"Ayami, why did you do that? You even told me to stay away from her." Celine asked as soon as they sat down in a private room of a restaurant they chose.
"Did what? I have no idea what you are talking about." Ayami played dumb as she smiled while tilting her head, but her gaze was telling Celine not to mention anything related to her.
"You… Nevermind. Sigh, seriously…" Celine shook her head and looked at the menu in a sulky mood. Ayami never tells her anything.
What? Does she expect me to guess what she is thinking every time? Celine thought.
As her friend for only two years, the only thing she knew about Ayami was only basic information. She didn't know much about her family situation. She also only knew about her fiance only recently, when she accidentally saw them out on a dinner.
Her favorite foods, places or anything she loved to do, she didn't know much about it. Though she tried to probe into her life, it was always a failure as Ayami managed to deflect every single question.
Whenever she talked to her, it was like she was talking to a wall, but even so, Ayami never pushed her away.
So Celine thought that she was a nice and sweet girl on the inside, just that she was shy and had a hard time socializing with people.
But that Ayami , who was like a wall, suddenly changed and became more proactive. She was still the same yet different.
It made her wonder what changed her, or more like she questioned her identity.
It was fine to change, but to change overnight? It was too weird.
Isn't this some kind of plot in the romance novels that she read, where the female lead gets a second chance to be reborn?
'Ridiculous… What am I thinking?' Celine kept her thoughts to herself and decided to watch over Ayami.
"You know, although I became your friend just today and barely know each other, I think you really should choose your friends wisely. Who knows, they might stab you in the back someday." Rina patted Ayami's shoulders as she offered advice like a good friend or what a mother would say.
"Alright, I'll be careful." Ayami nodded her head. And then she smiled brightly and let out a giggle. "But, Hehe. Rina you're like a mother."
It was unnoticeable, but there was a slight pain in her gaze as she spoke the word 'mother'. It reminded her of some unpleasant memory she decided to forget.
"I'm only 24! I'm not a mother yet. Obviously, I'm the eldest, so I should give advice so you won't be led astray." Celine glared at her sharply.
"But that is what a mother would say!" Celine teased, not in a bad mood anymore as she thought it was petty to get angry over a small thing. Even if she doesn't tell her, Ayami would still be her friend.
Maybe someday, Ayami would tell her a bit about herself. But Celine didn't know that her wish of hers would come true, but in the worst time of her life.
Their meal ended up in a jolly mood as they teased and got closer to each other. After they finished their meals they headed back to their dorm, Rina decided to tag along with them as she was still being chased and wanted to be free just for a while before returning back to her family.
Of course, they also had to sneak her in as it was forbidden to bring guests inside the academy without permission.
"You're back."
Standing outside of Ayami's dorm, was an unexpected person. Allina, her sister, was waiting for her. She had a bored look on her face as if she had been waiting for a while.
She stared at Rina as she spoke, which made her flinch. "Quite a rule breaker. But don't worry, I won't snitch. It would damage my reputation if my sister were to be known as a delinquent."
"Do you need something from me?" Ayami got to the point as there was no need to beat around the bush.
"Here, Dad said to give you this." Allina handed out an invitation card.
It was an invitation for a birthday celebration of a CEO of a well-known company.
"I'm done here." Allina turned around to leave, it was the only thing she was supposed to do.
"You should come home once in a while. Dad is missing you and also your maid." She said as she walked away and suddenly stopped.
Allina turned around and stared at Ayami for a long time before she opened her mouth to speak. "…By the way, Your fiance… you should keep a tight leash on him if you don't want him to get stolen."
Then she turned around and completely left them.
"Who is she?" Rina asked, as soon as Allina was out of sight. Ayami smiled that didn't reach her ears. With a bit of hesitation, she spoke. "She's my… sister."
As she said the word 'sister' a certain memory flashed through her mind.
"I'm sorry… *cough* w-wi…th… this… I r-re…paid… *cough* b-back my debt. I… didn't mean… to steal your…only family. I-it… w-wasn't my *cough* f-fault too… We should be even with this… ri…ght…?"
In a pool of blood, Allina continued to speak. Her gaze was warm as she apologized for something she didn't need to, before it slowly closed. Her once bright and fierce eyes were slowly losing their luster.
"Idiot! Why are you sacrificing yourself to me! Am I that worthless of a big sister, huh!" Ayami shouted as tears fell down on her cheeks, feeling immense sadness as she felt Allina's body turned cold.
It was only then, did she feel strong emotions surging inside her like a violent tide. This was the second death she witnessed.
"Hey, wake up! The ambulance will be here soon! Didn't you want to get along with me? Come on, I'll even call you my cute little sister!"
"I won't accept it! I won't accept your half ass apology. You have to prove that you're sincere… so, please…"
"You have to live, please."
When the ambulance came, Allina's body was already cold.
Allina, in the past, Ayami couldn't call her sister, even though they were related. Allina and Ayami were born to different mothers, they had the same father.
Ayami was born a month earlier than Allina so she was the older one. But that meant, her father committed an act of adultery when she was only a month old, though he claimed it was only an accident.
Ayami only found out when she went home one day, when she was sixteen years old. An unknown woman and a girl, the same age as her were happily chatting with her father.
When Ayami saw that scene, she felt devastated. She felt like she was looking at a family that was complete and warm, something she wished for.
It was like her whole world was collapsing again. Someone precious to her was being stolen.
No! She must stop them!
Ayami had the urge to drag that woman and girl out of her home. She wanted them to taste hell.
But she stopped when she saw her father, who was always depressed and had no life in his eyes ever since her mother's death, was full of life.
If her father was this happy in their company…
'Then it's fine, as long as they don't have any hidden motives and could make my father happy.'
It was normal for people to remarry so that they wouldn't feel alone.
But this thought only made Ayami build a stronger wall in her heart and locked away her feelings.
But, just one thing. She wanted to ask one thing.
"Did you ever love mom?" Ayami asked, hoping that his answer would be the one she wished to hear.
"Yes, I love her. She will always be a part of my heart."
And so, Ayami decided to live with this 'family'. Though their interactions were cold, Ayami saw that they don't have any hidden motives.