When the Yarrow Burns, Asakura Stifles.

Millions of stars were sprinkled behind it, a few large ones but mostly a multitude of little white spots. Every now and then, a twinkle caught my eye. This was an unfamiliar sight from the city we were in a few hours ago, where the lights never went down, perpetually hiding the beauty of the nighttime sky.

I tightened my grip against Hakuro’s body. Water dripped from her pajamas, making my hand wet in the process. My throat felt dry as if I had swallowed sand from the aridest desert, and the cries of the cicadas broke the tense atmosphere. My gaze was still on the object Mima was holding.

It seemed to be a naginata, which I found highly unusual. The metal pole was covered in gold, with decorative motifs that were hard to see due to the dim light that enveloped her. The blade was surrounded with ceremonial strips, as well as Shinto bells.

Mima gave a step forward; my heart went to my throat.

“I am sorry,” her cheerful voice became deep, pulling me into a trance. “This will only take a few seconds, Asakura-kun.”

At an incredible speed, her weapon slashed the space on top of my head while she leaped forward with grace. Her hair swept the moonlight and her dress stole its beauty with its delicate flutter. I could feel as if the wind itself had been cut in half, split open right on top of me and my little sister.

Purple and yellow dust flew by the area, however, it did not feel like actual dust. I wasn’t coughing, nor dead at least, and my surroundings were glittering as if we were at the bottom of the sea, the light flickering from above.

“Seems I jumped to conclusions,” Mima spoke again, her voice still monotone.

And then, my shirt was suddenly covered in blood.

Blood came from Mima’s mouth.

She started to cough, and the unusual phenomenon stopped, as well as her naginata vanished in thin air. Falling to the ground like a wounded butterfly, she kept on coughing and spitting the scarlet liquid. She cleaned her mouth and gasped for air.

“I’m glad… I was wrong.”

Losing consciousness right in front of me, I was at a loss for what to do.

A plethora of questions were swimming inside my mind. However, the first thing I should do is ensure Hakuro’s safety, as well as Mima’s.

☂

After changing Hakuro into a new pair of clean pajamas, I stared at Mima’s body which I somehow managed to bring inside as well. In comparison to my sister’s light and delicate figure, I was surprised to find out that Mima wasn’t as easy to carry. Her body complexion seemed thin, but once I felt her body on my hands, I could firmly feel she had some muscles and a little bit of fat. Something a simple hug we shared was unable to tell me.

I still had to change my bloody clothes, but that could wait. First, I had to assess the situation.

Mima used her powers to verify something. Her attitude changed as well. No point in dwelling too much on it right now. I need to know why Hakuro was watering the flower bed if it has been raining non-stop since morning, and the downpour stopped a little before 7 PM. I called around that time and no one picked up, which means that Hakuro was already outside either watering or collapsed on the ground.

“Think, Kanro. Think!”

Circling the small living room as if I were a father waiting for their firstborn child to magically appear from the surgery room, my thoughts only diverted to Mima’s soundless sleep. She looked at peace, albeit with some tiny rustles here and there. Hopefully, she wouldn’t fall from the sofa. Clearly, I was not focusing at all.

“Why would Hakuro be watering the flower bed after the rain?”

Truth be told, I had no idea.

Even if Hakuro and I share a bond I can’t quite put into words, her actions do throw me up for a loop most of the time. Now that I remember…

“She literally begged me to come home after school,” a sudden dread overcame my senses once again. “She knew this would happen?”

It felt as if there was a force pressing down on me. I don't want to move at all. Hakuro looks at me like the fire in her eyes has been dowsed with ice water, if anything it makes my baby blue paler in comparison. I'm not used to it, it unnerves me. It's like she just crawled right back inside some invisible shell and no matter how hard I try she's unreachable. She moves her eyes more slowly, like they're heavy, an effort to drive.

I blinked thrice.

Hakuro wasn’t there anymore.

Of course, she wouldn’t be there you dumbass, she’s resting inside the bedroom all feverish.

