still had to copy the notes from the class he'd slept through. That just made him sigh even more exhaustedly.

He headed to the kitchen to put his donut away for later. Fine, he'd do the class notes first, then take a nap. He set the bag on the table when he noticed a stain on the white tablecloth—the stain from that morning when he'd spilled coffee. His mother had told him to clean it before they got home.

Sunny lowered his head, closing his eyes in frustration.

Damn it...

The fading sunlight filtered through the living room curtains, casting a golden glow over the notes spread across the table. Sunny rubbed his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time, trying to focus on the letters that danced in front of him. The tablecloth, now washed and hanging near the window, dripped softly, the sound of water droplets hitting the floor like a tired metronome.

His head drooped forward.

Once.

He jerked upright.

Twice.

This time, his cheek met the cold surface of the table.

Three...

...

...

...

The sound of a sharp thud and a muffled whimper pierced through Sunny’s door like a knife. His body moved before his mind could catch up, his legs carrying him on pure instinct as his heart pounded against his ribs. Every step up the stairs echoed dully in his ears, as if the house itself was screaming at him for his failure.

When he threw the door open violently, the world vanished in an instant.

Mari lay on the floor, her small body trembling, curled around her right knee. Tears had traced shiny paths down her pale cheeks, and her hands—those pianist hands their parents treasured like relics—clutched at the swollen joint with desperate strength.

"Mari!" Sunny’s voice shattered like glass as he dropped to his knees beside her. His own hands shook as he wrapped them around her fragile shoulders, feeling her whole body shudder with every suppressed sob. "What happened?"

The answer came between ragged gasps. "I-I got up too fast... and my knee... it gave out." Mari swallowed hard, her glassy eyes searching his as if he were her only anchor in the pain. "I-It hurts... it hurts so much, Sunny."

Sunny’s heart twisted.

With careful movements, trying not to scare her further, he slid one arm under her knees and the other around her back. "Come on, I’ll take you to bed," he murmured, but as he lifted her, a choked scream escaped Mari’s lips. The sound tore through his chest like a bullet.

The bed accepted Mari’s trembling body gently. Sunny noticed how her fingers clung to his shirt, leaving wrinkles in the fabric like marks of her fear. "Don’t move," he ordered, his voice trying to stay firm but cracking at the edges. "I’ll be right back."

The kitchen became a labyrinth of failures. Drawers screeched as he yanked them open, revealing everything except what he needed—spoons, tea bags, toothpicks... Where were the painkillers? His hands trembled as he rummaged through jars, as if his own fingers were conspiring against him. They had to be here. His mother always kept them here.

Nothing.

He knocked over a pack of cookies without thinking; the crumbs scattered across the floor like sand from an hourglass running out. Mari was still crying in the bedroom.

Nothing.

NOTHING.

Then, like lightning through the fog in his mind, he remembered—the prescription. He’d folded it carefully that morning and tucked it into his backpack, "so he wouldn’t lose it." But now, that backpack was lying in the living room, next to the unfinished class notes, the unchecked homework.

He froze, his lungs tightening. How could he have forgotten? It wasn’t just exhaustion... it was failure. A knot of frustration rose in his throat, but there was no time to drown in it. Mari needed him.

With mechanical movements, he grabbed an ice pack from the freezer. The cold burned his fingertips, but he barely registered it.

"Easy, Mari," he whispered when he returned, though his voice sounded foreign, as if someone else were speaking for him.

Mari’s eyes were closed, her cheeks shiny with tears. When he adjusted her leg carefully, she stifled a whimper, biting her lip to keep from crying out louder. It tore him in two.

"I’ll get your medicine," he said, though his mind was already mapping out the path—the backpack, the prescription, the pharmacy before it closed...

"It’s okay," Mari murmured, but her voice was small, fragile. Yet there was hope in it, a quiet trust in him.

Sunny left the room and, for a second, leaned against the wall, pressing his forehead to the cold plaster. Breathe. Just breathe.

But the clock was still ticking.

The air burned his lungs, but Sunny didn’t let that stop him. He ran as if hell itself were chasing him, the crumpled prescription clenched in his fist, the edges digging into his sweaty palm. The sky was already painted orange and purple, but all that mattered was getting there in time.

"Wait!"

His voice didn’t sound like his own—it was rough, torn, almost a scream. The cashier, a woman with gray hair pulled into a tight bun, paused just as she was about to lock up. She narrowed her eyes at him as if he were a pesky fly.

Sunny braced himself against the counter, gasping, his shoulders heaving with each short, violent breath. Without another word, he slammed the prescription against the glass, his fingers trembling.

"Please," he begged, "my sister got hurt. She needs this."

The woman sighed, taking the paper with deliberate slowness and examining it with a look of pure annoyance. "Kid, I was about to close—"

"Please!" The shout escaped before he could stop it, louder than he’d intended. "She fell—she can’t even walk. Just... take it from my money, I don’t care. But I need that medicine."

The cashier studied him for another second—his muddy shoes, his wrinkled shirt, his sweat-drenched hair plastered to his forehead—before finally sighing and turning to the medicine shelf.

Every second was torture. Sunny’s fingers drummed against the counter without him realizing, his leg muscles tense as if his body were already preparing to sprint back.

When the woman returned, she tossed the box at him disdainfully. "Next time, don’t leave things to the last minute. There won’t always be someone to save you."

Sunny didn’t even nod. He paid with crumpled bills, snatched the medicine, and bolted before the doorbell finished chiming.

Almost.

Almost.

Almost.

His legs burned, his heart hammered in his ears, but it didn’t matter. Mari needed him.

And this time, he wouldn’t fail.

The way back was a blur. His feet pounded the pavement in a frantic rhythm, the medicine pressed to his chest like a talisman. When he finally shoved the front door open, sweat was dripping down his back, his vision swimming from lack of air.

Mari was still in bed, her leg propped on the pillow, but now her fists were clenched in the sheets, her knuckles white. When she saw him enter, her eyes—still puffy from crying—shone with something that wasn’t relief, but frustration.

"Easy, Mari. This’ll make you feel better." Without wasting time, Sunny opened the medicine and gave it to her. Mari took it without protest.

Sunny took a cream from the bag and gently applied it to Mari’s knee, removing the now-melted ice pack.

Finally, he felt like he could breathe again. He softly stroked Mari’s head and gave her a small smile. "You’ll feel better soon."

Mari nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on her knee with an emotion Sunny couldn’t decipher. Her fists gripped the sheets so tightly they trembled.

Does it still hurt that much?

Sunny felt sick seeing his little sister like this. He left the room to get a glass of water and a fresh ice pack from the kitchen.

When he returned, he held out the water. "Here, Mari. Drink some." But Mari turned her head away, refusing.

His brow furrowed in desperation as he silently placed the ice pack on her knee.

"I’m already better, Sunny..." Mari’s voice made him look back at her. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her hands still gripping the sheets tightly.

Sunny opened his mouth to speak, but Mari continued before he could. "I-It doesn’t hurt as much now... I can practice."

