Titanmaster 117 = Patience, my man. I will have Rino venture each and every single one.

There was supposed to be a lime here but I deleted it since it doesn't fit the mood.

The Man of the House

For one of the things Rino had to be thankful for, it was that Meiko was the only housemate he had. The work on the dish washing was less, and the amount of work he had to clean after her was much lesser, and sometimes each task was done in less than 3 minutes, and he wasn't even doing his job half-assed. With phone and earphone playing core or rock/metal, one or two head banging songs will eventually be over once the job was done.

The number of utensils and dishes in the dish dryer held enough to serve 20 or more people, all reserved for his work-busy Aunt and Uncle in case they come home from work for a visit, rest, or a long stay. Those plates are for the cohabiters of the Shimuya Lodging, preparation and income money ensured top condition luxury. Now that only 2 people are present in the residence, only two pairs of everything in the kitchen are needed.

Rino loved the silence and the peacefulness of his house. For as long as he can tell, it stayed that way as long as the property is under his care. His anti-social habits is quite infectious to the point that even the dormitory was silent with him, a mute housemate was just a bonus factor. Any form of ruckus that even occurred either came from the TV or a fallen chair. So long as Rino and Meiko are the only people present, the one thing called 'speech' will not exist.

Noises, either coming from within the building or out the streets, it will never be heard from either side. The Shimuya Dormitory was heavily modified with the best soundproofing ever bought from the cohabiters rent money. A celebration party consisting of more than 20 guests could be held and there will no noise complaint from the neighbors, so long as the windows and doors are closed, that is. The only sound strong enough to break through the thick walls and double-pane glass windows is a gunshot.

Not that Rino learned that out of experience, it was a guess he made. He remembered a birthday party for his uncle along with his invited recruits playing really loud music. When he went outside and closed the door just to take a little time to look at the full moon, he heard not a thing, only the ringing of his ears and the vague noises of nocturnal insects. The house was a perfect spot for murder, if he says so himself. Speaking of murder, if an armed trespasser dared to break into this house, he will make sure that not a single shot will be fired, only a few stabs wounds in courtesy of his trusty blade.

But most of the time, even with all the luxury of wide spaces, a full-stocked fridge, lots of saved money in the wallet, and convenient counter-weather appliances for himself and his little sister, Rino felt a little empty, just a little. When he was once a dormitory assistant owner before a full-fledged owner, when the house used to house the teens and young adults, he was typically a house janitor, voluntarily and out of obligation. But he doesn't simply maintain the cleanliness along with the other housemates, he cooks dinner as well for his guardians and for the cohabitants as well. They were nice people, they deserved a generous hospitality.

It was both his obligation and authority to work for the lodging business—typically, it was his job to work for the lodging business, and for the well-being of the inhabitants, he has to. He worked willingly, he wouldn't mind helping the inhabitants in even the most boring things as long as they give him respect in return. And they did: they liked him, they treat him as a friend, they even share their secrets and habits to him. It became his best interest to maintain the hospitable attitude of a Dormitory owner, as long as he can be considered useful, and rewarded with respect for his efforts. He had fun, it was all worth it.

It was a little melancholic to see them depart back to their respective homes or colleges, and probably never to come back, but every moment that passed was precious, he must hold them dear. On the plus side, there will be new people to meet, more people to serve, more people to help, more respect to have.

Now, all that usefulness he continuously exerted for the sake of pleasing the housemates had no point existing anymore.

There was nobody to serve.

The house used to be so bright, lively, and loaded with carefree, hardworking, or rambunctious youths. Now, everything was dark, quiet, and scarce of a cheerful attitude. The lights used to be lit up every night before bedtime, now there is only one source of light in every evening. So much sunshine used to light up the entire interior in any morning, now all the windows were coated, covered with the thickest cloth that not even the smallest ray of sunlight could seep through, creating an Artificial Evening within the residence, especially during the day.

Everything changed when Rino finally became the legal owner. His first batch of housemates to serve as the owner of the Dorm was actually his last.

