I rested my back and looked outside at the tall buildings and then at Sayaka sleeping on my lap. I brushed off her falling hair and checked her head. It was still hot to touch- the medicine had yet to kick in.

I silently stared at her pale face and bit my lips in anger. After all, it was my responsibility to look after her, and I failed.

I took out my phone to check how far the hotel was.

Only ten minutes away! I moved towards the front and checked the speed.

Should I ask him to speed up? I asked myself as I loosened my necktie. The air conditioning was on, but the car felt like an overheated toaster.

My white shirt stuck with my body as sweat trickled down my side hair. I took out my handkerchief and wiped off the few drops that fell on Sayaka and then my face.

"Here! Take this, please. It will help you feel better."

The driver turned back and gave me the can he took out from the locker.

"Thank you!"

I took his offer, popped open the can, and drank, hiding my uneasiness. It had no packaging or label. It looked utterly plain with the words, "Don't overdrink," and gave me an ominous vibe.

"It's common to see folks in your state. The air here doesn't suit others."

"I see."

I wiped off my mouth with my shirt, throwing away every last bit of dignity I had after I gulped down the last sip.

"Bwuahk!!!"

I couldn't hold the shivers I got and leaked my emotions. The drink left an odd aftertaste on my buds. It tasted like a blend of strawberry and mango mixed with toothpaste and soda, or in a few words- horrible.

"That drink is a specialty here," the driver commented without looking back.

My face convulsed- I pulled my toes and stretched. The sweetness almost made me throw up, but I somehow survived.

Who does even drinks this shit, much less overdrink?

I grimaced with my pale face as I landed the can in the dustbin.

"I see. How long?"

"Five minutes more. But if you want, I can speed up."

"N-No. It's fine."

"I will check on the doctor in the meantime."

I looked left and right and then at Sayaka's pale face.

"Doctor is on her way. She said she will be there by the time we drop there."

I nodded as I rested my head onto the edge of the window and closed my eyes.

Saffron?

My body felt heavier, it felt as if my head was about to burst at any moment, but somehow my heart relaxed.

I couldn't feel my body, much less move them. My senses grew duller as the faint smell faded. The only thing I felt was my parched and sore throat.

My stiffened muscles loosened as I lost control. I wanted to close my eyes and sleep, but everything seemed pitch black already to me.

I felt the sharp sensation of a needle on my right arm. I wanted to look at it, but my eyes didn't open- no matter how hard I tried, but they didn't bulge.

"All done!!! He should've waited for the school van. If he had gotten the shot after landing, he wouldn't have gone through all this."

"You don't need to feel sad for what he asked Uncle."

"Now stop making that face, Xepnir! Kratos, can you look after Xepnir?"

My closed eyelids twitched as I heard an oddly familiar name. One that brought back many memories of my hidden past.

"Kratos? Did you listen to what I just said?"

"Don't just shut the door and leave. It's almost my time."

"Kratos!!!"

I wanted to sneak a glance, but my condition didn't allow it. No matter how hard I tried, it just didn't.

"Xep, I gotta go and take care of the kids. See you later."

"Don't let him bother you."

"Yes, Mother Eve."

"Good luck!!!"

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I felt awkward overhearing the conversation, but I quickly sorted out my scattered thoughts and pulled myself back to the pressing matter.

I slowly opened my eyes- as I regained control over my body and saw the driver staring at me from the door.

I felt slightly uncomfortable at his gaze and averted my eyes sideways.

Huh? Where did she go? I checked again, but Sayaka wasn't on the bed as I had excepted her to be.

"How are you feeling?"

I raised my head with some difficulty and sat while resting my back on the wall- I felt tired as if I had been sucked dry.

"I am fine, but where is my sister?"

"Your sister? I see."

The driver walked in and sat on the chair.

"She went downstairs to call your parents. She quickly recovered after taking medicine."

"I see. So, did the doc tell your anything?"

"Not really- all she did was to prescribe your medicine."

He took out two strips from the bag he had in his hand and continued.

"You need to take the green one before eating and the white one before going to bed. I have already brought all the things."

"They also contain supplements for both of you. Be sure to take them for a few weeks."

He kept the bag on the table and got up.

"It's late already. Please allow me to take my leave."

"Yeah, sure! But before leaving, can you call Sayaka for me?"

"Sure!"

I sighed as he closed the door and dropped my back down to the bed.

"What a great way to start our new life!"

I scoffed as I recalled the events leading before my eyes fell on a small crumbled paper. I spread my hands to pick it up.

"Hmmmmm?"

My lips whirled as I read it and hid it under my pillow.

"Maybe I am overthinking it. But again- a blank paper?"

I took out the paper and looked at it carefully, and tore it off.

"Even if it's from Gurukul, it won't affect me."

I cleared my mind of any thoughts about the paper and looked at the door.

"What a pathetic human I became. Making my sister worry about me."

I conjured all my energy hearing the approaching footsteps and got off the bed to sit on the chair.

"Ni-san?"

Sayaka unlocked the door and hurried towards me with a weary look.

"I am feeling good now. You don't need to worry about me."