Sunny went still, processing her words. "What?" was all he managed.

Mari’s brow furrowed. "I can practice piano. I need to practice..."

Sunny’s heart pounded furiously in his ears, a war drum drowning out all reason.

Seriously? After everything that had happened, the only thing she cared about was her damn practice?

"No. Forget it," he snapped, his voice so sharp it surprised even him.

Mari looked up, her eyes—still swollen from crying—widening in disbelief. "I need to practice. This injury already ruined too much for me. I can’t let it ruin this too."

Ruined things?

A bitter laugh rose in Sunny’s throat, but he choked it down. It wasn’t amusement he felt—it was pure rage, boiling like lava in his chest.

What things, Mari? Your games? Your softball matches? Your outings with friends?

They were trivial. Things she could get back in a few months, once her knee healed.

But there she was, talking as if her world had ended.

S unny wished he could injure himself just to get a break from all this nonsense.

She hadn’t even thanked him.

Even though it was his fault for forgetting the medicine.

She hadn’t even asked how he was.

Even though she’d suffered worse because of his carelessness.

Why did she have to make everything so difficult?

Even though he knew he’d do all this and more for his dear little sister.

Sunny loomed over Mari, his shadow engulfing her completely. Every muscle in his body was tense, his fingers trembling at his sides, his jaw clenched so hard it ached.

Mari stared up at him, her eyes wide like a cornered animal’s.

"You don’t understand how important this is to me?" Her voice cracked, not from tears but from the helpless fury burning inside her. "You never... you never understand anything."

Something in Sunny shattered.

"Can you stop being so selfish for one damn second?!"

His shout echoed through the room, so violent it startled even him. Mari flinched.

His words came out like blades, sharp and searing.

Mari tried to speak, but he didn’t let her.

"You’re lucky I’m not canceling this nonsense. You’re staying here, and I don’t want to hear another word about the piano or any other insignificant thing!"

The silence that followed was thick, charged with electricity.

Mari didn’t respond. She just lowered her head, tears falling straight to the floor as she didn’t even bother wiping them away. Her fists clenched the sheets with all her strength, her brow furrowed.

Sunny took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling like he’d just run a marathon.

Then, without giving her a chance to reply, he turned and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

He slid down the wall to the floor, covering his face with his hands, desperate for a second of peace.

But it didn’t last long. The sound of the front door opening and footsteps echoing through the first floor reached him, followed by his name being shouted.

Sunny grimaced before sighing and standing up to face his parents.

"What is this mess supposed to be?" His father said frantically, pointing at the kitchen Sunny had torn apart searching for Mari’s medicine.

"We asked you to take care of the house, and this is how you welcome us? Your school stuff scattered everywhere and the kitchen destroyed," His mother put her hands on her hips, clearly angry.

"Don’t think you’re getting out of this. You’re cleaning and organizing all of this right now," His father kept scolding him until Sunny felt too tired to keep listening.

Sunny was exhausted, angry, and fed up.

That night, he couldn’t sleep either...

Chapter Text

4 Days Until the Recital

The dining room was bathed in the golden light of sunset filtering through the half-open curtains. The polished wooden table reflected the last rays of sun, faintly illuminating the still half-full plates.

Mari sat rigidly in her chair, hands carefully placed beside her plate. Her fork absently traced circles in the mashed potatoes, creating small furrows that quickly collapsed. Beside her, Sunny ate in silence without glancing her way. His dark eyes, usually so expressive, remained fixed on his plate.

Father sat at the head of the table, posture stiff. His large hands rested on either side of his plate, fingers occasionally drumming impatiently against the tablecloth. Each time the sound of silverware against plates ceased, his brow furrowed slightly.

At the other end, Mother pushed her salad around distractedly, as if oblivious to any discomfort at the table.

The ticking of the wall clock marked time with cruel precision. Outside, the occasional birdsong drifted through the window glass, but no one seemed to notice. The aroma of food, normally comforting, now only added weight to the charged atmosphere.

Mari's fork stopped abruptly against her plate with a soft clink that echoed through the dining room like a gunshot. The knee brace beneath her school skirt burned against her skin, though she knew the real heat came from the shame crawling up her neck.

"How's your knee? Is it still bothering you?" Father's voice cut through the silence like a knife.

Mari took too long to respond. Her eyes dropped to the gray knee brace peeking beneath her skirt hem—that damned orthopedic device she'd worn like a brand since her fall.

"No, I'm better now," she lied, forcing a smile that stretched her lips unnaturally.

Father nodded approvingly as he cut into his steak. "Good. Though you should be more careful." He paused deliberately, knife suspended mid-air. "If you were calmer like Sunny, you wouldn't have these kinds of accidents."

The fork bit into Mari's palm.

Mother, as if waiting for this moment, added sweetly while serving more salad onto Sunny's plate: "Your brother never gives us these scares. Just yesterday he finished his homework and still had time to organize my office files."

Sunny ducked his head lower, rubbing his temple as if irritated.

"It's true," Father continued, chewing slowly. "Sunny even stayed up late just to finish his schoolwork perfectly. See, Mari? That's responsibility."

The mashed potatoes turned to cement in Mari's mouth. Each word was a needle piercing her skin:

Sunny never neglects his violin practice.

Sunny is always on time.

Sunny never leaves projects half-finished.

The unspoken phrases floated above the table, mingling with the food aromas that now churned her stomach.

"By the way, sweetheart," Mother turned to Sunny with shining eyes, "Professor Martinez told me your essay was the best in class. Why don't you show Mari? So she can see what a properly finished assignment looks like."

Mari's fork plunged into the mashed potatoes with unnecessary force. Mother's eyes sparkled as if Sunny had won a Nobel Prize, not just turned in some damn school essay.

"Why don't you show Mari?"

The words rang in her ears like poisonous echoes. Her own art project—the one she'd worked on through sleepless nights before her fall—lay abandoned in her room. The watercolors had dried on the palette, the brushes gathered dust. But no one asked about that.

Father's wine glass clinked. "Look at your brother."

Something twisted in Mari's stomach.

Organized.
Methodical.
Perfect.

Each word was a nail in her pride. She glanced sideways at Sunny, shrinking in his chair as if wanting to disappear. But for the first time, instead of compassion, she felt bitter heat rising in her throat.

Does he stay up all night too? - The piano in the living room seemed to whisper.

Does he know what it's like to practice until your fingers burn? - Her knee throbbed beneath the table.

He has everything. Mom's smiles. Dad's pats on the back. The "my perfect boy" praises that never fail.

And worst of all—most painful of all—Sunny didn't even seem to realize it. He just sat there, head bowed, as if he were the victim. As if he didn't know every compliment he received was a knife stabbed into her.

"Mari? Are you listening?"

Mother's voice snapped her from her thoughts. Mari looked up to see four eyes waiting for a response. Sunny, at least, had the decency to look uncomfortable.

"Yes, Dad," she murmured, her voice strange even to her own ears.

But inside, something had shattered.

When she looked at her hands gripping the fork, she no longer saw just frustration.

