Child's Game

There were moments in my life when I became obsessed with specific subjects, and hours would pass without me even noticing. It could be random things like endangered animals from the Amazon Forest or chemical reactions. My interests varied in surprising ways.

There wasn't a single topic I couldn't get interested in. I'd devour all books and watch all videos I found intriguing, and with the same intensity that I'd immerse myself in them, I'd also jump to something else.

During one of those phases, I became curious about books and writing, and a few things stuck with me at that time. One of those was how to start a story.

I came across people's tips and advice on not starting with a character in a dream or answering a phone call. This type of beginning would lead the reader to perceive it as a 'false start,' investing their time in something senseless that wouldn't contribute to the narrative.

At least that's what I've absorbed from all my time studying it. But to be frank, I was neither a writer nor a particularly good storyteller. I was just the typical high school student, with the typical dad, the typical mom, and an unbearable little sister.

Yes, unbearable. The type that I wouldn't regret saying the offense over and over again.

She was insufferable.

Every time I got home after school, she'd flood me with her talk about things I couldn't care less about. She'd tell me about her day, her adventures at school, what she had or hadn't done. I always forced myself to listen to her to maintain the appearance of a good brother, but the truth is that I didn't like one bit of that. I'd prefer having my free time playing Claystation or reading light novels.

Still, I promised my parents I'd protect her with everything I had when she was born, no matter the cost. A childish promise, but one that wouldn't break even if I tried to. At least, that's what I believed.

When I arrived home that day, I kicked off my sneakers at the entrance and dragged myself to my room. Tossed my backpack to one side, my wallet and keys to the other, and buried myself in bed.

I didn't hate going to school, but there was nothing there that was worth my time or dedication. After all, I could do everything I truly liked from my home with a smartphone and a quick search on the internet.

I knew it wouldn't take long for the reaper of peace to arrive. And just like destiny deciding to play with my mood, soon enough, loud noises came from the hallway.

"Haru! Haru! Guess what I learned today?" said that little smiling creature opening the door.

"Hmm? What is it?"

She rushed straight towards me and jumped on the bed, bouncing up and down like her only objective was to take me from the rest I deeply urged.

"Today I ate lunch with Taka-chan and Fuji-chan, and then we did something Taka-chan's big sister taught her. It's like an old magic thing that makes any wishes come true."

Ah, youth... I couldn't even recall the last time I had done something like this. Maybe I was 12 or 13. The ritual we performed at the time involved drawing a 'yes' and 'no' on a piece of paper, placing a coin in the middle, and asking Kokkuri-san questions, in the hope of getting answers. Of course, it was all a silly game, a pastime to evoke fear, suspense, and curiosity.

At the time, was I as excited as my sister looked?

"Come on, let me show you, it'll be quick," she said, jumping off the bed and grabbing my hand.

"Alright, alright, let's go," I answered.

With my experience as a big brother, I knew that the sooner I listened to her requests, the sooner I'd be free of her pestering. So I got up and followed her instructions.

"First, we need paper and a pen," she said.

I pointed at my desk, and she skipped over to fetch the objects. Her long black hair swayed softly with the movement. Her radiant aura only reinforced my desire for her to finish it all quickly so I could be alone and take a nap.

Kneeling on the floor, she started drawing symbols on the paper. Her strokes were imprecise. She scratched her head, muttering things like "was it like this?" as she navigated the pen loosely.

"Wait, let me help you with that," I said, kneeling beside her.

She explained how she'd done it with her friends while I drew what she dictated to me. Her tiny eyes were sparkling as the lines took shape. A kind of excitement that I couldn't recall experiencing myself. In fact, it was something I would never remember since my earliest memories were empty spaces, deleted data.

The few I'd still have accessible inside my mind were visions of an empty house greeting me after coming home from school. My parents worked almost all day to support us, so I spent most of my time alone. And no matter how grateful I was for their hard work, I wished that one day, when I opened the door, someone would be there waiting to greet me.

By the time we finished the drawings, her eyes emitted a light so bright that it made me turn my face away to avoid blinding myself. A faint, forced smile formed on my lips to keep up the act.

"So? How does this work?" I asked.

"Hehe, now we only need to make a wish and say the magic words. After that, the wish comes true," she said, hands on her hips as if she were about to perform the impossible.

"So we make a wish and say a few words?"

"That's what I said, dummy."

Argh.

Of course, it was all a make-believe, but I had to keep up the act of a good brother, going along with her.

"I'm ready. You?"

I nodded.

"So repeat after me, shining star, coming breeze, make my wish come true with ease."

After repeating the words, her eyes closed as if she was waiting for some magical effect to appear. Naturally, nothing happened.

"Wow," I said. "I hope my wish comes true."

"Hehe, yes of course. This magic never fails, and all the wishes in the world will come true.

Her smile grew until her eyes were practically squinting shut. Little by little, even my body seemed to levitate, as though there really was something magical in that moment.

"So, what did you wish for?" I asked.

"I wished to see your smile."

The words hit me like a punch. Innocent, yet heavy. Deadly.

No answer came to mind. What would other people do in my place? All I wanted to do was to rest a little, be alone, do anything but that, but her sincerity made my own desires seem idiotic and shallow.

My little sister was right there, thrilled to share with me an experience she thought was so intense that she had to share it with me as soon as she got home.

I was a jerk.

An intense light lifted from the ground as I struggled with my conflicting and repulsive thoughts. The drawings, the symbols, all lighten up brightly.

So intense that I thought it was blinding me. No, it wasn't blinding, but erasing everything around us.

The eyes that once were full of warmth now stared at me with fear. An expression I had never seen on her face before, and one that didn't suit her at all.

The world around us was disappearing: books, paper, furniture, and even the walls started to vanish. An impulsive reflex took control of my body as I hurled myself over my sister.

"Haru!" she cried, her voice trembling.

I knew she was scared, so was I. But as her brother, I had to do something, protect her from whatever this was. My hand stretched out in a desperate act.

"Take my hand," I shouted in vain.

But no matter how much I wished, there was an incredible force that defied every law of physics, keeping me from reaching her.

The light swallowed us both.

I had failed to keep my promise, and with it, I had lost my sister.