Chapter 3: Prelude III
"
Adoptive sister. Real Sister. A sweet and fulfilling delivery of resonance. Neither is it a food nor a charm, that is.
„
― Season one Episode seven narration.
Prelude III — Accursed Fate III
…. I knew it.
That day would come.
More sooner than I'd expected.
The Previous Day
We were standing near a secluded spot behind a café.
It wasn't a place we'd planned to visit—it had simply come up during one of our walks.
Sawa had discovered it a while back, during one of her visits to the area.
For both her and Kurumi, this little corner of the world was nothing short of heaven.
"Meow~!"
The sound came from a nearby cat, one of many that had made this spot their home. It wasn't hard to see why; the area was quiet and tucked away from the bustle of the city.
"How adorable~"
Kurumi purred as she snuggled up to one of the cats, her crimson eyes sparkling with delight.
Sawa, not to be outdone, joined her, crouching to pet a small kitten that had approached her.
I was less animated than the two, but even I couldn't resist the charm of these little creatures. A few had started brushing up against my legs, demanding attention.
With a small smile, I bent down, gently stroking their soft fur.
"How did you find this place, Sawa-san? This is heaven," Kurumi said dramatically, lying on the ground as though she'd just ascended to paradise.
"You see, I was coming back from school last week when I stumbled across it. Hehehe."
Sawa's smug grin turned into a teasing smile as she glanced at me. Without a word, she moved closer and tilted her head forward expectantly.
I raised my hand and patted her head.
"Good, good."
Kurumi, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly stopped mid-pet. Her crimson eyes narrowed into a glare aimed directly at Sawa, who simply smirked and stuck out her tongue.
"Kurumi…" I muttered under my breath, barely holding back a sigh.
That's when my phone vibrated.
I reached into my pocket and pulled it out.
"Ah—groceries!"
I exclaimed, suddenly remembering the errand I had to run.
While Kurumi usually handled the cooking, I was in charge of bringing the ingredients.
It was something the three of us often did together, but for some reason, today felt different.
However today, I don't understand why… of all days I should have been careful of…
I had bolted away.
Only when I was halfway, buying the groceries in the convenience store did I remember.
And that was when it hit me. 'Kurumi…'
I don't know, it's like tugging a string.
—You know whenever you tug at a string, you feel that vibration, that disturbance.
That was akin to what I felt.
"Shit."
I mumbled as I dashed towards the counter. Rushing to pay for the groceries.
So far, it had been about twenty-five minutes over here since leaving Kurumi and Sawa.
Plus, I had spent some time picking the groceries, by the time I'd be done here and returned home, considerable time would've passed.
In total, that'd take about an hour max.
Clenching my teeth, I reached into my pocket, pulling out my phone as I quickly dialled a number.
RING~!
"Hello, Ikari-san?"
"Hey Sawa, quick question, as Kurumi left your side?"
"Eh? She left not long after you left…"
Hearing that, my heart sank considerably, but I managed to keep myself upright.
"Thank you, Sawa-san."
"N-no problem, Ikari-san, anything for you…."
Her voice trailed off, but I only felt a pit in my stomach, however, I ignored it.
I cut the phone and would dial Kurumi's number, but—
"Dear Customer, the number you've dialled is unreachable—"
"Shit." I couldn't help but curse. But then… it clicked. "That place."
I mumbled as I remembered that particular passenger bridge we usually pass.
Without even regard for the poor groceries, I ran towards the bridge, climbing the stairs.
By the time I reached it, I was panting, my breath coming in short gasps, however…
"No way…"
She… she wasn't there.
"Don't tell me it's already happened?"
I calmed myself down leaning by the railings as I now thought about it.
"Calm down me… if that's happened, I can't change it, the only things too—"
As I said that, my phone vibrated.
Naturally, the caller ID displayed one name: Kurumi.
I answered it immediately and brought the phone over my ears.
"Kurumi…."
"Brother? What's up? Can't part away from your sister for a few minutes."
I can sense the extreme delight in her voice, and I couldn't help but slump even more.