They were seven of them. 2 girls, 5 boys. They had a lot of money, way too much. He knew about the expensive rent but the currency in their pockets was beyond the exact amount necessary for staying. It was way too much for young adults to have such an amount. Each of them offered him not the 15000 yen but a ridiculous 45000 yen. While he was caught off-guard he would never accept overprice. He does not accept pointless charity. But they insisted: 15000 for two months of stay, they are only going to stay for 6 months then leave.

Nonetheless he accepted their offer, but he promised to give them a more generous hospitality than what he would worth his time fore. He feels horrible for accepting such an amount, and he must beat himself up to make up for it.

As far as it had went, it was all good. They were classy, funny, a little weird in the personality aspect, but they maintained their right to clean the house. In fact, they were exceptionally diligent, they even tried to make him take a lazy day while they do a general clean up, from top to bottom, inside and out. He refused, of course; they paid a heavy amount just to stay for half a year and he will not forgive himself of allowing the housemates work their asses off for him.

As far as two months had gone by with his batch of housemates, it was all fine. But the more time passed, they grew anti-social, bit by bit. They were obviously students, but he barely seen them do any project or homework, he even see them around the house during weekdays. But it was none of his business so he will not nudge them towards their personal problems. But he was feeling it, the unease, the internal warnings, there was something wrong.

Something wrong…..with them.

The sooner the housemates no longer became social with him, one word responses and an immediate rush to leave his space, his suspicions grew. They began to come home late with an odd smell in their clothing; they come home with bloodshot eyes; they even come home with the smell of alcohol. He might've called them out on it since the rules of the house was that no drunkard should be allowed to live inside, but he held back: something was wrong, and it's not making his mind easy, so he kept it to himself. He took notice as well that the housemates began losing their usual diligence as well, their duties are noticeably being neglected in their respective work schedules, he took notice that 3 weeks had passed and they haven't even went to school since.

Something was really wrong with the housemates.

A week after he found suspicion, he was just about to go down the stairs for a little bit of food to eat in the middle of the night, but when he passed the guest rooms where the housemates would sleep in, one among the number of rooms' lights were lit, peeking from beneath the door, and there was a funny smell coming from it. It was similar to the smell they bring home every night, but it was stronger than ever. He could hear disco music within as well. The soundproofing of the guest rooms are not formidable as the Master's bedroom but it was good enough to muffle loud laughter into a standard speech volume.

What are they doing with disco music in the middle of the night? And on a school night as well.

Instead of knocking the door, he tried to turn the knob first. When he expected it to be locked, it wasn't. Instead, it turned with his motion. Not taking the time to wonder why, he slowly pushed the door open, the music becoming louder as he further pushed it open. When he fully opened it, thinking that his presence is noticed the sooner they saw the door being pushed open, he was struck in horror.

He never felt disgusted his whole life that night:

The respective arrangement of all the rooms was a small table in the center of the room with two bunk beds placed against the wall on either side. He found the perversion of the room violating: medical needles piling in a corner, probably used; bags of white powder expertly organized underneath the right bed; and the table had six lines of white substances arranged like a row of pencils with straws scattered on the surface. 3 boys were lying on the top bunk of the two beds, masturbating, mumbling incoherent words. The 2 women inside were no longer the same, one was sprawled on the floor in nothing but her undergarments, a few medical needles with the points stained red beside her, the other lying atop the lower bunk of the left bed naked, and both their faces were full of euphoric satisfaction, the sickest sight he ever saw. The remaining two boys were attempting to have their way with the woman on the floor, and the latter didn't have any objection, she was allowing them.

The naked woman on the bed was the first to notice him, her speech was drawled and influenced tipsy. She waved a 'H~e~y~!' to him, the rest of them followed suite to acknowledge his presence. At first they were surprised, then the woman on the floor….invited him to join in with a disturbing smile. The two men with her had no objection, saying that he will take the last turn. The 3 mumbling men were too influenced by the substances to even say anything. The woman on the bed said something about 'volunteering' for his place, maybe even something about joining in once he gets his turn on the other woman.

Rino heard nothing of their words. He felt…..different. He knew the emotion that burned inside him that day, yet it felt so foreign, so destructive, so internal, so horrible.

At first he was numb, a task to close the door locked on his mind. When he heard the distinct click of the door closing, he turned the lock, turning the room into a prison, then he gave the entirety one last sweep of acknowledgement:

Bag of unspeakable powder on the floor.