She saw rage.

And for the first time, that rage had a face: her brother's, who had everything without even trying.

After finishing her meal, she retreated to her room. Sunny was too busy pleasing their parents to practice with her.

Trying to distract herself, she searched her closet for notebooks to use for practice notes.

While rummaging through her things, she found something she hadn't seen in ages—her old softball uniform...

The softball uniform fell onto her bed like a ghost from the past. The faded team logo—a golden lightning bolt—glistened under her lamp, worn from many washes but still recognizable. Her trembling fingers traced the torn seam at the shoulder, the rip she'd gotten when sliding to catch an impossible ball.

A memory struck her with force: the sound of applause filling the stadium, her name chanted by teammates, her father's flushed face after the regional championship when he said "No one runs like you"—no comparisons, no "look at your brother", just pride. Pride in her.

Tears fell before she could stop them, staining the dust on the number 7 on its back.

It was the only thing.

The only thing where she didn't have to share the podium with Sunny's shadow. The only thing where her parents looked at her like she was enough. The only thing where her achievements weren't just steps to reach her brother's perfection.

And now she didn't even have that.

A wave of heat rose through her chest as she pressed the uniform to her face, inhaling the faint lingering scent of grass and dirt. For a moment, she closed her eyes and let herself pretend: she felt the sun on her skin again, the bat in her hands, her coach yelling "That's my star!"

But reality returned with the crack of her knee as she shifted position. The physical pain was nothing compared to the void opening in her chest.

Why had the universe taken this from her? Why did Sunny get to have everything? Music, art, academics...

But she knew it was her fault. It was the one thing she was truly good at, and she ruined it—ruined it with this stupid injury.

She could still remember the disappointed, pitying looks from her teammates, her coach, her parents, her friends.

Looks she hated. Looks that made her feel even more pathetic than she already did.

Mari remembered with painful clarity that moment in the hospital when the doctors said she couldn't play that year. Her parents had frowned in disappointment. Her friends had put on pitying faces.

But Sunny...

Sunny had sat on the edge of her hospital bed, his big dark eyes shining with something she hadn't seen from anyone else: pure relief. Not disappointment, not condescending pity—just love so intense it almost hurt.

"Does it hurt a lot?" he'd asked in a whisper, his small, always-warm hands carefully wrapping around hers.

Mari had let everything out then—her rage, her frustration, her tears. And Sunny simply listened. He didn't tell her she was exaggerating. He didn't give empty motivational speeches. He just nodded, squeezed her hand tighter, and let his silence say what words couldn't: "I understand. I'm here."

It was always like that with him.

Perfect...

Her brother's shouts from the day of her fall echoed in her head again.

"Can't you stop being so selfish for one damn moment?!"

"You're lucky I'm not canceling this nonsense. Stay here, and I don't want to hear another word about the piano or any other insignificant thing!"

Sunny's words spun in her mind like blades cutting deeper with each rotation.

Selfish.

Mari clenched her fists until her nails bit into her palms. Selfish? Did he know what it was like to spend sleepless nights with aching fingers on the keys? Did he know what it was like to wake up thinking only of practice? Did he know the weight of constantly having to prove she deserved the space she occupied?

The piano wasn't nonsense. It was her salvation.

Insignificant.

A choked sob burned her throat. To Sunny—perfect Sunny who had everything natural talent, constant approval, their parents' proud gazes—of course it was insignificant. He didn't need to work for it.

"I just wanted them to see me," she thought desperately. "Just once, I wanted to be the star instead of living in your shadow."

But Sunny would never understand.

How could he, when he was everything their parents wanted? When his every achievement was celebrated while hers were just reminders of what she could be if she tried harder?

He had everything.

And all she had was this: the piano, her refuge, her torture. The only place she could prove she was worth something too.

"Why can't you understand?" she wanted to scream. "Why do you have to be perfect at everything except this?"

But the words died on her lips. Because deep down, she knew the most painful truth:

Sunny wasn't the problem. She was.

Now she couldn't even talk to her brother. Since his outburst days ago, their fights during practice never seemed to end.

Before...

Before, practice was different.

She vividly remembered afternoons when Sunny would sit to her left, kindly pointing out corrections when needed. His bright laugh when she made silly mistakes.

She'd toss him cookie crumbs, and he'd catch them like an awkward penguin, making faces that forced her to stop practicing just to laugh.

Now, the same piano felt like a battlefield.

Where there was once patience, there were now sharp silences.

Where Sunny used to lean over to gently adjust her fingers, he now just sighed tiredly: "Measure three, again."

Mari struck the keys too hard, sending several notes clashing dissonantly.

When had it stopped being fun?

Maybe when their parents' applause started coming with comparisons.

"Look how expressive Sunny is when he plays."

"Your brother already memorized that piece, didn't he?"

Or maybe when her need for perfection began rotting those sweet moments, turning every lesson into a competition against herself.

Sunny shuffled into the room, stopping to give her a cold, exhausted look.

Mari's throat tightened.

That same boy who used to hide candies in her sheet music case "for energy" could barely look at her now.

And the worst part was understanding why...

She'd turned him into another judge.

Another mirror of her failures.

Another obstacle in her obsessive pursuit of perfection.

But what else could she do? It was all she knew, all she'd ever been taught, all she'd ever seen her whole life.

How she was supposed to be perfect to be praised, respected, and loved.

She saw it in every smile her parents gave Sunny when he came first in school. In the admiring sighs from teachers when he played violin. In how everyone, absolutely everyone, bent toward Sunny's natural light.

Why did it come so easily to him?

A hollow laugh escaped her lips.

How ironic. The only person in the universe who'd never asked her to be perfect... was the impossible standard she chased.

But it didn't matter anymore.

"I'll make it."

Not a wish. An oath carved in bone and tendon.

That she too deserved to be loved.

No matter what she had to sacrifice.

In the end, it would all be worth it.

Because when she was there, under those bright lights...

For one fleeting, perfect moment...

She would shine too.

Chapter Text

Day of the Recital.

His father adjusted the cuffs of his jacket with meticulous care, his fingers tugging at every stray thread until not a single wrinkle remained, not a shadow of imperfection. That wristwatch he only wore on special occasions.

His mother approached, her new dress brushing the floor with a whisper of silk. "I can’t wait to see you tonight," she said, and her smile was so wide it reminded Sunny of theater masks—beautiful, but carved from hard wood.

She kissed him on the cheek. Her lips were cold. "Look handsome, sweetheart," she murmured, as if it were more of an urgent reminder than a wish. "We want everything to be perfect."

And then they left, leaving behind a silence so thick Sunny could hear the ticking of the kitchen clock, the creak of his own clenched jaw, the sound of his own ragged breath trapped in his chest.

The door closed with a soft click.

Sunny let out a deep sigh, as if he had been holding it in for weeks. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to dispel the pain.

The headache was a living creature gnawing at his temples from the inside, nibbling at his nerves with tiny, sharp teeth.
I definitely need a break once this is all over.

"Just a few more hours," he murmured to himself.

