26 Interlude I: The One Who Left Behind

"You're going to be a big sister."

That's what her parents said when they just got back from the hospital. The girl was just reached 2 years old at the time, naturally she's didn't really know what they meant.

About a year later, a few months after the girl turned 3 years old. Her mom went into labor and brought to the hospital. Her father and paternal grandmother looked very concerned at her mom when they waited outside the room.

Some time later after being waiting for unknown time a sound of crying was heard from the room her mom was in. Her father ran forward inside the room after the nurse urged him to come followed by her grandma.

When the girl came inside she saw that her mother was carrying a baby on her hands with a very exhausted yet extremely happy face. Her father smiling happily with tears on his eyes while her grandma already sobbing besides her.

The girl looked towards the baby her mother carried. She couldn't tell whether the baby was considered as cute or not but the body was definitely small and fragile, so delicate that as if she touch even a little it would break. But one thing she's sure of was that she's definitely feel very attracted towards the just born baby.

Her mother smiled and gestured her daughter to come closer. The girl complied and walked timidly until she was right in front of her mother's bed.

"Asami, this is your younger brother. Make sure to be a good Onee-san okay?"

This was the first meeting of Sugimura Asami and her brother Haruto.

Two years later.

By now Haruto was already capable of crawling and wandering on his own. It was always Asami that find him and brought him back to his bed before she scolded him gently.

Everytime she scolded him her brother would just giggled happily like a naughty child. Asami could only puffed her cheeks seeing that but she did hate him at all. In fact she cared about her brother very much.

Another year passed by and Haruto had learned to talk a little bit. He's already able to walk on his own. By this time the family already tried to teach him how to read and yet it didn't seem he was interested on it.

Until one day Asami's father brought a manga named Dragon Ball and gave it to little Haruto with a thumb up. Haruto did not understand just what was so good about it, neither was his sister Asami. But her father talked non-stop about how great of a series that was and told about the synopsis to his two children.

Asami's not the type to like such stories so she left the room after a few minutes, making her father hung his head. But the same could not be said for Haruto. His eyes was definitely glimmering brightly and he vowed to learn how to read in order to read the manga. His father laughed loudly being satisfied and told him to do his best.

Just a few days later Haruto already managed to read the kanji for "Son Goku", making them his first readable word which amazed his family. Asami's father let out tears, holding his mouth with his hands dramatically as if he was watching a Korean Drama while saying "That's my boy!"

After that they spent their time happily with each other. But sadly when Asami turned 10 years old and Haruto was 7 years old their grandmother passed away due to old age. Her father seemed so sad so they tried their best to cheer him up along with their mother even though all of them were sad all the same. But they knew that grandma was special for Asami's father since she was his biological mother.

With this they only relative outside their main family was gone. Both her parents were a single child so they did not have siblings.

Some time later they finally able to smile happily again and the peaceful and happy time returned for Asami's family.

Years gone by and Asami matured more into a beautiful women. Even though she just entered middle school she's already became the most popular idol in her school. The same could be said for Haruto growing into a handsome boy but he's more aloof than her and with his hobby it was not that easy to get close to him even though a lot of girls obviously eyeing him feverishly.

When Asami entered high school, she was already a peerless beauty. Her face and body was very alluring while her skin was so pristine like a fairy. Her long and straight black hair gave her the perfect impression of a Japanese beauty, strengthening her elegance and charisma.

Since she was only friendly towards the girls and gave the boys a small smile as greetings she had the image of a cool and gentle girl. Her academics was also perfect, ranking top ten in the entire nation. She's also a prodigy at sports that almost every clubs and various agency tried to scout her but they were all refused.

Compared to her, Haruto did not achieve much and his academics just a little above average along with his physical abilities. But she didn't mind such thing since she loved her brother very much. Everytime she talked to him she would make a very lovely smile, clearly different than the smile she shown on her friends at school.

She remembered that when they're still a child a group of bullies tried to mess with her. At that time her brother stood courageously even though he's not that strong and being beaten black and blue. But not once he cried or ran away in fear, abandoning his sister. Instead he roared furiously and fought the group of bullies with all he had. In the end he suffered a great injuries. Some of his bones were cracked and there's swellings all over his body while both his eyes turned black and blue like a panda.

Asami cried loudly at that time she was both mad and happy that he's trying to protect her to that extend so she asked him why he was so angry at the bullies that he ignored all his injuries.

He made an embarassed face and said,

"That's because they made you cry Onee-chan."

Asami was deeply touched of what he said but seeing his injuries and what could he do by seeing her crying she decided to never cry again in her life so Haruto would not be reckless again.

Her commitment was brought to test on her late second year at high school. Their parents got into an accident and passed away.

They could not process what just happened at that time and thought that was all a dream but sadly reality was far crueler than they imagined.

Haruto cried while gritting his teeth in front of their parents' altars. Asami sat beside him with blank eyes. Her emotion was in turmoil and she couldn't think properly.

