[15.3] The Thing that Doesn't Belong

Instantly, the floor disappeared beneath our feet and we plummeted down a dark hole.

I screamed in a panic as I prepared to smash into the ground below and turn into a paste. However, I felt soft arms catch me.

My eyes opened in surprise to see a young man around 16 smiling back at me. He had thick black hair that was brushed neatly and glasses that reflected my startled expression.

I didn't dare breathe in fear he would disappear.

He let out a sigh, "ReiRei. I told you not to climb trees."

My voice caught in my throat as soon as I realized who he was.

No… It can't be. It's impossible.

He tilted his head innocently, "ReiRei? Are you okay?"

I felt my cheeks grow damp as tears rushed down. I hiccuped as I struggled to speak, "B-Bao Bao?"

He panicked once he noticed my tears, "What's wrong!? Did the fall really scare you that badly?!?"

My hand trembled as I slowly raised it to touch his face.

It has to be fake.

However, I could feel his skin and hair between my fingers.

My voice quivered, "...It's real?"

...But it can't be.

It's impossible.

The worried look he always used to give me was clear on his face. He wiped away my tears, "Why are you crying?? Did someone say something mean to you? Tell your big brother and I will go teach them a lesson!"

I giggled amidst my sobs, "Who could you beat up?"

He smirked, "Don't you remember? Your older brother is very strong."

The corner of my lips twitched as I stared at him. I managed to whisper out, "I didn't think older brother would catch me…"

"Reika…" His warm and affectionate eyes stared down at me, "I will always be here for you… Did you forget our promise?"

My eyes lowered somberly, "...How could I forget?"

He put me down gently and took my hand. He rubbed away the rest of my tears and grinned. "Hey. How about a lemon tart? I told mom to make some."

I smiled softly and gave a small nod. He led me inside my childhood home where my father was sitting at the table reading a newspaper. I looked around the room and was surprised to see how accurate it was.

It is just how I remember it.

My mother walked into the room holding a dessert tray. She sighed, "Reika. I told you not to climb those trees! Your brother won't always be there to catch you!"

"...I know."

Trust me. I know.

My brother sighed, "Mother. If Reika likes climbing trees, then let her. Isn't that better than sitting inside all day watching television or playing games?"

"Ugh. You spoil her too much. This is why she runs around unbridled and is always causing trouble."

My father spoke over his newspaper, "He has a point, dear."

She rolled her eyes and placed the tray on the table, "I know, I know. But it's about the principle. Now all of you, sit down. I made fresh lemon tarts. I just need to grab a knife to cut it."

As my mother left the room, my brother pulled at the large uncut tart and winked at me. I watched as he took a large bite from it. My dad chuckled and shook his head. I felt a pained smile tug at my lips.

My mother returned and shouted, "Bao! What are you doing!?"

He lowered his head guiltily, "I-I couldn't wait."

My mother clicked her tongue as she cut the slices, "You always loved these things… Though I suppose not as much as Reika."

She pushed over the largest slice to me.

Her warm smile chilled my heart.

As everyone ate, I timidly spoke up. "Mother… Father… Brother…"

"Hm?"

I smiled with trembling lips, "Do you notice anything different with me?"

They all looked closely at me.

My brother spoke first, "Is there something different with your hair?"

My father spoke, "Aha! You cut your hair!"

My mother shook her head, "No! She grew out her hair! ...But isn't her hair a different color?"

My brother shouted, "Ah! She dyed her hair!"

My mother frowned, "You know you are too young to dye your hair. How did you ever get someone to do that for you? Did you steal our credit card again?"

My face twitched, "What about my eyes?? They are a different color too!"

My father hummed, "Ah, it must be contacts."

My face turned taut, "What kind of child would wear contacts?"

My mother shrugged, "You were always a weird child, Reika."

"A weird child?" I chuckled dryly, "Don't I look like a completely different person?"

My brother shook his head, "Not that much. You are still my adorable little sister~"

Ah. It's as I thought.

It really isn't real…

...But is that such a bad thing?

Can't I just stay here?

My father took a bite of his tart and smiled at me, "Oh, yeah. How are your classes going, Reika? I heard your teacher praised you for being so clever."

"It's… It's going well. But.." I gathered up the courage to speak, "I… I don't want to go to school anymore."