He walked further into the house, heading to his room where his younger sister waited, already getting ready for the big night ahead.

As he climbed the stairs, a sound from his pocket interrupted him. Taking a pause, he checked the message that had just arrived.

Pulling it out of his pocket, the screen lit up his face with a warm glow.

It was Kel—a blurry but lively selfie, showing off his new haircut, his eyes bright and a smile that Sunny could almost hear through the photo. Behind him, peeking in with an expression caught between amusement and resignation, was Hero, carrying bags of new clothes.

See you at the recital, Sun! 😁❤

Sunny couldn’t help but smile genuinely.

Then he remembered Basil’s whisper from that morning, mysterious and excited: "I’ll bring something special for you and Mari… It’s a surprise!" He knew it would be flowers—he never failed—maybe tulips or those lilies Mari liked.

His friends were there, on the other side of this night, waiting for him. Dressed in their best suits, uncomfortable but happy, clapping.

He was about to reply when noises from his room distracted him. He slipped the phone back into his pocket, thinking he’d answer later.

When he opened the door, he found Mari struggling to tie the ribbon on the back of her dress, a pout on her face. Sunny looked at her with a raised eyebrow, and when Mari noticed his presence, they stayed like that for a few seconds before she finally gave up, sighing as she sat on her bed in a silent plea for help.

Sunny just approached quietly. They hadn’t talked much these days—Mari had been too stressed, and he too tired to try fixing things without her meeting him halfway.

He carefully tied the ribbon on Mari’s dress. She and their father had gone shopping just to buy a dress for the big day, but it had been completely worth it. She was absolutely delighted with her new purchase—a knee-length dress with puffy sleeves and a waist ribbon, all in pure white, making her big eyes and long black hair stand out even more.

The first time he saw her in the dress, Sunny had felt so proud. His dear little sister was growing up so fast.

Mari stood up from the bed, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Let’s practice before we go." Her gaze was determined but mixed with pleading, silently asking him to agree.

Sunny closed his eyes wearily before answering. "Just go downstairs. I need to change."

Mari looked away, eyebrows furrowed, before murmuring an agreement so quiet he barely heard it. She left, slamming the door behind her.

That girl is going to give me gray hairs.

He could only shake his head before heading to his closet for his own new suit—a beige pair of pants, a white shirt, and a black vest. Something simple that Sunny had picked out himself. Even though he had insisted to his mother that it wasn’t necessary—he still had suits from past recitals—she had insisted on a new one. After all, it was a special occasion: the first time her two children would perform together.

Too much fuss over a recital, he thought. But he was tired of arguing.

At least it had been fun going shoe shopping with Kel. It had been a nice outing, even if he had to explain why his parents wouldn’t consider bright orange shoes appropriate.

As he finished adjusting the last details of his outfit, he heard the familiar melody of the piano downstairs. He clicked his tongue in annoyance.

He had told Mari it was better to rest before the recital, that she’d only stress herself out more when they already played well. But Mari, as she had been doing for the past few weeks, of course didn’t listen. It only increased the tension between them, and in the end, Sunny gave up trying to reason with her. He just let her do what she wanted.

He had faith that once this was over, things would go back to how they were before. Maybe then she’d finally listen, and they could be at peace again.

Until then, he just had to have enough patience to endure her attitude.

He left the room and headed to the music room, where Mari was playing with intense concentration—until suddenly, she hit a wrong note. Sunny wouldn’t even have noticed if Mari hadn’t slammed her fingers against the keys in frustration.

Sunny was about to tell her to calm down and take a break—maybe make her some hot chocolate to relax while they waited for their parents to take them to the theater.

But he said nothing. He didn’t move. He just stood there, watching his sister glare at the piano in front of her with gritted teeth.

By now, Sunny knew that any suggestion other than keep practicing would be met with outright refusal, followed by an argument… and he was sick of it.

His sister finally noticed his presence when she lifted her head, giving him a stern look. "Let’s practice together, please." It sounded more like an order than a request, but there was something in her voice—almost a plea.

He couldn’t help rolling his eyes before walking over to his violin case. He pulled it out with obvious annoyance, settled it on his shoulder, and got ready to play.

Once…

Twice…

Three times…

…

…

…

…

Sunny lost count of how many times they had repeated the song. They couldn’t even finish it without Mari getting frustrated—missing a note, falling behind in a measure. Sunny would just stop playing whenever she threw a tantrum, waiting for it to pass before starting again once she calmed down.

His patience was wearing thinner with each repetition.

The passage sounded almost perfect. Almost. Until Mari’s pinky slipped, crashing onto the wrong key with a metallic clang. Sunny saw his sister’s face twist—not just at the mistake, but because the impact had forced a sharp gasp of pain from her.

"It doesn’t matter, just keep playing," he muttered quickly, as if speaking louder would make them have to start over.

Mari nodded mechanically. They continued. For three whole measures, Sunny thought they had made it.

Until Mari’s hands froze mid-air.

"We have to start over," Mari said quietly, her long hair covering her face, making it impossible for Sunny to see her expression.

"Mari, just keep going. It’s just one mistake," Sunny replied, sounding more irritated than he meant to.

Mari’s fists clenched her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white. "Again."

And so they started over from the beginning.

Again…

After several attempts, the piano stopped once more—but this time, Sunny couldn’t even remember what note had gone wrong. His fingers still gripped the violin bow, though he could no longer feel the strings under his fingertips. The whole room—the sheet music, Mari’s ragged breathing—sounded muffled, as if underwater.

He looked at her.

Mari’s shoulders were tense, her fingers hovering over the keys as if afraid the piano might bite her. "It doesn’t sound right."

Sunny frowned slowly, as if moving his muscles took effort. "It does. It’s enough, Mari—"

"No! You don’t get it—it has to be perfect!" Mari cut him off with a shout before he could finish, whirling toward him with furious eyes.

"We already are! No one will even notice the mistake!" He yelled back, feeling his grip on the bow tighten.

Mari raised her fists, screaming, "I’LL NOTICE IT!" Then she smashed them down on the piano keys, unleashing a deafening crash—and with that, Sunny felt his last shred of patience snap.

He watched as his sister’s breathing turned ragged, fists still pressed against the piano. Sunny just lowered his own aching hands to his sides. "I’m done."

Mari’s breath stopped. She whipped her head up, confusion flashing across her face.

"Nothing’s ever good enough for you. I’m sick of this attitude. You wanna practice?! Fine—do it alone!" He could feel the fury burning through every muscle in his face, and Mari’s reaction only proved him right.

Her confusion twisted into rage. "You never mess up! I’m the only one still making mistakes!" Her expression faltered for a second, head bowing before her anger flared again. "Is it so wrong to want to be perfect?! YOU play flawlessly without even trying!"

Sunny stood frozen, face burning like Mari’s words had seared into his skin. It wasn’t just anger—it was the gut-punch of realizing that, to Mari, none of his effort had ever existed. "YOU THINK I DON’T TRY?! I’ve been breaking my back in these practices just to put up with your damn tantrums!"