Yet, her presence lingered.

Come on Kanro, you’re better than this.

I might have remembered a vital piece of information but I quickly dismissed it. My little sister keeps a journal, always very colorful and pretty. Filled to the brim with stickers and decorations of Birby. Closed with a single button, not a lock and key, it was always within my reach.

She trusted anyone not to read it, and I complied.

Perhaps, maybe so, she wrote something about today that could help me. A breach of privacy for her sake. No, that’s not right. I shouldn’t. If I do, her sole presence would bring me down with a thousand arrows, just like before. Flickering. Captivating. Entrapping me.

Holding still, I turned to look at the flowerbed through the window.

How stupid of me. This was the first thing I should have done.

Stupid, stupid Kanro.

The flower vase was empty.

Clenching my fists, I hurried to where the peonies and morning glories scattered.

The soil was a little muddy, and it was perfectly clear Hakuro had been standing right here. Taking a closer look, there were places where the colorful view was stepped on.

Her frail body was there, looking for the most perfect and beautiful flower to put inside the vase. Vivid, Crystal-clear. A delicate pitter-patter, her sandals sliding through the mud and both hands carrying the watering can, her usual routine.

Suddenly, she notices that it had been raining all morning and afternoon. Deflated, she felt sad for the watering can. It always had a big role in her routine, and being so accustomed to it, she just brought it with her as always even if the flowerbed was already blessed with the dew.

Sparkling and glittering, Hakuro went inside the flowerbed to pick one of mother’s favorites. Which one would she like to see? Would she be proud of how good care she had taken of the flowers? Would it be brilliant enough to break through the sky and reach her sight? And with all those lukewarm thoughts, her petite body fell down as a leaf in autumn.

Yes. I am sure of it. That’s what happened. There is no doubt.

Closing my eyes and opening them again, the image of her became blurry, just like watercolor

“It’s terrifying how cryptic she is. Hakuro should’ve just said she was feeling sick instead of hiding it this morning. I’m an awful brother, how could I let this happen again?”

Memories I had kept buried deep within tried to escape. With all my strength, I wished to burn the war within my mind.

“Asakura-kun.”

Silvery, and fruity as apples. Her voice shook my entire core, and I turned around like a sunflower yearning for the light. It wove to form a tapestry from her heart to mine, visible to only us two.

The cicadas that were asleep played an endearing tune, wetting the moon. If only everything could be dyed in chartreuse green, perhaps this night could have been happy. These hands grow sweaty every summer, obstinate as I. You reached out to me, and I couldn’t hold you back with them.

The distance between us was overwhelming, piercing me as thorns.

My head and heart were hurting.

Embraced, I finally understood something.

Sorrow feels like the high waves during summer, suffocating.

☂

It has always been said that middle school, especially in your last year, is one of the few times you have to still behave as a spoiled brat. Now that I think about it, no one has ever said that. I just assume from the way others behave. After all, high school is nothing more than focusing on getting a circle of friends as fast as possible, joining a club, doing fun after-school activities, falling in love, and do I even need to say more? The air that enters into my school could be a lush sweet fragrance, making everything airy and excellent.

Every morning when I arrive, I am greeted by a locker filled with tacks. Although today there were none. The principal, the teachers, the janitor, in fact, everyone, treat us as if we weren’t there. When I was a child, I wholeheartedly believed that school was supposed to be like your second home given how much time you spend here. However, the looks all of them gave were vacant and empty. Felt like many of the teachers here wished were somewhere else instead. Somewhere where it wasn’t a random village that not even the Prime Minister knows it’s on the map.

Gods, do I sound more depressing than usual today.

I do miss my elementary school. Fushizome was quite a nice teacher, I wonder if she’s still working there. Guess I’ll ask Hakuro if I do remember to actually do it.

Really, thinking about depressing crap does clear my mind from yesterday.

When I woke up, thankfully not to another almost heat-stroke, Mima was gone.

