ׂׂૢ "𝑨𝒏 𝑬𝒚𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑨𝒏 𝑬𝒚𝒆." ׂׂૢ
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🌼 •. ° ˊ- ─ YASU'S POV ─ -ˋ °. •🌼
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Its been already four years since I met Seiko, and it's been weirdly comforting.
I wasn't used to how Seiko spoke all the time about almost everything, especially about the stories she promised to tell. I usually got confused to why she called other people 'monsters' and 'demons', but I didn't want to pry onto the topic too much. When trying to find food though, she tends to choose reckless options that ended up with her being hurt.
And it's very hard for me to help more when I don't want to talk.
I always made sure to grab anything pretty or shiny to me when walking on the streets with Seiko, to decorate the broken down bus at the junkyard, I tried my best to clean it as well.
Usually, we steal pastries from a specific vendor because to Seiko, he was an 'easy target' and was slower than other adults, and could easily lose him in the crowd since he was at a busy area.
When we are lucky enough to get more bread and pastries, we would keep some for tomorrow and would get a free day to do whatever we wanted. We walk around outside endlessly as I would listen to Seiko ramble about the old stories she's heard or weird dreams she's had, which was entertaining and was what cured my boredom.
I liked that I wasn't pressured to speak by Seiko.
Whenever the vendor wasn't there that day, We would go to another street vendor who was kinder to us than others, and would give them both some Yakisoba.
Of course Seiko didn't trust the man, but had no choice, as long as she doesn't have to depend on him every day, which is why we were still stealing to this day. I did notice how rude and stubborn she got when being approached by people much older than us, and how she told me to not trust 'monsters' so easily, saying they are all evil.
I didn't think that all adults were evil, they were just hard to find any good people, but I continued to stay by Seiko's side and listen to her.
I looked up to her ever since she took the beating from those teenagers and saved me, as well as give me some food. I admired how brave she was, and wanted to protect her too.
I still wore the dirty, plain yellow dress, but had a brown hooded cloak over it too, that was ragged, after Seiko took a while to look for something that wasn't seriously stained with something disgusting in the streets.
I got easily attached to Seiko.
If only...-
"Yasu! Earth to Yasu!"
I blinked a few times. I were currently crouched behind a tall building, peeking my head out. I had been staring at the street vendor that have been selling sweet and fresh pastries and bread for a long time now, and noticed that I lost track of Seiko, who just left to go steal some.
I looked up at the girl, her hand on her hips and her other hand was used to snap her fingers to bring me back to reality, her green eyes narrowed.
Himari was my older sister, who was around 16, and for some reason, I was the only one who could see her, ever since the small 'incident' on her birthday.
She had a much cleaner outfit than them, black tank top, a green jacket that slid slightly off her shoulder, a yellow and black strip skirt, with brown boots. Himari had black hair with white strands, it reached her shoulders and was tied without much effort.
And there was a rope around her neck.
"Did you not hear what I said?"
I shook my head and Himari sighed, placing a hand on her chest, giving a sullen look, "Oh dear little sib, I afraid that you'll forget I exist if you keep daydreaming." Too lazy to say the full word 'sibling', a half smile shown on my face, finding her being dramatic amusing.
I shook my head again, "I'll never forget you Himari." Himari grinned lazily, and that's when I heard a yell from the street vendor.
Placing our attention back to it, I noticed a small black figure escape into the crowd as the guy shouted after them, wondering to chase after them or not. I knew it was Seiko, and I only had a minute or two to snatch a few bread rolls while he was distracted by her.
I put the brown dirtied hood over my head and ran to the vendor, Himari following behind. Most people who were trying to buy the baked goods were focused on where Seiko went or what was all the fuss about, not noticing me slip behind the vendor.
I tried grabbing as much bread my arms could carry, a little upset that I couldn't find Seiko's favourite pastry; it looked like two pancakes put together with some red paste in the middle, I forgot the name.