"Breaking your back? That’s funny! You don’t even care about this recital!" Her voice was a knife twisting in the wound. "You only play because you have to—just like with EVERYTHING!"

Something inside Sunny shattered.

"Because I HAVE TO?! I agreed to this stupid recital FOR YOU! I stayed up three nights fixing YOUR sheet music! I dealt with your meltdowns! And you call that OBLIGATION?!"

Mari’s eyes flooded with tears. She shot to her feet, her face twisted in the angriest expression Sunny had ever seen on her. "I NEVER FORCED YOU!" she spat. "If you hated it so much, you should’ve just SAID NO!"

Every word felt like a stab to his chest. His muscles ached from tension—he’d never fought like this, never screamed like this, least of all at Mari. His throat was raw, but he wasn’t stopping. "YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" He kicked the nearest thing hard enough that Mari actually flinched, her eyes widening in hurt. "You have NO IDEA what I do for you! I shouldn’t have bothered. Because even if we played like angels, you’d still be miserable. You ALWAYS are!"

Mari’s fists shook at her sides, nails digging into her palms hard enough to leave marks. Tears had started falling at some point during the fight, making her clenched jaw tremble. "Go to hell!" she screamed, covering her face. "I wish you weren’t my brother!" Then she bolted from the room.

Sunny paled. The words hit him like a physical blow, disbelief and misery tearing through him—but it was drowned out by the white-hot rage that followed. He bit his lip so hard it bled. Then he turned and stormed after her, still gripping his violin like a weapon.

"HOW COULD SHE SAY THAT?!"

"AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE DONE FOR HER?!"

"HOW DARE SHE?!"

"WHAT RIGHT DOES SHE HAVE?!"

His thoughts came at him like gunfire, drowning out any clarity—only rage, a throat-tightening knot, and the burning threat of tears. He caught up to his sister at the foot of the stairs.

He grabbed her arm so hard she let out a pained gasp, whirling to face him. "‘I wish you weren’t my brother’?! SERIOUSLY?!" His voice wasn’t a shout—it was a raw, ragged snarl, like pain had scorched his throat. "DO YOU EVEN REMEMBER WHO CARRIED YOU WHEN YOU HURT YOURSELF?! WHO COVERED FOR YOU WHEN MOM OR DAD WAS MAD?!"

Mari, still trapped in his grip, glared back with tears and fury. "Let me go! You’re always like this—acting like my savior! You know what?! I NEVER ASKED YOU TO!" She squeezed her eyes shut, more tears spilling, her hair sticking to her forehead from the heat of their fight.

Sunny’s face twisted in pain, his grip tightening as he yanked her closer. "OF COURSE YOU DIDN’T! Because you were a SELFISH BRAT who only knew how to take! And NOW you’re just a GODDAMN TEENAGER who can’t even see how much I SACRIFICE!"

Mari tried to pull away, but her knee buckled under the strain. "Sacrifice?! YOU CALL THAT SACRIFICE?! Playing violin like a robot while I BREAK MY HANDS trying to be better?!"

He couldn’t hold back anymore—tears spilled furiously down his face. "WHAT DID YOU WANT THEN?! FOR ME TO SNAP MY FINGERS SO YOU’D FEEL LESS USELESS?!"

Mari let out a broken sob, wrenching herself free. Her face was drenched, eyes swollen, nose running as she forced out trembling words: "I WANTED YOU TO ACTUALLY CARE! TO FEEL IT LIKE I DO! BUT YOU’VE NEVER CARED ABOUT ANYTHING!"

With one final, desperate shove, she broke free—sending the forgotten violin, the whole reason for this recital, slipping from Sunny’s grip.

It crashed at the foot of the stairs.

Shattered.

The house fell into a tomb-like silence.

Sunny stared, wide-eyed, breathless—as if time had stopped.

Then a shaky whimper escaped Mari.

He turned. She looked terrified, staring at the broken pieces. 

His blood boiled like lava in his veins.

The violin didn’t even matter that much.

How much more of me do you want to break?

She doesn’t deserve these screams. She’s scared.

She just ruined everything we worked for.

But he cares about his little sister more than anything.

I never should’ve agreed to this damn recital.

But he did it just to spend more time with her.

Because he loves her.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?!" This wasn’t him speaking anymore—just the rage, the fury that had been building inside him, finally exploding.

Mari trembled like a cornered animal, her eyes wide with terror, hands clutching her chest as if trying to shield herself. "I-I didn’t mean—I’m s-sorry—" Her voice was broken, hiccuping between sobs, but Sunny didn’t hear it.

Sunny grabbed her by the sleeve of her dress, making her shriek, her fear only growing. "NOW YOU’VE RUINED EVERYTHING! ARE YOU HAPPY?!" Each word dripped with more venom than the last. He dragged her closer, forcing her to look at the shattered violin.

Mari stared at it with an expression he’d never seen before—every breath she took sounded like a drowning gasp. "I-I’m sorry, let me go—it h-hurts—"

"WHAT?! NOT SCREAMING AT ME ANYMORE?!" He kept yanking her back, holding her in place as Mari fought desperately to escape.

Her movements grew stiff, panicked. Her face twisted in pain. "LET ME GO!" A choked sob burst from her lips, her eyes squeezing shut like she was bracing against something unbearable.

Mari was terrified.

Sunny loomed over her like a storm given flesh, his shadow swallowing her whole. The same hand that had stroked her hair after nightmares, that had handed her water when she coughed—now gripped her with iron force, fingers digging into her arm like claws.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" he roared, and his voice wasn’t human anymore. It was the splintering of wood, the snap of a violin string.

Mari screamed, but the sound was swallowed by the whirlwind of his fury. Sunny could feel her pulse hammering under his fingertips, the tremors in her skin—and for one second, he saw the fear in her eyes.

That should have stopped him.

It didn’t.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN SAY THOSE THINGS AND JUST RUN AWAY?!" He shook her arm, wrenching a strangled cry from her. "DO YOU THINK THAT’S FAIR?!"

Mari clenched her eyes shut, her face twisted in anguish. "I SAID LET ME GO!" With a desperate lunge, she threw her whole weight against him, making him stumble—finally breaking free.

Sunny took a step back, his heel searching for the edge of the stair that wasn't there anymore.

The world tilted. For an endless moment, everything became silence.

He saw Mari below him—her eyes blown wide, her mouth open in a scream he couldn't hear. Her hands reached for him, nails painted that pale pink she loved so much, trembling fingers grasping at nothing.

The first impact was his shoulder.

A sharp crack that sent burning lightning down to his fingertips. The pain was so sudden, so vicious, that he couldn't even scream—just a choked gasp, like a wounded animal.

The second was his ribs.

A dull crunch, like rotted wood snapping. Something hot and bitter flooded his mouth.

And then—his head hit the ground.

White exploded behind his eyes.

First came the pain—a living fire coiling around his ribs, a knife-sharp pulse in his skull, his shoulder turned to solid concrete.

Then, the sound.

Sobs.

