CHAPTER : 17.1 The Return of Haru and the Blood Between Cousins

Veronica woke with a start. Beside her, Elizabeth lay silently, watching.

“You’re going to school,” Elizabeth whispered.

Veronica groaned, then suddenly leapt onto Elizabeth, hugging her tightly before lying back down. She gently touched her forehead against Elizabeth’s and murmured, “I want to see the surprise.”

Elizabeth’s lips curled faintly. “Hm… alright.” She leaned closer, holding Veronica’s chin softly, her tongue barely brushing as though she were about to kiss her then suddenly, she vanished.

“Eliz? Eliz?” Veronica sat up, eyes darting first toward the doll, then to the door.

Her mother appeared. “Good morning, sweetheart!” She hugged her, her voice filled with warmth. “Are you ready for school?”

“Yes,” Veronica replied, though her heart was still racing. She showered, put on her uniform, and returned to the kitchen, where her mother gently combed her hair.

“Mama?”

“Yes, darling?”

“What’s the surprise?”

“If I tell you,” her mother teased, “then it won’t be a surprise.”

“Is it good?” Veronica pressed.

Her mother smiled. “Yes.”

Excitement carried Veronica quickly to school. But once there, everything looked ordinary, normal teachers, normal classmates. She slumped into her seat, disappointed.

Her teacher noticed her dozing off and placed a hand on her head. A sharp burn seared her palm, and she withdrew quickly. Veronica didn’t notice.

The teacher cleared her throat. “Class, we have a new student.”

Veronica looked up. A boy in a black cap entered.

“Please sit with Veronica,” the teacher said.

“No,” Veronica protested, glaring at her teacher. “Please… not with me.”

“There are no other seats,” the teacher insisted.

Veronica sighed, moved her doll onto her lap, and allowed him to sit.

When the lecture ended, the boy leaned closer. Veronica scowled. “What is your problem, huh? You… you idiot… baka… bitch!” She shoved him against the wall, her knife flashing in her hand.

“Wait! Wait—it’s me, Haru!” he whispered urgently.

Veronica froze. “Haru…?”

He pulled off his cap.

“HARU-KUN!” she gasped, her knife clattering to the floor. Tears welled as she threw her arms around him. “I missed you so much! Mama knew? You… you were the surprise?”

“Yes,” Haru smiled.

She hugged him tighter. But in the corner, Elizabeth’s unseen gaze hardened.

After school, Veronica skipped beside Haru all the way home. “I’m so happy… I have so much to tell you, Haru-kun!”

They burst through the door. “Mama! Haru-kun is here!”

Her mother beamed. Haru ruffled Veronica’s hair. “Happy thirteenth birthday, Veronica.”

“Ow, that hurt!” she pouted.

“That means it’s your birthday too,” Haru grinned.

Veronica squealed and dragged him upstairs.

“Eliz? Eliz!” she called.

Haru frowned. “Who are you calling—?”

The lights flickered violently. The air grew heavy. Blood dripped from the ceiling.

Haru’s face paled. “Wh-where am I?”

Elizabeth emerged from the shadows. “You’ve stepped into my world.”

Haru staggered back. But before fear could take root, Veronica grabbed Elizabeth’s face. “Don’t worry. He’s my cousin—we grew up together. We love each other as family. You can trust him.”

Elizabeth tilted her head, her eerie smile curving wider, though her eyes burned with jealousy.

That evening, they ate dinner together before returning to their rooms upstairs. Veronica poured out her secrets, every dark detail of her killings. Haru listened with fascination, laughing at moments, though unease lingered in his eyes.

“Veronica,” he said softly.

“Yes?”

“Let’s go to the beach… but with all our cousins. Everyone together.”

Veronica stiffened, glancing nervously at Elizabeth. Then she babbled, “Eliz, he’s my cousin. That’s all. You can trust him.”

Elizabeth didn’t reply. She only watched, her silence heavier than words.

Haru kissed Veronica’s forehead gently. “Good night.”

“Gooooooooood night, Haru-kun,” she whispered, clutching her doll.

As they drifted into uneasy sleep, Elizabeth’s gaze glowed from the corner, jealous, watchful, and unblinking.