Reina opened her eyes when she felt something prod her. Her consciousness slid in and out of existence as the voice grew louder.

“Reina, wake up.” Reina opened her eyes and discovered Xia’s face mere inches away from hers.

“Xia! Hi! When did you come here?” Reina asked.

“I’ve been here for a while,” Xia said with a sad smile. Strange. Reina could recall Xia being there but at the same time, not. Like a dream or something. More importantly-

“Why do you look so sad?” Reina asked. “You shouldn’t be sad. It’s a great day, the sun is shining, and-!”

“You shouldn’t have to go through this.” Xia said. “You shouldn’t have to suffer. It’s not fair for the Precept Prime to make you go through this, and it’s not fair for creeps to come-“ Xia stopped suddenly, looking mortified.

Reina cracked a smile. She needed to alleviate Xia’s worries. Reina didn’t understand what has caused Xia to be so pessimistic all of a sudden, but that was fine! She could help! “I don’t mind! I like sleeping! Sleeping’s fun!” she chirped.

“We both know that’s not what I’m talking about.” Xia said. Reina sighed and dropped her head. Yeah, she knew. Still, she was doing good! She had friends now!

“You have Veriy next,” Xia told her.

“Veriy?” Reina asked. She didn’t know somebody named Veriy. . . .did she? “Hmm. . .” Reina rubbed her forehead and scrunched her nose, trying to summon memories.

If anything, Xia looked even more heartbroken. “He’s your gym instructor, remember?”

The image of a short, wizened person popped into her head and Reina cheered. “Yeah, I think I know him! He was funny!”

“Uh, yeah, he is. Definitely. Did you time your watch correctly?” Xia asked.

“Sure did! Look!” Reina put her wrist up into Xia’s face for her to check. There was still a couple of hours before noon hit. She wasn’t going to forget about the injections!

“That’s good. Veriy should know but if he forgets, tell him Xia told you to leave, alright? Your safety is the number 1 priority. Nothing else matters.” Xia ordered, her gaze stabbing into Reina’s.

Reina pouted. “That’s not true! Ice cream sandwiches, macaroons, donuts-“

“Reina.” Xia cut in, her eyes warning. No time for jokes.

Reina sighed. “I know, Xia.” She tightened her grip on the scarf. Reina only wanted to keep everything happy. Was that so wrong?

Xia smiled and patted her head. Reina leaned into the touch regardless of herself. She was going to give up a good pay. “That’s a good girl.”

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“Why do you treat me like I’m a kid?” Reina asked. She was a grown up! 14 was definitely old enough to count! Xia shook her head when Reina told her this.

“We’re sisters and I’m the older one. And to an older sibling, the younger one is always a kid, no matter what. Do you know why?”

Reina grumbled, “No.” She was a bit mad she was always going to be a kid to Xia, but also curious as to why that is.

“Because, that way, we always have to look out for the younger ones. We make sure they’re safe, emotionally, mentally, and physically. It’s our duty, and I love the fact that it’s my duty.”

“But the younger sibling is also supposed to help the older one!” Reina said. “We’re supposed to make you smile and feel happy and stuff like that!”

“You do that by being here. By being safe, being healthy. You want to be a good younger sister and make me happy?” Xia confirmed.

Reina nodded. How could Xia doubt the fact! She loved her with all her heart, she would do anything for her. Even if she wasn’t actually her sister, she was hundred times better than her real sister!

“Then take care of yourself. Without you, I won’t be myself and you don’t want that, do you?”

Reina shook her head. Of course she didn’t. “Don’t worry, Xia! I’ll take care of myself better than anybody’s ever taken care of themself!” Reina frowned. Something was up. Then it hit her and she swatted at her sister. “Xia! How come you tricked me into taking care of myself!”

“I shouldn’t have to trick you. You should watch out for yourself without me telling you to.” Xia said. The corner of her mouth went up. “It’s pretty much common sense.”

“I disagree. You said I’m the most important thing to you a while back, right?” Reina asked.

“Two years ago, but yes. What’s your point?”

“According to you, shouldn’t you be the most important thing to yourself?” Reina asked, sure she had won. Her logic was infallible, because she was using Xia’s logic! And Xia was never wrong!

Xia looked away, her eyes like she was looking at something a thousand miles away. “It’s not the same for me. I did a lot of. . .things. Things I’m not proud about. I’m looking out for you to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes I do, to keep you safe. It’s the only way I can feel worthy. And even then, sometimes I wonder if I’m not supposed to be here.”

Reina stood on her tippy toes and patted Xia. “I did a lot of bad things too. Well, not me me but other me, and we’re kind of the same. If I’m allowed to stay here, then you should be too. After all, we get to be the Things Duo.”

Xia tilted her head amusedly. “The Things Duo?”

“Yep! It’s because we both did a lot of things and we both look after each other! So we’re the Things Duo!”

Xia nodded. “The Things Duo. I like it.” she said.

“So you take care of yourself, otherwise I’m going to come and yell at you!” Reina threatened. She was sure Xia was going to crack.

“Oh no, yelling at me. How will I cope?” she asked.

Reina narrowed her eyes. “Why do I get the feeling you’re being sarcastic?” she asked.

Xia laughed and drew Reina in for a hug. “You know I love you, sis.”

“I love you too.” Reina mumbled into Xia’s jacket. “But there’s one more person who should be in the group. Then it can be the Things Trio!”

Xia drew backward and stared Reina in the eyes. “Are you sure about this? I mean, she’s not exactly the most. . .pleasant person to be around.”

Reina nodded. “We’re sisters too. She’s a part of me.” Her smile turned wistful. “Besides, she was here before me. All this, it’s her life. Not mine.”

There was silence. Xia opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times, trying to think of the right things to ask. “I thought. . .you guys knew everything each other does?”

Reina fingered the end of her scarf. “I mean, it’s kind of like that. Usually, we get a brief overview. But sometimes, we can block it from each other. I always send everything I get, but she doesn’t.”

Understanding dawned in Xia’s eyes. “So, you really don’t know anything about what happened?”

Reina chuckled sheepishly. “No, not really. I wasn’t that active two years ago, it was mostly her.” Reina’s eyes landed on the clock and she shrieked. “Ah! I’m late! Bye, Xia! I love you!”

Kissing Xia on the check, Reina darted out of the classroom. In her haste, she didn’t notice the eyes, looming from the shadows. Watching. Leering. Waiting.