Needles in the corner.

Boys masturbating at the beds.

Beers on the table along with the lines of white powder.

A naked woman on a lone bed, obviously stoned.

Another on the floor about to have a threesome with the remaining boys.

Then he did a relapse on everything that happened prior to this point:

They don't go to school—they dropped out, got suspended, or expelled.

They came home with the smell of alcohol, they were doing a vice, excessively.

The funny smell he kept detecting was actually DRUGS.

Their rent payment was actually drug money—they were drug sellers or pushers.

They did a general house cleanup—just so they could find specific places to hide it, and the right place to indulge.

They were kind to him—just so they could make him let his guard down.

Then, he let his emotions build up the effects because of everything:

He felt his body tense so hard as if he was becoming stone. He felt the heat inside his body boil, burning so much that his entire body itched violently. His head twitched, the tension of his body causing a tremor. His fists clenched so hard that he almost didn't realize that he cut himself with his fingernails.

Then, he did this for the sake of his health, and to increase the effects of a specific factor:

He pulled out the handkerchief that he always kept in his pocket and wrapped it around his mouth and tying a knot behind his head, forming a breathing guard.

He pulled his bangs back, letting his eyes be exposed, seeing everything to the fullest detail.

Then finally….

…he released it.

….….….….

Rino wondered if it was a hysterical surge of madness or rage, he was screaming, growling, and shouting all over as he exerted his burning emotions. Punching, kicking, throwing, grapping, grabbing, hating. The 5 boys made the attempt to fight back, they didn't stand a chance against the owner full of rage. He didn't spare the women as well, he gave them equal treatment.

The disco music was almost mistaken for their screams. The soundproofing of the entire house created the best torture chamber. No one will ever know what was happening inside their neighbor's house in the middle of the night.

It was a miracle that the metal bunk beds didn't bend or break from the fits of violence or from the number of times a body collided it. It was impossible to keep track of time during all that, but he made sure that they felt a Long. Agonizing. Torture. When the moment came that the beatings and the shouting was over, he didn't stop because he thought they had enough, he stopped because he was tired. He still didn't have enough, he wanted to do more to them. He only gave them bruises and bleeding mouths, he wanted to break bones next.

Just then, he was tempted, tempted so much to kill them. There are so many weapons in the house, so many varieties to kill them barehanded. He could kill them and be rid of the world of their filth. They are potential criminals, the sooner he eliminates them, people on the streets will be saved of their evil. He wasn't afraid to kill. Not anymore.

But he was spent—out of stamina, out of rage, out of effort. His clothes were ripped, and matted with blood. The handkerchief fell out of his mouth unnoticed, he doesn't even know where it went, probably ruined in the collateral damage. The bastards were almost to the point of unconsciousness, and he wanted to finish them off, but he cannot continue, he was exhausted.

It was time to stop.

Grabbing a kitchen knife from the kitchen and running back to the room as fast as he could, the temptation inside him was screaming at him to finish them off with the tool in his hand, but his exhaustion ruled over that. Instead, he made sure that they are not going anywhere.

"I will give you two choices! Either you GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE OR I WILL CALL THE POLICE!"

That was the warning he gave them, but the second one was half the truth: he will call the law either way once they get out of the room. Those gates are certainly going to be lit with red and blue lights with the song of a criminal's horror playing.

It was a moment of silence for Rino as he watched them pathetically pack up their belongings in pained movements. He kept them under his control with the knife in hand, wanting them to simply get what they owned in the room and leave behind the drugs so he could use it as evidence against them. When they limped out the room, he still didn't call the police but he maintained his eye contact on the bastards. Walking out the house with barely all their belongings with them, they were absolutely pathetic underneath the shining light of the moon, he took pleasure over the bastard that fell to the floor clumsily, his system too stoned to properly stabilize his balance.

He unlocked the gate and opened it wide for them. All the while, he said nothing, but his silence was louder than anything. When they finally left, he took satisfaction in the fact that the 'Message' he gave them was clear:

The man of the Shimuya House does not forgive abuse.