'Mom and dad.... Died...? They won't be here anymore...? Me and Haru were left alone?'

Her mind was in chaos, she would never saw her mother's gentle smile nor her father smug grin any longer. Just what will happened to them after this? What should she do?

At this time a hand suddenly grasp her own tightly. She went back to her sense and looked at Haruto gazing at her resolutely, already finished crying but trace of tears was still there.

"Don't worry One- no, Nee-san. I will definitely take care of our lives. I will protect Nee-san and made ourselves happy! Definitely!"

"...."

She knew, she could feel the fire burning inside her brother's eyes, full of resolution. She could feel his desire to protect her and took care of her so much that he changed the way he called her to a more mature like man. She felt frustration at her heart even though she was the older one among them. But even so her heart could not help but rely on him, wanting to depend and leaned on his shoulders. That's why she said,

"Haru promise me something."

"Eh? Promise?"

"That's right. You have to never ever leave me behind, understand?"

"...."

Haruto was dumbfounded and widened his eyes. But he soon smiled gently and grasp both her hands tightly with his hands.

"Yes, I promise."

At that time Asami finally regained her smile. But Haruto knew her smile could not be the same as in the past that's just how shocking their parents death was for her, how lost she felt and how lonely she was.

Ever since then Haruto changed, he's still an otaku and loved both animes and mangas or likes but he spent a lot less time than before. Instead he searched for part time works, hiding his jobs from his school since a middle schooler was prohibited on working at their school.

Because he was quite tall for his age he could pass as a high school boy appearance, earning a few jobs.

Time passed by quietly, inside their house only live the two of them. Their usual noisy father was gone and Haruto was busy with his works so Asami often spent time alone in theie house, preparing a bento for lunch and dinner for Haruto. She never joined any clubs so she's not that busy.

Very soon she graduated from high school and went to the Tokyo University with scholarships. She wanted to study hard and work as soon as possible to lighten his brother's burden even a little. She tried to work part time too but Haruto strongly insisted not to since he was worried about her. After all his sister was an impeccable beauty, there's no telling what might happened if she was left alone. He knew his sister was quite strong from doing sports but still anything just might happened and he wouldn't dare risk on it. Not to mention she already long since stopped on doing sports so her physical abilities definitely far inferior than before.

Her goal was to skip years and graduated from college as soon as possible so she was working very hard and time to time she would ignore sleeping. When Haruto found out about that she was heavily scolded by him. A stark contrast then a long time ago where she's the scolding him for his mischiefs. When she recalled that she would giggled happily.

As long as Haru is here everything will be alright...

Once again days gone by and Haruto already in second year high school. Asami was 20 years old and he was 17 years old. During this time she was quite stressed from her constant study and endless rattles from the boys around her trying to get on her good side.

She snorted at their pathetic attempts. Her brother was a much more handsome and better man than all of you, he stay beside me all the times and you're thinking you all have a chance? Ridiculous.

She could feel their disgusting desires and lust on her while Haruto was always gentle and pure towards her even the world most idiot would know which one's better.

One day, Haruto sensed his older sister's weariness so he offered to buy her some snacks and sweets to cheer her up even though today was one of his rare holidays.

Asami tried to deny his offer and said that she was fine. She didn't want to trouble him since he always worked so hard compared to her, at least that's what she thought. But most importantly was she had a very bad feeling that something might happened to him.

Haruto did not give up and insisted on going but her sister was strangely being obstinate which confused him. In the end he decided to sneak out on her and left secretly.

He left when Asami took a shower and she was astonished knowing him escaped secretly. She tried to contact his phone but noticed he didn't brought it with him.

A few hours later Haruto still had not returned yet. Even though it was not supposed to be this long for buying snacks. Asami sat on the sofa being concerned about him. Her bad feeling was intensified and she grew restless.

More time passed and she couldn't take it any longer so she decided to search for him on her own, ignoring the fact she's not even know where he is.

After preparing herself and about to go out their phone house was ringing. By this time her bad feelings was already ringing loudly and her heart beat so fast.

While trembling she took the phone and put it on her ears.

....

*Crash*

After hearing the content of the call she dropped it immediately and stood unmoving.

Her world lost all of it's color in an instant. It seemed like it was raining outside but she could not hear anything.

Her vision went dark and she could not remember what happened after that. By the time she noticed she was already crying in front of her brother's funeral.

She screamed his name loudly and turned hysterical. The neighbors that attended the funeral were desperately holding her while she kept on screaming.

She herself could not hear her own scream, not even her body. It was as if he was watching her own self in a third person view in a muted world.

'Why? Why did you leave me? Didn't you promise? To not leave me behind? Did you forget about it?'

'Liar...'

'Liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar,liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar, liar.'

Again and again she repeated 'liar' in her mind....

What little remained of her consciousness during this time noticed a figure of a young girl crying sadly in front of Haruto's altar, similar to her. She didn't recognize this girl and wondered if she knew about Haruto but immediately discard her thought. Who cares who she was?

