Prelude 1

Warning: This fanfic posses elements some may not like, so I beseech of you, kindly leave if you don't like the tags.

Prelude 1 — Accursed Fate I

"Good morning, Brother."

I heard a sweet, sing-song voice calling out to me, through the haze of my half-asleep state.

Brother…? 

That couldn't be right… 

I don't remember having a sister.

Wait…no—

"Wake up, or else you'll be late for school, again." 

The voice teased again, making my eyes twitch as I groggily opened them.

What greeted me was… an unfamiliar, yet oddly familiar ceiling. 

A room that wasn't mine, but somehow felt cozy and comfy.

And there, leaning over me, was a face I couldn't mistake. 

Curious, mischievous, and undeniably cute.

Her dark hair framed her features perfectly, tied into twintails that swayed as she moved. 

Crimson eyes that fit her just perfectly.

—I froze.

My mind began scrambling as I began piecing everything together.

…Where am I?

No. 

That's not the right question. 

I know where I am... It's just that, I remember now, more than I should have.

But… why now? 

Why, after seventeen years? Why, after so much time, had I suddenly—

"Brother? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Her voice startled me slightly, her tone filled with concern as she moved closer.

Then—

"Could it be… you've finally realised how lucky you are to have such an adorable sister waking you up every morning?"

Her lips curled into a sly smile, and she leaned back slightly.

I blinked for a moment, then, "Ah… sorry, Kurumi." 

I muttered, forcing myself to push back those building thoughts to the back of my mind.

"Well, I'll forgive you once more for waking up late."

She smiled at me, pulling away from me, satisfied that she'd managed to wake me up.

Yes. It's just as you've heard it.

I am Kurumi Tokisaki's older brother.

Though I say older, I'm only ahead of her by a single year. 

Our parents must've gotten real freaky after my birth or something.

But that's not my concern here. The real issue is why now?

Why, after fourteen long years, do these memories resurface?

Memories of a world that viewed this one as mere fiction.

…Tokisaki Ikari. 

That much, at least, I knew. But knowing doesn't make it easier.

"Hey Kurumi."

My voice left my lips before I could even process why I called out to her.

She had been walking toward the door, but at the sound of her name, she paused and turned, her crimson eyes meeting mine.

"Hm~? What is it, Brother?"

"No… Just wanted to thank you for waking me up."

I said with a smile reverting back to the Ikari I have always been to my overbearing little sister.

"Oh, you're welcome, Brother. You'd better hurry, though, or you'll make us both late. But don't worry~ If you're too slow, I'll just leave without you."

Though she says that, but we both knew the truth.

No matter how late I was, no matter how much she threatened to leave me, she'd always wait.

With that same playful smile, she turned and left the room.. 

As she did. 

I couldn't help but release a sigh of relief. "Haah."

Kurumi had always been clingy, ever since we were kids. And me? 

Even before these memories returned, I had always cherished her.

Knowing what she'd become in the near future filled me with dread.

Not just her—Sawa too.

Unfortunately, I knew…

I knew what'd happen to her in the coming months. Maybe even sooner.

"Tsk. Damn Mio."

I brought my hands to my face, trying to calm the storm of emotions within me. 

Two lives' worth of anger, fear, and desperation swirled in my chest.

"At least," I muttered to myself, "she hasn't come into contact with her yet…"

And how could I be so sure?

Both her eyes still have that beautiful crimson glow.

That was how I knew.

But then again… I couldn't help but feel conflicted. 

I didn't want her to get that life-sucking powers of hers that consumes her own life force.

But on the other hand…

I wanted her to have the strength to protect herself.

"Is that too much to ask for?"

I clenched my trembling hands together, my nails digging into my palms as I closed my eyes.

But I already knew the answer.

'There's only one way to save Kurumi and Sawa…'

No matter how much I hated it.

"Tch."

I clicked my tongue in frustration, glaring down at the ground.

"So, it all comes down to this, huh?"

—It didn't take long to freshen up and don my uniform.

Once I was ready, I paused for a moment, standing in front of the mirror in my room.

Now that I had the leisure so, I stared at myself in the mirror, I was nothing short of being a male version of my sister.

Rough black hair, that just fit my frame with crimson eyes much like hers.

"Not bad…"

I said so as I tilted my head to the sides, still looking at myself in the mirror. But soon enough—

"Enough of this."

I muttered to myself, heading toward the small bookshelf that sat next to the mirror. My school bag rested atop it.

Grabbing it, I slung it over my shoulder and made my way out of the room.

When I arrived, I saw her—Kurumi, sitting at the dining table, chatting with someone else.

"Eyyy? Is that so?"

"My, my, does Sawa-san think I'd lie about something like that?"

A girl with brown hair tied neatly into two braids. Her face lit up with a bright smile as she spoke to my sister.

"You two are lively as usual," I said, announcing my presence as I made my way to the empty seat beside Kurumi.

"Ikari-san! Good morning." 

Sawa greeted me, her smile widening slightly as her cheeks tinted with a hint of red.

"Good morning, Sawa." 

I replied, offering a small smile in return.

Sawa's smile seemed to spread further as a hint of red spread across her face.

Naturally, if this didn't escape me, then there's no way it'd escape her. 

I glanced at Kurumi who narrow her eyes slightly at Sawa, then—

"Ahem. Sawa-san, I can't help but believe it but you've been bold lately."

Her words were paired with a pointed side-eye in my direction, just as I was about to swallow a piece of toast she'd made for breakfast.

"Hm? What?" 

I asked, feigning obliviousness and carefully placing the toast back onto my plate.

"My~ Acting oblivious on purpose. How typical of you, Brother." 

Kurumi shot me with that "you can't hide it" glance, and honestly… 

I already know: about Sawa too even, yet—

"Whatever do you mean by that?"

But of course, I replied, leaning back slightly and mustering my best look of confusion.

Feigning ignorance had always been my go-to move, and today was no exception.

It wasn't just her teasing that made me play dumb.

The truth was… 

Liking my sister was strange enough, but adding her friend to the mix…? 

Well… while I already knew for a long time now, I just wasn't ready… yet.

But now, knowing of their respective futures, I—

Perhaps because I'd fallen silent uncharacteristically, Kurumi leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against mine.

She didn't say anything, but I didn't need her to. 

I understood what she was trying to convey in that small gesture.

And then—

"Hehehe."

Sawa's soft laughter broke through the moment, drawing both of our attention.

"You two are so cute together." 

She said, giggling as though she'd just told the funniest joke in the world.

Kurumi's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as a playful smirk curled on her lips.

"Cute, you say? My, my, Sawa-san, you really do have a way with words." 

Kurumi replied, she didn't deny it, nor did she shoot the statement down, she'd always been like this.

I could only shake my head, reaching for another piece of toast as the atmosphere shifted back to its usual liveliness.