When he finally called the law, it was quicker than expected for the wailing cruisers of blue and red lights to arrive. The neighborhood houses had been woken up by them, window curtains pushed aside so they could see what was happening, even a few walked out of their houses to have a closer look, only to be held back with a patrol.

He had a lot of explaining to do.

He told everything that happened to the police in every detail he knew, he even told them of his violent outburst. He didn't know why he had to share that, was it because of the ethics of honesty, or maybe he was trying to impress them. He couldn't tell, he just told them. For one, they called his Aunt and Uncle, and they took a tactical sweeping of the entire building. For all of his hopes, he prayed that they find every particle of drug those bastards hid in HIS house until it is clean once again.

Every cohabitant must have their pictures taken before they are given access to the home, just so they can be remembered and kept as a remarkable memory of the business, those druggies are given the same treatment as well. They memory they left in their pictures were all false. For criminals, they sure have guts to let their pictures be taken, or maybe they were just dumb, their faces are so visible in the frame that it could be used against them. When the police asked for information of the drug pushers, he showed them the image of their smiling faces. So sad that that was the only wonderful moment between them and him, their registration.

The police somehow reacted strongly to a particular male amongst them, apparently the man on the very left was a targeted suspect who they've been searching for a while. Rino was surprised that he had been near one for the last 3 months, he doesn't really like watching the news so he couldn't make notice of who he was. Using the picture as proof, they did a full search on the neighborhood, hoping that they will be caught before they escaped. Whatever their fate was, Rino hoped that their suffering served equal compensation to the bringing their poison to his home. It was hell to himself, they must suffer hell, behind bars.

When his exhaustion finally took the toll on his body, he begged for the one who was probably the leader of the squad and asked if he could watch over him as he sleeps. When a kind nod was given, he fell to the floor. He finally knew what it was like to fall unconscious. The tears that fell out of his eyes told the policeman who cradled him just how much he suffered.

When he woke up in the living room, at 7:30 in the morning, his aunt and uncle were already there with worried expressions, even Meiko who was away for therapy was there. The one policeman he last saw was also present in the room, wanting to talk to him for one last time. Privately in another room, they conversed: He was told that they found the bastard hiding in an alley and got imprisoned the sooner he was caught. He was not a minor so he was not spared from the law. Rino smiled one of his rare smiles at the info.

He was then told that his house was used as a secret stash for the drugs. They found a severe ton at many inconspicuous places, even the rooftop, and it angered Rino even more that he was too careless to notice. Thankfully it was all cleaned up in the middle of the night. Rino was also left off with a warning to be careful: while the policeman had no sympathy for drug users, he was lucky that his assault on the druggies was justified. Fortunately, the policeman would turn a blind eye on it even if it is considered a crime, "sons of bitches deserved it" the policeman said solemnly.

After long minutes of talking, the policeman was finally through and is setting off to leave, warning Rino once again to be careful before he closed the door.

When his aunt and uncle are the next people to ask questions, the long talk they had was the most excruciating to him. Meiko stayed silent as always, watching apprehensively. Telling them everything; explaining them everything, it was torture and satisfaction mixed altogether, and the exhaustion was coming back to him. He loved talking about when he lashed out on them, but he wept when he talked about how he was 'betrayed', how he had his heart broken by them. He did his outmost best to satisfy those 7 young adults, he wanted to be their friend, yet they betrayed him and used his kindness like a tool.

The attitude of a friendly dormitory owner is forever abandoned. He never wanted to be betrayed again, he never wanted to be used like that again, he will never give another person his/her chances anymore.

