I made a pinky promise that I'll make our dream come true.
Many years ago, my father got into a relationship with a woman who had a child. That is the first time I met her. Luna. She may not be related by blood, but deep in my heart, she is my little sister. I immediately understood her feelings because we were both put in the same situation.
Her mother was selfish, and my father was a selfish drunkard. After having fun with each other, my father left me and never returned. A few months after my father left, Luna's mother made her leave without saying anything. For some reason or another, Luna wasn't sad. I guess we both felt the same way. I didn't feel sad at all. My emotions during that time were more like liberated. I felt a sense of freedom. Having no parents to look after us was hard, but at least right now, Luna and I were freed from the shackles that placed fear within our eyes every day.
"From now on, it's only me and you… Without those shitheads. We can finally do anything we want," I said.
"We can finally do anything. I can finally dream."
"Dream?"
"Big brother, don't you have a dream?"
I didn't really put too much thought into my future. It's shameful, but I didn't really have any ambition. My head was filled with negativity, and I forgot about thinking about my future. Every time my father beat me up, I simply thought about ways I could beat him. Of course, I was still a child and, as a result, I got beaten down every time I retaliated.
Luna was also suffering and mistreated by her mother. Worse, several days later, Luna's body was sold to older men. Luna was still ten years old by that time. I cursed them with every inch of my body and soul. Luna couldn't do anything to protect herself. I once tried reporting the activity to the authorities, but they didn't believe me at all.
Adults are useless.
But now, those times are finally over.
"I apologize, but I don't have a dream at all… If there was…" I looked at Luna's cute face and placed my hand on her head. "If there was, I think my dream is to make Luna smile every day."
I responded with uncertainty. I didn't want to give her a cold or dark reply. At least, I had to say something to her.
"What is your dream, Luna?"
She stood up and opened the window. It was now nighttime, and at the end of the town, it was nothing but silence. Luna, with a big smile, pointed her finger to the moon.
"I want to go to the moon."
"The moon?"
After the appearance of dungeons, humanity's technology also rapidly improved. Humanity created many space projects and explorations. Scientists think that the appearance of dungeons has some sort of connection with outer space. In the twenty-first century, a normal human going to the moon was impossible. But now, as long as you have enough money, you can visit the moon and enjoy the view. It's expensive and for someone who's not very intelligent like myself, it's probably impossible.
But if it means making Luna's dream come true…
"Big brother will go to the moon with Luna someday," I responded.
"Really?" She bounced onto me with a joyful smile that I could only rarely see her make.
"Why do you want to go to the moon?"
"It's a secret…" She teasingly said and kissed my cheeks. "When we get there, I'll tell you."
I didn't have any idea how I could create a path to achieve that dream. However, now that I already have a direction in my life, it's only a matter of time for me to achieve it. I'll do whatever I can study, and earn lots of money.
Reality wasn't kind to me.
Three years ago, Luna got sick. At first, we thought it was just a simple cold. It was too late when we found out that she had a terminal disease. She was coughing blood, and her body was mostly weak. She couldn't stand up by herself or run like normal girls her age.
…
"Thank you very much," she said after I handed out a copy of a comic magazine. She happily opened the comic magazine filled with anticipation. I didn't really know what Luna was into, or what kind of series she liked. All I knew was that she was happy every time I gave her the latest copy of the comic magazine every time I visited.
"Big brother, how's school?"
"I don't go to school anymore. I don't want to waste time in school. Remember, big brother made a promise. I'll visit the moon with Luna in the future."
"Big brother still remembers. I'm happy. But big brother should also enjoy his life. Make friends or find a girlfriend."
"With a personality like mine, making friends is impossible. Also, no girl likes a broke ass like me."
"Being a loner is not very good," she said.
I don't go to school anymore. It's a waste of time. The government gives us medical assistance, so I don't need to think too much about the hospital bills. I am happy about that.
Now, I simply work in part-time jobs and earn my own money. In order to earn money to make Luna's dream come true, I have to work my hardest.
Still, just like before, I don't have any dreams or ambitions. Days started to look and feel the same. Sometimes I started to forget what the date was or what time it was. I lost track of my own time. Over and over again, I was doing the same thing. Go to my part-time job, visit Luna, and go home. A repeated cycle that seemed to go on and on forever.
I'm in no place to complain. Poor people should not complain, after all.
Visiting the moon was expensive. I have to create hundreds of millions. But in what way can I make hundreds of millions as fast as possible?
I'm worried about Luna. Luna's condition is getting worse every single day, and the doctor said that she won't last much longer. It saddens me every time I see her in her state. Even though she's suffering, she always welcomes me with her smile and asks things like, "Are you okay?" "How's your day?" "Are you eating properly?"
Just by hearing those words, I could feel warmth stirring inside my heart.