"But-"

"What did father say to you?"

"Mom picked up the phone. Father's cell was unreachable."

"Did you say-"

"Stop worrying about them. I already know what to tell and what not to. I just said we landed here safely."

"Are you hungry?"

I got up and sniffed myself. "I am going to take a shower. Look at the kitchen and take out what you want to eat."

"Ni-san, relax!!!"

Sayaka put her hands on my shoulder and sighed.

"The driver, Levi, already made it while you were resting."

"So you already had dinner?"

"No. I was waiting for you. Now go!!! I am hungry."

Sayaka opened the bathroom for me and pushed me in.

I turned on the shower and relaxed as water trickled down my body.

My body felt lightened after the shower, and my face much better and lively.

I got out and changed and then went downstairs.

"Ni-san, should I serve the food?"

I opened my mouth but soon closed it, disregarding what I was about to say, knowing how ineffective it was, and sat.

Sayaka kept the food on the dining- it was nothing fancy, but rice and fish curry. The curry smelled good- the scent of coriander along with the sweet-sour smell of fried onions locked on Sayaka's nose as she opened the lid.

"The smell- Ni-san, it smells greaat~ I can't hold any longer."

Sayaka quickly took out a large portion and gave it to herself, and started eating while I smiled- holding myself.

"Ah! Sorry!!!"

"It's alright. You don't need to get up. I can serve myself."

I filled my plate half with rice and poured the curry. The smell of spices hit my nose as it burned tingly.

"Ahhh!"

I instinctively let out a moan as I hurried and took a bite, savoring the spicy curry.

"Is it good?"

Huh? Oh! Shit!!!

God is cruel. I thought as I looked at Sayaka's running nose and watery eyes.

"If you can't manage the heat, try taking smaller portions of curry."

Sniff. Sniff.

"Ni-sa~n, help!!! I can't. It's too~ tat~ tasty!!!"

"God, what do you want me to do?"

Sniff. Sniff.

"H~help me. HAAAH- huuh- HAAAh- huuh!!! It's too spicy!!!"

"Then stop eating only the curry!"

"B-but~"

"You never listen, do you?"

I got up and gave her a napkin.

"Go to the basin and clean your face and make sure to blow your nose. I will do something."

Sayaka lowered her face and went to the basin while I opened the refrigerator.

"That girl never learns, does she?"

I took out a pouch of milk and lemon and turned on the gas.

I poured the curry and lowered the flame when it started sizzling. I milk and then a few drops of lemon and stirred the curry. The red color turned orange as the gravy grew viscous, and I turned off the flame.

"Sayaka, are you done yet?"

"This is what happens when you listen to your mouth than the brain!"

I cleaned the table and served the food. I spread the curry to cool it and squeezed the lemon in a bowl.

"Sayaka, are you done?"

"Al-most~"

I sighed as I went back to my place and ate quickly.

"Ni-san? Did you already eat?"

Sayaka noticed my empty plate and asked while rubbing her watery eyes.

"Yes, I already ate mine. And you should too. Now come here!"

I sat next to Sayaka, picked up a spoon.

"Do you want to eat it still?"

Sayaka nodded with a burning passion that made me sigh in my defeat. I took the curry, blew it cool, and fed her.

"There is nothing much I could have done. So don't complain about the taste."

Sayaka's eyes burst out again like before, but this time it was less violent.

"No!!! It's tasty- but Ni-san, it's hot!"

"Here, drink! Just take a small sip."

I handed her the lemon juice and continued to feed her till she was satisfied.

"How are you feeling?"

"My chest is burning!!!" Sayaka threw a tantrum and starting beating my chest and cried.

"Can I have some ice cream?"

"No. No. No. I am not letting you have ice cream at night."

"Please! Nothing will happen if I have a little bit of ice cream."

"No."

"Ni-san, please. I can't hold long. My chest is on fire."

"You deserve it then."

"Please!"

I frowned and took out the ice cream.

"Here,"

I handed over the bowl to Sayaka and watched her savor it.

"You do know that if you catch a cold, I am not going to look after you, right?"

"That's cruel, Ni-san. What if I died of a cold? I am sure you will feel guilty. So are you willing to take that bet?"

"Tch!"

I got up and flicked her head before taking the dishes.

"Are you going to sleep now or later?"

"When are you going to sleep?"

"Go to the bed. I will come after cleaning the dishes."

"Okay."

I cleaned up the dishes, turned off the lights, and went upstairs.

"Sayaka, are you there?"

I knocked on the door.

"I was waiting for you."

"Let me get changed."

Sayaka quickly jumped on the bed and turned off the light.

"Ni-san, hurry up!"

I wore my pajamas and laid on the bed. I pulled on the blanket while Sayaka poked me in the face.

"My pillow?"

I spread my arm for her as she kept her head on it and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, Ni-san."

"Goodnight."

I didn't close my eyes, but I kept looking at the ceiling and then turned towards the window.

Amidst the darkness, the tall buildings shone brightly- it was blinding. It was strange to believe everything. After all, this island was nothing but a wasteland sixteen years ago.

My eyes fell heavy as I continued to overthink and closed.