The conversation ended with Rino's final decision: The Shimuya lodging business is OVER.

~~~~~ « ҉» ~~~~~

He gave a kiss to her head, the smell of peppermint wading to his nose pleasantly. He received a kiss on the neck in response before she lied her head back down to his chest, continuing to watch the video on the flat screen.

They had just finished dinner, and now they are enjoying themselves with a downloaded series of 'Friends' season 5. The both of them were cuddled together in the L-shaped couch, with Rino lying on his back on the soft surface, a few pillows placed under him to keep him in a 150 degree angle while Meiko laid atop him, her line of sight directed to the TV as she lied the side of her face against his chest.

While Meiko was enjoying herself, Rino's mind was replaying everything that happened to him that day the entire time, his anger and depression forming in him from time to time. His little sister was too absorbed to the comedy on the screen to even notice the shift of his emotional energies.

Rino grew up sullen after that incident, but at the same time he was still having the urge to serve, to satisfy, to be appreciated for his efforts. He promised himself that he will never restart the business in fear of being betrayed again, but he still wants to serve, as if it was in his blood to be that way. He knew his aunt and uncle for as long as he can remember, he cannot bring himself to satisfy them anymore, but the satisfaction was there whenever he cooks dinner for them. His Uncle's students do not come visit often anymore, and he liked them, they were one of the people who he enjoyed serving in many ways. But their arrivals are rare, leaving him with nothing but an itch he cannot scratch.

Rino was a follower, not a leader; he has many capabilities in his person and he wants them to be manifested to others; for others. That equals him to be a person who would keep his master, guest, or somebody precious satisfied and well-served with all of his hospitality. He may have the appearance and capability to use fear as a control mechanism, but he was never the type to boss people around. That's why he only follows. But without anyone to serve, he is nothing. The people that Rino wants to serve are all scarce, but it doesn't mean there was nobody who needed him.

The one person who he could serve for all his life is right in front of him.

He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed, not all of the three languages he knew could describe how eternally glad that she existed. She likewise returned it, although not as affectionately like usual since she is still absorbed on the TV but it was better than anything.

The lodging business may be long gone but his job was never done. He still has a job to do, and that is to serve his one and only housemate.

Meiko is the one who he can and will serve endlessly. She was everything to him, not just a sister or a housemate. She would never betray him. She would never take his kindness for granted. Not only did she give him respect, she also gave him love, which was the one thing he needed the most from everyone he ever considered valuable.

Meiko was weak, damaged, dependent, and she needed help. He can pacify all of that, it was a chance for his role as a server to be worth something. He would take care of Meiko, he would cook for her, he would continue to be close to her, he would gladly do anything for her, and he will make a strong woman out of her with nothing to ask for in return but for her simple, affectionate love.

He finally had the chance to have more people to serve too.

He had served his Rep, he had served his class, and he might be put to following orders more often in a later date. He was starting to become involved with a lot of people, a lot more than last year, and this time it was almost personal amongst all of them. He even made a friend too.

This might be his lucky year of change.

He turned his eyes to the TV, the end of the episode was about to come. Feeling a little needy, he placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head to face him gently. Meiko stared at him curiously. Those innocent eyes, that frail visage, the permanent childish structure that merged to her bones. She is such a fragile little existence, he wouldn't mind guarding this rabbit.

The Man of the House has his responsibilities.

Meiko lifted herself up and leaned her forehead down to his lips, and he kissed her there. Then she slipped her arms underneath his neck, which he arched off the pillows to let her hands easily access under it before she hugged his head, her cheek planted against his lips, a few of her long, dyed tress covering him like a stringed curtain. He returned the embrace and kissed her supple cheek, putting away a few ticklish strands over her shoulder before lengthening his affections. He allowed the embrace to last a minute before he parted it, sitting up and settling her to his lap before leaning back down, her back against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder beside his, and taking her hand, interlocking fingers.

Watching comedy together with the family after a moment of inner turmoil never felt so relieving.

~~~~~ « ҉» ~~~~~

Are you alright? He barely read the message traced to his hand, it seemed he was the one who's absorbed by the TV now. When he looked at her, she clarified, You were angry when you entered my classroom.

He held on to her chin, tilting her head to face away from the TV and to him, light brown eyes meeting his, and stroked the underside of her jaw, so soft. It's fine, I'm not mad anymore.

She reached up and placed the back of her small, soft hand against his mouth. He gave it a light peck, and she followed with a caressing to his cheek with her little digits. Does our classes hate each other? Her other hand traced.

Rino was a little surprised for that question. The possibilities were too high for that question to be true. There was already friction between Shina and Yuuko, he doesn't know if that animosity could eventually lead to a strife between both classes or not. He can't help but think about the problems it would make if such a thing happens. Having a sister in A-Class while your class had beef with them?

