I am Casablanca Prasiolite, twelve years old and I am half human, one fourth spirit elf and one-fourth magic elf and I have a twin name Hibiscus Prasiolite, likewise, the same as me. Our overall features are almost identical except for our hair and skin color.

I am worried of Hibiscus because she doesn’t appreciate herself even though she is an expert in spiritual magic that deals with summoned spirits and the fact her brown skin and silvery hair is attractive enough. She would always stay away from people’s sight and instead boast of me as her twin.

Older people fawn over me and would always have a high expectation from me. I was always praised by how I greatly resemble mother but I think Hibiscus is more similar to her.

Because of how I am treated, my peers slowly drifted away from me because of respect. All I wanted is friends that I can play and smile with. Everyone admires me but they didn’t even bother asking me if they want to be my friend. I was really lonely but I am fine because Hibiscus would always hold my hands whenever she sees how lovely I am.

Because of people’s expectation, I came to believe that I am somewhat special and I’ve taken Hibiscus’ company for granted. I put up an air of grandiosity which still ashamed me to speak of even up until now.

Hibiscus stays by my side and would always talk to people who tried to approach me and there were times that she would subtly tell them to go away and that what’s really incredible of her. I don’t think I can live without her.

She would always stand behind me and keeps a smiling face every time I face her.

What does Hibiscus really feels? Come to think of it, I feel like she understands me like an open book but I read her with difficulty. I know that she is important to me but how much is that important?

Before I realized it, because I always treat her as my emotional support and dearest companion, I am unable to relieve any loneliness if it is not her. I want her to be always by my side for my own comfort but, what about her?

Did I ever think of what she felt?

Is she holding back her own happiness and pursuit of a greater goal for herself?

I am worried about her and as more as I think of it, the more anxious I become.

I said that I understand her as a twin but that was a lie. I don’t even know how she feels other than she loves me. We both love each other, that’s a fact but, I am worried.

Am I the one really burdened or her?

Is she inhibiting her own wants to give way for me because she feels inferior? It made me more worried than ever because the thought of taking her for granted proves that I am just using her for my own convenience. Or do I just want to think like this to lessen the guilt?

I heard rumors that sometimes, an opposite gender would confess to her but she just immediately shot them down. Boys and girls will look up to me but those are a just mere act to show how to respect me but Hibiscus will always have an admirer that will see her true worth.

Why is she rejecting them?

I myself received a lot of love letter but I have no interests in anyone else. My affection lies to my family, especially to Hibiscus and Mama.

But there was someone that I immediately admire as a man as I laid my eyes on him. It was Susanoo whom we met in the forest near the elven city. He somewhat resembles Papa, the only difference is the way they act and how messy papa’s hair.

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Through Susanoo, carried with circumstances that led a war between the elf and dwarf, mother had me and Hibiscus escaped with him and we ended up in the dragon continent.

In the Dragon Capital, I met a maid who is a hero.

Miss Priscilla.

She thoroughly showed me that I am no special and if I want my skills and abilities to be recognized, it shouldn’t be through words but through actions. Hibiscus and I greatly admire her and owed her so much.

She is kind and gentle but regulates strict rules. Together with other heroes with her, they took good care of us. She straightened my bad habits and depleted my egocentric air.

But I thought that with that, I will be on a higher level of thinking to understand Hibiscus. That was not the case… I just disillusioned myself once more and it was harder for me to confront Hibiscus about these difficult and vile feelings of mine.

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Together with Asagao and Ichirou, we left the Lost Capital Hujinn.

Since then, Hibiscus changed a lot.

Before, she was meek and secretive but now, she becomes more outgoing and she yearns strength and power together with her new summoned spirit, Emby, the famed legendary Phoenix.

Her smile is now prettier and every time she looks at me with such energetic countenance, it got harder for me to look at her since she seems like she is beaming like the sun. Hibiscus becomes more expressive and she has become lovelier ever since.

It was clear to me that she realized something and strives for a change.

This new Hibiscus is livelier, prettier and is someone I want to be as long as I live.

But, it scares me. It worries me to no end. Hibiscus found something that she wants but what if she does not want me anymore?

The feeling of unable to understand what Hibiscus feels made me worried but, the drastic changes in herself and goals made it even more hard for me to know her. A feeling that made me sunk and realized how I myself to be reliant on her and that I am unable to change myself.

I feel empty…

Also, her newfound power left me gasping for breath as it showed me how farther she can fly, that how she was able to proceed to new heights of power as Asagao’s blessing flows to her like a radiating sun that open pry the sky and pour down her mesmerizing brilliance.

Asagao…a new found sister of ours that we don’t know that exists. She told us about her stories and I found it rather painful and felt sorry for her because of the suffering she has gone through but at the same time, felt small as she braved and broke through all those plights while I fret and worry over the thought that Hibiscus might leave me.

What should I do?

What…can I do…?

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“Ca! Ca! Open your eyes!!”

A voice calls out to me by repeating a nickname I am recently called. It was a young but dignified voice and for some reason, it’s trembling with fear. One thing that also came to me is that my whole body is cold and drenched and I am lying flat on something mushy.

“Ca! Don’t die on us!! “

My faint consciousness tries to wake up but my body cannot muster any strength because I feel so suffocated.

Suddenly, something presses against my lips.

It is soft and warm but it is trying to blow something inside my mouth. After a few seconds of blowing, something was placed in my chest and pumps it repeatedly. Like on my lips, it lasted a few seconds before it stops.

Something pressed again in my lips and something was blown inside and then the repeated pressing in my chest followed.

The process was done one more time and then…

“Guaahh! Ahh…! Geho! Gehoo!”

“Ca! Thank goodness!”

My body suddenly jolted upright and I suddenly cough so hard that water comes flying out of my mouth and nose. My head felt a little dizzy and my body aches.

The coldness made my shiver a little but I try to affix my eyes to the person beside me.

Sitting beside me is a girl with tanned skin and brown wavy hair. She is small and petite but still probably taller than me and her pointed ears are a lot shorter than mine. That could only mean that she is a dwarf.

As my mind was able to catch up, I realized that the girl beside me is Merissa, the captain of the ship we got forcibly boarded. Although she looks tough, she is a fun and lively person. But right now, that captain is tearing up in relief as she saw my face.

‘Ca! How do you feel?! Are you hurt?!”

“Captain…I’m fine…also…did you saved me?”

“Yes…but… as you can see…”

As I look around, we are in a damped cave with blue crystals glowing everywhere. In front of us is a weird boat looking machine that lays down in the soil. After that machine, the trail of the soil is gone and only a strong current of water can be seen.

“Captain…where…are we?”

“Who knows…although I’m glad that you are safe, I can’t say the same to your twin and Asagao. Also, there’s the problem of getting out of this place. We seem to end up in an underwater cavern…”

“Hibiscus…is in danger?”