Anathema (The Academy of the Cursed)

Keian's Account: Fragile Memories

-keian's account-

There's always a difference between watching through a window and being present inside the walls.

The most beautiful is displayed for people to watch, bewitching them and diverting their attention away from the cruelty behind the walls.

It's one of the thing I hate the most.

"Napaka-unfair lang kasi talaga! Kapag pamilya natin ang may ability, parang nakagawa tayo ng malaking kasalanan. Pero sa mga mayayamang 'yon, okay lang!"

"Mga nagagawa nga naman ng pera, mare. Ang swerte't hindi nila nararamdaman ang pinagdadaanan ng mga anak natin."

I pulled my cap closer to my face, still listening to the two old ladies in front of me. They were expressing the unfairness of society when it comes to ability-users⁠— the difference of treatments between the marginalized and the privileged.

How laughable, the fact that it was all lies. After all, being rich does not excuse oneself from being constantly mistreated.

In fact, it fuels the hate even more.

An ability-user in a well-known and influential family? What a fucking disgrace.

With four books in hand, I made a left turn, immediately stopping once I've realized where my feet has led me. I only wanted some peace and quiet because the library was used to conduct class for my cousins. I wanted to bug Kiyara or make her help me, pero mukhang mali at tama ang oras ng pagpunta ko.

"What was that, Kiyara? We finally got to talk to that family and you couldn't even offer a simple smile?"

Grandfather is here. He seemed displeased.

"You can see the future with your stupid ability, right? Then why didn't you just say that the deal was a fail?! Do you enjoy seeing us face embarrassment?!"

I fought a wince when a knife flew towards my twin. From where I stood, I can see Kiyara gritting her teeth and I can also feel my own irritation growing. Sure, he wasn't aiming for my sister but it landed just beside her ear! It was too close for comfort. If Yara moved because of fear, she would be nursing an injury right now.

I clenched my fists when Grandfather proceeded with his lecture, like he didn't just threw a knife at my twin. It annoyed me. It made me mad. It made me want to utilize my ability to go and kill the useless head of the family⁠- no, of the Prestons.

They weren't family in the first place.

Not with what they've been doing to my twin ever since her ability showed up.

Nakakasakal sila. Nakakainis. What irritates me even more was my own helplessness. Why I couldn't help my twin in her suffering.

I'm only glad they're keen on keeping appearances. The one thing I appreciate about the Preston was their vanity. Because it gives Kiyara a breather and that's more than enough.

It's exhausting, sure. They'll parade us like fucking trophies and name us the 'genius twins'. Fucking bullshit.

Even though it annoys me, I can't say I hated it all my life. Those parties were one of the reasons why I met her after all.