"Miki-niichan, where's Amaya-neechan?" Aika pulled on my sleeve. I grimaced. It wasn't like her to talk to me. "Is she okay? Where's Occhan?"
"She just fainted. She'll be okay. Minoru is talking with Daisuke," Just saying his name left a bitter taste in my mouth. Daisuke. What is Minoru thinking? "He'll be fine too." She nodded, but something was still on her mind. "Aren't you supposed to be sweeping, you dumb rabbit?"
She frowned, but she was happy for the distraction. "I already finished sweeping! Besides, you're not the boss of me!" She crossed her arms. "Stupid seahorse!"
I smiled a little bit as she ran off. I sighed, and decided I was bored. I thought about Ebasi-San. She was something else. I needed to find someway to clear her memory. Some way to do with without the head finding out. But my mind kept returning to the thoughts of Daisuke.
Maybe I should go check on the twins, see what they're up to. Make sure everything is okay. Then maybe we could go kick around a ball outside or something. I didn't want to just sit and think about Daisuke.
I started up the stairs, when I caught the tail of a voice. I blocked it out. I didn't want to hear him. The thought of his voice made my stomach hurt. But Minoru saw me through a crack in the door as I passed by.
"Come on in, Miki. Daisuke would like to see you." That bastard was just doing this in spite of me, I knew it. But I walked in anyway, keeping my eyes down on my socks. I was hit with the familiar scent of dried blood. Minoru smiled at me as I came in. He whispered so quietly I almost missed it. But he said, "That's a good boy. Be strong, Miki. I know this is difficult."
I felt like slapping him right across his stupid face. Hard.
"Hello, dragon," Daisuke's soft, raspy voice made me flinch. I could hear him shift around behind the shadows. I clenched my teeth. "Its been a long time since we last talked, hasn't it been?" I could feel a cold sweat trace the lines of my body. Make it stop. Make it stop. Make him go away. "Too long. I'd say the last time we talked was a year ago." His voice was mumbled and cracked, but his words rang out and echoed deep within me. Make it stop. I faced the truth. I was absolutely terrified of him.
"Step closer, let me see you," My voice trembled, but it was demanding. I could hear him laugh a little in the darkness, followed by some horrid coughing.
"So brave, little dragon. I thought you didn't ever want to see me again," He whispered.
Minoru's eyes were suddenly fearful, and it bothered me. His eyes were always constant. "You don't have to, Miki. You can go now, you've done your best. You don't have to." I stood still, feeling petrified.
"No," The determination in my words wavered. "Come into the light, Daisuke. I know you want to see me." Minoru grabbed my hand and held it fiercely. I was grateful beyond words for it. I breathed out the breath I was holding in. "Go ahead." He laughed his pained laugh again.
"Alright, little dragon. If you're okay," And he slowly pulled himself into thr light and the first thing I saw was the first thing my eyes always darted to.
His missing left leg.
Completely torn off at the hip. He did nothing to cover the wound. It was fully visible. Already I felt like puking. I pulled my eyes away, just to see his bare chest, covered with all it's old brown and red and black scars. He was wearing a white button up shirt, but all the buttons were undone. His thin pale arms shook, trying to support his body enough to sit up.
His smile was pale and chapped, dripping with syrupy ruby blood after his last coughing fit. His eyes were violet and childish, and they didn't fit in with the rest of his haunting expression. And his hair. His silver hair was matted down with dirt and blood.
He was...he was...just so small. He was three years older than me, but still his body was very tiny and fragile. Like if you touched him he would just turn to dust. But in contrast, he's sustained so many injuries. He looked like a broken doll.
I felt sick. My eyes were watery. I struggled to keep my puke down. His smile got wider, and his eyes softer. "Come on, now, dragon. You've done good. You've done so good. Come and give your cousin a hug." He lifted his arms into the air, out stretching his hands to me.
And that's when I ran out of the room.
I went into the bathroom and threw up. I sat there, breathing heavily over the toilet. I puked again. I closed my eyes and cried, leaning against the wall. I just couldn't handle it. I was more disgusting right then than him. I was despicable.
Someone opened the door. I expected it to be Minoru so I didn't even bother looking. The footsteps stopped for a second, but then ran over. Another moment of stillness. I felt small tears splatter on my leg. I expected Minoru to come over and hold me.
But when the arms threw themselves around me, I transformed.