"I thought I said you better go easy on me"
Airi said as Kishi was surrounded with millions of petals that are endlessly multiplying. The black and pink roses that surrounded him glowed as his eyes glimmered brighter than ever.
"You aren't holding back as well, but don't worry, this won't kill you"
"Really?" Airi muttered in disbelief. He knew too well that if he did not manage to dodge or block Kishi's attack, then his done for. Though, the two of them are even. If his attack managed to get pass his defenses, then Kishi would face the same fate as him if the same thing happens.
Although, because of the great surge of magic, the wooden sword they were using began to have cracks.
"I guess these things wouldn't last long after all. Let's make this quick, shall we?"
Kishi sneered, "Find by me. Get ready to get your ass handed to you"
"You sure are cocky" Airi sighed
The swords can handle at least two strikes. Kishi dove at him but Airi blocked his attack. Kishi placed a lot of strength behind that attack, and the ground under Airi's feet shattered.
Being under too much pressure, the swords cracked even more. Realizing that he was in a great disadvantage, Airi was forced to surrender once again.
"Okay, okay, you win!"
"Already?" Kishi took a step back, lowering his sword.
"You're really expecting too much from me, are you?" Airi stared at him.
"Perhaps" Kishi said flatly.
Airi just sighed and shook his head. He fell down to the ground later unexpectedly as Kira pounced on Kishi and attempted to hug him, but the latter moved to the side and dodged her, causing her to fall over Airi.
"Ouch!" Airi groaned
Standing up quickly and ignoring Airi, Kira pouted and crossed her arms.
"Onii-chan you meanie!!"
"It's not my fault you clumsy"
Airi didn't let the twins' quarrel get to his head. He sat up an he caught a glimpse of the grown-ups from the corner of his eyes.
Where they watching? He didn't notice until then.
His bad mood coming back to him, Airi stood up and brushed the dirt off of him. Just when he was about to make his leave, his vision seemed to disrupt for a split second. He felt like he saw something in the darkness that immediately vanished.
The twin halted and turned to look at him. They had this expression on their faces that confused him.
"Airi..." Kira said anxiously.
Bewildered, he stared at his hand for a moment and it happened again, making him hold his eye. But this time, he blacked out. He only heard their voices calling out to him before it totally faded.
***
"Airi, Airi..."
"That won't wake him up Kira" her brother told her.
When Airi opened his eyes, the bed's canopy was the first he saw. Moving his eyes around the place, he found himself in their room. Sitting, he felt this intense head ace. The twins gazed at him and sighed in relief. He looked back at them and asked,
"What happened?"
"You passed out." Kishi simply replied.
"Airi, Aunt Neon had been worried..." concerned, Kira told him.
Airi though, ignored her and held his left eye. His head was hurting a lot.
The twins exchanged glances and the sound of the door opening is what brought them all back to reality.
Emerging from the door, Neon came in to check on them. The moment she saw that Airi was already awake, she was filled with relief as tears welled from her eyes.
She ran to him immediately and gave him a tight hug. Seeing the sight in front of them, the twins then decided to excuse themselves.
It was already dinner time that time, and while sitting at the table, staring at their plates, Kira can't help but feel anxious.
"Nisan...do you...really think we shouldn't tell him?"
She asked, but seeing that her brother didn't response, she just sighed and turned back to stare at her plate. Kishi felt somewhat guilty and tried to reassure her.
Kira felt his hand on her head and turned to look at him. Kishi gave her a smile and said," Don't worry, I'm sure that things will work out in the end."
"you think so?" He nodded. Looking at him, Kira held his hand that's on her head. "Pat me more"
Kishi chuckled but still did as she asked. Meijin only looked at them from the opposite of the table, expression not visible on face.
Meanwhile, Neon just continued to hug Airi tightly, making the boy feel weird. Realizing that she's hugging him for too long already, Airi tried to get her to snap out of it.
"Er, Mom--"
"Shhhh!" Alas, his attempt failed as his mother hissed him. Hopeless, he just sighed and tried to deal with it.
Noticing that Airi just submitted himself but didn't hug her back, she asked gently with her soft voice as she caressed his hair.
"Are you still upset about what happened that morning two days ago?"
Shocked, "Two days?!" he asked
She nodded, though he didn't see it being embraced tightly. "Kishi and Kira haven't told you yet, it seems. But yes, darling, you've been asleep for two days now"
Although stunned, he didn't ask anymore, and remained silent.
"I've been so worried...I had enough with James leaving..." she said sadly.
Her husband's death took a big blow to her. She knew it would happen sooner or later, and she tried hard to prepare herself for it, but in the end, she wasn't able to do so.
Watching Airi grow up for nine whole years, he was her precious. She can't bare to watch him suffer, and she can't accept that he would leave him one day. She wanted to be with him forever. Alas, the child isn't like any average children. One might say that his case is far worse than that of his father.
Realizing that her embrace is getting tighter, Airi looked up at his mother. She looked to be in deep daze, her eyes lifeless and sad. Airi felt his heart ache.
"Mommy?"
Shaking her head, she forced a smile and asked him. "What is it darling?"
Airi opened his mouth and closed again before he shook his head. "Nothing..."
That night, Neon cradled him as he fell asleep. The twins spent all their time in the library so came back to their bed room a bit late and Airi already asleep.
Neon was reading a book and she looked at them as they entered. The two of them may not speak what's they see, but they knew well that her look was a fake. Even so, they choose to ignore it and just made their way up in the bed, and snuggling under the warm quilt. Fuffy on her arms, she held it tighter and bit her lip. Holding her hand, Kishi smiled at her gently to ease her discomfort and met her eyes.
Why so upset?
Kishi asked her despite knowing the answer.
I hate it. They all treat us like fools, they're all liars.
You do realize that they are doing that for our sake?
Yes, but I would still appreciate it more if they tell us the truth, it's not like we can't see through it anyway.