Preparation ✧ 1

When I called my aunt to tell her about the news, to say that she was overjoyed would be an understatement. While she was not an Aberrant herself, she always fussed over me, wanting to make sure I never suffered because of the prejudices attached to it.

Not to mention, even though she never pressured me to talk about it, she must have been worried about my status after graduation… to hear that I had found myself something to be a part of had moved her to the point of tears.

She also sweetly thanked me for taking care of her home in her absence, and that she would absolutely try to create an opportunity to catch our show. My heart was about to become a blue bird and fly to the sky. My family members watching me, hundreds of people watching me, all the eyes and attention on me… ah, just how would things go?

I had also asked for permission to look at the old newspapers and magazines in her home, as I wanted to learn more about the various Aberrant organizations. If I were to be a member of one, it would be unfit for me to keep being oblivious to it all, right?

She gladly agreed, and told me that she didn’t throw away anything that had information with Aberrants in it.

“I have been collecting them since the time we learned about you and Mimi… ah, you two have grown up so fast…”

In her teary voice, I could hear all of her love for me, for Mimi, for us. With a shaky voice that was starting to resemble hers, I thanked her for all her support and love, and that I looked forward to seeing her again.

“I wish you and Mimi best of luck, my dears. Go and make that amazing show happen. Smiles!”

I ended the call with her, using a parting phrase unique to Tamamirans. Afterwards, I immediately made it my mission to find the printed materials she had mentioned in the call and to soak up all the information.

One of the first ones that caught my eye were a bunch of advertisement pamphlets of the AAA. These were about the events they held in Balamur City, the ones my aunt had told me about before. Inspecting the pamphlets, I learned that these were all focused on kids, and emphasized fun activities, ensuring they socialized well and found confidence within their own community.

I felt warm seeing the smiling photos of the kids in the advertisements. Well, I had grown up a bit too much for such activities, but just viewing the fun atmosphere had managed to conjure up a smile on my face.

“I think I'd dislike them… It must be loud with all the kids making a racket…”

“Alright, grandma. Don't worry, we won't ever get to attend such an event.”

My heart sort of fizzled saying that out loud. Had I missed out on incredible experiences while growing up? All I had in the village that was anything akin to an “event” was holidays that I would spend with the elderly, helping them out with meal preparations and the like.

“You called me a grandma, but it’s not like we had any other choice but to hang out with them.”

“It’s okay… this time around, we get to be our age! Tis the time for youth!”

Next up, I found a magazine article that was talking about none other than the organization I was a part of now, the Flourishing Hearts Network! It seemed to be from three years ago, and contrasting with the pamphlets of the AAA, the article picture included Director Emery standing with people of different age groups, but especially adults. I scanned with my eyes to see if I could spot anyone familiar, but it was of no use.

“Most likely the Circus didn't exist back then. The photo seems to be taken in another Section, too.”

Oh, the Director had been traveling to all sorts of places, meeting all sorts of people… I found myself feeling rather envious of that. She was a truly admirable individual, working hard to touch the hearts of so many Aberrants all over the globe.

“Speaking of… do you have any idea if she's one or not?”

“Well, she certainly doesn't seem to have anything ‘off’ about her appearance? Perhaps, if she is one, it might be something similar to our situation. Or a special talent of some sort? I dunno, really.”

“Hmm… it'd be sort of rude to ask her directly. I wonder if anyone knows…”

Then, I got to reading the article. My eyes hastily scanned over the words, curious to eat up any information I could spot. The article seemed to be about a charity event they had held in Teidei. It seemed that it was a food focused event, and the profits all went to Aberrants who had difficulties finding employment and fulfilling meals.

The article then continued to talk about the history of the organization and that it was a fairly new one, found around fifteen years ago. Oh… that meant the organization was almost the same age as us…?

Eighteen years full of activities, charity events and even a circus show added to their portfolio now… they had surely filled up those years with so many valuable moments.

“Unlike us.”

“...ouch.”

It was alright—our time had surely come now! While Mimi’s remark hadn't really affected the smile on my face, the next lines I read wiped it off completely.

“After the tragic sudden passing away of Director Olwen, the leadership had been taken over by Emery, her sister.”

Oh…

Me and Mimi were silent for a good minute, each lost in our own thoughts. Not knowing what to say, I kept on reading. It stated that the generous spirit of the late Director had been carried over and the organization was getting bigger than ever with Director Emery’s efforts. However, there wasn't more information about the FHN, and the article had soon switched to talk about other issues of Teidei.

I put down the magazine, it felt like it had become heavier with the information I had learned about the Director’s loss.

For her to be able to continue working so hard, despite such a terrible loss… I technically didn't have a sister, but I didn't even want to think about what kind of world it'd be without Mimi by my side.

“I… damn, I don't even know what to say. I guess it's a good thing we found it out right now instead of accidentally saying something wrong in front of the Director.”

Indeed… now we would know to be more careful about mentioning family in front of her. And more than anything else, really, my respect for her had grown even bigger.

Even though I had no direction for my life, I found myself itching to be of use, to make meaningful differences in people's lives—especially Aberrants. Joining the circus was definitely a step in the right direction for us, but I wanted to do more.

“Who wants to ask what Mimi wants to do? Hint, she doesn't want to be that involved with strangers.”

“You say that, and yet you're as excited as I am about this circus thing, aren't you?”

“Mind you, it's just that I caught a vibe with the staff. Plus, I'm more interested in the backstage tasks rather than socializing. They're rather fun and satisfying.”

I smirked. “You know, we share the same body. You think I don't sense the warmth in your chest and the flush on your cheeks when you talk to people and make them laugh?”

“Shush you. I'm a mere introvert, not some sort of antisocial creature. ‘course I'll feel damn proud of myself when I entertain people.”

She loved to make me laugh as well, and she was rather good at it. Just by talking to her, I could feel myself being able to digest what I had just learned about a bit smoother, too.

Director Emery… we would surely do our best and make the show a success in Birann.

Putting the magazine aside, I looked at some random newspapers my aunt had stored. The articles I spotted about Aberrants included things about their employment percentage, their integration into society, their history and research about the genetic factors that might be involved. There were also some debates about whether it was a sickness, or just a different way of being. I had heard of similar things with my own ears countless times, so I didn't learn much from the newspapers.

After examining some medicine and supplement advertisements for Aberrants, I stretched my body and picked myself up from the ground.

“Alright then, let's get our preparation going. Our bus back home leaves early tomorrow.”

“Please, let me switch, please. I love preparing suitcases…”

I chuckled. “Who are you talking to? You know I don't get a saying in this.”

…if I could, I would have handed over our body to her in a heartbeat. She was the one who loved organizing things, and definitely not me.

“I don't know, whoever is in charge of this, I guess. Hey. It's me, Mimi. Requesting body access.”

Much to our dismay, nothing happened, and it was me who had to prepare our travel suitcase. At least her funny remark had put a smile on my face, and I was able to get things done and over with, having her amusing conversations accompanying me at all times.

That one magazine article kept on haunting me, though. How did it feel to lose someone dear to you? Even the thought of such a foreign concept shook me down to my soul.

Once we were done with packing things up, I brought my arms towards my chest to wrap my body in a hug, swaying from side to side.

“...what are you doing.”

“Ah, I was just thinking how much I'd love to hug you if I could~”

“Ew. Too sentimental for my liking.”

“Hehe, come on~ I love youuu, Mimi!”

A few seconds of silence, followed by the quiet muttering of “...I love you, too.”