No letter, no nothing.

At first, I thought she had been a summer hallucination all along. However, when Hakuro came out of the room, she casually said Mima-san left early to take a walk. Sure, I could take what she said at face value, yet I felt anxious. We hadn’t spoken after that strange moment we shared in regards to her suddenly going all magical girl and coughing blood into me. I was also deeply intrigued by her saying that she was wrong about what happened to Hakuro.

Apparently, my little sister knew my concerns with just a single glance.

“Do you think she likes it?”

“Hundred percent sure.”

The flower vase brimmed with peonies and morning glories, alongside a deep cool breeze.

That was the reason why I pressed on with my usual routine as if nothing had happened. Re-heated KTO’s glorious chicken for Hakuro and l even let her indulge in the pudding so early in the morning, forgot about my old man who had no idea what transpired—and Gods, why would he even care, he chose a loud woman last night, I couldn’t sleep at all, I’m so glad I added some sound absorbing foam to the wall to not ruin Hakuro’s childhood more than what it already is, why must he do that knowing I'm sleeping in the living room ever since he offered Mima to stay, argh—and came to school to find the locker with no tacks.

I recalled the girl from yesterday who was soaked after opening hers.

That is how life goes.

For all those reasons, I spent the day nonchalantly. Or wished I could have.

Lunchtime came, alongside grey fluffy clouds in the sky. They mix with the madder-dyed sky, colors changing and escaping from the spaces between the school building. Quite a feat to see. Sadly, that means that eating on the rooftop is a no-go.

Well, considering what happened yesterday I shouldn’t go up there. Just in case.

Making my way through the halls, I discard the idea of eating right away. Something felt amiss.

I was being followed; that much was for sure because I could feel it. Exactly what I could feel, I don’t know but I knew it wasn’t friendly. The first thing that crossed my mind was the bullies but, at this hour, they much rather eat than waste time on their targets. Sure I was bullied during lunch break but it wasn’t all the time.

Could it be the azalea hair clip girl from yesterday? From the rooftop?

Turning around was risky. Letting know that you have realized you’re a target, that’s when you lose. It could also be Mima but that didn’t make sense.

Hold on a second. Mima. Of course, that was it. I am on a deadly time limit, but how stupid can you be, Kanro? Forgetting something of utmost importance. That weird lady hasn’t told me yet how I die, nor if a human being or thing kills me.

Trembling.

I was trembling.

Ever so slightly, but trembling.

I was not imagining this, I know I wasn’t, I could feel a pair of cold eyes staring into the back of my head, and to me, that was enough to believe that I was in danger.

No, Kanro. Focus. Panicking at school is useless, and if whoever is trailing me is the one that takes my life then making a move at school would be utter stupidity. Although… no, no. The girl with the azalea hair clip tried to kill me yesterday. I’ll just call her Azalea at this point. If I think about it coldly, that’s the only answer I can reach given how she swiftly changed our positions. She lured me.

“And I have no idea who she is.” I clasped my mouth. “What a pickle.”

Roughly counting, there were about forty people out in the courtyard once I made it outside, yet whatever was following me kept their eyes alert, so as not to overlook even the smallest sin. Holding in my breath and fixedly surveying the area, I thought it was the moment to execute my impromptu plan.

Number one: confront them. Number two: engage in casual conversation. Number three: escape the school. Number four: distract them with a fake UFO sighting. Number five: let them kill me (if that’s what they plan).

“Oh my god, is that an UMA!?”

My voice reverberated in the courtyard. Those same forty people were confused, some taking out their phones, others laughing.

Great thinking, me! A UFO in plain daylight it’s just idiotic. A UMA sighting is much more believable.

Right after, I made my escape.

To all of this, everyone knows about this little breach in the school. There’s a fence, quite old mind you. Some students who played hooky decided to break it with pliers and there we have it. No one had even bothered to fix it when it was plainly obvious how some students disappeared after lunch. Running away was always a thrilling activity for most.

