章 16: the world never changes, it's just it is
I walked towards my house. There, waiting for me, were three people, my father, my mother, and Maria. They were my family, and they were likely worried about me, especially after receiving a few messages from my little sister a while back.
Today seemed to be full of events. It made me feel a bit happy and uncomfortable at the same time.
Beatrice was being targeted by someone. And the killer turned out to be a professional assassin who was selective about their targets. Later that afternoon, I received information about a ruthless organization conducting human experiments.
And just a short while ago, I encountered the hitman and her little sister, who had targeted Beatrice earlier today. I talked to the hitman on the phone and offered his little sister, who was not suited to be a killer, a deal.
I think today was a bit busier than usual. Even though there were many problems, it made me feel like today was very fulfilling. Knowing that I didn't spend my day as usual made me feel a little comfortable.
It was like a symbol that today I wasn't just living; I was experiencing a life full of twists and turns. Even though life can be very cruel and difficult sometimes, sometimes peace is more painful than that. Because when I feel calm, I always feel lonely, especially when I'm alone.
But today, even though it was pretty chaotic, I have to admit that I enjoyed the chaos around me.
I realize that I'm strange. When I have a quiet day, I feel bored and lonely. But I'm happy knowing that I'm having a quiet day.
But the same goes for days like this. I feel very tired and exhausted, but I'm still happy realizing that I'm living my day without emptiness in my heart.
I think as long as I didn't cry that day, I could be grateful for getting through it. Because when I cry, it means I've experienced something very sad. I hate sadness, I hate misery, but I also hate emptiness.
So even though my day was very chaotic, as long as I didn't cry that day, I could still consider it a good day.
I continued walking until I reached the area where my house should be. And right when I arrived in front of my house, I found my sweet little sister with her black hair, staring at tonight's full moon while standing in front of the gate of my house.
Her smile, which looked like she was thinking about a very distant past, held a longing in her eyes. The light of the full moon was clear tonight, as there were no clouds covering it, making the silhouette of the full moon visible in both of my sister's eyes.
Soon, she noticed my presence, and my little sister immediately smiled wider, showing her teeth. She started running towards me with all her might, ready to hug me with her open arms.
I smiled at that moment, and unconsciously, I raised my arms to the side and let my sweet little sister hug me tightly. Her hug, which felt so tight and full of unbearable longing, made me unable to resist the feeling.
There was no doubt in my heart, that sincere smile couldn't be considered anything fake. I didn't even want to think about the possibility that my sister was just acting.
"Welcome back, my beloved brother!"
"Were you waiting for me?"
"Yes!" she replied enthusiastically.
"But didn't I tell you not to wait for me?"
"You said 'don't wait at the door', so I didn't wait at the door."
"...," I was speechless after hearing that.
"Ehehe," while she acted cute and smiled at me.
As we started walking into the house, I said, "At times like this, I wish my little sister wasn't smart enough to play word games."
"Sorry for being your smart and cunning sweet little sister," she replied, smiling and holding my left hand in both of her hands.
"There's no regret in your words."
"Ehehe."
"What if you get sick because of this? It's so cold outside at night, right?"
"Don't tell me you're worried about me?"
"Yes, that's right, I'm worried about you."
"Without a doubt... I'm so happy! But don't worry, my body is stronger than you think!"
"I'm glad you're so confident, but you're still human, don't do anything stupid like that again."
"That's not stupid! Waiting for my brother to come home and welcoming him with a warm hug is a duty of a little sister!"
"Where did you learn that stupid understanding?"
"Novels... Don't you like being treated like this, brother? All men want this, you know?"
We entered the house, and Maria released her hug to run quickly to the living room, singing and making the house more lively.
I reached the living room a little late, after Maria had already arrived and hugged my mother.
"Mom, here are the things you ordered. I also bought some snacks."
Maria, hearing the word "snacks," immediately looked at my face as closely as possible, shouting, "Snacks?"
After that, she took all the shopping bags I was carrying and searched them for the snacks I mentioned.
I had expected this. I knew it would happen. For that reason, I bought some sweets that Maria likes.
Maria looked happy when she found something she liked behind the shopping bags. She smiled at me and said, "Thank you," making me smile unconsciously afterward.
Meanwhile, my mother smiled at me and thanked me too.
Their words of thanks were enough to make me happy. Little by little, I started to understand happiness. And I realize now that I'm feeling happy. If it were me a few years ago, I probably wouldn't have smiled because of something as simple as this. But now I'm different. I'm starting to understand others more than I imagined.
Unconsciously, I've also started to understand myself and understand this world.
Nothing has ever changed. Because from the beginning, it wasn't the world that changed, but only me inside my mind.
This world has always been like this, and it hasn't changed.
After that, I told my mother to forbid Maria from waiting for me every night. But my mother just agreed, looking at Maria while smiling. At the end of the sentence, she said, "If only I could."
Those words made me smile too. Because I understood what my mother meant. Because from the beginning, my little sister was a stubborn and childish person. I don't know why she started clinging to me and always idolized me like someone very great.
But even though she was very stubborn and annoying, that was what I liked about her.
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