I never had siblings. As an only child I had plenty of time to myself. I never had to share anything I owned. There wasn't anyone for me to look up to, or someone to look up to me.
Have I imagined what it would be like if i had siblings? Of course. I don't think I'll ever understand the feeling though.
You would never believe me if I told you that the devil had siblings. Of all the possibilities, I didn't even expect her to be my neighbor. Not that I knew my neighbors in the first place.
"Hey wait!"
I ran after Raphie aftering buying ice cream. I ran after checking both sides of the road before crossing. I was surprised to find myself out of breath.
"Hey there."
She turned around while she kept walking.
"When you catch your breath, meet me at my apartment. I live right across the hall."
I don't know what I want from her. I don't know what kind of person she is. She could be some angel. She could be some demon. I don't know what it is but my curiosity is getting the best of me.
"I'm home."
I arrive at my apartment in no time. It was quiet until I closed my door. Lucy jumped up and snatched the ice cream from my hand.
"Uh… you're welcome."
Lucy did not respond to me. She was too occupied eating ice cream. At this rate there won't be any left for me.
"I'll be going now."
She did not hear me so I snuck out easily. I leave Lucy behind and faced the door across the hall. There was some business I have to deal with.
Now now. Hold up a second. I know what you are thinking.
I'm not that kind of person. Just because I'm visiting her apartment doesn't mean anything. She may be a more mature and pretty looking than the devil in my room but I have no ulterior motive!
For all I know, she could be some demon who could do dangerous stuff to me. I have to check her out for people on this floor, you know.
I knocked on the door. At first there was no response. I banged on the door even louder and then I heard a voice from the other side.
"Hey." Raphie greeted me with a smile.
I walked in. The apartment was just like mine except the fact that it was a lot cleaner with better furniture.
I sat next to Raphie at the table in the center of the room. She had a bowl of ice cream that she bought. In front of me was a glass of water.
This is a bit unfair…
Maybe I order something else?
I didn't know what to say at first but she spoke up first.
"So you're David." Raphie said with a mouthful.
"Yup." I said as I looked around the apartment. It was then I noticed there were nice plants around. "You don't look like Lucy's sister."
"What did you expect?" Raphie laughed.
"A demon." I said with a straight face.
"Don't worry about that. I'm an angel."
Hmm…
This angel is related to the infamous devil. Who is also my neighbor.
"So Lucy hasn't told you anything?"
"She never mentioned you at all."
I was surprised. That there was someone like Raphie around here. Lucy's sister.
Wait a second…
"That freeloader… She could've stayed here instead…" I unintentionally said out loud. "Lucy takes all of my stuff like it's hers. She's just as annoying as I expect a devil would be."
"But she's not the devil you think she is." Raphie spoke out. "Sometimes I worry if the label affects her at all."
"If you're Lucy's sister and my neighbor, why haven't I been aware of it?"
"I expected Lucy to come to me at first. But she never bothered to contact me at all. I was hesitant to let you know at first but..." Raphie answered. "But after hearing noises down the hall, I couldn't help but try to intervene."
"Intervene?"
"Aren't you two…?"
"Hey, hey, hey. It's not like that. I want nothing to do with her like that at all!"
"Then why are you letting her stay over then?" She asked.
"Because I owe her." I said honestly.
"That's good for you." She said with a smile.
"How long have you been living here?" I asked.
"For a few years. It's not like I found you. It's more like you found me." Raphie said.
"You've been here that long? I never really noticed."
"You were always locked in your room. The last time I saw you was when you first moved in. You brought a girl to show off your new apartment."
"Oh yeah…"
"Whatever happened to you David? You used to be outgoing. More alive."
"..."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't say things like that."
"It's fine...I guess I got tired of pretending to be something else."
That time has long passed. It's something I don't plan on returning to. The future is uncertain so I'm not sure about it. There is one thing I know for sure.
I'm kicking the devil out of my apartment.
I stood up but Raphie stopped me.
"Wait. I know what you're thinking but let Lucy be."
"I think I should."
"Please? You don't know what she's gone through."
"Oh. Don't tell me there is this sad story of her past that I will hear."
"Maybe now is not the time for that. Since she hasn't told you anything so far."
"And you think she will? What makes me different from the others." I asked.
"I thought she hasn't told you anything."
"It was brought up once."
"If she has opened up that much then it is settled." Raphie said.
"What is?" I gave a puzzled look.
Raphie got up and opened the front door.
"It may not be forever but it may last a bit longer than I expected."
"What do you mean?"
I walked out of the door while Raphie closed the door behind me.
"It was nice meeting you." She said to me.
Before I could answer back, the door closed on Raphie's gentle smile.