A dream…

A disturbing, sad, and a story of misfortune, everything came rushing to my mind like they are just recent events in my life. It’s like mine and Nil’s memories merges with each other.

But why is it happening?

It was Nil’s memory of his first year of arrival in this world…

Revision…Vische…the Joker Devil…everything. I wonder how I am going to swallow everything. I feel like the burden that Nil carried at that time is weighing on my very own shoulders.

I don’t know why but his pain is becoming mine too…

Why did something like that happened…?

My head hurts, I’ve noticed it since gaining consciousness. I can feel my chest tightening from what I have witnessed. It’s like I was there when Vische and everyone that Nil knows dies.

Upon mulling everything with my eyes closed, tears started spilling from my lids. I can’t stop my eyes from shedding it. It is just too cruel even if Nil did something wrong. To think that he actually wanted to redo everything because he learned to more of a human.

There are a lot of unfilled questions but, I can’t seek a further answer for it. I am scared to delve further into it…

What I know and what I can only notice…is the pain and suffering of Nil…

It’s suffocating, it burns my chest as I repeatedly recall those memories that were forced to merge with mine.

“Nggnnhh…”

“What’s wrong, Asagao?”

A voice called out to me and at the same time, a large, rough hand lands on my forehead and moves back and forth as if rubbing me gently. No, I am certain that it is the intention behind it. And moreover, the voice is familiar…A voice I haven’t heard for a long time…

Upon sensing such tender sensation, I slowly open my eyes with anticipation and no less than three seconds, I immediately recognize the man that pet my head with slow, rough stroke but warm and pleasant.

“Fonfon…”

“Good morning, Asagao. It has been so long.”

“It this…still a dream?”

His gaze becomes even more tender as I ask that question. A faint smile broke out on his lips and his fingertips started combing on my hair and playfully strokes it.

“I hope it is…I hope that you didn’t have to go through all of those pain. I hope that I was there for you but all I did was to show you my embarrassing side and slept for a long time…”

“……”

“I owe you an apology…I owe you so much now that I can’t even reprimand you. I got even angry at you for lying back then and now, look at me. I broke my own promise to you. That I will protect you and will fight beside you.”

“Yeah, I’m not going to let you off so easily. You’ve been tardy for so long that you haven’t fulfilled your role as my dearest elder brother.”

I replied to his apology while breaking out into a soft grin. My cheeks flush as I mustered the courage to tell those haughty words. We are no longer playing brother-sister anymore. We are real siblings, if not, still related.

He leans his head towards me while still stroking me who is still laying down on the bed covered with a comfortable layer of sheet. As he does so, he gave me a light kiss on my forehead.

“I am sorry…I’m really sorry. How many times did I said those words, yet, I am still a useless brother to you. But I can’t still tell myself to steer away from you. I have been cursed for a long time that I’ve fallen in love with the blessing that you’ve brought me.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Hey…you’re so wordy. Stop that, it’s embarrassing. More apology is unneeded. I ought to support you and I know that you will do the same. Also…um…we are not the only one here…”

I’ve halted my breathing from his cheesy words. I am happy with how he feels about me and how he keeps consistent about it. I am happy that he didn’t think of completely abandoning me despite everything that happened between us.

Fonfon is the very first person that gave me a place to stay in this world. Not that I had a choice back then but it made me really joyous. Also, though I have a lot of complex about being a little sister since I am a man previously, having an elder brother to dote on me is really pleasant.

However, I would have loved it if his timing on saying those words is perfect. A bulge started mounding under the sheet beside me.

I showed Fonfon a frigid smile and he has a gaping mouth.

As the shaking mound stops, it started crawling beside me and eventually, she came out under the thick sheet of blanket. Her silver hair sways and her big bright yellow eyes immediately focus on Fonfon.

“Fuah! How nice!”

“Miss Alstroemeria?! And so small?!”

Alstroe came out under the sheets. I haven’t mentioned it because of the atmosphere but yeah, she’s been sleeping beside me. I am guessing she woke up as soon as I woke up too. Knowing that fact, she heard everything we said.

Right now, she has a wide smile on her lips with glittering eyes as she looks at Fonfon. Her eyes say that she is really pleased with Fonfon’s actions. After that, she looks back and forth between me and Fonfon with glittering eyes.

“I…Why…?! What are you doing here? Why are you so small and cute?!”

“Eeee? I don’t know. But, but! You’re so sweet with Asagao! You’re such a good brother! Here, let me praise you too!”

Alstroe stretches her short limb and pats Fonfon on the head. Fonfon, upon realizing that Alstroe was listening and now, patting his head despite being the taller one, sprouted a complicated and flustered countenance.