Desperate, wet, like someone trying to swallow their tears and failing miserably.

Mari.

Sunny tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids weighed like tombstones. He wanted to tell her he was okay, to stop crying—but he couldn't.

He tried to move his hands, to reach for her—but the pain swallowed everything, leaving him lost in a body that no longer obeyed.

Everything burned.

Everything was heavy.

Everything was wrong.

I have to get up.

I have to apologize.

I have to tell her it wasn't her fault.

Chapter Text

Welcome to the white space.

You’ve lived here for as long as you can remember.

The floor, cold and familiar, yielded under her weight as she sat up, peeling her back away from that deceptive comfort only the void could offer. Before her, the horizon stretched into a milky whiteness, a seamless canvas that devoured any attempt at distance. There was no north or south, only the illusion of movement. Every step she took—if she was even moving forward at all—brought her back to the same starting point.

And maybe she was right.

This place, as desolate as it was, was all she needed.

The handkerchiefs, soaked with tears she no longer remembered shedding, crumpled like the promises she’d never kept.

The stuffed rabbit, with its shiny button eyes, always watching, always judging.

The notebook, open to a random page, filled with frantic scribbles that had once been words. Notes that promised answers, now viciously crossed out, as if erasing the text could also erase the pain that inspired it. What had she written? Were they secrets? Prayers? A grocery list? Her memory refused to cooperate.

The empty pencil case, its surface worn by the friction of anxious fingers. It must have held something important once, but now it was just a coffin of frustrated expectations. The mirror above returned a blurred reflection, as if even her own image didn’t want to stay.

The box cutter, cold and obedient in her right hand. Always there, always ready. A reminder that she still had control—at least over this.

There lay the girl, wrapped in the infinite stillness of that white space, a timeless realm where the walls were the horizon and silence her only dialogue. She was free. Free to stay, free to exist without explanations, without demands. This place was hers, hers alone, a refuge carved to fit her fragile bones and weary soul.

But peace, when absolute, too closely resembles oblivion.

And then, like a whisper in the void, she saw it.

A door.

White, almost indistinguishable from the emptiness around it. The girl stood up, feeling the floor give under her bare feet, and moved toward it.

Because this place was hers, yes.

But it was also lonely.

When she opened it suddenly, the light enveloped her—not with the harshness of the sun, but with the caress of a thousand dancing stars, silver glimmers that tangled in her hair and kissed her eyelashes. The sky was no longer a dull slab but a deep, vibrant purple mantle, like the velvet of a dream.

Something inside her stayed behind in the cold room from before.

She looked at her hands and watched as the ghostly pallor from earlier transformed: her skin now glowed with a colorful radiance, as if someone had lit a lamp inside her chest. Her nails, once bitten and uneven, shimmered with tiny flecks of lapis lazuli. Even her hair, previously limp and lifeless, now waved in soft curls, as if lifted by a breeze that existed only for her.

The air hummed with a sweetness almost too perfect as those voices wrapped around her. It was them. The faces sketched in the margins of her notebook, the names she whispered at nightfall when loneliness weighed heavier than the world.
"Hikiko!" Hero was the first to stretch out his arms, his smile as warm as the midday sun. But his eyes—
"So glad you're back," Basil whispered, the flowers between his fingers the same ones he used to give her—yet the petals didn’t sway in the breeze. They were still.
"Awesome! Now we can all go out together!" Kel shouted with that infectious enthusiasm of his. But his voice sounded... too loud? As if someone had turned reality’s volume one notch beyond natural.

The floor shifted under her feet, now a mosaic of worn velvet cushions and pillows, each shaped exactly like a memory.

To her left, Basil’s plants stood lined up in imperfect ceramic pots—the ones he painted himself with trembling hands.

To her right, Kel’s basketball rested against the wall, its scuffed surface bearing the exact marks she remembered.

And in the center, on a wooden table scarred by knife cuts and pot burns, Hero’s utensils: his apron with the crooked embroidery she’d tried to fix for him, the wooden spoon nibbled raw from years of nervous chewing.

"I missed you all so much." Hikiko sprinted toward them, hopping before sitting down beside them. "What are you doing?" she asked, eyeing the cards in Hero’s hands.

"I’m showing Hero I’m not just good at basketball," Kel replied with a smug grin, pointing at the card game underway.

Hero raised an eyebrow at his brother before bringing him back down to earth. "I’ve won five rounds in a row."

"I was just letting you win—this is where I make my comeback. Watch and learn!" Kel pressed the cards to his face, studying them with exaggerated focus as Basil giggled shyly beside him.

...

"And Hero wins again," Basil said, glancing at the pile of cards in front of Hero and congratulating him.

"Wow, you’re amazing, Hero!" Hikiko clapped enthusiastically, beaming at him.

A blush spread across Hero’s face, making him look away as he scratched his neck. "Ah, it was nothing, haha."

Kel stared at the discarded cards, arms crossed, analyzing where he’d gone wrong before sighing in defeat. "Yeah, well, I’ll stick to sports."

Basil laughed softly. "Oh! Now that Hikiko’s here, we can go play with the others!" he said, clasping his hands excitedly.

"Anything that’s not cards, I’m in," Kel chuckled, getting to his feet.

"He gave up fast this time," Hero whispered to Hikiko with a nudge, making her laugh.

The four climbed the staircase of cushions, which sank playfully under their feet. As they stepped out of the pillow fort, the colorful forest greeted them with a magical glow.

"Look at those blue flowers!" Basil said, pointing at ones that shimmered like tiny lights. "They’re called ‘moon whispers.’"

Kel—the oldest but with a child’s heart—knelt to touch them. "Do they talk too, or just glow?" he asked, making everyone laugh as the flowers flickered, as if answering.

The forest seemed alive around them: trees swayed their branches to the rhythm of their laughter, tiny lights danced around Basil when he talked about plants, the path shone brighter where Hikiko stepped.

As Kel ran ahead, casting silly shadows with the luminous trees, Hikiko felt this was the happiest place in the world.

The playground sparkled under the warm afternoon sun, brimming with laughter and children’s games. Hikiko, her cheeks flushed with excitement, scanned the area with shining eyes—until, at last, she found him.

"There you are!" she thought, and unable to contain her joy, her little feet moved before her mind could even process it. She ran like a tiny whirlwind, her dress fluttering in the wind, as the figure of her brother grew closer and closer.
Without a second thought, she leaped with open arms, closed her eyes, and—splat!—landed plastered against him, burying her face in his neck.

"Brother!" she shouted, with a smile so wide it almost hurt her cheeks.

Sunny blinked, startled by the sudden affectionate attack, but feeling Hikiko’s tiny arms clinging to him like a koala, he couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. "Hey, Hikiko," he said, gently patting her head.

Before she could react, Sunny lifted her effortlessly, holding her up in front of him. His fingers, experts in the art of tickling, quickly darted toward her ribs.

"Nooo, brooother!" Hikiko squealed between giggles, squirming like a little fish. "That’s not fair! Ahahaha!"

