After Akira had recovered from the fall, the three of them continued to live their lives, as if nothing of this had ever happened. The creature had taken all of Akira's memories about the existence of Shinigami and the fact that he was about to die soon. This knowledge would have been merely a burden for him.
Every time it caught Akira doing homework or any other responsible nonsense, it always did its best to stop him—convincing him to play games or do some funny stupid things instead.
Their mother often got angry, blaming the creature for being a bad influence on his brother.
It felt sorry. It didn't want her to worry. But it was sure she would understand if she knew…
Yet, here was no way it would ever tell her. Once all this was over, the best it could do would be to erase all memories of her beloved son and his brother, who had long been gone.
At least Akira wouldn't be alone, in heaven, or wherever he was going after his death.
----------------------------------------
Saturday, October 31, 1998
When the long-awaited—or rather, long-dreaded—day of farewell arrived, Laureen was nowhere to be found. She just didn't show up. Though, it was no surprise to the creature. The pain must have been simply too much for her to handle—to put on a mask, as if everything would be fine.
The creature would have liked to make use of such an excuse aswell—would rather not be there when its beloved brother died—but it was itself who would bring this about, so it couldn't complain after all.
Lying lifeless on the bed, the curtains drawn over the window, it replayed everything in its mind once more. All the good and the bad… ironically there wasn't really anything bad besides the fact that it was about to end.
How long had it been here?
Maybe about 5 years…?
5 years of procrastination… 5 years of guilt—constantly facing the inevitable.
"Shouldn't you be happy today, brother?" a cheerful voice asked, as the mattress lightly bounced when Akira threw himself down next to the creature.
It didn't move an inch, although its heart pounded heavily. "Hm? What?" It murmured, looking at him with a dazed expression.
Akira was now sitting next to it, asking concernedly, "Are you mad at me…? I didn't forget, if that's what you're thinking!"
Didn't forget? “Didn't forget what?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"Your birthday?!" asked Akira, almost outraged. Then, a certain realization spread across his face. "—Oh, you're kidding me again, right?” He laughed, sounding both, mad and amused.
My... birthday? When was that, anyway?
It didn't know anymore. After all these years, it had forgotten. No one had ever celebrated with it, let alone congratulated or given gifts to it.
Akira pushed something towards it, his eyes hesitantly looking at the box adorned with gift wrap and a red ribbon. "Here, for you."
The creature took it absentmindedly, a confused expression on its face as it first looked at the object, then at Akira's smile.
"...?"
“It's your birthday present, stupid,” he blurted out, thinking that his brother was making fun of him.
“But why today…?”
Akira's eyes narrowed. “I'm not gonna keep falling for your pranks!" and started giggling.
"Um... f-fine, I'll open it,” it said somewhat nervous.
Akira's eyes were full of curiosity as they lingered on the creature.
It had never received a present before. It didn't know how to feel, let alone how to behave. Carefully it tore open the paper, its fingers trembling. Was it from excitement? Or from joy? It felt overwhelmed—wanting to live up to Akira's expectations.
With an empty stare, it gazed at what was inside the box.
Akira continued to intently observe every single muscle, every expression on his brother's face. "Don't you like it…?"
The creature startled. There was a trace of sadness spreading across Akira's face. “W-what?!” Only now did he actually focus his gaze on the object before him. It was round, with a loop on each side... "That's... a watch?”
Akira began to stutter, "Yes... but—well, if you don't like it, we can exchange it—"
“No!” it exclaimed, before falling silent again, gathering its thoughts. "I think it's… it's beautiful..." The watch was golden and gleamed with a silver touch, looking somewhat old-fashioned, yet valuable. “But why...?”
Akira chuckled. “Well, you've been staring at your arm so often lately; I thought a watch wouldn't hurt."
Seeing his brother still unexcited and rather sad, he pondered. “You... you can read the watch, right?”
But the creature remained silent.
Presents... In the world of Shinigami, there was no place for such things. But here, in the world of mortals, everything was different. So beautiful and cruel at the same time.
Death was cruel. Both when it came for oneself, but especially when it tore loved ones apart. What would it have done to trade its life for his…
"Hey, it's okay," he said with a comforting tone. "I can teach you. It's not like time is running away from us."
It stared at the watch. The hands moved steadily forward. With every tick, it reminded the creature that time would always march forward. It was the only thing truly immortal.
Then its finger rose up, gently resting on Akira's face, to catch it; the tear that ran down his cheek. The creature did it so delicately, as if it were a precious pearl of immeasurable value.
Akira must've sensed it. That his time was running out. Or perhaps he was simply saddened by the despair forming on his brother's face.
"1 minute remaining!" Exclaimed the system, reminding the creature of its duty.
It's heart raced faster.
Why…
Why already…?
It didn't want this. It didn't want any of it anymore. Why did it have to make this decision? Was there even a decision to be made?
It couldn't.
It simply couldn't kill Akira.
Everything in it resisted even the thought of it.
But the hands of the clock continued to move.
Time shows no mercy.
35...
34...
33...
It opened its mouth. It had to say something—just anything. It had to use these last seconds. Time was too precious—too valuable to waste on such useless thoughts.
Say something!
Now say something, damn it!