章節 15: Normal human

Karina climbed down from her bed the next morning, then frowned when she saw Nori's and Chloe's beds empty. She darted her eyes around the room but saw no one.

That was strange. Usually, she wakes up before the two of them. So what happened today? Did she wake up late? That thought prompted her to check the small clock placed on the drawer, only to realize she even woke up a few minutes earlier than usual.

The sound of water suddenly gushing out of the tap pulled her attention toward the bathroom. Moving her feet, she sauntered into the bathroom.

Her eyes caught sight of Nori, who was leaning over the sink, brushing her teeth. She moved her eyes around the bathroom, but there was only Nori there.

"Morning, Rina." Nori's words came out unclear as she was still engaged in brushing her teeth. However, it was clear enough for Karina to understand what she said.

"Good morning, Nori," Karina responded, moving toward the sink to grab her brush. "You woke up early. Going somewhere?" Karina inquired, now standing beside Nori and staring at her through the mirror.

Nori didn't respond immediately until she spat out the water she had in her mouth.

"Nope. I couldn't sleep much." She answered.

"Where's Chloe?" Karina queried.

"She left." Nori shrugged.

"Left?" Karina's face twisted into a confused frown, her head tilting ever so slightly.

"Mm. Her pricked conscience didn't let her stay. She slept somewhere else." Nori enlightened with a frown, but let out a sigh when Karina only gave her a blank stare.

"Don't look at me like that, Rina. I still don't see her innocence in what happened."

This time, it was Karina's turn to let out a sigh.

"I'm not saying she is innocent. I'm saying you shouldn't work yourself too much. Let's leave the investigation and judgment to the authorities. Moreover, nothing happened to me." Karina turned to face Nori, giving her a reassuring stare.

"It could have been worse than this. You know what would happen if this gets to their ears." Nori pulled her brows together.

"More reason why we shouldn't involve the police. That would put us in trouble." Karina pointed out and Nori nodded.

"I figured… But if we do nothing, she might decide to pull such a stunt again."

"I won't listen to her. Last night was a mistake. It won't happen again. I'm not a child anymore, Nori."

"I never said you were. Still, that doesn't change my duty to you and our family. You should be the one looking out for me and making sure I don't make mistakes, but here I am, doing the reverse. Weird." Nori stated tiredly and put her toothbrush back on the stand.

As much as she didn't like what she was doing, she had no choice.

"Really weird." Karina chuckled, having a faraway look as she remembered something. "Now that I think of it dear sister, You've been slacking off a lot these days." Karina denoted, making Nori stare at her in dismay.

"I have a life too, Rina." Nori reminded, rolling her eyes.

"As far as I'm concerned, you are not supposed to have a life. You should be with me every second of the day, go everywhere I go. These days, you leave me to myself, and you even have a boyfriend when you know I'm not supposed to have one. Don't you know you can tempt me into breaking a rule?" The look on Karina's face was serious, and her tone, scolding. This confused Nori as she didn't know if Karina meant what she just said.

She opened her mouth, but shut it again, not knowing what to say. Everything Karina said was true. According to the agreement, she was supposed to be with her sister every second of the day, except of course, in the restroom, unless Karina was okay with it.

But over the years, Nori had given Karina some space, seeing how as they grew older, Karina had kept all the rules given to her, even without much supervision. So why was she suddenly sounding like she wasn't okay with the freedom?

"Pft…" Karina burst out laughing. "Oh my god… Now I wish I had a phone. I'd like to capture all these faces you just made, and watch them over and over again. Priceless."

"That wasn't funny. You sounded just like mum." Nori twisted her lips, upset about what just happened. She folded her arms below her chest as she sent Karina an unpleased look.

"Calm down. I was just joking. You took it too seriously." Karina said, still laughing lightly.

"Are you really okay with me being with Victor?" Nori questioned, suddenly feeling conflicted. Although Karina just said she was joking, she couldn't get rid of this question, and the feeling attached to it.

When her boyfriend —Victor— approached her, she told Karina about it, knowing how delicate the latter's situation was, and how her —Nori's— actions can affect Karina. But Karina had encouraged her to accept if she likes Victor.

Now that Karina mentioned it, she couldn't help but feel that Karina wasn't truly in support of her relationship.

"Why are you asking me that, Nori? I already told you…" Karina trailed off, realizing that Nori had taken her joke seriously.

"I was only joking, Nori. Don't make me feel bad for trying to joke about this. I didn't mean any of the things I said." Karina sighed, instantly regretting joking about such a sensitive matter.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I feel guilty sometimes, you know, and also scared that I might influence you wrongly." Nori apologized.

"There's no need to feel sorry or guilty. Your life is not attached to mine, and I don't want you tying yourself down because of me. I already understand my life, and I know I don't need a man in it. I'm fine with that, and I will uphold it. Don't stress yourself for my sake, okay?" Karina assured, grabbing onto Nori's shoulder and squeezing lightly.

"Thanks, Rina." Nori let out a relieved sigh.

"You will always be welcome," Karina uttered, smiling. "Now, finish up quickly. We need to head to class on time."

"Class? We have no class until eleven." Nori reminded, and Karina nodded.

"I know. I have to return Veron's Jacket, and they have a make-up test by nine. I want to return it before the test."

"Oh, that's true." Nori nodded in understanding. "About Veron… Don't you think it's strange he helped you, and even offered to drop you off?" Nori asked as she had been thinking about it through the night.

"I thought so too, but then I guess he's just human, and that's what any normal human would do," Karina answered, narrowing her eyes slightly.

"Even though I don't think he's a normal human." She added in a low voice, recalling the electrified feeling she got when he grabbed her hand, and the sudden irritated way he spoke to her after dropping her.