I made a run for it, making sure Himari was still with me. I wasn't sure where Seiko was when I made a quick turn into another street, one with less people. Non of them payed attention to us, so I decided to stay put here.
"Hey, did you hear about the cupcake that could dance?"
"Oh yeah? I heard it did the salsa at the bakery last night!"
'They're talking again,' there's never a day where I don't hear them having weird conversations. Weird, but funny conversations.
"No way! That must have been a sight to see, especially with that cherry on top."
"Yeah, but I heard the muffins were jealous. They tried breakdancing but just ended up crumby."
"Hey! Stop talking nonsense." Himari hissed. The voices giggled, but stopped. I smiled at her and she looked away, her arms folded.
Not long after, Seiko almost ran past me when she took a turn. A big smile was on her face when she noticed me.
"There you are, Yasu!" She exclaimed, her ruby eyes sparkling with excitement.
She had a few pastries in her arms as well, some of it messing up her clothes even more, and she was breathing heavily, probably tired from all the running, but she looked happy non the less. "Look! We have so much food, which means we get to go on another adventure tomorrow."
I nodded in agreement. Seiko took a piece of bread and ate it, and she took off her cloak and used it to carry the food she had, gesturing me to place the pastries I had in it too. Seiko made sure that the clothing covered the food when we continued walking.
We walked in silence on the sidewalk, Seiko leading the way as we were heading back to the junkyard. It wasn't comfortable silence, because I could feel other people staring at them, it always happened, even if I was alone. It made me fiddle with the my dress.
I grabbed onto Seiko and Himari's arm, and Seiko looked back at me with a comforted smile, while Himari's eyes softened.
It felt as if the world was a bit safer being around them.
I noticed that Seiko was looking at my other hand, where I was holding onto Himari. She brows furrowed, but shrugged and looked ahead.
It was cool outside, feeling glad that it wasn't those summer days. I always struggled running bare foot on the hot pavement. I even remember Seiko complaining all the way back home, rushing to find some shade, while Himari didn't seem bothered by the heat at all, still wearing the jacket.
Looking up at Himari, she was staring at something as we walked. Following her gaze, I looked a school from across the street, teenagers and adults outside the gate, some going inside while others chatted together.
Seiko paused when she also saw the school, looking confused and slightly annoyed. "Are they celebrating something?" I shrugged. The teenagers weren't wearing uniform, but they were wearing the same thing; a white and red track suit.
Giving up on pondering what was going on, Seiko huffed and started walking again, "Looks boring."
"I agree with the girl, let's go Yasu." Himari said, her face was unreadable as she turned away from the school, waiting for me.
"Hey Yasu, have you heard about the treasure hidden in the school?"
"Yeah, apparently it's an amazing mystery box!"
"You should totally check it out. Think of all the delicious treats waiting for you~"
"Go go go!"
Yasu let go of Seiko and Himari, staring at the school.
"Don't you want to gift it to Seiko?"
"She'd be very happy."
"Yes yes!"
"Yasu don't you dare-"
I didn't hear what Himari said as I ran across the street, but I did hear Seiko yell after me. I reached the other side of the road safely, and went inside the school grounds, squeezing past the puzzled students.
'I know that this place is full of bigger people, but I want to know if there's really something here.'
I weren't sure where to go once they entered the school, and just kept listening to what the voices were saying, but they kept saying different directions.
"Go inside the school!"
"No no! The back of the school!"
"Go back go back!"
I sighed, and felt like giving up already. I was about to turn back, but the voices hushed all of a sudden when I passed something.
I looked at a wooden hutch.
Fast footsteps approached me, and I looked to see Seiko and Himari. Seiko was breathing heavily while carrying the food, while my big sister just looked annoyed.
"What was that all about?" Seiko asked, calming down her breathing as she moved closer. She looked at the small cabinet I stood beside and tilted her head to the side. "Is this what you were looking for Yasu?"
I nodded. I reached out my hand to touch the cabinet but Himari grabbed my arm. This was the first time seeing her so serious and worried. "Yasu. Don't, touch it."
