There was no way the book would be in Serein’s database- and there was a simple answer to that; ‘Epiphany of Five Souls,’ had not been published.

“So, you’re saying he has a book that’s not published yet? Maybe he’s the author of it then—”

“— no,” Reya said quietly, her hands subconsciously reaching for the chain on her neck. Her warm fingers met the cold metal, and her fingers slipped it off.

She held the locket up in front of her and clicked it open. Tears pricked at her eyes as her gaze landed on him, his adorable face, his soft hair, and his sparkling smile. That hauntingly sweet smile that she could never forget.

“That book was written by Lin.”

A small gasp escaped Serein’s lips, and she nodded slowly.

“You mean… your brother?”

Lin had disappeared a month ago. No evidence, no witnesses, and no traces. All that was left of him was the small image of him, locked safely in her locket.

And the school he went to.

Hikari Academy. The most prestigious boarding school in all of Sakura City. So why was it that all the evidence she had collected led her back to here, this wretched place? It was because of one thing, and she was sure of it- and she’d been sure of it, ever since the detective in charge of his case had told her that he was last seen at his school.

The Academy had something to do with Lin’s disappearance.

“Reya, are you sure it’s his book? I know Lin wrote quite a few stories…” Serein trailed off, staring at her friend with a concerned expression. Reya nodded her head.

“I may have forgotten the story, but that title is etched into my memory, Serein. I’m sure.”

Her friend seemed to think about this for a while, and the two of them remained silent for some time. Reya listened to the chirping of the night crickets as she glanced out the window at the sparkling stars.

“Reya. I know what you’re thinking. But please- for once, please don’t do anything. If Ray Han is in possession of your brother’s book when it’s not even published, that means he could have been a culprit—”

“— which is exactly why I should strangle him!” Reya burst, feeling extremely frustrated.

Serein sighed, “no, Reya. It means that he could be dangerous- or interacting with him would put you in danger.”

Reya didn’t reply to that, because she didn’t know what to say. And a part of her knew it was true.

Serein sighed again, running a hand through her hair, “Please, Reya. For gods' sake- please don’t do anything until we get to the bottom of this.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

For the next few weeks, Reya’s eye bags sunk to the floor every morning. She’d spend the whole night gathering notes, old and new, printing pictures, and attaching the strings- anything she could remember about her brother’s case had been thrown onto her conspiracy board in three weeks.

It was as if she were a machine; she’d wake up for school, drained as hell, then go to school and do Ryou’s errands, which seemed to never end.

That boy took every chance he could to make her buy food for him, do his homework, carry his books, clean his shoes after basketball practice, and even do his laundry for him. But Reya did everything without protest, because she was going to keep her word for losing the bet.

Ryou, seeing that she was doing it all without complaint, seemed to start build respect for her. The month of errands quickly ran out, and Reya was cleaning his shoes for the last night, watching him talk with a few of his friends.

The gym quickly emptied out, and Ryou walked over to her and slumped lazily onto the bench next to her. He was still sweating and panting, clearly burnt out. Reya handed him a water bottle, and he chugged it down in five gulps.

He sighed, wiping the water off his face with his arm and tossing the empty bottle into the trash bin. He then turned to her, glancing at her as she put his clean shoes into his bag.

“All done,” Reya said shortly, standing up. Ryou grabbed her wrist.

“Hold up,” he quickly let her go, remembering how she’d told him not to touch her, “you’re leaving already?”

“Well, the month is up,” Reya slowly sat back down on the bench, feeling too awkward to leave now that he’d said this.

“You’re so dry, you know? Always cold, short responses. And you look like you always stay up all night, you never give guys your number, and you never interact with people, you’re so hard to approach, yet you’re the talk of the school. It won’t hurt to smile a little, you know?”

Reya paused, and her eyes flickered to Ryou’s for a second. She turned away.

“There’s nothing to smile about, so why should I?” She scoffed, looking up through the glass roof. A full moon illuminated the dark gym, and the stars cast shadows onto her hands.

“See? This is what I mean,” he nudged her playfully, smirking. Reya flinched at the sudden gesture, giving him a look. Ryou made an innocent face and scratched the back of his head. He leaned back on the wall, then gazed up at the stars.

“You know, if you can’t find a reason to smile… then do something that makes you happy. Don’t just work like a robot every day, stuck to one schedule,” he stood up triumphantly, a satisfied smirk plastered on his face.

“… something that makes me happy?” Reya thought for a while. Nothing made her happy anymore.

Not after Lin disappeared from her life.

“Basketball,” Ryou said, looking back down at her, “I hate to admit it, but… you’re a naturalist at everything. You’re top of your grade in every subject. But when it comes to basketball, you really shine, you know?”

Reya sighed, looking down at her feet, “I quit basketball years ago.”

“But you still tied with me,” Ryou retorted, frowning, “come on, life becomes a chore when you don’t do anything fun.”

Reya sighed again, deeper this time. This boy was really content on her playing basketball, though he nearly lost to her. What on earth is wrong with him?

“… I don’t think your team will be pleased to see me at training.”

Ryou thought about this for a second, and then clicked his fingers, “it’s all good! I’m friends with the Captain. I’ll get him to ask Coach for me.”

“I thought you were the best basketball player in the entire school,” she said in a mocking tone, “doesn’t that mean you’re the Captain?”

Ryou flushed, and scowled, “shut up. I’m still a good basketball player.” Reya nodded at him in an un-convincing way, watching him swing his bag over his back and storm out of the gym.

She sat there, alone in silence, gazing up through the glass ceiling once more.

Something that makes me happy? Smile more? Socialise? Screw it all.

I just need to find Lin… and then I can finally find my happiness.