Oh, the horror that will bring.

Maybe. He answered honestly, the truth is inevitable and he had enough of hiding the reality from his sister anymore. Let's hope it doesn't happen. He added, leaning to her touch, absentmindedly stroking her under her jaw with slow strokes. She had such a gentle hand, so comforting that it makes him sleep. She pulled him close with the hand on his cheek and kissed the corner of his lips, suppressing her urges as she did, earning herself a moment of internal torture for not giving it what it wanted.

Drawing back her lips, she squeezed his hand, another topic comes. Were they your friends? She asked, referring to the people who were with him at the time.

He frowned for a bit: were they? No, it was only Shina. He only sees them as acquaintances. Their interactions were little, especially with his Rep. Can you remember the braided girl?

She nodded.

She's my friend. It felt a little bit foreign to him to even admit that. One friendless year must've distorted his understanding between acquaintanceship and friendship. The rest are just my classmates.

She's tall. What's her name? This time, she faced him directly. When it comes to names, it was never clear to her with a tracing finger.

Readying the words with his tracing hand following his every syllable, he mouthed the name; 'Shina', A little 'Sh' came out as a lisp by accident.

She looked down on his held hand, tracing a digit across the white surface, S-H-E-E-N-A. She traced in a slow pace, keeping in mind the pronunciation with an imaginary voiced throat. Rino didn't care about the spelling, even he doesn't know. Every Japanese name he ever read were written in kanji, which was annoying at some moments. He will gladly piss off anybody if he ends up writing the wrong spelling of someone's in romaji. It's not his fault that everybody's names are written in symbols.

Where've you been that time? I didn't see you. He asked, wondering just where could she have been amidst all the thrown swears and brutal arguments.

Just at the piano, sitting down.

He lifted an eyebrow, wondering just how he didn't notice her there. Was he so mad that whole time that he ended up having tunnel vision with Kinoshita Yuuko in his sights? So you were watching us.

She nodded, facing him as she asked, Were they about to fight?

He shrugged, her head bobbing slightly in the movement, They hate each other. He wished the two of them had lost it, it would've been an interesting catfight. He knew very well that those two were physically, and verbally stronger than an average woman. Yes, it would've been an awesome fight. Though, as a friend he would only break the fight apart if Shina was losing. What that woman gets is what she had coming.

Why?

His grip on her hand tightened, he wanted to tell her why, to warn her of that woman's attitude and tell her to keep away, but this was Meiko's classmate he was talking about. If he told her of his impressions on the ambassador, he'd be putting a parameter on her chances to reach out to others. Since coming home, he had thought of considering the woman's attitude. A first impression was all he got, and nothing else. It doesn't pass as a general input of Kinoshita Yuuko's personality.

There was more to her, he finally thought. Atrocious she is to his class, but there had to be something different about her. He was mature enough to admit that. Something good, something that he doesn't see, something her classmate, the valedictorian can see….something Meiko will eventually see.

He clicked inside his throat, a notion of denied access to his thoughts, and shook his head.

A disappointed sigh escaped her lips and relaxed against him again, her attention to the TV lost. Rino took the time to continue watching, letting his hands be fiddled or played with by her all the while.

After a while of watching, with Meiko not moving a single inch in his arms, she finally squeezed his hand, another topic to talk about. What is it about? Did you talk to Àtè Shoko? She traced, Rino almost missed the name she wrote. They haven't mastered writing names on palms yet, mentioning just one could lead to a communication breakdown.

He nodded without looking away from the screen, She was a little….difficult.

She looked up at him curiously, wondering how their interactions did went to even make him use that word. She told me you were sullen.

He clicked again, this time out of light annoyance, Really? That's all she told you?

She lifted her head from his shoulder and shook her head vigorously as she turned to face him, She also said that you're very defensive.

He lifted an eyebrow, rolling his shoulder to remove the stiffness of being used as a pillow, even if her head was as light as his blanket folded to a square. Defensive about what?

For your class. She answered, looking at him with intent, wanting to pacify his almost-invisible irritation with the answer.

