Ah, so I've come back again. This wasn't supposed to happen. I intended to end it in my previous life. I kept this as insurance in case something went wrong, but... no, it doesn't matter anymore. Kaya rejected me.
I was content just having Kaya with me. I could do anything for her. I wanted to keep her locked away forever so she wouldn't die. No, that's not right. In the end, it was just that I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want her to go anywhere; I just wanted her by my side. That's all I wanted.
Was that my mistake? Kaya didn't choose to live in the cage I created for her. I wanted to live with you, the one who brought color to my world, who said you wanted to be with me forever. But I suppose I couldn't love you properly. No, now isn't the time to think about that. I need to leave the room before Kaya arrives. Just as I thought that, I heard the sound of the door opening. Ah, here she comes.
"Sis, you're not dead yet, right? Thank goodness."
Just seeing Kaya's face makes me so happy. How wonderful it would be if I could continue living with her. But that's a dream that won't come true. So, I answered her while averting my gaze, trying not to let any regrets linger.
"Don't worry, I'll die soon."
"Why would you say that? Don't die."
Please don't say things like that. It makes me weaker in my resolve to die. It makes me dream that maybe Kaya still needs me. But I mustn't misunderstand. Kaya rejected me. She's just too kind and doesn't want even someone like me to die.
"No, I have no reason to live anymore. You don't need me, do you?"
"That's not true! Please, listen to me!"
It's no use listening; it didn't work last time. I thought I was loving you in my own way, but I couldn't love you properly, and that's why you didn't choose me.
"It's okay, Kaya. You don't have to worry about me anymore. I'll be dead soon anyway."
"I'm not worrying, and I don't want you to die. Please, listen to what I have to say!"
"I'm sorry I couldn't love you."
"That's not true! You did love me, Sis. And I love you too."
She loves me? That can't be. If that were true, why did she choose to kill me? Why did she try to leave me?
"You love me? Don't joke around. You don't have to lie."
When I said that, Kaya fell silent and looked down. I couldn't see her face, so I didn't know what she was thinking, but she was probably shaken by the truth. Now was my chance to leave the room and end it quickly. Seeing her only makes my heart ache.
"Well, Kaya, I think it's time for me to—"
As I tried to leave the room, something covered my mouth, and I couldn't continue speaking. What… what's happening? Is Kaya kissing me? The suddenness of it left my mind unable to catch up. I couldn't move, unable to accept what was happening.
For what felt like either seconds or minutes, Kaya pressed her lips against mine, but then she pulled away, seemingly out of breath. I wanted to ask her why she did that, but before I could even catch my breath, Kaya kissed me again.
I was surprised, but this time I had a bit more composure than the first time. As she stretched up on her tiptoes to reach me, I couldn't help but think how cute she looked, even in this strange situation. But soon enough, my breath ran short, and I started to lose that composure. As my mind grew foggy from the prolonged kiss, Kaya suddenly collapsed. I managed to catch her just in time, but I couldn't hold my balance, and we both ended up sitting on the floor. As she tried to kiss me again, I hurriedly stopped her.
"W-wait!"
"Why?"
"Why? I should be asking you that! What's gotten into you?"
"Because, Sis, you wouldn't listen to me at all. I told you I love you, but you said it was a lie. So I had to prove it to you."
"But… you haven't kissed anyone else, have you?"
"Of course not. You're the first, Sis."
Even in this situation, a feeling of relief mixed with joy welled up inside me.
"So, now will you listen to me?"
"I-I mean, that and this are different things, but… okay. I understand. Let's calm down first."
As I tried to avoid listening, Kaya leaned in for another kiss, and I hurriedly stopped her again.
"Did you not like kissing me, Sis?"
"No, it's not that I didn't like it. I just… need a moment."
Honestly, I was happy that she kissed me, and I even wanted to kiss her more. But my mind was still in turmoil, and I needed time to sort through my thoughts. Just as I was trying to clear my head, a voice called out from downstairs, "You two, come down." Kaya pulled me up, saying, "Let's talk more later. Come on, let's go together." With that, I stopped thinking and followed her lead.