My father looked startled but didn't pester or ignore me. Instead, he nodded quickly. "If you don't want to go, then don't go. We have enough money. We can hire tutors or send you to another school. Whichever you prefer."

I let out a forced chuckle, "That's not necessary."

My mother smiled at me with affection, "Reika… I'm really happy you are here."

My heart felt like it was being shattered by a hammer.

I chuckled painfully, "Liars."

They both froze.

I continued spitefully, "My father would never care if I had trouble in school. My father would never ask about my day."

My mother gasped, "Reika!"

I looked at her with a burning pain clutching at my throat, "My mother would never say she was happy to have me here."

My brother jumped up in a panic, "ReiRei! Are you feeling okay?! What has gotten into you?!"

I sighed and slowly stood up. I smiled at him painfully, "Brother… It's nothing… I just could use a hug."

"Say no more." He rushed over and hugged me tight, "I will always be here for you, Reika."

I hugged him back and felt my tears turning his shirt wet. I took a deep breath, "Brother… Do you know how to break an illusion?"

"Eh? An illusion?... No, I don't."

My voice cracked, "...You have to break the thing that doesn't belong."

I reached for the knife on the table and stabbed it into his back. He abruptly let me go and stumbled back with shock rooted deep in his eyes. Even though I knew it wasn't really my brother, I felt as if I was the one being stabbed instead.

My bottom lip trembled, "You don't belong brother… You left us years ago."

Startled by this realization, the man in front of me couldn't figure out what to say. His body slowly crumbled into a wave of black smoke.

The knife clattered to the ground as if it had never pierced into anyone.

My mother lunged across the table screeching, "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"

I watched with dull eyes as everything disappeared into smoke.

I had broken the illusion.

...But how can I feel happy after stabbing my brother?

Real or not, it still hurt.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a pair of orange eyes watching from the darkness. However, when I turned to see who it was, they disappeared. I clicked my tongue and quickly rubbed the tears off my cheeks.

I rushed off to go find the golden-haired boy.

...

It didn't take long before the darkness morphed into a quaint garden. I halted my footsteps and looked around. While the garden was vast, the brick house wasn't as impressive as I've seen in this world. It probably was a little smaller than the orphanage had been. However, the small house was very warm and welcoming.

It even looked a little romantic.

I walked through the garden in awe at all the towering bushes and flowers. I heard a far-away conversation and didn't hesitate to walk in that direction.

When the two who had been talking came into view, I noticed an unknown man bowing down to Cyrus to speak to him more clearly. Cyrus had on a strange smile that I had never seen before as he listened to the man.

I hid behind a bush as I watched them closely. The man had long brown hair and gentle dark eyes. He dressed as immaculate as Cryus did and even gave off the same aura as Cyrus.

Then, the man stood up and started to lead Cryus away. I stealthily followed them and watched as the two sat down at a table, ready to have dinner. Seeing them laugh made me realize just how much Cyrus wanted something like this.

I suppose it makes sense Cyrus wants to have dinner with a relative. He doesn't seem to have a close family…. Especially after his Aunt and Uncle sold him off in an attempt to kill him.

The man played with a small knife as he sat across from Cyrus. I panicked and ran inside, grabbing a knife from the kitchen. I ran into the room and didn't hesitate as I stabbed it into the unknown man's back, causing him to disappear.

Cyrus was stunned and turned to me with an angry expression, "WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

I shrunk back in surprise, "W-What!? He wasn't real!!! He was just an illusion that would trap us here!"

I felt my confidence weaken, "I think…"

Cyrus let out a sigh as his eyes clouded over, "I know it wasn't real… But I wanted to enjoy it a little longer…"

"Enjoy it? But it was fake."

"So? Even though it was fake, it still felt real."

Ah, I guess it was a similar situation to mine.

I spoke cautiously, "Who was it?"

His gaze lowered, "It was my Father… I lost him when I was very young. I don't even remember him anymore..."

"Oh.." I looked away awkwardly, "Well… I think it's best not to indulge in an illusion like that. I think they wanted to use the person we love to trap us here."

He frowned, "I know… But…"

I rubbed his head and looked away, "Reliving it will only reopen your wounds and make it that much more painful. You are better off removing it from your memory completely."

He lifted his hands to remove mine but hesitated instead. He slowly raised his eyes to look at me, "Who did you see?"

I hesitated before removing my hand. I answered absentmindedly, "Who knows."