The world seemed to freeze in that perfect moment, where Hikiko’s laughter filled the air like tiny crystal bells. Sunny watched her with sparkling eyes, soaking in her contagious joy, when suddenly—

"I’ll protect you, Hikiko!"

A familiar voice rang out, and before Sunny could react, a shadow lunged at him. It was Kel! His nimble fingers found Sunny’s weak spots, mercilessly attacking him with a barrage of tickles.

"K-Kel! Y-You traitor!" Sunny managed to say between laughs, trying to defend himself as Hikiko—now free—rolled on the grass, unable to stop giggling.

That’s when Hikiko saw her best friend, Aubrey, sneaking up with a mischievous grin. Their eyes met, and with a quick nod, they both knew exactly what to do: Counterattack together!

But just as they prepared to pounce on Sunny, he—with surprising reflexes—stretched out his arm and caught Aubrey by the wrist.

"Hey! Let me go, Sunny!" Aubrey protested, kicking in the air as Kel held her in his arms like a unruly sack.

Kel, grinning triumphantly, adjusted his grip. "You thought you were clever, but you forgot about me. Sun and I are unstoppable."

Aubrey frowned, flushed from laughter and indignation. "This isn’t fair!"

Sunny, catching his breath, stepped closer and—in an unexpected move—pulled Aubrey into a sudden hug. "We caught you," he murmured softly, as Hikiko jumped on top of them, laughing uncontrollably.

Hero approached with a tired smile, sighing, while Basil giggled beside him at his friends’ antics, ready to join the picnic.

The sky shimmered in pastel hues, with clouds that looked like they were made of melted cotton candy. The trees around the clearing had star-shaped leaves, and their trunks were adorned with golden spirals that glowed softly. In the center, atop a velvet purple picnic blanket embroidered with constellations, he placed—with childish solemnity—a porcelain teapot that poured endless hot chocolate.

Sunny, as the older brother, carried the picnic basket woven from luminous willow branches. Inside were rainbow-frosted cupcakes, sandwiches whose fillings changed depending on who looked at them, and apples. Kel, the other older one, clumsily balanced a pyramid of floating donuts.

Everyone chatted or simply relaxed—like Sunny, who quietly sketched in his notebook with Kel in his lap and Basil beside him, watching his creations.

On the other side, Hikiko, Aubrey, and Hero were debating whether baby birds get hiccups or not. Just everyone enjoying themselves and being silly together, happy and carefree.

The sun shone over the park, painting the grass a vibrant green as the friends' laughter floated through the air like soap bubbles. Hikiko, sitting on the picnic blanket, began swinging her feet impatiently, her eyes lost on the horizon. The world seemed to hear her, because at that moment, Kel sprang up like a jack-in-the-box, leaping to his feet.

"I'm tired of sitting! How about a game?" he asked, stretching his arms toward the sky as if defying boredom itself.

"Tag!" Hikiko shouted instantly, her eyes sparkling like little stars. She hopped up in excitement, nearly knocking over the strawberry basket, but no one minded.

Hero burst out laughing, standing up gracefully. "Sounds good to me," he said, as Hikiko—overjoyed—grabbed his hand and shook it like a victory flag.

"Hero's on my team! Who else is in?" Hikiko asked, glancing at the group conspiratorially.

Aubrey didn’t hesitate. "I wanna play too!" She clung to Hikiko’s arm, swaying back and forth like a human swing.

Basil, a bit shy, scratched his chin. "I’m not very fast, but I’ll try…"

"Don’t worry!" Kel ruffled his hair affectionately. "The important thing is to have fun. Besides, you might even beat Hero!"

"Hey!" Hero protested from behind, but his complaint was drowned out by laughter.

Everyone turned to Sunny, who—as usual—was leaning against a tree, enjoying the peace. "What about you, Sun? Joining in?"

Sunny shook his head but flashed a small smile. "I’ll stay here."

"Then watch me win, Sun! I’ll dedicate my victory to you!" Kel made an exaggerated gesture of blowing a kiss, making Sunny cover his face to hide his laughter.

Hikiko, seeing that, felt a spark of determination. "I’ll win for Sunny!" she declared, raising her fists to the sky like a champion. Her big brother winked at her, and that was all the fuel she needed.

"So… who’s 'it'?" Basil tilted his head, looking at the group.

"Oh, I wanna be it!" Aubrey jumped up, raising her hand so high she nearly lost her balance.

Hero, the eternal mediator, took charge. "Alright, simple rules: if Aubrey catches everyone, she wins. If not, the last one caught wins." Then, he glanced at Sunny. "Can you time 10 minutes?"

Sunny responded with a thumbs-up and pulled out his imaginary hourglass (it was actually a twig, but everyone got the message).

Aubrey rubbed her hands together, eyes gleaming with determination. "Okay! When do we start?"

"NOW!" Kel shot off like a rocket, leaving behind an imaginary dust cloud.

Hero, the "elegant" runner, tried dodging Aubrey by sprinting too fast—but tripped over his own feet. Caught in 30 seconds!

Basil, to everyone’s surprise, was quicker than he looked. He weaved through bushes to evade Aubrey until, in a dramatic twist, he slipped on an invisible banana peel. Caught!

Hikiko, the crafty little one, became Aubrey’s toughest opponent. She used swings as catapults, spun around trees like a tornado, and at one point—hid inside a bush! Aubrey swore the leaves winked at her.

Kel, the slippery one, zigzagged like he’d been possessed by a hyperactive rabbit’s spirit. At one point, he even climbed a tree!

With time running out, Aubrey panted, cheeks flushed. "I… won’t… give up…!"

That’s when Hikiko and Kel, the last survivors, locked eyes. With a nod, they hatched the ultimate plan! They sprinted in opposite directions, forcing Aubrey to choose—but as she ran, she accidentally tripped over a tree and fell.

Aubrey was already getting up to keep chasing when—suddenly—the tree toppled over like a sticker, revealing a creature that snatched her up before she could react, making her shriek in surprise. Everyone whipped around at the sound.

"THIS BOSS PLACE! NO ONE BREAK INTO BOSS TREE!" it roared, shaking its fists—still clutching Aubrey.

"Hey! Let me go—I just tripped!" Aubrey yelled, but her struggles were useless.

The moment Hikiko saw what was happening, she rushed to help her friend—and she wasn’t alone. The entire group charged after her.

"Let her go! What you’re doing isn’t right!"

"You’re being a bully!" Basil shouted, defending Aubrey, who kept kicking.

"Put her down—this is too much!" Hero joined in.

"Yeah! The only one who gets to mess with her like that is me!" Kel added, earning a death glare from Aubrey ("Maybe don’t help.").

"GRRRR! BOSS NO FORGIVE! INTRUDERS BURY!" roared BOSS—a chubby T-Rex with absurdly short arms, cardboard-painted armor, and a crooked brass crown. When it stomped the ground, Headspace’s rubber palm trees trembled.

The first attack was a flying kick so clumsy that Aubrey only had to duck... but the gust of wind tore off her hair ribbon.