I pretty much disagree.

Running away is nerve-wracking as hell with a stalker!

Of course, the forest that surrounded the school did not help in the slightest.

Branches opened up yesterday's wounds while I kept on running, my breath coming out as pleas for help. I kept on getting distracted by watching where I was going in order to not trip and fall to my doom. I knew Mima said I had around 700 hours left but, what the heck this makes me believe it was just a lie.

Whatever was following had no intention to stop.

And neither did I.

Thus, I closed my eyes and let my body do its thing.

Trust your instincts and run.

☂

The riverbank.

I had made it all the way to the riverbank.

Mauve light breaks through the solitary clouds hanging in the windless sky, reflecting off the calm water. Ripples radiate through the water from the dark silhouette of a duck moving in slow motion. The water carefully parts around the buttress of a bridge. A dim, ancient lamp post illuminates the pavement with orange-tinted light.

And it approached me.

Slowly.

Creeping up.

A slight and startling tingle tiptoed down my spine. Gazing intently around the secluded area, I felt a rush wash over me, my head began to spin and everything whipped around me—while my feet remained rooted to the ground. Desperately, I tried to scream, yet no sound escaped my parted lips.

Fear was an alien concept to me.

For most of my life, I spent it taking care of a family that found itself in shambles. I had no time to think about my own feelings, nor enjoy the things a child should be doing. Instead, I took care of Hakuro every single day. Made sure she was properly fed, made sure she had enough clothes, ensuring her grades were at least acceptable. Those were the good things that made me feel truly alive. Tired, perhaps. But nonetheless, it was—and still is—my only drive to keep on living.

Regardless, inside that same house, the other emotion I felt was complete anger and hatred. As much as it pains me to admit it, I concede that the old man truly loves us. There is no mistaking it. He might be good for nothing, but I won’t deny he would never do a thing to put us in danger. That might very well be the reason why I feel I’m always at constant war.

A war inside myself to understand why that lame excuse of a father that loves us so much behaves as such. Is that what happens when you lose someone? Someone so important to you?

Sadness was foreign to me as well.

I had no time to mourn. There was a baby to take care of, and I was making sure she would live the best life possible as I promised.

Even if that promise almost broke.

Perhaps that was the first time I started to understand what fear felt like.

Her faint whistle echoed in the wind after letting her know she swung the bat the wrong way.

Such a fragile human being apologizing to me for not knowing how to hit the ball properly while being taken to ICU.

The only time that man acted like a father and rightfully hit me on the face for being stupid. For believing my sister’s lie that she was doing fine, for selfishly taking her to the park to play some baseball. For wishing her sickness to go away for one day and letting her play a sport she enjoyed watching on TV so much.

That is why fear is an alien concept to me.

I have never had enough time to feel it. To live it. Of course, I am sure that is what I am feeling right now, there is no doubt. However, even if it means being scared…

I won’t break the promise I made, even if it means war with myself. As long as my heart is still beating, I will protect you.

I felt the world burn.

I had finally turned around to face what haunted me.

“Ran-chan.”

Reddish-cinnamon irises stared directly into me, diving into me. A light-blue dress fluttered along her graceful, delicate movement. A whistle that made no sound, announcing her presence.

“Ha-Hakuro?” I felt my throat dry.

“I tried to catch up to you.” She stated, playing with her fingers.

“H-Huh?” I was truly taken aback.

“I saw you running toward the riverbank when I came out from Okada-san’s shop. Something felt wrong, so I followed you. Are you okay, Ran-chan?”

I glanced at her once more, she had parts of her cheeks covered with vanilla ice cream.

“Everything is okay,” I lied.

“Hmm,” And she knew I did but pressed no further.

Silence enveloped us both, crows making that annoying noise they excel at.

“So you saw me running when you were at the shop eating some vanilla ice cream before lunch?”

A pink hue was painted on her porcelain canvas.

“Tee-hee,” bashfully, she kicked some dust from the dirt path.