He stared for a while, then the information sunk in. I was defensive for my class? That felt new to him, quite new. And that was what the valedictorian acknowledged about him? He had to say, it was an honor, but he felt a little indifferent about it. He can admit that he was defensive to his class, but he was selfishly feeling that way as an excuse to exert his aggressions on Kinoshita Yuuko.

But nonetheless, that was the acknowledgements of the most popular girl in school, he should be honored. Plus he promised it to himself, he isn't allowed to deny what good thing others say about him, so he will not deny.

He sat up, the lying position finally growing discomforting. He felt a few snaps on his spine in the movement, and he relished each crack with satisfaction. Placing a hand under his jaw, and another atop his head, he creaked his head counter-clockwise and a resounding snap echoed from his neck. Extra satisfying.

Meiko removed herself from him, prompting to take a seat on fabric and cushion instead of lying on flesh and bone. She additionally twisted her upper body, a few snaps clicking in her spine and she yawned afterwards. It's almost time for lights out and her body is acting subconsciously to it. Just one more episode before going to bed. Just one more.

Rino sat in a proper sitting position, his ankle lying atop his knee, having the same idea of going to bed sooner. Meiko eventually settled beside him, resting her head against his shoulder, taking his hand politely and interlocking. Meiko can admit that she was a hugger, but she also knows how to respect other people's personal space; she was well-aware of her brother having enough physical affection. But just a little is all she needs, just a little.

The episode halfway, Rino decided to divert for a bit, he squeezed her hand, Shoko doesn't look like you at all.

He didn't look away from the TV but he felt her stare at him, Really? Everybody keeps saying I was her twin.

He huffed a breath, completely expecting everything, especially her response. To me, she's not. You two are not alike at all.

Explain how?

He rolled his eyes, he couldn't be any more knowledgeable about the obvious, She has violet hair and eyes, disciplined, a rich girl, plays sports like a pro, has good memory, she's taller than you, and a lot more. His tracing hand might've been rushed, but it was a speed that Meiko could catch up to.

This time he turned to Meiko to see her face, now ignoring the TV. She was giving him a raised eyebrow, as if what he told her was not related to the question of 'explain how'. Those are just personalities. She mentioned with a flat stare.

He sighed, I did say that she had violet hair and eyes, plus she was very beautiful.

Meiko's grip on his hand tightened, HARD. Rino frowned, wondering what was going on. He noticed the shift of the mood, and the energies he were feeling was full of rejection. Meiko's head stiffly lowered, her free hand curling to a tight fist. Her eyes shadowed, her gritting teeth and sharp breathing set him off. Her entire body was tense, as if she was…..mad. She barely gets angry, and that made him frown.

What's wrong with her?

….….

Realization struck, and this time, Rino felt the horror of his mistake.

He complimented Meiko.

Meiko still must have the thought that she looked like her best friend so his compliment to the valedictorian also applied to herself. And she did not take that well.

He hurt Meiko.

What have I done?

Frightened, and the guilt slowly forming in his stomach, he slowly reached out to her, intending to apologize.

His hand was suddenly slapped away, her arm strength at a level that was secretly concealed her whole life, it hurt. She raised her head to face him, the look of anger, bitterness and rage molded together was plastered all over her face. And it tightened the knot on his stomach.

Before he could take the initiative, Meiko had beaten him to it. She snapped up from her seat, her feet slamming on the floor and she bolted right in front of him, slamming her hands against his shoulders roughly, her fingers digging inwards to the fabric.

She gave him the fiercest glare Rino had ever seen, and finally for a long, long time, he was frightened of his little sister. Her upper teeth exposed, fully implying that she was burning with rage and bitterness, she lowered her head again, her hair falling downwards, covering her face but not fully concealing it. Without letting go of his shoulders, she slowly sat on his lap, legs on either side of him, her forehead meeting softly his. Her emotional energies were wild with rejection, and the guilt of his mistake was eating him apart like a parasite.

He tried to touch her once again and make an attempt to apologize, but when his fingers merely touched her left bicep, her left arm violently shoved it off, an audible hiss of exertion exiting her mouth, further frightening him. Placing her arm back to his shoulder, she dug her fingernails even harder to his flesh, genuinely intending to make him bleed. Rino fought back from grunting, he had no right to make any noise nor any right for any movements. He committed the one crime he swore to never do to his little sister, and he must meet his judgment.

