Scholastica's If story

Chapter one

« … Can you come here, please? »

The man sighed and waited in front of the door, wrapped into a big and fluffy coat. The young 4-years-old boy headed for him, with an inquisitive look in his face. He stopped to face the tall man before him. He noticed the big baggage next to him and didn't understand first. The man sighed.

"Listen…Listen to me very attentively. I'm going for a trip in Italy. I'm going to check a very important mission."

"…"

The boy stayed silent. His look didn't change. The man sighed.

"Do you know about Daddy's work, don't you? Or have you forgotten?"

"…" The boy just nodded, showing he understood what he meant. The man took a pensive look.

"…I don't think I will be here very soon. I will probably return to you in two weeks, maybe three."

"…"

"You two will be alone during this period of time. I think I can trust you to be good children while I wouldn't be there."

"…" The boy smiled slightly. The man nodded. "So. You're in charge of the house. You're in charge of your sister. Okay?"

"…" He nodded again. He understood it.

"So. I gave you some money. It would be surely enough for this period. By the way, you know you mustn't open the door to strangers, huh?"

The boy rolled his eyes. Of course he knew it!

"…That's good. And by the way, don't forget to go to the church every days. By this way, I could feel you closer to me."

"…"

"Okay, Benedictus?"

"…" The boy ended up by saying: "Okay…Daddy."

The man patted his head and opened the door. He then said goodbye to his baby daughter who stayed in the lounge.

Benedictus noticed snow fell down outside.

Benedictus frowned when he got up this morning. He threw a glance toward the window. He didn't know if it was ironic, but outside, snow lightly fell down in the Index yard. Benedictus sighed. No wonder for this period in December. But apparently, it brought back some unpleasant memories. He hated snow. He used to like it when he was younger but not anymore. It was cold and useless. As useless as these stupid creatures called humans who he was forced to live with. Seriously if there isn't this work, where he worked under Georgius's orders, a very popular Saint in Index, he would leave right now. Unfortunately he was forced. So he stayed.

He frowned, feeling a lonely feeling around him. He got up and headed for the lounge. Empty. He switched the light on. Apparently there is his lunch on the table with a note with it. He read it.

"I'm out today. I didn't want to bother you. I made your lunch and I hope you'll enjoy it. I'll back this afternoon. Love, Scholastica."

What a kind attention! Benedictus rolled his eyes and glanced at his "lunch". A sandwich and an apple. Again. But Benedictus didn't complain and caught them in order to eat on the sofa, listening to the radio next to him. When the voice from the radio began to mention the World War II movements, he changed it for a very annoying song. But Benedictus didn't listen it and just ate.

They were in 1945 but Benedictus still thought it was yesterday, where he and his sister came to Index. How time spent so fast. Benedictus thought to his sister.

That was the third time she went out this week. She was probably with that other woman, Misao or something like that. He noticed how much these two were close since the first time they met. Scholastica had came back very happily and claiming she had a new friend. Then it began her passion for the paper, where she spent her time to make some figure or representation of a meaningless thing. That's how he thought. And Scholastica was just happy with it. How childish. How stupid. Benedictus would never understand his sister. And at times, Benedictus ended up by stopping her when table was covered by paper forms. It annoyed him too much.

Benedictus noticed how much he was hard and strict with his sister. Since they came in that country, he became very cold and strict toward her. He was charged in his sister and because of her disability (actually she was a hologram, immaterial entity) she relied much on him. She couldn't do things as simple as eating or talking. And Benedictus was often the one who supported her.

Benedictus hoped her sometime to be more independent of him. That's how he thought.

It didn't mean he didn't care for her. Actually deep down he couldn't imagine them apart, as they were two halves of a same being. It was his logic.

But that's obvious. Scholastica had one friend now. A friend she cared very much for and who she spent all of her time with.

Benedictus wondered if he should make some friends on his side as well.

That's what his adoptive father blamed him for. The rare time where he was around, he cared for his son's sociability. And that's every time like "Stop being enclosed and go out to make friends too! You would see humans every time in your life. So do with it!" Oh shut up. He was very okay with it. Living isolated wouldn't be a problem for him.

Definitely not a problem.

Benedictus ended up by eating his entire sandwich and kept his apple at hand. Outside, children played together and laughed. Benedictus rolled his eyes and turned the radio off, before waking up and leaving for his work.

"…That's weird."

Misao had a surprised look. Next to her, Scholastica contemplated the flower a happy smile on her face. But Misao stayed skeptical. She frowned. "It isn't supposed to be in this form."

Scholastica goggled and turned toward her, surprised. But Misao ended up by making a warm smile to her. "That's fine. Actually, I find it a lot more beautiful the way you did."

Scholastica stared at the flower of paper with care. Misao smiled again. "Is it a gift for someone?"

Scholastica nodded. "Who?"

Scholastica looked around. Suddenly she noticed a form walking peacefully in the yard. She stared up at it and recognized who was the person. Elaine walked alone and didn't seem to notice their presences. Finally Scholastica woke up and agitated her hands toward her. Finally Elaine noticed her and raised one eyebrow. What did she want? She walked toward them. She made her disgusted look when she saw Misao and glared at her. Misao did the same to her.

"Hi. What's happening?" Elaine turned toward Scholastica. This latter caught the flower of paper and showed it to her. "Oh. What a very beautiful flower." Elaine said half-hearted. Misao rolled her eyes by Elaine's attitude. However Scholastica made a gesture to show she wanted to give it to her.

"What? That's for me?" Elaine asked, surprised. Scholastica nodded. "That's…nice. But…" Actually Elaine didn't want to take it. She guessed it was Misao who learned it to Scholastica, and she didn't want it as it was weird. But Misao's cold glare behind Scholastica ended up by making her take it. Elaine smiled lightly to Scholastica. "Thanks." She patted on her head and without a look for Misao, she left. Scholastica sat down again.

"So. You're very generous today." Misao noticed smiling. "You gave origamis to many people. You gave one to me, Georgius, Samson, Elaine…" Misao smiled.

"…" Scholastica looked down. Yes she offered them to many people…except her brother. The last time she tried to give one to him, he barely looked it and just said "That's good." Scholastica could see how much Benedictus wasn't interested to it. That's the first she made very well. So…it hurt her a bit. Misao noticed her look. "How, Scholastica…Sorry! I didn't mean to…" She wrapped an arm around her and hugged her tightly. Scholastica smiled a bit. "…Do you want me to teach how making a boat?"

Scholastica smiled again and nodded, not wanting to wait for it. Misao agreed and caught another shift.

"Listen. To make a boat…"