FULFILLED PROMISE

The sound of rain began to fall, its distinct scent adding to our sense of tranquility. As the temperature suddenly changed, we gathered in Lilith and Jasmine's room, and my sister continued to hold onto me. I intentionally didn't ask her to let go, knowing that this was the only way for us to see her cheerful face again.

"Yo, I brought you guys some warm tea."

"Thank you."

We spent the night in silence, yet the atmosphere remained comfortable. Eventually, Lilith released her embrace and began to sip the warm tea.

"Lilith, how are you feeling now?"

"Hm, much better. Thank you, everyone, for your help. I'm sorry for the trouble."

"No, not at all. It wasn't any trouble. We're just glad to see you feeling better, and I promise to be more careful when I'm with your brother."

"No, Sis Jasmine, I don't mind your behavior..."

"Shh... it's okay. Being more cautious doesn't mean I'll distance myself from your brother. I just don't want to worry you, because I don't want to see you like this again."

"Sis Jasmine..."

"Come here, now it's my turn to pamper you."

Lilith switched to hugging Jasmine, showing just how spoiled my sister could be.

***

It's now midnight, the rain has stopped, leaving behind a comfortable warmth.

"Is she asleep?"

"Yes, she fell asleep on my lap."

"Thank goodness."

"Lilith reminds me of myself in the past when my brother was still around, he used to pamper me a lot. I couldn't even sleep without him reading me bedtime stories, that's why I understand Lilith's feelings now. Truly, your sister is very sweet, Snow."

Jasmine asked us to return to our room so we could rest. But Shin and I didn't go straight to the room; we went to the inn's terrace to clear our minds.

"Hey, Shin."

"What's up? Why are you suddenly calling me by my name?"

"Oh, come on, I'm serious."

"Haha, sorry. So, what's on your mind?"

"How's the progress with your shadow investigation?"

"Not much progress yet, the data I've received is still insufficient."

"I see. Hey... do you like Lilith?"

"Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"..."

"Alright, alright, I'll answer. Honestly, I do like her."

"Good to hear."

"Hey! What's happened to you?! Why did the atmosphere suddenly become so heavy like this?!"

"Haha, it's nothing. It's just... I'm relieved. At least if something happens to me during a mission, there's someone else who can care for her besides me."

Shin suddenly stood up and grabbed my collar. He pushed me against the inn's wall and slapped me hard across the face.

"Don't you dare say that again!"

"Shin..."

"I'll never let you die in any mission!"

"But isn't our chance to die in mission is so huge? Even if right now some enemy is attacking us I can possibly die here, that's why at least I want someone that can take care of my..."

Now he punches my face until I fall on the floor. Honestly, his punch feels so hurt.

"I will not let you die!"

"Huh?! What are you saying?"

"Answer my question, have you ever killed someone before?"

"No, I haven't."

He then sat back down, holding his head and exhaling heavily. I also stood up and sat back down.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, really. So, are you ready to leave her behind? And are you ready to let her see you die?"

I hadn't thought that far. His words were true. I wasn't ready to leave her alone. How could I have such short-sighted thoughts? I'm so foolish.

"Thank you, Shin."

"No problem. I'll go to bed now. Goodnight, Snow."

"Goodnight."

***

At exactly 8 a.m., we set off to cross the island. My body felt much fresher after waking up this morning.

"Shin! Give it back!"

"Haha, come and get it if you can."

My sister had returned to her cheerful self. She woke us up this morning.

"It seems like she's back to her old self, Right Snow?"

"Yes, thank goodness."

"Shin! Give it back! Or I'll..."

"What will you do?"

Lilith jumped and tackled Shin, giggling, causing both of us to laugh.

"Haha! Help me, Snow!"

"I don't want to. You have to figure it out yourself."

"You jerk, Snow! Haha! Help!"

It seems like this journey will be quite long.

***

It took us about 30 minutes to cross, and we finally arrived in District H. This place was much quieter than I had imagined. I asked around about the characteristics of our old home, but no one seemed to know.

"Are you forgetting, Snow?"

"I'm not, just my memory of the way there is vague. But the image of the building is still clear in my mind."

As it was getting late and we hadn't eaten since morning, we decided to stop by a roadside food stall for a quick meal. The place was small but very cozy, and the owner was very friendly.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you know where we can find a house made of wood around here?"

"Wood? Hmm, I think I know who lives there."

"Really?!"

"Yes, it's only her who lives in the wooden house a bit far from the city center. It just so happens that she works here. Let me call her over."

Thank goodness, there's still hope. But wasn't the house supposed to be uninhabited? Shortly after, the owner returned with a middle-aged woman, her face very familiar.

"Here she is."

"Uh... what's going on here, boss?"

"These kids asked about a wooden house in the area, and from what I know, you're the only one who lives in a wooden house."

She stared intently at our faces, even leaning in closer. After scrutinizing my face, she turned to Lilith, and upon seeing her, she was greatly surprised.