Her body was also trembling from stiffness, her sharp breathing shaking in sync to every tremor. She may have her hair covering her face, but he never missed the wet drops of liquid that were spilling down on her cheeks through the transparent layer of her tresses.

She was crying.

She slammed her forehead to his right shoulder, hard, and Rino cannot stop himself from grunting in pain, finally receiving the blow of her wrath. It was the most painful strike unlike anything he ever felt before. He would've screamed, but his guilt left his voice nowhere to be found. Her head close to his own, her breathing was easier to verify: it was lined with pain, and torture. She continued to dig her nails on his shoulders, and he was certain that she pierced him through the skin. It stung, and he possibly bleed. She began rubbing her eyes on the crook of his neck, wordlessly seeking his comfort.

Wanting to do nothing more than to say sorry, he forced himself to wrap his arms around her, no longer caring if she shoves them away again. He was dying of guilt and he wanted to show that he didn't mean it. It was a miracle for him that she made no move when he eventually hugged her with both his arms around her, the pain on both his shoulders denied his strength from tightening the embrace, but he still tried. He rubbed her back soothingly, mouthing his apologies over and over.

Meiko hated compliments so much that she damned those who would ever make a smart remark on her appearance to hell.

She may appreciate the words that praise her talents or her behavior or her capabilities, but she will never take a compliment to her flesh to heart: beautiful, pretty, cute, adoring, she hated those words. She'd rather hear herself being called ugly and she would appreciate it. She could genuinely smile through verbal bullying. She could memorize a long paragraph about her ugliness. Insult her appearance, she will take it as a compliment.

The beauty of the flesh, the love of the flesh, the lust of the flesh—Meiko damned it all. She had no love for appearances, she never loved humans who worry over their personal looks, she hated those who love a person for the flesh, not the soul.

Meiko grew up with a picturesque form, the certain type that any self-satisfied woman would envy at the first sight. It was a Curse more than anything. Because of her own flesh, it gave her nothing but torture. Thanks to her own beauty, she was broken. She didn't ask to be beautiful, why was she born like this? Beauty was a curse to her own world, it gave her nothing. Only suffering. She hated her beauty, she hated herself, she hated all of herself.

Because of her 'Curse'….

….She died.

Eventually, her fingernails stopped making their attempts of burrowing through white flesh, either she thought he had enough or she was exhausted, Rino doesn't want to know, but the feeling of rejection was still pure. Slowly, she lifted her head off her shoulder and faced him. He felt his heart tore itself apart at the sight: Her hair was disheveled, no longer the elegant straightness maintained without effort. Her eyes, pure light brown with wide eyes were swollen, her cheeks were damp with tears, an uncommon sight, she bit on her lower lip and her breathing shook. Her desolation was all over her like a cloud.

If she felt tortured, then he felt like he died all over again just by looking at the damages he made.

He reached up to her ruined structure, brushing aside her black and blue locks before wiping the tears off her eyes.

The tears didn't stop.

"….Patawad."

She could never hear him in such a pathetic, weak voice, he could barely even choke out his voice, but she could read his lips, he knew that. She was actually holding up like a dam, and that dam collapsed by his one and only apology. Meiko wept a flood, and she buried her eyes to his shoulder again. It was wrong to say that he was spared from hearing her wails of anguish thanks to her voiceless throat—not knowing how hurt she was is torture in the purest form to him. He doesn't know how hurt she was, and he doesn't know how much he damaged her. He could hear her wheezing—her wails coming off as shaken exhales. Her shoulders twitched in hiccups, and she sniffled, crying endlessly to him.

This time, he was able to hug her fully, rubbing her head soothingly with his right hand, his emotions mirroring hers. He was tortured as well, Meiko's emotional energies are much stronger, and he cannot feel anything but the pain through her touch. He sooner felt his vision blurring and something wet running down his cheek, her emotion is his emotion—his desolation reached him and he felt it to the brim.

He had no point in saying this, he never exerted emotions through words, but he knew that it was the one thing he had to do. Her one ear close to his mouth, he whispered to her in a shaken breath:

"Patawad."