“I know it’s summer but don’t abuse—”

“You're skipping school, Ran-chan.”

Cold. Distant. Matter-of-factly. Blunt. Not even as a question. Stating a fact in disguise.

That sensation came crawling up again. That so-called fear.

“Well, you know, I slept pretty bad last night so I just decided to not go to the rest of them, classes.”

“It’s not good to lie, Ran-chan.”

This is unusual. Why am I not sensing Hakuro’s sixth sense at work here but instead… something completely different?

“Come on, ‘sis I’m not—”

“You are lying.”

A deep sigh followed.

“It is past 5 PM. I know you escaped during lunchtime. You usually take the bus back home. Why keep on running for hours? Why are you lying?”

How does she—

“But, if Ran-chan is lying, there must be a good reason for it.”

And that was it.

My little sister started walking without me, jumping blissfully with each step following the song of the crows and cicadas.

“Don’t be late, Ran-chan.”

Now, I was completely alone. Alongside confused thoughts, racing, and racing, a high-speed bullet train with no signs of stopping. Unable to do a single thing, I just stood there. Still. Just like the water in the river.

I could feel my body relaxing slowly. From my fingertips to my little toe.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in—.

Why can’t I breathe?

Strangling. 

My neck was being strangled.

How did…? How did this…?

I couldn’t think straight, and all I saw was a messy blur of browns and blacks. Frail hands that crushed my neck with the force of a hundred, even million men.

Being caught off guard, I found myself vulnerable and powerless.

Not even a slither of a voice could come through my mouth.

“Keep on growling, growl from deep within. It’s your fault and yours only.”

A… girl…?

And that girl was punched away at superhuman strength, life returning to my body.

“Asakura-kun!”

Mima looked beautiful. Angelic, even.

Was she always so dazzling?

“Asakura-kun, please forgive me!”

And now I was smacked.

“Why did you do that!?”

“Asakura-kun! Oh, I’m so glad!”

Mima was leaning for a hug, but I took a step back.

“I know this is the second time you have saved my life but was it necessary to hit me too?”

Apparently, my eyes were doing all the talking, since the gorgeous beauty hid her head between her shoulders.

Now that I think about it, I feel calmer now. I guess slaps are good once in a while.

“My bad, my bad.” I did my best to reflect that, my eyes always betraying me. However, it seemed it was working. She did indeed relax a bit. “Now, I would love to ask what the, and pardon my language, fuck happened just now but… we have a more pressing issue here.”

Mima nodded in agreement. The girl was standing up, completely disregarding the brutal attack that she had just received. It didn’t take long for her to launch again toward me, aiming for any vital point she could find.

Swiftly, Mima reacted and held her arms, her being the only distance between me and my attacker and most likely stalker from today. Without thinking it twice, the self-proclaimed eighteen-year-old beauty hit the suspect's stomach, her losing her balance and falling into the dirt path.

Instead of running away, or questioning Mima about her timely appearance or why she didn’t use that mysterious naginata like last night, my gut told me this revelation was far more important than all of those.

“You’re… that girl from yesterday. The one who is being bullied.”

So it’s not Azalea.

Her irises were filled to the brim with resentment, absorbing all life around her, burning everything they stared at. Her uniform was in tatters, and her bandages were still there.

“I… saw it… I saw… what happened… you… you… it’s all your fault!”

Her scream was soulless, piercing the Earth’s very core.

Mima kept still. Regardless, her body language told me something: that girl is dangerous.

Saw me…? Is she talking about the rooftop incident?

In a war against time, where everything seemed to be an enemy, where I couldn’t find myself trusting anyone, Mima spoke.

Those words. Those feelings. That emotion.

Her love.

Is something I’ll never forget.

Because those precious words...

Those precious, precious words.

Are something I have never said to anyone else except Hakuro in my whole life.

“As long as my heart is still beating, I will protect you. I won’t let you die again, Asakura-kun.”

The whole world came to a halt.

…Again?