Hikiko, the strategist, unsheathed her magic cutter, which gleamed like Excalibur as she drew it. "Transformation: Wonder Bread-Slicing Sword!" With a swish, she blocked BOSS's next bite—leaving him baffled that his attack was stopped.

The counterattack was glorious...

Kel, wielding a nuclear dodgeball, yelled "HEAD... SHOT!" and launched it. The ball boinged off BOSS's belly, leaving him dazed.

Hero seized the chance to strike his weak spot with a legendary frying pan (*+10 damage to cooks*). "Flavor of JUSTICE!" BOSS wailed, "OWCH! BOSS HATE HOME EC!"

Basil, the healer, tossed restorative flowers at Hero. "These daisies are vitamin-packed!"

Hikiko, spotting the opening, raised her cutter-sword. "GROUP ATTACK!" They all leaped in sync.

Basil buffed their strength with assorted flowers.

Kel delivered a belly-jab.

Hero drowned him in BBQ sauce.

Hikiko, with an epic spin, symbolically severed his lopsided brass crown.

BOSS collapsed... but not before muttering: "BOSS... LOSE... BUT BOSS WANT REMATCH... AND NAPOLITANOS..." Poof! He burst into a cloud of confetti and edible gummy bears.

Aubrey tumbled onto the candy-strewn ground, blinking. Hikiko rushed to her side. "You okay?"

Aubrey nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for saving me, guys."

Basil sighed in relief, hand over his heart. "As long as you’re safe, that’s enough," he said softly.

Hero rubbed his neck, exhausted. "Can’t believe he got mad just ‘cause you touched his tree. At least you’re unhurt."

Kel ruffled Aubrey’s hair, making her grimace. "What matters is you’re okay! But I wouldn’t mind some praise as thanks—"

"Not happening," Aubrey huffed, arms crossed.

Then Hikiko spotted the discarded ribbon. She picked it up gently and carefully retied it for Aubrey, smoothing it into place.

Aubrey blinked at her before smiling. "Thanks, Hikiko."

They returned to the picnic, where Sunny—who’d been sketching the entire time—revealed his artwork: a crying baby BOSS. Everyone laughed. "Aww, now I feel bad," said Basil, munching a gummy bear.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted. We should play something calmer," Hero pleaded, bowing his head slightly.

"Yeah, I agree. Besides, we never had a real winner," Kel backed up his brother from where he was lounging across Sunny's lap.

"How about hide-and-seek?" Aubrey's voice made everyone turn toward her. She was sitting on her knees, staring intently at Hikiko with a fixed smile.

"Oh! I like that idea," Basil perked up, and the others quickly agreed. It was settled—hide-and-seek would be their next game. They all stood up, scanning the area for potential hiding spots before Aubrey took charge again.

"Hikiko will be the seeker," she declared, her tone more like an order than a request. No one objected, so she continued, "If you find everyone, you win. But if you miss even one of us, you lose."

Hikiko found it odd that Aubrey framed it as her losing rather than them winning if she failed to find them. But her friends' excitement made her brush off the thought.

"Alright! Now count to 100—no peeking!" Aubrey clasped her hands eagerly, already poised to sprint away.

Hikiko settled next to her brother, who—as usual—preferred to stay seated quietly on the picnic blanket. As she counted, she felt his fingers gently stroking her hair in a soothing rhythm.

When she finally finished counting, she sprang to her feet and scanned her surroundings. Before running off, she turned back to Sunny. "This time, I'm gonna win—just you wait!" She pointed at him emphatically, underscoring her determination.

For a fleeting moment, she could've sworn she saw something flicker in his expression—pity? Concern? Fear?—but before she could question it, he smiled as always, nodding encouragingly.

"Ready or not, here I come!" she shouted, dashing off to begin her search.

A soft rustle came from the hydrangea bushes. Hikiko crept closer and—gotcha!—pushed aside the leaves to reveal Basil, curled up among the branches with a shy smile.

"Found you way too fast," Hikiko giggled.

Basil blushed. "I just... like being near plants." He joined Hikiko in the search.

Scanning the area, Hikiko noticed movement atop the play structure. Hero! He sat on the highest platform, trying to stay unnoticed.

"Hero! Get down from there!" she shouted.

Hero sighed in resignation. "Thought I'd last longer. At least the view's nice up here." Hikiko laughed as she waited for him to climb down.

A noise came from the old oak tree. Hikiko looked up and spotted Kel swaying on a low branch, barely holding back laughter.

"Saw you moving!"

Kel chuckled, jumping down. "Okay, okay! Almost had it, though."

Only Aubrey remained.

But Aubrey was nowhere to be found.

Under the slide?

Just a curious bird.

Behind the swings?

Nothing.

"Since when is Aubrey this good at hide-and-seek?" Kel scratched his head, still searching. No matter where they looked, there was no trace.

Basil tilted his head, tapping his chin. "Now that I think about it... she never set boundaries. Maybe she's somewhere else?"

"Right! Great thinking, Basil," Hero praised—none of them had considered that.

"So that was her plan," Kel laughed. "Any ideas, Hikiko?"

A place where Aubrey might be... There were too many spots Aubrey loved for hiding. But the first that came to mind was Aubrey's own house.

Everyone agreed it was the most logical guess, so they headed to Aubrey's place. Hikiko had always loved going there—Aubrey had a farm full of bunnies that hopped around. They usually visited to play with them or just relax as the rabbits leaped over their feet and laps.

Finally, they reached the small cabin that resembled an upside-down flower. They knocked, but no one answered. "If she's hiding, she probably won't open," Kel said, peering through the window but seeing nothing.

"Should we just go in then?" Basil asked nervously, holding a rabbit that Hikiko hadn't even noticed he'd picked up.

Hikiko tried the door and, to her surprise, it was unlocked. "There's your answer," she smiled back at Basil as she stepped inside.

They all entered the house, but everything seemed normal, as if completely empty. "Yeah... I don't think she's here," Hero said dejectedly, still checking under furniture but finding nothing.

"I'll check the attic. You guys keep looking down here," Hikiko said, still undeterred, giving her friends a reassuring smile before heading up to the house's attic.

As she climbed the stairs and opened the door, she immediately spotted a figure in her peripheral vision. Hikiko prepared to surprise Aubrey and claim her victory.

She crept up silently from behind, but just before reaching her, she noticed something.

Was Aubrey... trembling?

Her steps faltered as she took in the scene. As if Aubrey had always known she was there, she turned toward Hikiko—her gaze so shattered, so terrified that it froze Hikiko in place.

Aubrey's hands clutched a crumpled paper with something drawn on it, gripping it as if her life depended on it.

Hikiko could only stare wide-eyed, her feet feeling glued to the floor beneath her.

Aubrey blinked, her eyes flashing a blinding red. "H-he..." Her voice came out broken, trembling like a cry for help. "Sunny..."

Welcome to White Space.

The girl in white eyed the cutter in her hands warily.

Without hesitation, she raised it to her neck and sliced cleanly through in one motion.

Mari woke up.