Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue.
A/N: Wow. It's been a while, huh? Haha. I've started many different one-shots, but I haven't finished any until now. Not sure why. Maybe it's because I love adding depth to one-time characters. Sorry that I couldn't stray away from angst. I'll try to write something else next time, honest!

According to Kirimi's older brother, the two of them hadn't always been so close. There had been a period of time when she was afraid of Umehito, although she can't imagine why, because nothing about him is remotely frightening.

He was the one who taught her to embrace her fear, whether it was the monster under her bed or the sadistic witch in one of her shoujo manga. Darkness was infinitely more comforting than light to her – to them – in their wondrous world of magic and chaos and demons and armies of cats with eyes that smiled. Fantasy became more real than reality, and Kirimi started to become puzzled as she found herself suddenly waking up to harsh light and the scratching of pen against paper and hadn't I been brewing potion a moment ago?

She remembers being called over to her teacher's desk after class had ended, the stout old man asking question after question (riddle after riddle) but the "Are you getting enough sleep at night?" and "If you don't start paying attention, I'm going to give you a demerit" just flew past Kirimi's head.

All she could think about was how much Oshiro-sensei resembled the sphinx that guarded the castle gates.

When she was talking to Umehito one evening as they were taking a stroll through the Enchanted Gardens, she accidentally let slip that she had been assigned a detention for that upcoming Saturday. Like any caring older brother, he had been concerned, and the garden soon turned back into Guest Bedroom No. 13. His blue eyes swam with guilt and worry for his younger sibling, although at the time, Kirimi was at a loss as to why.

"It's only one detention, brother."

"That's beside the point! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I was the reason for – for this!"

She didn't quite understand what 'this' meant, or why he was making such a fuss over virtually nothing, which is why Umehito's next words shocked her into silence.

"Kirimi… I think it would be wise to… stop coming to the Dark World –"

What!?

"–Just for a little while, until you get your grades back up. The puppet-servants will have everything under control –"

What am I supposed to do with my time? What about the Bereznoffians? They will surely miss their king and queen!

"Everything will be fine. This is actually quite convenient–"

Convenient? What do you mean!?

"– as I really need to start a job, because we can't live off of our inheritance forever. Miss Hoshakuji, an old classmate of mine, has a rather successful anime and manga series, and she has offered me a job. You remember Miss Hoshakuji… Renge is her first name. She used to read you those stories that you like –"

You're leaving me with Kuretake for a job!?

"You'll still see me every day, as I plan on living here, of course. I just won't have as much time on my hands. I also need to start looking for a wife, and nobody wants to marry a 24 year old man who spends all of his time with his little sister."

Bereznoff fell out of her hand and onto the floor.

--

Kirimi doesn't remember much that happened after that. Umehito spent more time away from home with each passing day, and the tick tock-ing of the clock in her bedroom began to sound more and more like sinister whispers, only not the good kind.

"Tick, tock, tick, tock, he's never coming back."

It was right, in a way. Sure, he returned home. He had to, because after all, a part of him still loved Kirimi dearly. But when he arrived with a red-headed girl attached to his arm and a black cloak-less body, she realized that the other part had a new love.

Renge Hoshakuji.

When she was younger and fascinated with handsome boys and doe-eyed girls and they-all-lived-happily-ever-after, she had adored the bubbly otaku.

This was why her brother had been devastated when eleven-year old Kirimi locked herself in her room and announced that she wouldn't be attending the wedding.

--

Three years have passed since then, and Umehito Nekozawa has moved along with his life. A few weeks ago, Kuretake informed Kirimi that she was an aunt to a beautiful little girl. She nodded and smiled pleasantly, but inside she was a tad confused. Aunt? How could she be an aunt? Her only sibling lived alongside her in the castle with Bereznoff. Surely if he had gotten married, she would have known.

But as the Dark Queen sits on her throne, she steals a worried glance toward the King. He looks like Umehito and sounds like Umehito, but unlike the brother from her childhood, he never leaves the Dark World. Bereznoff has often told her that it's because he's such a devoted king, yet sometimes – most times – Kirimi has to bring up the possibility that he's not really her brother at all, and only an illusion.

"My lady, that's preposterous!" Bereznoff scoffs at her outlandish claim, affectionately tweaking her nose in a way that's both familiar and strange.

She lets out a laugh that's much too forced and a grin that's much too fake. She doesn't argue or press the matter, because deep down, she knows it to be true.

As a child, Kirimi had her fantasy characters that were "real, I know they are!" Umehito had his shadows and secrets kept locked away for no one to find, no one to see, for they were his and his alone.

Together, they ruled a kingdom unlike any other, and they were happy with their world of make-believe.

But the King had to grow up sometime, so he traded his crown for a wife and child, letting his magic scepter gather dust on the throne room floor.

And Kirimi never stopped pretending.