I'm so happy.
Knowing that I might lose Luna and not fulfill my promise to her, I thought I might lose my mind. I tried doing wrong things like selling forbidden drugs. It went smoothly for a few months, but we were arrested afterward. The police found out that I was just someone used by the organization. There were no crime charges on my name, but I had to give up the money I earned to clear my name fully.
I ended up paying double what I earned.
I was full of regret back then, and the dream started to become impossible. Probably, it was impossible to achieve from the very start. And I was just acting cool in front of Luna so that she wouldn't lose her respect for me.
For the one and only person, I want to impress. I want to do my all.
…
"Cough… Cough…"
"Luna, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, big brother… Big brother, did you know that the trees in the city are covered with lights on Christmas Eve? They say that they'll also have a fireworks display. I wish I could go there."
"I didn't really know about it. I'm always at work during Christmas Eve. The pay is double, after all. By the way, I applied to lots of part-time jobs to earn more money. On Christmas Eve, I'll spoil you. You can buy anything you want," I said.
Well, this is probably the best that I can do for her. This is the only thing I can do for her.
"Really?! I'm so happy." She's so excited about the news. She then opens the magazine in her hand and points out a Christmas event happening on Christmas Eve. "Then, let's visit this park on Christmas Eve."
I nod in agreement.
We have to get the doctor's permission. But because of her worsening condition, we didn't get the approval to leave. But knowing that either way, Luna stays or leaves, Luna will eventually die. I don't want Luna to have a sad memory in her life.
From our abusive parents to this sickness.
I want to give her memories that will make her happy.
I ended up sneaking Luna out of the hospital.
…
"Wow! Look at that giant Christmas tree! So many colors… So pretty." She turns her head left and right in awe.
Luna cannot walk, so I have her on my back the entire time. She is as light as a feather. Even though she is on my back, I feel like I can go anywhere without being exhausted.
We go to many places, eat in restaurants. It's the first time for both of us to have a full-course meal together. It's expensive, but I don't have any worries. I plan to spend everything I saved up and spoil her as much as I can.
We pass by a jewelry store. There is a wedding ring. That's what it looks like.
One for me and one for her.
"Big brother, can I call you by your name?"
"Sure."
"I love you, Rin." She whispers in my ear. I'm not stupid enough to be dense. I know because I felt the same way as her. As time passed... I started seeing Luna more than a little sister. Like a special someone. Someone very dear to me. "I love you too, Luna."
I place the ring on her finger, and from then on, we start calling each other by our first names.
We sit down on a bench and watch the fireworks together. Not as siblings, but now as lovers.
The same night, when we came back to the hospital, she made a very unusual request. She started hugging me as if she didn't want me to let go. She showered me with kisses and touched my body in an explicit manner.
"Where did you learn this?"
"Rin…"
"Is this wrong? We can't do this."
"Rin… This is my wish." Her eyes verge on tears. "I want to have more memories with you…"
My body moves on its own.
On Christmas Eve, Luna and I became one.
I never thought that I would be making love with her. This never actually came to my mind. I love her more than a little sister, but still, I want to keep our boundaries. There is no point in thinking about that line. We already crossed it.
Months later…
Luna died.
Her dream of going to the moon was forgotten. Thinking about it, she never mentioned it ever since she became bedridden.
Dreaming things that you won't achieve will only hurt.
I understand the feeling. But I can't give up...
Luna might not be around now. But our dream is still alive. In her place, I will make that dream come true. I'll earn lots of money and go to the moon.
That became my ambition.
My dream.
Turning twenty years old, I applied for my adventurer application. After training, I got my license and became a full-time adventurer. Life was still rough, but with a direction in my mind, I know I cannot lose easily.
I will never give up.
♦♦♦♦♦
I open my eyes and find myself still inside the dungeon. My head is still in a daze. I remember the happening last time. I encountered a super high-level monster and got sent a far away distance.
I'm about to die and then…
"Luna." I say as I turn my eyes to the blonde petite girl who's cooking by the campfire.
I immediately get up and give her a tight hug.
"Luna! Luna! Luna!"
"Luna? My name is Kagari! Also, stop hugging me without my consent. This is sexual harassment." She fights back and kicks me away on my face.
I end up rolling and hit the hard rock. My head is knocked and brings me back to reality.
Luna is not here anymore. It's impossible that this girl is Luna.
"I'm sorry… It's just your face is exactly the same…"
"I understand, I'm a good judge of character, and I can sense that you're not a bad person. Anyways, have some soup." She serves. "It's made of healing herbs and some monster meat."
"Monster meat? Is it edible?"
"Don't worry… I've been eating monster meat ever since. It's edible." She makes a thumbs up.
"T-Thank you."
She is exactly similar to Luna. It's kinda creepy.