Eyes that glow in the night
Streak of Crimson in a fight
Splash of blood that soils ground
Taint the snow all around
I See the Color Red

I See the Color Red

My face when I do confide
Shade my eyes turn when I cry
Soul is tainted by a lie
The fire burns deep inside
I See the Color Red

It's been almost five weeks since the blood of Crimson Breaks stained the freshly fallen snow. Five days since Shuichi Minamino started attending classes at my school. And not five minutes since I got paired up with my brother's redheaded killer for a science project.

Crim, what am I going to do?

Apparently there's nothing I can do about this pairing. Ms. Ladey's decision is final. I am now stuck with my brother's murderer for however long it takes to complete this project. The project is due in a month though, which is a bad sign if that's any measure of how long it could take to build a boat.

Of course, the boat is tiny, but I think that's what makes this project even more challenging. Getting it to fit parameters, float, and move seven feet in a straight line.

Well it's lunch now, and here I am, once again eating with the murderer. I have yet to discover his motives for being here. Much less sticking with me when he's had so many invitations to sit with others, like the cheerleaders over there. Or even the band geeks over there, or the bookworms back there, or the game/anime freaks jumping around over there, or the computer nerds over there. Crim knows they all want to sit with him. So why, pray tell, is the redhead sitting next to me? The only person in the room who doesn't want anything to do with him?

Luckily, he knows I'm not much for small talk, and has learned about my issue with personal space. He now sits across from me on the table at a slight angle, at which I can see him better, and he's no longer cramping my space. Still, that doesn't mean I'm okay with the whole project thing.

Supposedly, I have to go to work today, but I suppose since I'm only paid on commission and have no set appointments today, I can always take the day off and work on this project. The sooner we get this thing done the better. You can bet my mind is already working out solutions to the weight problem, possible building materials, and speed factors. I am mechanically inclined after all.

Basically I sit all through lunch in a distracted state, eating slowly. Before I know it, the bell rings for fifth period, and not much time passes before sixth period rolls around.

After school, I find my shadow casually leaning against the outside the gym, waiting for me. We had agreed to meet about the project earlier, so I'm not surprised to see him here.

"So, your house or mine?" I asked as I stroll out of the gym.

"I'm afraid my house is still somewhat in the unpacking stage. Would it be a problem to work at your place?" So polite, it really gets to me how he can seem so calm, especially since I know what he's capable of.

I shrug. "Sure, why not." Not like I have anything to hide. Besides, this way, I know where the knives are.

When we get back to my house, I open up the garage and start pulling tools from my tool box in the back of my truck. I rummage through some other junk in the back of the garage and end up grabbing a large block of foam, the tiny regulated motor, and any tin or aluminum material I can find that might make a good propeller.

The Akage watches without a word, though I can sense his eyes following me as I glide here and there around the garage, and he silently follows me as I enter the house through the garage. Entering the living room, I dump everything on the floor. Then I wander into the kitchen and pour myself the second cup of coffee for the day. Maybe I depend on caffeine too much.

With a shrug I sit myself on the ground and my project partner follows suite. He doesn't seem to mind my lack of manners in not offering him something to drink as well. Good, because there's no way I'm being any more civil than I need to be with this guy.

Still, I am forced to talk to him about the project. I begin listing all my concerns and ideas for the project. We discuss the project easily enough, though I do so grudgingly. I really don't care much to have an agreeable conversation with my brother's murderer, but this is for a grade.

We soon begin shaping out the boat from the foam block. Keeping the design simple, as the mechanic's first rule goes, "KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid."

First thing we do is cut the foam block down to the defined parameters before attaching the motor and batteries. After that we shape the propeller from a sheet of tin and attach it with a metal rod. We are careful not to place the motor where it will get too wet, but we don't test the boat yet because I don't happen to have a bathtub or swimming pool or anything of the like in my house. Figure we'll test it somewhere else. I've been in the house the Akage moved into. The one on the other side of the fence in my back yard. I know the house has got a tub, so I figure we'll test it there.

It has gotten late. By the time we decide to call it quits, it's already dark out. I stand up to get a box for the boat and all the loose pieces so we can clean up and the Akage can leave. It takes me a while, but after a bit of rummaging though the closet next to the garage, I finally find a box perfect for the boat.

Coming back to the living room, I find the Akage has stood up and is standing next to the fire place. Probably looking at the pictures on the mantle. Quietly, I lean against the wall as I watch him pick up my picture. I'm not surprised, nor am I struck by any feelings of resentment or anger. Strangely, I seem to be accepting his actions. I suppose my logic is overriding my emotions on this one. Besides, everyone is entitled to their curiosity.

After examining it for a bit, he puts it down, only to pick up the next one. This one is of my family back in the country side. They're all on the front porch. My mother and father on the swing, with little Robin in my mother's lap. Jake's hanging off the arm of the swing, while Mary's smiling widely in her pretty red dress. Aaron's got mud all over his trousers, but he's grinning like a fool. And Grandpop's sitting on the steps with Stephanie behind him, hugging him from behind. This picture was taken after we left, so we're not in it.

After scanning this picture, he puts it down and moves on to the last one.

A picture of Crim.

He doesn't look much like me, aside from the blonde hair and blue eyes deal. His eyes were always more innocent and pure. Mine are darker. We're fraternal twins, so we don't have to look alike. He's got a different facial structure than I do. Heart shaped and innocent.

I can see the killer's breath pause for a moment as he recognizes his victim. I can't see his eyes from this angle, but I don't need to. I know for sure now that he killed my brother.

I know now that this monster before me is the reason I won't ever see Crimson smile anymore. The reason I will never hear his innocent laughter again. And the reason I will never feel Crim's arms around me again, hugging me when I'm down. Sometimes I imagine I can, but I know that's just my mind playing tricks on me.

Oh Crim, I miss you.

My eyes fade at these thoughts until I note that Akage has put Crim's picture back on the mantle again. This catches my attention and brings me out of my thoughts. By now I figure I've been searching for the box long enough, so I step out from behind the wall casually.

"That's my twin brother Crimson. He's seventeen." I gesture with the hand the box is in towards the picture the Akage is still looking at.

"Seventeen? Then logically, he should be in school as well. I've never seen him around." Oh, so he's playing clueless now is he. Well, I suppose he wouldn't know that much about Crimson in the first place. Still, he's knows dead people can't go to school. And you most definitely can't see ghosts.

"He doesn't go to school. You can legally drop out of school at the age of sixteen and go to work, you know. Crim used to work over at MechMed." Emphasis on used to.

"And what does he do now?" Cha, like he has to ask.

I stop putting materials away for a moment. Just staring at the leg of the coffee table. I don't quite know how to put it, but I eventually find the words. "He watches over me." I say, continuing to put away the boat.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well you should be." I made my voice as casual as possible, as if I were discussing politics or reasoning out a situation off the news. I have the boat neatly packed in the box at this point, and I stand up with my back towards him. "You did kill him after all." I tell him with a quirk of my head.

And with that statement, I leave him standing there.

Accidental.Enlightenment, a product of Fate and akin to Destiny.