"Yuno! You're Yuno, right?"

"Eh? My name is..."

I immediately interrupted Lilith and began to reveal our real names.

"Yes, she is Yuno, and I am Yama. As far as I remember, those were our names before our mother passed away."

"No way! You two are still alive! Thank goodness!"

She run over and hug me and Lilith

"I'm glad you two are still alive."

For now, we let her hug us. Even I notice that Lilith is still confused.

***

We were finally placed in the staff break room of the shop. I deliberately asked the shop owner if we could talk without fearing any important information leaking. After all, we were not ordinary humans. Earlier, I had asked Shin to take Jasmine outside to wait, because under no circumstances should she find out our true profession.

"So, just to clarify. We were indeed named Yama and Yuno when we were young, more precisely before we were taken by the laboratory. After leaving the laboratory, our memories were erased, which is why we don't remember who you are. We apologize."

"No, you don't need to apologize. Besides, that incident wasn't your fault, but if your memories were erased, why do you still remember your names? Your mother? Even your birthplace?"

"This happened a few weeks ago, there was an incident that I can't explain in detail. But because of that incident, I was able to remember everything, even though the price for it was the peculiarity in my eyes."

"You're right, your eyes are different colors."

"So, if I may... we'd like to know who you are?"

"No need to be so formal. My name is Hana, and I am your mother's younger sister."

"Is that so? You're..."

"Yes, I'm your aunt. But you used to call me Sis Hana when you were little."

"In that case... Sis Hana, can you take us to the house? And do you know where our mother's grave is?"

"I want to take you there now, but I'm still at work."

Suddenly, there was a knock on our door. When I opened it, Shin and the shop owner brought some drinks.

"Here are some drinks, please have them before you leave."

"Leave?"

"Aren't you going home? It's okay if Hana goes home now. Besides, she rarely gets visitors like you."

"Thank you, boss. I promise to make up for my work hours another day."

"Don't worry about it, Hana. Consider it a reward for your hard work and loyalty to this little shop. You should leave before evening."

"Thank you!"

***

We finally set off. The house was a bit far from the city. We had to pass through a village on the outskirts of town, then climb a hill. Kak Hana explained that our house was the corner house in the village, so there were rarely any neighbors nearby.

"Alright, we're here."

The house looked a bit different, but the main structure remained the same.

"It's slightly different from what I remember."

"Yes, I added some flowers in front to make it look nicer and made some other changes. But the inside of the house is still the same as before. Come on in."

Sis Hana was right, the interior ornaments were still the same. While the others were exploring, I went to the room where I experienced the time paradox. And indeed, there were no changes at all, but it still looked good. I shed a few tears, remembering the events from back then. I truly missed her.

"Yama? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just miss mom. Seeing this room, I feel a bit... sad."

Sis Hana gently rubbed my head, this feeling... just like mom.

"It's okay, we can't fight fate."

"Yeah."

We returned to the main room, greeted by Lilith and Jasmine.

"Where's Shin?"

"Shin is at the front door, he said there's something he needs to check."

I approached Shin, he seemed to be examining the wooden floor of the house.

"What are you doing, Shin?"

"Oh, Snow, this is perfect timing. Take a look at this floor, there are bloodstains, and they seem to be quite old."

"Blood? Oh, this is my blood."

"Your blood?"

"Yes, when I experienced the time paradox, my neck, hand, and leg were stabbed by the professor right in front of the door."

"But isn't this strange? Your blood should have disappeared along with the time paradox. It's unlikely that your blood would still be here."

Shin was right, even my tears disappeared as soon as they touched the ground, so why is this blood still here? Curious, we went back inside and asked Sis Hana about it.

"Forgive my rudeness, but there's something important I need to ask."

"Uh, you're yama's friend right?"

"Yes, I have a question, and the question is whose blood dried up on the floor?"

"Ah... you saw it, huh?"

"Could you explain?"

"Yes, it's Yuki's blood."

"Mother's blood?"

"Yes, I wanted to visit after so long. But when I arrived, I found the house in a mess, the door was broken, and much of the furniture was damaged. I was worried about what happened to you all, I searched around the hill but found no clues. Then a man came carrying a large object covered in white cloth, he said it was Yuki's body. At first, I didn't believe him, but when he uncovered it... I was shocked and saddened."

"His name was Light, am I right?"

"Yes, that's his name. He also explained that he was the one who did the cruel act to Yuki himself. To be honest, I was in shock at that time. And calmly, he dug the ground next to the house and buried her. I was still in shock, my legs trembling. After burying her, he said it was Yuki's request, and he asked me to stay here because he said someday two young people would come to see her grave. Until now, I still can't believe everything he said was true."

The professor kept his promise; that's good. With this, I no longer owe him anything, and I can kill him with a sense of relief. Well, that's a matter for later. For now, what's most important is...

***

"I want to meet Mom."