CHAPTER 21: BOND

After about 30 minutes, Raito and Aiko arrived at his apartment. Raito stepped out first, leaving the door open for his sister. She followed, and he went to the back of the taxi to unload the luggage. Once everything was out, he paid the taxi driver.

"I didn’t expect you... didn’t know you were coming," Raito said.

"So you still live in this same apartment? Looks like you haven’t changed much," Aiko replied.

"Yeah, I still live here. Come on, let’s go in," Raito said, carrying the luggage inside. He unlocked the door and stepped in, glancing around the apartment.

"Ah, this place is such a mess," Raito muttered.

"What do you mean, a mess? This place is a total disaster. And that’s not even enough to describe how dirty it looks. Look at your clothes, your underwear—tossed all over the floor. You haven’t changed a bit. You’re still the dumb little brother I know," Aiko said, shaking her head.

Raito ran his hand through the back of his hair, scratching nervously. "Well... sorry," he said, bending down to gather all his clothes.

"What are you doing? Keep it. Leave it to me. I’ll close it."

"No, no, no. I still have to pick my clothes. I still have to pick my clothes. I still have to pick my clothes," Raito insisted.

"Now you’ve taken your clothes and you have to keep them. Let me sweep here. Step outside. I’ll close it," Aiko said.

They might not step out, Raito thought as Aiko shut the door. Standing outside, he noticed she hadn’t changed. She was still commanding, just like she used to be.

"Well, it’s good to have her back," Raito said to himself. This is my sister’s face.

After a while, Aiko opened the door. "Now you can come in. I’ll close it," she said.

Raito stepped inside. "Wow. Look at this... wow. This is actually amazing. My room hasn’t been this neat ever since the last time we left. Truly amazing," he said.

"I know, right?" Aiko replied.

The two smiled and then sat on the bed. The room was unusually silent. I’m not used to silent places. Why is no one talking? Someone should say something to break the tension, Raito thought.

"Hey, Raito. I really wanted to know how you’ve been. How have you been?" Aiko asked, worried.

"Oh... I’m really good. I’m okay, as you can see," Raito said with a smile.

Aiko turned toward him and placed her hand on his head, rubbing it sincerely. "I wanted to know how you’ve been. I’m actually relieved now, seeing... you’ve changed," she said.

"What do you mean? And what makes you think I’ve changed? It hasn’t even been that long since we met today," Raito replied.

Then he stood and turned on every light in the room.

"Yeah, I can tell. Before, when I asked you how you’ve been, I could see it in your face—you were forcing a smile, pretending everything was fine. You were never really fine. But now... since you’re sincerely smiling when I ask, you’re not forcing it," Aiko said.

"What? Since when did you notice that?" Raito asked.

"Ready... ready... action," she replied with a small smile.

"Let’s say... since around the time you were 17, just last year. Around the time I left. Because you know, when I came to visit, I didn’t usually stay long. But last year, when I came, I could tell you weren’t happy. You were sad, for some reason," Aiko said.

Wow... she actually studied me this well. She’s worried for me. She could tell it was around the time Ayane shattered my dream. After I realized she had a boyfriend, I just forced myself to do everything... she figured that out, Raito thought, smiling slightly.

"Yeah, maybe I did act that way. I was actually sad around that time. But now... I’m really good," he said.

"Good to hear. And I wanted to ask you this—when was the last time you spoke with Dad?" Raito asked.

"It was about five months ago, on my birthday, when I turned 18," Aiko replied.

"What did he ask you? Was it the usual?" Raito pressed.

"Yes, it was. He asked me to go abroad and join him in the work he’s doing," Aiko said.

"Why didn’t you take it? You should have. Just finally... take the job, accept that offer. I usually call you," Raito said.

"Because... he’s really worried. You know that," Aiko said softly.

"Yeah, I actually know. I understand his worries," Raito said, nodding.

"I used to clean gas and other stuff... I used to clean gas. You know, the pace is really slow. Isn’t it about time you get a proper job?" Aiko asked.

The room went quiet again. Neither of them spoke, the silence stretching out between them.

Aiko lowered her gaze. "Well... I know this might sound strange. I don’t know... I’m just worried about you. You’re my only real sibling. My only brother."

Raito gave a small smile. "Well, thank you for worrying about me. But I told you, I’m really good. I’m fine. And... I’ll be going for my rank assessment soon."

"It’s meaningless," Aiko said softly. "Has your power even manifested yet?"

Raito’s heart skipped. Should I tell her? he wondered. I’ve already told too many people things I shouldn’t. Someone betrayed me once—someone I thought was my friend. I shouldn’t even have told him. No... not yet.

He forced a casual smile, hiding his thoughts. I’m not going to tell her now. I’ll tell her when the time comes.