One of her neighbor decided to take her in inside their home. Asami neither agree nor decline their offer. Her eyes were hollow and she was unresponsive.

But it looked like she was going with her neighbors, a pair of middle age couple, they did not have any children so there's only two of them inside the house.

She didn't notice the male from her neighbor licked his lips while gazing at her.

A week later she was sitting inside her room. She never went out even for a moment and the old lady from the house would often deliver her food inside her room. She didn't know whether she ate them or not but everytime the lady collected the plates they were never being empty.

During this time the lady went out from the house to buy something. Without caring for that she just sat limply on her bed. Her figure was distorted from the lack of care during these days but even so she was definitely still a very charming woman.

'Haru's gone, I was completely alone. If that's the case then for what reason did I even live?'

'Perhaps I should just...'

*Knock* *Knock*

Suddenly a knock was heard on her room's door. She did not bother to answer and stayed silent. She also never locked her room since the lady would always come to deliver her foods and she didn't bring herself to lock it her own either since all this time she just sat there unmoving.

The door then opened and the middle aged man, the husband of the lady entered the room. He looked towards the beauty in front of him with eyes full of lust and greed.

All this time he always gaze at her house to watch her peerless figure. Countless times he imagined various indecent things about her and wished to ravage her body violently. He was definitely felt envious and hatred towards Haruto who live with her alone.

That's why he asked his old 'friend' from his old relation to get rid of him secretly when he found the chance to. That chance was exactly when Haruto went out on his own. Usually he would go to work and went back using a taxi since his place was quite far and it was too late to take a bus.

His 'old' friend pretended to be a kidnapper and attracted his attention. After that he was stabbed and died much to the old man's glee.

Obviously he 'adviced' his wife to take care of her using a form of pity as the front.

And now his dream girl finally in front of him, completely defenseless and powerless, ready to be devoured.

Without much though he immediately jumped towards her bed and grabbed both of her wrists before pinning her on the bed. Light suddenly returned to her eyes and a look of shock filled her face. She began to struggle strongly but he slapped her hard on the face to shut her off.

Asami's eyes were full of terror now and her body was trembling she screamed loudly and asked for help but the man covered her mouth and once again pinned her hands above her head, this time with more strength.

Her eyes were tearing and she wept while the man was laughing madly. Just when he tried to torn her clothes the door suddenly opened and someone entered the room.

He turned his head in shock but what greeted his sight was a school bag being swung hardly on his face.

*Bang!*

He was struck with a solid blow on his head and fell unconscious. Asami was still trembling very hard and her eyes still full of horror, dropping out tears endlessly while she was holding her body with her hands.

The person who just saved her approached her slowly trying to calm her down.

"It's already alright Asami-san, are you okay...?"

Asami turned her glance towards the voice. The person who just saved her turned out to be the same girl that cried hardly on Haruto's funeral that she saw before. The girl reached her hands but Asami suddenly shrieked so the girl stopped.

She smiled gently and reassured her, trying her best to calm her down while kneeling in front of her and spoke softly. After some time Asami finally calmed down - albeit still trembling - and the girl introduced herself.

The girl's name was Kisaragi Rikka. Apparently she was Haruto's schoolmate during his primary and middle school. She's quite close with Haruto during that timr but a few things happened and they separated after graduation, never stay in contact anymore.

Haruto never mentioned this before so of course Asami would never known about this fact.

Rikka asked Asami to come to her house to stay but Asami shook her head furiously, naturally afraid of what just happened. But she assured her that her house was only inhabited by girls, her grandma, mom, and younger sister so there's no need to worry.

Looks like Asami was convinced with that and nodded weakly. She followed Rikka to her house and she introduced Asami to her family. The family seemed aware of her and welcomed her joyfully.

Asami did not know what happened to her neighbor after that. She wondered if Rikka reported him to the police after that but she didn't seem to care about it.

By spending time with them she started to regain her emotion little by little. She did not confine herself inside her room and would accompany Rikka's sister time to time. Rikka already notified her college about her absence and explained the situation so there's no problem about it.

Asami still rarely talked but at least it was a major improvement than before beside the fact she became traumatized and developed a phobia towards a male.

A month passed and Rikka invited Asami to walk since it was about time for her to went out of the house. Asami jolted and started to trembling again but she tried to suppress her fear and nodded.

She knew she couldn't stay this way forever and had to move on.

They walked alongside a small park while bathing on the sun. The weather was nice and there's no other people in here so Asami too was fine being in this place.

After spending some time they decided to go back. But just after Rikka turned her body and grasp Asami's hand, the ground suddenly glow brightly and Asami was caught in a pillar of light, pushing Rikka away from her.

She was stunned at the sudden spectacle and couldn't move her body.

"Asami-san!!"

Rikka shouted and extended her hand, causing her to be sucked up on the pillar of light along with Asami.

The pillar of light disappeared and no one was left on the place after that.