"It's only natural for me to worry about you. You've always had a knack for attracting attention."
"Oh my, are you saying your adorable sister is troublesome?"
"Of course not." I replied, the words coming out softer than I'd intended.
"I just don't want unsavoury people approaching you…"
"Unsavoury? My, my~ You really are overprotective, Brother."
"Anyways, are you home now?"
I said that trying to clear up my pent up frustrations. And sure enough.
"Yes. I'm currently home right now, don't keep your adorable sister waiting."
"Haha, don't worry, I'll be quick."
After that, the call ended as I couldn't help but look up to the sky.
---
Fate…
Is this what it feels like to fight against it?
Would I have to stand by and lose the two people I cared about most to this so-called destiny?
Reincarnation stories always spoke of cheats—of miraculous powers, second chances, and rewritten lives.
Protagonists who could change their fates with ease.
But me?
I had none of that.
No power. No divine strength.
Not even the certainty that I could protect the two most important people in my life.
Such thoughts weighed heavily on me, and in this moment, I was grateful to be alone.
I couldn't bear to let them see me like this.
"Hm? What are you doing here in this state?"
A voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. A passerby had stopped, his curious eyes fixed on me.
I raised my head and forced a weak smile, shaking my head. "Just… a little problem. Nothing to worry about."
"Just a little?" he asked, his tone skeptical. "You don't look like it's nothing. Your face says it all."
The man's curt words made me straighten up, pulling myself together slightly.
"Say," I began, my voice quieter this time.
"Sorry if this sounds strange, but… do you believe in fate?"
My question seemed to catch him off guard.
He paused, studying me for a moment.
Perhaps it was the look on my face that made him humor me.
"Fate, huh? Honestly, I don't believe in it," he said with a shrug.
I nodded slowly. "I see."
His answer didn't surprise me.
Many people dismissed the idea of fate entirely. I wasn't here to argue with him or prove otherwise.
But somehow… hearing him say that was exactly what I needed.
"Then, do you think it's possible to destroy a predestined event?"
This time, he paused longer, scratching his head.
"I think my first answer already says it all, doesn't it?"
He gave me a small smile and patted my shoulder.
"I don't know what's going on with you, but if there's something you really want to do, just go for it. Don't hesitate."
They weren't the words I was hoping for.
But somehow, they lit a spark inside me.
"Thank—"
I began to thank him, turning to face him directly.
But he was gone.
I blinked, looking around.
The stairs, the street below—there was no sign of him. It was as if he'd vanished into thin air.
"..."
I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Heh…"
There was no point in overthinking it.
"Thank you."
I whispered softly, more to myself than to anyone else.
With that, I picked up my grocery bag and headed home.
By the time I reached my apartment, the sky was a deep blue, the last traces of orange fading away.
Night was coming.
When I opened the door, Kurumi was there, standing near the entrance. Her posture was stiff, and she looked worried.
"Brother, where have you been…?"
She asked, her voice quiet but heavy with concern.
I noticed the eyepatch covering her left eye and felt a sharp pang in my chest.
"Che…"
I muttered under my breath. But none of that mattered right now.
Thud!
With a soft thud, I dropped the grocery bag and closed the distance between us in one motion.
"B-Brother? What's with this sudden—"
She didn't finish her sentence as I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
She froze for a moment, startled by my actions, but then slowly relaxed.
Her body softened against mine as she rested her weight fully in my arms.
"Kurumi…"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
I said, my voice trembling slightly.
Her body trembled in response, and I felt her grip my shirt tightly.
"Hm. I know…" she whispered back. "I've always too…"
Her voice trailed off, and she didn't finish her sentence.
We just stood there, the silence heavy but comforting.
'Yes, Kurumi. I love you. And I swear, I won't hand you over—not to Mio, not to Shinji, not to Shido. Not to anyone.'
'I'll protect you, no matter what it takes. Even if it means sacrificing myself.'
But at that moment, I didn't realize something. I wasn't the only one with feelings this strong.
I couldn't have known how deeply my existence was rooted in both Kurumi's and Sawa's hearts.
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