“It’s a little weird when I am the one getting this kind of treatment…”

“Don’t resist now okay? You owe me so much right? Ehehehe.”

“Well, whatever. As long as you are happy. But really now…this is really weird and embarrassing even though she is a friend of yours…”

“So you say but you are not saying anything that you dislike it.”

“Well of course, not that she is this small and cute.”

True…

The way Alstroe now, I think she is extremely adorable with an outward appearance of a seven years old.

No knows the cause of her shrinking and the only relief is that Alstroe didn’t have anything else changed. She has always been childish and idiotic anyway so I can’t tell if her mind regressed back too.

Even Violetta doesn’t have any inkling idea of why. She conceded on the case upon guessing that it is deeply tied to the aspect of Ki. The only ones who can turn to at this time are Hydrangea and Senya, however, at this very moment, Senya is busy with the Center Continent reconstruction and cleansing while Hydrangea is nowhere to be found.

The only people left I could think of is the Fairy Kin in which we need to go to the Rainforest of Healing again. The alternative is the monks who trained Alstroe somewhere in this part of continent. The problem is we don’t know where they are.

For now, what comes first is Fonfon…

“Hey…are you okay now?”

“How much have you heard from Violetta?”

“She only told me that you were in a coma. That…you weren’t able to control Astlan’s Ira…”

“Yeah…that’s true. It wasn’t the first time actually, however, this time was the worst. I’m sorry for letting you witness such dreaded power.”

“No, I want to know more about it. The power that deeply ties you to Astlan’s wrath. His wrath against the gods and goddesses…”

“Asagao…It’s dangerous…”

“Are you still thinking of that? Believe in me…”

“Well…yeah…you did save the world…”

“No…it is not just me. Everyone did their part.”

“Hahaha…Like what Violetta said, you’ve become more feisty, bold, and forward. You are far courageous now compared to the past you.”

I am slowly realizing those changes too. I was too self-conscious in the past that it blocked my sight of my slow growth.

I’ve always been a fool and, what is generally known to my friends, reckless. It stings a little that people always show concern for me. Factoring my appearance, my known behavior is what worries everyone the most.

……

Wait…

Aren’t I a real headache?!

No, no, no, I knew that for a long time now but…wait…eh?

“Hahaha! Asagao, what a weird face!”

“You are thinking of something really deep again Asagao. That’s where you start making misconception you know?”

Apparently, Alstroe and Fonfon notices my unrest and called out to me. Am I really that obvious when I delve into my own thoughts?

Geez…I hate how I am emotionally gullible.

Also, Alstroe, what weird face are you talking about? It may sound a little narcissistic but I am aware that my own looks are one of the best around.

Err…even admitting that myself is a little…I want to take it back!

“Oooh! Now your face is becoming red like an octopus!”

“W-What’s wrong Asagao? Fever?! Is it Fever?! Do you feel ill?!”

Geez!

I don’t know if they are teasing me or just concerned!

“Enough of this! Geez! Get out now Fonfon!”

“Eh?! You’re chasing me out because you got flustered by something?!”

“I’d like to know more about what happened to you and I wanted to tell you so much about what happened to me!”

“Then, let’s talk! I’ve missed you so much!”

“Alstroe and I need to change! Look at us! Even if I am your little sister, I’d love to have more privacy!”

“Eh? I’m fairly certain that you won’t even mind taking a bath with me!”

“GET OUT!”

It’s really out of my character!

No, is it because I am developing a shame as a girl?! I have already accepted that my feelings and emotions are being incorporated into a maiden’s heart but still…

Looking closely at Alstroe and my dress, we are wearing but thin fabric of silk designed like a negligee. I hate to admit it but it is damn comfortable. I love the smooth feeling of the dress slipping to my skin like water but gives a pleasant feeling.

I’ve never slept like a champion before but with the combination of this top class bed, this freshly washed thick sheet, and this negligee, my nights have been nothing but sleeping like a log. It is more pleasant with Alstroe sleeping beside me.

Anyway, Fonfon hurriedly led himself out of the room.

“Phew…glad that’s over. Let’s get change now Alstroe.”

“…How nice. Asagao, you are so close to your brother.”

Right…

I remember that…Alstroe also has a family of her own but…she was mercilessly kicked out at such young age.

“Don’t worry, you are a family for me, remember? We promised each other.”

“Oh yeah! I’m so happy that Asagao remembers!”

“And you don’t…?”

“Ehehe…sorry.”

“Don’t ehehe me!”

“Kya! Catch me!”

“We need to get changed!”

I started chasing after the frolicking Alstroe.