* * * *
The ceiling was the same as always, and my limbs seemed slightly shorter than I remembered. It looked like I had successfully returned. I wondered what happened to my sister after that. She could be happy even without me, couldn't she? …Wait. I ended up coming back again, didn't I? If I manage to make my parents happy this time, but I die, will everything just reset again? Then what's the point? Before I could dwell on that thought, I heard my mother's voice calling us downstairs, "You two, hurry up and get down here." For now, I should just go down.
When I entered the living room, my sister was already sitting at the table. She usually wasn't up this early. Was she mad at me? Maybe she was upset because I lied about going to school and then killed myself. I couldn't really picture her angry, but I knew I had done something that deserved anger or even hatred. Still, I couldn't just avoid her, so I cautiously tried talking to her.
"Uh, good morning, Sis."
"Oh, Kaya. Good morning. Let's eat together."
"Y-yeah."
Maybe she wasn't mad? Well, even if she was, she probably wouldn't show it in front of our parents. As I sat down and started eating, I couldn't shake off how strangely cheerful she seemed. After breakfast, we both got ready and left the house together.
"Sis… Are you mad at me?"
"Hmm? Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because... I died even though you tried to stop me."
She smiled even more at that and replied, "Why would I ever be mad at you for something like that?"
"Oh... okay. But, um, after I died, were you able to be happy?"
"...No, I wasn't."
"I see… I still think that for you to be happy, Mom and Dad need to be around too. Last time, they committed suicide, right? But if we keep a close watch on them this time, I think we can stop it. Can you help me with that? So that you and everyone else can be happy?"
"Of course, Kaya. I'll help."
"Really? Thanks! So, how about—"
"But maybe we should talk about this later. There are more people around now."
She was right. I had gotten so caught up in the conversation that I hadn't noticed others nearby. Still, with my sister on board, it felt like everything would work out. As I walked into school, I kept thinking about our plan.
After school, we decided to have a strategy meeting in my room. My sister sat on the chair by my desk while I sat on my bed and began talking.
"Like I said this morning, I'm sorry for what I did. You tried to stop me, but I still went ahead with it. But… I feel like I need Mom and Dad to be alive, you know? It's like it wouldn't work without them."
Her response was a smile. "It's okay, Kaya. You're here now, and that's what matters."
Was she really not upset? Or was she just… Well, I guess it doesn't matter.
"Okay. So here's the plan. I think, after living through six lives, that maybe it's better for Mom and Dad if I'm not around. It might be better for them if I just… leave. So, I'm planning to run away again. But this time, it won't be permanent. I'll stay at home until I graduate from middle school, and then I'll move out and live on my own. What do you think?"
I remembered how she had come after me last time, leading to her accident, so I thought it best to talk it out with her beforehand.
"I think that's a good idea."
Her answer was lighter than I expected, which caught me off guard. Had she lost interest in me?
"Really? I thought that if I wasn't here, you could fulfill Mom and Dad's expectations better, and things might work out. But even if everything goes well, what if I die and reset everything again? What should we do then?"
"...We'll deal with that when we get to it. Just don't die, okay?"
"Yeah, you're right. If I don't die, that solves it. I'm glad I talked to you about this, Sis."
"Me too. Just remember, Kaya, don't die. Promise me that."
"I know, I know. I'm really glad I have you to talk to."
That's how our strategy session went. My sister didn't offer many ideas, but she agreed with my plan. I was sure it would work. I just had to stay home until middle school ended, and then I'd be on my own. It might be hard, getting abandoned by Mom and Dad again, but I was ready to face it. I wouldn't die—I'd just keep trying.
As time passed, we kept working on our plans together. In the end, I didn't get into the middle school I wanted. I was so caught up in everything else that I completely forgot about studying. My sister, as expected, passed with flying colors. The day before her entrance ceremony, she called out to me from outside my room.
"Kaya, can we talk?"
"What is it, Sis?"
It was unusual for her to initiate a conversation, so I opened the door.
"Come sit on the bed; it's okay."
"Okay."
As soon as I sat down and leaned back, I heard a dull metal sound, and then I felt something strange around my leg.