Sici doesn't respond, standing still, tightening her fists. After waiting for a few minutes, he lightly taps onto her shoulder, "You okay?"
He started feeling a little anxious, remembering she had a reputation about having a weak body. A small ball of guilt started to build up in him thinking if he was right then things would just be more complicated.
"Hey," he calls out again.
Receiving yet another silence from her. He tried to shake her a little this time which seems to work as she gets a little startled.
"What?" She moves back.
"You were...." He pauses as he notices her hands. Blood was slowly dripping from her fists. It wasn't much but still it was blood. He abruptly takes her hand, loosening her grip to open her fists just to notice blisters, bruises and now freshly wounded blood from her nails.
Even Sici is surprised to see her hands bleeding like that. She didn't notice until now let alone feel the pain.
"We have to get this treated quickly," he worried.
She retreats her hands from him for a closer look, "It's okay..."
"Doesn't hurt at all."
It was starting to sting but she was also starting to adapt to that pain. It was in a way making her feel a little sane, a little in control of her body. Better than feeling fear or something unknown that she couldn't describe from time to time.
He sighs out loud, "It's not. Let's go now."
Someone bumps into her as she had started to follow him, making her almost fall but she managed not to. Which just resulted in reflexively applying more pressure in her legs. She knew it would cause her cramps at night tonight.
She looked back to that same little boy rubbing his nose. He did bump into her real fast and hard. Rather than checking if he's alright, she holds onto him so they don't lose him again.
"Uh??! Wait! Let me go!" He cried out instantly after recognizing her.
Her head started to hurt now from his screams. She looked back to look for Koji. It seemed like he had noticed the little boy. Though it would be questionable if he had not. He was silent. Probably thinking of what way to handle this as the boy was going to another commotion at this rate. However every second counted since Sici was the one at a disadvantage here.
She dropped to his level, making eye contract with a poker face. He felt a little startled on that gesture giving her a moment to analyze him.
The analyzing was successful in a way, she was now sure they the tears were fake and so was his panic. He was just trying to cause an uproar to smoothly run off again. As if they were going to let that happen.
"Two can play at that game," she thought.
As he started to continue his act again, she simply just grabbed him by the cheeks. His eyes widened in confusion. She simply squeezed his cheeks and pulled him close enough to whisper, "Just so you know. No one's going to believe your act this time."
She let go on her hold on his face, daring him to try which he did thinking it was all just a bluff. He resumed his act and just like he thought some people started to gather out of concern.
"What's wrong with the kid?" One person asked.
"Are you alright, sweetie?" Another one asked.
"Would you make the kid stop? His cries are disturbing the people around here," another one said.
It wasn't what the kid wanted to hear and before he could say something to change their opinions, Sici spoke first.
"I... I am so sorry for the disturbance my brother is causing!" She said bowing her head.
"Just take him back home already," one said out of annoyance.
"Yes.. yes.. He's just scared that my hands are bleeding a little. You know how kids can be, right?" She said.
The ones gathering there took a closer look and noticed blood smudged on her clothes and his cheeks, making it believable.
The boy was bewildered, "Wait, no! She's not my sister!"
Rather than speaking any words, Sici just covered her mouth to display a sorrowful expression though inside she was just thinking, "For once our thoughts match huh?"
Melina remained silent which didn't bother her.
A lady from the crowd that had formed, approached the boy and patted him on the head, "That's no way to act towards your big sister, is it? Be a good boy and go home with your sister. She's still here despite the trouble you're causing her."
"I said she's not my sister! Why are you-!" He paused and looked around. He knew better than anyone when his lies have won or not and this time he had no chance as Sici was the one who played the first move. Still, kids are hardly believed by adults even when they tell the truth.
Sici lowered herself again, whispering to him, "I assume you're done?"
He gave up and nodded, "I'm sorry..."
Her lips formed a wavering smile, "Let's go."
She apologized to the people for the disturbance and moved to where Koji was. He had been observing them to see how she handles it.
"I thought you were going to start crying and acting like him," he said.
"I'm better than that," she replied and handed the boy over to him, "How are you going to handle him now?"
She couldn't hear his response as the system popped out making a loud sound in her head. Her vision started to get blurry.
[ Done Processing ]
[ User's Time Has Been Deducted ]
[ Time Remaining : .... ]
[ Time's Up ]
"Oh right, I forgot," she thought as a headache formed in her head and her body started to flare up inside. Her breathing slowed down, making it harder for her to stand. Eventually resulting in her fainting.