"Ugh, why is Yasu's big sister always so controlling?"
"Poor Yasu just wants to explore and have fun."
"Yeah, she's too protective. Let us enjoy this game."
The voices didn't sound cheerful anymore.
"Shut up!" Himari shouted, and the voices went back to giggling at her.
I wasn't sure who to follow now, but I noticed another hand touch the small cabinet and open it.
"There! I noticed you were struggling." Seiko said, looking at me, "Your welcome."
I didnt hear what Himari said under her breath as we took a look inside, only to find a brown box that wasn't too small, but not that big either.
Seiko took it out. "It's just a box!" She exclaimed. They looked up at Himari, who only stared at the box coldly, "Yasu, put that box back."
'Why? What's wrong with this box?' I asked curiously. Himari opened her mouth, about to respond, when she suddenly turned around, something catching her attention.
"I thought I saw a little girl run in a few minutes ago..." I heard from that direction, an older voice. All of us froze in place.
"I saw another one too! She looked more hostile than the other," a younger voice added.
I knew that it wasn't the voices in my head this time because Seiko could hear them too.
The only way out of the school was the way those voices were coming from, and I didn't know what would happen if we went around the school.
Without thinking, I grabbed Seiko and Himari's arm and ran straight to where the voiced were coming from. I squeezed my eyed shut as we all shoved past two people that squeaked in surprise and shock.
Then, I felt a tug from behind after a few seconds of running, stopping me in place. When I opened my eyes, we were in front of the road they almost ran into. I looked back to see Seiko, staring back with wide eyes and heavy breathes, and Himari was looking forward.
Taking quick glances to know that everyone was out of the school, we ran away as we heard the teenagers shout after us. I wanted to get away from that school as quickly as possible.
When we reached a dimly lit alleyway, I tried to catch my breath. The sun was going down, meaning that we should be heading back to the junkyard now.
"Next time, I'll lead..." Seiko heaved, making me remember how I almost ran into the road. My face was red with embarrasment. But I looked up to see her weakily giving me a thumbs up, "But you did well... for your first try Yasu...so thanks."
I smiled a little, and looked to see the same box back at the school, still in Seiko's arms. I looked at Himari to see her already staring at it intently.
Without looking at me, Himari spoke, "Yasu, tell that girl to put the box down."
I stared at her with a frown, "Himari, what's wrong with the box?" I asked, but she wasn't answering, it looked like she was trying to find the right words to.
Seiko was eyeing the box, "I wonder what's inside this thing that made you do all that stuff..." She mumbled, kneeling down and placing the box on the floor. The pastries was on the floor as well, covered by Seiko's black cloak. I kneeled down with her.
When the box opened, it showed something that looked like a...jar, and was wrapped with some weird old fabric or paper with symbols I've never seen before. I stated at amazement while Seiko groaned.
"How many times are we gonna open stuff!" She huffed and picked up the jar, trying to remove the rapping.
"You don't understand Yasu," Himari spoke up, her voice laced with panic, "I don't know what this thing is, but it's dangerous." I looked up at Himari, seeing how serious she looked.
"I don't get why Yasu's sister is so worried. The box isn't dangerous at all!"
"Exactly! It's just a surprise of happiness."
"Well, I'm glad Yasu finally got their hands on it!"
I turned to Seiko and tapped her shoulder, making her pause and look up from the object.
"Hm?" She hummed questionably, and I simply shook my head continuesly.
Yasu didn't know how to communicate with Seiko properly, but she seemed to know from my expression, because she said, "Don't worry Yasu, this thing looks harmless!"
I heard Himari say a curse word as Seiko struggled with removing the rapping. I tried to think of something else, but the happy voices kept distracting me.
Before I could do anything, I saw Seiko's face bright up.
Succeeding with the old cloth of paper, she started unwrapping the object...
But her excitement in her eyes disappeared, replaced with fear.
As we all stared at a jar with two floating eyeballs inside.
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