3: A moment of peace

I have been torturing myself nonstop almost single night by rummaging through my notes and gaining as much knowledge as I could from both the books of my school and the internet.

Speaking of school, I was going to be held back obviously. I really needed a good amount of time for recuperation since having amnesia is certainly a serious affair. No student is exempted from the laws of the education system, and next year, I'll still be a high school freshman.

Not that it matters. A year of delay may as well be a year of preparation for the first step that I'll be partaking in my plan to have my revenge. I should utilize this opportunity to catch up with my studies as the groundwork for me to enter the prominent academy of A.I.S. With my academic skills and excellent learning capabilities, a year is more than enough to qualify myself as a skilled academically sophisticated student.

Aside from that, everything is sailing smoothly. Although there was a minor issue that I encountered at which my mother and sister were slightly in disbelief by my sudden change of behavior, no matter how subtle it is. I acted more mature for my age and speak to them in a rather formal tone. Changing my way of speaking is something that can't be accomplished overnight, and thankfully, they merely saw it as a result of my amnesia since technically, they are strangers to me.

It was nothing alarming, mind you, but they were also rather clingy and would often pester me about my well-being. The perks of a loving family, I suppose.

Not that I'm bothered by their behavior though. It was understandable since the boy suffered from a gruesome incident. To lose a loved one is truly a saddening affair, and I have experienced it countless times when my fellow brother-in-arms fell in different battles, most especially the time of Kuzuki's unexpected betrayal.

When I first announced to them my intention, my mother, Hanazono Erika, was naturally skeptical and questioned my motive.

"A.I.S.? you mean that school for the rich? Are you sure, Haruto? I mean you are smart, yes, but that hurdle is maybe too much for you to handle?"

"Positive, mother." I smiled heartily and gave my answer with no sense of hesitation whatsoever. "I have a year to prepare, and with time on my side, I'm quite confident enough that I can gain the knowledge necessary for me to ace their admission exam."

"Ehh, such confidence you got there, onii-chan."

It is a familiar voice that greeted us, one that belong to a young girl

"Of course, Erina-chan." I acknowledge the young girl with an assertive grin of mine.

Hanazono Erina, 13 years old, and Haruto's little sister… well, my little sister now that is. She's quite cute if I'm being frank, sharing mostly the same physical features with the rest of the family with her short brown hair, green eyes, and everything. Basically, she looks like her mom when she was probably young since the semblance is very much clear. She indeed shall blossom into a beautiful woman like Erika.

Speaking of family, I wonder where the boy's father is? Of course, I ask mother about it but sadly, she told me that he died before Haruto was born. My mother eventually remarried, but sadly, her second husband also suffered the same fate of death due to cancer. Erina was the result of that marriage and thus, became my half-sister. I feel nothing but sympathy for Erika for losing not one but two husbands. I understand if she wishes to devoid herself of the notion of love and instead, focus on raising Erina and I.

I harbored a lot of respect for single parents who raised their children alone without needing the support of their respective spouses. That alone displayed a sheer amount of commitment, willpower, and love that is unmatched by a very few. After all, I had the same experience during my previous life. We were poor, and my mother would raise me all alone since my asshole of a father was a violent good for nothing prick who only knew how to drink and spout insults to the two of us. If only that were the case. My old man was a hot head and would also hit Mother when things don't get his way. Thankfully, we eventually left that bastard and settled in a new life, far away from him. He can rot in hell for the abusive things that he has done to us.

It was a hurtful experience and I resolved to not be the same as that man when I get to have children of my own. Sadly, I was murdered before I even had the chance to become a father.

Anyways, Erina was still looking at me with a disbelieving look, no doubt still skeptical at my ability to enter A.I.S.

"You serious, onii-chan? Last time I remembered, you're not exactly known for being a bookworm. Heck, you always spend your nights watching anime and playing games."

Ahh… so that's why she was cynical of my intentions. And here I thought that the boy embodied the virtue of kindness and discipline. Well, scratch the discipline part and I suppose there's some truth in it. But that was then, and what's important is now. That was Haruto's personality, and Daichi… my personality would override his. I'll ensure that the boy's image is going to improve, all for the sake of my vengeance.

"Really? Hahaha, I don't recall doing that, amnesia and everything." I gave her a light-hearted laugh. "But it can't hurt to try now, do I? If I pass, then amazing, I get to be a student at one of the prestigious schools of this country with my future secured. If I fail, then I go back to my old school (hopefully not). Besides, I want my recovery to be productive, and spending time being coped up on the bed is not exactly a prospect that I find fascinating."

Erina seemed to be quite surprised at my explanation since it was rather formal for someone like me but she immediately shrugs in response, "I guess that makes sense. Still a thousand times better than you being a filthy weeb. Seriously, it's like you turn into a new person, and the way you speak is so uh... proper, sheesh. Who are you and what have you done to onii-chan!?"

Her last statement was a playful one and I answered back in the same manner while pointing at the bandage on my head, "He's still here, Erina, just underwent some major overhaul in the brain."

A lie obviously. I'm really sorry little girl, for your true brother has passed away. I'm just like a parasite living inside and taking advantage of his body.

"That's wonderful then!!!" Our mother interrupted us. "I'm glad that you have set your sights on something instead of feeling down by your condition. We shall support you all the way, Haruto!!"

"Thank you, mother." I bow and smiled with gratitude.

"And there's that too!!! You call her Mom, not Mother for crying out loud!!!" Erina was certainly having a fit.

"I don't know, Mother seems to ring a nice bell." Erika giggled spiritedly. "Let's me feel like a dignified lady."

"Ha!? Dignified, you?" Erina snickered. "Don't make me laugh, Mom. When onii-chan caught a minor, insignificant cold when we were young, you literally bounced off from work and went home just to see how he was doing. That sure was pretty hilarious, hahaha- aw, aw, aw!!!"

Her silly laughter was interrupted when Erika pulled her daughter's right ear in retaliation.

"You sure got a big mouth, oh rebellious daughter of mine…" Her face was… convincingly scary. "Is that how you talk to your elders, hmm??? Perhaps some serious disciplining should be considered?"

"Onii-chan, save me!!!" Erina pleaded for my help desperately, but, nope, I was having none of that.

The wrath of a parent sure is terrifying indeed, even for a soldier like myself.

In retort, I merely gave her a mischievous look of my own as I enjoyed the display of her torment.

"Heh."

"Onii-chan, you traitor!!!" The girl lost any hope of salvation when she was dragged to another room by Erika, no doubt a place where she was going to be punished.

You brought that on yourself, oh cute little sister of mine. I'm not going to intentionally dive myself into the devil's hands.

Nonetheless, I can't help but be kind of at peace with this particular dilemma that I was in. Being a child, having a mother after a long time, and a sister to booth at that… it felt nice.

Alas, such a notion should be dismissed. It would be best if I did not get too emotionally attached to them since it would do nothing good but drag them on my thorny path of heartless revenge.

I turn my attention back to the computer and resume my research, finding out as much as I could about the snake who caused my demise.

And of course, studying sometime later.